Where Can You Play Golf in Tonga?
Tonga: the island nation of a unique Pacific culture, waters full of whales and beautiful islands. Unfortunately, Tonga is not exactly renowned for its golf, of which there is only has 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 on, 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?
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 division. Rugby league is also widely played in Tongan secondary schools.
Athletics
Tonga has produced athletes that have competed in the Summer and Winter Olympics. One of the most famous athletes was Pita Taufatofua, who became more popular for his shirtless entry in the 2016 Olympic Games Opening Ceremony than for his taekwondo performance.
(c) tongapocketguide.comThe Royal Tonga Golf Club
A relaxed 9-hole golf course, the Royal Tongan 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.
The golf course has a clubhouse and club hire available. Green fees are approximately TOP$30-$40 with the rental gear included.
Snapshot of the Tonga Golf Club
Holes: 9
Par: 35
Length: 2,241 yards
Type: Public golf course
Style: Parkland
Year built: 1979
Opening hours: 9am-4pm Monday to Saturday
Location: Taufa’ahau Road, Ha’ateiho, Tongatapu
(c) tongapocketguide.comHow to Get to the Tonga Golf Club
The Tonga Golf Club is located on Taufa’ahau Road, approximately 7.5km (4.6 miles) 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, nearby the University of the South Pacific Tonga Campus and the Loto-Tonga Soka Centre.
Car hire is available in Nuku’alofa with outlets, such as Star Rental Cars, FAB Rentals, Sunshine Rental Cars and more. See The Best Car Rentals in Tongatapu to compare your options. Remember that you might need a Visitor’s Driving Licence to be able to legally drive in Tonga (if you had to manually apply for a visitor visa for Tonga).
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 Tonga here.
Finally, there are Tongatapu Golf Tours which offer transfers between the golf club and your hotel or the wharf if you are on a cruise ship. Find out more on Viator and Tripadvisor.
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