TSF Golf Club
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<p>Over a month with no post in here so thought I would share a couple of courses I played this week whilst on holiday. Pretty windy both days so made some holes more difficult that others.</p>
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<p>Firstly, <strong>Mercury Bay (Whitianga)</strong> - had heard it was a fairly average course but was keen for a change from The Dunes (see below) so gave it a crack.</p>
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<p><img src="http://iforce.co.nz/i/qg3ayzyg.jlc.jpg" alt="qg3ayzyg.jlc.jpg"></p>
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<p>As you can see it's not the longest course and its also pretty flat but had some interesting holes including 4 par 3s of 170m or more. Of note though was a dam short 375m par 5 but it was a double left dog leg (pretty much a U-shape) and I gave hitting the green in two a go and paid the price with some tree trouble when I couldn't turn the ball enough. The locals, apparently, recommend hitting 3 7-irons. First time I had played the course so I expect if I was to play it again with the knowledge of how the holes play, I could put together a pretty decent score. Course overall was in fairly good nick but greens were a bit average - really struggled to get the ball to spin and even stop quickly at times. Pretty sure there was only 1 bunker on the entire course. I didn't go in it. Green fees were $30 which is ok I guess.</p>
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<p>The other course I've played so far this week is <strong>The Dunes (Matarangi)</strong> which I've played quite a few times as its 2mins walk from the bach.</p>
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<p><img src="http://iforce.co.nz/i/dozcqgwj.kkp.jpg" alt="dozcqgwj.kkp.jpg"></p>
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<p>This course really has two quite different nines. First couple of holes are straight but tight through the remains of a pine forest. From there its 5 holes through the middle of a recently developed subdivision with water pretty much everywhere. The 7th hole is a nice little par 3 which is all carry over the lake and was playing straight in to 30knots. From the 8ths onwards you are in to the more traditional style links holes as you work your way up and down the narrow spit (see pic below) with the harbour on one side and the ocean beach on the other. Some longer holes here with a difference of over 500m between the front and back nines.</p>
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<p><img src="http://www.thedunesmatarangi.com/Portals/The-Dunes-Matarangi/Images/Specials-Banner/Golf-Only.PNG" alt="Golf-Only.PNG"></p>
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<p>Lots of big ass bunkers and they are well placed. Caught a couple of my drives on 13 and 14 and I dropped shots as a result. Course was in great nick. Really dry as to be expected on a sand based course and the greens were well paced and rewarded well place approach shots. Green fees (affiliated) are $40 which I reckon is great value.</p> -
<p>Was pretty good to be honest but yeah they are still relying on volunteers abit to help out. Every thursday at 2pm they have a session for volunteers. I will probably go help out this week if we aren't up to much.</p>
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<p>The rough was a bit long as the guy in the office said they were waiting on new bearings for the heavy mower. Was also alot of debris in the rough (pine cones, branches etc) due to the recent storms but overall I felt the course was in good shape.</p> -
Back on the golf balls thing. Been using a few different balls lately and it looks like I'm back on the pro V1 train. Whilst I don't get quite the same distance as I do with some of the other balls available, the control around the greens is excellent and I love the way the balls respond to the shot played, ie stopping quickly, back spin or turning the ball when you want too. A few balls I used seem to be impossible to move in the air. Great for someone looking for forgiveness but limited options in terms of playability. <br><br>
Off to find some deals -
<p>I have an Ambrose round on Sunday....</p>
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<p>Once we move, I'll look at getting out a bit more, we have a course about 8km from our new house and TR Jnr is keen as to play, so be a good excuse to hit the driving range with him.</p> -
<p>Had another round on Friday (despite the date below showing as the 2nd :think:) Ended up playing Waitemata down in Devonport. It's probably the closest course to where I live but one that I have never been fond of given its basic layout and often woolly greens. Anyway, the greens weren't woolly at all, unfortunately they were very sandy and had been cored only a couple of days earlier grrr. Made it pretty much impossible to putt and I don't think I sank a single put longer than 6ft all day. I hit the driver and irons very well though; just couldnt capitalise around the green.</p>
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<p><a data-ipb='nomediaparse' class="bbc_url" href='http://www.iforce.co.nz/View.aspx?i=whdg4qad.jtu.jpg'><img src="http://iforce.co.nz/i/whdg4qad.jtu.jpg" alt="whdg4qad.jtu.jpg"></a><br>
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<p>Again, not an overly long course and not overly tight either with the front nine alot of pretty straight holes. Back nine a bit more interesting with a couple of excellent doglegs. But yeah, I'm in no rush to head back there.</p>
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<p>Has been a long time since I've managed 3 rounds in a week. Was striking the ball pretty well by the end of it and really liking the longer par 5s where I was finally getting to use my hybrid 2 and getting great distance from it. Sure makes the longer holes easy if you can get a long drive in play off the tee and follow it up with another cracker.</p>
