Golf at the Edge of the Earth: Cape Kidnappers
When we set out to photograph our Uforia products for the first time, we knew exactly where we wanted to do it: one of the most dramatic stretches of coastline in the world—Cape Kidnappers in Hawke’s Bay.
All of the key imagery on the Avgar Sport website was captured there, against those soaring cliffs and endless Pacific horizons.
If you're planning a trip to New Zealand, this is the course that makes the journey worthwhile.
Image by Nick Wall, Air Swing Media
A Course Unlike Any Other
Perched 140 meters above the Pacific Ocean on dramatic clifftop "fingers," this Tom Doak masterpiece has earned its place among the world's elite courses since opening in 2004.
The late Julian Robertson—the American philanthropist who also created sister property Kauri Cliffs—envisioned something extraordinary for this 6,000-acre property. He found the perfect partner in Doak, whose minimalist philosophy shaped the land into holes that challenge convention while honoring the rugged terrain.
Measuring 7,147 yards at a par 71, Cape Kidnappers challenges elite players while remaining genuinely enjoyable for everyday golfers—something achieved through strategic options rather than punishing design (though some say the real challenge is maintaining your focus when you're standing on a cliff 140 meters above the ocean).
Image by Nick Wall, Air Swing Media
Where Design Meets Nature
The course follows the natural ridge-and-valley landscape, playing along deep ravines and across dramatic clifftop terrain. The surface runs firm and fast—meaning trajectory control matters more than raw distance.
The 6th hole demands a long iron across a deep ravine into a headwind. Then comes the 15th—known as Pirate's Plank—a 650-yard par-5 that rides a narrow ridge where the world simply ends on your left. The green creates an "infinity" effect, appearing to float 400 feet above the surf.
Image by Ricky Robinson, Robinson Studios
The Golf That Matters
The front nine is far more than just a preamble to the cliffs. The blind tee shot on the par-5 4th, where a small post serves as your aiming point before the fairway reveals itself, sets the tone: this is golf that rewards commitment over caution.
The 15th photographs spectacularly, the par-3 13th is equally iconic, perched on the cliff edge with five bunkers protecting a raised green.
Nearby, the 12th hole offers a visual trick; the approach plays toward the water with the suggestion that anything long falls to the beach. While there is more room than it appears, standing over that shot requires a total leap of faith.
Beyond the Golf
Cape Kidnappers sits within Cape Sanctuary, New Zealand's largest privately funded wildlife restoration project. Protected by over 10 kilometers of predator-proof fencing, the property provides a safe haven for rare native birds like the Kiwi and Takahe.
Image by Jessica Payne, Social Image
Now managed by Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, the luxury accommodations on-site integrate five-star hospitality with world-class conservation. The 20-minute drive from the property gate to the clubhouse—winding through rolling sheep paddocks and steep valleys—is a necessary transition into a world where the usual pace of life simply drops away.
Worth the Journey
"What really sets Cape Kidnappers apart is the overall experience," says Head Golf Professional Ronnie Clark. "The remoteness, the sense of escape, and the connection to the surrounding environment create something far beyond a round of golf.”
“Guests often speak about the silence, the views, and the feeling that they're playing somewhere completely unique in the world."
That first photo shoot at Cape Kidnappers captured Uforia against one of golf's most dramatic backdrops—a fitting setting for a product designed to match the game's best moments.
Contact & Location
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Address: 446 Clifton Road, Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay
Pro Shop: proshop@capekidnappers.com | +64 6 873 1018
Web: robertsonlodges.com/cape-kidnappers
