Formosa Golf Resort

I drove the 40 odd Ks to Formosa for a corporate meeting and dinner. The facilities are very tired and apart from a few golfers during the day, we were the only ones there. While the conference room is functional enough and the staff try their best, the food is truly awful. Dinner was fish (most couldn’t finish it as it was too fishy — aka too old) and the porterhouse I asked for medium rare was well done (yuk) and tough.
The only redeeming feature was the view — spectacular — back to the city and the sky tower.
Won’t be long before it turns into residential I think!

We didn’t come to the resort to play golf, we just wanted to get out of Auckland and not go too far, so I found a deal on Wotif for a 2 night stay in an Executive Villa incl Breakfast and Dinner.
I really enjoyed myself and the room including the bathroom was massive and we had a great view of the water. The breakfast was buffet which suited us completely and the dinner was really nice.
They also have a separate pool and gym complex with spa pool and sauna as well as Indoor Tennis courts. The complex is also very close to the beaches out that way, so its actually a great place to go and relax at but still very close to Auckland and it was exactly what we needed.

I would love to play this golf course without wind, I would just like to see if it is such a bastard when trees aren’t being blown over on the course. I’m not even exaggerating, the last time I hacked my way around this golf course; there was only one winner, the wind.
Playing in a golf day, I ended up winning by being the only golfer to play his round under a hundred, and I’m talking single figure handicappers here. It was a tough day, and we were truly blown off the course.
The condition of the course has seen better days, but this is still a top golf course, and definitely one of Auckland’s best. The pro shop is good, the bar facilities almost the best I’ve seen and the management is doing a good job.
I find the course a good workout, but it is probably better suited for cart users, and I know I’ll be using one if the wind blows again.

A shadow of itself in its former glory days, when its hosted the golf World Cup more than a decade ago, Formosa remains one of the toughest golf courses I have played in Auckland to date.
With its lengthy holes and difficult lies of the tee, the tussock and bunkers that litter the course provide numerous, difficult obstacles during your round.
I found the challenge of this course a great experience and true test of my golfing ability. Once the back 9 was reached there is fantastic scenery to be experienced, with the course running along the cliff-​tops above the Tamaki Strait and nearby Pine Harbour marina.
For those who can afford that little bit more of the complete golfing experience, there is an abundance of facilities onsite including villas to stay overnight, driving range, gymnasium and indoor swimming pool, as well as bar and restaurant.
I would recommend at least having a round and spending the day in the area, with Whitford also a lovely township, or the nearby Maraetai for a swim at the beach.
The facilities of the resort are in need of some TLC, which is reflected by the minimal numbers of people utilising the facilities — however the course itself remains in good nick.

Formosa is not quite the same as it was in its former glory days. They don’t seem to be as focussed on maintenance and upkeep as they used to be, but this is still a very nice course in a beautiful seaside location. Some of the holes are so picturesque, but this also means that it does sometimes get a strong breeze coming off the water, which can be a challenge. The amount of land that this course has is incredible, and there is heaps of accommodation available right beside the course if you’re keen to stay here. The clubhouse is massive!
I usually prefer to walk a round of golf, but seeing as this is one of the longest courses in New Zealand, I’d suggest hiring a golf cart here otherwise you’ll be in for a very long day. It’s expensive to play here, but I have found quite a few special deals recently that they have on certain days.