Ever cursed that group in front, who not only hit and miss the ball all over the place but also seem blissfully unaware of the etiquette of the game?
On many European courses, such players would not be allowed on, until they had received some coaching from a professional.
The result? A better pace and standard of play on the course and an increased demand for teaching professionals, including a number of Kiwis. Several New Zealanders have been coaching in Austria.
Now Rotorua professional Renee Fowler has headed off to Germany to use her newly honed teaching skills.
She will be based at Stuttgart on a one-year contract, which will test her limited skills with the German language.
The 28-year-old Fowler, who was a New Zealand representative in her amateur days, spent some time as a touring pro but had limited success and found the constant travel played havoc with her body.
Last year she worked with the Jack Newton junior programme in New South Wales.
"The strange thing was that in New Zealand in any group you'd find some kid who had real talent. Over there that rarely happened.
"The problem we seem to have is making the most of the talent there is all round the country."
The European system of basic training means that nearly everyone makes contact with a professional. In this country, barely 25 per cent of golfers receive coaching.
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Titirangi golfer Kevin Chun may have been knocked out of the matchplay in the first round at the nationals in Taupo last week but had the consolation of being accepted in the field of a professional tournament in Korea next month.
The 18-year-old, who has lived in Auckland for nine years and is a New Zealand representative, will leave for Seoul on Sunday. He will also play in New Zealand colours in Malaysia later in the month.
Chun says he will insist on being known by his New Zealand name, rather than the original, Yong Chan. He chose Kevin after the smart kid in the Home Alone films.
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Michael Long has improved his position in the Nationwide Tour standings with 15th place in the latest tournament, the Rheem Classic.
Long finished at five under, 10 off the pace set by the winner Franklin Langham, who included a 61 in his total.
The Kiwi is 36th on the money list with US$26,094 from five tournaments. The top 15 at the end of the season qualify for the US PGA tour.
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While Australian Gavin Flint was winning the New Zealand matchplay title at Taupo, two of our top golfers, Bradley Iles and Mathew Holten, were helping the Asia-Pacific team take the Bonallack Trophy off Europe in Rome.
In the crucial singles Iles had a half and Holten a win to clinch only the second victory for the team, 16 1/2 to 15 1/2.
<i>Off the tee:</i> Natural talent needs nurture
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