In terms of New Zealand sports I've already mentioned the All-Blacks. The famed rugby team is by far the country's most well known contribution to the international sports landscape known for their dominance on the rugby pitch and their traditional Maori chant before games. Other popular New Zealand sports include cricket, soccer and golf but it is the combined love for rugby and golf that ultimately created a different take on the traditional game of golf.

There are two fundamental differences between Golfcross and traditional golf that sets the games apart and gives the NZ game its uniqueness. First, the ball is shaped like a football. Like a golf ball, it's still white and has dimples but the ball is certainly heavier and it has an egg-like appearance. Second, because of the ball's irregular shape putting the ball into a circular opening is about as realistic as telling me that Star Jones and Al Roker look normal after having their stomachs gutted and stapled. So in place of a putting green and a hole, Golfcross uses a swiveling netted upright structure to capture shots. The netted upright can only be swiveled to a player's advantage when their shot reaches a predetermined area around the net, known as a yard.

	The netted upright replaces the struggles of putting. (Source: New Zealand GolfCross, Burton Silver, Ten Speed Press)

Not needing to putt certainly has its advantages for both players and course designers. Putting is without a doubt the most frustrating experience of golf and not having to deal with misreading greens, missing tap-ins and having 'get there' moments is a blessing. Putting can single-handedly bring out expletives and f-bombs from the most mild-mannered people. I play golf regularly with a buddy who's an accountant. He's normally reserved and quiet but when he hits the greens he morphs into an uncensored Chris Rock. It's frustrating to make three lengthy shots to a monster par 5-hole, only to watch your putter fail you and make your trip to the dance floor as awkward as trying to look unfazed when the DJ switches from 50 Cent to AC/DC. So while the whole concept of hitting a ball into uprights may seem really strange it can actually make your rounds more enjoyable. For course designers and superintendents not having to design and maintain 18 golf greens is a significant financial savings - an upright doesn't need reseeding, watering, constant cutting, aeration, etc.

Though you wouldn't think it by looking at it, the odd shape of the Golfcross ball gives you unparalleled control of the direction and angle of the ball's flight. For high handicappers, this is a unique opportunity to actually feel like a PGA player. The control all starts with the setup of the ball. There are five basic set-up positions of the ball:

· Vertical - Setting the ball up vertically is a common starting position both on the tee and on the fairway.
· Reflected - A variation on the vertical position, the ball is still stood up on its end although it's angled parallel with the loft of the club. This shot provides maximum contact with the ball and max distance.
· Horizontal - Probably the closest resembling starting position to a regular golf ball. Remarkably the ball shifts to a vertical end-over-end ball flight after being struck.
· Torpedo - Hitting the ball on its end results in a low trajectory punch shot that relies on ground carry for distance.
· Angled - Angling the vertically or horizontally situated ball towards the left or right in any degree results in the ability to hit controlled fades, draws, hooks and slices. How great would it be to no longer have to blame the wind for your errant hooks and slices? Wind, you idiot!

Unlike golf, you're able to lift your ball at anytime from the fairway or rough and prop the ball up in any preferred position; the only time the ball is not allowed to be lifted is while resting in a hazard. Other than this the rules of Golfcross are essentially the same, the overall objective is still finish with the minimum amount of strokes.

Officially launched in 2001 for public play, the game of Golfcross is slowly building some interest and expansion. There are four Golfcross courses in New Zealand and plans for expansion into the UK are fully underway. The biggest obstacle in preventing full growth of the sport is the tradition and history that golf has built up over hundreds of years. People just have to get over their preconceptions and give the game a try.

	The end-over-end flight of the ball resembles a field goal kick. (Source: AP)

While I didn't have the luxury of playing on a Golfcross course I did get to experience hitting the egg-shaped ball on a regular golf course. It did come off the club a little clunky but I was quickly able to ignore that when the astonishment of how straight I was able to hit the ball took over. Watching the ball fly end-over-end was like watching an Adam Vinatieri field goal. The craziest thing about hitting the ball is that you actually have to try to not hit it straight. I tried angling the ball and was able to pull off a nice controlled hook shot - something I only do by accident in golf. Another unique characteristic of the ball is the distinct hum/whirring noise that is given off with a well struck shot. Overall I found the more you experimented with lies and positioning the more unique shots you could pull off. I hit a sand wedge from a vertical position and was able to draw the ball backwards with the backspin.