Sweet & Short

SWEET & SHORT

S P E C I A L F E AT U R E - S W E E T & S H O R T

SWEET & SHORT In our last edition we focused on 9-hole Golf Courses and the fact that you can always find time for nine. An obvious extension to that is Mashie Golf Courses and Driving Ranges which offer an excellent way to sharpen your skills and have loads of fun all within a reasonable time frame.

A mashie was a pre-20th century golf club with a loft of about 33-degrees, wooden shafted and used for approach shots. A 6-iron or 7-iron, sharing characteristics with the mashie, would be the typical club of choice on a short course which subsequently became known as a “mashie course.”

Practicing your short game on a par three pitch and putt is perfect for experienced golfers while also being a great place for beginners to learn golf. Furthermore, it is the ideal place to practice your iron shots or concentrate on improving your chip shots and making those up and downs so that you can play your best golf ever.

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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E - S W E E T & S H O R T

The World of Golf The World of Golf is recognised internationally as the gold standard in golf leisure parks and has subsequently been copied in several locations around the world. Based in the heart of Johannesburg on 18 hectares of pristine land is one of the country’s best family leisure parks. Dedicated to life, family, friends, sunshine, the outdoors, leisure, and sport, but themed around the game of golf, we are South Africa’s leading golf leisure park.

Whether you’re looking to get into the game, get better at the game, or just get the family away from the TV and iPads, the World of Golf offers something for everyone.

The World of Golf is Johannesburg’s leading family and golf leisure park and the biggest, and only, golfing theme park in the Southern Hemisphere.

For those that love the game of golf, our world-class golfing mecca is ideal for beginners, club golfers, professionals and those just playing for fun. It has been expertly designed and is professionally staffed to help you perfect every aspect of the game. Whether you’re a member, visiting for the day, or you are keen to test out your new golf clubs, there is something here for everyone.

The World of Golf is the place to practice every shot you can imagine. We’re open 15 hours a day, with unlimited balls for everyone to use and hit, making this the best place for you to

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practice before, during and after w destination for all levels of golfers.

“The World of Golf is Johann and golf leisure park and the theme park in the Southern

If you are looking for game improv more fun, or just some lessons to h of Golf and the Gary Player Golf Ex qualified and skilled professionals into golf or get you better. We can golf fitness, skills lessons and we c personal best score. We have tailo in to the game, or break 100, 90, 8

The World of Golf is about so muc loads for the entire family to do. O serves a variety of tasting meals an will pamper the golfer and non-go

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Kids that continues to be the biggest attraction for parents looking for a break, and youngsters looking for an awesome time outside.

The World of Golf is the best place for active kids! If your children are interested in playing golf they can start and refine their game with our team of trainers. Even if your children don’t play golf, they’ll love the 2000-square meter play area fully equipped with the latest jungle gyms, slides, swings and more. Your kids will want to spend all their free time, and their next party with us. Parents can book private group lessons for children ages between 4-11.

work. It really is the ideal .

nesburg’s leading family e biggest, and only, golfing Hemisphere”

vement, tips on how to have help you get better, the World xperience have a team of highly s and coaches that can get you n help with the FUNdamentals, can even help you shoot that ored programs to help golfers get 80 and even par.

There’s something happening every day at the World of Golf leisure park, from daily coaching and skills masterclasses to pizza-making and sand art for the kids. With so much on offer, we’re the ideal location for your next event – whether that’s a children’s party, corporate teambuilding, product launch, conference or year-end function. Our events team offer a full event management service from venue to décor and catering.

So pop on down to the World of Golf today. We are continuously striving to add to and improve on our already world class facility.

Stay tuned to the news as we announce a revolutionary development happening at our facility in early December that will completely reinvent the way you practise and have fun at the World of Golf. www.worldofgolf.co.za

ch more than just golf. There is Our world class Dimples Café nd treats. The MoreWellness Spa olfer alike, but it is the World of

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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E - S W E E T & S H O R T

QA &

WITH

HENK BUITENDACH

General Manager Thatchfield Par3 Golf Club

1. Where were you born and what schools did you attend?

I was born in Pretoria many moons ago, I attended Laerskool Elarduspark and moved on to Hoerskool Waterkloof where I matriculated.

growth. The same goes for maintenance on the course, a bigger facility equates to more machinery, employees, consumables, the list goes on. The fundamentals stay the same, just more responsibility and sleepless nights!

