Maxwell’s Golf Retreat – A labour of love

Maxwell’s Golf Retreat is 9 holes over 1388 metres. There are 8 par 3’s and 1 (tricky) par 4. The holes vary in distance from 98m to 233m.

I was expecting a nice pitch and putt experience, but what followed at Maxwell’s was a well thought out 9 holes. Don’t be fooled by Maxwell’s, plenty of bunkers maybe 18 of them and water encroaches on 4 holes to keep you honest.

I met Mrs Maxwell herself, a very warm and friendly welcome to her home for the last 20 years. She has built this wonderful corner of the golfing world herself. As a successful golfer in her own right, she has given back in spades to the future of golf in New Zealand.

I had a sense this was a well-loved golf course, it felt like you were playing at someone’s home. Worthy of a spot on the Top 10 NZ 9 Hole Golf Courses.

The 5th is a great hole challenging your shot-making as the water protects a small green. Once that has been mastered the 6th brings you back over the water to my pick of the best looking hole of the day.

The course has subtle elevation changes and sits on 2 hills. A thoroughly enjoyable golfing day out.

The last heading back up to the clubhouse makes you weary with your tee shot, nothing thinned off the tee would be appropriate!

A really good bar and the deck was a good spot for refreshments. The idea this little course would be an easy beat was not the case. Water hazards did their job when required, subtle elevation changes made life difficult and the greens had to be read.

You will enjoy a day out at Maxell’s, I surely did and I’ll be back!

Awhitu Golf Club -In the laneway.

9 holes of golf out on the Awhitu Peninsula, the most far-reaching golf course from Auckland City in the district. We were visiting Juan the rabbit sitter in Waiuku. A short drive of 20 minutes from Waiuku to Awhitu allowed me to enjoy 9 holes on this lovely community course.

We were quite far from a major centre, the course you might encounter can be a bit of a lottery. Awhitu Golf Club has only 113 members, I didn’t expect anything to write home about. But … surprise! A tidy wee number, nice setup, with smallish greens but in good order. Country courses love a small green.

It was a good walking course with a few wee hills to get the legs pumping. There were points were the views over the Manukau Harbour were making the visit worth every penny. I didn’t pay in pennies.

A helpful par 3 to start you off is followed by a short par 4 – I found the green from the tee – lifting my spirits quickly coming off away with a birdie.

There were a variety of people out enjoying the conditions, it was a very pleasant day out.

The 3rd was a par 3 before you crossed over a farm road to the nicest part of course. A short uphill par 4 was a challenge and needed a well-positioned tee shot.

5th

Hole of the Day

The 5th took the hole of the day award, a great driving downhill par 5 at 448 metres, with a farm laneway in the middle of the fairway to move stock through the course. The 2nd shot should not be an attempt at the green which is tucked up in a dangerous corner. The small green needs an accurate pitch shot. The right-hand side of the green was not an option. The view over the harbour was best enjoyed from the 5th fairway.

Coming back up the 6th my tee shot landed in the laneway. I hit a great 9 iron up onto the green from there. A young friendly pensioner informed me that I could have had a drop from there – not needed!

A nice dogleg driving hole up the 7th was followed by a driveable par 4. The ninth was an awesome way to finish, sweeping up next to the clubhouse to a 2 tiered green.

In this part of the world, $10 for a great day out can’t be beaten. The Top 9 hole courses in the country are high on my radar in the next few weeks. Drummond Golf Club is already on top of the list, but Awhitu Golf Club will be added after this experience.

Whangaparaoa – not for the wayward driver

A journey of 40 minutes north of the Harbour Bridge will land you on the Hibiscus Coast and into the township of Whangaparaoa.  Known as the “bay of whales” it is a fantastic place for a golf course. On this Saturday afternoon, a stiff breeze populated the Whangaparaoa peninsular. My coach, Ross, said practising your new driver set up would be fine on a windy day. “It adds to the challenge.” He didn’t know I was going to Whangaparaoa Golf Club.

