Golf Training Aids – Are they any good for a new golfer?

Many golfers take up the game after they retire from more strenuous ball games such as baseball, football, soccer or cricket. I mean after playing in a game were a bowler or pitcher is sending a ball towards you at a high sped and you are expected to hit it out of sight how difficult can golf be?

When you watch it on TV Tiger Woods, Phil Mickleson and Justin Rose make it look so very easy to propel the ball to the exact spot they want to. And lets face it why should it be difficult? The ball is just sitting there waiting to be hit, and you don’t just have one bat to hit it with, you have a choice of fourteen. So it has got to be an easy game, right? Wrong.

You go to a driving range just for a quick practice before launching yourself on your local golf club. And you suddenly discover the game is not quite so easy as it appears. The ball has an annoying habit of not going where you want it too. It may slice to the right or hook to the left; even more embarrassingly it may just roll a few feet forward as you hit your divot further than the ball.

Of course the sensible thing at this point is to book a series of lessons with a club pro. But you’re a golfer now, so commonsense tends to go out of the window. Instead you look through the golf magazines and find advertisements for a whole host of training aids that are going to sort out every aspect of your game.

There are training aids that will improve your swing, stance and your alignment. Nets and buckets that it is claimed will make you the best short game player in your club.

It is fortunate for the manufacturers of these training aids that golfers tend to spend more money on their game than almost any other sportsmen or women. Because training aids do not tend to come cheaply and you can spend a great deal of money on some of these tools and devices.

Golf training aids have a place to play in many golfers development but they should be used after you have learnt the basics from a skilled trainer such as your club professional. Teach yourself golf and you not only have an idiot for an instructor but you will ingrain faults into your game that will be difficult to eradicate later down the line when you want to improve your game.

About The Author

Dave Bromley has been playing golf for nearly 30 years. In that time he has spent a fortune on golf training aids and lessons but still classes himself as a learner. "We never stop learning at this game".

To find out how you could knock shots off your game visit Dave's web site http://www.shotsavinggolftrainingtips.com

Legal Implications of Remote Controlled Golf Trolleys In Europe

Golf is no longer a game of just trying to hit the ball in the right place. It requires a great deal of concentration, calculation and thinking. There are plenty of decisions to be made and accuracy to be mastered in order to excel in the game of golf. To help a golfer stay focused on the game and eliminate other hazards like injury and fatigue, remote controlled golf trolleys have emerged.

Remote controlled golf trolleys are assistive golf equipment that reduces much of the stress by carrying the heavy golf bag, which often weighs thirty to forty pounds and other accessories around the course at the push of a button and at the convenience of the golfers. As the game of golf calls for more strenuous efforts from its players, these remote controlled golf trolleys have become a real necessity for serious golfers around the world. However, not all remote controlled golf trolleys are legal. So it is always better to check before purchasing one, especially if you are in the European Union.

Many remote controlled golf trolleys are being imported into the European Union as their demand increases. However, not all these trolleys abide by European standards. Hence they are illegal. In order to be legally marketed within the EC, the products need to pass the R&TTE test. This test is to ensure that the transmitter of remote controlled golf trolleys abide by the strict guidelines and maintain European standards. It ensures that the transmitter is within safety limits and would not interfere with other devices in the area. OFCOM, the regulatory body for communication devices in United Kingdom has banned several products for failing the test.

The products also need to pass an EMC test in order to be legally marketed in the European Union. This test checks the other mechanical parts of remote controlled golf trolleys like the motor, power source, electrical equipment, etc. This test ensures that the products are safe, without any electrical noise or chance of interference with other devices in the area.

Moreover, it is required that the European Union retailer or wholesaler properly labels the transmitter and the trolleys, and to ensure in the packaging that the products are certified for use in the market.

In order to market remote controlled electric golf trolleys legally in the European Union, it is essential for the products to pass the R&TTE and EMC tests. Any other product will be marked unsafe and can be banned from use. It is always better to check if the products are provided with the Declaration of Conformity, a document that provides the details of where the product was tested, thereby making it traceable. A mere CE certificate from a foreign test house does not prove the product to be legal in the European markets. Always check for the legal documents while purchasing remote controlled golf trolleys in Europe.

About The Author

This article is written by Ronn Jones, a marketing expert with years of experience in branding and internet marketing. For more information on remote controlled golf trolleys visit : http://www.protrolley.com/

Electric Golf Trolleys – Making Golf Games Better

Golf is a game of swings. The better and more accurate your swing is, the better golfer you are. However, mastering a perfect golf swing exposes you to a lot of health hazards. Some of the very common health hazards that a golfer often face are problems with lower back, elbows, shoulders, hands and wrists. Plenty assistive golf equipment has been introduced lately to ward off these hazards and make the game of golf a better one. Plenty of new concepts have also emerged to help golfers reduce the hazards of the game and assist in achieving the perfect swing.

