Across the picturesque landscape of Southland, there are six 18-hole golf courses. Invercargill Golf Club is the jewel in the crown and is the oldest. Established in 1900 it has a reputation as the best in the South. The New Zealand Open was hosted here in 1960 and the way back in 1934 Eugenio Saraceni as his birth name goes, played here. Gene Sarazen was 32 years old when he trod the Links of Otatara and famously proclaimed that these links had the best fairways in New Zealand. Thanks Gene, but I will be the judge of that!

A year later Gene was at the Augusta Masters and hit his second shot, a four wood, into the hole at the par 5 15^th – the albatross helped him win the tournament. He went down in history and went on to be a legend of the game winning all 4 majors.

I was looking forward to playing at Invercargill Golf Club, I chose a windless and warm day to make the trek to the linksy course just 6 minutes out of Invercargill city centre. The course is halfway between Invercargill and Oreti beach, where Burt Munro roared on his famous World’s Fastest Indian. I wonder if he was a member of the golf club. If you haven’t seen the movie, go to the video shop and rent a copy, it is awesome.

Preparing for my round putting on my shoes I encountered a wee rip in the side. I pondered the possibility of playing with a hole in my shoe, it was dry so no worries there. As I walked to the golf shop, I could feel the side of my shoe coming apart. Bugger, I will need to invest in new shoes. The lady in the shop was very helpful and I picked up some Ecco shoes that looked smart. I saw this as a lucky omen, the last time I had a successful pre-round shoe purchase and low score combo was at Cromwell Golf Club. Superstitious or not, the choice infused me with a sense of buoyancy for the round ahead.

 There is a charming putting green in front of the clubhouse, I used it to test out the shoes. I didn’t stay long as I was eager to get into the course proper. Looking around at the lay of the land, it may have been built on links land, with a sandy bottom but there was more of a parkland feel with more trees and native New Zealand bush than I expected. There was good undulation to the look of the course which pointed it towards a links feel. The bunkering across the course underscored this links point alongside the shapely greens.

The scorecard I had didn’t have hole names on it, but there was a second scorecard that did provide this missing narrative. There was simple wooden hole numbering on each tee, with no hole names on the course. The first hole is a short par 4 at 290 metres – “the Nest”. The course isn’t overly long, a tad over 6,000 metres with 3 par 5’s and 3 par 3’s. A smart play off the first tee is a long iron and focus on the approach to the lovely setting in the undulations of the first green.

It is wise to research Invercargill Golf Club before visiting, this is not a course where you pull the driver from your bag on every hole. A good strategy and a calm head will minimise the effect of that inconsistent loop in your backswing. Unfortunately, the driver was needed on holes two and three, they are long, with a stroke index of 3 and 1 respectively. The 3rd 402 metres, is called “Rushes” – don’t rush – the tee shot needs a long and accurate shot to a narrow fairway. And then get up to an elevated green surrounded by deep bunkers.

The par 3’s are excellent, only three of them, so enjoy every moment. “Schoolhouse” the 4^th is 139 metres and flat, seemingly simple enough except for the protective bunkers and the narrow green. The Takitimu mountains are a majestic southland feature seen from many golf courses and that usually leads to a hole name with this signature. “Takitimu” the 6^th is well placed next to the clubrooms if you have forgotten to put a drink in your bag.

I do like an “Elbow” – the dogleg 7^th hole is 327 metres and about 200 metres up to the bend of the elbow.  A nice wee hole.

The stretch from the 8^th through the 11^th offers some good scoring opportunities. A couple of par 5’s and shorter par 4’s. I enjoyed the elevated outlook off of the 10^th tee box, aptly named “Outlook” which has an attractive opening shot to a fairway with a ridge that needs taming.

The next part of the course was very enjoyable, the 12^th – a testing 183 metre par 3 – was easy on the eye, a shapely green with a rotten-looking deep bunker in front. My hole of the day and now added to the best holes of New Zealand List.

Your eyes will water on the 13^th if you attack the last par 5 on the course.  A full 500 metres with water, OB, and boasting the name “Eastward HO” – confronting all the “Westward HO’s “across the country. I haven’t met this polar opposite name to date.

