golf in new zealand - Language: English
- Currency: New Zealand Dollar
- International Dialling Code: +64
- Voltage: 230V
- Time Difference: 12 hours ahead of GMT
- Number of Golf Courses: approximately 400
- National Airline: Air New Zealand www.airnz.co.nz
- National Tourist Board: www.newzealand.com
- National & regional golf publications: www.nzgolfmagazine.co.nz
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N ew Zealand has finally burst onto the world travel scene as a country to visit in its own right. In the past New Zealanders have bemoaned the fact that there have been many misconceptions about their country, they ranged from thinking that it is part of Australia to "It's so like England, do we need to go all that way to see it?". The fact that it looks so far south and could get a touch of antarctic weather has also come into play. In point of fact if you up-ended the world and placed New Zealand 40º north instead of south it would lie level with Italy, only slightly larger. Although from British stock New Zealanders alongside indigenous Maoris have developed an individuality all their own. No, it certainly is not like visiting Britain.
 The Hills, home of the New Zealand Open, Arrowtown, near Queenstown
Although New Zealand has close trading ties with Australia, that is where it begins and ends, for they are two thousand kilometres apart across the Tasman Sea and New Zealanders do not like to be mistaken for Australians and most probably vice-versa. New Zealand is a mild green and golden land spread between snowy mountain peaks and winding accessible coastline of island studded bays and harbours. Waterfalls cascading through mossy gorges, bubbling hot springs and cool fjords all go to make up the ever changing scene in New Zealand.
 The 16th at Kauri Cliffs, near Matauri Bay
The performing arts are bright and lively, handicraft, particularly in ceramics and wool are widely practised and used throughout the country. Maori arts and crafts flourish in their traditional and modern forms. The literacy rate among its 3.4 million population is one of the highest in the world. New Zealand's economy rests solidly on agriculture, sheep farming is still a major industry, but tourism is gaining ground. For tourists it has everything with a widely varying and interesting countryside, very good fishing and bird watching and above all it's a golfer's paradise. For it is New Zealand where the descendants of Scotsmen have created more splendid golf courses per capita than anywhere in the world, and visitors are always welcome.
 Huapai golf course, Auckland
The country boasts over four hundred courses, both public and private, which works out one for every 8.500 people. Towns of over 12.000 have their own 18 hole courses and all major cities have at least three or four courses on their outskirts. You can stop almost anywhere and be assured of a nice friendly game. There is no waiting, making three and a half hours the average time for a round. Many people take advantage of the South islands long summer twilight to enjoy a full round after dinner. If you do not want to carry your clubs to New Zealand, you can always hire them when you arrive. But be warned and take an ample supply of balls - as branded ones are outrageously expensive.  A New Zealand road block End |
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New Zealand 
