golf information

Golf News:Tiger not thrilled, but still roars into Buick lead

2009-08-02T18:38:00.005+01:00

Woods doesn't like way he hit ball, but still up by 1 after third-round 65

Tiger Woods drops his driver after his tee shot on the fifth hole during the third round of the Buick Open on Saturday.

Tiger Woods drove on adjacent fairways twice on the back nine, hit a cup of beer in a spectator’s hand, got rattled by a bug and was relegated to shaping some shots around trees and under branches.

He still managed to shoot a 7-under 65 on Saturday in the third round of the Buick Open, giving him a 17-under 199 total and a one-stroke lead when Michael Letzig (68) double bogeyed the last hole.

“The whole idea of the game is put the ball in the hole, and I did that,” Woods said. “But as far as controlling my ball, I didn’t do that.”

Woods opened his first tournament since missing the cut at the British Open with a 71 after what he said was probably his worst putting day.

When he was eight shots behind first-round leader Steve Lowery, Woods said he couldn’t make up ground in one day at Warwick Hills.

It took him two.

Woods roared back into contention with a 9-under 63 in the second round and took the lead with his 65 Saturday.

“Eight back, at a U.S. Open, you can make that up in one round,” he said. “You can’t make it up around here.”

He moved into a tie for the lead with Letzig at 17 under with a 33-foot birdie putt at No. 17.

Woods pumped his fist, shouted “Yeah!” and the traditionally rowdy gallery roared so loud he couldn’t communicate with caddie Steve Williams.

“It was pretty exciting,” said Woods, making his ninth Buick Open appearance. “The people here have been absolutely incredible, so supportive of this event over the years. That’s one of the reasons why we love coming here.”

Letzig hit a poor shot out of a greenside bunker at No. 18, barely clearing it and leaving him with a tricky lie. He fell to 16 under while Woods was on the practice range.

“I don’t care,” Letzig said when asked if it would be tough to forget what happened on the last hole. “I’m one shot out of the lead.”

Based on history, that’s probably an insurmountable deficit behind Woods.

The superstar has a 35-1 record on the PGA Tour when he has the outright lead after 54 holes. The lone loss in this situation came when he was 20 in his third tournament as a pro to Ed Fiori in the 1996 Quad City Classic.

Woods and Letzig will be in the final group on Sunday. They also played together in the final round at the Memorial in June, when Woods rallied from a four-shot deficit to win. Letzing shot 75 that day and wound up tied for 14th.

“I won’t be so scared, I’ll know what to expect,” Letzig insisted. “I’m playing good, that’s the bottom line.”

If Woods wins Sunday, it would be his third Buick Open title and 69th on the PGA Tour.

Letzig, meanwhile, is hoping to win for the first time in his 50th PGA Tour event. He’s coming off his first top-10 finish this year. His best showing in two seasons was a tie for second at the Ginn sur Mer Classic.

Woods has won every other tournament in his last four starts.

He missed the cut at the British Open two weeks ago after winning the AT&T National, tying for sixth at the U.S. Open and winning the Memorial. His first victory this season was the Arnold Palmer Invitational, his third tournament following an eight-month absence recovering from reconstructive surgery on his left knee.

Woods was nearly flawless in the second round at the Buick Open, then made enough clutch shots to make up for many poor ones in the third.

Woods three-putted from 55 feet on the par-5 first. He was still muttering and shaking his head about the missed opportunity on the second fairway as slammed his 3-wood into his bag and starting eating a peanut butter, jelly and banana sandwich.

At No. 5, he stepped out of his stance and kicked a bug that he later acknowledged led to him losing his concentration and sailing his tee shot to the right 237 yards away from the pin.

“I didn’t refocus on the shot,” Woods said. “I just got away with it.”

Woods cut a shot around one tree, over a towering one and reached the green to set up a two-putt from 53 feet for a birdie.

At No. 7, he pulled out his driver that stayed in his bag for much of the day and the tee shot caromed off a cup of beer that was in a fan’s hands and led to some friendly banter.

Woods hit his second shot under some tree branches and it finally landed about 300 yards away. A fantastic save out of sand set him up for another birdie.(NBCsports)

ESPY CELEBRITY GOLF CLASSIC RAISES $950,000 FOR THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH

2009-07-16T06:22:00.002+01:00

Sports and entertainment celebrities gather for the annual ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic. The event raised $950,000 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. (L to R): actor Dave Annable, golfer Natalie Gulbis, basketball Hall of Famer Julius Erving, ESPN President George Bodenheimer, V Foundation CEO Nick Valvano, former USC and now N.Y. Jets QB Mark Sanchez

The ninth annual ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic, a Team ESPN event held at the Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms in Industry Hills, Calif., raised $950,000 in net proceeds for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. The total was announced by George Bodenheimer, President, ESPN and ABC Sports, and Co-Chairman, Disney Media Networks. Bodenheimer presented the check to Nick Valvano, Chief Executive Officer of The V Foundation and brother of the late Jim Valvano, former North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator who co-founded The V Foundation with ESPN.

Among the athletes and celebrities in attendance were Dave Annable, Jim Boeheim, Billy Crudup, Julius Erving, Mike Eruzione, Natalie Gulbis, Evander Holyfield, Bruce Jenner, Joe Mantegna, Willis McGahee, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, Ben Roethlisberger, Mark Sanchez, Barry Sanders, Wes Welker and many more.

“I’m especially proud that, in this challenging economic environment, nearly $1 million was raised for cancer research – all because of the commitment of our sponsors, celebrities and volunteers,” Bodenheimer said.

Valvano added, “We at The V Foundation are grateful to receive this significant donation that will go directly to cancer research.”

The ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic is part of a series of events tied to the 2009 ESPYs, to be held Wednesday, July 15 in Los Angeles. The 17th annual industry-wide sports celebration gathers top celebrities from sports and entertainment to commemorate the past year in sports by recognizing major sports achievements, reliving unforgettable moments and saluting the leading performers and performances. The event will be televised Sunday, July 19 at 9 p.m. ET on ESPN and ESPN HD. Additionally, ESPN Radio’s Don’t Give Up ESPYs V Foundation Auction concludes Wednesday, July 15.

The V Foundation

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Since 1993, the Foundation has raised more than $80 million to fund cancer research grants nationwide. It awards 100 percent of all direct cash donations and net proceeds of events directly to cancer research and related programs. The Foundation, which has received five consecutive top 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator, awards grants through a competitive awards process strictly supervised by a Scientific Review Committee. For more information on The V Foundation or to make a donation, please visit www.jimmyv.org.

Team ESPN

Team ESPN encompasses ESPN’s multi-faceted corporate outreach initiatives, including volunteerism, corporate giving and cause marketing, while utilizing its diverse media assets. Through Team ESPN, ESPN employees and fans work together to make a difference in our world and the communities in which we live. Team ESPN… Fans Helping Fans. www.teamespn.com
Sports and entertainment celebrities gather for the annual ESPY Celebrity Golf Classic. The event raised $950,000 for The V Foundation for Cancer Research. (L to R): actor Dave Annable, golfer Natalie Gulbis, basketball Hall of Famer Julius Erving, ESPN President George Bodenheimer, V Foundation CEO Nick Valvano, former USC and now N.Y. Jets QB Mark Sanchez

Sexy Golf Girl with Hot Trick Shot

2009-07-14T20:50:00.004+01:00

Miss Golf - A Beauty Contest for Golf Girls

2009-07-14T20:31:00.003+01:00

The girls are all more or less gorgeous, and it looks like a number of them can actually play the game. Others pose very ~~seductively~~ athletically in ultra-cute golf outfits, gripping gold-plated golf clubs.

They're contestants in the 2009 Miss Golf Contest, and they've got names like Markéta and Eliška and Taťána. Yep, you guessed it...or maybe not...this purposeful pageant takes place in the Czech Republic. As a result, the Miss Golf website is entirely in Czech, thus depriving us non-speakers of what I'm guessing are some fascinating factoids about the comely contestants. However pictures, as they say, are worth a thousand words, and these are some pretty pictures.