The run home from here was a pleasure, undulating fairways and great bunkering stood out, I thought that “Pines” -the last – was an appropriate final challenge to find a spot on the narrow fairway just in the right spot to avoid the rows of tall pines.

The course has impeccable maintenance which ensures an enjoyable but challenging test.  The layout incorporates thoughtful design, the varying fairway undulations, deep bunkers, and strategic hazards require a clever golfer to navigate.

My new shoes performed well on the sandy-bottomed ground; I got off the course on my playing handicap for the day. A testament to picking a windless day, the rough here is not particularly punishing but there is plenty of danger if you stray. The greens are the best in Southland so there are no excuses on the putting surface.

With only half a dozen Southland courses remaining on my checklist to complete, the allure of Invercargill Golf Club will pull me back for another round. It is the best in the region, it is storied with history and undeniable quality making it an irresistible destination for your golf in the South.

The Tour of Southland is a historic and popular local cycle race. I was oblivious to its existence as I headed to Gore Golf Club on my own tour of Southland. I met the Tour on the road from Winton, they were going at a great lick through the Southland countryside. A marshal was holding traffic in front of me to allow the Tour to speed on, he told me they were headed for a finish line in Gore.  I assumed their speed and the extra energy in the Tour today was fuelled by the excitement to get to Gore to secure an afternoon tee time at Gore Golf Club, one of the best courses in the region.

I managed to get around and ahead the Tour, arriving at Gore Golf Club on a pleasant southland day. Gore Golf Club has a rich history dating back to 1903, I was intent on making the 120-year-old course proud of my effort to get across to take it on. Southland has 24 golf courses, and only six of them are a full 18 holes. Gore is reputedly one the best in the region.

I got on my bike and sprinted to the start line, the first hole, “Hokonui.” A par 5 at only 431 metres but stroke hole 4 – be suspicious when you see that little matric. Hokonui is a small town in Southland, a radio station, the hills in this region and the name of a famous Moonshine, which was no doubt present at the opening day of the club.

There is a creek 40 metres short of the green on the 1^st – which is invisible to the unsuspecting. A clever hole to get you underway, 2 big blows will get you there, but the smart golfer will start with a lay-up in two and focus on an accurate pitch.

There had been a bit of rain lately in the region and this made the course soft but still in good condition. The greens at the outset were flat and quite slow, most likely because I was playing at the start of the summer season. The course is parkland and tree-lined on most holes with wide fairways. Across the 18 holes, it is predominantly flat with limited bunkering.

The first par 3 of the day, number 4, was a roadside hole of 184 metres, in the heavy conditions it required a full carry to get up to the green. “Croydon” was a flat a simple hole if you can blank out the road all the way down the right. The name of the hole is a nod to the area of Gore the course sits in, the course is often referred to as Croydon Links.

Inevitably, a Southland staple, there was a Whisky “something” in the hole names. The 5^th was “Whisky Creek” a short par 4 that you can attack – your approach to a small green that tilts towards you, needs some attention. Up to this point, the greens were flat, from here on in there was nice undulation and the greens were quickening as the sun burned through the damp. The south is a region with much Scottish heritage, settlers from the motherland took to farming, making whisky, and playing golf from the early years. There is a Moonshine Museum and some great stories of early times of whisky making. Check out more here.

When I walked off the 5^th the group of 4 in front were sitting on the 6^th tee box enjoying a beer. Waiting for me to play through. They were from Island Park Golf Club on a weekend annual jolly. Gore Golf Club, followed by Invercargill Golf Club and back home via Milton Golf Club.

The 6^th is an uphill par 3 of 155 metres “Mokoia” needed an extra club to get up to the small green, I was advised by the group. I hadn’t been playing well to this point and was a bit nervous about hitting a 5-iron into the green. I was given the seal of approval when I dropped the ball 6 feet from the hole.

