Golf Holidays in Ireland
Ireland has established itself internationally as a major golf destination, particularly in recent years with the hosting of major competitions such as the American Express World Championships in 2002 and the Ryder Cup in 2006.
Ireland is best known for its wonderful links courses – and possesses almost 40% of the world's genuine links. Some Irish links courses have been around for over a hundred years, while others are modern developments created to fit the landscape from which they are carved. Some are internationally renowned, while others – the ‘hidden gems' – are waiting to be discovered.
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But Ireland also has a range parkland courses which offer a supreme test of skills. They are courses very much in tune with nature, yet designed to make the golfer use every club in the bag.
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Irish golf has a special place in the heritage of the game, producing great players like Christy O' Connor Senior, Fred Daly, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley. By playing an Irish championship course, you can play the same courses that helped shape these champions – and the same ones that gave golf's international superstars some of their proudest moments.
Plan your Golf Holiday in Ireland here
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Golf Holiday Offers - Costa Del Sol
Two Special Offers for Golfers on the Costa Del Sol brought to you by UKGolf Del Sol.
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La Duquesa Special: 7 Nights/ 7Day Ford Focus/ 4 Rounds of Golf - 408 euros
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Costa Del Sol - General Special: 8 Day/ 7 Nights - 5 Rounds of Golf / Accommodation + Car Hire - 419 euros
Cut Price Green Fees and More at UKGolfdelSol
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Golf Destination - Jersey
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Jersey, home of the Jersey Cow and Royals Potatoes, has interesting plans to develop the island as a Golf Break Destination.
Announced by Anna Heuston of thisisjersey.com are plans for two new 18-hole courses.
Plémont landowners met Economic Development chief executive officer Mike King at St Ouen's Parish Hall on Friday to discuss using their land for a course, while a consortium of owners east of Jersey Zoo said recently that they are close to putting firm proposals together.On Friday Mr King gave a talk entitled 'Developing Jersey as a Golfing Destination' and said this morning that they wanted to bring the landowners together to find a way forward for the headland.
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Golf Gossip on the BBC
BBC Five Live reporter Iain Carter presents a fortnightly report full of lively golf gossip. This week he mentions:
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Paul McGinley and his determination to be in the side for the next contest with the United States at the K Club.
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Darren Clarke and his plans.
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GPS Solutions for Golf Courses
Europe's GPS leader, Elumina installed the state-of-the-art ProLink system at: Saint Endreol, La Motte-en-Provence, France; Valle del Este, Almeria, Spain; La Quinta, Malaga, Spain; and Greetham Valley Golf Club, Rutland, UK. Elumina will deliver ProLink systems on up to 18 of Europe's finest golf courses and resorts during the first quarter 2006, and high-profile installations for quarters two and three are expected to be announced in the coming months.
"2005 was a groundbreaking year for GPS throughout Europe and 2006 will bring exponential growth in this burgeoning industry," says Mark Smart, Managing Director of Elumina. "ProLink's emergence as the global leader in GPS solutions for golf courses, Elumina's position as the official GPS partner of the PGAs of Europe and Royal and Ancient's decision to permit the use of distance measuring devices in competition will help the European market to grow substantially over the next two years."
The ProLink/Elumina partnership is a result of intensified demand for the ProLink GPS system worldwide. In addition to Elumina, ProLink's trusted international partners include On Course GPS, the fastest-growing GPS business in South Africa, and Pacific Golf Management, the second largest owner/operator of golf courses in the world and first in Japan. One of the fastest growing businesses in the international golf industry with offices in the UK, Spain and France, Elumina is building the ProLink brand across Europe (and the Middle East) with its superior in-house engineering, mapping, technical services and innovative financing options.
"Elumina has experienced dynamic growth with the ProLink brand," says Lawrence Bain, President and CEO of ProLink Solutions. "Courses with ProLink GPS bolster customers' experiences and realize incremental revenue through pace of play improvements, food and beverage sales and on-screen advertising."
Based in Chandler, Arizona, ProLink Solutions industry-leading technology and marketing richness is installed at more than 700 resort, private and public courses worldwide -- more than triple the installations of all its competitors combined. World-famous course partners of ProLink include Valderrama Golf Club in San Roque, Spain, Dai-Takarazuka in Osaka, Japan and Kapalua Resort in Maui, Hawaii.
For full PR and information about ProLink
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A Golf Blogger - Golf Times
An interesting morsel from Golf Times about - Where did the term "handicap" come from anyway.
Well, I'll tell you. The whole idea of a golf handicap dates to the 17th century when those crafty Scots borrowed the idea from horse racing. In the days of yore jockeys were handed their winnings in a cap and in time , hand-in-cap morphed into handicap. So you see race fans, having an accurate handicap makes for a better "horse race". Then again, who ever wants the race to be fair, you want to crush the other guy when ever possible.He's got some interesting posts over at Golf Times
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Time Warner Aquires Golf.com
Time Inc., adding to its reach in the golf world, has acquired SirenServe Inc., owner of Web site Golf.com.
