Ferrymead Golf Leisure Park sits on the edge of the estuary in Ferrymead Park, Christchurch, and bills itself as the city's premier family fun centre — a title it earns by packing a genuine 9-hole golf course, a driving range, mini putt, paintball, GellyBall, a cafe and bar, and a second-hand club shop into one waterside spot.
The golf course has a traditional links feel, winding its way along the side of the estuary amongst the cabbage trees and tussocks that define the area. It plays as nine holes — two par 4s and seven par 3s — but with two pins on every green it converts into an 18-hole, par 58 layout of 2,766 metres. A dedicated par 3 nine-hole course is set up for juniors and seniors, and greenfee players are always welcome, with cheaper rates on weekdays and evenings and a twilight special after 6pm in summer and 3.30pm in winter.
Beyond the fairways, the park caters to just about every kind of visitor. The driving range sells 50 and 100 ball buckets, mini putt keeps the family entertained, and the adrenaline side of the menu covers paintball and low-impact GellyBall. Groups are a core part of the business: kids' parties, adult parties, stags and hens dos, team building, corporate groups, Christmas functions, celebrations, and visits from schools and sports clubs.
The on-site shop specialises in second-hand golf gear — drivers, irons, putters, fairway woods, and complete ladies' and men's packages — making it a budget-friendly route into the game. Regulars can choose from 12-month memberships, partners and family passes, summer passes, and 10 or 20 round concession cards, with member perks including discounted range buckets and 15% off food and beverages from the cafe's daily selection.
All facilities — driving range, mini putt, cafe, golf course and paintball — share the same opening hours, running from 8am daily with late closings Wednesday through Saturday. Online booking is available, and the team can be reached on 03 376 5350 or by email.
Tucked along the side of the estuary in Ferrymead Park, Ferrymead Golf has built its reputation as Christchurch's premier family fun centre — and unlike most places that claim that title, it actually backs it up. On one property you'll find a proper 9-hole golf course that stretches into an 18-hole par 58 layout, a driving range, mini putt, paintball, GellyBall, a cafe and bar, and a shop full of second-hand clubs. Few venues in the city cover as much ground, literally or figuratively.
The golf course is the heart of the park. It has a traditional links feel, winding its way along the edge of the estuary amongst the cabbage trees and tussocks that define the area. Nine holes make up the course — two par 4s and seven par 3s — but with two pins cut on every green, the round doubles into an 18-hole, par 58 circuit of 2,766 metres. It's a format that rewards repeat visits: the second loop plays differently, and regulars learn both pin positions.
There's a dedicated par 3, nine-hole course set up for juniors and seniors too, so the game stays accessible across generations. Greenfee players are all welcome — no membership required — with cheaper rates on weekdays and evenings. A twilight special makes it even easier to squeeze in a round, applying after 6pm in summer and after 3.30pm in winter.
If you're new to golf or travelling without clubs, the packages do the heavy lifting: a day pass bundled with a standard club hire set, trundler, three balls and tees for adults, and a matching children's version. Trundlers and golf carts (for up to three hours) can also be hired on their own.
The driving range keeps the practice honest, with 50 and 100 ball buckets — and members pay less for both. Mini putt handles the casual end of the spectrum, while the adrenaline end belongs to paintball, run through the park's dedicated paintball operation, and GellyBall, the low-impact blaster game that has made it a favourite for younger birthday crowds.
Groups are a genuine speciality. The park hosts kids' parties and adult parties, stags and hens dos, team building sessions, corporate groups, Christmas functions, general celebrations, and visits from schools and sports clubs. With that much variety on site, it's straightforward to build an outing where everyone in the group finds something to do.
The shop takes a refreshingly practical approach: second-hand drivers, irons, putters and fairway woods, plus complete ladies' and men's second-hand packages. For anyone starting out, replacing a lost club, or kitting out the kids, it's a budget-friendly alternative to buying new.
Regulars are looked after through 12-month adult passes, a partners deal for two adults, junior memberships, a family pass covering two adults and up to three children, summer passes running September through April, and 10 or 20 round concession cards. Member benefits include discounted range buckets and 15% off food and beverages from the daily cafe selection (function bookings excluded).
All facilities — driving range, mini putt, cafe, golf course and paintball — share the same opening hours: from 8am, closing at 8pm Monday and Tuesday, 9pm Wednesday and Thursday, 9.30pm Friday and Saturday, and 7pm on Sunday. That makes evening twilight rounds easy in summer, and the cafe and bar mean you can finish with a drink looking back over the course.
You'll find the park at 68-100 Ferrymead Park Drive in Ferrymead Park, Christchurch. Bookings can be made online in advance, which is worth doing for groups, or you can call the team on 03 376 5350. Whether you're there for a serious 18, a hits of the range, a kids' party or a round of GellyBall, it's one of the few places in Christchurch where the whole family can be entertained at once.