Rosewood Cape Kidnappers

Completed in 2004, Rosewood Cape Kidnappers is a jewel in the crown of New Zealand’s golf scene. Sitting atop rolling hills, nestled amongst dramatic cliffs and vast ocean views on the southern tip of Hawke’s Bay, this luxury New Zealand golf resort offers one of the best courses in the country.

Rosewood Cape Kidnappers is home to a working farm and is a true sanctuary for some of the country’s most protected flora and fauna. Of course, it also boasts one of the world’s leading golf courses. 

After realizing his dream at Kauri Cliffs, American billionaire, the late Julien Robertson, turned his attention to doing the same at Cape Kidnappers. The Tom Doak design opened in 2007 and has been referred to as ‘experiencing golf at the edge of the earth.’ Built on a 6,000-acre ranch, the breathtaking peninsula with several ‘fingers’ sits 140m above Hawke’s Bay, jutting out 10km into the South Pacific.

Although the scenery is distracting, players should take special care to avoid the bunkers. Doak’s design philosophy is old school, believing that bunkers rather than trees or water features should be true penalizing elements.

The area gets its name from an unfortunate incident of mistaken identity. When Captain Cook was exploring the region, he had a young Tahitian cabin boy on his crew that the local Māori tribe took to be one of their own.

In an effort to rescue him the indigenous people were mistakenly thought by the crew of the Endeavor of trying to kidnap him and thus fired upon the Māori tragically killing several of them.

The course is minimalist in nature to blend in with the local landscape and was created with little intrusion into the environment.

The ranch is so large that it is a good 20-minute drive from the gate to the Clubhouse and Lodge area.

Since opening the on-site Robinson Lodges have been acclaimed for their luxurious amenities, spa, and appointments. The fall of 2023 ushered in a new era as it was announced that the iconic, luxury hospitality brand, Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, would take over management of their properties at Cape Kidnappers, Kauri Cliffs, and Matakauri Lodge in Queenstown further elevating the experience for visitors.

The area gets its name from an unfortunate incident of mistaken identity. When Captain Cook was exploring the region, he had a young Tahitian cabin boy on his crew that the local Māori tribe took to be one of their own.

In an effort to rescue him the indigenous people were mistakenly thought by the crew of the Endeavor of trying to kidnap him and thus fired upon the Māori tragically killing several of them.

The course is minimalist in nature to blend in with the local landscape and was created with little intrusion into the environment.

Cape Kidnappers is set on a series of clifftops high above the Pacific Ocean in New Zealand’s Hawkes Bay region, and the course layout follows the natural ridgelines of the land, making for an unforgettable experience. It blends modern championship golf with a rugged, rural setting.

Since opening in 2004, it has become a flagship golfing venue in New Zealand, attracting international visitors looking for a more curated and less crowded experience. Cape Kidnappers combines controlled access and a wonderful lodge hospitality service that distinguishes itself on the world stage.

Cape Kidnappers Golf Course uses the natural, narrow ridgelines present to create an experience that is constantly changing in direction and elevation, rather than using parkland routing, it uses the land’s contours to create carries, angling, and a mixture of exposed and sheltered holes. 

There are several signature holes that the course is well known for, particularly those played along the cliff edges. The Par-5 finishing stretch is particularly notable for demanding both careful control and positioning as the land narrows down towards the ocean-facing headland. The wind is also an ever-present factor that can determine how the course is played on a day-to-day basis. 

• The course sits on a dramatic clifftop that’s about 140 metres above sea level, with holes positioned to overlook the Pacific Ocean. 
• The area is home to one of the largest gannet colonies, and thousands of seabirds nest on the cliffs between September and April. 
• The course tops the global golf resort course charts not just in New Zealand, but is considered to be one of the best in the world. 
• Cape Kidnappers gets its name from an incident in 1769, when the Maori locals attempted to kidnap a crew member from Captain James Cook’s boat. 

Cape Kidnappers is a private-access resort course, which means all tee times must be booked in advance, typically as part of a package or through an approved tour operator. It is possible to play as a visitor, but priority is always given to resort guests. Green fees come in at around $370 but can go up or down based on the season. 

Dress code is smart golf attire, which is expected to be worn on the course and in the clubhouse. Metal spikes are usually not permitted, and soft spike golf shoes are recommended.