Time Inc., owned by Time Warner Inc., said it acquired the company from a consortium of owners, including General Electric's NBC Universal, New York Times Co. and private investors.
The company said Golf.com will be run by its Time4 Media division under Golf Magazine publisher Chris Wightman. Michael Lazerow, SirenServ's 31-year-old founder and chief executive, will become general manager of Golf.com and GolfOnline, Time Inc. said.
``The acquisition of the best URL in golf is exciting for our company because, along with our powerful portfolio of trusted brands Golf Magazine, GolfOnline, Sports Illustrated and SI.com's Golf Plus, we now will be able to offer our clients and partners unprecedented reach in print and online in the golf space,'' John Squires, co-chief operating officer of Time Inc., said in a staff memo Monday.Time said Golf.com averages 1.3 million unique visitors a month
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The Sotogrande Playground
Two hours and you are in London. As far as commuting times go, Sotogrande rates with Cheltenham or Bournemouth.
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Except that this lush resort sits lazily under the Andalusian sun on the Costa del Sol, southern Spain, thousands of miles away from rain, fog and cold winters.
A peaceful oasis in the bustle of the Costa del Sol, Sotogrande became the summer playground of los que conten in Madrid when it was developed 45 years ago. Then the British discovered it, and now they vie with the locals for the vast plots of the La Reserva neighbourhood, the luminous townhouses of Los Cortijos and the Marina's luxury apartments. 'Sotogrande is attractive because it has a lovely countryside and plenty of space,' says David Vaughan, who represents the estate in London (020–7736 1700). 'It's very tranquil and people love it.'
The only thing that is greener than the trees here are Sotogrande's golf courses. Two of them, Aldemara and La Cañeda, are public and three—Valderrama, Sotogrande and La Reserva—are private. 'Valderrama is Valderrama, but La Reserva is new. Golf evolves and this course is fabulous,' Mr Vaughan says.Perhaps it is because it is so different that Sotogrande is bucking the slow-down which began affecting the Spanish market at the end of 2004. 'The market is going through a difficult period across the board on the Costa del Sol. But Sotogrande is doing better than most,' Mr Stucklin states. 'In difficult markets, people retreat to quality, and Sotogrande definitely has that reputation. And it has people living there all year round, which introduces a new pool of demand.'
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The Latest Golf Talk Podcast
What do Michelle Wie, Bubba Watson, Paul Azinger, and David Duval have in common? They're all topics in this weeks Golf Talk Podcast.
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Brought to us by Sandtrap.com.
Michelle Wie bombs out again in Hawaii, and Jeff and Erik show no sympathy. Is Wie a choker? When will Wie missing cuts simply become "same old, same old"? We also discuss the impact of Bubba Watson, Paul Azinger's soon-to-be interesting 2006 in the commentator's booth, and getting your kids involved in the game of golf. Plus, David Duval's comback in this episode of "Golf Talk Podcast."Have a listen to episode 10
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Errol Brown's Charity Golf Tournament.htm
For the past three years, Errol Brown has done what he could to help less fortunate children find joy during the Christmas holiday by raising money through his charity golf tournament.
From the December tournament, he has raised $57,000, towards what he considers to be a most worthy cause, a marked improvement from the $45,000 raised in the second year, and the $2,000 raised in the first year.
Brown, the product of a broken home, said his situation motivated him to do what he now does, and will continue to do as long as he lives.
"The tournament began to raise money for children who were in need - those that were sexually molested; or children with the AIDS virus who need looking after; or children whose parents are dead and need assistance. These are things that are very dear to my heart because I came from a broken home, and I sympathise with the children who are in need. Especially around Christmas time because when we are out having a good time, they are in need. It is a real pleasure to be able to raise such a massive amount of money," he said. "It is all through a lot of hard work and the players that come out to support us," said Brown. "I have been very blessed in my life and this gives me a chance to be able to give back to the less fortunate."
The Grand Bahama Children's Home, Nazareth Center, the AIDS Camp, Elizabeth Estates Children's Home, Children's Ward at the Princess Margaret Hospital, and the Bilney Lane Children's Home are among the institutions that will benefit from proceeds derived from the tournament.
The annual golf tournament takes place on December 17, at the Cable Beach Golf Course, with a two-man scramble format.
Last year's tournament was won by the tandem of Yvonne Shaw and Elena Hutchinson, who walked away with a three-night stay at Abaco Club at Winding Bay as a reward for their accomplishment. Many golfers are happy to participate in the event because the proceeds go towards helping the less fortunate children in the community.
And many are looking forward to this year's end of year tourney to put their best foot forward, to hopefully win the top prize.
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Sun City Lures Sorenstam
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The prospect of playing at Sun City lured Annika Sorenstam, the world's number one, to the Women's World Cup of Golf.
Sorenstam and Liselotte Neumann are representing Sweden at the 20-nation event and will start as favourites at the par-72 Gary Player Country Club on Friday.