2. Do you come from a sporting background?

Yes, I played rugby my whole schooling career and participated in athletics in the off-season.

7. Is there a handicap rating system for mashie courses?

To answer this quickly, NO. Golf RSA has done our course/slope rating and an unofficial calculation has been made to translate ones handicap index to our course handicap. There are talks between numerous entities to develop a nationally recognized handicap index for par-3 facilities. How far this is in the development stages one can only guess. What would this mean for par-3 facilities across the country and for the game of golf? A major game-changer for entry level golfers!

3. Do you have any sporting hobbies?

Its not surprising that I play golf socially but apart from that, I love triathlons.

Mastering 3 disciplines compressed into one event is enough adrenaline for the whole year.

If I don’t play golf or train you will find me camping or hiking somewhere in the Drakensberg with the family.

4. How did you get into the business of club management?

Well, my journey started over 15 years ago in Scotland where I worked in a hotel that had a 9-hole course as part of their leisure facilities. I befriended the greenkeeper and got intrigued with golf.

My journey then started at Centurion CC back in 2005 in the greenkeeping industry where my passion for golf and business management lead to my position at Thatchfield Golf Club today.

5. Did you do any tertiary education in the industry?

Yes, from a Turfgrass Management Diploma at TUT to a Golf Course Management higher international certificate at Elmwood College. I am currently busy with a MID Diploma in Club Management through the Club Management Association of America.

6. What differences are there in terms of maintenance between a range/mashie course compared to a normal 18-hole golf course?

Most businesses have the same fundamentals that need to be applied for sustainability and

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8. Do you run competitive events at the mashie course and/or driving range?

Yes, we`ve had numerous competitions on the course and driving range. Ranging from our annual club championships for members to compete to longest drive events on the range, the experience is different and that is why we have so much success.

9. What are the differences in driving range balls as opposed to regular golf balls?

You would have to ask the reps at the big golfing brands about technical ball composition but in laymen’s terms, a range ball is designed for repetitive ball striking, the design probably leans more towards a hardened feel as apposed to where ball flight, trajectory and performance of the response of a “normal” golf ball is key. On our range we have water features and dams designed to give a “real feel” scenario of what you would expect on an 18-hole course.

We make use of floating range balls (quite

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pricy) to accommodate easy collection from our water hazards.

10. Is golf etiquette more relaxed on the mashie course?

I would say yes because we do attract a lot more “newby” golfers to the facility as to what I feel a well-established 18-hole (without mashie) would attract. To give you an idea, we recorded more than 25000 feet/rounds at the club last year, almost 30% of that figure were people playing golf for the very first time.

Asking newbies to spend R500 on golfing apparel before they even touch their clubs would chase them away. We do however feel strongly about a couple of general etiquette/ rules like quantities (4ball) of golfers playing together, speed of play, pitch mark and divot repairs and general use of flag poles and bunker rakes. We focus on a relaxed and fun environment for everyone to come and enjoy.

game driving or in a long iron shot where the rest is basically chip and putt.

12. What other activities do you offer at Thatchfield?

Well, the facility was designed almost 20 years ago with the short game in mind but on steroids. Apart from a world-class driving range and a full USGA specification 9-hole mashie we have putting and chipping greens to choose from to further assist in perfecting different shots and putting types.

If you would like to take a breather from golf we also have a designated fishing area where catching bass is the main attraction. Catering for events like birthday parties or year-end functions forms part of our offerings to the public looking for a social event in a scenic environment.

11. In my experience, many people who visit the driving range tend to favour their driver, don’t you think people should concentrate more on their short game?

