George Gabriel asked:


Playing a good round of golf comes with a lot of good golf course management. Sure it is great to know how to have a great golf swing, but if you haven’t got course management, then you haven’t got a game plan.

Have you ever noticed a professional golfer standing beside their caddie in a discussion about the next golf shot at hand? You can rest assured that they were not talking about Larry King live, unless he was in the pro-am the day before and he was leading the tournament. They are discussing the previous results and golf placement on where they hit their golf shot the prior hole before in the practice round or regulation round. Course management is what they are talking about. Every golf shot is tagged to the nearest yard. If you want to play a good golf shot, you have to know your distance and what type of situation you’re up against. This is where good golfers with a good course management excel over their competition.

Taking all the great golfers and great golf swings into consideration, without the proper knowledge about distance, wind, uphill, downhill and all the great earthly weather that is always a surprise at times can be quite demanding to the best golfer at times. If you think that all you need is a great golf swing and a great set of golf clubs, you should rethink your game again. A lot of great golfers fall prey to a golfer with better course management. These same golfers with good course management do not need to out distance their competitor. They just need to place their ball where the next golf shot is a walk in the park.

If you haven’t got a clue about course management, your handicap is going to soar into the high double-digit figures. When you are talking about the shot at hand, you must take in consideration the prior distance and weather condition on your previous shot with the club selection at hand. Was the golf shot uphill with a wind behind you or against you? When choosing a golf club, one must ask a series of questions before making a formal decision. Do I want to play my next shot over a sand trap? Do I want to play my next golf shot with a pitching wedge or a 7 iron? In other words, do I want to fly the golf shot into the green, or place it where I can bump and run the next golf shot into the green?

Course management requires the golfer in paying attention to golf holes that are next to the hole that they are playing. They are constantly looking for good golf position for the next hole before they even tee up the golf ball. They are also checking out greens as far as slope and surrounding sand traps. Knowing where pin placement is, way before you’re sitting out in the middle of the fairway will definitely help on club selection. You may decide to play less club, because of the simple fact of a two-tier green and the pin is sitting on the bottom level. You would never have that knowledge at hand if you did not eye the situation on the prior hole unless you played it once before. It is called course management.

Take a good look at the golf terrain and conditions that you are playing in and pay attention to golf holes that you walk by. Knowing the golf terrain well in advance will make it a lot easier on golf club selection and help drive confidence going forward.



June

deerozl asked:


I’m trying to find the name of a private golf course in the Bradenton, maybe Sarasota, area of FL. I think the name is Palmira but I’m not sure. Can anyone help?

Holly

astros fan asked:


i was considering buying a sky caddie gps, but i was wondering if you can use a regular gps to map a golf course on your own. i’ve never used a gps so i really don’t know anything about them.

Timothy

Grahame Simpson asked:


This region has been nicknamed Costa del Golf with a good reason, as it is a paradise for the golfers with about 70 golf courses in Andalucía, and the Costa del Sol boasts of almost 50 of them. There are four golf courses in the region which are among the top ten in Europe.

The first thought which comes to our mind when we hear Costa del Sol, Spain would be sea, sand and the sun. This part of Spain has been endowed with an abundance of natural seaside, beaches and coves. The coastline is about hundred kilometers long with a number of shimmering beaches all the way along.

Spain is fast becoming the golfing Mecca of Europe. It has a winning recipe with world class courses designed in spectacular settings and weather which offers golf all the year round for all golfers to enjoy.

The Spanish mainland as well as the islands are home to an amazing assortment of golf courses and golfing, for golfers with all skill level, taste as well as budgets. You can enjoy golf from the Costa del Golf in Andalucía to the stunning courses in Catalonia situated in the foothills of the Pyrenees.

This is no wonder that the country is one of the most sought after golf holiday destinations in the world. Costa del Sol or better known as Costa del Golf has a number of golf courses which can fulfill the requirements of all golfers. As new courses are being designed even the most frequent golfer will have new challenges every time he visits this region of Spain.

