TSF Golf Club
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I've got some international colleagues coming to a conference in Rotorua later this year and they're asking me about playing golf.<br />
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Wondering what are the best experience, best value courses to recommend to them and, especially, if there's any hidden gems?<br />
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Got a feeling you're an expert in this field, Hooroo? -
Haven't played there for a while but Springfield used to be pretty good.<br />
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If they are after the geothermal experience though then the rotorua golf club at whakarewarewa would be one to visit to as well. -
Hooroo would def be the man in this area.
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How far is it to Wairakei? It's a superbly designed course.
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Played my 100holes in a day last year at Wairakei Tim. Superb course indeed. Its probably 45mins drive from Rotorua and definitely worth going there if they dont mind the short commute.
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Yeah, Wairaki is around 45 mins and a great course. Rubbish service though, I'd travel the extra 20 mins and play Kinloch.<br />
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Best course hands down and set up for the tourist golfer is Rotorua Golf Club (Opposite Te Puia) It is in superb nick and now has clearings that let you see all the mud pools etc. Definitely play there. Avoid springfield. They ran out of money and the course is representitive of that. Absolutely shocking.<br />
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Another course that I recommend in Rotorua is Lake View. About 15 mins from town and half way up the Mamaku's overlookig Rotorua and the lake. Neat wee course to play as well.<br />
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If you need any information on any of these, just let me know. -
When I say best course hands down, I mean excluding Kinloch and Wairaki where you will pay nearly $200 per roun d as an international visitor. Rotorua will be about $60 + Cart and Club hire<br />
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[url="http://www.rotoruagolfclub.co.nz"]www.rotoruagolfclub.co.nz[/url] -
I can vouch for Rotorua being a good course, good layout, decent challenge as well as the mud pools and the like, nice facilities too.<br />
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IMO it is better than the supposedly tougher Springfield (even though I played much better on it...) but also agree with Hooroo on Lakeview, nice little course, although a bit shorter than both the others. -
Shame to hear how downhill Springfield has gone. Use to be pretty decent.<br />
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Man, I feel like taking a week off and heading out of town to play some golf. There are some neat little courses out there that don't cost the earth to play. -
When I played Springfield it was in good nick, I just didnt rate it that much? It used ot be (or still is?) Danny Lee's 'home' course.<br />
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Yeah some great golf courses about, and they are well priced! Pretty lucky up this way, we have alot of courses in close proximity - over a dozen within an hour or so, and most of them are decent quality too (particularly Mangawhai, Waipu, Waitangi, Whangarei, Kerikeri) -
Wonder if we need a golf thread in Off Topic??
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Maybe just change the name of this thread?
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I thought this was it?<br />
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TSF Golf day like we did in London would be good.<br />
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I suggest Whangamata! <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> -
How many can your pad down there hold Hooroo?
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[quote name='taniwharugby' timestamp='1369172463' post='367203']<br />
Maybe just change the name of this thread?<br />
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Yeah we should but maybe once Chris B has had a chance to see some initial responses so he doesn't think he thread has been lost. -
[quote name='JK' timestamp='1369172970' post='367206']<br />
How many can your pad down there hold Hooroo?<br />
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6, comfortably -
Well then....would be rude not to eh.<br />
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I've only recently got back in to the game. Joined the ("Royal") Apiti Golf Club - only $90 for the year and gets me all affiliated etc. One more card and I'll have a handicap again.<br />
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Could probably do with some new sticks. Might be on the xmas list. -
I need to get back into the game, and get some new sticks too!, still a member at the club I grew up on, only $140 full membership, just need to actually play!<br />
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Have played 4 rounds of matchplay in the past 12 months and 2 Ambrose! -
Yeah, I'm keen.<br />
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PLay Whangamata and Lakes resort or play Whangamata and then can a hole on the little 9 hole course <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> -
Sounds a great idea.