I had two more groups of Island Park men in front of me, following the par 5 7^th another short par 5, 410 metres – I worked out that the creek in front of the 1^st would have been in a similar place to the front of the 7^th – I laid up and popped the approach to a few feet. The group in front had stopped to let me through (or to have a beer)

I got off the 8^th and through the 2nd group in good spirits, the sun was drying the course, the golf was getting better, and the surroundings were very pleasant. The 8^th finishes at the clubhouse “Tuturau”

The 3^rd group of I.P.G.C Clansmen let me through on the 10^th – following a nice short par 3 of 123 metres. I was on the 9^th green, one of the men shouted “If you don’t f*#k about too much over that putt you can play through!”

A nice drive, in front of them off the 10^th was greeted with congrats and civilities. I was beginning to rack up a few pars and missed birdie putts. The 11^th is a par 3 to a sloping green, a pretty wee number, “The Gully” I notched up another missed birdie putt and swiftly got onto the 12^th – a real slog up hill to a soft fairway and it played all its 410 metres.

On the 13^th a group of 6 men drinking Speights were not going far or quickly, they let me play through. The 13^th tee shot is over a deep gully up to a small green, par 4 at 217 metres. I didn’t know how to approach the hole. I grabbed the driver and swung for dear life to get out of the way of the 6 men out for a drink, with the odd golf in between. The ball came to rest 2 feet from the hole! There was a collection of well-dones and the like. They had no idea I had struggled to hit a straight drive all day to this point. I tapped in for an eagle, quickly tidying up the scorecard!

I was certainly enjoying the course a lot better following a flat uninteresting start. 14 – “Dusky” was a nice driving hole and it had an excellent looking green with a dangerous tiering in the front and an OB road behind. I hit a lovely iron onto the back edge, my game was working just fine now.

The 15th, “Old Clubhouse” was a short par 4, 302 metres back toward the old clubhouse, another chance to keep the momentum going. I didn’t take it as no one was watching anymore. The same story of capitulation on 16^th “Mount Wendon” which had the largest green on the course.

I was pondering my hole of the course nominations, trying to not pick the 13^th because of my epic tee shot. The 17^th “Fishers” was in contention, 142 metres, road on the right, a deep bank on the left and attractive sloping green. I parred well after missing the green.

I would say the 6^th was my top pick of the course and is fairly placed on the best in NZ list.

I stood on the last very pleased to be there at Gore Golf Club, but one big challenge to come 370 metres back toward the clubhouse, “The Gums” was long with no run out of the fairways. I was on a playing handicap of 10 for the course, a solid bogey would put me on 80 for the day and nett 1 under for the par 71.

I was short in 2 and faced a tricky pitch up a ledge in front of the green, I played a percentage pitch and run up to 15 feet for safety. The I.P.G.C. Clan were out front of the clubhouse having beers and a good time. I rolled the putt in with a rattle on the flag stick and got a cheer from the crowd.
Gore Golf Club is not only steeped in history, making it a must-play for golf enthusiasts, it is a quality golf course. The layout of the holes is clever, and challenging and requires mixed skills and some intelligence to find your way around.

Gore deserves a place on the Top New Zealand Golf Courses List, the history, the quality greens and the challenging course layout are what this little game is all about.

Welcome to the captivating realm of Southland, where the splendour of New Zealand’s southernmost region meets the artistry of golf. Prepare to be impressed as you delve into the premier golf courses that grace this picturesque landscape. Join me on a captivating journey through Southland’s lush fairways, where golfing prowess intertwines with breathtaking panoramas, offering an experience that is more than a rural backwater, with warm-hearted locals and a cheese roll, the golf in this part of Aotearoa is remarkable.

The 24 courses available are made up of six 18 holes courses and seventeen 9-hole affairs, plus a 6-hole cracker on Stewart Island.

Invercargill Golf Club (Otara Links): A true links 5 minutes from Invercargill.  The course was established in 1897, it has history! It lies as an exquisite masterpiece, near the “Fastest Indian” famous beach, Otari. With its meticulously crafted 18-hole championship layout, this sanctuary of golf beckons players of all calibers. The course weaves through undulating terrain, challenging golfers to navigate strategically placed bunkers and conquer lightning-fast greens., the Invercargill Golf Club is the epitome of golfing excellence. The best in the South.

