Golf first became popular on the links land of St Andrews and links land is still preferred over all others as a site for a new course. Foxton is first and foremost a links course and those familiar with the playing characteristics of links will expect the ultimate in golfing conditions and a course that is dry underfoot all year long. Foxton will not disappoint in either regard. The course as it now stands was laid out in the 70’s and although a little short by modern international standards, is still a good test of the game.
The course has two loops of nine that finish at the clubhouse. The back nine is an external loop around the property with the front nine enclosed within. On paper one would be forgiven for thinking the back nine a little easier than the front as it is nearly 200m shorter. The course is par 72 with five par 5’s and five par 3’s. This too would indicate to some that birdies might grow on trees around here. Your opinions on both these topics would be welcome in the clubhouse after your game.
- Par 5’s range in length from 440m to 478m
- Par 4’s Range in length from 314m to 372m
- Par 3’s Range in length from 124m to 184m
There have been some improvements made to the course recently. Tommy Cushnahan, an international golf course architect with 15 years experience building courses, joined the club after recently settling in Palmerston North. He has already made some simple yet effective alterations to fairways. Those of you who have played the course before may remember with dismay playing a good drive on the 17th and finding the fairway only to find yourself blocked out for the approach. With the aid of the Head Greenkeeper, the fairway has been moved right to allow drives to be aimed further right so they can play an approach shot from fairway. Hole 4 has been adjusted also. Those high handicap golfers with inaccurate drives need not suffer the indignity of being in the rough and having to play a recovery shot around the trees that line the left of the hole. Now they can play their recovery shot from fairway mown grass, after all one penalty is sufficient. Forcing a double penalty on an average or below player seems unsportsmanlike.
The head greenkeeper has resurfaced the elevated 3rd tee as well as better define and renovated the courses small number of bunkers. Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because the course has very few bunkers that it is easy, the natural delicate undulations around the course can hinder as well as aid the golfer.
We look forward to visitors thoughts on the course and welcome comments on how we can improve our facility.