Situated out on the peninsular the course is not for the weak walker. I’d suggest a cart here may be a decision worth taking. There is a nice parkland feel to the area without an overabundance of trees. 

The first 3 holes can trick you into a false sense of what will lie ahead. A straight forward start to the round should be capitalised on. This course needs a precise driving day, the fairways are tight. Not particularly small targets but miss at your peril. Housing, Out of bounds and wetlands threaten to take you ball at the first sign of weakness.

The 4th is the start of these mind games. Wetlands all down the right side of the fairway, from the tee it is daunting as you have to drive over the corner of the wetlands. Don’t drive too far or you’ll shoot through the fairway. Miss the green and the steep slopes will make you pay.

Fitness Challenge Ahead

” Long Haul” is number 7, a full 448 metres uphill, mentally challenging physically challenging and a bloody long way. There is another hole coming called “Upward Struggle”, but only after you’ve faced “I’ll be Damned”, even the hole naming committee knew what this course was all about.

Even, “Looks Easy,” the 11th  isn’t that easy. But don’t worry Coronary Hill is the 12th a wonderful looking hole if you can see through the sweat weeping from your brow.

Now you may get a sense that Whangaparaoa Golf Club is not for the faint-hearted. You need some internal fortitude to stand on tee after tee wondering what will be thrown at you next. The 13th is called “Roller Coaster”, they certainly know how to name a hole around here. 

The signature hole here could very well be “Splash” the 14th, over a lovely lily pond to a green protected by a bunker. It is a nice rest bite as you make your way around this course.

Splash

Whangaparaoa shares a fence with Gulf Harbour Country Club, my partner briefly played Gulf Harbour following a wayward tee shot. A more affordable neighbour, green fees are manageable at Whangaparaoa. The course is great value for money and in a stunning location.

The course is in good condition and looks well-frequented. Play with a member if you are heading this way. Local knowledge will increase your enjoyment of the challenging layout.

I was confident all day to put my recent accelerated practice into play. But the course is not for those between swing changes. I would not enjoy this golf course as my regular haunt. The focus required off the tee would drive you mad. The wind was substantial today and this just added another dash of doubt.

South Head Golf Club – In search of a birdie.

South Head Golf Club is a simple country course, with rolling fairways. It is not hilly but has many an elevation change throughout the course. I have heard a lot of courses class themselves as a “hidden gem” – this could be the truth here at South Head Golf Club.

What makes it a gem is the location, a quiet country course with views across to the Kaipara harbour. The variety of holes here is excellent and the condition of the course is well above expectations.

This is the home course of Steve Williams, Tiger Woods caddie for many years. Locals tell tales of the day Tiger caddied for Steve around South Head before his wedding. That’s a recommendation enough to get out to play the magical course located here.

It was a warming day and the kiwi sunshine is always a threat to my Scottish skin. I bought a hat. Leaving some of my hard-earned foldies with the club.

Watch out

The slopes on the course mean that local knowledge would be a helpful advantage. The first hole slopes left to right and there is an elevated green to challenge your shot-making. I started poorly, didn’t register a par until the 6th. Local knowledge probably wouldn’t have helped.

2nd

The 2nd is a tough 183 par 3 and 2 holes later a 160-metre uphill par 3 is deceptively difficult. The 5th is a long par 5 called Perseverance, that says it all really.

I was glad to get to the 6th a shorter par 5 but called Westward Ho. Come on people do we need a Westward Ho on every course in the country?

The 9th was a great looking hole from an elevated tee, this was my first look at birdie – for 2 reasons. Following a good drive and expert gap wedge, I was 6 feet away. the other reason was the turkeys taking up residence on the fairway and in the rough.

9th Hole with Turkey’s on the fairway and hiding in the rough.

There should really be the use of the turkey bird in the golfing vocabulary, maybe a triple-bogey could be a turkey?

If the 9th was good looking, the 10th took the cake, Eagle’s Nest, a par 3 over water to a bunker guarded green. I had another birdie putt here to no avail.