Queens Park Golf Club: Step into a realm of tranquility at the Queens Park Golf Club, situated amidst the idyllic beauty of Invercargill’s beloved Queens Park. This jewel of a 18-hole course effortlessly blends nature’s splendor with golfing finesse. Meandering fairways, artfully framed by majestic trees, guide players through a serene parkland setting. As you traverse this harmonious landscape, you’ll revel in the allure of the well-manicured greens, offering an oasis of relaxation and a delightful escape from the everyday hustle.

Te Anau Golf Club: Embark on a spellbinding journey further south into the awe-inspiring Fiordland region, where the Te Anau Golf Club beckons amidst breathtaking natural wonders. This 18-hole marvel presents an extraordinary golfing experience, harmonizing with the magnificent backdrop of snow-capped peaks and the shimmering Lake Te Anau. Here, golf transcends the ordinary, becoming an immersive journey through nature’s grandeur. Indulge your senses, challenge your skills, and revel in the fusion of golf and the ethereal landscapes that define Te Anau Golf Club.

Nine Holes of Abundance

If you are looking for the shorter version of the game, Southland’s 9-hole courses paint a vibrant mosaic of golfing treasures, each offering its own unique charm and unforgettable experiences. So many to choose from so your golfing dreams will flourish in the South.  Prepare to be captivated by the vivid colors, warm hospitality, and natural wonders that await you in this golfing paradise. Let your golfing adventure in Southland begin!

Tokanui Golf Club: Tucked away in the tranquil countryside, the Tokanui Golf Club presents a rustic haven for golf enthusiasts. This hidden gem showcases a delightful 9-hole layout that winds its way through rolling farmland. With its wide fairways and subtle contours, the course invites players to immerse themselves in the simplicity and serenity of rural Southland. As you navigate the course, enjoy the scenic vistas and embrace the warm hospitality of the Tokanui Golf Club community. There is never a dull moment when you play Tokanui, the Southernmost mainland course in Aotearoa.

Kingston Golf Club: Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, the Kingston Golf Club is a charming retreat that captures the essence of its picturesque surroundings. This rustic 9-hole course boasts breathtaking views of the lake and a majestic mountain range. Golfers will appreciate the course’s natural contours, which harmoniously blend with the rugged landscapes. As you revel in the tranquility and marvel at the captivating vistas, the Kingston Golf Club offers a captivating escape from the ordinary.

Bluff Golf Club: Situated in the southernmost town of Bluff, the Bluff Golf Club showcases a unique golfing experience that combines coastal beauty with rugged charm. This scenic 9-hole course meanders along the stunning coastline, providing panoramic views of the Mokomoko inlet. and the famous Bluff Hill. As the fresh sea breeze invigorates your game, the course’s undulating fairways and well-maintained greens offer a delightful challenge. After your round, savor the local hospitality and perhaps indulge in Bluff’s renowned seafood delicacies. Fowlers Wild Bluff Oyster shop.

These rustic 9-hole courses in Tokanui, Kingston, and Bluff embody the essence of Southland’s unspoiled landscapes, inviting golfers to embrace the beauty of nature while enjoying the game. Whether you seek a peaceful escape, captivating vistas, or a touch of coastal allure, these courses promise a golfing experience that is truly unique to Southland.

At the bottom (or top) of Lake Wakatipu. Kingston Golf Club is the most northerly of the clubs that make up the Southland golf district. Kingston is the southern gateway to the Queenstown Lakes district. Just under 50 km’s along the Devil’s Staircase from here will bring you into Queenstown.

I played here many moons ago when there were fences around the greens to keep the sheep at bay. I was surprised to see them gone and the course was in good condition.

We came across a full course with the annual sponsor’s tournament in play. We squeezed onto the course between the field. At the clubrooms, there were no scorecards in the honesty box. A friendly local on the course offered to go and find me one, but I settled on taking a photo of his card. We had a laugh at his score so far, as they headed off in front of us.

A straight forward short par 4 to start the round should boost your confidence. The par 4’s at Kingston are all around the 300-metre mark so quite accessible for good scoring.

An uphill par 3, number 2 was named after Michael Hills poor brother. A testing hole needing a solid shot to get you up to the green. But once up there the view back down towards the lake is remarkable.