Every year thousands of north European golfers make it their winter destination. With its concentration of varied courses along the coastline and foothills of the mountain ranges. This region offers the golfer ideal weather with its warm and sunny climate. In fact if you love playing golf then a visit to Costa del Sol in Spain is a must.

The region of Costa del Sol offers numerous world class clubs such as Valderrama, which is the most celebrated golf course in Spain and was home to the Ryder Cup in 1997 and the World Golf American Express Championships in 1999 and 2000. This club has also become the sacred venue for the esteemed Volvo Masters tournament.

There are some other well known clubs including Torrequebrada the impressive and challenging Monte Mayor, which is a golf course designed on the mountainside and has the unmatched panorama of the Gibraltar, Mediterranean and North Africa. San Roque is another famous club which has a golf academy started by Seve Ballesteros and an equestrian centre managed by Captain Mark Phillips.

With the huge success of the Ryder Cup, golf has been taken to new heights at Costa del Sol in Spain and it has also gained worldwide appreciation. This has seen the designing of top quality courses in this region to cater to the ever growing demand with Finca Cortesin Golf Course the most recent championship course to play in Costa del Sol, Spain.

The reasons are many and over the years Costa del Sol has demonstrated that the numero uno destination for golfers looking for interesting, challenging as well as a relaxing golf vacation is here.



Audrey

“A-Game” Guy asked:


We’re trying to make our course the best in the area. It’s a fine test of golf and has a nice club house, but we’re looking for the little things will make it distinctive. Thanks.

Edward

James Murray asked:


The Okanagan Valley with its rolling hills have many picturesque and world class golf courses to choose from which you can play many rounds of golf with either your friends or family, and most overlook beautiful Okanagan Lake. The casual or dedicated golfer can play these very accommodating golf courses. The Okanagan area offers the perfect location and choice for any golf vacation, and one main reason is many months of ideal golf weather which averages over 2,000 hours of sunshine every year. The Okanagan Valley offers one of the longest and driest golf seasons in Canada. Home to over 40 golf courses in the Okanagan Valley, and with Kelowna offering 14 of the main courses in this area, this is the perfect place to plan your golfing holiday.

Home to some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world are in the Okanagan Valley. As beautiful and challenging as they are, each golf course will give you an extraordinary golf experience to take home with you. Shadow Ridge Golf Course opened in 1988, and is one of Kelowna’s most exciting 18 hole golf courses in the Okanagan Valley. An excellent conditioned golf course which is easy to walk. Shadow Ridge offers a challenge, with a wide variety of golf holes, water hazards, beautiful kept greens, and many majestic willow trees for all golfers regardless of any skill level, a complete golfing experience. Shadow Ridge have a friendly and professional staff that will ensure the atmosphere is pleasant and relaxed. Very economically priced for a quality golf course, Shadow Ridge provides one greatest value of any of the courses in the Okanagan Valley. For a golf experience you will not forget, play Shadow Ridge on your next golf holiday.

When you finish playing your round of golf the fine Kelowna hotels and great motels like the Pandosy Inn allow you to be right in the heart of everything the beautiful “Kelowna” Okanagan Valley has to offer, and from your door of your wonderful room you step into a rash of excitement and activity. Step out of your room at the Pandosy Inn and across a quiet street you will see one of the best beaches in the okanagan valley, “Gyro Beach,” it is one the larger beaches and one of the most popular destination spots that welcome people from all over the world and of all ages. If your vacation is to be in golfing paradise, Kelowna and the Pandosy Inn is a pretty good start, then please give them, your hosts at the Pandosy Inn a call, and allow them the opportunity to show you some good, old, Kelowna hospitality, and for you to experience the sights, and sounds that make Kelowna and Okanagan Valley an exceptional golfing vacation experience.

Make Shadow Ridge Golf Course in the Okanagan Valley and the Pandosy Inn your choice for a golfing vacation.



