EXPLORING THE SHORE with Kellie Larson
Learning to play Golf at Waitemata Golf Club
Let me lay my cards on the table – I have been out of school a decent amount of time and most of my hobbies pretty much revolve around drinking with friends. I rarely do new things outside of my comfort zone – clubs, sports teams or extracurricular activities – using the excuse that I am too busy. Sometimes I start to feel like I don’t have my own hobbies and passions outside of work and socializing with my established friends!
In an effort to combat this, I have decided to start trying some of the amazing opportunities that are offered on the Shore. The goal is to gain new skills, decide what it is I like to do and develop my own hobbies, while sharing with Channel readers how amazing and easy these things are to join and take part in.
I have been meaning to learn to play golf for over 5 years, and I have even put it on my New Year’s resolution list for the past 2 years. I am pretty sure there are a lot of people on the Shore who are in the same boat as I am! It’s the type of activity that you feel you should know – for work and to be social, but clearly, as I have never taken golf lessons, this has just been an idea of mine – never a reality.
To tackle this head on, I visited Waitemata Golf Club where I took my first beginner’s class with Jonathan Wright. Jonathan is an NZPGA golf professional and the head teaching professional at the golf club. I was quite nervous to be meeting with a professional, as I had barely picked up a club, but I was also hopeful that my level of experience was not an uncommon situation.
I arrived on a sunny Sunday afternoon and was warmly welcomed to my first lesson. I was quite thankful that we didn’t rush straight into practicing, but rather for the first time in my life, I was being told about what is required to learn the game, about the game itself, the clubs and the other equipment and fees required.
Immediately, understanding that this was a complex game that took many people a long time to perfect, it was nice that the approach of the actual lessons was one step at a time.
First, I learned how to grip the club. Check – I can do this.
Then, I was helped into a proper golf stance. Again, I was practically a professional! (Or at least this is how Jonathan made me feel.)
With my new found confidence from tackling these easier tasks, the stress and fear of swinging the club like an idiot no longer was the first thing on my mind – perhaps only the second!
Jonathan began the next part of the lesson by having me take some swings before giving me any form of lesson just to see what I did naturally. There was no wrong or right – just do. Phew!
Once I did this for a bit, I was photographed with a high-speed camera, allowing us to review instantly what I was doing well and what clearly needed improvement. Watching myself on screen, I began to not only understand my natural reactions and motions with the golf club, but also what mistakes were occurring. This step was critical – and should be included in any golf lessons you receive.
Back to the driving range we went. Per the video footage, the focus for my second round of hitting balls were two simple actions: keep my chest towards the target in order to keep my body in line with the ball and to be careful not to bend my left arm, which was causing me to raise my golf club and hit the ball too high.
Focusing on two simple actions, I felt more energized and determined. Everything wasn’t so new, and now I had a goal to achieve in order to improve my swing and the distance of my shot.
I was starting to become addicted. I practiced my swing on the driving range and on the grass. I practiced my swing with a ball and on a tee. I even tried my swing on a daisy!
While I walked away - maybe not the greatest golfer in the world after one lesson - I have walked away determined. Determined to master the non-bending of my left arm when I swing, the maintaining of my golf stance and overall improvement of how far I can hit the ball.
And, by focusing on these small steps and taking a few more lessons – I feel like not only can I do this but I want to do this.
All in all, a big success for a 45 minute lesson and something I plan to stick with in these summer months. I have my notes and things to practice from Jonathan so I don’t forget everything I learned, and I am ready to hit the driving range to practice, practice, practice.
Waitemata Golf Club
Location: Devonport
Details: Private/Public – which means non-members can play here too!
Facilities: Café/Bar and changing rooms with full shower facilities
Prices: $40 for 9 holes and $55 for 18 holes
Contacts: 09 455 8716 or www.waitematagolf.co.nz
What makes Waitemata Golf Club unique? Waitemata is a great course to learn how to play golf on because it’s flat with very few hazards to avoid, while still learning how to hit and improve your game.
Getting started with a lesson of your own! Lesson Options:
• 30 minute lesson - $55 for 1 person or $70 for 2 people
• 45 minute lesson - $65 for 1 person or $100 for 2 people
• 5x 45 minute lessons - $300 for 1 person or $450 for 2 people
• 10x 45 minute lessons - $550 for 1 person or $800 for 2 people
Plus, if you sign up for five starter lessons with Jonathan before Christmas, you can enjoy a $50 discount, to receive all five lessons for only $250 when you mention this article in Channel!
Contact: Jonathan Wright at jonathan@golfwright.co.nz or 09 445 8716 extension 3.
