Lake Taupō draws visitors for its geothermal energy, trout fishing, and lake views—but there’s one attraction that turns ordinary tourists into instant legends. The Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge puts a floating green 100 metres offshore, and since 1993, over 1,000 players have managed to sink a shot for cash prizes up to $10,000. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes (and whether the odds are better than your local putting green), here’s everything you need to know before you buy your first ball.

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Top Prize: $10,000 · Established: 1993 · Location: Lake Taupō, New Zealand · Distance: 102–104m · Operator Site: holein1.co.nz

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact total of $10,000 winners (9 confirmed on video vs. over 1,000 total winners)
  • Full winners list not publicly available beyond recent entries
  • Specific win dates for Elijah Ellis and Kevin Bang
3Timeline signal
  • 1993: Challenge opens as a bar coaster idea
  • 2017: Acquired by Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi as their first tourism asset
  • 2024: Red flag winners listed on official site
4What happens next
  • New Zealand’s summer season (December–February) brings highest visitor traffic
  • Night golf option extends play hours during summer
  • On-site café keeps the experience social after your shots
Fact Details
Prize Amount $10,000
Distance to Hole 102–104 metres
Opening Hours Mon–Thu 7am–7pm, Fri–Sat 7am–8pm
Contact Phone +64 7 378 8117
Email info@holein1.co.nz
Total Winners Over 1,000 since 1993
Youngest Winner Elijah Ellis, age 11
Previous Youngest Kevin Bang, age 14

How many people have got the hole in one in Taupo?

The Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge has recorded over 1,000 successful hole-in-ones since opening in 1993, according to the Official Hole in One Challenge Website. The site states that the attraction averages one hole-in-one every two weeks and a flag winner—someone who lands on the floating target—every week.

Known winners

The most documented winners include Elijah Ellis, an 11-year-old from Tauranga who became the youngest-ever winner of the $10,000 prize, as reported by NZ Herald. He surpassed Kevin Bang of Rotorua, who had held the record at age 14 since his win “for a laugh” on his first attempt, per NZ Herald. The Tuwharetoa official website confirmed Elijah Ellis as the youngest ever winner.

Recent winners listed on the Official Winners Page include Kristin Luinstra (#1012), Brandyn Beale (#1013), Kevin Dowman (#1014), and Mark James (#1015). The site confirms these are 2024 Red Flag Winners.

Win frequency

One YouTube video featuring on-site staff states that nine people have won $10,000 since 1993, suggesting the top prize is rare but attainable. The challenge operator notes that $40,000 in cash has been given away in a single year, indicating consistent payouts at lower prize tiers.

The catch

Nine $10,000 winners across 30+ years sounds modest until you do the math: with thousands of balls hit annually, the odds still favour the house. Your best strategy is to buy buckets rather than single shots—the more attempts, the better your statistical chance of landing on the pontoon for a free ball.

How much do you win at Taupo hole in one?

The ultimate payout is $10,000 cash for sinking a hole-in-one on the red flag hole, per the Official Hole in One Challenge Website. The challenge operates three holes on the floating pontoon, giving players three distinct chances to win on each attempt.

Prize details

The red flag hole sits at 102–104 metres from shore, making it shorter than a standard golf hole but still a demanding 100+ metre carry over water. According to the operator, landing your ball on the pontoon surface earns a free shot—a consolation that keeps the game exciting even if you don’t sink the ace.

Payout history

Verified payouts include $40,000 in cash given away in a single year, per the Official Winners Page. The attraction averages one flag winner every week and has distributed prizes continuously since 1993 under varying ownership structures, including the current Ngāti Tūwharetoa iwi ownership acquired in 2017.

Why this matters

The payout pattern—frequent flag winners but rare $10,000 aces—suggests tiered prize mechanics that keep players hooked. For visitors, this means the realistic win expectation is a free ball or small consolation prize, not the headline $10,000.

What is the Lake Taupo Hole in One Challenge?

The Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge is a floating pontoon golf attraction where players hit balls 100+ metres across the lake toward a target on the water. Established in 1993 from a bar conversation written on a beer coaster, per the Official Site, it has become an iconic drop-in activity for tourists visiting the North Island, New Zealand region.

How it works

Players purchase golf balls at the waterfront kiosk, aim toward the floating pontoon 100 metres offshore, and attempt to land their ball on the target. Three holes with varying distances give players three chances per round. The shorter-than-standard hole dimensions improve odds compared to traditional golf, though water and wind still pose significant challenges.

