JACK'S POINT GC, QUEENSTOWN

By Bruce Miller, TeamGolfwell

As you drive into the Jack’s Point, you feel dwarfed being surrounded by “The Remarkables” a dramatic razor-edged mountain range overlooking the spectacular Jack’s Point GC near Queenstown, NZ.  Peter Dawson, former Chief Executive of the R & A said, “Jack’s Point was simply unforgettable. I haven’t seen such an exciting layout for a very long time and the condition of the pure fescue fairways is unmatched in my experience.”

Standing on the first tee you realize you about to begin one of the most visually spectacular and greatest golf experiences in the world. As I was drawn into the beauty of the surrounds, I first made myself relax and then boldly and quietly took on the challenging 7088 yards in front of me. As I looked up after hitting my tee shot, I again marveled at the surroundings and began this golfing journey as it wound its way through natural grassland, bluffs, rock formations and native bush.

After finishing the first six holes, we came to the elevated tee at the 143-yard par 3 seventh hole and confusion began to stir as I glared down at the wide oval green a hundred feet below noticing the back edge of the green fell off into pristine Lake Wakatipu further below. I hit a high nine-iron which found its way to the front of the green.

My mild-mannered lady partner (not shown) was not so fortunate and uttered a few expletives after hitting a low shot from the 101-yard ladies’ tee which bounced on the middle of the green only to quickly continue forward for a swim. I didn’t say a word.

After finishing the 7th hole, we then took on the “signature hole,” the 530-yard par 5 eighth hole which borders the edge of Lake Wakatipu. It made us forget about golf altogether as we enjoyed the beauty of the lake and mountain range background.  But the difficult third shot on the 8th to an elevated green quickly brings you back to the present as I watched my shot dribble off the side of the green into a bunker.

John Darby, a landscape architect, and Harvard trained golf course architect was the principal force behind Jack’s Point development. He designed the course around the natural landscape, with minimal excavation.

The 15th hole features stone walls that strike you as something that will last hundreds of years as you hit over them (we were told you sometimes must hit over herds of sheep as well). After finishing the 15th we found ourselves on the highest point of the course looking severely downhill at the 16th green 457 yards away. My drive (normally around 230 yards) traveled downhill over 300 yards which made this long par 4 manageable, enjoyable and unforgettable.

Jack’s Point and the town of Queenstown (20 minutes away) are wonderful places on this planet and truly are totally unforgettable.

Bruce Miller, B.A., J.D. of TeamGolfwell is a best-selling author. He lives in New Zealand. TeamGolfwell.com.

Authors of Bestselling FAST GUIDE TO THE RULES OF GOLF. #1 in Amazon Sales Golf Coaching.

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