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Golf courses are a plenty here in Christchurch and green fees vary from $20-$120 per round. Most are within about 15-20 minutes drive from where you live. Memberships start from around $350-$1,000 per year. Unfortunately there are very few courses here now that charge the $20. Most are from $30 upwards.To golfers in most other regions around New Zealand that would seem pretty damn cheap but us Cantabs who really have been spoilt for choice in the past when it comes to where to play and green fees averaging around the $20 mark have over time watched our choices become somewhat limited due to affordability.

For the weekend golfer who was used to paying $20 for their round at certain courses have found that to play those same courses they would now be paying $35. If you were playing a course a little classier and paying $30 you are now looking around the $50 mark.

Well, all this inspired me to look a little further out of town and leads me to the purpose of this blog. I'm not here to whinge about the price of the green fees and memberships here in Christchurch as in comparison to most regions they are still very reasonable. I am however going to tell you about a wee gem of a course that I stumbled on a few months back and have since been back several times. Today, I became a member.

Earlier I mentioned that most courses were reachable in about 15-20 minutes drive,  from wherever you live in Christchurch. Okay, now add on about another 15-20 minutes and head west towards the Alps, get to Darfield and turn left and go for about another 5-6 minutes and you will come to a small town called Glentunnel. On your left hand side as you enter Glentunnel is the Hororata Golf Club.

Pull in anyday, except Saturday morning's before 1pm as thats club day, and you'll be lucky to see anymore than 7-8 cars there, so you know you're not going to be held up on your round. Head to the office and give a lovely old fellow, Fred, your $20. Thats right just $20 dollars. Or leave your money in the honesty box, please do, it is well worth it. Next stand on the practice green and look out over the course, take a deep breath, that's it, let it out and go WOW!

From the road you would never know this place existed. From the practice green you can see almost half the course down in the valley below. Look towards the back of the course and looking down on it is beautiful green forest and the Selwyn river running beside it. Behind you there is an incredible view of the Southern Alps. They really seem so close and are majestically visible the whole way round. Early spring is an amazing time to visit this course. A beautifully clear crisp morning the forest is at it's greenest, the course is in great shape, all year round actually, and the mountains are covered in snow. To me this is golfing at its most picturesque. If your game isn't going too well it doesn't matter, just being there is well worth it and at the end you are glad you came.

The course itself is very well looked after. The fairways are mostly open great for big hitters but plenty of trouble if you go too far off line. The greens are in excellent condition but are not overly big in size. There are some challenging holes and some very agreeable holes which set the scene for an enjoyable round of golf for all levels from hackers to the scratch handicapper. Summer golfing is great for the long game. If your'e on line the fairways will allow your ball long runs, you will be amazed at how far you've hit the ball. The rough is well maintained also and forgiving in most places.

Anyway, this really is a must visit course. $20 green fees you can not go wrong, I often felt guilty about paying such a low fee for such a great and well maintained course. In fact I'm not sure how they afford to keep it in the condition it's in year round. So, what will you get from your visit. Cheapest fees anywhere, a fantastic course, no hold ups as most times you have a pretty clear course but most of all a sense of awe about where you are and the spectacular scenery surrounding you. This is not Terrace Downs but it's not a $180 a game either.

By the way, if you like it so much as I do and want to become a member it's only $285 per year. The Hororata Golf Club, Glentunnel, 30-40 minutes west of Christchurch.