"I heard a lot about Sun City and I've always wanted to come to South Africa," Sorenstam told reporters. "I heard a lot of good things about last year (when the tournament was played at The Links course at Fancourt) and I felt like this was a tournament I didn't want to miss."
Sorenstam is making her first trip to South Africa and her first appearance at the World Cup of Golf, which is co-sanctioned by the Ladies European Tour (LET) and the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA).
The teams will compete over three rounds in better-ball strokeplay on Friday, foursomes on Saturday and individual strokeplay on the final day. The team with the combined lowest score after 54 holes will win the trophy.
Holders Japan are represented by last year's leading individual player Ai Miyazato and debutant Sakura Yokomine while the U.S. team of Natalie Gulbis and Paula Creamer will pose a big threat to Sweden.
But all eyes are on the world number one, who won 10 titles in 2005, including two majors, to take her career majors tally to nine since turning pro in 1994. The high expectations of Sweden have increased the pressure on the team and Neumann admitted to feeling slightly stressed.
"I think the pressure will change things," Neumann said. "You feel a little different than going out to play for yourself because it's for your country and a team mate. "But at the same time it's a fun kind of pressure because it's an honor to play for Sweden." Read More
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Swap your Home and See the 2006 Open in Liverpool
An interesting offer that will appeal to Golf fans everywhere from Home Exchange Travel. Swap your home for the duration of the 2006 Open Golf Championship in England.
This year the Open is being held at the Royal Liverpool Golf Club.
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The owner is open to destinations. View the full offer here'Four bedroom detached house (photo shows garden) in the beautiful conservation village of Oxton which is on the Wirral peninsula. The property is available for 2 / 3 weeks whilst the British Open Golf championship is being held in nearby Royal Liverpool, Hoylake, which is 10 - 15 minute drive away. This would make our house an ideal opportunity for golf enthusuiasts. There is also plenty of courses to play!!
Oxton is a pretty village with 3 local restaurants, 3 local pubs all within walking distance, and many shops for essentials. The house is 10 minute drive from Liverpool - European Capital of Culture 2008 with a dazzling array of restaurants, museums and, of course, the home of the Beatles. Great location to visit the Roman town of Chester and the Lakes too.'
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Fly-In Golf Destinations
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Are you a pilot AND a golfer? This time of the year is the best of both worlds, great flying weather and great golfing weather as well.
Aviator's Guide offers a list of the top eleven golf destinations in the country, each of which includes challenging courses, fine dining, luxury lodging and close proximity to runways.
What better time than now to take advantage of a golf getaway courtesy of your friendly skies!
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Free Personalized Golf Balls
Sometimes a deal comes along which has no major downside to it and this looks like one of them.
There are just under 200 golf ball brands to choose from, so my suggestion is to take the opportunity to stock up on gift purchases while the offer remains valid. I'm thinking Father's Day, birthdays, corporate events etc.
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The offer comes from Golfballs.com and expires January 20th
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Improve Your Golf Part 2 - Swing That Club Smoothly
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When I get a golf club in my hand, I get that feeling of wanting to knock the cover off the ball. It feels good to put all of my strength into hitting the ball. Just hitting the ball as hard as I can does not mean that I play good golf though.
If you just need to relieve a little stress, then swinging with all your strength may accomplish your goals. However, if you want to play golf well, then you are going to have to hold back on the power a little.
One of the most frequent mistakes is to swing the golf club too hard. A hard swing shows that you have power, but accuracy is the name of the game in golf.
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You need to relax when you are swinging. This will help you swing easily and will help to reduce your power. If you put your feet closer together, then you can further reduce the strength of your swing. Tensing up will also cause you to use too much effort.
Continue reading "Improve Your Golf Part 2 - Swing That Club Smoothly"
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Find your Ball in the Long Grass
Put these glasses on and find your golf balls more easily, even when they've fallen into tall grass or shaded woods, so you can spend more time playing and less time searching.
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These golf-ball finding lenses, which block out 90% of long wavelength light (dark colors such as greens and browns) let shorter wavelength light (such as whites and yellows) pass through unimpeded, so that golf balls are easy to locate—saving you not only time, but penalty strokes as well.
Developed in Canada by two nuclear engineers who grew tired of losing golf balls to dense rough, these glasses rely not only on their patented light-selective pigmented lenses, but on the principles of visual physiology as well: when scanning a large area (such as a fairway), many objects that are in plain view don't register to the viewer, simply because of the overwhelming amount of visual information. When the darker hues are filtered out of the field of vision, there are significantly fewer objects for the brain to process, and thus a golf ball stands out even more readily.
The technology behind these lenses underwent six years of research and development, and incorporates a plastic resin frame with formfitting wrap-around styling to eliminate peripheral light. Frame is flexible and fits comfortably without pressure points; the lenses are scratch-resistant polycarbonate. Includes durable nylon carrying case for quick access to lenses during play; case clips to belt or golf bag. Not intended for use as sunglasses .
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Secrets of Golf's Longest Hitter
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Over 31 years ago, 64-year-old, Mike Austin set the Guinness Book World Record for "longest drive in competition" by driving a golf ball 515-yards. Would you like to discover the secrets of golf's longest hitter? If so, read on...