Location and setup

The pontoon sits in Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake by surface area and a region known for geothermal activity. The on-site café provides refreshments, and the operation runs rain or shine with a weather-proof setup, per TripAdvisor reviews. Night golf is available during summer months, and the attraction draws both locals who treat it as a ritual stop and international tourists looking for a unique Kiwi experience.

The trade-off

Night golf sounds romantic until you factor in Taupō’s climate. Summer evenings are mild, but wind patterns on the lake shift unpredictably after dark. If you’re serious about winning, play during daylight when you can read the water conditions—unless you enjoy the challenge of guessing where your ball disappears into the dark.

What are the reviews for Hole in One Taupo?

TripAdvisor hosts 110 traveler reviews with 35 photos for the Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge, per the TripAdvisor listing. Reviewers consistently praise the novelty and the “rain, hail or shine” operating commitment.

Visitor feedback

One TripAdvisor reviewer confirmed the experience is possible: “I hit a hole in one—yes, incredibly it is possible to do it.” This anecdotal endorsement aligns with the operator’s statistical claims about regular winners. YouTube content creators have also documented attempts, including the Adam and Eve Show episode where Adam tried for a $10,000 win “for Daddy” and Luke Scott’s episode featuring the $10k challenge.

TripAdvisor ratings

The attraction holds a position as a highly-rated Taupō activity, with the Love Taupō tourism portal highlighting it as an iconic drop-in tourism activity. Locals and Kiwis make it a ritual stop, while tourists from around the globe participate, suggesting broad appeal beyond the golfing community.

Do you have to buy drinks after a hole in one?

The Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge does not require winners to buy drinks, according to the operator’s standard rules. Unlike traditional golf club etiquette where buying a round after an ace is customary, the challenge’s on-site café operates independently with no mandatory post-win purchases.

Golf traditions

Standard golf etiquette dictates that a hole-in-one warrants celebration—often manifested as buying drinks for fellow players or clubhouse patrons. These traditions stem from golf’s social culture and are deeply embedded in the sport’s informal rules worldwide.

Taupō specific rules

At the Lake Taupō challenge, the only expected gesture is lining up for your next shot if you’ve earned a free ball by landing on the pontoon. The on-site café welcomes all players regardless of whether they’ve won, and many visitors combine their attempt with coffee or lunch from the counter.

The upshot

Unlike private golf clubs where your scorecard triggers a tab, the Taupō challenge keeps the celebration voluntary. If you sink an ace, you can buy the staff a coffee out of goodwill—or simply savour the win and move on. The only rule is: every ball that lands on the pontoon earns another try.

Pricing Option Balls Included Cost
Single shot 1 ball $3
Small bucket 15 balls $25
Medium bucket 30 balls $35
Large bucket 50 balls $50
Ball Blaster experience 5 balls $10

Upsides

  • Chance to win $10,000 for a single shot
  • Unique floating pontoon setting on Lake Taupō
  • Multiple prize tiers keep games interesting
  • Runs rain or shine year-round
  • On-site café for refreshments
  • Night golf available during summer
  • Free ball awarded for landing on pontoon

Downsides

  • 100+ metre distance challenging for amateurs
  • Wind and weather affect accuracy
  • Top prize ($10,000) extremely rare—only 9 winners since 1993
  • Single shots at $3 add up quickly with no guaranteed win
  • No guaranteed consolation beyond pontoon landing

How to play the Hole in One Challenge

Playing the Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge involves four straightforward steps: purchase your shots, pick your hole, aim and swing, then collect any winnings or free balls you’ve earned.

Step 1: Purchase your shots

Buy single balls ($3 each) or opt for a bucket deal. Buckets offer better value—15 balls for $25, 30 balls for $35, or 50 balls for $50, per the Official Hole in One Challenge Website. The Ball Blaster experience costs $10 for 5 balls if you want a quick, focused attempt.

Step 2: Choose your target hole

The floating pontoon has three holes at varying distances. The red flag hole sits at 102–104 metres—the longest and the one that pays $10,000 for an ace. Shorter holes offer better odds for landing on the target and earning a free shot.

Step 3: Take your shot

Aim across the lake toward the pontoon. Wind direction changes frequently, especially in the afternoon, so watch a few shots before committing your best attempts. The operator provides clubs if needed, and the waterfront kiosk staff offer brief guidance.