Some of the commonly used pieces of assistive golf equipment are ball teeing devices that help a golfer to tee up their ball while in standing position, magnetic ball markers which when used with a putter help a golfer to mark their ball on the green without the need of bending down, mini caddies that allow a golfer to carry 2 balls, tees, pencil etc. in one that attaches to belt or bag, tee tools, remote controlled or manual electric golf trolleys etc.

All these piece of equipment somehow or other help to reduce a golfer’s stress and make the game of golf more comfortable and enjoyable. The most vulnerable parts of a golfer’s body which are always open to hazards are the shoulders, neck and lower back. And these are the parts that are used mostly in the golf swing. If these areas are tired, the game becomes tough for a golfer and eventually he/she cannot give his best. As a result the probability of losing the game is fairly high.

Before these pieces of equipment emerged, the only way to move around a golf course was to walk, and with the addition of carrying the heavy golf bag on the shoulders. For a person with knee, back or shoulder problems this idea was definitely not comfortable. The process of carrying the heavy bag, putting it down and again picking it up all through the game was tough even for a person with no health issues.

The most notable amongst the items of assistive golf equipment is probably electric golf trolleys as they effectively reduce this hazard to a large extent. Golfers using electric golf trolleys do not need to carry a heavy golf bag on their shoulders as they move around the course between swings. This reduces the stress, especially in the lower back and shoulders, that adds to the stress of walking and thus helps to effectively reduce a golfer’s handicap. Walking between shots definitely does have cardiovascular health benefits, but pulling a thirty to forty pound golf bag along does not.

Electric golf trolleys can be manual or remote controlled. These items often come with batteries, rain covers, travel bag, chargers and toolkits. Some of the electric golf trolleys are foldable and are very easy to store. Some more advanced ones come with a score card holder. Stylish as they are, with all the features to reduce the hazards of the game and aiding golfers in their efforts to achieve the perfect swing, electric golf trolleys go a long way towards making the game of golf a better one.

About The Author

This article is written by Ronn Jones, a marketing expert with years of experience in branding and internet marketing. For more information on Electric Golf Trolleys visit: http://www.protrolley.com/

George Bush’s Secrets to Better Golf

Cheat. Lie. Intimidate. These are the true fundamentals of golf. If George W. Bush shoots a 7 on the par 5 9th hole and his playing partner Rex W. Tillerson the CEO of Exxon Mobil asks the President of the United States of America what he shot, George W. Bush says “Put me down for a 5.”

George W. Bush and Rex W. Tillerson are walking down the 10th fairway at the Cape Arundel Golf Club in Kennebunkport Maine surrounded by 10 heavily armed secret service agents. What is Rex W. Tillerson supposed to say to George Bush? “No, I’m sorry Mr. President you shot a 7 on the last hole, not a 5?” By the time Rex got the words out he would be gunned down into the dirt. The secret service agents have been given their orders in advance. Lets say that Rex actually pointed out the President’s error to him and lived to talk about it. President Bush would merely break into song, with the vocally trained secret service agents as his back up singers singing “I beg your pardon, I never promised you a rose garden.”

In 1921 renowned golf course architect Walter Travis redesigned the Cape Arundel Golf Course at 19 River Road, Kennebunkport, Maine, just down the road from the George Bush seaside compound. George Bush Sr. bought the beautiful home to keep up with the Kennedys. Walter Travis said of the Cape Arundel Golf Course he designed, “A really good golf course must abound in hazards, and good courses develop good players. Trees are non existent, as they should be, and the wind should always be an ever present factor on such a course. The greens are real beauties and will delight the soul of any real golfer.” This assumes that the golfer has a soul. To make the course more challenging, Mr. Travis placed improvised explosive devices on several of the cart paths. He was a true visionary.

It’s amazing how golfers tie their entire sense of self worth to the way they are hitting the golf ball. Robert Trent Jones designed the Shady Oaks Golf Course in Fort Worth Texas, another Bush family favorite. Robert Trent Jones redesigned Augusta National in the late 1940’s. Robert Trent Jones believed that golf should be a no risk, no reward sport. His golf courses encouraged daring play. Eminem wrote a song called “The Real Slim Shady” in which he says, “We aint nothing but mammals, well some of us cannibals who cut other people up like cantaloupes.”

In “The Silence of the Lambs”, serial killer Buffalo Bill kidnaps and skins Kathy Martin, the daughter of Ruth Martin, the United States Senator from Tennessee. The famed forensic psychiatrist and serial killer cannibal Hannibal Lecter gives a riddle to young FBI agent Clarice Starling which leads Clarice to a rent a storage facility and the car of Benjamin Raspail, a former patient of Dr. Lecter. Hidden in the parked car is the severed head in a jar of Benjamin Raspail. This was Dr. Lecter’s way of teaching his student to keep his head still on the backswing and the downswing until the swinging of the arms on the follow through brings the head up.