No one in the history of the game has come within a football field of this amazing record.
Just to prove to you the statement above is true check out these top drives of some of today's hottest golf pro's:
Jason Zuback averages 355 to 375 yards.
Tiger Woods averages 300 to 330 yards.
John Daly hit a 414 yard drive.
Sean "The Beast" Fister nailed a 406 yard shot.
By the way, Tiger Woods did crush one 412 yards... but... it was during a practice round. And Tiger's drive is 103 yards short of Austin's world record. Despite the fact Tiger is in his prime and Austin was an "old" man of 64 when he set his record.
Anyway, golf insiders have speculated why Austin was able to hit the ball so darn far. The fact is he used four simple swing secrets anyone can learn.
Swing Secret #1: The Forward Press
This is how Austin would start his swing. The forward press gets the body into motion and initiates the backswing. All of which builds the power for monster drives.
Swing Secret #2: The Compound Pivot
Harnesses your body's natural strength from a simple 8" shift in your center of gravity.
Swing Secret #3: The Hands And Arms
Sets the club on plane and keeps it there for distance and pinpoint accuracy.
Swing Secret #4: The Release
Modern golf instructors teach that delaying the release is proper form. Nothing could be further from the truth. The major secret to massive power is the release. Because it takes advantage of gravity so you get a running start at the ball.
Austin's four power swing secrets landed him in the Gunniess Book of World Records.
They do take a little bit of practice... but... once you get them down your game is going to change forever.
You can find out more about golf's longest hitter and his power swing secrets at...
You can find out more about golf's longest hitter and his power swing secrets at... www.LongDrivingSecrets.com
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Golf Holidays in the Sunshine State
Florida is all about sun and fun, sea and sand, theme parks and palm trees. But, during a visit to the Sunshine State last November, we added resilience to that list. Just weeks after the hurricanes, resorts were clearing up the debris and bare branches were sprouting new leaves. For holiday-makers, Florida was up and running again; hotels and restaurants were humming.
A comprehensive guide to Florida has been written by Kathy Arnold and Paul Wade for the Telegraph.
Highlights
The Sunshine State has moved out of the long-haul category and is competing with Spain as a short-break destination. Though the peak seasons are still Easter plus the half-term holidays in February and October, the summer market is declining. British visitors realise that traipsing round theme parks in August is no fun, and that there's more to Florida than Disney.
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Go for the sheer fun of it. That's why most of the 1.4 million British visitors to Florida fly in to Orlando. As well as the world-famous theme parks, central Florida is home to dozens of lesser-known attractions, as well as scores of golf courses and malls, hundreds of lakes and thousands of villas.
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New Travel Guide for Golf Holidays in Scotland
Golfers looking to plan a golf vacation to Scotland can learn how to get the most from their trip by using Internet websites while saving money with "Dean's Scottish Golf Vacation Guide" by Dean Knuth, a leading golf expert who is also known as the "Pope of Slope."
Golfers looking to plan a golf vacation to Scotland can learn how to get the most from their trip by using Internet websites while saving money with Dean's Scottish Golf Vacation Guide by Dean Knuth, a leading golf expert who is also known as the "Pope of Slope." The guide is an innovative e-book that allows online readers to go directly to web sites that are helpful in planning less-expensive golf holidays.
"With fourteen trips to Scotland on his résumé and his membership in the Royal & Ancient Golf Club, Dean Knuth qualifies as an American expert in Scottish golf," said Tod Leonard, golf editor for the San Diego Union Tribune. "He has produced a comprehensive, must-have online guide for anyone planning to visit and play there."
Dean's Scottish Golf Vacation Guide includes 250 website links so readers can easily find golf courses as well as his personal recommendations on places to stay, eat, and sightsee when on a golf vacation to Scotland. The guide also discusses the top golf courses to play, including the St Andrews Old Course and how to get tee times--most by e-mail. The helpful hints section provides detailed advice so that readers can make the most of their Scottish golf vacation .
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Chinese Lay Claim to the Origin of Golf
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FOR centuries, the Scots have claimed it as one of their great inventions, a Royal and Ancient game born on the windy links.
But now Scotland's reputation as the cradle of golf is under threat from an unlikely challenger - China
According to a leading Chinese academic, golf was being played by Chinese nobles as early as the tenth century - 500 years before a club was swung at St Andrews.
Professor Ling Hongling, of Lanzhou University, claims to have uncovered evidence of golf being played in China in AD945 in a book called the Dongxuan Records written during the Song Dynasty (AD960-1279).
The game described in the book is called chuiwan - chui meaning "to hit" and wan meaning "ball". It was played with ten different jewel-encrusted clubs, including a flat-surfaced "cuanbang" - equivalent to a modern-day driver - and a "shaobang" (three-wood or spoon).
According to Prof Ling, golf only arrived in Scotland after it was exported to Europe by Mongolian travellers during the late Middle Ages.
