100 Posts on Amateur Golfer!

Indeed, this post is the 100 post on Amateur Golfer. As such, it's worth noting the Amateur Golfer archives and some of the older posts on this blog, as well as the more recent. Check out the 2011 Blog Posts post which  has a few links to previous posts on this blog. Alternatively, the Best of this Blog post is also worth noting.

Golf Digest's Top 10 Golf Resorts in North America

Among Golf Digest's numerous course rankings there are also golf resort rankings. These are Golf Digest's top 10 golf resorts in North America:

1. BANDON (ORE.) DUNES GOLF RESORT (RANKED NO. 3 IN 2009)

Score: 89.81
Contact: bandondunesgolf.com, 888-345-6008
Room rate:*: $250

2. PEBBLE BEACH RESORT/INN AT SPANISH BAY (1)

Score: 87.76
Contact: pebblebeach.com, 800-654-9300
Room rate:: $615

3. THE AMERICAN CLUB (6) Kohler, Wis.

Score: 87.47
Contact: americanclubresort.com, 800-344-2838
Room rate: $410

4. SEA ISLAND (GA.) RESORTS, THE CLOISTER & THE LODGE (2)

Score: 87.38
Contact: seaisland.com, 866-879-6238
Room rate: $525

5. THE GREENBRIER (8) WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.VA.

Score: 85.88
Contact: greenbrier.com, 800-453-4858
Room rate: $359

6. FOUR SEASONS RESORT HUALALAI AT HISTORIC KA'UPULEHU (4) The Big Island, Hawaii

Score: 85.29
Contact: fourseasons.com/hualalai, 808-325-8000
Room rate: $625

7. RITZ-CARLTON, KAPALUA (15) Maui, Hawaii

Score: 84.56
Contact: ritzcarlton.com, 808-669-6200
Room rate: $519

8. ONE & ONLY OCEAN CLUB/ATLANTIS (27) Paradise Island, Bahamas

Score: 84.14
Contact: oceanclub.oneandonlyresorts.com, 888-528-7157
Room rate: $890

9. FOUR SEASONS RESORT PUNTA MITA (NR) Nayarit, Mexico

Score: 84
Contact: fourseasons.com/puntamita, +52 329-291-6000 Room rate: $670

10. SANDY LANE (NR) Barbados

Score: 83.81
Contact: sandylane.com, 246-444-2000
Room rate: $1,445

As such, Bandon Dunes golf resort is ranked the best golf resort, having climbed up from 3rd in the previous rankings. This golf resort has four great golf courses located on the Pacific coastline of the Southern Oregon Coast. The courses of Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald and Bandon Trails have a great collection of holes routed along the Pacific. A fifth course with 13 par 3s, the Bandon Preserve, will be the new addition to the Bandon Dunes resort courses. Check out the Bandon Dunes website for further details on this resort.


The Bandon Trails golf course



Golf courses in Louisiana

Naturally, a US state will be home to a number of golf courses. The State of Louisiana is no exception. To narrow down the field, I will only look at some of the best the State has to offer.

A new golf course in Louisian is that of Santa Maria Golf Club which opened in 2006. It's an 18 hole, 6,969 yarder, with a par of 72. Designed by Robert Trent Jones, the course has been praised for its value. It includes a number of water hazards, and has silky smooth greens.

If seeking more of a challenge, the Carter Plantation might be of interest. At 7, 049 yards the course is longer and has a rating of 74. It has hard greens, and difficult bunkers to escape from. It has won a few awards, most notably GolfWeek Magazine's 2005 Best Public-Access Course in Louisiana award.

For a Links style course, you may wish to try Links on the Bayou golf course - par 72, with a 6,879 yardage. Although perhaps not the most scenic course in Louisiana the course is very well maintained, and provides excellent value. Be warned of the wind, for the course does not provide so much shelter!

Koasati Pines at Coushatta golf course is an 18-hole course with a lot of distance. As a par 72 with 7,617 yards, you can be sure of a good walk! The course has excellent maintenance, and features a number of risk-reward type holes.

The Audubon Park Golf Course can offer a test. The course has a rating of 64, and boasts some very challenging par 3s. It also has small greens that are well guarded by bunkers.

The Gemstone Plantation Golf Course, is a 6, 657 yard course which is great value. At less than $30 dollars you can get a full round here. A very well maintained course, with immaculate greens and great scenery to boot it is well worth a trip.

English Turn Golf Course has been described as a must play course in the New Orleans area. With approx 7,000 yards, it offers a fun challenge. At English Turn each hole is different, with undulating greens, and the 18th hole has been rated as one of the hardest on the PGA Tour. So, you might want to give the Nicklaus designed course a go.