It’s one thing to tell the average golfer to keep her head still. The fact is that a steady head is often the result of the movement of other body parts during the swing. Twenty thousand American men and women so far have left their body parts in the sands of Babylon. Butch Harmon, the former coach of Tiger Woods recently taught Phil Mickelson that the way to keep his head still on the backswing and cure his overswing was to keep his right knee firm and flexed on the backswing instead of straightening it out. Somehow Phil Mickelson won 30 PGA tournaments and 2 Masters at Augusta National straightening his right knee on the backswing and overswinging under the tutelage of his former coach Rick Smith. At least Rick Smith didn’t have Phil Mickelson hacking balls endlessly out of the rough at Oakmont in preparation H. for the U.S. Open until lefty developed chronic carpal tunnel syndrome and then sending him out to compete with one arm.

Christie Kerr recently won the U.S. Open golf tournament at Pine Needles by two shots over Lorena Ochoa and Angela Park. After her victory on the eighteenth green Christie Kerr ran over to her new husband Erik Stevens, jumped up on him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and her legs around his lower body, and hung there in suspension until all thoughts of Hale Irwin running around the green high fiving the gallery disappeared from the collective American consciousness. There are many ways to begin the downswing with the lower body, most of which lead to disaster. Jack Nicklaus, the Golden Bear recommends beginning the downswing by rolling the right ankle laterally and not allowing your head to ride forward. This is the secret to beginning the downswing properly, as it will drop your passive hands and arms to shoulder height from where you can then rotate your left forearm in a counter clockwise motion to the finish. However, George Bush says, “When you roll your right ankle laterally to begin the downswing, make sure that your right foot remains planted and no part of it comes off of the ground, otherwise you wil slide and come over the top, and you will shank, like I did by invading Iraq. I’m very sorry. My fellow Americans and Jesus, please forgive me for I knew not what I was doing.”

About The Author

Karen Fish is a writer currently living in Los Angeles California.

The Temple of Love http://www.thetempleoflove.com

Hello From Orlando: Golf In Orlando - Playing Links-style At The Royal St. Cloud - Unpretentious Golf At Its Best

For a real links-style golf experience we discovered the Royal St. Cloud Golf Links, located in St. Cloud, about 25 minutes southeast of the Orlando airport or the Disney area. The Royal St. Cloud Links greet you with a rolling layout of links-style fairways, punctuated by classic links bunkers that feature names such as Hell, Spectacles, Devil's Pocket and Hoofprint. True to its link heritage, every club in the bag will be utilized as the terrain is naturally varied.

Unlike other Orlando golf courses, the Royal St. Cloud is free of any residential developments and offers a pure golf experience. The design features four sets of tees and from the blue tee offers a championship length of 7,111 yards and a 74.6 rating, all on flawless fairways and silky-smooth Tifeagle greens.

Its motto, as printed above the entrance to the club house is "Original Golf Played Here", and indeed the Royal St. Cloud features original style golf at its unpretentious best. I had a chance to talk to Bill Filson, the Director of Golf and since 2002 co-owner of this facility.

Bill has an extensive teaching background. He has personally studied under some of the top-ranked teaching professionals and brings 12 years of teaching experience that featured beginners to PGA tour professionals. Bill has consistently been a top-ranked PGA Professional. The Royal St. Cloud's teaching staff is complemented by Dave Rummels who brings 17 years of valuable PGA Tour experience with him and can share advice from the “Tour” with the students. Associate Professional, Doug Holloway, has 16 years coaching experience.

At the Royal St. Cloud Golf Links the commitment to teaching the game of golf commitment includes state-of-the art video equipment and even a teaching tent for inclement weather. Lessons, programs, and clinics are offered for every skill level and requirement. Bill explained that they run very reasonably priced children's clinics at $7.00 per clinic and the club has 120 members in their junior program. Ladies can also learn the sport without embarrassment in a relaxed, comfortable environment. And with every family membership at the club kids play for free.

Bill prides himself on offering one of the greatest values in golf in the Orlando area. For the 2005-2006 season rates vary from $46 to $48 from November 1 to January 10, and $64 from January 11 to April 30, 2006. Discounted tee time rates are available after 11 am or 12 pm respectively, 7 days/week. Bill went on to say that the fees at the Royal St. Cloud are always reasonable, and that he aims not to oversell his course, but to exceed the visitors' expectations.

In addition, he offers a very unique proposition: a 100% money-back guarantee with no conditions if you didn't enjoy your playing experience at the Royal St. Clouds. He said in the almost three years since he has run this course only 2 people ever asked for a refund; a phenomenal achievement, considering that several tens of thousands of rounds are played here every year.

One of the very unique features of this course is the handcrafted stonework which is evident in four bridges found throughout the course that have been hand-built by one individual brick by brick. Bill said that some of the bridges are even a little bit crooked, just to give them more character. The most famous stone bridge can be found on the 5th hole and many of the British visitors to this golf course come here specifically for this unique feature.

Bill explained that his golf course serves a value-based market that is composed of local residents, snowbirds escaping the cold northern winters, and British golfers, a very loyal crowd who refer this facility to many of their friends back home.