The claims are certain to add fuel to fierce international controversy about which country invented the sport, now played by 50 million people around the world. In 2003, a pair of French historians uncovered a picture from a 15th-century book showing men outside a Loire Valley chateau playing a ball and stick game known as "pallemail".
Scotland's claim as the home of golf rests on a resolution dated 6 March, 1457, when King James II of Scotland banned football and "ye golf".
The first surviving written reference to golf in St Andrews is contained in Archbishop Hamilton's Charter of 1552. This reserves the right of the people of the Fife town to use the links land "for golff, futball, schuteing and all gamis". As early as 1691, the town had become known as the "metropolis of golfing".
Scottish enthusiasts have argued that, while not the first to play stick-and-ball games, Scots were the first to use holes rather than targets - a key innovation that led to modern golf.
But Prof Ling says the Chinese book makes reference to a prominent Chinese magistrate of the Nantang Dynasty (AD937-975) instructing his daughter "to dig goals in the ground so that he might drive a ball into them with a purposely crafted stick".
Prof Ling said: "When golf was introduced into China most people naturally assumed that golf was a foreign game. In fact this is contrary to the historical facts. Golf, as we know it today, clearly originated in China."
Malcolm Campbell, a former editor of Golf Monthly, said Prof Ling's findings, if authentic, may undermine Scotland's claim as the birthplace of golf. But this may be of little importance - the country continues to be the game's spiritual guardian, as it has for centuries. Scotland is the traditional and cultural home of the game and will always be.
"I don't think the Royal and Ancient Golf Club will be moving to Peking."
A spokesman for St Andrews Links Trust, which runs the golf courses in the Fife town, said: "It has long been clear that there were many different variations of this rudimentary pastime, but the game of golf as we know it today was first played here at St Andrews.
"The links are known around the world as the Home of Golf and attract many visiting golfers each year whose dream is to play here," said the spokesman
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Golf Holidays in Thailand - Part 2
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A very nice feature of Golf Holidays in Thailand is the quality of the Caddies. I would like to introduce you to some of them.
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The luxury of a caddy cannot be over emphasized, whether winning is the most important thing or just being able to walk in such pleasant surroundings, on these glorious golf courses, an attentive caddy to help you enjoy your day is another bonus.
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One thing you are sure to enjoy during this wonderful golfing experience is the Thai Caddies with those unmistakable smiles.
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She will take care of you, mark and clean your golf ball, help 'read' your putts, advise you on distances and potential hazards. They will also keep your clubs clean and help you enjoy your round of golf.
Sunny Golf Holidays was formed in 1994. It became apparent that a full golf service company was needed and Sunny Golf Holidays was formed. With eleven years experience, we know golf in Thailand and pride ourselves in providing the most comprehensive service to golfers and non-golfers alike at a price you would normally pay for your hotel alone.
Part 3 introduces the Courses in Thailand
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The First Golf Billionaire
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Tiger Woods leads The Golf Digest 50 list of the game's top earners, and he's well on his way to surpassing a sports milestone.
Less than a year after Tiger Woods turned professional and signed $60 million in multiyear endorsement contracts with Nike and Titleist, Alastair Johnston, the head of golf at International Management Group, let a wry smile creep across his face as he recalled the outrage over the riches being thrown at a 20-year-old golfer without a professional victory. "Do you know how we got so much for Tiger?" Johnston asked in the summer of 1997, after Woods had won six times on the PGA Tour, including the Masters by 12 strokes. "Because we asked for it. We knew what he was worth to the right people."
In the furious run-up to Woods' "Hello World" news conference on Aug. 28, 1996, many agents estimated that the three-time U.S. Amateur champion might get $6 million a year in deals. IMG got twice that by bringing into the talks Nike, a company that in 1996 had very few golfers on staff and no golf equipment to sell. They were, as Johnston said, "the right people." At a stockholder meeting in 2000, shortly after Tiger's deal with Nike was increased to $20 million a year for five years, Phil Knight, the co-founder and then CEO, was asked if there weren't a better way for the company to spend $100 million. Knight replied simply: "No."Five years later, Woods is on the verge of becoming golf's first $1 billion player, and perhaps the first billionaire to accumulate his wealth as an athlete. Continue reading this great Golf Digest Article
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Improve Your Golf Part 1 - Balance
The golf professionals do have something that they agree on. If you do not keep your balance during the entire swing, it is not possible to have a good stroke. It sounds simple to keep your balance, doesn't it? Unfortunately, it is impossible to have good balance when you are so tense that you are “white knuckling� the club, your entire body is stiff, and you are trying to hit the ball too hard.
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Can you Relax and Balance your Ball like this young lady? |
When you are just starting to play golf, you are frequently warned to not hit the ball too hard. Energy that is focused will make the ball go much further than a hard swing that does not make contact with the ball at the club's center. When you are well balanced, you are more free to hit the ball correctly.