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Was the TSF golf day the one that The Eagle organised?<br />
I have vague memories of meeting Hooroo at London Bridge Station and playing golf in a lightning storm.... and WTW almost taking my head off when using the driver he borrowed off me and not holding on to it when he swung....<br />
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Dont remember who won.. must have been me. -
Well Eagle and I didn't win as we went in once the Lightning arrived. I remember you taking the mick out of us for being soft, but it was easy for you to say that as you would always be the last to be struck... even on tip-toes <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
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Thanks for all those suggestions, guys. Sounds like Rotorua Golf club and Lakeview are the go.<br />
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I can return the favour if people are coming to Nelson.<br />
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If you're a good player and want to play the best courses - I'd say Greenacres, Nelson Golf Club and Motueka.<br />
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If you want spectacular - Tasman on the Kina Peninsula - it's really a 9 hole course, but very playable and world class views on a sunny day. Very relaxed.<br />
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Totaradale in Wakefield is also pretty relaxed - 9 holes, but again very playable.<br />
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Golden Downs even more relaxed - we were there mid-summer weekend at midday and the only people on the course. Left green fees in the honesty box. Has NZ's longest hole!!! But actually quite well maintained considering. <br />
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Redstone is a private 9 hole course. Again very relaxed. Usually hardly anyone there. It's very short and the greens are dodgy, but it's got some fun features like an island hole. For a hacker like me it's a fun course - wouldn't recommend for a serious golfer.<br />
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Waahi Takaro it's handy to Nelson city. I've played there a couple of times, but didn't really like it - mainly because I largely prefer the relaxed and deserted country courses. Unaffiliated green fees at Tasman, Totaradale, Golden Downs and Redstone are all less than $20. I think Greenacres is about $40, Nelson probably more ($48 I checked). The others I'd think about $30, but can't remember. -
When I lived in the Rai Valley I used to play Green Acres and Nelson golf club quite a bit. They are awesome.<br />
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I reckon there are about 5 golf clubs with NZ's longest hole. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> There is a 600 metre par 5 at Wairaki, I think -
[url="http://www.livingheritage.org.nz/Schools-Stories/Tapawera-community/Golden-Downs-Golf-Course"]http://www.livingheritage.org.nz/Schools-Stories/Tapawera-community/Golden-Downs-Golf-Course[/url]<br />
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Google suggests 660 metres for Golden Downs - they adjusted their tees to make it NZ's longest, so hopefully someone did their research right and trumped the others....for now. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /><br />
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$10 green fees!!!! -
548m Actually
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Sorry, I mean Wairakei is only 548m.<br />
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660m!!! Man! That is Driver, 3 Wood 3wood just about -
That makes it one of the worls longest Par 5's.<br />
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Here are a few long Par five and Par six holes I quickly retreived from Google<br />
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[i]The Links Golf Course, Post Falls, Idaho, #9, 777 yards, par 6<br />
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Farmstead Golf Links, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, #18, 767 yards, par 6<br />
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Black Mountain Golf Club, Black Mountain, North Carolina, #17, 747 yards, par 6<br />
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Turquoise Valley Golf Course, Naco Arizona, #15, 747 yards, par 6<br />
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The Gallery Golf Club, Marana, Arizona, #9, 725 yards, par 5<br />
(longest par 5 in US)<br />
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Ashley Plantation Golf Course, Daleville, Virginia, #14, 721 yards, par 6<br />
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Promontory Golf Course, Park City, Utah, #3, 720 yards, par 5<br />
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Fighting Joe Course at The Shoals, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, #12, 716 yards, par 5<br />
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Meadow Farms Golf Course, Locust Grove, Virginia, #12, 841 yards, par 6<br />
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Spring Lake Golf Resort, Sebring, Florida, #6, 800 yards, par 6[/i] -
For me it's probably driver, rescue, rescue, pitching wedge, pitching wedge, 3 wood, rescue....
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<img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /><br />
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Good point, If it is straight and you can see the green, it's the ole 'I'll have a go at that'.....Three seconds later, Reload -
They probably would just have to be on good terms with the local forestry company and do some chainsawing to make it longer. You could pretty much have a tee at Murchison and only have to hit over one public road. Though would need some chainsawing on DoC lands... <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />
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[quote name='Hooroo' timestamp='1369184697' post='367230']<br />
When I lived in the Rai Valley I used to play Green Acres and Nelson golf club quite a bit. They are awesome.<br />
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I reckon there are about 5 golf clubs with NZ's longest hole. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> There is a 600 metre par 5 at Wairaki, I think<br />
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Hole 11, the Black tees (535m) at the WHangarei course into the wind; I once played a great drive, a great 3 wood and a 5 iron into a par 5! Felt like the longest par 5 I had ever played!<br />
