Meet the personalities behind the scorecards. In this NZ Golf Magazine series, we’re getting to know golf enthusiasts from across New Zealand — their favourite courses, memorable moments and what keeps them coming back.
You don’t need a low handicap — just a love of the game!
Meet Jack Thrupp, an Auckland golfer who calls Royal Auckland and Grange Golf Club home. With a year and a half in the game and a handicap of 13, Jack joins our Clubhouse Characters series to share his golfing story. Jack loves rocking Titleist gear, while rocking out to “Choosin’ Texas” by Ella Langley. Follow his golfing journey on Instagram at @thruppgolfs.
How Did Golf Get You Hooked?
My dad was the first one to introduce me to golf, being quite a keen golfer himself from his early years all the way through to the present day. Up until around early 2025, golf was more of a once-a-month sort of hobby for me. My dad and I would go to the driving range a few times a month or occasionally play nine holes here and there, but as the weeks went by, I kept liking golf even more. Many of my close mates also got into golf as well, so being able to play with them and progressively get better and improve alongside them has been something I will cherish and has definitely assisted me in sticking with golf for many years to come.
What Keeps You Coming Back?
The fact you get to be outside in usually mint weather with your mates playing a game you love is definitely what keeps me coming back. Although sometimes golf isn’t the nicest game towards me, the game is always the most fun when you just take your time, have laughs with mates and don’t care about the score, but rather how much fun you’re having. For me, the most important thing in golf is having fun, and playing with mates is always a great start. Obviously, playing well is a bonus, but the main benefit for me is having the people you have fun with the most surrounding you.
What’s Your Favourite Hole At Your Home Course?
My favourite hole at my home course has got to be the 8th hole on the Middlemore course. Not only is it the hole where I got my first ever hole-in-one, but it’s got to be one of the most difficult and strategic holes at RAGGC. From my usual tee marker (Green tees), you are left with around a 180 to 200 meter shot into a green of two tiers. There is around a 60-meter strip of fairway on the right leading to a green-side bunker where most members tend to lay up in order not to hit it into the hazard on the left, leaving yourself a nice, open chip into any pin location. If you were to attack any pin on the green, a carry distance of around 175 meters would be necessary, as a line of 5 bunkers guard the left side of the green.
Where Else In New Zealand Do You Love Playing?
To this day, I haven’t really played any course around New Zealand that is more outstanding than my home course of Royal Auckland and Grange. From its tricky hole landscapes to its incredibly accurate and annoying bunker placements, RAGGC makes a stunning but very challenging golf course to play at, and I feel very privileged to be a member there.
What’s Your Most Memorable Golfing Moment?
My most memorable golfing moment has got to be my first ever hole-in-one at my home course, RAGGC, on the 8th hole of the Middlemore course. The pin was front left, with the yardage to the pin being 184 meters, slightly downwind. I took a 4 hybrid at it, aiming at the right green-side bunker with the thought in my mind of the ball being in a good spot if it faded and in an even better spot if it drew. I then began to hit the most pure shot of the day, being a high, baby draw tracking right at the flagstick. All 3 of my playing partners and I were all saying “Be so good” as it carried the front bunker and landed around 10cm onto the front of the green. We watched as the ball broke just a little bit to the right and straight into the heart of the cup, giving me my first ever hole-in-one, which I was extremely proud of.
What’s The Best Part Of Your Game And What Needs Work?
My main work on at the moment is my alignment and club path with my irons and woods, giving me a few areas to work on to be more accurate and on point with my shot shape and accuracy. However, my shots around the greens are feeling really solid, with the number of putts I average each round now slowly dropping to 30-33 putts with my lag putting especially feeling up to standard, and my chipping also playing a crucial role in my short game in order to give me the most straightforward putt I could possibly have.
Who’s Joining Your Dream Four-Ball?
My dream four-ball would definitely be Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jordan Spieth. All 3 are very high-quality golfers and are my idols by far in golf. They all have very tight iron games and are all very solid around the greens, which I tend to look at very closely when I need some tips on how I can improve my game as well.
What Would You Tell Someone About Giving Golf A Go?
My main tip would be to persevere and be patient. When I first started golf, I didn’t like it straight away and it took at least 4 months to start getting the bug. Golf is a game of skill and to showcase your own individual skill, patience is definitely a big factor. Take your time, go through your routine and always make sure everything feels right and you’re feeling solid and comfortable whilst over the ball in order to produce the best shot you possibly can.
