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Captain's Comments

Blah to the weekend weather, Saturday was windy, Sunday was awful. But Friday was a stunner so if you managed to get out there, well done. Troy Ropiha was on the practice range, demonstrating some of the Titlelist equipment (and Scott Cameron putters). I popped along, more of my thoughts later.

Tin Cup on Saturday

Sorry to all the Saturday morning regulars, the final event of the interclub season is this weekend, with a shot gun start so all the players can get together in the clubhouse after. We have high hopes of the Division 5 Trophy being there, as our four squads play off for the unsightly beige jacket that goes to the winner. It's a matchplay event on stableford. The team with the most points wins. Also the player of the season will be announced. In recognition of their win, it's worth running the Division 5 photo AGAIN!

Here are the champions (from left): Keith Atkinson, Gary Clarke, Matthew Roche, Steve Witkowski, Richard Potter, Warren Stanton, Ngatau Hemopo, Fergus McDougall, Graham Black, Russell Turner.

Troy Ropiha thinking 'what's with this guy?' Club Captain Norks picking up tips from Titlelist.

Titlelist Day

If you think club fitting is not for you, then think again. I arrived at the Titlelist van last Friday simply to see what Troy Ropiha was telling the "real" players at the club.

But Troy doesn't simply target the elite. His view is that golf should be fun, and it's more fun if you're playing with the equipment that suits your game.

What once worked might not now - you're older, you're better, you're less flexible and so on. It was really intriguing, and enjoyable as well. The 45 minutes whistle by.

He watches what you do (even giving me a coaching tip that proved invaluable) and what your clubs do, and says try this. If it doesn't improve things all good, he's not into a hard sell.

Titlelist and Scotty Cameron have carved out an elite market in clubs, putters and balls. But we "not professionals" can find a place in their lineup too.

In an unexpected bonus he gave me four ProV1x balls to try. Only two survived my first round with them (OB on 11, up a tree on 17). Next time Troy comes back have a good think about it, at the very least you'll learn more about your game.

Speed of Play (reminder No 3)

There are simple ways to play more EFFICIENTLY so you don't have to rush your shots. Here's some mistakes I see consistently:

Four players searching for one ball: NO, play your ball first and THEN look, four player searches mean FOUR slow players, not one.
Also the maximum time allowed for a search is THREE MINUTES.
You don't have to ALL fill out your card before teeing off at the next hole. Tee off FIRST.
No one not under a 15 should take on the blue tees.
Be ready to putt when it’s your turn, don't then put the ball down and line it up.
Let the short hitter go first, if the tee is free go and tee off if busy,
No sharing clubs

Do you need to print a card?

With the digital system, you create a digital card on your phone, score as you go along, and simply get a playing partner to sign it off. Easy. And you're phone can't get all soaked and unusable if it rains. Give it a go!

Want to play for Wellington Masters men?

Players wishing to be considered for the 2025 Men’s Masters Interprovincial Programme and resultant teams should complete an EOI (expression of interest) to be considered - a simple email including your DotGolf 7-digit number, phone number, reference Men’s Masters, and email to office@wgi.co.nz by Friday 23rd May.

Be part of a fun Golf Warehouse event

John Thwaites at the Golf Warehouse and Norks have put together a fun time at the Thorndon store. There will be a chipping comp, a putting comp, and prizes for the winner. Try out the golf simulator and the latest gear. There is no pressure to buy, it's simply so you know what options are out there - clubs, balls, shoes and gloves. Just let Norks know if you're keen - Wednesday 4pm and Thursday 4pm are available for up to six members. Contact clubcaptain@karorigolf.co.nz

Impress your mates in the putting competition at Thorndon Golf Warehouse. Or don't impress them.

Club Stableford: someone played on Sunday. I am reluctant to list them here, in case their sanity is questioned. (Richard Potter 29, Gary Wellbelove 28)

Competitions: the tees that can be used in some stableford events have been broadened - for Anzac Day the full range was available (apart from purple). It should even things out, and allow the canny golfer to select what suits them.

All competitions are open to all members, apart from the club champs. No competitions are male specific, but there are those which are female specific.

Sunday ENTER THIS, IT'S FUN: Oteranga Trophy (drawn partners, aggregate par). You choose your own partner.. Both scores are added together to get the result.

So if Norks gets -12, and Tim Richards gets +8, the team gets -4, and Norks gets to walk home and pay for the toasted sandwichs.

The team with the best score wins the trophy. Teams can register on the day before they tee off. Selecting your partner is set up on DotGolf.

It’s another fun match, played off the white tees.

Struck a Duck – Rule 11.1b Exception 2

Ok, it's duck shooting season, so the smart quackers are headed for safe places such as golf courses.

So You're on the fairway, you hit toward the green… and QUACK!! a duck waddles or flies into the line of fire. The ball winds up 50 metres short, when is was headed for the green.

So what happens? Tough luck, is what happens.

Under Rule 11.1b Exception 2, if a ball in motion accidentally hits any person, animal (including birds and ducks), or outside influence, the ball must be played as it lies, with no penalty.

BUT if the duck was on the putting green ... you would replay the stroke, because Rule 11.1b Exception 2 does allow for a replay when a ball on the green is deflected by an animal.