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FlingGolf – a dynamic version of golf that began in the United States just seven years ago – is getting ready to hold its World Cup at Northridge Country Lodge in Wainui next year.
The sport uses a fling stick instead of a set of golf clubs. The ball is flung from hole to hole, and the fling stick is also used to put. The aim is to get the ball in the hole with as few flings as possible.
The FlingGolf NZ website says that it’s possible to fling the ball more than 90m as a beginner, and more than double that distance once you’ve developed the technique.
FlingGolf’s American founders, Alex Van Alen and John Pruellage, agreed to hold the World Cup in NZ next year to showcase this new sport. As Northridge was the first club in Auckland to sign up, it has been granted the right to host the event.
Local promoter FlingGolf NZ is launching the sport at clubs all over NZ, as they look for the two best players to represent the country.
As well as the USA, the event is also expected to attract teams from Canada and Australia.
David Blake (known as Blake), FlingGolf NZ owner, owns the rights for the sport in NZ. He is also a keen player of the sport.
He says although becoming an elite FlingGolfer requires the discipline of a seasoned athlete, one of the sport’s main charms is that it can be so easily played at a fun level.
“Unlike traditional golf it only takes most people around 30 minutes to learn the basics and start playing,” he says.
He says in Christchurch, a King of the Fling event attracted more than 50 competitors.
Northridge Country Club is now open for FlingGolf – the fling sticks are being rented for free to the club’s regular golfers, and everyone is being encouraged to give it a try.
Info: Flinggolf.org.nz