The Squire Creek Golf Course is also worthy of note. A par 72, with 7,100 yards, which rates highly in all areas. In 2006, it was awarded Golf Magazine's Top Rated Golf Course in Louisiana.

Of course, there are many more golf courses in the state of Louisiana. But these courses, are some of the more highly rated golf courses within the location. Well maintained, with good facilities, these Louisiana courses should provide a good enough round for golfers in the area.

Golf Vacation Destinations: The Costa Del Sol

The Costa Del Sol is a region in the south of Spain that is a great golf vacation destination. The Costa Del Sol has approximately 70 golf courses along its Mediterranean coastline, and some great golf vacation resorts. Malaga and Marbella are two of the cities in the Costa Del Sol with sandy beaches and excting golf courses. Among the most famous golf courses in the Costa Del Sol is that of the Vaderrama golf course which has hosted some great golf championships such as the Ryder Cup.

Whilst Vaderrama is a private golf course, there are plenty of exciting public golf courses at the Costa Del Sol. Among them is the Marbella Golf and Country Club, which is located in Marbella! This resort's course is an 18 hole par 72 that is a relatively short 5867 yards from the white tee box. The course was designed by  R Trent Jones, and has a variety of lakes set alongside its rolling green hills and olive trees. The course rates can vary from 65 euros to 49.

Check out the Marbella Golf and Country Club website for further details. Or alternatively, the Costa Del Sol website is also worth noting.

Golf Travel Websites

There are a variety of great golf resorts in the United States and Europe. Golf resorts such as Pebble Beach Resort and Pinehurst have top class golf courses which have hosted Major championships. As such, there are also a number of great online resources. Read Golf Travel Websites.

Golf Desktop Icons

After you've added a golf theme, such as this one, you can further customize your desktop with golf desktop icons. Look no further than the golf desktop icon pack, which you can find further details on here. Then, the following golf desktop icons can be added to your desktop.   

Alternatively, you can also find some further golf desktop icons here. To change any desktop icon, right-click it and then select properties. Then select change desktop icon, open the folder which includes your golf desktop icons and select a golf desktop icon.

The History of the Masters Golf Tournament

While the Masters may not have quite the history of the British Open, in respect of length at least, the tournament still holds a special place in golfers' hearts. Since it began in 1934 it has become renowned for its quality, and has established itself as one of the world's best golf tournaments, if not the best. Read The history of the Masters Golf Tournament.

The 200 ft Golf Putt

"For example, you may be surprised how far you can putt a golf ball. In very dry conditions you can certainly putt over 25 yards and potentially up to the 50 yard mark." That's what I said in this previous Amateur Golfer blog post. In actual fact, you can putt a golf ball even further than 50 yards as this fantastic golf putt highlights. 

What a putt! This 200 ft putt covers approximately 66.66 yards on the green. So, who needs to chip from off the green? 

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Robert Trent Jones is a famous golf course designer. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama is one of the largest golf construction projects attempted. The 11 golf clubs stretch from the Lakewood Golf Club in the south, to the Shoals in the north. In total, the trail extends 384 miles.

Lakewood Golf Club

Starting in the south, Lakewood Golf Club is a private club with two courses comprising 36 holes. This course has undergone extensive renovations and can be considered the most recent addition to the trail. It has considerable water features, and is lined with 200-year old oak trees.

Magnolia Grove

Just beyond Lakewood, you can find Magnolia Grove. This boasts three courses, the Crossings, Falls and an 18-hole par 3 known as the Short Course. The Short Course is regarded as one of the best par 3s in America while the longer ones are championship courses.

Highland Oaks

Highland Oaks is special for its 9-hole courses. It has four golf courses in total, with three championship courses and a short par-3 course which is most notable for its putting greens and bunkers.

Cambrian Ridge

The Cambrian Ridge also focuses on 9-hole courses. Take a look at The Sherling Trail, which may well be the best nine on the trail. The ninth hole features an uphill hole with a deep ravine, and shares a double green with Canyon's nine.

Capital Hill

Capital Hill, as the name suggests, does have a certain theme. With three courses appropriately named: The Senator, The Legislator and The Judge. These are three 18-hole championship courses, with The Senator having a Scottish style links layout.

Grand National Club

If looking for a longer par 3 course, the Grand National Club will be worth a look. It has an 18-hole par 3 course, in addition to two 18-hole championship courses. The links course is the cornerstone course, and has perhaps the hardest finishing hole on the trail. Spanning across a lake on the left, the tee shot requires a shot across the left side to make the fairway.

