Karori is the largest suburb in New Zealand. So there. Karori Golf Club is 8 km’s from here on the road to Makara, an area known for mountain biking and rural living.

The course is set down in the valley and is in a beautiful countryside setting. I was a member at Karori for a few years and really love playing here.

Normally coming out of the winter the course can be a little damp underfoot but I found it in excellent condition today.
The membership in the years gone by was strong and the club was humming, but it is getting harder to operate a golf course now. I had a quick chat with the course manager who is working hard to grow memberships and keep the club moving forward for the community to enjoy.

The tag line at Karori Golf Club is Naturally Golf, to reflect the semi-rural location, the course easily moulds into the environment. A peaceful place to play your golf and no cell coverage! I wonder if they get a nudist crowd showing up mistaking the message? With dwindling numbers maybe “Naturally Golf” could bring a different crowd, a nudist NZ first perhaps….?

The first at Karori is a hole that I dream about. A dogleg to the right where hitting too well and straight will put you in trouble with the trees. You could use an iron to get up to the corner or “slide” your driver around and over to leave an easy approach. I go for the slide and rarely execute it. But I never fail to play it out in my mind on the drive through the country lanes to the course.

The course favours someone with a power fade like me – I used to have more of a squirting slice when I played here. Two holes in the first 3 are right-hand doglegs, called “Bent” and “Seriously Bent”?

The par 3’s

The par 3’s here are all good. 3 crackers on the front nine. Number 2 over the tall tall tree, requires a high confident blow early in your round, to land on a large plateau green. The gettable 4th is inviting a good short iron at the pin.

Followed by the treacherous 6th, “Shorty’s Heartbreak” which may be some peoples vote for best hole on the course. Only 121 metres from the blues, but don’t be short or the stream and steep gully will take your ball.

Only one par 3 on the back nine, the 13th is usually into the prevailing wind and deceptively longer than it views.

Before I go any further I need to discuss the hole names here at Karori. I don’t remember the hole names from my days as a member. They may have been there but I can’t recall them. I may be going mad.

I had my own name for the 9th, It is officially called the “Big Dipper.” My name for the number 1 stroke hole was a little cruder. So these must be new?

The ninth needs a monster of a drive off of the elevated tee. Outta the screws or your approach will be difficult across a large gully. Miss the fairway and you are laying up. A par here is a great result.

The making of the course is the variety of holes and the challenges they bring. The back nine is the best of the 2 sides. With a combination of holes, some requiring a solid drive others shorter par 4’s requiring a thinking man’s golfer.

My favourite hole is the 12th looking down at the shortish 258-metre par 4 knowing one great blow will get me on the green. The green slopes back to front willing you take it on. The fairway bunkers can be in play if you mis-fire. “Dizzy Heights” makes my Best golf Holes in new Zealand list.

The 2 bunkers on 12th are the only ones on the back nine and matched with only one bunker on the front on the par 5 7th.

I love the drive off of the 15th, “High and Mighty” says it all as you look out over the pond at the green far far away– I don’t think I have parred this hole in many years trying. A long iron is usually required into a tricky green if your drive gives you a chance.

The 17th is a hole that I know the driver is not needed. At 297metres if you get too close to the green, trees and a gully make it a tricky approach. A sensible 7 iron leaves a 9 iron – this is a test of how comfortable you are with your manhood to play sensible and measured golf.

The left-hand dogleg on the 18th is a great way to finish, hitting over the blind corner and down a steep slope. Local knowledge is an advantage. The tight little green sitting behind an overhanging tree needs an accurate and confident finish to your round here.

You will not find a friendlier golf course in the area, so if you need an afternoon out of the city, Karori Golf Club is your best option. It can be a little hilly for those not match fit, but this adds interest across the excellent course design.