10

Birdie Alley

The fun really begins on the 12th, the next 3 holes are nicknamed birdie alley. This could be right up my street. Yardage of 256, 258 and 285 metres it was a chance to have a go from the tee.

The 12th green was missed on the right, I couldn’t get up and down, 13th same story BUT on the 14th we stood up on the tee box, wind behind and no real idea where the green was. Both myself and the boy put our drives on the green, he was 5 feet away. So the story now becomes all about whether he nails his first-ever eagle.

The Eagle putt

It got tense as he stroked a firm putt at the shrinking hole, somehow the golfing gods sucked it into the cup! Wild celebrations ensued and a 2 written firmly on the card. Good work son!

I really liked the set up of the 17th – only 376metres of par 5. Great view from the tee box of the narrowing fairway and the overhanging tree and the fairway bunker. A wise man may play a mid-iron to avoid driver disaster. Wise men shouldn’t play golf, have a rip!

The 17th is firmly on my list of top holes of New Zealand – named Eccles Highway after the man who designed the course, this is a hole to be proud of.

Hat’s off to South Head

A friendly clubhouse topped off a wonderful day out at South Head Golf Club.

Harbour Views.

Tapora Golf Club – A life members event

There was news of a Life Members sponsored event at Tapora Golf Club. I was excited to get on the road early on a Saturday morning to head north and meet the local people on the Okahukura Penisula, in the Rodney district.

Tapora Golf Club is a coastal country course overlooking the Kaipara Harbour. A marvellous setting for these 9 holes of golf in rural New Zealand.

I took SH16 north, as I drove into the depths of the country I was wary of the weather – rain wouldn’t be my choice of weather event today. There was no wet weather gear in the car.

I had a random daily mix on the stereo and I chuckled to myself as a country singer belted out ” when I’m going to the country, I hope the sun shines on me”. The tune coincided with my windshield showing signs of a drizzly rain shower.

I had hope as the sky had large patches of blue all around. The rain threat subsided as I neared my destination.

It felt like a proper country destination as the road turned to gravel. I love gravel roads it scares off the uncommitted tourist.

The music choices turned rather strange at this point. Frank Zappa’s “Get Whitey” played a 7 minute instrumental of something. I am no music expert but when this tune finished I realised it was a live version. At the finish of the tune, a crowd applauded and applauded a little too much and a little too long. There was maybe something special about this tune to warrant the enthusiasm. It could be that the applause was a relieved outburst – glad that the ensemble was finished after a long 7 minutes.

The gravel continued and so did the odd mix from the car stereo. “Demented” by Erthurt gave me 2 minutes of various jangling and irrelevance. The song finished and so did the gravel. I turned off the stereo.

No more music was required I travelled in silence as I neared Tapora.

Arriving at Tapora Golf Club, a warm welcome and hot cuppa awaited.

The course was established in 1964 and is looked after by the local community, a fantastic labour of love.

I played with 2 life members and the club captain. I was in a privileged group of golfing greats for the day out.

Kia Ora, the opening hole, is a stiff test and a good welcome to the course.

The rolling hillocks of the surroundings meant that a well-placed tee shot would be rewarded, but you needed local knowledge for that. The 3rd claimed to be a shoo-in birdie. My card did not reflect this confidence in the name.

I enjoyed the various challenges going around Tapora Golf Course. The locals kept an eye on my game for me and offered advice when necessary. Some just looked on in wonder.

Woolaway

The 8th is an awesome 155-metre par 3. I thought this could be the best on the course. But the signature hole is the 9th from the top tee. A tricky carry to get onto the fairway and then a good smash is required to get up to the green by the clubhouse. From the top tee, you can see the stretch of avocado orchards all around. The new superfood is a cause for the expansion of this green gold in the area.

