Wattle downs Golf Club – Head down the southern motorway about 30 min out of Auckland. 5 minutes’ drive from the Takanini Interchange and you’ll find Wattle Downs Golf Club.
It is a 9 hole golf course – I had the impression it was not going to be worth a visit. I called to make a tee time in the morning. “Oh just turn up there is no one around” ( on a Sunday morning). My son was looking for his collared shirt. A a lion red tee shirt might be fine attire for the day. I was feeling a little judgemental for no good reason.
The course is surrounded by retirement villages, 18 holes might be a bit much for the old folks. The welcome in the shop was friendly and engaging. We were wished well, and given a guarantee the spits of rain would come to nothing. They didn’t by the way, fine conditions today, warm with a little breeze.
A good looking club house and well maintained course, this promised to be more than I expected. Lovely parkland setting and good people.
There are some cool doglegs to deal with, a couple of short par 4’s and some tricky par 3’s. One at 213 metres followed by 175 up hill. The last is a 305 metre par four sharp dogleg to the right. The clubhouse is dead straight ahead about 180 metres. A high slice around the corner would have to be spot on or you might end up playing through the golden wedding party at the The Slice Restaurant.
Play safe up to the corner and you will have 135 ish into the green.
The bar was titled the Thirsty caddie – there was a great outdoor area to watch the players come down the last. Well worth stopping to enjoy the view.
The people were friendly everywhere, we were given some local knowledge (a little too late) when you tee off the par 3 6th hole, you leave you clubs on the 7th tee box which is right next to the 6th tee box. Once you have putted out on the 6th green you walk all the way back from the green to where you started. The following locals told us we should have teed off the 7th first, then teed off the 6th, finished the 6th green and then continue with your 7th hole – not sure how the Royal and ancient committee would cope with playing a future shot first?
A good quick day out, I enjoyed playing Wattle Downs. I will go back now I know the layout. Of course the scoring will be much better. I was 9 over on the 9 holes. Shoulda woulda coulda had an eagle after driving the par 4 4th, but missed a 5 footer and the subsequent 3 footer for birdie. The nerves jangled somewhat but I nailed the par putt. Current handicap is a problem 12.2 at present with so many swing and set up changes I’m doomed.