It seems there's quite a bit of golf going on in the landlocked Central European country. Cherubic-looking WorldGolf travel writer Brandon Tucker often covers the golf courses... and malt beverages... of the Czech Republic, and has given both good reviews. Then there's the awesome Alex Čejka. He recently took a five-shot lead into the final round of the 2009 Players Championship after rounds of 66, 67, and 72. A final meltdown led to 79 and an eight-stroke loss to Henrik Stenson, however he definitely put himself on the map as the PGA poster-boy for Czech golf.

Back to Miss Golf though. The way I became aware of this quixotic contest was through the Miss Golf Group on Facebook. The funny thing is this group isn't exactly promoting the Miss Golf contest, but rather one of its contestants, who happens to be... the sister of the Facebook group's founder. The group description is as follows:

Some really unimportant miss competition in Czech republic. But, please, vote for my sister (or at least not for the others girl:)) Kamila Mačátová (i can make her have rendez-vous with you after:). Thanks a lot.

You can't make this stuff up. Posted by Patricia Hannigan

Obama Bemoans Golf Swing To Russian Reporter

2009-07-14T20:21:00.006+01:00

Filed by Nick Sabloff
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says he doesn't like his golf swing and the ball never goes where he wants.

Obama told Russian state-run Rossiya TV and ITAR-TASS news agency that he's been working on his golf game lately. However, he disclosed in the interview that he hasn't had much success.

The president, who has been playing golf most weekends with aides, says he thinks he should be good at the game. Yet his shots never seem to go straight.

Obama played a quick nine holes on Saturday before a Fourth of July picnic at the White House.

The White House released a transcript of his interview on Sunday hours before Obama head

14-Year-Old Amateur Slips Back at the Open

2009-07-12T21:40:00.002+01:00

By CHRIS HINE

Published: July 11, 2009

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Alexis Thompson had spent three holes pounding her fist on her knee or flailing her arms in frustration as she tallied three consecutive bogeys. But as she heard “You’re my girl, Alexis” and “I’m in love with Alexis” coming from three young men in the gallery seemingly desperate for a date, she could not help but crack a smile.

Jonathan Ernst/Reuters

Alexis Thompson, 14, began the third round five strokes behind the leader but shot a seven-over-par 78 and was tied for 36th.

Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press

Cristie Kerr on the 16th hole at the U.S. Women’s Open. Kerr shot a one-over-par 72 but held a two-stroke lead after three rounds.

It was hard to tell whether she found her young suitors creepy or funny, but over all, Thompson seemed to enjoy and appreciate the praise and encouragement she got from the crowd Saturday. And why not? Here she was, a 14-year-old amateur and an avid fan of “Hannah Montana” and MTV, playing in the third round at the United States Women’s Open — the youngest person to make the cut at the Open since Marlene Hagge did it in 1947 at 13. Thompson entered Saturday at Saucon Valley Country Club tied for ninth place, five shots behind the leader, Cristie Kerr.

But there were more moments that made Thompson want to bang her fist and shake her head than those that made her smile. She shot a seven-over-par 78 and is tied for 36th, 11 shots behind Kerr.

Kerr shot a 72 and is two-under par for the tournament, two shots ahead of Eun-Hee Ji headed into Sunday’s final round.

Chalk up Thompson’s round to youth, and to poor ball striking.

“I just didn’t hit it good at all,” Thompson said. “This golf course, if you’re not hitting it good, it’s just not going to go well.”

Thompson, who qualified for her first United States Open at age 12, had every intention of competing for a championship. She is a veteran now, playing in her third Open.

“I wasn’t just looking to make the cut,” Thompson said Friday. “I know I can contend if my game’s on out there.”

Thompson had nine bogeys and two birdies in her third round.

Morgan Pressel, who shot a two-under-par 69 and is tied for 11th, said: “I mean, there’s certainly something to be said for aggressiveness and for the way you played as a youngster, but there’s a reason people with experience usually prevail in these kinds of events.”

Pressel would know. Before Thompson broke her record, Pressel was the youngest person to qualify for a United States Open.

At 5-foot-9, Thompson looks and plays older than 14. This is the second time this year she has made the cut in a major. At the Kraft Nabisco Championship, Thompson finished two-over par, tied for 21st.

Although her round Saturday ended in disappointment, she did hit shots that wowed the gallery and showcased her potential.

On the 453-yard, par-4 seventh hole, Thompson pulled out an iron for her long approach to the green. Into a stiff wind, she put the ball within 10 feet of the hole on the front of the green.

“That’s just disgusting,” one spectator said.

Shots like that are why Thompson has been compared to Michelle Wie, the teenage phenomenon who has struggled with injuries. Wie did not qualify for this year’s United States Open.

“I know she was really good when she was young, too,” Thompson said. “So, I mean, I’m just going to try and keep on going the way I’m going, just take Junior Golf, and whenever I can go pro, I mean I don’t really know yet.”

Thompson exhibits a lot of emotion on the course. After a bad shot, she will walk with her head down and sometimes mumble to herself. But if she wanted to stay mad at herself Saturday, the crowd would not let her.

“It just helps you out, they’re like, ‘Keep it going, you’re doing great,’ ” Thompson said.

It appeared there was no consoling Paula Creamer on the 10th hole. Creamer was two-under for the tournament after 36 holes, one shot back of Kerr. She was hoping this year would erase 2008, when Creamer entered the final round of the Open in second place, but fired a 78.

However, on No. 10, a short par-4, Creamer pulled out her driver, hoping to get it on the green to try for an eagle. She landed in a bunker that guarded the green and pitched over and around it before finally making a triple bogey.

When the hole was over, it appeared that Creamer was in tears.

“No, I was standing there and, you know, looking at the hole and thinking, ‘How did you just hit it seven times on this hole?’ ” she said. She finished with a 79 and is tied for 17th.

Kerr, the 2007 Open winner, did not take such risks. She laid up and scored par. While others around her crumbled, Kerr remained steady. She was the only player under par after three days.

“I’m sure there’s going to be some nerves in the morning,” Kerr said. “But I’ve been there. I know I can handle it.”

Turnberry Has Changed, but Desire to Challenge It Hasn’t

2009-07-12T21:31:00.011+01:00

Turnberry in Scotland, site of this year’s British Open, which starts Thursday.
By LARRY DORMAN

Published: July 11, 2009

TURNBERRY, Scotland — Since 1837 the iconic lighthouse has stood atop the ruins of the castle where the Scottish hero Robert the Bruce was born in 1274, not far from the remnants of runways where Royal Air Force fighter pilots trained for World Wars I and II. These facts alone separate the spectacular links course at Turnberry from any of the other 13 sites that have hosted the British Open, the world’s oldest golf championship.

But the unique nature of the site for the 138th Open, which begins Thursday, has more to do with the lineage of golfers who have won there than Turnberry’s misty history. Every champion golfer crowned at Turnberry — Tom Watson in 1977, Greg Norman in 1986 and Nick Price in 1994 — is a living member of the World Golf Hall of Fame.

The brevity of the list may give pause to some in the country where the 100-year-old course in St. Andrews is named the New Course. Although it is true that Turnberry has neither the cachet of the Old Course nor the magnificent mustiness of Muirfield, it has many other attributes.

On Saturday, five days before the Open, Turnberry glistened on the hill above the craggy Ailsa coast. It looked much as it did in 1977, when it produced drama, ebb and flow, ambience and all the necessities for some of the finest theater in Open history when Watson and Jack Nicklaus waged their unforgettable Duel in the Sun. Then Norman fought his way to his first major title as the only player in the field to shoot par over 72 holes in the howling winds. And Price’s eagle at the 71st hole rattled poor Jesper Parnevik into bogeying the last and losing by one.

When night fell on Price’s celebrating his victory by raising the claret jug, Turnberry was also the scene of one of the greatest golf moments that no one saw. That was the night Watson and Nicklaus had an after-dinner duel in the moonlight on the pitch-and-putt course that sits below the hotel.

Now Watson and Norman return to Turnberry for a curtain call, each arriving with his distinctive view.

Norman loves everything about the course, with good reason. In ’86, he led after Saturday’s round in all four majors, yet won only the Open at Turnberry. And he did it convincingly, by five strokes. He might have eclipsed that performance last year at Royal Birkdale had he been able to close out his memorable run with a victory at the age of 53.

