Growing up I was introduced to the game through both my Father and Grandfather. From about age 6, I was allowed to tag along with them when they played golf as long as I kept quiet and still when I needed to. This was pretty hard for a small boy but the fun of getting to go to golf and hit the occasional shot was enough of an incentive to ensure my co operation.
This meant that over the years, I have both walked around and played Waihi Golf Club many times. It certainly carries for me some great memories and a special meaning on a personal level.
As I got older and travelled more discovering about the game and its courses, I started to arrive at a realisation. That course where I had spent so many hours enjoying myself on so many different levels, is actually a very good golf course. Many of the values that I have come to embrace in a golf experience can be found at this humble country course.
Last week I was fortunate to be in the Waihi area and played the course a couple of times. The second time around, I managed to grab the camera and snap a few pics of this course. Unfortunately, the quality isn’t great but the light was average and a 2 hour round doesn’t offer the greatest opportunity for stunning photos.
The following is a somewhat loose photo tour that’s a bit light on details being that this course will be unfamiliar to pretty much everyone on here. (All distances in metres)
Hole 1: Par 4, 340
Good solid opener. The fairway dips down about 100 out from the green providing a semi blind 2nd shot. Laying back and having a clear view f the green is my preferred option.
Hole 2: Par 4, 325
Straight away hole with OB left. The green is easier to approach from the left side so bailing out right off the tee isn’t ideal.
Hole3: Par 4, 363
Good strong par 4 with the landing area over a rise in the fairway for the longer hitter. Deep green requires correct club selection.
Hole 4: Par 4, 325
This uphill hole combines with the first 3 holes to form a tough opening stretch. The hole plays longer due to the elevation change and approach coming up short or right is punished. Walking off this green flat with the card after 4 holes is hard to do.
Hole 5: Par 5, 475
This downhill hole is tempting to let it rip and try and get down as far as possible. Settling for a bit less distance and being in the fairway is the key to this hole though.
Hole 6: Par 3, 145
The uphill nature of this shot needs an extra club to get the ball back there. The shallow 2 tiered green demands a shot on the same level as the flag.
Hole 7: Par 5, 512
A long straight hole which could probably benefit from some tree work. Anything off line makes this hole very tough.
Hole 8: Par 3, 125
The second of what I feel to be a great set of par 3’s. Although short, the green site on top of the ridge means anything not catching the green will kick away. Great hole in a head or cross wind.
Hole 9: Par 4, 314
Nice little short hole which offers up a good chance at birdie. The fairway bunker isn’t in play for longer hitters.
Hole 10: Par 4, 380
A good strong hole with a semi blind drive. The best line is down the right to open the green up but the slope of the fairway can propel a ball further right than is ideal. The green sets up for a right to left approach.
Hole 11: Par 4, 305
This short par 4 is the recent scene of some fairly substantial tree removal up the right side. I question the location of the new bunker being built and feel it would be better another 30 metres up the hole. Currently, it sits at about 210 off the tee.
Hole 12: Par 5, 445
A good birdie opportunity. The green is guarded short by a large swale which has to be negotiated.
Hole 13:Par 3, 166
A good strong par 3 which plays longer than it appears. Right is not a good place to miss.
Hole 14: Par 4, 285
A real test of your mental game, there is no real obvious way to best play the hole. Hugging the trees on the left as close as possible provides the best approach shot but it is hard to pick the perfect line. Playing to the right offers the most room but the longest carry.
Hole 15: Par 3, 128
A cool little par 3 with a stunning outlook back across the valley into town.
Hole 16: Par 5, 425
From the tee, the fairway drops down into a valley and then sweeps up to the left leaving a blind second shot.
Hole 17: Par 4, 300
This hole is, for me, one of the best short 4’s in the country. A crowned fairway kicks balls either way and the righthand dogleg asks for a defined shot shape the further you travel form the tee. Laying up with a long iron makes hitting the fairway easier but leaves a semi blind shot to the green.
Viewed here from 100 metres out, only the top of the flagstick is visible.
As you come over the brow, you are greeted with one of my favourite greens complexes in NZ. It bears an uncanny resemblance to that of the 16th at Paraparaumu Beach but is approached from a shorter distance. Coming in from the left is extremely difficult.
Hole 18: Par 4, 325
A good hole to finish with a right to left shape being ideal. The tiered green demands precise distance control with the approach.
