Steve Williams drops in to pass on tips (+video)

Steve Williams, right, gives Nick Hosking and Jos Webb some pointers. Photo / Ben Fraser

One of the world's top caddies has been out on the greens of Rotorua helping local golfers with their games.

Steve Williams, who spent 13 years as Tiger Woods' right-hand man, was the guest of honour at the Rotorua Chamber of Commerce's annual charity golf day at the Rotorua Golf Club (Arikikapakapa) yesterday.

And the Wellington-born caddy was on hand at the sixth hole to give tutorials to players taking part in the day's competition: at $20 a snip for a pro golf lesson.

All money raised will go to the Steve Williams Foundation, which focuses on children's health and junior golf development.

Williams praised the facilities at Arikikapakapa.

"I remember the course for its pure greens ... It's a good members' course," he said.

In a career spanning nearly four decades Williams caddied for several "high-profile players with huge expectations".

They included Woods and Australian Adam Scott.

Since retiring from the tour, partly to focus on his charity work, he says he "hasn't missed it one bit".

"It's nice to have a routine now.

"When you travel so much, you're always on a ticking clock," he said.

Williams had one major piece of advice:

"The criminal error that 99 per cent of weekend players make is that when they choose their club, they think they're going to hit it perfectly.

"So whatever club you choose, go one up - there's more room for error."

Don Blackledge, general manager at Rotorua Golf Club, said having Williams at the event was a boost for the club.

"I think it's great, the exposure it gives the club to the public of Rotorua ... There are people here who don't normally play, and part of the day's attraction is to get new members."

One of those infrequent players was Peter Faulkner, whose company was sponsoring a hole at the event.

He had modest aims for the day's golf.

"I'm just hoping to finish the day with the same ball as I started with."