Leroy

James Murray asked:


The Okanagan Valley with their rolling hills have many picturesque golf courses, which you can play many rounds of golf with either your friends or family, and most overlook beautiful Okanagan Lake. The casual or dedicated golfer can play these very accommodating golf courses. The Okanagan area offers the perfect location and choice for any golf vacation, and one main reason is many months of ideal golf weather which averages over 2,000 hours of sunshine every year. The Okanagan Valley offers one of the longest and driest golf seasons in Canada. Home to over 40 golf courses in the Okanagan Valley, and with Kelowna offering 14 of the main courses in this area, this is the perfect place to plan your golfing holiday.

Home to some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world are in the Okanagan Valley. As beautiful and challenging as they are, each golf course will give you an extraordinary golf experience to take home with you. Orchard Greens Golf Course design is 9 holes and 2100 yards in length and a working orchard golf course par 32 layout. Orchard Greens golf course offers a good challenge for all levels of golfers with narrow apple tree lined fairways and a small lake in play. A new dimension to the game of golf is they provide exciting “Night Golf” that is a lot of fun and very different to anyone who has has never played at night before. Orchard Greens is a working orchard, which means its trees are in play and part of the golf course. A little reminder of the orchards past, farm machinery, they place several pieces of equipment all over the golf course which makes it a unique setting. Apple trees are all along the golf course, and they provide golfers with fragrance of apple blossoms in the spring, and a large crop of fresh apples in the fall. A very unique golf course and something else to do at night.

When you finish playing your round of golf the fine Kelowna hotels and great motels like the Pandosy Inn allow you to be right in the heart of everything the beautiful “Kelowna” Okanagan Valley has to offer, and from your door of your wonderful room you step into a rash of excitement and activity. Step out of your room at the Pandosy Inn and across a quiet street you will see one of the best beaches in the okanagan valley, “Gyro Beach,” it is one the larger beaches and one of the most popular destination spots that welcome people from all over the world and of all ages. Choosing a Kelowna motel like the Pandosy Inn gives you the option to travel British Columbia and take a short trip through the Okanagan Valley for some great golfing, and if your vacation is to be in golfing paradise, Kelowna and the Pandosy Inn is a pretty good start.

The Orchard Greens Golf Course in the Okanagan Valley and the Pandosy Inn will make your golfing vacation an enjoyable and memorable golfing experience.



Ted

bigwheels1031 asked:


I am currently majoring in Turfgrass Science at Penn State University and one option is a specialized major to become a golf course superintendent. What is the job market like for golf course superintendents? What is the starting pay like?

Agnes

Morgan Clarke asked:


Brittany is just a pleasant ferry journey away or you can take the motorway from Calais or even fly from many UK airports to several in Brittany. The sheer number of high- quality golf courses in Brittany make it the ideal location for golfers seeking a luxury holiday with easy-to-get-to access and that French “je ne sais quoi!”

Here are 5 courses that should make you consider a Brittany golf holiday.

5. Dinard

The oldest golf course in Brittany (and the second oldest in the country!) starts our list. Designed by celebrated golfing architect Willie Dunn all the way back in 1887, this is a course that has improved with age and simply has it all: great golf, sensational coastal views and a charming Art Deco clubhouse. It isn’t for novices though, despite being a short 5814 yards - it starts off easily, but quickly ramps up the difficulty to tax the most experienced of golfers. If you can manage it, try and play midweek as it’s popular with members at weekends.

4. Nantes La Vigneux

Nantes Vigneux is full of surprises - fortunately, they’re all of the pleasant variety for experienced golfers. Designed by Frank Pennink, this course really is a hidden gem. Lovely fairways, delightful woodland, and a relaxed atmosphere are countered by the difficulty of the small greens and the River Cens. First timers may struggle to get a good score, but this is one course that gets better every time you play it, meaning that one Brittany golf holiday may not be enough for this gem.

3. Val Andre

At only 15 years old, it’s easy to overlook Val Andre as a young pretender to the prestige of some of the older golf courses in Brittany. However, Val Andre is one of France’s best “new” courses. The wide fairways will do their best to lull you into a false sense of security but that will soon vanish after your first three putt on the tricky greens (made all the more difficult by the coastal winds!). Expertly maintained, Val Andre is well worth a day’s golf on a golf holiday in Brittany - not just for the course, but for the fabulous views and splendid seafood on offer in the nearby coastal town.