Step 4: Collect your result

If your ball lands on the pontoon, you receive a free ball immediately. If it goes in the hole, you win the corresponding prize tier. Winners are recorded on the official site with sequential numbers, and the $10,000 winners receive payouts on-site.

What to watch

Wind patterns shift most unpredictably between 2pm and 5pm during summer. If you’re serious about winning, play early morning when the lake is typically calmer. Watch the water surface before buying your bucket—a few minutes of observation can save you $50 in unused balls.

Who are the Taupō hole in one winners?

The most notable Taupō hole in one winners are Elijah Ellis and Kevin Bang, whose age records dominate the challenge’s history. The Official Winners Page lists recent winners with sequential numbering showing the scale of participation over decades.

Elijah Ellis

Elijah Ellis, age 11 from Tauranga, became the youngest-ever winner of the $10,000 top prize at the Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge. He won during the Bay of Plenty Age Group Championships and was confirmed as the youngest ever winner by both NZ Herald and the Tuwharetoa official website. Golf runs in his family—his whānau treats the sport as a family affair.

Kevin Bang

Kevin Bang of Rotorua previously held the youngest winner record at age 14. He won $10,000 on his first attempt “for a laugh,” according to NZ Herald. His record stood until Elijah Ellis surpassed it.

Recent winners

The 2024 Red Flag Winners on the official site include Kristin Luinstra (#1012), Brandyn Beale (#1013), Kevin Dowman (#1014), and Mark James (#1015). These sequential numbers indicate the total count of hole-in-one achievers since the challenge opened in 1993.

What visitors say

Eleven-year-old Elijah Ellis has become the youngest-ever winner of the top $10,000 cash prize.

— NZ Herald

I hit a hole in one—yes, incredibly it is possible to do it.

— TripAdvisor Reviewer

Nine people have won ten thousand and we’ve been here since 1993.

— On-site Staff

Bottom line: The Lake Taupō Hole in One Challenge gives visitors a genuine shot at $10,000 against genuinely difficult odds. Families and casual visitors get solid entertainment value from the novel floating-green setting, while serious golfers should temper expectations—the distance, wind, and water conspire against even experienced players. For tourists passing through Taupō, it’s a worthwhile detour; for aspiring winners, the strategy is clear: buy the largest bucket you can afford, play early morning when the lake is calmest, and watch the wind before you swing.

Related reading: Hole in One Taupo Lake Challenge · Hole in One Taupo Challenge

Additional sources

holein1.co.nz, youtube.com

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Frequently asked questions

How does the Lake Taupo Hole in One Challenge work?

Players purchase golf balls at the waterfront kiosk, then hit them toward a floating pontoon on Lake Taupō, approximately 100 metres offshore. Three holes with varying distances offer different prize tiers, including $10,000 for an ace on the red flag hole. Landing on the pontoon without sinking the shot earns a free ball.

What are the costs for shots at Hole in One Taupo?

Single shots cost $3 each. Bucket deals include 15 balls for $25, 30 balls for $35, or 50 balls for $50. The Ball Blaster experience offers 5 balls for $10. Prices are set by the operator and subject to change.

Is the Hole in One Taupo open in bad weather?

The attraction operates rain or shine with a weather-proof setup. TripAdvisor reviewers confirm the experience runs regardless of conditions. However, extreme weather may affect play safety—check with the operator at +64 7 378 8117 before visiting during storm events.

Where can I find photos of the challenge?

TripAdvisor lists 35 traveler photos alongside 110 reviews. YouTube also features video attempts from content creators documenting their experiences. The official site provides promotional images of the setup and pontoon.

What happens if your ball lands on the pontoon?

Landing your ball on the floating pontoon surface—without sinking it—earns a free ball immediately. This consolation prize is one of the challenge’s mechanics to keep players engaged across multiple attempts.

Are there any age restrictions for playing?

No minimum age is specified in official materials. The youngest confirmed winner, Elijah Ellis, was 11 years old when he won $10,000. Children should have sufficient strength to make the 100+ metre shot—parents can assess readiness on-site.

Can you play Hole in One Taupo at night?

Night golf is available during summer months when daylight hours extend into the evening. Taupō’s summer season (December–February) offers the best opportunity for after-dark play. Check current operating hours with the operator before planning a night visit.

What is the prize for a hole in one at Lake Taupō?

The top prize is $10,000 cash for sinking a hole-in-one on the red flag hole at 102–104 metres. Lower tiers award consolation prizes for landing on the pontoon. The operator reports $40,000 in total cash given away in a single year across all prize levels.