“I think Turnberry, from a player standpoint, has it all,” Norman said. “You stay in the hotel, you walk down the hill, you get on the driving range, you never put a key in the ignition of your car. Makes it much more of a comfort zone for a player to go play. My memories are very good around there.”

For Watson, Turnberry runs the gamut, from his highest high with the ’77 victory over Nicklaus at his best, to his 1994 loss, which he says still stings.

All week he had been near the lead. Tied for fourth after opening with a 68, tied for third after a 65 in the second round, and one stroke behind the leaders Fuzzy Zoeller and Brad Faxon going into the fourth.

All week, he had taunted the bookmakers for listing him as a 66-to-1 shot.

“Those bookies are quaking now,” he said during the third round after making a late birdie putt. He could feel his fingers around his sixth claret jug.

But he missed a short putt on the sixth hole on Sunday, and admitted he let that miss seep into his head. He made two double bogeys on the front nine. The championship that would have tied Harry Vardon’s record of six Opens slipped away, and Watson has never again come that close to winning an Open.

“I have to admit, that was probably — it had to be in my top five most frustrating tournaments,” Watson said. “Because I was really hitting on all cylinders. I was driving the ball perfectly. My iron play was great. My putting just completely let me down.”

Turnberry giveth. Turnberry taketh. Watson was 44 then. Now, at 59, he is actually talking about having a chance. After what Norman did last year in taking a two-stroke lead into the final round, seniors everywhere are feeling younger. And when Watson sees the wind blowing sideways off the Firth of Clyde, and looks at the lighthouse that has kept ships clear of the Ailsa Craig for 172 years, he gets a gleam in his eye.

Turnberry has undergone some changes since Watson last played here. But Watson, the greatest links golfer the United States has produced, has not — at least in terms of his desire.

“Our primary objective is to go back there and play well against the kids,” Watson said. “I love playing links golf. Everything about it, all the bounces, good and bad.”

Why Golf Insurance Is Good Value

2009-07-12T21:00:00.000+01:00

Golfers Liability Cover- Factors To Consider When Seeking A Quote

Golf insurance covers personal injury, the costs of a hole in one, loss of golf equipment, and more. It is one of the cheaper and more comprehensive types of insurance.

Golf insurance is very cheap compared to other insurable events, such as health insurance or auto insurance. For a small cost, golfers can insure themselves against injuring another player during a round, having their golf equipment stolen, damaging property with a poorly hit shot, and even insure the cost of having to pay for a round of drinks, the traditional "reward" for achieving a hole in one.

Golf insurance is available from most auto insurance companies or health insurance specialists.

Advantages of Golf Insurance

Golf insurance may be obtained for just a few dollars per month. To put this in perspective, it is about the same price as one good golf ball. Insurance discount rates may be reduced even more, unlike auto insurance, if groups of individuals all buy cover from the same insurance company.

"No win no fee" cases leave uninsured golfers exposed, since the claimant has nothing to lose. Golfers liability cover is easily available, and insurance companies often advertise on the internet as well as at golf clubs. Some golf clubs organise the insurance cover, which makes it easier for the golfer. It is also useful for the club to ensure that it's members have insurance to pay for any accidental damage that they cause.

Disadvantages of Golf Insurance

There is a fee to pay, even though it is a small amount, and this is about the only disadvantage. Other disadvantages are related to the cost, and include:

Often a claim is not made, even though it is valid, due to a lack of knowledge of what the policy covers
There is often no claim made on the insurance policy
Renewing the policy may not be automatic with some insurance companies, which means the policy needs to be agreed each year
Renewing the policy may not be automatic with some insurance companies, which means the policy expires, so the golfer believes they are covered when they are not
There may be "overlap" with other insurance policies. For example, stolen golf clubs may already be covered under auto insurance, or home insurance

What Golf Insurance Covers

The liability insurance level and extent depends on the insurance company and the actual policy taken out. Some items to inquire about before asking for an insurance quote are:

Personal injury liability on third party (This is the most important)
Personal injury liability (medical bills) for self
Insurance against stolen golf equipment - clubs, bag, trolley etc
Insurance against damaging property - clubhouse windows, cars in club car-park
Insure against travel problems / lost equipment on golfing vacation
Does policy include family members and / or children?
Is there a discount for making no claims in previous year(s)?

Golf Insurance Summary

The "No win no fee" lawyers approach often means that golfers can be sued at no cost to the claimant, which makes it more likely that a person injured by a golf ball will sue. It is very easy to get a cheap golfers insurance quote that includes third party liability, and typical monthly rates are about the price of a good golf ball. Golfers insurance quotes are available on many internet sites and often in the golf clubhouse, although golfers should shop around to get the best deal. The level of cover is usually very comprehensive, and often includes $100 - $200 to cover the cost of buying drinks, if the golfer happens to get a hole in one.

The copyright of the article Why Golf Insurance Is Good Value in Home/Property Insurance is owned by Martin Bell. Permission to republish Why Golf Insurance Is Good Value in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

The X1R Remote-controlled Caddie

2009-07-12T20:58:00.001+01:00

The X1R Remote-controlled Caddie lasts up to 27 holes on a single charge.

Walk the course for exercise without the strain of carrying a bag or dragging a pull cart.

Walk the course in style beside the finest remote-controlled caddie — what Golf Magazine calls “the fairway Ferrari.”

The Segway GT

2009-07-12T20:55:00.001+01:00

The Segway GT is ideal for those who like to golf in style or for those who prefer to not share a ride on the course.The Segway GT has an extended-range batteries, a golf bag carrier rack, enhanced traction tires, and a special software-control key. The batteries will let you travel 10-14 miles depending on terrain, riding style and how much you weigh. This solo ride will set you back approx.

GetGO Ball Retriever

2009-07-12T20:53:00.001+01:00

Why bother getting out of the cart to pick up the ball when you have a GetGO Ball Retriever

The Ballfinder Scout

2009-07-12T20:52:00.001+01:00

The Ballfinder Scout is an electronic device that can locate hard-to-find golf balls.

The Ballfinder Scout uses a proprietary digital imaging system to locate golf-ball white in all natural settings. It works with any standard white golf ball. The 3.2-megapixel imager locates golf balls within seconds at 35 feet when only 3 dimples are visible. The location is displayed on an LCD display, a vibro-buzz confirms successful ball location, and LED lights that point the direction.

Radar Golf System

2009-07-12T20:50:00.000+01:00

Radar Golf uses a Ball Positioning System technology by scanning for the tiny microchip embedded in the core of the golf ball. The handheld detector scans for the ball. When you get close to the ball the handheld device will give you a audio and visual signal.

Real Swing Golf

2009-07-12T20:48:00.000+01:00

Up to four players can compete in the plug and play golf game. The camera detects your swing path and shot power

Drive, chip and putt round a fully featured 18 hole golf course.
Slicing, hooking and variable wind conditions add to the realism.
Four Game modes- Match Play, Skins, Tournament and Driving range.
No console required, simply plug into your TV.

The Kaala Sports Golf Bag

2009-07-12T20:44:00.000+01:00

This is not your everyday golf bag. All the clubs are kept in a carousel and you simply rotate the dial to get the club of choice. The Kaala Sports Golf Bag is fully enclosed and will keep your clubs dry at all times. Besides keeping your clubs dry, your bag has a key lock to prevent the lose of your favorite clubs. The golf bag does come with an optional battery pack. Price: $430 for the bag or $865 for the powered version.

The RC Golf Incred-a-ball

2009-07-12T20:41:00.000+01:00

The RC Golf Incred-a-ball is a remote control golf ball. Works best when putting due to the smooth surface. Just activate the ball, Putt and use the remote to do the rest. Just make sure you’ve completely charged the golf ball because losing your magic touch after the first hole is no fun.

Electronic Drink Cadie

2009-07-12T20:40:00.000+01:00

Golf and drinking almost go hand and hand. The Drink Caddie makes it easier to sneak some of your favorite sauce on the course by disguising itself as a driver. It holds up to 54 ounces of hot or cold beverages, (The colder the better) in your golf bag and dispenses them with the push of a button.