It is all about the short game right? Perfecting your clubs from 8 upwards is crucial, it’s interesting to see how stats on the worlds top 10 current golfers and their short game averages weigh up against those with a lower percentage average. You spend 20% of your

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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E - S W E E T & S H O R T 081 442 0237 panoramagolfrange@gmail.com

PANORAMA GOLF RANGE 160 PANORAMA ROAD ROOIHUISKRAAL CENTURION PANORAMA GOLF RANGE SITUATED IN CENTURION STARTED IN 2015 AND HAS THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES AVAILABLE: RESTAURANT (300 SEATER) LICENCENED PUB 19 HOLE PUTT PUTT COURSE DRIVING RANGE KIDDIES PLAY AREAS JUMPING CASTLES AND WATER SLIDES WE CATER FOR KIDDIES PARTIES. YEAR END FUNCTIONS, BIRTHDAY PARTIES, SOCIAL EVENTS. (WE DO NOT CHARGE ANY VENUE FEES)

NE WS CLIP Driving ranges are facilities where golfers can practice their golf swing.

They can also serve as recreational activities for amateur golfers or when enough time for a full game is not available.

Many golf courses have a driving range attached and they are also found as stand-alone facilities, especially in urban areas. They are typically run by businesses or sometimes by universities.

Distances are usually marked by target greens at regular distances. Driving ranges may have natural grass, similar to a golf course, or players may use synthetic mats that resemble real turf.

Golfers pay for various sizes of buckets of balls, usually designated as small (30–50 balls), medium (50-80 balls), and large (80-150 balls), and hit at their leisure.

Some ranges feature electronic tee devices, which load balls automatically, and record ball use on a smart card.

Often there are golf professionals available to give lessons and instruction.

Balls are retrieved by a specialty cart with a brush and roller attachment that automatically picks up balls and a cage that protects the driver from incoming balls.

In urban and suburban areas, large nets continued on page 33...

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protect surrounding people and structures from errant balls.

Driving ranges are particularly popular in Japan where golf courses are overcrowded and often very expensive.

Some driving ranges also offer areas where one can practice chip shots, bunker shots, and putting.

often cheap and specially designed with a harder cover to make them more durable.

As such they also may not necessarily conform to the rules of golf. In order to distinguish them from regular golf balls, they may have a distinct colouring or coloured band and be stamped with the word “range”

Driving ranges often use golf balls that differ significantly from those used on the golf course.

Range balls, as they are known, are

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JOHN COLLIER 2021

John Collier Survey “MASHED POTATO...”

G

olf fans, in general, are a pretty respectful bunch, but every so often they ditch the reverential silence of the course to shout completely random nonsense. According to Metro News in the UK, the ‘mashed potato’ shout was made famous by golf fan Andrew Widmar, who was identified by The Golf Channel as the man behind the epic outburst at the Chevron World Championship in 2011.

Tiger Woods had played his tee shot on the 18th and Widmar unleashed his comment for the world to hear. Widmar, however, admitted that he did not come up with the incredibly witty idea: ‘I’d seen it before on YouTube. ‘My friends thought it was stupid, but I thought it was hilarious. … I wish I could take credit for starting it, but I will take credit for it becoming popular. It’s a good one to yell,

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because it’s nice and quick and it means absolutely nothing.’

But I digress, whilst the John Collier Annual Survey does not keep specific data on driving ranges and mashie golf courses, we acknowledge the integral part these facilities play in the game of golf. Apparently, the derivation of the word “mashie” comes from the French word “massue” meaning “club”.

Many of the golf clubs manufactured between 1901 and 1935 came from Scotland which included Mid-mashie: 3 Iron; Mashie iron: 4 Iron; Mashie: 5 Iron and Spade mashie: 6 Iron.

The modern-day golf club most closely resembling the mashie clubs are the 5-iron or 6-iron but in loft and use only. Therefore, these clubs share the characteristics with the mashie, would be the typical club of choice on a short course which subsequently became known as a “mashie course.”

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9-HOLE MASHIE COURSE PITCH AND PLAY 6 Days a Week Tuesdays to Sundays 07h00 – 16h00

9-HOLES Weekday Scholar - R 65 Pensioner - R 75 Adult - R 95

Weekend Scholar - R 75 Pensioner - R 85 Adult - R 95

Cnr. Anton Van Wouw Str & Preller Dr, Roosevelt Park, Randburg www.randpark.co.za | 011 215 8600

WELCOME TO AFRICA'S MOST ADVANCED

DRIVING RANGE EXPERIENCE Practice - Play - Have Fun offers

ways to play …

A contemporary-style Café with a great selection of casual dining meals Custom Fittings - looking for more distance, more accuracy, new irons or just the correct ball