Ross Bridge

Ross Bridge has just the one 18-hole links course, the fewest number of holes for any club on the trail. It is designed for tournament play and has considerable elevation changes, combined with water and natural hazards, to provide a test.

Oxmoor Valley

For scenic forests, and numerous creeks, you might consider trying Oxmoor Valley. It boasts 56 holes, across three 18-hole courses. The short course provides elevation changes, and many downhill holes.

Silver Lakes

Silver Lakes provides four 9-hole golf courses. With some especially scenic golf, the Heart-breaker nine is considered to be the most challenging nine on the trail from the pro tees.

Hampton Cove

Hampton Cove has three golf courses on offer. The most unique of these is the River Course, the only Robert Trent course without a single bunker!

The Shoals

This brings us to the furthest northern course on the trail - The Shoals. It has two 18-hole courses, and Fighting Joe is an especially long one. As the first on the trail to break 8,000 yards, it is long trek.

These 11 golf clubs provide a number of fantastic championship and short courses for the average golfer to try their hand. Be careful on the harder ones, they are not ideal for the beginner, but the shorter courses can be suitable. One thing is certain; you will not be lost for choice, for the trail has a total of 26 golf courses on its 11 sites! Check out the Trent Jones Trail website for further details. 

The Best Golf Courses beyond the United States

I have included a few of Golf Digest's fascinating golf course rankings on this blog, and here is another. These are the top 10 golf courses beyond the United States:

1. Royal County Down G.C. Newcastle, N. Ireland
2. St. Andrews Links (Old) St. Andrews, Scotland
3. Muirfield Gullane, Scotland
4. Royal Portrush G.C. (Dunluce): Portrush, N. Ireland
5. Turnberry Resort (Ailsa) Turnberry, Scotland
6. Royal Dornoch G.C. (Championship) Dornoch, Scotland
7. Ballybunion G.C. (Old) Ballybunion, Ireland
8. Carnoustie G. Links (Championship) Carnoustie, Scotland
9. New South Wales G.C. Sydney, Australia
10. Sunningdale G.C. (Old) Sunningdale, England

As such, Royal County Down G.C. in Newcastle N.Ireland is ranked the best course beyond the United States. This is one of the older golf courses set in the backdrop of the Mourne Mountains that dates back to the 19th century, is just over 7,000 yards in length and has some great holes.

There are also plenty more UK courses which dominate the list, and most are links golf courses with plenty of sand. Of these, Scotland has the most in the top 100 with 17 courses in total. Only one from beyond the British Isles is included in the top 10, and that is New South Wales golf course in Australia.

The 1,410 feet Tee-Shot

Yup, that's right, this par-3 hole includes a tee at the top of a mountain with a 1,410 feet elevated tee-shot. Check out the video below for further details. 

Or you can visit the Legend Golf & Safari Resort where the hole is located. Here you can gain a glimpse of the mountain which dominates the course's skyline.

Golf Vacation Destinations: Pinehurst Resort

Pinehurst Resort, in North Carolina, is a golf resort which boasts up to eight golf courses. Prominent golf course architects such as Rees Jones, Ross, and Fazio have all played a hand in the design of the Pinehurst golf courses. As such, the resort certainly does not lack variety. The no 2 is the championship golf course that has staged a few Majors. Other courses, such as the first which dates back to 1898, are also more historic and have classic designs.

You can take your pick from the variety of golf courses. However, Pinehurst is not just about golf, with tennis courts, lawn sports, wine festivals, and the Pinehurst Beach Club which is a 200 acre private freshwater lake. Spa and fitness suite are also available, along with dining options such as the 1895 Grille. As such, Pinehurst has a variety of packages including golf, spa, and other recreational options linked with its accommodation options.

The Pinehurst No.2 sign. The first line, "I sincerely believe this course to be the fairest test of championship golf I have ever designed."

T-Rex at St Andrew's Old Course

Yes, strange though it may sound, a T-Rex has been spotted at St Andrew's Old Course! Golfers fled in panic as the T-Rex stormed up to the famous Swilcan Bridge, and then the R&A club house. However, one golfer that survived to tell the tale did manage to take a fantastic photograph of the T-Rex at St Andrews. And here it is:

The T-Rex at St Andrews!

This dinosaur photograph can be added to your desktop as desktop wallpaper. Check out this website for further details.

Bridgewater Golf Course, Lakeland, Florida

The Bridgewater golf course is an exciting new Florida course, in Lakeland, that was opened in 2007. Designed by Steve Symers, it is a links style golf course with 18 superb holes.