The Royal St. Cloud Golf Links have been rated as one of the Top 5 Most Underrated Golf Courses in the Orlando area and they have hosted the 2004 and 2005 British Junior Amateur. With its wide-open fairways the course looks deceptively simple, however, I experienced very quickly the unique challenges offered by the Royal St. Cloud. Traditional links golf is played on the ground, unfortunately I still managed to find water several times, despite the generously open fairways.

The other feature I really enjoyed were a number of the ponds on the back nine of the course that were playing host to a variety of local wildlife and water birds. I particularly enjoyed watching a very rare specimen of wood stork stalking the edges of a pond for food, and a crane standing upright with stretched out wings. The course had a very relaxed, casual and friendly feel to it and we enjoyed a tasty hot dog after our game on the beautiful patio outside the clubhouse as a way to cap off a very enjoyable golf experience on a gorgeous day.

Driving Directions from the Disney Area:
Royal St. Cloud Golf Links is an easy 25 miles from the Disney area.
(25-35 minute approximate drive time)
* Take Osceola Parkway to the Florida Turnpike
* Take Exit 244 to Hwy 192, turn left.
* Go 4.6 miles to Vermont Ave, turn right.
* Take Vermont 2.1 miles to Creek Woods Road, take a left.
* Go only .7 miles to Michigan Ave, take a right directly into the Golf Club.

Statistics
Par 72 Yards Rating Slope
Blue 7111 74.6 128
Gold 6680 72.2 125
Green 6083 69.2 115
Citrus 5531 66.6 111

For more information please visit Royal St. Cloud Golf website or call them at (407) 891-7010.

This entire article including photos is located at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_royal_stcloud_golf.htm

About The Author

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new http://www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html FREE ebooks about travel.

Hello From Orlando: Golf In Orlando - The Links-style International Course At Championsgate

Several days after attending the Father-Son-Challenge at ChampionsGate we actually got out and played the International Course ourselves. It was an exciting experience to play a championship golf course just shortly after a major tournament, when it was still in tournament condition with just a few extra degrees of difficulty. The open wind-swept design features a multitude of bunkers and a variety of water hazards, and with a difficulty rating of 76.3, one of the highest ratings in the state, we were duly humbled by the challenges that this course threw at us.

ChampionsGate is an impressive facility with 36 holes designed by famous golf legend Greg Norman. What sets ChampionsGate apart is that its International layout and the National course have totally different designs. The hard, fast fairways of the International course are reminiscent of the great old Scottish and Irish links, while the more modern American-style National course winds through citrus groves and stands of pines, emphasizing challenging shot-making choices and a range of memorable par-3s.

Golfers who want to improve their game can do so at the world-famous David Leadbetter Golf Academy which offers two or three-day mini-schools or retreats, private sessions or David's "Beginner to Winner" program. David Leadbetter even offers video lessons via the Internet, providing access to his teaching expertise to golf students all over the world. The Callaway practice facility consists of an expansive practice area, putting green and short game area and is always complimentary with a round of golf.

As you come off exit 58 on the I-4, ChampionsGate greets you right away with imposing gates. The road takes you past the luxurious Omni Orlando Resort and Spa which has been welcoming resort golfers since 2004 in 730 premier rooms, including 25 guest suites. In conjunction with the Omni Resort, ChampionsGate now offers an upscale resort golf experience, complete with a European-style spa, state-of-the-art conference facilities and a 15-acre tropically landscaped recreational area featuring an 850 ft "lazy river". The Champions 9 Golf Experience, the resort's lighted 9-hole, par 3 golf course, adds to the recreational opportunities.

The resort will be complemented by a master-planned community including villas and condominiums. The 59-unit phase 1 of the Villas is set to open in the summer of 2006, which will be followed by groundbreaking for the 110 units of Phase 2.

The 30,000 square foot clubhouse at ChampionsGate with its enormous wrap-around veranda features a panoramic view of both golf courses and a unique menu that is split right down the middle, featuring international cuisine on the left, and American fare on the right. ChampionsGate specializes in hospitality and customer service, and last year the club hosted more than 340 business or charity outings. After our challenging round we enjoyed a tasty lunch and were joined by Alan Findley, the General Manager of ChampionsGate, who gave us a better overview of this facility.

Alan is particularly proud of hosting the Father-Son-Challenge, a nationally televised golf event that features many present and past legends of golf, including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Vijay Singh, to mention just a few. The Father-Son-Challenge is a veritable "Walking Hall of Fame". What makes this tournament really special is its relaxed family atmosphere and the opportunity to see different generations of golf icons playing with their sons, daughters and even grandchildren. It's an opportunity to see these famous golf legends from a human side and we indeed enjoyed watching Vijay Singh relax with a cup of coffee on the 18th hole, awaiting the arrival of his son Qass, hoping for a great final score.

In our conversation Alan also indicated that at the David Leadbetter Academy you never know what golf celebrity you are going to run into. Michelle Wie is a famous Leadbetter student, Charles Howell III was practicing while we were there, and Greg Norman helicoptered in for a lesson last week. Alan also pointed out Michelle Wie's favourite spot in the clubhouse: the table right in front of the big screen TV.