Golf Hook / Slice Talking Swing Meter

2009-07-12T20:33:00.000+01:00

The Hook / Slice Talking Swing Meter is an electronic golf coach offering instant audible feedback to let you master a winning swing. It’s precision engineered to sense your swing direction and speaker equipped to make an immediate announcement inc. “Hook!”, “Slice” or hopefully “NICE SHOT!!!”.

Top 100 United States Golf Courses

2009-07-12T17:07:00.000+01:00

The GolfLink Top 100 United States Golf Courses lists the best golf courses out of more than 20,000 public and private golf courses across the country. Where most golf magazines rate golf courses based soley on the subjective views and limited experience of a handful of editors, our list is calculated from a more objective range of factors, including the preferences of up to a million or more visitors to our web site every month. This makes our Top 100 United States Golf Courses list the definitive online guide to the best U.S. golf courses, and a great resource for figuring out where to play.

Rank	Golf Course	Location
1	Bethpage State Park Golf Course - Black Course	Farmingdale, NY
2	Augusta National Golf Club - Augusta National Course	Augusta, GA
3	Pine Valley Golf Club - Pine Valley Course	Clementon, NJ
4	Kearney Hill Links - Kearney Hill Links Course	Lexington, KY
5	Riviera Country Club - Riviera Course	Pacific Palisades, CA
6	World Woods Golf Club - Pine Barrens Course	Brooksville, FL
7	Koolau Golf Club - Koolau Course	Kaneohe, HI
8	Tobacco Road Golf Course - Tobacco Road Course	Sanford, NC
9	Calusa Pines Golf Club - Calusa Pines Course	Naples, FL
10	Baywood Greens - Woodside Course	Long Neck, DE
11	The Golf Course At Glen Mills - Glen Mills Course	Glen Mills, PA
12	Bay Hill Club & Lodge - Challenger/Champion Course	Orlando, FL
13	Golf Club of South Georgia - Sunsweet Hills Course	Tifton, GA
14	Pinehurst Resort & Country Club - #2 Course	Pinehurst, NC
15	Caledonia Golf & Fish Club - Caledonia Course	Pawleys Island, SC
16	Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club - Copperhead Course	Palm Harbor, FL
17	Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Bandon Dunes Course	Bandon, OR
18	Pennsauken Country Club - Pennsauken Course	Pennsauken, NJ
19	Dauphin Highlands Golf Course - Dauphin Highlands Course	Harrisburg, PA
20	Cypress Point Club - Cypress Point Course	Pebble Beach, CA
21	Fossil Trace Golf Club - Fossil Course	Golden, CO
22	The Grand Bear - Grand Bear Course	Saucier, MS
23	Branson Creek Golf Club - Branson Creek Course	Branson, MO
24	Diamond Creek - Diamond Creek Course	Banner Elk, NC
25	TPC of Boston At Great Woods - TPC of Boston Course	Norton, MA
26	Oak Quarry Golf Club - Oak Quarry Course	Riverside, CA
27	Stoneybrook West - Stoneybrook West Course	Winter Garden, FL
28	Pasatiempo Golf Club - Pasatiempo Course	Santa Cruz, CA
29	Farm Neck Golf Club - Farm Neck Course	Oak Bluffs, MA
30	Spyglass Hill Golf Course - Spyglass Hill Course	Pebble Beach, CA
31	Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club - Arcadia Bluffs Course	Arcadia, MI
32	Old Sandwich Golf Club - Old Sandwich Course	Plymouth, MA
33	Eagle Point Golf Club - Eagle Point Course	Wilmington, NC
34	Kapalua Golf Club - Plantation Course	Lahaina, HI
35	Mountain Ranch Golf Club - Mountain Ranch Course	Fairfield Bay, AR
36	Pecan Valley Golf Club - Pecan Valley Course	San Antonio, TX
37	Magnolia Plantation Golf Club - Magnolia Course	Lake Mary, FL
38	True Blue Plantation - True Blue Course	Pawleys Island, SC
39	Eagle Ridge Golf Club - Ridge 9 Course	Lakewood, NJ
40	Bel-Air Country Club - Bel-Air Course	Los Angeles, CA
41	Crystal Downs Country Club - Crystal Downs Course	Frankfort, MI
42	TPC Sawgrass - Players Stadium Course	Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
43	Oyster Bay Golf Links - Oyster Bay Course	Sunset Beach, NC
44	Westchester Country Club - West Course	Rye, NY
45	Golf Club At North Hampton - North Hampton Course	Fernandina Beach, FL
46	Cleghorn Plantation Golf Club - Cleghorn Plantation Course	Rutherfordton, NC
47	Tour 18 Golf Course Houston - Tour 18 Course	Humble, TX
48	Oakmont Country Club - Oakmont Course	Oakmont, PA
49	Trilogy Golf Club At Glen Ivy - Trilogy Course	Corona, CA
50	FarmLinks Golf Club - FarmLinks Course	Sylacauga, AL
51	Atlantic City Country Club - Atlantic City Course	Northfield, NJ
52	Merion Golf Club - East Course	Ardmore, PA
53	Grayhawk Golf Club - Raptor Course	Scottsdale, AZ
54	The Wynn Golf Club - Wynn Course	Las Vegas, NV
55	El Dorado Park Golf Course - El Dorado Park Course	Long Beach, CA
56	The Club at Eaglebrook - Eaglebrook Course	Lakeland, FL
57	Eagle Eye Golf Club - Eagle Eye Course	East Lansing, MI
58	Bayside Resort Golf Club - Bayside Course	Selbyville, DE
59	Shingle Creek Golf Club - Shingle Creek Course	Orlando, FL
60	Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge - Panther Lake Course	Winter Garden, FL
61	Fishers Island Club - Fishers Island Course	Fishers Island, NY
62	Bandon Dunes Golf Resort - Pacific Dunes Course	Bandon, OR
63	Diamondback Golf Club - Diamond Back Course	Haines City, FL
64	Scotland Run Golf Club - Scotland Run Course	Williamstown, NJ
65	Somerset Country Club - Somerset Course	Mendota Heights, MN
66	The Legends At Parris Island - Legends Course	Parris Island, SC
67	Westdale Hills Golf Course - Westdale Hills Course	Euless, TX
68	Admiral Baker Golf Course - North Course	San Diego, CA
69	Marcus Pointe Golf Club - Marcus Pointe Course	Pensacola, FL
70	Talamore Golf Club - Talamore Course	Southern Pines, NC
71	Del Monte Golf Course - Del Monte Course	Monterey, CA
72	Greystone Golf Course - Greystone Course	White Hall, MD
73	The Country Club At Deer Run - Deer Run Course	Casselberry, FL
74	Muirfield Village Golf Club - Muirfield Village Course	Dublin, OH
75	East Valley Golf Club - Champions Course	Beaumont, CA
76	The Links At Madison Green - Madison Green Course	Royal Palm Beach, FL
77	Torrey Pines Golf Course - South Course	La Jolla, CA
78	Mid South Club - Mid South Course	Southern Pines, NC
79	Old North State Club - Old North State Course	New London, NC
80	Westchester Hills Golf Club - Westchester Hills Course	White Plains, NY
81	Pebble Beach Golf Links - Pebble Beach Golf Links Course	Pebble Beach, CA
82	Fox Chapel Golf Club - Fox Chapel Course	Pittsburgh, PA
83	Aronimink Golf Club - Aronimink Course	Newtown Square, PA
84	Grande Pines Golf Club - Grand Pines Course	Orlando, FL
85	Kiawah Island Resort - Ocean Course	Kiawah Island, SC
86	PGA Golf Club in PGA Village - Dye Course	Port Saint Lucie, FL
87	Waterlefe Golf & River Club - Waterlefe Course	Bradenton, FL
88	Chicago Golf Club - Chicago Course	Wheaton, IL
89	Empire Lakes Golf Course - Empire Lakes Course	Rancho Cucamonga, CA
90	DeBell Golf Course - De Bell Course	Burbank, CA
91	General Old Golf Course - General Old Course	Riverside, CA
92	Trump National Golf Course - Trump National Course	Rancho Palos Verdes, CA
93	Shady Canyon Golf Club - Shady Canyon Course	Irvine, CA
94	Blessings Golf Club - Blessings Course	Fayetteville, AR
95	Split Rail Links and Golf Club - Split Rail Course	Aledo, TX
96	Navy Golf Course - The Destroyer Course	Cypress, CA
97	Shinnecock Hills Golf Club - Shinnecock Hills Course	Southampton, NY
98	Lakeside Golf Club - Lakeside Course	Burbank, CA
99	Oak Hill Country Club - East Course	Rochester, NY
100	Sand Hills Golf Club - Sand Hills Course	Mullen, NE

Golf Travel Tips - Tips on Making Tee Times

2009-07-12T15:59:00.000+01:00

By Julie L. Moran

Preference to Resort Guests

When booking tee times, be aware that many resort courses give preference, or even exclusive access, to resort guests. This may affect your accommodation plans, since you may decide it's worth staying at the resort to play a particular course, or courses.