Now you would think that in the heart of rural New Zealand that the golfers of this area would be traditionalists. Not so, very progressive people they are. The new rule changes of a flag in option on the putting green had not gone unnoticed. Quickly they have been converted to flag in people in these recent times. I didn’t have the heart to complain that is this new rule was a sad ruination of our game!

Correct!

What a great day out at Tapora Golf Club. Fantastic people and a magical location. Well worth the drive from Auckland.

That will be the last

I had a great post-match meal and a mixed with the challengers for the trophy. No surprise Wally from our group was the runaway winner. He was expert in his navigation of Tapora Golf Course, he might know his way around here better than most.

From the deck

As I pulled away from the clubhouse a round of applause rang out in my head, just the right amount of applause too. Well done Wally for winning the trophy and well done Tapora Golf Club for keeping this little slice of golfing New Zealand alive and kicking.

Maramarua Golf Club – with a new full set.

Play golf here

Over the Bombay hills south of Auckland city. November burst into life with a beautiful summers day. The countryside was dry, tee boxes were a little hard and fairways were on the border of drying out. The rain gods are needed to keep the Maramarua Golf Course in good condition. But today it was just right.

The dry conditions meant the greenkeepers had to top up the water on the greens, we did get caught in a few sprinkler bursts. The greens were okay but a little hairy which made them slow to putt on.

Maramarua Golf Club is in a rural setting, the course has character aplenty. I was an immediate fan – the first was stroke hole 17 a short par four. I started with a par and followed up with 2 more.

Fish or Chip

The fourth is called Fish or Chip only 302 meters but the tight fairway and encroaching water challenge the tee shot. The pro advice on the website is, ” the smart option is …. blah blah blah.” We know what comes next and it involves an iron from the tee. I hit driver and this was not smart, but it felt good!

The course is a wonderful challenge none more so than the 8th. Stoney Batter ( the 8th) is stroke hole 1, 371 metres par 4 with a small lake protecting the front of the 2 tiered green.

Stroke hole 1

The New Clubs

This was the first day that I had the full complement of new clubs in my bag. Mizuno JPX919 Hot Metal Pro irons and Titleist T2 driver and hybrid. They were flying me along today. 2 over the card after 9, a birdie on 7th helped. The guys at the clubroom fitted me well for these clubs, I am loving having them in the bag.

A new full set

My good scoring started to slip going into the back nine. Due to sunstroke, thirst, tiredness, old age, new golf swing, and a full heavy bag. I required some concentration to keep the round under 80. 3 closing pars got me home in 79 on the par 71 5,574 metre course.

I passed down my old clubs to my boy who used them well today and even secured a 2 on the par 3 14th. Another golfing milestone for him.

What I like about Maramarua Golf Club is the quiet setting and the interesting touches around the place. They have gone with a stand-up rake for the bunkers – a nice touch of class.

Rake

Fish or Chip maybe one of the top hole names in the land. The hole naming committee didn’t take an easy road here. There was no Elbow or Westward Ho to be seen.

Easy Away, Long Fellow, The Sniper, Deception are some of the classy titles. Thank you for making some creative effort!

You will enjoy your day out at Maramarua Golf Club, so if you are south of the Bombay hills drop in for a round.

Lost Pines
Fish or Chip
Teal Waters

Redwood Park Golf Club -towering trees, a three and just me.

Daylight saving pushed the sun down time out by one hour. Excellent news for golfers! Redwood Park Golf Club was chosen as today’s challenge. I hummed and hawed about a coastal course on a sunny spring day. The wind looked stiff in some places which turned my attention to tree-lined choices.

Redwood Park is in Swanson, West Auckland. I got to the carpark and it was filled with cars – another good sign for golf in this land. The temperature was rising at 2 pm in the afternoon and I looked forward to seeing what this course had in store for me.

The clue was in the title, Redwood Park, towering Redwoods dominated the terrain. A Redwood is a tall tree with a wide trunk, there is no illusion that you are going through a Redwood if you are heading towards it. The trunk will take your ball.

