Avondale Golf Club has been part of Christchurch's east since 1919 — a club that describes itself as the city's most social golf club, and has spent more than a century welcoming golfers of all abilities. Founded with 12 holes and expanded to a full 18 within its first decade, it has survived wars, recession and earthquakes, coming out stronger every time.
The 2011 Canterbury earthquakes changed the course's natural topography substantially and forced the total rebuild of what was then a 90-year-old clubhouse. Completed in 2019 and celebrated as part of the club's Centenary, the new building is a true "19th Hole and beyond" — a centralised clubhouse with panoramic views across the course, ample outdoor areas, big screens for live sport and a pool table.
Inside are two state-of-the-art virtual golf simulators, the first club in New Zealand to build them in, with 40 built-in courses for warming up, testing equipment or rainy-day rounds. The Asahi Premium Beverages-supported bar is home to the widest range of products of any local golf club, and the bar and café are always open to members and visitors alike, Wednesday to Sunday.
The course is open to members and visitors seven days a week year-round, with Members Day on Saturdays. Memberships start from $125 a year for all ages and abilities, and the club — recognised within the golfing industry for its innovation, and leading the way in membership and rounds-played growth — is one of Christchurch's most active, with room for more.
On the east side of Christchurch, at the corner of Breezes Rd and Wainoni Rd, Avondale Golf Club has been part of the city's sporting fabric since 1919. It bills itself as Christchurch's most social golf club, and the description fits: this is a club that has spent more than a century welcoming golfers of all abilities, through wars, recession and earthquakes, and has come out stronger every time.
The course began life with 12 holes and was developed to a full 18 in the decade after its founding, with a penchant for challenging the status quo and a commitment to inclusion from the outset. That spirit still shapes the club today, from its welcoming membership to the way it uses technology and hospitality to make golf feel open to everyone.
Avondale's story is one of adapting without losing its character. From its early expansion to 18 holes, through the challenges of the twentieth century, to the rebuild after the earthquakes, each chapter has added to the club rather than diminished it.
The 2011 Canterbury earthquakes left a deep mark. The natural topography of the course changed substantially, and what was then a 90-year-old clubhouse had to be rebuilt from the ground up. Rather than dim the club's spirits, the rebuild became a centrepiece: the new clubhouse was completed in 2019 and celebrated as part of the club's Centenary events.
Recent years have been strong ones. The club has led the way in membership and rounds-played growth and has been recognised within the golfing industry for its innovation — and for putting members and golfers at the heart of everything it does. It's now one of Christchurch's most active clubs, and by its own account there's room for more.
The rebuilt clubhouse is truly a "19th Hole and beyond". It's a centralised building positioned for panoramic views across the course, with ample outdoor areas, big screens for live sport and a pool table — designed as much for socialising as for golf.
The standout feature is inside. Two state-of-the-art virtual golf simulators were incorporated into the build — the first club in New Zealand to do so. They form a key part of the member offering: warm up before a round, test out equipment, or book in on a rainy day and work through any of 40 built-in courses.
Asahi Premium Beverages support the bar, which is home to the widest range of products of any local golf club. The bar and café are always open to members and visitors alike, running Wednesday to Sunday — so a post-round drink, a casual coffee or an afternoon in front of the screens is open to everyone, member or not.
It's this blend of serious golf and easy-going hospitality that gives Avondale its character. One person can be out playing 18 holes while another warms up on the simulators, and both end up in the same clubhouse afterwards.
The course is open to members and visitors year-round, seven days a week — with one simple piece of advice from the club: call ahead before you come. Saturdays are Members Day, the weekly fixture at the heart of the playing calendar, and the team can talk you through everything from a casual round to full membership when you get in touch.
Joining is straightforward. Memberships start from $125 a year, and all ages and all abilities are welcomed. Whether you're a seasoned golfer looking for an active club, newer to the game, or simply curious about the simulators, the club's invitation is the same: come and be part of it.
You'll find Avondale Golf Club at the corner of Breezes Rd and Wainoni Rd in Christchurch. Phone 03 3888 203 or email [email protected] to check conditions or ask about membership — and follow the club on Facebook for the latest news.