Course(s) First, Accommodations Second

As a general rule resorts, especially those with quality golf courses, are expensive. But all in all, if golf is a main purpose or highlight of your trip, decide where you want to play first, then decide on accommodations. We've had vacations where we've stayed at a hotel to gain access to a course or courses and then moved to a less expensive hotel a day or two later. It's an inconvenience to have to repack and move during the trip, but can be well worth it in order to play top courses while not spending the entire vacation at posh resort prices.

Book Tee Times As Far Ahead As Possible

Even if you are staying at a resort hotel which gives you access to its courses, find out how far ahead of your arrival date you can book tee times. All courses have specific rules for when they will make tee times, which you should take note of and follow carefully. Some courses even have specific times you must call to reserve your time (e.g., between 7 and 9 a.m. on the Thursday eight days before the weekend you wish to play), though most guidelines are usually more general (e.g., a week before you wish to play or up to sixty days ahead). Book as far as ahead as possible, especially for high demand courses. Even as a resort guest, if the course is popular, you may be out of luck if you wait until a few days before arrival or check-in time to get a tee time (e.g., Pinehurst #2).

Tee Times for Singles

Tee times for singles are generally somewhat easier to get than those for two or more players, since many courses will work singles in with parties of fewer than four golfers. A few places, though not many, will actually give singles a set tee time - so the down side is you can be told when to arrive but not exactly when you'll go out (though it usually doesn't take too long to get worked in). This means, too, that you may find a single added to your party on occasion when you play a popular course.

Booking Winter Tee Times

During the winter months (which mean shorter days), keep in mind that it's tough to get tee times after 1p.m. since courses want players to allow plenty of time to play through before dark. The shortened days mean fewer available tee times, even in the relatively warmer climes, so remember to plan ahead.

Golf Travel Tips - Planning a Golf Vacation?

2009-07-12T15:58:00.001+01:00

By Julie L. Moran

How Much Will It Cost?

Across the U.S. and around the world you'll find golf resorts and hotels with golf courses that offer 'stay & play' golf packages. And, in increasing numbers, regular hotels are teaming up with area courses to offer discounted 'stay & play' packages also. Golf packages will save you money with cheaper rates for 'a room plus greens fees' than you would pay if you purchased these services separately. But some packages come with special stipulations such as particular arrival/departure dates, quoted rates may be per person or for two or more, etc., so check the details carefully.

Consider Your Group

Will your group be golfers only, golfers and non-golfers, family, or are you a 'single' golfer? And what about skill levels? Where you go, where you stay, and where you play can make a big difference as to whether your trip is a 'hole-in-one' or a 'bogey'.

What Type of Vacation?

No matter what kind of vacation you and your companion(s) want to take, whether it's to a bustling city, rustic mountain area, busy beach resort, a town steeped in colonial history, a quiet countryside or a combination of these, there are numerous terrific golf destinations available and in all price ranges. If you'll be accompanied by non-golfers, you'll want to make sure there are things for them to do while you're on the course.

Getting Information On Destinations of Interest

You can start your search right here! Check out the 'stay & play' golf packages available through the travel businesses in this section. And visit GolfLink's Golf Travel section for state-by state links to over 300 U.S. resort and hotel web sites with on-site golf or packages. Check out the courses available - are they right for your game? Do you need other entertainment? Many destinations are solely golf-oriented, and couldn't help the non-golfers in your party if they were the Queen and her Royal Consort. And compare costs and offerings. In addition to web sites, information is available through state and area golf associations, Chambers of Commerce, Convention Bureaus, printed and web travel guides and travel agencies. You may also do well to check out the business or property itself with the state's consumer protection agency and/or Better Business Bureau.

Golf Travel Tips - Some Golf Travel Service Providers in Good Standing

2009-07-12T15:56:00.000+01:00

By Julie L. Moran

Established Golf Travel Agencies and Tour Companies

For your convenience, I've listed a few agencies and tour operators that have been around for a while, and are legitimate agencies and that cover some of the more popular golf destinations in the U.S. However, this list is by no means exhaustive, and there are many other excellent agents and companies out there.

For the entire United States, you can contact Golf Digest Golf and Travel Club at (800) GD-EAGLE or P.O. Box 4011 Harlan, Iowa 51593. They do charge an annual membership fee, but members receive discounts at over 2,000 golf courses and 1,500 hotels in the U.S., as well as airfare and car rental discounts. This is especially a good value for frequent travelers.

Another national company is Preferred Golf, which offers golf packages with discount greens fees and accommodations as well as airfare. 2134 Tremont Center, Columbus, Ohio 43221 or (614) 481-8845. For those who travel to the most upscale golf destinations, Great Golf Resorts of the World offers golf packages (you still save money but these are top-of-the-line accommodations and golf courses) at exclusive golf resorts throughout the world. (800) 442-4479 or 111 Presidential Boulevard, Suite 222, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004.

For the southeastern U.S. contact the Southern Living Travel Service (yes, in conjunction with the publication of the same name), which offers golf travel packages for many popular destinations in the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida, and other southern locales featuring terrific golf courses. This is a good choice for those traveling with non-golfers, since arranging golf is part of what they do, but their emphasis is on romantic or classy or otherwise unique getaways. (800) SL-TRIPS, 1760 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30309.

Also serving the southeast (certain key golf destinations in the Carolinas and Florida) is Golfpac, which offer golf and accommodations packages as well as some all-inclusive packages and car rental. (800) 327-0878, P.O. Box 162366, Altamonte, Florida 32716-2366.

Saving Money With Non-Profit Golf Associations

Some popular golf destinations have begun to form non-profit golf associations with member golf courses and hotels teaming up to offer money-saving packages. You may want to contact the Convention and Visitors Bureau or Chamber of Commerce for your chosen destination to see if they have any information or special golf packages, since these organizations usually are aware of these liaisons and encourage them as they obviously promote local tourism. In fact, some of these are a division of a Convention and Visitors Bureau or similar general tourism association.

A few examples in the Southeastern U.S. include Myrtle Beach Golf Holiday (800) 845-4653, which has numerous hotels and golf courses that offer money-saving packages; the Williamsburg Golf Association at Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia (800) FOR-GOLF; Hilton Head Central Reservations in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina (800) 845-7018, and Florida's First Coast of Golf, Inc. (800) 877-PUTT for Amelia Island and Jacksonville Florida and surrounding locations.

These non-profit golf associations which promote and/or offer area golf packages are becoming increasingly popular, and their numbers are growing nationwide. So it certainly doesn't hurt to ask if your travel destination offers such golf packages.

Golf Travel Tips - Where to Go If You Have a Complaint or Problem With a Golf Travel Service Provider

2009-07-12T15:55:00.001+01:00

By Julie L. Moran

Unfortunately, some travel companies are much better than others. It's always important to check out a travel agent or tour operator thoroughly before dealing with them, but sometimes even careful consumers run into problems. The following are some tips on who to contact if you feel you've been scammed by a travel company or you wish to make a complaint.

If you received the offer or made arrangements through the mail, notify the postal inspector at your local post office right away. You can also contact and file a complaint with Chief Postal Inspector of the U.S. Postal Service, 475 L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, D.C. 20260.

