Wanaka's short five-hole course

By Neville Idour.

Wanaka Golf Club, one of New Zealand’s most successful and busiest clubs, came up with a humdinger of an idea to promote the game.

Wanaka recently opened new five-hole short course. Watched by a large and vocal crowd, New Zealand’s greatest golfer Sir Bob Charles was pleased to hit the first ball which, of course, landed on the first green.

The course is situated at the lower end of the main course on a rejuvenated area that wasn’t being used.

Wanaka director of golf Alan Rose said: “The idea came from Barry Johnston, a board member and the course was completed in house under the direction of course superintendent David Mahoney. The holes vary in length from 41 metres to 75 metres. The holes are an oversized eight inches in diameter to make it a little easier. It only takes about 20 minutes to play the five holes.”

Club chairman David Smallbone said the whole idea was to encourage juniors and any beginners who find the 18-hole course intimidating.

Charles said it was a great innovation which would encourage people to try golf. He particularly wants to see more young ones involved in golf. The course will be open to the public for a green fee.

Rose said it is already busy with members using it to hone their short games and youngsters are loving it. In reality the five holes only span the distance of an average par four so it easy to see why it is an attractive option, which any golf club with some spare space could similarly utilise.

In a similar vein, Manor Park Golf Club in Wellington last month opened a green tee short course.

Manor Park is one of longest in the country from it’s regular members’ tees. It is only par 71 but measures 5873 metres from the equivalent of what most people refer to as the white tees.

The green tee course is more than 1300m shorter, measuring 4503m. Anyone can play the green tee course. It has an official rating for handicapping purposes and scores can be submitted for handicapping. —