There were a few Juniors and parents out in front of me so I knew the round could be slowish once I caught up with them. I decided to take my time and enjoy the surroundings. There was plenty of wildlife in the ponds and trees to enjoy all around this beautiful course.

1st hole framed by the Redwood trees

I stood up and looked at the beautiful first hole. Feeling comfortable with the new driver in hand, I swung for the stars and sent a shocking fade up the 1st into the rough. The subsequent blind shot at the green was short but a tidy up and down got me off on par.

Now I don’t rabbit on about my shot-making or lack thereof. But the 2nd was a 211 metre par 3. Into the stiff breeze, I had to use the driver. Not for some time had I hit a driver off a par 3.

number 2.

I swung again with confidence, a peach of a contact sent the ball 10 feet from the hole. Playing alone there was no one else to see my genius. Did I nail the birdie – no I did not.

The Eagle!

The 3rd was a 462 metre par 5, again a chance test the driver off the tee, I hit a riper. Sitting in the middle of the fairway the new hybrid was unleashed with success and I stood over a 75 metre flick to the green. This is the perfect distance for my 57 degree old rusty. I watched on as the ball took 2 bounces and dropped into the hole.

WOW, an eagle 3 and I looked around to see if anyone may have noticed – there was nobody within 400 metres. I high 5’ed my self – like an arse. I was 2 under after 3 holes. Why oh why am I on my own?

Holed out from here for the eagle.

I dropped 4shots in the next 6 holes to keep me honest. 2 over after 9. There is plenty of interesting holes around Redwood Park and I was enjoying the variety.

I have a liking for a tee box that has to be found back up in the trees. The 7th was a short walk up through the Redwoods to an elevated tee. It was a great view and I hit a smart drive to compliment the setting.

Up in the Redwoods
7th Green
8th tee and clubhouse.

Number 8 was a cracking par 3, the 9th was a lovely par 4 and 10 was a par 3 over a large pond. This course was really taking my eye as I tiptoed through the Redwoods. I was 2 over the card after 10 holes, which is unheard of, so I knuckled down to concentrate on getting into the clubhouse with a season-best score.

10th – easier than it looks!

I had a couple of nervous bogeys on 11 and 12. But a par on the next par 3 and 2 short par fours got me to 4 over after 15, I should have birdied 15 at 247 metres it was asking for it.

15th – A chip and put from here for birdie – easy eh?
Coulda woulda shoulda —- didn’t

I met a man on an electric golf bike, he was coming up a hole behind me. We had a long chat about electric bikes, walking the course and the state of NZ golf. We agreed the game was healthy and I eyed up his bike for a future purchase when I might want to rush around a course. Look here for how cool it is.

Walking the last 3 holes, I tired badly, dreaming of the bike. Luckily I managed to hold together a bogie on each of the last 3 to come in 7 over par for the round.

A wonderful-looking 76 on the par 69. I deserved a beer, so I bought one and sat on the great deck and marvelled at the Redwoods.

Redwood Park Golf Club is a great golf course, it is well established and challenging. Take yourself out to enjoy the trees and all this course has to offer.

Nice periscope

Te Kowhai Golf Club -I was not alone

A community course in the rural town of Whatawhata. Te Kowhai Golf Club was my second choice of a quick 9 whilst driving upcountry. I pulled over at Ngahinepouri Golf Club but it was closed for a tournament. That was 2 courses in one morning that turned me away due to an overabundance of golfers.

I am 43 courses into the 393 across New Zealand, just over a tenth of the way there. It is time to pick up the pace. The thought of quickly running around New Zealand and playing 393 golf courses has had a reality check. I need to keep my head down and swing hard to get closer to my golfing goal.

I have a new golf coach, I’ve had a couple of the coaches leave from the Institute of Golf at Ellerslie. Maybe the challenge of me is too much for these men.

The new coach, Ross speaks my language, a fellow Scot. Already I have seen improvement in my ball striking. The journey is looking positive to the single figure mark. But I need to apply myself and commit to getting this done.