The undulating mounds at the back of the course were an interesting feature going down the 3rd. The first of 2 par 5’s at 418 metres. A nice looking driving hole with a tricky green.

At “Ben Nevis” the 140 metre 6th we bumped into another of the tournament players who insisted we come to the clubhouse for a beer after our round. I was beginning to like the good people of Kingston.

The 7th was a tough driving hole with a narrowing fairway. What made it tougher was the weather that was galloping up the lake at us. A quick stop to hide under trees ensued whilst we waited for it to blow through.

I can offer some advice on the 8th, a short 288 metres, asking for a ripper off the tee. Don’t take your driver from the bag. An easy 7 iron will leave you far enough back to get over the substantial tree guarding the green. I took the driver.

The clubhouse was full of people when we finished. I sometimes forget to de cloth my cap when entering the clubrooms. It is a tradition to remove your headgear in clubrooms through the land. Golf people are quick to give you notice, by looking at you and tapping their heads. In Scotland that is code for your mental/crazy.

The prize table was laden with prizes, for their biggest tourney of the year. The president came and introduced himself – we found out the club was born the same year as us ( me and the wife) 1968.

There was news of thousands of houses planned for the area and with this comes the fear that course may be taken from these good people. We met a few other local people and shared stories of great courses in the Southland area, including the deceased Oreti sands in Invercargill.

It turned out that one of the ladies in the room was a relative of the first-ever person to tee off at Oreti sands.

These clubrooms were full of a great bunch of people enjoying their big day. For me, another lucky day to play a local course which had been immaculately presented for the tournament.

The difficulty to get the community to look after the course year-round was raised. New people coming in to live but not utilizing the golf course. We can’t accept this fate, we need Kingston golf club to survive another 50 years. I’ll be back to play in the tournament next year proper. A Brilliant day out and a course worthy of being on the Best Nine Holes of New Zealand list.

The toilet didn’t make the list of top on course toilets.

It was a swift Boxing Day drive to Invercargill to visit Greenacres Country Club. Carrying a few pounds of extra weight following an excessive family dinner, I needed a good walk.

I’ve passed this course a few times previously on the way to the airport. I had the impression that it may be high end and a wee bit exclusive, but it was not quite that. It must have been the name that drove up the expectation.

There is a good 2 levelled driving range at the course, as it was boxing day the range was closed.

50th jubilee of Greenacres Country Club is coming up very soon, opened in 1969 the locals will no doubt have a great weekend celebrating.

The first is a straight forward par 4 at 303 metres, urged on by the signage, I lashed at a hazy boxing day drive to leave me “Embarrassed.” The aptest opening hole name I’ve encountered.

The course was relatively busy with various groups out and about. There must have been a Boxing Day tradition for a rugby team on the course as I passed a massive group of 15 odd folks playing together. There was a lot of laughter and banter amongst them.

The course measures 5,780 metres and set amongst mature trees on a parkland setting. The front nine passed me by pretty quickly, a combination of the Christmas day indulgencies and an irritable wind were to blame.

The inclusion of another “Bonanza” was mystifying me – does anyone have any light they can shine on this title for a golf hole?

To continue the luck I was having on the Southland trip I found the back nine had just been mowed which set up some nice playing conditions.

From the 10th I had 4 pars in a row and then a birdie. My blood was pumping at the thought of an under-par 9 holes. A swift double bogey on the 15th stopped that thought in its tracks.

One Small Step for Man

As I write this a light has gone on, the actual reason for the name of the 12th hole. At the time I thought the green might be hard to reach or it was made of cheese or once you’ve gone you will never really go back.

Man landed on the moon at the same time the Greenacres Country Club was born in 1969. A World Significant event with 2 men playing lunar golf up there a few years later. Check out the astronaut’s swing here. Play golf wherever you may be, on the moon or on the fairways of Southland.

The best hole on the course is the 13th. At 320 metres with a sharp dogleg to the left. Your tee shot could be a long high draw over and around the trees or a steady layup just passed the corner.

