Tara Iti: The World’s Most Exclusive & Welcoming Golf Club

Erik Anders Lang (“EAL”) is one of the most well-known amateur golfers in the world.  But EAL is particularly unique in that he is constantly looking to share his experiences with the masses and grow the game.

Indeed, EAL’s been one of the very fortunate few to play Augusta National, but perhaps his most recent round is the one I’m most interested in.

Despite finding itself among the top 10 of Golf Digest’s World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses since its opening in 2015 (most recently at #6, just behind The Old Course at St. Andrews but ahead of Royal Portrush Golf Club, host to the the 148th Open Championship), Tara Iti provides everyone with a once-in-a-lifetime guest pass (pending a favorable letter of recommendation from your club) to tee it up at one of the most incredible golf courses in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Beautifulgolfphotos (@beautifulgolfphotos) on Dec 9, 2017 at 1:57am PST

Sadly, after enjoying a taste of this slice of golf heaven, future visits will require that you either obtain membership (which is extended exclusively through invite from a current member) or receive an invitation to play as a guest from a member (so remember to shake as many hands as possible while visiting).

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Steven MacDonald (@taraiticaddiecrew1) on Jul 25, 2019 at 5:29pm PDT

While the golf course itself is certainly one of the most appealing parts about Tara Iti, it would be foolish to overlook the demeanor of the club.  Indeed, EAL’s video makes it abundantly clear that Tara Iti isn’t the stuffy, buttoned-up country club of yesteryear, where an air of elitism immediately overshadows the golf. To the contrary, Tara Iti Golf Club clearly positions itself as a golfers’ country club, where pretentious attitudes are not just discouraged but moreso unwelcomed but its members.

So for anyone interested in making a trip to play a Top 10 course in the world, feel free to head over to the Information section on Tara Iti’s website to submit an application for admission to one of golf’s meccas.

And for anyone who’s already used up their once-in-a-lifetime pass, there’s a silver lining to Tara Iti.  Earlier this year, Ric Kayne (the owner of Tara Iti) announced his intention to invest over $50 million to develop two new public courses that will be designed by Coore & Crenshaw and Doak on part of land adjacent to Tara Iti.  Although Kayne hasn’t received consent from the necessary authorities yet, there’s little doubt that his new creations, there’s little doubt that his project will fall short of delivering “a treasure unlike any other place in the world.”

Here’s the video, be sure to check it out:

Is Tara Iti My Best Golf Experience? | NZ Ep 6

Erik Anders Lang arrives at the very exclusive Tara Iti Golf Club designed by Tom Doak’s Renaissance Golf Design for what will be an amazing round of golf. This top 100 golf course quickly made EAL’s top 5 favorite courses in the world and rightfully so!

Cover Image Via Instagram