Alan also made us aware of the unique wildlife inhabiting this golf course: two American bald eagles have made the course their permanent home, and on any given day you could see whooping cranes, gannets, alligators or armadillos. For a special glimpse of ChampionsGate's atmosphere come here at the end of the day, when you could see bald eagles perched on a tree in the sunset right in front of the clubhouse, while listening to a Scottish bagpiper, a feature Allen himself has introduced to the club.

Driving Directions:

ChampionsGate is located 10 Minutes from Disney World at Exit 58 on Interstate 4, just minutes away from International Drive and area attractions.

Statistics for ChampionsGate International
Par 72 Yards Rating Slope
Black 7363 76.8 143
Blue 6792 74.1 137
White (M) 6239 71.5 132
White (L) 6239 75.7 134

Statistics for ChampionsGate National
Par 72 Yards Rating Slope
Black 7128 75.2 138
Blue 6427 71.9 133
White (M) 5937 69.1 124
White (L) 5937 74.7 125

For more information please visit the ChampionsGate website or call them at (407) 787-GOLF (4653) or toll free at 1-888-558-9301.

This entire article including photos is located at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_champions_gate_golf.htm

About The Author

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new http://www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html FREE ebooks about travel.

Hello From Orlando - Golf's Ultimate Theme Park

My husband loves playing golf and I am myself am pretty decent at the sport. So it was a given that we would be playing a few rounds in Orlando. We had a chance to sample a number of golf courses first-hand and got a personal appreciation of the great number and variety of golf courses in the Orlando area.

I had a chance to talk with Mike Jamison from Golf Orlando to get a better overview of the extensive golf facilities that the Orlando area has to offer.

1. Orlando is not only the world's No. 1 vacation destination, but it is also called "Golf's Ultimate Theme Park". Please tell us more about that.

Isn’t it interesting how sometimes the most obvious answer to a tough question is sitting right before your eyes, yet it takes you days, months, even years to see it?

Officials of the marketing co-op GolfOrlando realized that recently when they finally nailed the perfect marketing tag line for their 25-course organization.

For years the group had wrestled with various themes that might set Orlando apart from its competition in the golf destination wars. Then one day a member asked a question – “What is Orlando known for?”

The obvious answer? Theme parks. Orlando is the world’s No. 1 vacation destination, and the incredible collection of theme parks plays the leading role.

It was at that moment that the perfect theme line crystallized – “GolfOrlando – Golf’s Ultimate Theme Park.”

It is a nice fit not only because of the foundation of Orlando’s vacation pitch – theme parks - but also because it reflects the incredible diversity of the Central Florida golf landscape. Golf in Orlando provides its own type of outdoor adventure.

2. Please tell us about the types of golf courses that are available in the Orlando area.

Looking for a taste of the U.K.? How about Royal St. Cloud, where every hole transfers you to the fabled courses of the British Isles, and where the 2004 and 2005 British Junior Amateur was conducted? Try a couple of very popular Ron Garl designs for a Scottish touch. Eagle Creek, located near the Orlando International Airport, offers open, rolling fairways, large, undulating greens and those dangerous revetted bunkers that dot the landscape in Scotland. Eagle Creek was recently ranked among the top 10 new courses of the decade in Florida by Golf Travel & Leisure, and is the first par 73 course in Orlando and the first to use Mini Verde greens.

On the north side of Orlando is Timacuan Golf & Country Club, ranked as high as No. 14 in Florida by one statewide publication. Its front side offers up a true taste of Scotland, while the back 9 takes on a more Carolinas low Country feel. Hole 2, a long water-dominated par 4, was recently named the 2nd most difficult hole in Central Florida by an area publication. Timacuan is a locals’ favorite.

A very similar routing by Arnold Palmer awaits you on the south side of town. The Legends at Orange Lake opened in 1998 and features a Scottish style front nine (The Links) and a tree-lined back nine (The Pines). The feature holes are the 610-yard 4th on the Links nine and the 432-yard 13th, called the Island Oak.

In need of drama? How about Diamond Players Club in Clermont, where the elevation changes are so spectacular that the track is often referred to as “Florida’s mountain course.” You’ll need to buckle up when tackling Mystic Dunes’ green complexes. They offer up slopes that drop as much as 10 feet, and you might find an elephant’s trunk poking out of a few serious mounds. Also, several of the fairways feature whiskey barrel bunkers as guideposts. This Gary Koch-designed course personifies the word “adventure,” as does Highlands Reserve, a roller coaster-like golf experience with elevation changes of 120 feet and dramatic scenery. Further south on Highway 27 is Steve Smyers’ Southern Dunes, another course that features elevation change uncommon in Central Florida. Combined with the abundance and creativity of the bunkering, it is easy to understand while Southern Dunes is ranked among the To 100 Modern Day Courses” by Golfweek.