The chap in the clubrooms at Te Kowhai Golf Club suggested I take a card to help me find my way around. “You’re on your own out there – a private round at no extra cost!” The front of the card at Te Kowhai has a picture of a nice bird. At first, I thought it was a Kowhai, but it turns out the Kowhai is a tree!

The front of the card is much prettier than the back.

This course has flat narrow fairways and many trees. I soon squashed my first thought of how I would make easy work of this little course. How wrong I was. Midwinter and slightly long fairway grass were not forgiving to a poor skinny drive looking for a bit of run-up. The greens were perfectly fine and flat to putt on. Easier than Waitomo’s earlier that morning.

A straight par 5 to start off was followed by long par 4’s 380, 345 and 254. No, it is not a typo 254 metres, the trick here is that if you don’t get into the right-hand side of the fairway at about 215 metres you are confronted by a wall of trees.

If I had an opinion, I’d shorten the par 4’s add 3 more par 3’s call it a 12 hole course and let the community enjoy an easier set of challenges in this lovely setting. Or am I just a little grumpy that I couldn’t quite get the measure of this course?

A story to read at the ball wash machine.

I noticed my clubhouse keeper had let 2 others onto the course, his lies about my own private round rung in my ears. Not alone I stood on the 9th dis-satisfied with my golf but pleased to have stopped at Te Kowhai Golf Club.

35 m Par 5 – Could be an easy Eagle?

The ninth was a tough hoof into the strong wind 162 metres and the well-struck hybrid still didn’t get up to the green. A chip and a putt and I was back in the car to head home, a little tired. Nothing that Bat Out of Hell blaring at me from the stereo wouldn’t cure.

Some numbers may have fallen off….

Waitomo Golf Club – out of the dark into the light.

Waitomo is famous for its extensive underground caves, I was here for a different reason. Waitomo Golf Club is in the Waikato Region. Established in 1912 the course is a fine example of NZ rural golf.

I was playing at Waitomo because I was heading back up to Auckland on my own with some time to kill. Rising early that day I planned to get a start on Taumarunui Golf Course. The car park was FULL at 8 am, there was a gaggle of golfers warming up. The friendly team in the shop said the Maori Cup was on and I wouldn’t get a tee slot for a few hours.

Golf in New Zealand is not dead, this would be the second course I found today that was fully booked.

I pulled over at Waitomo Golf Club, straight off of SH3 just passed Te Kuiti not knowing what to expect. The kiwi golf legend, Phil Tataurangi played here as a boy. There is some great reminiscing here of his childhood learning golf at Waitomo Golf Club.

It was a cracking sunny day – no good for my glow in the dark golf balls. An unexpected parcel arrived at my office desk some time ago with 6 balls in it. Strange balls, not ordered by me. I have subsequently discovered they are glow in the dark. These could have been a massive advantage if Waitomo Golf Club was actually in one of their famous caves.

The caves are filled by the most amazing glow worms and tourists who are boating through the caves or black water rafting if they are more adventurous.

Self serve Eftpos, the first time I’ve seen that on my travels. But I still prefer the cash in the honesty box malarkey. It feels right to push your little envelope of cash into the hole.

The First.

I love an obvious opening hole and even more so if it is downhill- downwind – with a wide fairway — short —okay you get the picture. The first was stroke hole 18 and ticked all the boxes.

Lookout ahead

The other pet love of mine is the way in which each course deals with the blind tee shot. We know about Warkworth and Helensville’s bells. Akarana has a periscope on the 3rd – you can see nothing more from peering into it in search of your upfront group.

At Waitomo on the 3rd, there is some excellent steps and a platform. This would be my favourite type of checking tool.

I played the first 4 holes behind a 3 ball ahead. At the 5th tee, the male in the group came over to ask if I wanted to play with him. The two ladies were in competition mode and he was the third wheel!

Glen was great company around the rest of Waitomo. He was a rural man, working and living in the Waikato and loving life. I enjoyed his company and thoughts on the future of golf. Making the game accessible and easy for new players in a community was key to his thinking.