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As for the TSF golf day, it certainly wasnt me that won, but yeah, the conditions were no conducive to much good golf anyway, thats my excuse and I'm sticking with it! I did get lost in London the drive home though, when I was trying to stay out of London, that was fun... <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/rugby/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> -
Thread title changed.<br />
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Be good to keep it going and people can share recommendations on courses or golf gear, top rounds they've had or anything local else golf related. -
So where's everyone's favourite courses?<br />
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I've always had a soft spot for Pupuke (www.pupukegolf.co.nz/) where I first joined up when I was 13 years old. Did 5 or 6 years there playing pennants etc and had a lot of coaching from the pro there Rory Moore. Its a nice little course in the middle of suburbia. Pretty short and tight in parts and a bit of a goat track but always had awesome greens.<br />
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I've also always been a big fan of the Grange too in Auckland as well [url="http://www.grangegolfclub.co.nz"]http://www.grangegolfclub.co.nz[/url] which I hear is most likely gonna merge with Middlemore to free up some land for residential housing etc. Not that long a course but a good thinking players course and the first place I ever broke 80.<br />
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Also love the links style courses. Locally Muriwai is always good, especially in winter but up north right on the 90 is Kaitaia Golf Course ([url="http://www.kaitaiagolfclub.co.nz/"]http://www.kaitaiagolfclub.co.nz/[/url]) which I reckon is magic. Links course with country charm. -
Because i am a flash fluffybunny (who is shit at golf) these are the two ip lay the most here in Cairns.<br />
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I have a silver membership here, the beautiful Paradise Palms Country Club<br />
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[url="http://www.paradisepalms.com.au/pages/Golf.html"]http://www.paradisepalms.com.au/pages/Golf.html[/url]<br />
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It's great fun, but pretty hard, gets tight in too many places, and i refuse to go off the beaten track chasing balls, too many snakes and shit.<br />
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Or i head up to Port Douglas and tag along on a mates membership to this joint<br />
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[url="http://www.seatemplegolf.com.au/golfclub/golf.html"]http://www.seatemplegolf.com.au/golfclub/golf.html[/url]<br />
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It's pretty fucking long, and too many annoyingly placed hazards. Crocs in some of the water too. Beautiful to play though. That fat piston wristed gibbon Clive Palmer recently bought it for $7M, ridiculously cheap. -
[quote name='Chris B.' timestamp='1369184469' post='367229']<br />
If you're a good player and want to play the best courses - I'd say Greenacres, Nelson Golf Club and Motueka.<br />
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I know a bloke doing some junior golf coaching at Motueka - played with him over here for a season before he had to go back to inzid. Mad keen golfer and plays rugby for Riwaka B's.<br /> -
[quote name='taniwharugby' timestamp='1369187915' post='367241']<br />
Hole 11, the Black tees (535m) at the WHangarei course into the wind; I once played a great drive, a great 3 wood and a 5 iron into a par 5! Felt like the longest par 5 I had ever played!<br />
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[/quote]I played Royal Lytham & St Anne's last year, single hardest course i've ever played and genuinely broke me. The rough was evil, no first cut, miss the fairway or bounce off the fairway and you lose your ball (unless you're lucky enough to land in one of the 205 bunkers). The par 4 462 yard 15th into a force God knows what coming off the Irish sea was like trying to hit a ball to America. I hit the perfect booming dead straight drive off the tea, (which usually carries c230 yards) and watched it stop in mid air and come back towards me, it finished about 160 yards up the fairway, I've never felt so much like crying on a golf course. -
My favourite to have played is Jacks Point. Amazing course and the 16th hole is the best hole I have played on for 'fun' factor. It's so elevated that I hit a 400+metre drive. I've never seen a ball stay in the air that long. I can't wait to play it again.<br />
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NZ is just so brilliant for being able to play golf cheaply. Far too many courses which is great when you are travelling around the country but not good for club memberships.<br />
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I feel I must have played over 100 NZ courses but will try and find out once I get a list -
Haven't played Jacks Point but heard alot of good things. On the to do list for sure.<br />
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We have christmas down in rangiora again this year by the looks so will be taking the clubs to try a few courses down there.<br />
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Played Formosa last weekend and must say its improved abit since last time. Had some financial issues a few years back and wasnt well looked after but was pleasantly surprised on saturday. It also handled the heavy early morning rain very well. Looked unplayable when we arrived but 30mins later was all good. -
Kaitaia & Waipu are probably my fave courses (love links courses)<br />
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Kaitaia is right on 90 Mile beach, great test of golf, and as with most links courses, subject to some wild variances in the elements! A 90m par 3 into the teeth of the wind, hitting a 3 iron, standing in the clubrooms watching the fork lightning on the Tasman and rain going sideways, and then clearing half an hour later to perfect conditions! Waipu is just south of WHangarei and I have played that course in some wild conditions as well.<br />
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St Andrews in Hamilton is also a pretty good course and was set up bloody tough with narrow fairways, 3 inch lush rough and quick greens, although my golfing memories are not good ones (played the NZ Amateur there and despite having 6 birdies in a 12 hole stretch I still managed to shoot 88) has some fantastic holes.