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Tiger Woods - That's Balance |
Keep your head still, with your eyes focused on the ball. The more still your head is, the better you will be able to see the ball. This helps to create the foundation for you to keep your balance. Any movement or distraction that hinders your balance will make it impossible to focus on the ball. It is imperative that you keep your head perfectly still and do not move it during your swing.
If you want to keep your balance, you need to relax your body and muscles. If you don't relax, then your head is going to move.
If you will watch yourself in front of your mirror, you will soon realize that you need to relax your muscles for your head to stay still while you swing. No two golfers have the same build, so you will have to figure out some things for yourself. It is a necessity to begin by keeping your head in the same position from the beginning to end of your swing. If you keep your head still, you will be able to focus on the ball, and you will turn your hands at the right time.
You will be able to cure many of your problems just by keeping your head completely still. It will be impossible to incorrectly grip your club without losing your balance and moving your head.
If you don't follow through correctly, you will not be able to keep your balance.
If you concentrate on your balance and keeping your head still, then you will not swing too hard or pull your club away. It will be impossible to put too much strength into your swing. You will be relaxed and will have a smooth swing and a successful finish.
Keeping your balance is necessary for you to enjoy a great game of golf. It will take time for you to see definite improvement, so be patient. Concentrate on keeping your balance and your head in one place and in no time you will be enjoying an excellent golf game that your friends will be envious of!
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Golf Holidays in Thailand - Part 1
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Pattaya, as well as being the number one beach resort in Thailand, is also one of the best kept secrets in golf; with nineteen world class courses set in spectacular surroundings.
The golf courses are designed by some of the greatest names in golf; Laem Chabang by Jack Nicklaus , Great Lakes by Nick Faldo and Sriracha by Gary Player, this course was used on the inaugural tournament for the Asian PGA tour.
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For most of the year, the weather is excellent and provides ideal conditions for playing golf. The hottest time of year is between March and May when temperatures on some days can be hotter than the yearly average of 33° Centigrade, most of year though temperatures are around 30° Centigrade or less.
Playing in this delightful tropical climate all year round, the caddy lightens the load, and regular stops at the attractive watering holes encourage peak performance on the course. Afterwards the high standard of clubhouse facilities and services complete a memorable round of golf wherever you play. For visitors without clubs or shoes there is no problem as the hire of top brands of golf clubs are available for around 600 baht. At every course you will be welcomed by friendly and courteous staff to remind you that you are in the Land of Smiles, and the Golf Paradise of Thailand.
Sunny Golf Holidays was formed in 1994. It became apparent that a full golf service company was needed and Sunny Golf Holidays was formed. With eleven years experience, we know golf in Thailand and pride ourselves in providing the most comprehensive service to golfers and non-golfers alike at a price you would normally pay for your hotel alone.
Part 2 introduces the Caddies in Thailand
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Nipomo's New Golf Course
A panorama of Scottish-like dunes and a wee bit of the Highlands has been baptized in Nipomo.
The Old Course at Monarch Dunes -- 18 holes of golf that is part of the Woodlands development -- opened Wednesday.
A planned Jan. 1 opening was delayed three days by an energy-packed storm that brought more than 6 inches of rain to Nipomo.
"It was tested right out of the box," said course architect Damian Pascuzzo Tuesday, who added that project engineers were breathing a sigh of relief after the big storm. The course's five lakes swelled during the two days of rain, inundating some fairways, but there was no structural damage.
About a half-dozen eucalyptus trees fell and there was plenty of debris to be picked up following the storm, but "the golf course was fine," Tom Elliot, superintendent at Monarch Dunes, said Wednesday afternoon.
Monarch Dunes is the first of 45 holes being built at the Woodlands. A nine-hole executive course is in the early construction phase.
The overall development includes 1,300 homes, a shopping center, business park and a 500-room full-service resort. It will be built out during the next 15 years.
PGA Tour player Steve Pate joined Pascuzzo -- also overseeing another nine holes at the Woodlands -- on the Old Course project in 2004.
"It was a really perfect time for him to come aboard because we hadn't done any fairway shaping," Pascuzzo said.
Pate's role, Pascuzzo explained, included being a "sounding board" on how a golfer might attack a hole and also how to shape the risk-reward options.
What has been captured in the design is a landscape that complements nearby Guadalupe Dunes. Former dense eucalyptus groves have given way to a links layout that includes a variety of risk-reward shots, water features and 35 bunkers. Putting surfaces are firm velvet bent grass greens. They average more than 6,000 square feet.
"We want that bounce and roll back into the game of golf," said Matt Kalbak, general manager at Monarch Dunes who arrived on site in early October.
The course features fescue fairways and 2-inch roughs and five tee boxes, stretching to 6,800 yards. That layout can be tricked up to 7,200 yards for future tournament play, said Pascuzzo, by incorporating two of the executive course nine holes into an alternative layout.
"We've rolled the dice a little by creating this Dunes style of golf course rather than a parklands style," said Pascuzzo, a Cal Poly graduate. "I'm very pleased with it. It's a fun place to play. It's got enough mystery and challenge to get people to come back."