6

The signature hole at Waitomo Golf Club is the 6th. A par 3 beautifully framed but a menacing 137 metres. A firm favourite on the list of New Zealand’s Best Golf Holes.

Waitomo is a great feeling golf course. Farm life surrounds you and there are stunning views across the King Country. I was still getting used to my new driver & hybrid – struggling a bit to get into a rhythm. The greens were a bit bobbly after coring and sanding. I didn’t worry too much, I was enjoying the countryside and the company.

One thing that should be eliminated from our great game is an uphill par 5 that is also the 18th and last hole. We don’t need a final physical test after a good day out. A rule changed required from our Royal and Ancient friends, please. Score early around Waitomo and save some energy for some tough closing holes.

Clubhouse ahead.
Thanks, Glenn for showing me around!

Waimarino Golf Club – looking for magic on a first date.

Ohakune is known as the carrot capital of New Zealand, sitting at the foot of Mount Ruapehu . Waimarino Golf Club is an 18 hole course established in 1926 in this magical mountain location.

I was in town to drop off my snowboarding son for a week on the slopes. I was not interested in the white hillside, more the little white ball. In the dead of winter I was concerned about how this golf course would play.

Surprise Surprise ! Waimarino was dry as a bone and in great condition for such a winter location. The volcanic soil grows a great carrot and the pumice like qualities make the area free draining.

A black dog warmly welcomed me and was keen to make friends. There wasn’t many others around at 3 in the afternoon as I rushed to get on the course and finish up before dark.

In a desperate attempt to elevate my game I decided to purchase some new clubs. The Clubroom sorted me out and fitted the perfect sticks for a man like me. I picked up the new driver and hyprid on my way south. I was super nervous about having 2 new clubs in the bag.

It was like a first date, highly expectant but worried that I wouldn’t know what to do. It was a good idea to have some time on my own with these 2 beautiful additions to my carry bag. I needed to get to know them before introducing them to my friends.

I stood on the 1st holding the unwrapped Titleist driver, the black dog sat at the back of the tee watching to see what I was going to do with it.

200 plus metres later I was in the middle of the fairway. Fully satisfied with my purchase.

This romance could blossom.

I got the same feeling on the par 5 2nd – a good drive in the semi rough and an ideal chance to pull out the hybrid. I’ve never used a hybrid before, would there be instant magic? What followed was a nervous swish sending the topped ball 20 metres further up the semi rough – I had answered that question pretty quickly.

This romance may take some work.

The 3rd was a par 3 – I fired right at the bunker and watched as the ball bounced out of there some 20 metres from the green. The bunkers are walled with timber. They look great but if you catch the timber watch out.

I had a mixed bag on the front nine, but a series of chip and putt pars got me out in the right frame of mind.

9th hole at Waimarino Golf Club

The 11th is the first dogleg. It is stroke hole 3 and only 287 metres. Why is that I wondered, new driver in hand. The short leg of the dog is about 130 metres up to the corner. So the sensible thing to do is hit a mid iron and then another. Or you could gaze into the eyes of your new lover and go over the corner.

You know what happens next – I watched my ball rifle into trees and not over them.

This romance may not last.

The course here at Waimarino Golf Club was a welcome surprise, the fairways were dry and soft. I never had to clean my ball and I found the greens true. 5,500 metres with a great layout and mix of long and shorter par 4’s. The par 5’s are get-able making for a good golf course to play. I ended up 13 over the card, spot on my course handicap for the day.

Waimarino Golf Club the 18th

Playing on your own before the rule changes you would have to take the flag out when putting. I played the whole of this round flag in. I am a raging flag out man, traditionalist some may say.

Are you an innie or outie? A little petty maybe but the innies are rude, lazy and not in keeping with the spirit of the game. So I’m glad no one saw my innie day out at Waimarino.

18th

The journey to play every golf course in New Zealand