OPER

A T IN

Randpark's 9-hole putt-putt course

G HO URS

State of the art coaching studios with Wellputt and Trackman

011 215 8600 www.randpark.co.za

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Mon: 11h00 – 20h00 Tue – Fri: 06h30 – 20h00 Sat, Sun & Public Holidays: 06h00 – 20h00 (Last buckets sold at 19h00)

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S P E C I A L F E AT U R E - S W E E T & S H O R T

Have fun and sharpen up your short game at Creek 9 It’s a mid-week morning and Malcolm Hendricks, a Creek 9 regular, has taken an hour out of his busy day to play the picturesque, tree-lined 9-hole Par 3 mashie course located in Johannesburg’s Roosevelt Park suburb and managed by Randpark Club.

“I’m so involved with work - I have my own business - and I don’t have time to play full 18-hole rounds on a full-length course so Creek 9 suits me just fine. It’s fun, it’s a way to keep my game in shape, a round only takes an hour or so and it’s very relaxed,” says Malcolm who is accompanied by his five-year-old non-golfing daughter Danelle who, while Dad hits his shots, uses the opportunity to do some exploring in amongst the many beautiful trees.

The course is a public facility and frequented by players of all ages with varying ability. It is run on a pitch and play

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basis, so no bookings are taken. It is perfect for a family outing and ideal for those new to the game. The holes vary in length between 83 metres and 210 metres and each hole has two tee boxes. Because of the many trees accuracy is important so it’s a good place to sharpen up your short game.

Creek 9 is found on the corner of Anton Van Wouw Street and Preller Drive in Roosevelt Park next to the Roosevelt Park Recreation Centre. The course is open Tuesdays to Sundays, from 7 am to 5 pm (last tee time is at 4 pm) but is closed on Mondays.

Fun-filled “Foot Golf” is also played here whereby a soccer ball is kicked from the tee boxes into big holes situated alongside the golf greens.

Throughout the week there are concessions for scholars, pensioners and Randpark members.

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Improve your game and have fun at Randpark’s Driving Range Randpark’s Driving Range, a high-tech Inrange facility, the only one in Gauteng and one of only two in South Africa, is completely revolutionising a golfer’s driving range experience. Emptying a bucket of balls followed by a frustrating hit-and-miss period of “spray and pray” is a thing of the past with Inrange.

Designed by South African engineers with a growing global presence and already in place at the famed David Leadbetter Academy in Orlando, Florida, Inrange – to put it simply – uses ingenious technology involving a ball-tracking system and radar sensors placed in and around the range to create the ideal practice and entertainment environment for golfers of all skill levels.

Data is relayed either to an in-bay touchscreen or via the cloud to the Inrange app on the player’s mobile device. Easily covering the 46 bays at Randpark’s two-tier weather-proof range, these sensors can track dozens of balls hit simultaneously, each from a different origin, and provide detailed data on speed, trajectory, path, landing point and more, to within a yard.

Having Inrange® in your arsenal is like having a golfing “secret weapon”. Some of the many benefits include: • Being able to track every club in your bag.

How far you’re hitting it, how accurately, how high, how low. How good, how bad.

You can use this information to take the edges off your weaknesses and power up your existing strengths making for better golf out on the course.

• Improving your consistency – by choosing a target to aim at, Inrange lets you know how consistently you’re hitting the right shot.

• Having fun – You can get your mates together and head on down to the range for a complete entertainment experience even if you’ve never picked up a golf club before.

Some of the games you can play: Inrange+ Games – Longest Drive, Bullseye, Twenty One, Shrinking Target.

Inrange+ Courses – transports you onto the course to pit your skills against meticulously mapped virtual fairways, sandtraps and water hazards without ever leaving your bay.

Randpark’s Driving Range offers so much more … a contemporary-style café with a great selection of casual dining meals, served on the range or while seated at the café. State of the art coaching studios with Trackman and Wellputt. Randpark adventure golf, a 9-hole putt-putt course and a demo club studio, showcasing a wide variety of second-hand clubs.

If practice, play and fun is on your bucket list then it is time to visit the Randpark Driving Range!

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