New Zealand Mini Golf Open 2026
The 2026 New Zealand Mini Golf Open: Lower Hutt 20th - 22nd November!
Golf Warehouse in Lower Hutt boasts a driving range, a pro shop, a 9-hole golf course and an outdoor 18-hole “Round the World” mini golf course inspired by internationally famous golf holes. The Par-54 course will entertain and challenge beginner mini golfers and experienced players alike.
Put your putting skills to the test against New Zealand's best minigolfers, or bring along some friends to settle that argument of “who's the best putter?”
This year's NZ Open is once again part of the World Adventure Golf Tour: 1st place overall Premier division earns automatic entry into the WAGT 2026/2027 final at Adventure Golf Horní Bezděkov, Czechia! With runners-up also earning points. Read more about the WAGT below.
This year we've tweaked division names: Championship and Premier (formerly Amateur and Pro respectively)
As 2026 is the 10th anniversary of the New Zealand Mini Golf Open, we're also celebrating with 10 rounds in the Premier division.
This year's categories:
- Championship Youth (5-17 years) - 2 rounds (Saturday)
- Championship Pairs - 2 rounds (Saturday)
- Championship Seniors - (55 and over) 3 rounds (Saturday)
- Championship Women's & Men's - 3 rounds (Saturday)
- Premier Women's & Premier Men's - 10 rounds (Saturday and Sunday)
and the following special events:
- Putting Tour Event 13 - Golf Warehouse Redux (Friday)
- Trans-tasman (Friday)
Youth Competition
Players aged 5 up to 17 play two rounds of 18 holes in groups of 3-4. The lowest score takes out first place.
Pairs
Whether it’s your best friend, conscripted offspring, or that person you persuaded from social media, brainstorm your team of two’s name and come along.
Pairs will play two rounds of 18 holes, with the lowest combined score taking first place.
If you are also playing in another Championship category, your first two rounds will contribute to your team score.
Please note: Premier division players are not eligible to compete in the Championship Pairs division.
Senior Competition
Players aged 55 and over are invited to compete in the Seniors category in 3 rounds of 18 holes.
You'll draw upon the culmination of your years of wisdom to compete in a league of your own, complete with trophy and of course, bragging rights.
Women and Men Championship Competition
This is where all the backyard putters come out of the woodwork, slap on some jandals and head on down to the local mini putt. But don't be too chill, as you'll need all your focus and steady hands to come out on top.
This division is split up into Men's and Women's and consists of three rounds of 18 holes and played in groups of three or four with the lowest score taking first place.
To enter as an Championship competitor, players must be 18 years or older and not assigned to the Premier division (we may also recommend the Premier division if you're an experienced mini golfer.)
Bring along a team mate and compete in the Championship Pairs category, too!
The Premier Competition
Players competing in the Premier division know this is a matter of endurance as players pace through 10 complete rounds of 18-hole mini golf (in groups of 2-4) to take home a piece of the prize pool as well as a sweet trophy!
The Premier Competition starts on Saturday morning for three rounds, three more rounds in the afternoon and reconvening on Sunday morning for the remaining four rounds.
The Rules
- You are welcome to bring your own golf putter or use one from the course
- Only genuine golf balls or European mini golf balls are permitted
- The maximum stroke count per hole is 7
- If a ball exits the lane, it can be placed at the point of exit without a penalty stroke
- The ball may be moved up to 20cm away from the edge
- Play fair, and treat others with respect
More details on competition rules are available in our rulebook here - we recommend having a look through but we'll run through the key points again before tee-off.
Beyond those points, officials will be on hand to adjudicate and assist with any questions.
Cheating is unacceptable and will be dealt with seriously.
The Prizes
Along with the trophies and medals, Premier division has a cash prize pool starting at $500. This will be awarded to 1st place Womens and Mens as well as 1st-5th for Overall. Overall 1st place Premier earns automatic free entry to the 2026/2027 WAGT final (read below for more information.)
Friday's Special Events
Putting Tour Event 13 - Golf Warehouse Redux
June's Golf Warehouse putting tour event was rained out, leaving a Hutt-sized hole in our competition roster. By popular demand, we're giving it a second shot - with this Friday morning event doing double duty as the Trans-Tasman selection trials.
Trans-Tasman Competition
Kiwis and Aussies have been crossing the Tasman for friendly mini golf rivalry for as long as there's been international mini golf in New Zealand. Each meet sees the host country match the visiting team's numbers, with play split across best ball (lowest team score counts), match play, and stroke play.
The top finishers from the Putting Tour will be selected for the Kiwi team, with a runner-up event open to everyone else who fancies a game.
The Venue: Golf Warehouse and Nearby
Golf Warehouse is located on Randwick Road in Moera, Lower Hutt. The venue has limited parking that is used for the whole facility so we recommend competitors park on the street.
Bus routes 83 and 130 stop nearby and the Woburn train station is approximately 18 minutes walk from the course. If you're looking to use public transport, check out the Metlink Journey Planner
Food
While we recommend you bring your lunch and snacks, conveniently just outside the main entrance is The Coffee Box - which is open 7 days a week, as well as serving some sweet and savoury treats. You will also find a Z service station 10 minutes down the road.
Accommodation
You will find many lodgings in Petone and the wider Lower Hutt area, including the Top10 a short walk from the course!
Practice
Many of you will be keen to practise in the days leading up to the competition. Once we confirm practice rates, we'll update here.
You are also welcome to practise on the day before tee-off, but once play starts for the day, no further practising is permitted (including between rounds).
The Schedule
Friday 20th November
- 9:00am Check-in and warm-up
- 10:00am Putting Tour Event Tee-off
- 1:00pm Lunch break
- 1:30pm Trans-tasman / Runner-up team event
Saturday 21st November
- 9:00am Check-in opens and warm-up begins
- 9:45am Player briefing and groupings
- 10:00am Tee-off for all divisions
- 12:30pm Prizegiving and lunch break (estimated)
- 1:00pm Premier round 4 tee-off
- 4:30pm Close of Day 1 (estimated)
Sunday 22nd November
- 9:30am Day 2 Warm-up
- 10:00am Premier Round 6 tee-off
- 12:30pm Prizegiving (estimated)
From the WAGT Website: The World Adventure Golf Tour was founded to give players access to an Worldwide ranking system and a Tour Final event with the best players from around the World and a large money prize pot. All at no additional charge to the players.
The tour consists of events from international mini golf federations, each one a qualifier for the top players to take part in the prestigious WAGT final over two days at Adventure Golf Horní Bezděkov, Czechia.
Points are also accumulated across the events, meaning more opportunities to get entry to the finals.
Please note: To earn points and compete in the WAGT finals, you must be a national citizen and member of a WMF recognised national federation. Competitors travel, accommodation and other costs not included.