Architecturally Marvellous
Nestled in the farmlands south of Auckland, between Manurewa and Clevedon, is the picturesque Windross Farm Golf Course. The course was built on the grounds of an old farm and is architecturally magnificent. The landscape was flat and featureless before golf architect Brett Thompson transformed it into the links-style golf course it is today. The setting itself is stunning, surrounded by quiet farmlands, rolling tree-lined hills and the sounds of spring lambs bleating for their mothers.
The course layout is good and is a visual feast for the eyes, with all 18 holes having unique characteristics, keeping you engaged for the entire round. We unfortunately played on a wet and rainy Sunday afternoon, at the end of a very wet winter, so the course was sodden under foot and even blocked off in places. The abundance of water features on the course, almost all man made, didn’t help much with the drainage, so we’d be keen on a visit in the summertime to play the course again.
Links golf courses are generally short, using wind, weather, and hazards as a defense. And in the wet and windy conditions we played in, Windross Farm was a decent test. It neither played too hard for the high handicapper, nor too easy for the low handicapper. Being almost completely man made, rather than sculpted by nature, there was very little chance of you getting away with a bad shot, and there was a lot of reward placed on sensible golf. There is some joy in playing golf where you are rewarded for playing the percentages, but it did feel like the thrill of taking a risk was removed from most (not all) of the holes. But in truth, the weather took most of the fun out of our round, and Windross Farm Golf course was a highly entertaining day out.
Because the course was designed with such meticulous attention to detail, everything at the course is just about perfect. The Pro Shop is well stocked with most of your on-course essentials, halfway house (the 19th) is warm, inviting, with a variety of drinks and snacks on offer. Other than the weather damage, the course is well-kept, with neat fairways and consistent greens. The bunkers were in poor condition due to the high amount of rain, but they were still very playable. The rough is the biggest penalty at Windross Farm, as it is thick and can easily swallow a golf ball hit slightly off-line. (Note to anyone playing Windross Farm, there is a 1-shot old TP5 left of the first fairway, a 4-shot old TP5 on the right of the second fairway and a 7-shot old Pro V1 over the back of the 4th green).
The staff at Windross Farm consistently receive high praise for their friendliness and professionalism. The club also appears to have an open policy towards juniors, and when we arrived there were a group of children receiving coaching at the world class practice facilities and then they were taken by the coach out for a few holes of practical lessons, something we love to see. In Conclusion, the Windross Farm Golf Course in South Auckland is a golfing paradise that melds the art of the game with the beauty of nature. Its thoughtfully designed layout, stunning surroundings, impeccable course conditions (we think), plus the top-tier amenities make it a must-visit destination for golfers seeking an exceptional experience. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or a newcomer to the sport, Windross Farm will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on your golfing journey.