When Symers designed this course, he wanted to create a long golf course, which would provide a test for longer hitting players. Certainly, the course comes with some formidable par 5s. The longest hole is 583 yards off the black tee, while hole 3 has a lengthy maximum of 267-yards. Overall, the course measures 7,200 yards. The green complexes are also large, at approximately 10,000 square feet.

The course has a risk-reward approach, particularly around some of the greens. Heart-break ridge has become an example of this, and is considered the signature hole. It has an elevated green, which is surrounded by water on the left, and a deep bunker on the right. Likewise, it is almost a 500-yard par 4.

It offers a strategic challenge also. The risk-reward nature of the course creates various shot-options and routes to the hole. In many respects, this was as Symers intended.

The course has a good location, and as Symers put it, will actually turn into a nature conservancy as well. The course does indeed have a fair amount of wildlife to mix in with the golf.

It has 5 tees for players of all levels. These range from the shortest white tees, to the longest black championship tees. Players can pick the tee they feel best suits them, and play from there.

Rates at the course vary. The regular maximum rate is $60 dollars, before 2 pm. Off peak, after 2 p.m. the rate drops to $30. However, for a Florida resident it is only $25 dollars of peak. Better still, a Bridgewater player's card gives further reductions down to $15 dollars for an off peak round. A 10 round pass is also available.

The course is also next to a good club-house, which is well stocked. It includes a pro shop, plus a snack area and lounge and an impressive expansive patio. Equally, the practise facilities are upscale with target greens, short game with sand bunker and putting green.

Since opening, the course has been widely acclaimed. Golf Week Magazine has given it its seal of approval, rating it as one of the top 100 golf courses you can play.

Certainly this course should not be missed. It offers a good location, with moderate rates and a lengthy course with interesting design features.

Two, Three and Four-Piece Golf Balls

There are three types of golf balls which you can use on the golf course. These are the two, three and four piece golf balls. These golf balls have different aerodynamic properties due to their different designs.

To begin with, there is the two-piece golf ball which most will be familiar with. This is the most standard golf ball as they are the cheapest. These balls provide greater backspin, and therefore will travel further than the alternatives.

However, on the PGA Tour three-piece golf balls are favored. These golf balls are softer than two-piece golf balls, and have a core surrounded by a mantle. As such, even though they may not go so far they provide greater maneuverability than your average two-piece balls. So, they can be more accurate than two-piece golf balls. 

Four-piece golf balls are an enhancement on three-piece balls. They have more advanced designs with liquid cores, and so are usually the most highly valued golf balls. These balls are more likely to drop and stop on the green than a two-piece golf ball which could stop somewhat further from the hole.

So, it’s worth noting whether a golf ball is a two, three or four-piece golf ball. Check the golf ball details on their boxes which should highlight whether it is two, three or four-piece ball. Although, the majority are two piece golf balls with an emphasis on greater ball spin and distance that could ensure an extra few yards are covered on the course. 

The Gunpowder Golf Shot

Check out this gunpowder golf shot video!

What is the difference between Pitching and Chipping?

There are in fact a number of differences between pitching and chipping. These relate to set up, loft, club selection and distance of shot.

The overall set ups are not the same. The chip shot requires the feet to be closer together, and the ball placed towards the heel of the right foot. Likewise, the pitch shot actually has the ball placed more centrally and a wider stance. The club is also gripped lighter with the pitch.

Also required with a pitch, is a more open stance. Usually this should be at an angle, while the chip shot stance has to remain square to the target line.

After this, the chip requires a smaller swing than the pitch shot. With a pitch shot, the swing also involves using your wrists and a lighter grip. With a chip, this is not so much the case.

Club selection for the chip shots can be more flexible. You can use irons to chip with, as well as the wedges. With pitching, the loft required for the shot only makes the wedge clubs suitable for the shot.

Because of this, the actual shots are not that similar. The chip will have far less loft, and will roll along the ground a good distance before stopping. In contrast, a pitch is entirely air-born, with far greater loft and very little roll on the ground. As such, the chip shot is shorter in distance than the pitch shot, which can be used beyond 50 yards.

The greater roll of the chip makes it ideal for a short shot onto the green from within 25 yards. Usually, when it touches the green, the ball will roll on the green towards the flag like a putt. Likewise, its more limited loft means it escapes the wind more easily than with a pitch shot.

Without a great deal of loft, however, it is no good if an obstacle is in the way like a bunker. Here, the loft of the pitch shot will clear it, and touch down on the green behind. This makes the pitch more useful for getting over other close obstacles also, like bushes.

