Columnist Peter Benton: New Zealand courses offer awesome scenery

Peter Benton

Wednesday, May 17, 2000 | 1:42 a.m.

Peter Benton's golf column appears Wednesday.

Having just returned from vacationing in my homeland of New Zealand, I thought it would be prudent to pass along a couple of tips to those who may be considering a trip down there.

I think it mandatory that any golfer going down should purchase "The New Zealand Golf Guide." The book provides course and contact details for 400 golf clubs affiliated with the New Zealand Golf Association and provides descriptions of course, clubhouse, greens fees and other essential details including the discount for that particular layout.

While a number of countries may lay claim to being "a golfer's paradise," none can match the variety, accessibility and scenery of New Zealand.

Conditions "Down Under" test all facets of a golfer's ability. Play well there and you can hold your head up anywhere golf is played.

Good grass growth equates to lush rough; "undulations" are frequently hills; sand is freely available; and prevailing winds can (and occasionally do) reach gale force.

However, golf in New Zealand can also be benign. The weather can be warm and calm, the fairways smooth and flat, the greens soft and true, and, above all else, the views absolutely magnificent.

A key feature of many courses is the scenery. From ocean views to spectacular snow-covered mountain backdrops, it's often difficult for golfers to concentrate on their games. The serenity of many layouts with their native trees and varied birdlife have special appeal.

Unlike many northern hemisphere countries, golf is played year-round in New Zealand with the major club competition season generally running from March to November to coincide with peak times of grass growth.

And don't forget there is far more than golf in those South Pacific islands of New Zealand.

There are so many things to see and do you'll need to return again and again to begin to sample them all.

Consider the variety of natural attractions -- snow-capped mountains, crystal clear lakes and rivers, glaciers, verdant natural bush and native forests, tropical sands, volcanic eruptions, geothermal geysers and mudpools and all the activities they involve -- all there in that little country which is similar in size to the state of Colorado. To titillate even more, the fishing, both deep sea and fly, is unsurpassed.

Once the Golf Guide is purchased, present it when claiming your greens fee discount at a participating club.

On my recent trip, the most expensive course I played was $NZ80 less a $25 discount. As the rate of exchange was virtually 2-for-1, that worked out to $US 27.50 for my round of golf on an international caliber layout.

Further information on golf in New Zealand may be obtained from the New Zealand Golf Association, P.O. Box 11842, Wellington, New Zealand.