2. Saint-Laurent

Perhaps the most famous golf course in Brittany, Saint-Laurent has hosted the PGA Championship on numerous occasions and offers a suitably challenging parkland test. Tough off the back, friendly off the front, you have to have all the shots in the bag to put a good score together. It’s a classic design with great variety and a lovely “clubby” feel to the place.

1. La Baule

La Baule is the most popular golf course in Brittany and one of our clients’ favourites. What you get is two fine 18 hole courses - the Red and the Blue - and the jury is out as to which one is the better. With a hotel on site, many clients “play and stay” for a few days, enjoying not only the golf but the nearby resort and myriad of restaurants. The golf course designers were Dave Thomas, Michel Gayon, Jack Nicklaus Jnr and Peter Alliss - they don’t disappoint. This is parkland golf at its prettiest and requires a tight driving game to the lush fairways. As they say, “keep the ball in play and the pars look after themselves”. With the round topped off by the smart thatched-roof club house, golf days in Brittany don’t come much better than this.

Honourable mentions must include the courses at La Bretesche and Saint Malo…With so many great courses and just a short ferry and drive from England’s south coast, Brittany makes the perfect escape for golfers. Consider a golf holiday in Brittany next time you feel like hitting the fairways with friends!



Albert

Andy West asked:


There are many golfers who dream of being able to manage a golf course. With the proper knowledge and training, this is something that is much more of a reality than many golfers know. With more schools and training programs popping up all over the place, gaining the knowledge that will allow you to manage a golf course is something that can be done with relatively little effort and a monetary commitment.

Ask any golf course owner or manager and they will likely reveal that owning one of these courses is a whole lot of work and it is not for the weak and weary. For starters, a general knowledge of the game of golf and the art of business is a must. Beyond that, there are some specifics that will enable you to successfully manage a golf course. A golf course is unlike a lot of businesses in that it is a living, growing, and breathing business entity. Not only must the course look great and remain in good condition, golf course managers must realize that their product is equally dependent on good management and skilled business practice. Every stone must be turned and each blade of grass must be taken into account with intense commitment to detail. The competition is stiff these days, with each golf course looking more lavish than the next.

If you want to manage a golf course, a basic knowledge of business practices is something that will go a long way. The best way to gain this knowledge is through actual experience, but general business management classes will certainly be a boon to your quest to successfully manage a golf course. There, one can learn the basics of motivating employees, handling business goals or visions, and keeping with regularly accepted business hiring practices. There are many topics which you will need to master before you can even consider the golf side of things. Businesses must deal with the everyday headaches of taxes, public relations, and day-to-day operations. Without these basic skills of business, your quest to manage a golf course will be lacking a crucial foundation.

Golf courses are not cheap and they are certainly not the easiest in the world to obtain. If you are serious about managing your own golf course, you must come up with a business plan in which you will outline the financing options necessary for acquiring the property. The original business plan should include all of the costs that you may incur when you first choose to manage a golf course. Included in these are the costs of course upkeep, the rent on the property, taxes, and other assorted costs. This part of the pre-planning portion of your project could possibly be described as the most important aspect. By having a clear and decisive plan of action in your financial realm, managers can provide prospective lenders with proof that they have the capability of managing a golf course. Without this, the golf course may never get off of the ground.

When the finances are taken care of, it is on to the management of the golf course itself. Many owners and managers choose to hire corporations that will assist with the golf course management, but that takes all of the fun out of it. If you feel you have enough knowledge and expertise to manage a golf course, then by all means, mold your possession to fit your liking. If the finances begin to head south in the early going, hiring an experienced professional consultant is never a bad idea.

Owning and managing your own golf course is really not as unrealistic as it may seem. With the proper preparation and planning, you can be on your way to managing a golf course. If operated correctly, this venture could turn into a personal paradise where money, leisure, and self-actualization meet.



Lester