The pitch is also good for escaping long grass. The steep swing and loft of the wedges will cut through the grass and scoop the ball back onto the fairway. Here, you can open up the club face also, which will increase the loft of the shot a little.

Overall, the pitch shot is more difficult to do accurately. With the wind blowing, getting the ball close the green can best be done with a chip shot. Even without, pitch shots can be less accurate. For this reason, it's always better to chip when possible.

The Top Golf Courses in Southern California

California is home to sun, surfers and golf courses! It has its fair share, and the best golf courses in southern California are undoubtedly something special. While it is tricky to pick a best from such a diverse group of courses, there are a few that stand out.

While the famous Pebble Beach may be northern California's gem, Pelican Hills is often said to be the southern equivalent. Located in Newport Beach, Pelican Hill is a public resort course on the sea. It has wonderful views, and is a links style course.

A classic old-style course, Indian Wells country club gives you course with some spectacular twists. Located near the rocky mountains, it has some interesting features such as plunging hills on fairways. While it may not be the longest course, at 6, 478 yards it will certainly provide an entertaining round.

The Oak Quarry golf club has a unique golf course. A course built into a rock quarry, which is visually stunning with rock framing holes. For an inland course, it's a remarkable feet of golf design. The 14th golf hole is particularly impressive, with a 400ft-limestone wall towering over the hole. It is regarded as one of the best holes in California.

For a top value course, you might not find any better than in southern California than Barona Creek. For $50 dollars, you can get a round at a course that stretches out over rolling terrain, and has some of the fastest greens you might well come across.

The Torry Pines Municipal golf Course, is one of the most highly regarded in the southern California state. It is a public course, and has excellent coastline views along its 7,607 yards. It has featured in a number of golf magazines' top golf course rankings, making the top 10 on a few occasions.

Torry Pines Golf Course

If you must push for a number one golf course in southern California, then perhaps Mountain Course at La Quinta. Located next to the Santa Rose peaks, it is a resort course that can make for a good vacation point. The mountain vistas link to the fairways, making accuracy very important. For what it is worth, the course has been said by some to be the best golf course in California not just the south. Strong acclaims, when competing with courses like Pebble beach.

So, southern California may well have some of the best courses you will find not only in California, but also anywhere. The courses described here are amongst the most notable in the region, and the Mountain Course is perhaps the best on offer.

Fantasy Golf

There are a number of fantasy golf games that you can register with online. These fantasy golf games are pretty similar in that you select a group of golfers with a fixed budget, and then when the golf season begins the golfers accumulate points in relation to their PGA Tour championship finishes. Each fantasy golf game then ranks the fantasy golf teams, and those with the highest point totals will be in the prize positions.

A good example of a fantasy golf game is that of the original golf fantasy league. At their website you can register and add a team for the 2012 golf season. Or alternatively, check out the PGA Tour fantasy golf game.

Golf Vacation Destinations: Pebble Beach

The 6th Green at Pebble Beach

The golf course of Pebble Beach was first opened in 1919, and today is one of the finest golf courses in the United States. As such, it has hosted a number of top golf championships including the US Open five times, with great players such as Nicklaus, Watson, Kite, and Woods all winning at Pebble Beach.

Overall, the golf course of Pebble Beach has a pretty unique setting. Located in southern California Pebble Beach plays alongside the Pacific Ocean. The course layout brings a good number of the holes out towards the rocky coastline, with holes such as the third, fourth, and fifth running along the coast. As such, coastal wind can always be a factor in a round at Pebble Beach.

The course includes a number of tricky holes. As such, naming a signature hole is not especially obvious at Pebble Beach. However, the 8th hole is considered to be one of the hardest on the course. Although the hole has a generously wide fairway, the ocean can become something of an unwelcome companion along the entire right side of the hole with the potential for balls to fall in the sea. The hole also includes a landing area elevated on a cliff above the green, which gives a good view of the small landing target.

Other notable holes of the golf course include the short, but much loved no 7. This hole plays out from an elevated tee where players strike towards the Pacific Ocean, which surrounds the green and hole generally. Distance can be deceptive on this hole, for missing the green can come at some cost.

The Pebble Beach course also had some minor changes to further enhance it for the 2010 U.S. Open. Essentially, changes have been made to the 3rd, 6th, 9th, 10th, and 12th holes by adding new bunkers to each fairway. Along with this, a couple of hundred yards were also added which has extended the course length to 7, 014 yards in total. Overall, the course modifications should make a great golf course all the better!