By Dominic Sainsbury
New Zealand PGA General Manager

What is the new normal now that we start to get back to living full lives again in the wake of our Covid-19 enforced lockdown?

In times of recession and great uncertainty it is common to see an increase in leisure time spending. We need to boost our endorphins (chemicals produced by the brain that make us happy) to deal with the levels of stress we are going and have been through.

Two of the best ways to boost your endorphins are exercise and laughing. This is often done in our leisure time.

We have been through a time of stress, anxiety and worry about the future and the way we have lived our lives has been challenged and for most changed forever.

We have been connected via a virtual world but we have been starved of face-to-face human contact that we are used to.

Golf will play a vital role for so many of us moving forward and so far the game the good people working for/in the game are delivering. 

We are seeing an increase in people joining clubs, people are a lot more relaxed, realistic and positive when they are playing and we are seeing people enjoying each others’ company on the course and socially connecting again. 

Our game is doing a great job to heal the frustrations of the uncertain times we are going through with exercise, laughter and the community feel of being at one of our great golf clubs around New Zealand.

For a lot of New Zealanders, golf is their second favourite sport and for those Kiwis who have not been able to play their winter codes (netball, rugby, football, hockey etc), golf clubs and golf facilities have welcomed and embraced them. 

Golf is a great vehicle for keeping New Zealanders active and providing those well needed moments of laughter and enjoyment.

For a lot of our domestic golfers who had an overseas golf trip booked in for this year, they are now locking in trips around New Zealand and in a lot of cases they will be joined by a PGA professional on their golf trip around New Zealand at some of our amazing hidden gems.

I am in the final planning stages of my mid/lower North Island July golf trip where I will be taking in country gems such as Taumarunui, Waverley, Castlecliff, Rangatira and I cannot wait to play the new greens at Wairakei.

Our message to all golfers is to make laughter, have fun, enjoy the company of your playing partners and enjoy the beautiful serenity of the course you are playing.

This is your new normal when playing golf and if you are not a regular golfer, this is now the time to learn to play our great game that will embrace you.

If you need help with any aspects of increasing your new normal or want to embark on a great Kiwi golf road trip then reach out to your local PGA professional who can be found in the find a pro section of the PGA website - Find a pga pro - PGA New Zealand