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Fantasy Golf 2006
The PGA Tour woke up the 2006 golf season in Hawaii this week with the Mercedes Championship, and golf nuts must act quickly to make their fantasies come true.
Most of us have played Fantasy Sports, but perhaps golf might just be the most exciting venue in which to draft under-par athletes. One such Fantasy Golf League, Tourtrade1, sports a $10,000 first place prize. The league allows participants to draft nine PGA Tour golfers and three Champions Tour seniors, with 12 "On The Bench" golfers.
The PGA Tour website makes it easy to participate in the golf fun. A simple visit to www.pgatour.com allows fantasy players to compete in five different categories or couch potatoes with absolutely nothing to do can start their own league and invite all their buddies. Click on "Fantasy."
In the League Championship Series golfers will compete to win a VIP trip to the 2007 Tournament Players Championship, while the Salary Cap Cup players will compete to win a VIP trip to play TPC at Sawgrass. Weekly winners receive Titliest golf balls.
The Major Matchup Fantasy League begins of course during Masters week. MM participants will pick five golfers to compete for a VIP trip to Sawgrass, where the island green will reward the winners with a few rapid heartbeats.
Now's the time to start that new league and to invite all your buddies to play. Make up your own prizes. Have a party during the new 2006 golf playoff season. The possibilities are endless, and the fun won't end until the Silly Season starts.
For more options, simply put "Fantasy Golf" in the search engine and tee off on a course record of fantasy golf fun.
One to get you going - Yahoo
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New Golf Book for Beginners
New Golfers can improve their game with fast results using golf tips and techniques found in Beginner's Guide to Golf, the first and only downloadable guide specifically for new golfers.
Beginner's Guide to Golf contains effective golf instructions and tips because of its unique background.
About Beginner's Guide to Golf
Beginner's Guide to Golf, the first and only downloadable golf instruction book for new golfers, provides high quality strategies and techniques designed to get new golfers playing well fast.
About the authors Chris Otis and Raynay Valles
Chris Otis played as a touring professional on the North Florida Mini-Tour and continues to compete in professional events throughout the Midwest. In his 20 year career as a golf teaching professional, he has taught more than 15,000 golfers with his unique golf tips and techniques. Raynay Valles is a writer and new
golfer.
"There wasn't a golf guide written from a new golfer's perspective with the expertise of golf professionals until now." said Raynay Valles. "That makes this guide unique." "A professional will teach you how to practice properly so you will get better. Then it's up to you - you get out of it what you put into it." says Chris Otis.
Lyle Slovick, a Level I Affiliate Member of the U.S. Golf Teachers Federation and golf history expert.
Michael Anthony, author of "The Mental Keys To Improve Your Golf"
Dr. Lester Bouchard, author of "Better Golf Solutions"
Robert Gable, a leading authority on golf equipment, owner Waveland Golf store.
Sean Harder, author of "Lower Scores Manual" and former CPGA professional.
New Golfers can visit http://www.BeginnersGuideToGolf.com to receive the free excerpt of Beginner's Guide to Golf.
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Golf Related Questions and Answers
Have you got a burning golf question that you need an answer to settle an argument? A new feature in the Gilbert Republic is what you're looking for. Joe Utley, who owns the Golf Etc. store in Gilbert will accept your golf related questions by email. This weeks initial offering:
Question: My buddy teed off and hooked his ball into the back yard of a home. We located the ball and identified it as his.
He promptly declared his ball unplayable and took a drop in the desert with one penalty stroke. I didn't say anything but I think what he did was incorrect. What should he have done in this situation?
Answer: Most golf courses consider the back yard of someone's home to be out of bounds. Officially, your friend should have rehit from the tee box with a one-stroke penalty. This second hit would be considered the third stroke. Once a player suspects that his ball has traveled out of bounds he should immediately tee it up again and hit a provisional ball before leaving the tee box. The provisional ball is used once the player determines that he did indeed lose the first ball. If a player did not hit a provisional ball and then determines that his ball is lost or out of bounds, he should by rule go back to the tee and hit another ball. However, in the interest of time, and if there's no money on the line, players might consider taking a drop in the vicinity of where the ball might have ended up with a two-stroke penalty. Make sure you let everyone know what you are doing and allow any objections.Question: I would like to know how good players are able to spin the ball on the green so much. My ball always seems to hit the green and run another 30 feet no matter how high I hit it. How do I get the ball to stop and spin back?
Answer: Jay, there are three primary factors that determine how much backspin you will produce with your club: loft, steepness of swing and ball type. You can produce more backspin with a higher-lofted club such as a 56-degree sand wedge or 60-degree lob wedge. You can also get more backspin if you use a soft cover, three-piece premium ball. The soft cover of a premium ball sticks to the clubface a little longer, which allows the clubface to transfer more downward energy and make more backspin. The final and more significant factor is the way you swing. If you swing with a sweeping or lifting motion you will not be able to impart much backspin. Swinging with a steep, descending blow will create the most backspin. Despite what many people think, backspin is not produced by the grooves on your clubface. The grooves act like tire treads trapping water droplets squeezed out of grass and dirt at impact. Without the grooves, water and dirt get caught between the ball and the clubface reducing backspin and control.You can email Joe with your question with your name and city
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Schoolgirl Michelle Backed to Make the Cut
Schoolgirl golf sensation Michelle Wie is being backed by 2003 US Open champion Jim Furyk to make the cut when she takes on the men at next week's Sony Open in her native Hawaii.