There was an irritable wind which was pretty annoying during my 4 hours at Greenacres Country Club. The course was okay, the wind and my expectations of the country club meant I didn’t quite get this course on the best in New Zealand list.

The greens had been sprayed with something that had turned them white very odd-looking. They were still true to putt on.

I preferred the back nine set up. The 18th is a lovely wee finishing hole. The four par 5’ are all challenging, long enough to be true par 5’s. A few months ago it would have been 2 good hits and a long pitch but now a drive and hybrid or long iron are getting me close to the green. My coach has done a great job at adding distance to my game. I feel a par 5 is a scoring hole for me now.

$20 green fee is good value for money for a well looked after affair. The Toilet facilities were not up to Tuatapere standards, but useful when in need.

It says boldly on the Tuatapere Golf Club welcome signage, “Southlands Best 9 Hole Golf Course.”

Only time would tell as I continue to enjoy the tour of Southland. It was Christmas Day and what a great gift to myself to have 2 hours out on this much loved rural golf course.

Located near the Clifton Suspension Bridge, a local attraction along with the Clifton Limestone Caves. Tuatapere township is 10 kilometres up the road. A little town that was gaining a reputation as a tourist hotspot. The Hump Ridge Track is a catalyst for this growth.

Tuatapere Golf Club is a flat parkland course, looked after by the members, it is in very good condition. Mature trees, a water hazard and an artistic sculpture make for a pretty place to be. The sculpture is obviously a nod to “the Hills” in Queenstown- Tuatapare for sure will be much better value for money.

I played here a long long time ago, but I am certain that the green fees were $10 way back then. The honesty box is probably the same and signage suggests there has been no price gouging here in the South.

Bellbird Terrace is nice par 4 at the far end of the course, at one with nature and the bird song was there right on cue. 308 metres with a marvellous closed in fairway due to the hedgerow.

Long Drop

A good on course toilet is not easy to find. But here on Tuatapere Golf Course at the 8th hole, you’ll find a classy wee loo. A fresh smelling long drop with deer horns on the outside.

Number 8 was named after the local river, Waiau, a par 4 with the stone and metal sculpture behind the green.

The front nine and back nine tees have a good variety. None more so than the 6th/15th, 118metres on the front directly over the water and 165 metres from a different angle on the back nine.

I got the ultimate Christmas present of a birdie 4 on the last hole. A Par 5 443 metres staring down the clubhouse. A special day for me as I headed away to enjoy a Christmas family dinner.

What makes Tuatapere a contender for the top 9 holes in Southland? It is certainly well looked after and the variety of front nine and back nine go a long way to getting the crown.

The course has a nice flow with a layout of 5,501 metres over the 2 sets of nine holes. A par 72 – 2 par 5’s and 2 par 3’s.

Is it the master of Drummond Golf Club? I’m not sure it is. I may have to return to the South to play both courses on the same day. A sort of shootout, finale, last chance to impress, best foot forward, head to head session.

I’ll be back to Tuatapere one day soon to put my money in the slot. A wonderful place to play a round of golf. Definitely one of the Best Nine Holes in New Zealand.

Mataura Golf Club is a flat 9 hole course. With impressive hedgerows and established trees. The recent rain had subsided enough to get the greenkeeper out. I was fortunate again on my Southland tour to get the best of conditions.

A quiet day at Mataura Golf Club, there was only one other group out on the course. The Clubrooms looked good from through the window. Although the practice putting green obviously wasn’t used much.

Just over 5,500 metres for the 2 rounds of nine, the course is no pushover. 2 par 5’s and 2 par 3’s on each nine make it a par 72.

There is a neat little bridge to help you cross a gully in the 3rd fairway. It was dry but I wondered at the time if maybe there was some flooding in the area that would change the dynamic of the hole.

Following the recent flooding event in Mataura and surrounding districts, they were in a state of emergency which certainly would have covered the golf course. This was the biggest flood seen here since 1978.

My thoughts go out to the people of the area and I hope the recovery is swift for you all.

The 4th par 3 is …oh no .. Westward Ho at 139 metres on the 2nd nine it turns into “Good Hit” 171 metres.

