He's now at the course at least three times a week, including weekly one-on-one lessons with club professional Brenda Ormsby, who he now counts among his sporting heroes.
"She's helped me with everything. I have improved so much," said James.
Mr Tauariki agrees, saying James' handicap had gone from 38 to 22 in the past 12 months.
He can drive the ball 180m and his short game is equally as good, says his proud father.
Used to being around adults, James said his favourite part of golf was getting out on the course and meeting new people.
His dad said the feeling was mutual, with the older club members always happy to tee off with James.
"It stops them swearing and carrying on, they can't go throwing their toys out of the basket when he's around," he laughed.
His mother, Aroha, said rodeo and golf did have skills in common - both needed good hand to eye co-ordination and the ability to cope with intense pressure.
James said he was not ready to choose one sport over the other yet but with the rodeo season getting under way this weekend, something may have to give.
"There could be more golf than rodeo this year," admitted Mr Tauariki.
"He'd play every day, he'd live here [the golf course] if he could."
He said when he wasn't at the course, James was out every day hitting balls around the paddock.
"There's more balls on our farm than grass really, they're all over the neighbours', they collect them up and put them back through the fence."
With that kind of commitment, James is already looking ahead to a future in golf.
"I'd like to represent New Zealand and be a pro one day."