Other organizations where you can file a complaint for any kind of travel fraud include your local Better Business Bureau (although you may get charged a small fee to file the complaint and they do not actively investigate claims) and the American Society of Travel Agents (they keep complaint files on non-member agents), (703) 739-2782, Consumer Affairs Dept., 1101 King St., Suite 200, Alexandria, VA 22314, or online at www.ASTAnet.com. You can also call the Federal Trade Commission at (202) 326-2000 to file a complaint. Reporting the incident helps protect others from being taken by the same company, and for some companies, a complaint might be an incentive to work the problem out with you.

If you've been a victim of fraud and seek a group to help you take action, contact Call for Action, 5272 River Road, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20816, (800) 647-1756. You can also call the consumer hotline at The National Fraud Information Center, (800) 876-7060 or write to Box 65868, Washington, D.C. 20590. For senior citizens, the AARP has a consumer affairs section. You can call (202) 434-6030, write to Consumer Affairs Section, 601 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20049 or visit them online at www.aarp.org. (Note: AARP is an organization serving individuals ages 55 and up.) If the fraud or other problem involves air travel, you can contact Ralph Nader's Aviation Consumer Project at Box 19029, Washington, D.C. 20036 or (202) 638-4000. For fraudulent airline advertising, contact the Dept. of Transportation by writing to The Office of Consumer Affairs, 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20590, or calling them at (202) 366-2220, or visiting their website at www.dot.gov.

If you can't resolve a dispute with a hotel or motel, and you've contacted the manager and the corporate headquarters to no avail, you can contact the American Hotel and Motel Association at 1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005-3931, (202) 289-3100, or online at www.ahma.com.

Another place to head if you've been cheated is to contact your local and/or state Office of Consumer Protection or Consumer Affairs to register a complaint. They will not only take a report of the problem, but often can provide information such as what remedies you may have available to you and may be able to assist you with your claim.

Golf Travel Tips - Matching Golf Destinations to Your Golf Personality

2009-07-12T15:51:00.000+01:00

By Julie L. Moran

There is a literal golfer's smorgasbord out there, consisting of hundreds of golf courses you can play - including many of the world's finest layouts. While this translates into dozens of great golf destinations to choose from, choosing the right one for your "golf personality," and for that of your companions, is essential. It's not a bad idea to check out golf travel magazines, such as Golf & Travel, which profiles many of the world's greatest golf destinations, and books, such as Golf Digest's "Places to Play," which provides ratings and somewhat detailed descriptions of U.S. courses, as a solid starting point.

However, you would be wise to give some thought beyond which courses and destinations are highly recommended by others, as this will help you design a golf vacation that will meet your (and your companions') travel needs and expectations. Remember, one man's (or woman's) golf nirvana may be another's travel disaster. Vacations are special occasions, moments that add sweetness to the spice of life, so choose carefully where you'll spend your (or your group's) hard earned time and money.

One quick note about golf groups: there are those people out there (and they often do not know who they are) who, no matter how much you have tried to accommodate everyone's desires and personalities, will complain about everything, from the tee times to the food. My advice: leave them off the list, if possible - or, if that's not possible, let them choose their own accommodations, tee times, etc.... You can't please everybody, but complainers in the bunch can make everyone miserable, even in an otherwise golfer's paradise.

Challenged, but not Overwhelmed

Perhaps the most basic consideration when choosing destinations and courses is the difficulty level of the courses you're considering. Generally speaking, many fine golf destinations have a variety of courses available, which will allow golfers of various abilities to enjoy themselves, so this factor may impact more which courses you choose rather than which destination you decide upon.

Some examples in the U.S. (though a far cry from a complete list) of places with courses to suit every playing level include Pinehurst, NC (Pinehurst has seven courses alone, and there are many others in the vicinity, as well); Myrtle Beach, SC (which boasts more than one hundred courses to choose from); Daytona Beach, FL; Jacksonville and Amelia Island, FL; Williamsburg, VA; and on the west coast, Phoenix, AZ; Pebble Beach, CA, and Palm Springs, CA.

If these destinations prove otherwise fine choices for your party's needs, the next step is to carefully select which courses to play, since few things can spoil a round like a course that's way over a player's head. In Kiawah, SC, for example, the famed Ocean Course, considered one of top 100 in the US, while undeniably a masterpiece laid out in a breathtaking ocean setting, is a constant challenge against the wind, not to mention hazards, and thus, will likely prove a frustrating experience for higher handicap players. The nearby Osprey course, also at Kiawah Island Resort, is lovely, challenging, and more suitable for a variety of levels of skill, although it lacks some of the notoriety and is a different type of scenery than the Ocean Course. Another example is Pete Dye's PGA West Course, in which the sand traps, which on some holes begin behind the tees, seem endless, and after a few holes, even the most stable-minded of people can begin to suspect that Dye put them there just to make their lives a living hell.

In certain popular European destinations, such as Ireland, which offers beautiful ocean courses like Ballybunion, Waterville and Lahinch, and in Scotland at the famed St. Andrews, Troon, and Carnoustie courses, the wind can be such a constant factor that play for the less skilled player, or those unused to such conditions, can become an exercise in frustration that not even a well-deserved massage back at the hotel can undo.

While speaking of U.K. golf destinations, another factor to consider when traveling abroad to partake of the famous and historic courses of Scotland, Ireland and England are certain restrictions and requirements some of these courses impose upon visitors. Some highly sought-after courses (e.g., Carnoustie and St. Andrews in Scotland) require a certain handicap (often low, such as no higher than 12 or 15), and a letter of introduction from your home course, in order to be permitted to play. Be sure to check if the courses you wish to play have any such restrictions. The reason for such restrictions is one of practicality, as these courses mentioned attract players from all over the world, and therefore, keeping players moving is a necessity. For this same reason, rounds may be required to be completed within certain time limits (e.g., three and a half hours or less).

Slowing down the course will make you very unpopular, not to mention, the subject of verbal harassment and undisguised disdain. Additionally, you must walk on these courses - there are no carts. For some, this would be fine, while for others, it could pose a problem. In short, these are courses best booked for lower handicap players and/or groups in reasonable health, not only for the players' own enjoyment, but for the simple fact that they may be unable to play courses they have traveled so far to play.

Weather, Seasons, and Related Concerns

On the flip side, if you or your group eats, sleeps and plays golf while traveling, assuming the handicap and letter of introduction requirements do not pose a problem, traveling to the U.K. during the summer months can be a golfer's dream, since the sun in that part of the world does not set until as late as 10 or 11 p.m. and rises again by 4 or 5 a.m. This allows for 36 holes a day, with daylight to spare for other activities.

Of course, this brings us to the potential drawback of the U.K.'s climate: the summer months can bring unpredictable cold and heat, with rain and wind virtually constant. If you are traveling with golfers who require beautiful weather, meaning calm, sunny days, to enjoy their round, the U.K. is clearly not a good choice at any time of the year; however, neither, then, are a variety of U.S. destinations you might otherwise be considering.

Weather is an especially important factor if, again, your group consists of die-hard golfers traveling for virtually no other reason. You want to book a place with: a) the right climate for this predictability, and b) at the right time of year, since even destinations with fairly predictable weather (such as Palm Springs, Phoenix or several destinations in Florida) have "off" seasons. The desert locations of the southwestern U.S. have their hot seasons and windy seasons; Florida, its rainy and hurricane seasons. Snow and rain are often seasonal in places, as are extremely hot temperatures. Take not only people's playing preferences, but their overall age or health, into consideration.

When attempting to check weather and seasons, many good travel guides, weather and travel websites, and travel books or Chambers of Commerce or Tourist Bureau publications can provide you with solid, accurate information. While no one can accurately predict the weather all the time (hence, the author's unfortunate vacation to Maui, in which "unseasonable" rain lasted five out of six days, or a tee time in early November in Pinehurst a few years back, which was abruptly canceled due to a freak snowstorm), it's essential to do some quick "homework" in this area to avoid unnecessary disappointment.

Off Season for a Reason

Many golf travelers like to save money by traveling off-season. This is a great idea, provided they've thought about the drawbacks as they pertain to them. Some golfers don't mind playing in the rain, heat, or the wind, and their or their companions' age or health is not a factor. For example, prices are down sharply in Florida and Palm Springs during the summer months - for those who can stand the heat (and in the case of Florida, the humidity).