Sponsored by a local Windscreen company – clever marketing with a car park close enough to the course to generate some business eventually.

After “Good Hit” came “High Tension” due to the overhead cables. They certainly came into play with your approach to the green.

There was a Bonanza on the card, not quite as common as Westward Ho. But why Bonanza? A great western show in the 60’s but what has it got to do with golf course names?

I enjoyed the last towards the clubhouse, called “Clubhouse” and “Last Chance” A par 5 needing clever placement of your drive to get a shot at the green, even laying up needed some thought to avoid the encroaching trees.

I found a surprise package at Mataura Golf Club. Surprisingly well ordered and surprisingly mature as a nine-hole rural golf course. The fairways around Mataura are quite wide and inviting. The greens were fine and flat.

Can it compete with Drummond for Southland’s best nine holes? Not quite, but I suggest if you are in Mataura bring the clubs and get out to enjoy the course.

Arriving at Tokanui Golf Club you realise you are about to “take on” the course. Located on the majestic southern coast with views out to the southern ocean and over the Mataura Estuary. Tokanui is the most southerly golf course on the mainland.

Not far from the most southerly part of New Zealand, Slope Point is an awfully exposed location. This course comes with its own unique challenge. Reading from local sources, “the course is spectacular and plays differently in a stiff wind.” Today was a wind day so taming Tokanui was not going to be easy.

This is classic links golf, no tress just open fairways and wind. The
1st was as an opening shot over the road that separates the 2 parts of the course.

Your tee shot is out to a humps and hollows fairway, to get you started on this little links beauty. The 2nd was a 150-metre par 3 which today required a well-hit hybrid into the wind to get up to the green.

I gave up trying to stand my bag on its legs. With the wind, it was getting blown over far too easily.

Going up the dogleg 3rd, an uphill Par 5 of 362 metres it was the longest hole on the course. It was called “Toi Tois” – now here is the educational part of the story. At first, I thought it was Toes Toes – names after Toetoes Bay which is roughly where we were. But it was actually Toi Tois – was this hole sponsored by the fine wine called Toi Toi? Unlikely I thought.

Eventually, I found the Toi Toi tree – the only sign of flora and fauna on the course. So I took a picture to remind me of the Toi Toi tree…. This is not a Toi Toi.

Check the wine bottle label to see a lovely whispy grass which is the Toi Toi.

I then read an article about the Toe Toe grass, often misspelt Toi Toi. So was this hole named mocking the spelling? OR maybe it should have been “Toi Toi Toi” – a cry heard at the theatre to wish an actor good luck, similar to “break a leg” – I am going with this explanation until the hole naming committee chairman corrects me otherwise.

I needed all the luck I could get hitting into the wind. “Toi Toi Toi !!” I cried bent over into the wind.

“Norwester” and “South Pole” were 2 holes with names fitting for the occasion.

There had been a greenskeeper out and about just prior to me teeing off. Not another foolish soul on the course in this wind. One thing I noticed is the mower did not need any kind of catcher. The wind took the clippings and shared them with the district.

I enjoyed the “Roadhole” number 6, only 277 metres, with a challenging tee shot over the corner of the road to an elevated green.

The 7th, 8th and 9th were back across the road to finish the blustery round of golf and back in the car to find a bottle of that wine. The pleasure of playing Tokanui Golf Course was still whistling in my ears.

The card here has a grainy picture of golfers on the ninth green, but also a sponsors message from the Tokanui Tavern pointing me in the right direction.

If I were you put this course on the bucket list. It definitely makes the Top 10 Nine Hole Golf Courses of New Zealand so far.

It was club day at Hedgehope Golf Club. A lively bunch were out for the pre-Christmas loud shirt day out. People gathering quickly in the small car park. We shared a bit of banter with a man opening clubrooms and we got out quickly ahead of the pack.

The night before I had gathered directions on how to find the Hedgehope Golf Club. Asking in the local Speight’s house how far is it from here? “Oh, it’s 15 minutes out of Winton. “

Still none the wiser as I was not in Winton. Heading to Winton to find Hedgehope Golf Club, the weather was dry and overcast. Southland had experienced a lot of rain in the last month, good for growth but hard for local communities to keep their golf courses in good playing condition.

