The Complete Guide to Golf in Tonga(c) tongapocketguide.com
The Complete Guide to Golf in Tonga

The Complete Guide to Golf in Tonga

(c) tongapocketguide.com

Where Can You Play Golf in Tonga?

Tonga: the island nation with a unique Pacific culture and waters full of whales and beautiful islands. With that, Tonga is not exactly renowned for its golf, of which there is only one golf course in the entire country. Needless to say, this complete guide to golf in Tonga will be short, outlining the one golf course in Tonga and how to get there. We also dive into some of the other sports Tonga is known for. Nevertheless, if you’re looking to enjoy a relaxing round of golf in paradise or play golf in possibly one of the remotest courses you’re likely to play, then the Tonga Golf Club is one to tick off the list!

For more sporting activities in Tonga, why not check out The Complete Guide to Fishing in Tonga or The Guide to Kitesurfing in Tonga?

5 Tips for Playing Golf in Tonga

Before we get into the details, here are five quick tips about playing golf in Tonga:

  1. The Tonga Golf Club’s Facebook Page is the best source for up-to-date prices and events
  2. There are often competitions on a Saturday, so it’s best avoided if you are hoping for a casual game
  3. Club hire is available at the clubhouse, but be sure to declare your golf clubs at Fua’amotu Airport’s biosecurity if you are bringing your own
  4. Don’t worry about being underdressed; Tonga’s golf course is relaxed, where it’s best to just dress respectfully. It’s definitely recommended to wear a hat though, as there is little shade on the course
  5. Remember your basic golfing etiquette though; the basics still apply, such as waiting until the group ahead of you is out of range before hitting the ball, maintaining a good pace and don’t make noise when someone is taking a swing.

And that’s not all the tips we can offer. Have you checked out the 30 Tips for Travelling in Tonga?

The Complete Guide to Golf in Tonga(c) tongapocketguide.com

About the Tonga Golf Club

A relaxed 9-hole golf course, the Tonga Golf Club is Tonga’s one-and-only golf course. Also known as the Manamo’ui Golf Course, the golf club offers a good golf course for a casual round. The course is well-maintained in a parkland-style environment. Games are often accompanied by the squeaking of flying foxes (fruit bats) in the trees across the road. Keep an eye on the Tonga Golf Club Facebook Page for upcoming competitions and events.

The golf course has a clubhouse and club hire available. Green fees are approximately TOP$30-$40 with the rental gear included.

Tonga Golf Club: Overview

Holes: 9
Par: 35
Length: 2,241 yards
Type: Public golf course
Style: Parkland
Year built: 1979
Opening hours: 7 am to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday
Location: Taufa’ahau Road, Ha’ateiho, Tongatapu.

The Complete Guide to Golf in Tonga(c) tongapocketguide.com

How to Get to the Tonga Golf Club

The Tonga Golf Club is located on Taufa’ahau Road, approximately 7.5 km (4.6 mi) outside of Nuku’alofa town centre taking about 10-15 minutes to drive there. Find the golf course just off the main road between the villages of Ha’ateiho and Veitonga; near the University of the South Pacific Tonga Campus and the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre.

Car hire is available in Nuku’alofa with outlets listed in The Best Car Rentals in Tongatapu. Alternatively, you can get to the Tonga Golf Club by taking one of the public buses heading to the east side of Tongatapu. Get on a bus heading to one of the following villages: Folaha, Malapo, Vaini or Veitongo. Learn more about taking the bus in our guide, How to Travel Around Tonga by Bus.

The Complete Guide to Golf in Tonga© TongaPocketGuide.com

Popular Sports in Tonga

While golf is enjoyed in Tonga for recreation, other sports are enjoyed competitively on an international scale, including…

Rugby Union

The most popular sport in Tonga, rugby union is where Tonga has competed on an international level, being in more than six Rugby World Cups. The national team of Tonga, ‘Ikale Tahi or Sea Eagles, is famous for performing their war dance or Sipi Tau before all of their matches.

Rugby League

Rugby League is also popular in Tonga, with a large selection of teams in the first and second divisions. Rugby league is also widely played in Tongan secondary schools.

Athletics

Tonga has produced athletes who have competed in the Summer and Winter Olympics. One of the most famous athletes was Pita Taufatofua, who became popular for his shirtless entry in the 2016 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony. Check out some of Pita’s travel tips for Tonga in our interview:

More About Golf in Tonga

That’s it for our guide to golf in Tonga. For more about sports in The Kingdom, take a look at the following guides:

Finally, complement your golfing holiday with the 101 Best Things to Do in Tonga: The Ultimate List.

Author

Robin (Lopini) C.

This article was reviewed and published by Robin, the co-founder of Tonga Pocket Guide. He has lived, worked and travelled across 16 different countries before settling in the South Pacific, so he knows a thing or two about planning the perfect trip in this corner of the world. Robin works and consults regularly with the Ministry of Tourism of Tonga. Robin is also the co-founder of several other South Pacific travel guides and is a regular host of webinars with the South Pacific Tourism Organisation.

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