Cromwell Golf Club

Overview: Cromwell is a sand-based inland links course in Central Otago, surrounded by the Pisa Range, vineyards and the dry, bright landscape of the upper Clutha. The 18-hole card plays to par 72, and the natural lie of the land gives the fairways a coastal-links feel despite the course being far from the sea. Marram grass, pines, hollows and sharply contoured greens make placement more important than the generous landing areas first suggest.

History: The club was formed in 1903 and tried several early sites before the course on most of the current ground was established in 1946. The second nine followed in 1974, when Clyde Dam construction brought more people into the district. A major redevelopment in 2010 to 2012 reshaped the challenge and helped the course become a regular host of New Zealand Open qualifying and national events.

Did You Know? Hole names at Cromwell often explain the shot before it is played. The par-three 5th is called Calamity because of its steep, difficult green, while the 17th, Waterloo, changes with the wind and asks a player to commit to a small target surrounded by slopes.