Terrace Downs High Country Resort

Standing on the first tee of Terrace Downs, one is likely to experience a sense of anticipation. The hole is a 455-metre par five double left-hand dogleg. Before addressing the ball one needs to contemplate their approach and decide whether or not to take on the water that extends more than 200 metres between the two doglegs or play it safely down the right hand side. The approach to the green is difficult from distance as the fairway slopes toward the water and bunkers protect both sides of the green, leaving only a narrow landing area if one is to arrive at the green safely. The green is large, slightly contoured and slopes from back to front and right to left.

This is a long 420-metre par four. It is straight and slightly downhill. Its challenge is the extremely punishing rough on both sides of the fairway. A fairway bunker protects the right side of the fairway at the 250m mark and bunkers on the front left and right sides protect the green. The kidney shaped green terraces down to a lower tier and with the pin at the back this can be a very tough green to read.

Views of Mount Hutt towering high behind the flag greet one on the third tee. As with the second the challenge of this hole is in navigating the punishing rough to the left and right. The green is also protected by bunkers to the front left and right, leaving a narrow approach that can best be navigated with a high mid iron.

Definitely a favourite of many golfers, the fourth is a cheeky par three that requires a fair amount of confidence coupled with a good iron shot to carry the lake protecting the front of the green. From the back tee it is 175 metres in length and with the pin placed at front left only a very accurate shot will get close. The safe option is short and right but most players prefer to take their chance on landing one on the green. Centre back and right sides of the green are bunkers that can leave a difficult shot onto a surface that slopes away and toward the water.

The fifth green is blind from the tee with the fairway playing down a natural valley and over a small rise before turning sharply left. Fairway bunkers on the left create a hazard for the wayward golfer but the real challenge of this hole is the elevated green. Raised about two and a half metres, the green is cut back on the right hand side and protected on the left by a long bunker. The cut back means that only an accurate shot will remain on the green with an approach window of only about 5 metres wide. The safe golfer will play slightly short or try and run the ball up the green but go too far and youll be out the back or off the side and find yourself in difficult rough on a steep slope.

Possibly the most deceptive hole on the course, the sixth hole is a 161 metre par three that at a glance may seem simple, but club selection can be very difficult and will vary considerably with weather conditions. The green has bunkers front left and right and the lake to the right hand side of the green can catch you out, as it is totally blind from the tee.

A magnificent long par five that unfolds as one plays it, the seventh hole is one of the most challenging on the course. At 556 metres from the back tees it is certainly the longest hole and after a good drive the fairway winds left onto a lower terrace. The lower part of the fairway meanders between a lake on the right and a bunker on the left strategically placed to ensure the long hitters use the fairway. At the end of the lake is the seventh green and a back right pin placement calls for accuracy in approach or wet feet.

The eighth is probably the most difficult hole on the front nine. From the back tees it is a 419 metre long par four that doglegs right between a series of fairway bunkers and off the tee is straight into the teeth of the predominant wind from the North West. Two good hits are essential if one is to par this hole and long rough to the left and right will swallow any stray balls. From the dogleg the green appears to be just behind a deceptive fairway bunker but is in fact about forty metres beyond. The green is tiered into two levels and very wide, making an accurate approach essential for a good score.

The predominant tail wind assists one in achieving the length from the tee required for this hole. With water on the left and the fairway turning right around a fairway bunker, this hole is the second most challenging on the front nine. A narrow approach into a brutal two-tier green protected by bunkers at each corner creates an entertaining finale to the front half of the course. Front left of the green is a good spot to be in after two shots.

A thrilling start to the back nine, the tee on this spectacular par three sits high on the edge of a terrace offering panoramic views of the second nine holes. Take a moment to revisit your game plan and soak up the views. The elevation gives you a chance to contemplate your target: a peninsular green surrounded on three sides by water with the front left protected by sand. The hole generally plays shorter than its length but varies with wind direction.

A very tough hole with a most intimidating tee shot: 250 metres of water frames the left side of the fairway which then doglegs left between this lake and a another smaller lake on the right. The green sits between two bunkers and slopes left to right and back to front. From the green the property drops dramatically down to the Rakaia Gorge and the views are simply breathtaking.

An elevated tee offers a great view over the gorge, up to the mountains and back over the course. Just left of the mound is the percentage shot while the big hitters can take on the corner (a must if you want to have a crack at the green in two). A huge expanse of lake runs 200 metres up the left side of the fairway beckoning those who draw (or left-handers who fade). Your second shot has to circumnavigate this lake and carry a huge bunker on the right. The green approach has two fairway bunkers and another couple around the dance floor. The green is smaller than most and the borrow is subtle.

A long straight par four where the tee shot is threatened by fairway bunkers left and right and even a good drive will leave a long iron to a long narrow green that at first glance looks like it is hanging over the side of the gorge. Short or left is the place to miss. The green has quite a lot of slope from back to front and poor club selection can leave a monster putt.

The first of two fantastic short par fours. The fairway doglegs around a beautiful island lake from left to right. The water pushes you left but look out for a cavernous bunker. A fairway wood or long iron off the tee is the smart option and will leave a small to mid iron to a kidney shaped green. The left side of the fairway gives the best approach into this green which is surrounded by a cluster of hazards protecting par three pot bunkers on the left, a tongue of water from the lake and a central pot bunker on the right. The green is well contoured from back to front so take care when reading the putt.

A driveable par four, the carry is about 200m but its not a doddle. First the tee shot is all water carry, then the drive has to skirt two pot bunkers on the left and another on the right of the green. The entrance is very tight and a slight fade for a right hander is the best shot. If that doesnt tickle your fancy hit a mid to long iron to the fat part of the fairway, it will leave you a wedge to the green and a good chance at birdie.

One of our most spectacular holes. The tee hangs over the gorge and looks down 200 metres to the aquamarine water below with Mt Hutt towering above. The green is just a wedge or so away but you will have to carry two ravines that drop all the way to the river through thick native bush. Your tee shot also has to carry a deep pot bunker short of the green and skirt another on the left. Forget about being short as a short ball is an automatic reload! The green slopes dramatically left to right and front to back completing this exciting and challenging hole. For the faint hearted golfer there is a small bail out area on the front left!

A dramatic split-fairway par four. Your options are to lay up short of the hazard and play safe with a dog-leg around the traps, or go for it by driving over the hazard to the tongue of the fairway on the right of the pond. The green is very large with a big slope from back to front and right to left.

A classic par five. The fairway dog-legs right and then climbs to a tiered green nestled in the valley below the Clubhouse. Dont be tempted to cut the corner with your drive as its further than it looks and there is a certain lost ball if it hits the long rough. Stay left and try to hit your fairway wood to the large green. Beware of an aggressive second shot, as there are fierce sand traps protecting this green.