Similarly, while courses in the Carolinas are open throughout the fall, and even into the winter, and these off-peak times offer some very attractive rates, a storm can shut down the course, leaving you with little to do in a golf mecca off-season. You may also get caught in a cold spell, which can spell disaster for golfers who don't enjoy playing under those conditions. Even the lovely beaches of, say, Hilton Head Island or Virginia Beach are too cold for many activities out of season. You may be better off hedging your bets with things to do in case the weather doesn't cooperate, or the course is shut down for weather-related reasons.

In places such as Kiawah Island, while cold and rain can mar a day on the golf course, you're at least left with the possibility of a pleasant day visiting Charleston, a nearby plantation, or various other historic sites. Williamsburg, Virginia similarly offers a variety of alternatives if your golf plans are disrupted by inclement weather. Myrtle Beach has many activities, but keep in mind that many of its attractions shut down during the off season. This is true of many such tourist destinations, so check to see what will be open if you're heading there off season.

Other Activities for Companions and the Occasional Closed Course

Which brings me to the final factor, already touched upon: what else is there besides golf? And does it matter for your purposes? As mentioned above, weather can cause you to reconsider your plans to play, and even the hardiest players are occasionally faced with course closings due to weather. If this happens, you may be stuck with very little to do. Or, you may be traveling with a family, spouse, or others who do not play, in which case you will need to be sure there's plenty for everyone to do.

Certain destinations, such as Pinehurst, NC, are built around golf, and while there are other non-golf activities there, let's face it: golf is the main attraction in town. If this is the case and you're die-hard golfers, your best bet is to go when the weather is most predictable. If you're not die-hard golfers or you have travel companions who don't play, such a destination is likely to be a poor choice. Just because travel pamphlets list some local attractions doesn't mean a museum can't be a rinky-dink thing you can walk through in 20 minutes or less. Don't assume a destination is interesting because it lists a few things to do in the area. Aside from the description exceeding reality in some cases, sometimes "area" attractions are at a greater distance from your location than planned.

The bottom line: if you need non-golf activities, be sure there are real attractions, ones that will be open, and enough to keep people entertained during the length of the trip so that everyone comes home happy.

For example, The Château Élan Resort and Winery in Braselton, Georgia, while a romantic getaway that may be ideal for a couple seeking a weekend getaway, assuming the non-golfer enjoys winery tours, spa treatments and walks or bike rides, for most, this location would unlikely warrant a week-long stay. A similar list of resort activities exists for places like The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia, and Pebble Beach, unless your companion doesn't mind bringing or renting a car and taking off to find area attractions such as Carmel, or Monterey, about twenty minutes away. Some like to stay in resort areas to relax, while others need to explore historic sites, museums, or shopping, or other attractions. Be sure there is enough for them to do, and within a reasonable distance based on their desires and/or ability to travel to area attractions.

Of course, there are other non-tangible considerations to be met, such as whether you're looking for a quiet, secluded getaway (in which case, e.g., Myrtle Beach, Williamsburg, Virginia Beach, Daytona Beach, and other places are definitely out), or a family-friendly place (in which case, you may want to eliminate places like the Homestead, Château Élan and Pebble Beach, and obvious golf meccas, such as Pinehurst, all of which cater more to adults, though some hotels may have children's programs in season).

How Many Courses Do You Need?

Another factor worth considering is the amount of time you have to play, and how many courses you have the time and desire to play. For a weekend getaway, you might consider a destination with only one or a few courses - a destination that otherwise would prove unsuitable for a weeklong excursion. Bald Head Island, North Carolina, for example, is a wonderful private island destination where the only mode of transportation is golf carts. It's a fine, quiet place to relax for adults or families, with terrific beaches, a couple of restaurants, and nice accommodations consisting mainly of rental houses and a couple of bed and breakfasts. The island has only one golf course (albeit an excellent one), although you can take the ferry to the mainland (where you will have parked your car) to take advantage of the hundreds of courses in nearby Myrtle Beach, SC and Brunswick, NC - all within about a half hour's drive.

While all these factors sound like many things to juggle, you'll find that once you've considered your golf and other needs and desires for your golf vacation, certain destinations will begin to "jump out" as being the best choices. While plenty of choices are out there, the ideal vacation depends on carefully choosing, based on everyone's interests and needs, which will help you create a vacation that is memorable for everyone - and for all the right reasons.

2009-07-12T15:25:00.000+01:00

There are over 12,500 golf injuries a year that require hospital treatment and millions of pounds worth of golf equipment are stolen every year. The fact is that golf can be a very expensive game if you don't have the correct insurance cover. Golf club insurance is a must.

Independent research claims that 9 out of 10 golfers are not sufficiently insured for theft, loss or damage of their golf equipment, damage to property, or personal injury, leaving the golfer to cover the cost. The greatest financial risk to golfers is in cases involving injury on the course and without adequate cover golfers could face financial ruin if sued for damages. The High Court ruled that;

'Golfers are liable for shots that cause injury, no matter
how slight the risk', making it almost a mandatory requirement that golfers have specialist golf insurance cover.

"The message to all golfers of all standards is clear. If you want to avoid shelling out thousands of pounds in the courts you simply must get specialist golf insurance."
- FORE! Magazine

"...Judges have ruled - whether the injury was a freak accident or not, any golfer who injures someone could be sued for damages."
- Golf World

"The danger of an errant ball causing an accident is always present. Everyone who plays on a golf course takes a risk..."
- The Times

Spice up your raincheck with Mio Destino's new golf lingerie

2009-07-11T02:29:00.000+01:00

By Brandon Tucker,
Senior Writer

Gentlemen, if you're thinking about golf while in the throws of passion with your lady, chances are you're probably well beyond the reaches of anything clinical psychology or modern prescriptions can help with.

But yes, there are plenty of obsessive golfers out there who just can't get that little white ball off their mind, even in their most intimate moments. And sadly, your woman's little pink teddy just doesn't catch your attention anymore.

For those poor, poor souls (and if you're still reading, you probably are one), the United Kingdom's Mio Destino Lingerie has launched a new set of golf-themed lingerie.

Finally, your two favorite pleasures need not be separated any longer.

This skimpy, designer lingerie set comes with about two dozen little white balls dotted all over the bra. Ten more are strung across the back of the undies, and they're sure to jiggle a little as she parades across the bedroom.

These designer undies aren't cheap. How about £200 for the bra and £100 for the bottom. That kind of dough could score you a round on Pebble Beach. Of course, you've got a better chance getting a free replay with the lingerie.

Not only will your sex life be more golf-centric, but you and the misses will have a seemingly infinite supply of puns for the bedroom:

"Feel like playing through?"

"Mind if I help with your stroke?"

"Wanna go another round?"

It really is too easy. And this lingerie might be the best reason yet to take a rain check on your round of golf.

Now, if only this were the mandatory outfit for the caddie chicks...

Shadow Caddy is Relentlessly On The Ball

2009-07-10T15:18:00.000+01:00

By Andrew Dobrow

The Shadow Caddy is helpful in that “I’m always watching you” stalkerish sort of way. Rather than hiring some lazy and pathetic pile of human flesh to disappoint you with his sub-par caddying skills, the hands-free Shadow Caddy follows you effortlessly by tracking a transmitter which is simply snapped right onto your belt.

Plus, it really wants to make sweet robot love to your sister. And to do that, it has to earn the family’s trust. RoboRape is always a last resort. It’s one of Asimov’s rules of robotics, seriously.

Winner of several accolades including the 2008 People’s Choice Award for Australia’s Next Big Thing and ABCs New Inventors Program, the Shadow Caddy will be marketed mostly to golf courses to replace both their gas golf carts and their human caddy teams, so look for it on the links in the future.

Planet golf: Best links outside the U.S.

2009-07-10T14:30:00.001+01:00

By John Barton
Golf Digest

The famous 17th hole -- The Road Hole -- at The Old Course at St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)

• Golf Digest: Top courses in 184 countries

Have clubs, will travel. You can anyway, now that you're armed with Planet Golf, our biennial look at places to play around the globe.