Excitement? Falcon’s Fire by Rees Jones has a couple of thrillers, especially its cape hole, the par 4 13th. This one dares you to bite off more than you can chew, and while it is tempting to rip a big tee shot toward the green, the money play is to safely land your ball into the slender fairway utilizing a more forgiving angle and a fairway wood.

If you are a traditionalist, the options are boundless. Shingle Creek is the newest of the traditional Florida layouts, bordered by dense oaks and pines in a backdrop along historic Shingle Creek. Location is another benefit as it rests near the major tourist areas. Harmony is a Johnny Miller design that falls into this category. Its’ strength lies in the greens complexes that feature angular bunkering creating a variety of challenging pin placements. Ridgewood Lakes provides a beautiful cruise through the hardwoods off Highway 27, and tops off the journey with an awesome finishing hole.

How about a stroll though nature? Stonegate Golf Club, designed by Ron Garl, rests upon 3,300 acres of pristine wetlands, woodlands and 100-year-old oak hammocks, and places the emphasis on the short game. Mike Dasher’s North Shore looks as if it should be located deep in the country as it sits comfortably amidst lush surroundings, yet it is conveniently located seven miles from Orlando International Airport. Diamondback, a Joe Lee design located in Haines City, was carved from 240 acres of virgin forest and offers dramatically rolling fairways bordered by dense trees, pristine natural wetlands, and well-positioned water hazards.

If convenience is important, MetroWest could be the perfect choice, as it is located near Universal Studios and the International Drive tourist section. It is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. masterpiece that features wide fairways and challenging approach shots. Nearby just off International Drive next to Sea World is Grande Pines, a recently renovated Smyers design that features a number of outstanding risk/reward holes. Celebration Golf Club, located near Walt Disney World, was designed by father Robert Trent Jones Sr. and son Robert Trent Jones Jr. and places emphasis on approach shots.

Is notoriety important to you? ChampionGate’s two courses play host annually to the Office Depot Father/Son Classic, a favorite among dozens of PGA and Senior PGA Tour players. Orange County National has twice hosted the PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals on its two tracks, Panther Lake and Crooked Cat, They offer diverse tests that are good enough to challenge and determine tomorrow’s professional stars.

Some folks enjoy walking out their hotel door straight to the first tee. Orlando offers several choices for stay-and-play buffs, including Hawk’s Landing. Attached to the spectacular Marriott World Center, Hawk’s Landing recently underwent a complete renovation by Robert Cupp. It has water on 15 of the 18 holes and it features its own version of “Amen Corner” – holes 12, 13 and 14.

That small taste gives you an idea of the diversity available through GolfOrlando, truly “Golf’s Ultimate Theme Park.”

3. Please inform us about the golf practice facilities and the teaching professionals that are available in the Orlando area.

Some of the game's most respected teachers - David Leadbetter, Mike Bender, Rina Ritson, Bill Madonna, Brad Brewer and Fred Griffin to name a few - do their magic in Central Florida.

Orlando is home to some of the nation's finest practice facilities. The Faldo Institute and Orange County National offer more than just practice tees and greens. The landing areas on their driving ranges resemble true targets and hazards that are found on courses. Tremendous short-game practice areas help better players fine-tune that key part of their games. But the crowning jewel in Orlando are the courses. From top to bottom, Orlando offers the best quality golf of any destination in the world. Nearly every exit off I-4 leads directly to a memorable golf experience, regardless of which side of Orlando you are on.

4. Some of the Orlando area golf courses have achieved top ratings from various golf publications. Please tell us more about that.

Orange County National, host of the 2003 & 2005 PGA TOUR Q-School Finals, was the recipient of Golf Digest's 4 1/2 Stars for 2000 to 2005. Southern Dunes is rated among the top 100 contemporary courses in America by Golfweek. Orange County National's Panther Lake is rated 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest. Award-winning Southern Dunes was voted "Top 100 courses in America" by Golfweek 1997 - 2001. Celebration Golf Club was rated 4 1/2 stars and in the top three in Central Florida for service and in the top two for course conditioning by Golf Digest's "Best Places to Play" 2004 - 2005.

Diamondback Golf Club was recently awarded four stars by Golf Digest's "Places To Play". Victoria Hills Golf Cub open end in 2002, and was recently named by Golf Magazine as a "Top 10 You Can Play." Royal St. Cloud Golf Links was rated in the Top 5 Most Underrated Golf Courses in the Orlando area and hosted the 2004 and 2005 British Junior Amateur. Eagle Creek Golf Club was recently named among the Top 10 New Courses since 2000 by Travel & Leisure Magazine.

5. What major golfing events are held in the Orlando area?

The region hosts its share of major competitions – two PGA Tour stops annually (the Bay Hill Invitational in March, hosted by Arnold Palmer; and the Disney Classic at Walt Disney World in October), one LPGA Tour tournament, the PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals, the Buick Scramble National Finals, The Office Depot Father/Son, and a variety of mini tours. A

6. Please tell us about some of the famous golf architects that have put their mark on Orlando golf courses.

The group’s 25 layouts boast the names of a majority of the world’s leading architects – Tom Fazio, Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Ron Garl, Steve Smyers.