Wie has taken on the men six times before, but has so far failed to achieve that feat, which has not been achieved on one of the major men's tours by a woman since Babe Zaharias at the 1945 Los Angeles Open.
However, Furyk believes that the 16-year-old from Honolulu, golf's most celebrated teenager since Tiger Woods, can make history in her own backyard. 
He told reporters: "Michelle Wie's a great talent... I would not be surprised at all if she made the cut next week. She's definitely one in a million, or one in a billion, as a player.
"She hits it good and she's come within a shot of making the cut at least a couple of times. That's pretty special."
Wie suffered a late collapse to miss the cut at the PGA Tour's John Deere Classic last July and missed out by one stroke in November at the Casio World Open in Japan, her first men's tournament as a professional.
But Furyk believes the 16-year-old has a bright future in front of her, adding: "As a player, she's obviously going to keep getting better, keep maturing.
"She's going to start figuring things out.... I like the fact that she's a professional now getting an exemption."
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Golfers Financial Statistics
Duffers take note: Nationwide Financial and Golf Digest have conducted a study of golfers' financial savvy that has some amusing findings. Their survey found:
- While 94% of golfers know what areas of their golf game need improvement, only 45% know what aspect of their saving and investing strategies need attention.
- 85% of golfers know the score of their last round, but only 52% know the current value of their portfolio.
- 74% of golfers have increased the amount of money they spend on golf over the years, but only 54% have increased the amount set aside for retirement.
While those figures make it sound like golfers have a pretty shabby record on financial matters, they actually are doing much better than regular folks. ( Click here for the press release and study results.)
Golfers on average have saved nearly $289,000 -- 75% more than non-golfers, the study found. But those golfers are still short of their financial goals since they expect to need $1.3 million to retire comfortably and had an average age of 50. That means the average golfer surveyed needs to triple his or her savings before retirement, according to the study
OLE!
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New Plots Released at Montemayor
Both the golf course, established in 1989, and the land at Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club on the Costa del Sol were acquired by the developer in the year 2000. The first plots were released to the buying public in 2001 and now, four years into a seven year plan, Monte Mayor has just released some of its finest plots to date.
Paul Rossiter, Director of Carrington Estates, a company specialising in the sale of single villa plots for self-build, comments, “We have always championed Monte Mayor Golf & Country Club as the best project of its kind in southern Spain in terms of quality, location, facilities and value, and this latest phase is no exception, consisting of some of the best plots I have seen anywhere. The majority of these, which range from 2,375m² to 4,250m² in area, have phenomenal golf, sea and mountain views and the real bonus is that all plots enjoy a natural building platform, keeping the cost of plot preparation to a minimum. Incredibly, most of the plots are still priced at under 200 euros per square metre and if you look around you will find that this is a third to a half less than similar golf and country club developments are asking. We don't expect these plots to be on the market for too long.â€?
Self-build, with the assistance of a qualified bilingual project manager is an affordable way to construct the house of your dreams to your personal tastes and requirements at the fraction of the cost of a comparable off-the-peg resale villa. All-in, including land and build, you could expect to spend 1.1 million euros on a self-build, and end up with a property worth 1.5 to 1.9 million euros on today's open market, and even more a couple of years down the track when the development is complete.
New phase prices start from 475,000 euros for a 2,505m² plot with permission to build a 305m² villa and Carrington Estates can put you in touch with the relevant project management, accounting and finance professionals.
For further information please visit carrington-estates.com
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Tiger and Phil. Thanks but NO Thanks
When the 2 biggest names in men's golf don't show up for the 1st PGA tournament of the year, which is supposed to showcase the past winners from last year, what should the PGA do? What about the sponsor of the tournament Mercedes, which is in its last year of its contract? Apparently, neither Tiger nor Phil liked the greens at Kapulua, but the golf course just redid them all to make them better.
The $5.4 million Mercedes Championships isn't quite the same without certain members of the PGA Tour's Fab Four serenading golf fans along the Plantation Course fairways.
They like to say the tour season begins here, but without Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els, one wonders if the true concert isn't several weeks away somewhere in Southern California.
Add Padraig Harrington and Retief Goosen to the MIA mix, and suddenly the only top 10 tour members teeing it up here tomorrow are second-ranked Vijay Singh, No. 6 Sergio Garcia and No. 7 Jim Furyk.
It's not exactly what tour commissioner Tim Finchem had hoped for as he continues negotiations with Mercedes to be the sponsor of this winners-only event that has opened the tour season since 1999.
This is the final year of the current contract and the fact Sony already has signed on the dotted line to remain on Oahu for four more years should give golf fans here pause. Continue Reading...
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