Thursday, May 28, 2009

6th hole, par 4, 361M


This is one of the more straight forward holes. Watch out for the large tree on the left at 190M. A second shot from there with a long iron should place the ball on the large green which is protected by bunkers on each side. 2-putt for an easy par.

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

7th hole, par 4, 285M


This is one of the shorter par 4 holes. Try to keep to the centre or slightly left of the fairway for an easy second shot to the green, which has bunkers only on the right side. They have just recently dug 3 more small bunkers behind that big tree on the right, roughly at 220M, 230M and 250M to trap all the long hitters who fade their drives.

Sunday, May 24, 2009

8th hole, par 4, 260M


Beware of the deep bunker on the right at 195M and two very large trees on the left of the fairways with deep hollow depressions in front of each. If you end up inside the depressions, you could be taking your second shot in a very awkward position with the ball either higher/lower than your feet or getting a nasty lie at the  uneven bottom of  the hollow. Removing a twig will infringe a penalty of one stroke.

There is definitely a chance for long hitters to hit this green in one, using the very small corridor between the two large bunkers guarding this green. Hit the ball high and go for it. One putt for your first eagle!

Friday, May 22, 2009

9th hole, par 5, 482M


This is our longest hole with a slight dogleg to the left. When playing your second shot, please keep an eye out for the golfers in front (hidden by the hollow in the ground). The large green is well protected by bunkers on both sides. It is possible to hit this green in 3. Two putt for another easy par.
(Look for a resident possum in the hollow of a pine tree, behind the red tee box)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

10th hole, par 5, 440M


It is wise to avoid the left side of this fairway which slopes down towards a ditch. A good and long second shot with the 3 wood should put your ball clear of most of the trees and other hazards. From here, use a high pitching shot over the bunkers to the green. Get ready to score another easy par.

Monday, May 18, 2009

11th hole, par 4, 385M


This is our longest par-4 hole, stroke index 1. There is a sharp dogleg to the right. I usually aim for the tree with red leaves in the centre of the fairway. A stray ball to the left of the fairway will probably end up in one of the 3 bunkers which belong to hole No: 1. For your second shot, you will need your longest iron or a fairway wood (185M)
(As you approach the green, pull your carts towards the left side of the green to avoid being hit by stray tee shots slicing from the 10th tee!) Be happy with a bogie!

Saturday, May 16, 2009

12th hole, par 4, 356M


There is a depression hiding a lateral water hazard (ditch) at 160M. You need to drive your ball at least 190M to get up onto the fairway. Use an easy swing with a long iron for your second shot to the green, (slopes to the right). Left side of the green is protected by a bunker. 2 putt for another par! Rest stop available here.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

13th hole, par 4, 349M


This is our usual toilet stop because of the location of the loo. Avoid the right hand side of the fairway at all cost. It slopes towards the Waikato River on the right. An errant ball will probably end up unplayable, under the trees, outside the red markers. Pick up and drop for a penalty of one stroke. The fairway bunker on the left is 225M from the tee. All stray second shots towards the right edge of the green will be kicked back to the centre of the green by the slope of a small hill. The left is protected by a large bunker. 3 ON with one putt will give you a par for this hole.

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

14th hole, par 3, 165M

This is not an easy hole for aggressive golfers because of the deep bunkers on both sides. I usually used a 3 wood for my tee shot. Smarter golfers may decide to underclub and use a suitable iron to put the ball in front of the green just short of the bunkers. Then follow up with an easy pitch and run shot to roll the ball within one club length of the hole and tap in for par.

Sunday, May 10, 2009

15th hole, par 4, 328M


There is a large tree to the right and a deep hollow depression at 170M on the fairway. It is not possible to see the third bunker, hidden at the far side of the green. For your second shot, hit it high to stop quickly on the green. 3 ON and one putt can be a good strategy for this hole.

Friday, May 8, 2009

16th hole, Par 4, 346M


The fairway bunker is at 220M on the left side of the faiwray. There is a severe right dogleg. Avoid the large tree on the right and keep the ball to the left side of the fairway for a straight long iron shot to the green.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

17th hole, par 4, 345M


The tricky part is the tall tree on the left, in front of the fairway bunker at 230M. It is imperative that a tee shot lands in the centre or just a little to the right of the fairway. From there, it is a long iron shot to the green. All along the right side is an ob line separating the fairway from the driving range. The large green is protected by bunkers on the right side and slopes sharply towards the left. A bogie for this hole is normal. (check 18th hole pin position after putting).

Monday, May 4, 2009

18th hole, par 3, 120M

The 18th hole is elevated. It is very challenging because of the large and deep bunker on the left side and also the other 4 bunkers surrounding it. The green is large, multi-tiered, with very tricky slopes. I usually use an 8 iron for my tee shot from the red tees. (Kevin Lee uses a pitching wedge!). If you want to have a bird's eye view of the course, here is a link:  http://wikimapia.org/#lat=-37.7509349&lon=175.2604508&z=16&l=0&m=b&v=8 

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