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<p>played in an ambrose yesterday, and after hitting the first shot of the day, a 9 iron to 6 feet on a par 3, I ended up playing bloody well! Hit all 3 of the par 3's and I personally played them -1, and the par 3's is always an indicator to me playing well at that course!</p>
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<p>HIt some sweet drives, plenty of other short irons straight at the pin as well! Even the plentiful beer couldnt stop me!! :)</p>
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<p>Gave me plenty of enthusiasm to hit the course this summer!!</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="JK" data-cid="394446" data-time="1380645804">
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<p>Back on the golf balls thing. Been using a few different balls lately and it looks like I'm back on the pro V1 train. Whilst I don't get quite the same distance as I do with some of the other balls available, the control around the greens is excellent and I love the way the balls respond to the shot played, ie stopping quickly, back spin or turning the ball when you want too. A few balls I used seem to be impossible to move in the air. Great for someone looking for forgiveness but limited options in terms of playability.<br><br>
Off to find some deals</p>
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<p>Hey buddy, any chance of a recommendation on the ones that are forgiving in the air?</p> -
<p>The Nike ones I was using, I think they are call Nike Power Long or something like that. Which is a bit strange as I would have expected a softer ball to be better for control. Had good distance and was pretty straight. But I struggled to shape shots how I wanted.</p>
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<p>Others worth trying would be the Bridgestone E6 and the Titlist NXT and Velocity balls all of which I have used before.</p>
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<p>Ball has limited impact though of course, swing etc is much more important.</p> -
<p>Been dam busy for the past month with only 2 rounds of golf! Times are tough.</p>
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<p>Had another round at waitemata 2 weeks ago for 82 and the greens were awesome. One month after coring at they were in top nick with great pace. Managed a couple of nice birdies including a tap in 3 on a 390odd metre par 4 after my approach shot lipped out.</p>
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<p>Played the Grange today which is an excellent course that I hadnt played for a while. Unfortunately greens looked like they were cored about two weeks back and were a bit sandy. Course set up super tough too - blue tees (5950m) and play the lie today. Ended up with an 88 including 2 OB so should have been alot better. Highlight of the day was on one of the par 3s where my mate put it about 1m from the pin and said 'beat that' and I did - ending up 6inchs behind the cup. The group on tee ahead pretty much clapped us down to the green. Felt good!</p> -
<p>My yearly Golfing and Fishing tournament. I'm just far too erratic getting to the green. Shooting good and bad nines. Lucky I can putt and chip up a storm at the moment. anything within 20 ft of the green, I pretty much know I'm getting up and down which is great. Have dropped my back swing on short irons to half and that is slowly helping.</p>
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<p>I can feel parts of my game getting back together.</p> -
<p>i played last weekend for the first time in ages, and was quite prepared to suck. I cracked my first tee shot to the middle of the fringe, 10 from the pin, and thought "fuck, maybe it's my day" 2 chips and 3 putts later and the tone was set. my first and second shots were good, but i chipped and putted like old people fuck. terrible. </p>
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<p>My golfing and fishing weekend last week was brilliant. I won the Tuakau Cossie club fishing comp on saturday with the biggest snapper ,4.1kg, then got the 2nd and 3rd Kawai-$750 in prize money.</p>
<p> On Sunday I played golf at the Waiterimu gc and won a hamper with a 69 net (3rd in the intermediates) with 6 x 3 puts</p>
<p>heavy alcohol consumption on both days and a very pissed off missus as it was a very selfish weekend but quite enjoyable.</p>
<p>This weekend playing dad to the kids.</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="fatbaldbloke" data-cid="403496" data-time="1384824901">
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<p>My golfing and fishing weekend last week was brilliant. I won the Tuakau Cossie club fishing comp on saturday with the biggest snapper ,4.1kg, then got the 2nd and 3rd Kawai-$750 in prize money.</p>
<p> On Sunday I played golf at the Waiterimu gc and won a hamper with a 69 net (3rd in the intermediates) with 6 x 3 puts</p>
<p>heavy alcohol consumption on both days and a very pissed off missus as it was a very selfish weekend but quite enjoyable.</p>
<p><strong>This weekend playing dad to the kids.</strong></p>
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<p>penance, my son</p> -
<blockquote class="ipsBlockquote" data-author="fatbaldbloke" data-cid="403496" data-time="1384824901">
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<p>My golfing and fishing weekend last week was brilliant. I won the Tuakau Cossie club fishing comp on saturday with the biggest snapper ,4.1kg, then got the 2nd and 3rd Kawai-$750 in prize money.</p>
<p> On Sunday I played golf at the Waiterimu gc and won a hamper with a 69 net (3rd in the intermediates) with 6 x 3 puts</p>
<p><strong>heavy alcohol consumption on both days and a very pissed off missus as it was a very selfish weekend but quite enjoyable.</strong></p>
<p>This weekend playing dad to the kids.</p>
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<p>Yup, same here! Thayt was because I forgot to ring her over the four nights! (I thought I had) </p>
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<p>Have to go to the Counties Races this weekend instead of going to the beach. :(</p>
