Getting There
We recently had a quick trip to New Zealand to help celebrate a friend’s birthday. Four fun filled days with plenty of great food, wines and friendship.
A real highlight for me was the day we played golf at the very pituresque Waiheke Island Golf Club. The weather was fine and sunny with a light breeze keeping temperatures mild and comfortable. We arrived by the 501 bus from our lodge and walked up a steep climb to the club house and proceeded to arm ourselves with a variety of hire clubs and range balls.
A shotgun start across 5 holes for the 20 people in our party saw us playing a version of 4 Ball Better Ball with a few added twists and turns that kept us all entertained and amused.
The Course
The course was a lush green, set against a backdrop of rolling hills and fields – quite spectacular. The 9 hole course that we played was a nice mix of short par 3 and some mid length par 4 and par 5 holes. Each provided an interesting mix of challenge for some of our team who were not regular golfers.
The par 3 at hole number 8 was probably the most interesting, where we were instructed to throw our first ball and play from where it landed. Some good tactical placement saw some find a good line for a second shot on to the green.
The blindfold putting on hole 9 saw most sink their putts in 2 but the winning team was the one which holed out from off the green and not requiring a blind put. Brilliant!
What We Learned
If we are ever travelling and taking our own clubs, we will be definitely taking them in one of these travel covers which 2 of our party had brought along on this trip. Light as a feather and also having the ability to store clothes and accessories, this Club Glider Meridian Travel Cover impressed us so much that we bought 1 each for Christmas!
And to Round it all Out
After completing the 9 hole challenge and returning the clubs and buggies to the pro shop we made our way back down the drive and crossed the road to find a whiskey and beer distillery.
Not being a whiskey drinker myself, I settled for a tasting flight of some of the local beers but others enjoyed whiskey and spirits – all followed by a sensational lunch to round out a super day.
Could not recommend more highly!