7. What about affordable golf in Orlando?

8. Who are some of the famous golf professionals who have made the Orlando area their home?

Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Annika Sorenstam, Sergio Garcia, Se Ri Pak, Arnold Palmer, Jim Thorpe, Chris Di Marco, Mark O'Meara, Scott Hoch, Nick Faldo, John Cook, Stuart Appleby, Charles Howell III and dozens of others have planted their roots in Central Florida. There is a reason for that, beyond tax implications.

9. In addition to golf, what else does the Orlando area have to offer?

Let’s face it – no region in the country does adventure as well and with as much diversity as Orlando, the world’s No. 1 vacation destination. Theme parks, theme parks and more theme parks. Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center and others have created the face that smiles upon the vacationing world from Central Florida.

The nightlife and restaurants rival those of any other region in the country. Tourists gather at various pockets around Orlando – Universal City Walk, Pleasure Island and International Drive among them. But if you want a feel for how the locals entertain themselves, take a trip to Winter Park Village on the north side of town, where terrific restaurants and clubs will fill your tummy and your night.

10. What about the weather year-round? What about getting to Orlando?

The weather is conducive to golf year-round. Average high daytime temperatures range from 72 in January to 89 in July. Golf can be played and practiced 365 days a year, many of those days featuring clear blue skies, lazy breezes and cool, comfortable nights.

Another significant reason is the ease of travel. Orlando International Airport welcomes direct flights from most major airports around this country and the world. And it is quite simple to drive to Orlando from in or out of state, thanks to a well-planned series of major highways.

11. What accommodation options do golfers have in Orlando?

12. Please tell us a bit more about the golf vacation packages that are offered in Orlando.

13. Some key golf organizations make Orlando their home, please tell us more about that.

The one and only television network devoted 100% to the sport - The Golf Channel - is based in Orlando. Golfweek, a leading trade publication, moved to Orlando about 11 years ago. Meadowbrook Golf, one of the largest golf course management companies, is located here, as is the industry's leading golf travel company, Golfpac. The industry's only media/ business networking organization, the International Network of Golf, is also based in Orlando.

Thank you, Mike, for providing a great practical overview of Orlando as a first-rate golf destination.

This entire article including photos is located at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_golf.htm

About The Author

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new http://www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html FREE ebooks about travel.

Power Walking - How To Improve Your Golf Game With One Simple Exercise

Do you have a spring in your step while playing a round of golf or do you feel completely exhausted by the 15th hole? Sometimes you may feel out of breath just walking to your next shot.

Hours of sitting at computers, driving to work and then watching TV at home, all lead to being less physically fit, posture-related aches and pains and a general feeling of sluggishness. Then you get to the golf course and wonder why you simply just don't have the energy to complete a nice round of golf.

Golf is no different than any other sport. You need to be physcially fit to perform at your best. This is even more important if your a recreational golfer since you really don't have time to practice.

One of the most natural forms of exercise is walking. Walking is an aerobic exercise that will not only increase your cardiovascular strength, but is good for the bones and improves your posture as well. I would like to introduce you to power walking and list some of the benefits it has on your golf game.

Power Walking

This is a form of aerobic exercise consisting of rapid walking accompanied by vigorous, controlled swinging of the arms. Simply put, it is an exaggerated walking style that has more health benefits than just a casual stroll.

You want to get your power walking speed up to 4.0 to 4.5 mph for optimal calorie burning. However, if you are just starting out you may want to go at a slower pace and gradually pick up the pace over a few weeks time.

Power Walking Benefits

1. Cardiovascular fitness is improved thus giving you more endurance to complete a full round of golf, not to mention reducing the risk of coronary disease and strokes.

2. Mental well-being is improved resulting in a reduction in anxiety, stress and tension allowing you to relax and focus on the golf course.

3. Muscles are toned and strengthened allowing you to better handle the physical demands of the golf swing.

4. Helps to reduce body fat and manage your body weight therefore improving your golf physic.

5. Boosts energy so you don't tire as easily going form shot to shot.

The above are just a few of the physical and mental benefits to be gained from power walking for golf. It is a low cost form of exercise. No special clothes or equipment are necessary except a good pair of walking shoes.

Although any form of walking is beneficial, power walking is extremely helpful with golf performance, both mentally and physically. So grab your walking shoes and power walk yourself to a better golf game!

As always consult your doctor before starting your power walking program.


About The Author
Richard Syner is a physical therapist who enjoys helping people reach their health and fitness goals. Find out how you can have access to his FREE Fitness Mini-courses by visiting http://www.YoungPhysique.com today!

Bahamas Golf Vacation: Enjoy uninterrupted hours of golfing

If you have worked hard, earned some time off and need a vacation to reenergize yourself then a Bahamas Golf Vacation is the best way to regain your sanity. Golf is a very popular game in Bahamas so they offer exotic vacation with excitement of golf. This great combination doubles your enjoyment as it relaxes both your mind and body. The beautiful islands offer vacations for every budget. Even those with little to spare can make their way to the beautiful land of golf and beaches by finding a Bahamas golf vacation.