As it was club day we welcomed the sound of the mower tidying up the greens and fairways. We got the best of the conditions and the moisture dried off quickly.

The 1st hole heads down along the roadside, a par 3 to get you going, and then across the road for the next 2 holes. “Why did the Psychic Golfer cross the road?” … “To get to the other side”….

“Moonshine” was the 2nd a sweeping risk or reward par 4 at 263 metres. My hole of the day; a challenging drive to cut the corner and chase your ball up towards an elevated green.

After finishing on the 3rd – the longest hole on the course at 324 metres. It was back across the road for a short par 3, Glen Coe. One of my favourite parts of Scotland, an amazing heather laden valley.

There were a few interesting holes on Hedgehope Golf Course including doglegs, including “dogleg” which was a dogleg.

On the back nine, number 5 “Dogleg” is renamed, number 14 “Tractor Shed” a great observational name. I assume the tractor shed was built in the same location when the course came into being.

With mature trees all around and a tidy wee nine-holes, it was a pleasure to play at this community golf course. There were traditional club rooms which I am sure over the years has seen a few interesting gatherings.

Dating back to 1968 the club is a great example of golf in rural Southland. I left with a sense of pride that golf still keeps us all together, with a happy group of golfers out as a community enjoying life.

If you are looking for a breathtaking location with views to die for, you’ve found it.
A friendly man in the clubhouse gave me good instructions about the course layout. I had played Te Anau Golf Club some 20 years ago – before the accident. *

I could not remember the hole by hole layout but I’ll never forget the views. It is situated at the bottom of Lake Te Anau -or is it the top of the lake, surely the lake is flat and doesn’t have a top or bottom?

The 1st is a par 5 on the lakeside, a flat sweeping hole. I lost sight of my ball as I drove off the first tee. I was mesmerized by lake Te Anau. There are 2 fairway bunkers to catch that first mistimed tee shot of the day.
I had not a care in the world where my ball went as I drunk in the hot mesmerising landscapes all around.

Interestingly, the 2nd is also a par 5 along the lakeside. I was glad to see the back of 2 long holes this early and good to play them when my fitness is still in check.

2 par 5’s and a short par 3 3rd was a good opportunity to score well early. A great front nine is completed when you stand up on the 10th tee heading back to the clubhouse. A shorter than short par 5 at 386 metres and surely it is birdie time. The views from the tee across Lake Te Anau and out at the tip of the Fiordland National Park are the highlight of this course. The Murchison Mountains and Mount Luxmore dominate the skyline.

Number 10 isn’t as easy as the card suggests, stroke hole 18, with a tight fairway and even tighter approach to the raised green. Miss on either side and you will be glad of a solid par. This would be my hole of the day and onto the best golf holes in New Zealand list.

The 12th is a cracking hole, Te Anau is not the manicured course it may have been in the past, but the 12th shows off the location which is the USP for this course. Although I say that, every hole has a little bit of magic, with Lake Te Anua on the doorstep.

I’m a fan of a tee box back in the trees, even better if it is up a hill into the back of the trees. It is nice to leave your bag down below and push on up the hill with a driver in your hand.

Do you take a spare ball or mid-iron just case? You could find out of bounds or maybe the drive looks dangerous and you waive the white flag with an iron? I usually sneak another ball in my pocket and grab the 6 iron. ( with no actual intention of using it)

I tend to perform well from these situations, is it the extra oxygen fired into your ventricles as you suck in some big gulps up the hill? When you get to the top, are you on an adrenaline high, putting extra metres on your drive?

On the 13th tee, marvelling at the vista, blood pumping through my chest and arms. I was coiled like a spring on a cold morning, I unleashed the drive of the day. No need for the extra ball!

Te Anau Golf Club should be on every man and woman’s golfing radar. The course is in okay condition, well presented but in need of a little extra love. BUT location location location is the winner here. You will not be disappointed to spend 4 hours of your golfing life on this golf course. It will appear comfortably in New Zealand’s Top Golf Courses thanks to the part of the world into sits in.

*the birth of my kids*