Bungees, zorbs... and appearance fees

NOW for something completely different. Usually my column is full of golf chat what Im hoping to do, how Im hoping to do it and what is next on my tournament agenda.

Not this month though! Its not going to be quite like your family coming round your house to show you their holiday photos, but something like that.

Because after I had played in the two events in Australia I decided to go on holiday in New Zealand and it turned out to be an absolutely fantastic couple of weeks.

I didnt just hop on the first plane across the Tasman Sea of course, the idea was hatched a good while before the conclusion of the second tournament. In fact months before, as myself and a couple of friends from Abergele thought this was an opportunity we couldnt resist.

We based ourselves in the North Island and it was just one action-packed adventure after another. We did all the usual outdoor pursuits such as kayaking and jet-skiing but also threw another couple of activities you might not be as familiar with bungee-jumping and zorbing.

Lets start with the bungee. Im no fan of heights but Im not the worst either. Nevertheless I never thought Id do a bungee.

But when I saw a few other people having a go I thought: why not?. I was re-thinking that decision rather hastily as I got higher and higher in the box which was dangling thousands of feet over one of New Zealands prettiest lakes.

It was a long, long way down. I was asked if I wanted to touch the water and they gave me enough elastic for my head just to sciff the lake.

The way down was surreal. I thought I might not make it over the edge but once I did, the freefall towards earth was amazing. It was as if time stood still and was a feeling Ill never forget.

I touched the water, as requested, and it was only really when I started the upward climb as the elastic pulled me back from where I came that it was a bit scary.

I was soon back on terra firma, fairly relieved, but mainly extremely satisfied and very excited.

It was then I reflected that having done that nothing would ever scare me again. So the next time I find myself being worried about a downhill six-footer with a bit of borrow, my mind will be cast back to a certain afternoon in New Zealand.

The adventure didnt stop there. We also went zorbing, which basically entails one or more people getting inside a huge ball which is a quarter filled with water and being pushed down a hill.

Sounds great doesnt it? Or mad. Well, it was in fact great fun. Myself and my two friends went careering down the slope in this ball unable to contain our hilarity. It was brilliant fun, maybe not as scary or satisfying as the bungee but just as enjoyable.

It wasnt all action-packed adventures though, we took in the beautiful scenery, the atmosphere and culture. We spent a week in the Bay of Island which was breathtaking.

It was a fantastic fortnight and really got my batteries recharged and my hunger for golf to the perfect level.

I played quite nicely in Australia and but for poor distance control would have scored much better. Im now working on that ahead of the first event in Tenerife one Ive got good memories of in May.

Talking of Australia, I know the appearances fees paid to the likes of Natalie Gulbis and Cristie Kerr caused some debate among the media and fans, not least this issue of Lady Golfer.

My feeling is that there are good sides to both arguments. But if you had to pin me down, Id probably say paying Natalie to come over for the tournament was a good move.

It got the tournament more publicity and got more fans in to watch it. I was practising next to her one day and there were loads of fans around her.

Yes, the money she got, and it was reported to be quite a considerable sum, could have gone into the prize fund instead and help to pay some bills for the European girls whod forked out to go over there.

But the world doesnt necessarily work like that and on the whole I think the glamour in the game is a good thing. It could go too far of course, but at the moment I think the balance is pretty good.

Winning remains the main objective though, and refreshed after my trip, thats what Im working towards.