Along with golf, Bahamas golf vacation also offers you wide variety of activities such as swimming with the dolphins, thrilling water sports, deep sea fishing and some of the best beaches in the world. You will get all luxuries and facilities that make a vacation complete and enjoyable. The Bahamas golf vacation package will take you to the islands considered one of the most beautiful in the Bahamas with high cliff, densely-forested foothills, deserted exotic sand beaches and green golf grounds. In addition to Bahamas golf vacation rentals, the Internet also offers many website deals in organizing vacations. Bahamas golf vacation often have last-minute vacation deals that offer spontaneous golf lovers a lower-price airline ticket so that they may not miss a chance to visit the land of golf and exotic pink and white beaches.

An even better vacation in the Bahamas option would be to select a cheap Bahamas golf vacation package. You can enjoy not only the affordable airfare with this package but also exciting golf along with the finest hotel accommodations and additional facilities. Unless you have had prior experience with a vacation in the Bahamas, the assistance from a travel agent or Bahamas golf Vacation organizer would help to get rid of many of the unknown burdens by booking everything yourself. They can also provide insight into some of the more popular attractions so that you may not miss a single moment to grab the view this beautiful island.

Plan your vacations to Bahamas with Bahamas golf vacation packages and enjoy your vacation to the fullest without putting an extra burden on your pocket. Now you don’t need to be hard pressed to beat the amenities found with a golf vacation in the Bahamas because Bahamas golf vacation packages offer you a wide range of facility to make your vacations memorable with golf. If you are planning to leave immediately or planning a vacation month in advance it is always a good idea to purchase golf vacation package on-season so that your vacation may not spoil because of bad climate. The Bahamas is no longer a vacation destination only for the well-to-do now it’s in the reach of every person who wants the full utilization of their hard earned money and precious time. Thanks to Bahamas golf vacation operators who provide cheap deals to suit any budget.

A vacation in Bahamas could be just the thing to ease your hectic life. So take a break….. Enjoy a golf vacation in Bahamas: A tropical paradise, and ease your hectic life.

About The Author

Suzane Gray has been offering Bahama travel and vacation packages advice for quite some time.To find bahamas golf vacation, grand bahamas island,cheap bahamas vacation package that best suits your needs, visit http://www.gobahama.com

Canadian Rockies Golf Vacation

A Canadian Rockies golf vacation could very well be the most memorable holiday you’ll ever take! The Canadian Rockies truly are one of the top natural wonders of the world, internationally renowned for the stunning scenery, the sparklingly clean air, and the quiet of unspoiled wilderness. This is as close as it gets to paradise on earth.

Snow-gilded mountain peaks, gem-like lakes, lush green river valleys and wide blue western skies are almost scenery clichés, but on your Canadian Rockies golf vacation this is reality. Golfers from around the world come to just stand and stare at one of nature’s crowning achievements. The fact that you’ll be playing golf in such a fabulous setting is just the icing on the cake. Of course, the numerous world-class golf courses in the area take full advantage of their gorgeous settings.

Verdant fairways weave themselves around glacier-fed streams and towering stands of evergreens, and often the greens themselves are back-dropped by achingly beautiful vistas. If there is a heaven, surely it must look like this! In such circumstances, it can be very difficult to concentrate on your golf game.

There are a wide variety of golf courses to choose from, all of them fabulous in their own unique way. Stanley Thompson, Canada’s master golf architect, designed the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course in 1928. He sensitively incorporated the natural scenic splendour into his design. The course winds along beside the pristine wilderness of the Bow River overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle. This amazing course will both challenge and delight you.

SCOREGolf Magazine rates the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club as the #1 Best Golf Resort in Canada with good reason. Designed in the 1920’s by Stanley Thompson, few golf courses in the world can match the rugged majesty of this national treasure. The design features wide fairways carved through thick forest, dramatic bunkering and holes aligned with distant mountain vistas. It presents a cunning blend of beautiful landscapes and challenging terrain.

Of course, a Canadian Rockies golf vacation would be incomplete without luxurious accommodations, fine dining, unique shopping experiences and pampering spas. Fortunately, resorts like Banff and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies have been offering these amenities for well over a century, all in a unique manner. Hedonistic luxury in the heart of spectacular unspoiled wilderness is now a Canadian Rockies tradition.

K. Gordon Schultz
President
http://www.GolfCanadasWest.com

Copyright 2007 – Golf Canada’s West. This article can be reproduced in its entirety, if the author credit and website address is retained.

About The Author

K. Gordon Schultz is president of Canmore Golf & Curling Club and the founder of Golf Canada's West – Customized Golf Vacations. His company offers customized golf vacations packages to Alberta and British Columbia being the Western Canada's leading golf vacation specialist. Toll free 877 323 3633, or visit http://www.GolfCanadasWest.com