Astonishingly
Pure.
Horowhenua | New Zealand
A world-class golf experience is taking shape on the wild west coast of Horowhenua, New Zealand.
Shaped by
the wind.
Welcome to Douglas Links
Douglas Links is set on a wild stretch of coastline at Ōhau, Horowhenua just north of Wellington, New Zealand. It’s shaped by the land, the wind, and a deep respect for nature. Here, golf is stripped back to its essentials: dunes underfoot, weather overhead, and every shot a conversation with the elements.
Our mission is to build the best links golf course possible. Added to that we will present a truly fun and enjoyable experience for all levels of golfers. When you have finished your round you can relax in our welcoming club house with a smile on your face.
The bar and restaurant will astound with a simple laid back kiwi beach feel. Keep your hat on, wear a tee shirt and your jandals (flip flops). Soak in the amazing views over the golf course and out to the Tasman Sea. Laugh with your friends as you relive the good, bad and the ugly of your eighteen holes. We guarantee you will have a strong desire to get back out there and do it all again.
Nature as
co-designer.
What we are starting with
This is not just any stretch of land.
The future home of Douglas Links lies on a sweeping coastal plain shaped over thousands of years by wind, tide, and time. Though once sculpted by natural forces, much of this landscape was later adapted for farming; its contours softened and its wildness subdued. Paddocks were levelled, and natural undulations smoothed to suit agriculture, not golf.
But beneath it all, the bones of a true links course remain. A deep bed of free-draining sand still lies just underfoot, an essential ingredient for authentic links golf. Fescue grasses and native shrubs already grow in patches, offering a glimpse of what could be. Now, the work begins to gently restore this land to its former rhythm, reintroducing movement, rewilding its lines, and letting the dunes breathe again.
A golf course that lives lightly on the land.
What emerges at Douglas Links will be something rare in the world of modern golf; a true links course that feels as though it has always belonged.
Designed for play, yes - but equally for permanence – it will be shaped with a light footprint, guided by sustainability, and in harmony with its coastal ecosystem. The routing follows the land’s natural rises and hollows, with minimal earthworks. Sandy soils and drought-tolerant fescue grasses are ideal for the site, reducing the need for intensive irrigation. No paved paths; just walking, the way the game began.
This is golf in its purest expression: connected to place, respectful of nature, and built for generations to come.
Restoring the
ecology.
an ecology project
As much as the Douglas Links is about building a world-class golf links, it’s also a massive ecological restoration project. Over 180,000 native plants will return to the dunes. The Macrocarpa and overgrown exotic species will give way to the sweeping coastal dune landscapes. The ecology of this land will be protected in perpetuity.
Shaping the land with vision and restraint.
Darius Oliver is not just a golf course designer, he’s a steward of the land and a champion of true links golf. With a deep respect for the game’s origins and a sharp eye for natural beauty, Darius brings a philosophy of minimal intervention and maximum impact.
Follow our journey
Keen to follow the journey or express early interest in membership? Drop us a line at info@douglaslinks.co.nz — we’re handling all enquiries personally at this stage.
You can also follow us on Instagram; @douglaslinks for behind-the-scenes updates as Douglas Links takes shape.