For the first time we've compiled a ranking of the top 100 courses outside the U.S., a list that encompasses 25 countries (Canada and Scotland are represented the most, with 13 courses apiece). In past years we also published rankings for 100 countries. This year we expanded our coverage to include practically every place where golf is played, 184 nations and territories in all. In short, this is the biggest survey of our planet's golf courses ever undertaken.

We made plenty of fascinating discoveries along the way. Like how great it must be to live on Christmas Island, which has only one golf course but a total population of just 396, most of whom don't play. Or Bermuda, which has nine courses packed into just 20 square miles. Some other findings:

• Approximate number of golf courses in the world: 31,857.
• Proportion of humans who are golfers: 0.94 percent.
• Countries with the most courses per capita (minimum 500,000 population): Scotland (9,379 people per course), New Zealand (10,374), Australia (11,063), Republic of Ireland (14,127), Northern Ireland (14,353), Canada (15,480), Wales (18,321), United States (18,514), Sweden (21,295), England (27,725).
• Countries with the highest density of courses (minimum 500,000 population): Singapore (one course every 10 square miles), England (27), Northern Ireland (40), Wales (50), Scotland (56), Japan (59), Netherlands (75), Mauritius (87), Republic of Ireland (95), Denmark (117).
• Most populous countries where we could find no evidence of golf: Ukraine (population 47,732,079), Sudan (39,148,162), Yemen (20,024,867), Mali (11,956,788), Belarus (10,310,520).
• Most northerly course: Sondie Arctic Desert G. Cse., Kangerlussuaq, Greenland.
• Most southerly: Ushuaia G.C., Argentina.
• Most easterly: Tonga G.C., Nukualofa, Tonga.
• Most westerly: Faleata C.C., Apia, Samoa.
• Ratio of courses in the U.S. to courses in the African continent: 20 to 1.
• Amount of earth's land mass devoted to golf courses: 0.014 percent.

Perhaps what we discovered most of all is that it really is a small world. Although not if you have to mow it.

THE 100 BEST COURSES OUTSIDE THE U.S.

1. St. Andrews (Old) St. Andrews, Scotland
2. Royal Melbourne G.C. (Composite) Black Rock, Australia
3. Royal Portrush G.C. (Dunluce) Portrush, N. Ireland
4. Royal County Down G.C. Newcastle, N. Ireland
5. Royal Dornoch G.C. (Championship) Dornoch, Scotland
6. Muirfield Gullane, Scotland
7. Ballybunion G.C. (Old) Ballybunion, Ireland
8. New South Wales G.C. Sydney, Australia
9. National G.C. Woodbridge, Canada
10. St. George's G. & C.C. Islington, Canada
11. Turnberry (Ailsa) Turnberry, Scotland
12. Carnoustie G.C. (Championship) Carnoustie, Scotland
13. Kingston Heath G.C. Melbourne, Australia
14. Hamilton G. & C.C. Ancaster, Canada
15. Royal Porthcawl G.C. Porthcawl, Wales
16. Royal St. George's G.C. Sandwich, England
17. Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog) La Romana, Dominican Republic
18. Sunningdale G.C. (Old) Sunningdale, England
19. Beacon Hall G.C. Aurora, Canada
20. Kingsbarns G. Links St. Andrews, Scotland
21. Loch Lomond G.C. Luss, Scotland
22. Highlands Links Cape Breton, Canada
23. Swinley Forest G.C. Ascot, England
24. Hirono G.C. Hyogo, Japan
25. Leopard Creek G. Estate & C.C. Malelane, South Africa
26. Royal Birkdale G.C. Southport, England
27. Lahinch G.C. (Old) Lahinch, Ireland
28. Golf de Morfontaine Morfontaine, France
29. Gary Player C.C. Sun City, S. Africa
30. Portmarnock G.C. (Old) Portmarnock, Ireland
31. Royal Westmoreland G. & C.C. St. James, Barbados
32. Royal Adelaide G.C. Adelaide, Australia
33. Le Golf National (L'Albatros) Guyancourt, France
34. Royal Troon G.C. (Old) Troon, Scotland
35. The National G.C. (Moonah) Cape Schanck, Australia
36. Royal Lytham and St. Annes G.C. Lytham St. Annes, England
37. Cruden Bay G.C. Cruden Bay, Scotland
38. San Lorenzo G.C. Almancil, Algarve, Portugal
39. Macrihanish G.C. Campbeltown, Scotland
40. Tokyo G.C. Saitama, Japan
41. Woodhall Spa G.C. (Hotchkin) Woodhall Spa, England
42. Ganton G.C. Ganton, England
43. Les Bordes Beaugency, France
44. Kasumigaseki C.C. (East) Saitama, Japan
45. Mid Ocean Club Tucker's Town, Bermuda
46. Redtail G. Cse. Port Stanley, Canada
47. Cape Kidnappers G.C. Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
48. Domaine Imperial G.C. Gland, Switzerland
49. Barnbougle Dunes G. Links Bridport, Tasmania, Australia
50. Taman Dayu G.C. Pasuruan, Indonesia
51. Spring City G. & Lake Resort (Lake) Kunming, China
52. Spring City G. & Lake Resort (Mountain) Kunming, China
53. Playa Dorada G. Cse. Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic
54. Wairakei International G. Cse. Taupo, New Zealand
55. Santa Elena G.C. (RTJ2) Cabuyao, Laguna, Philippines
56. Capilano G.C. West Vancouver, Canada
57. Russley G.C. Christchurch, New Zealand
58. Puerto Azul G.C. Ternate, Cavite, Philippines
59. The Links at Fancourt George, South Africa
60. Paraparaumu Beach G.C. Paraparaumu Beach, New Zealand
61. The European Club Brittas Bay, Ireland
62. Durban C.C. Durban, South Africa
63. Cabo del Sol G.C. (Ocean) Los Cabos, Mexico
64. G.C. de Barbaroux Brignoles, France
65. Western Gailes G.C. Irvine, Scotland
66. Metropolitan G.C. Melbourne, Australia
67. Royal St. David's G.C. Harlech, Wales
68. The Lakes G.C. Sydney, Australia
69. Saujana G. & C.C. (Bunga Raya) Selangor, Malaysia
70. The Mines Resort & G.C. Selangor, Malaysia
71. Royal Montreal G.C. (Blue) Ile Bizard, Canada
72. Pinx G.D. Jeju Island, South Korea
73. Royal Liverpool G.C. Hoylake, England
74. Greywolf G.C. Panorama, Canada
75. Valderrama G.C. Sotogrande, Spain
76. The Gulf Harbour C.C. Whangaparaoa, New Zealand
77. Banff Springs G.C. (Stanley Thompson) Banff, Canada
78. Angus Glen G.C. (South) Markham, Canada
79. Lynx at Kingswood Park Fredericton, Canada
80. Aberdovey G.C. Aberdovey, Wales
81. Fox Harb'r G. Resort & Spa Wallace, Canada
82. Buenos Aires G.C. Bella Vista, Buenos Aires, Argentina
83. Shenzhen G.C. Shenzhen, China
84. Vilamoura G.C. (Old) Vilamoura, Portugal
85. Luisita G.C. Tarlac, Philippines
86. North Berwick G.C. North Berwick, Scotland
87. Kawana Hotel G.C. (Fiji) Shizuoka, Japan
88. Yalong Bay G.C. Hainan Island, China
89. Emirates G.C. (Majlis) Dubai, United Arab Emirates
90. Rye G.C. Rye, England
91. Sotogrande G.C. Sotogrande, Spain
92. Waterville G. Links Waterville, Ireland
93. Kauri Cliffs G.C. & Lodge Northland, New Zealand
94. Olivos G.C. Buenos Aires, Argentina
95. Wentworth G.C. (West) Virginia Water, England
96. Mission Hills G.C. (World Cup) Shenzhen, China
97. Jockey Club (Colorada) San Isidro, Buenos Aires, Argentina
98. St. Andrews (New) St. Andrews, Scotland
99. Golf de Fontainebleau Fontainebleau, France
100. Arabella Estate & G.C. Kleinmond, South Africa

Text provided by Golf Digest.