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Showing posts with label Golf Adventure. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Golf Adventure. Show all posts

ZealousGolfer.com Travel: Hilton Head Island

on May 25, 2010 11:16 AM , in , , , 0 Comments

For this new installment of ZealousGolfer.com Travel, I turn to one of the nation's few universally loved golf destinations: Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.


Fantastic weather? Check. In fact, the average high in the summer months tends to fall in the mid 80s, and golfers enjoy consistently mild weather in the spring and fall.

Great sights? Check. You probably can instantly recall the image of the lighthouse at Harbour Town Marina from watching the Verizon Heritage on the PGA Tour.

Most importantly, great golf? Definitely.

Golf in Hilton Head:

Although the resorts and ocean are certainly reasons to come to Hilton Head, golf is undoubtedly the most compelling reason to head to South Carolina.

Make sure to check out the complete list of Hilton Head golf courses, but I will talk about a few of the island's very memorable golf opportunities in this article.
No Hilton Head review would be complete without a mention of the famous Harbour Town Golf Links. This course has played host to the PGA Tour when the world's best golfers come to town, and for good reason.

Harbour Town winds around the water forcing advanced players to emphasize accuracy over pure distance on many of the holes. What makes this Jack Nicklaus design even more challenging is the prevalence of small greens. If you are looking to be tested on your golf trip to Hilton Head, Harbour Town is definitely the place to be.

On the other end of the spectrum (as Hilton Head is famous for providing golfers of all skill levels a great experience), the Robert Trent Jones course at Palmetto Dunes is far friendlier.

Don't get me wrong. At the tips, the Robert Trent Jones plays at over 6,700 yards and includes many of the challenging elements of Harbour Town and the other resort courses. That said, RTJ emphasizes the fun of golf while removing some of the more dangerous elements to provide every golfer with a calm, relaxing round.

Conclusion:

Hilton Head is unique for a few reasons. For one, the number of golf options available is unmatched by virtually any other golf destination in the United States. This is one of the few places where one could stay for a week without any chance of getting bored.

On top of that, both elite and novice golfers will have the opportunity to have a phenomenal time. For me, this captures the spirit of a great golf vacation that is perfect for families seeking a getaway.

Be sure to check here for Hilton Head tee times, as well as options in dining and accommodations.

Hilton Head earns ZG's seal of approval. This is an experience that no golfer can afford to miss.

ZealousGolfer.com Travel: Turtle Bay Resort, Hawaii

on May 10, 2010 8:31 PM , in , , , , , , 0 Comments

For my previous travel articles, I have covered several European destinations. Now I would like to turn back to what is perhaps the most exotic vacation spot in the United States: Hawaii.


The last time I looked at golf in Hawaii, I took a look at the Kapalua Resort. Of course, considering that the PGA Tour devotes the first weeks of every season to golfing on the islands, it is clear that there are a multitude of other phenomenal options available when a zealous golfer makes his/her way to Hawaii.

A personal favorite for me (which in my opinion is a must-play for any one interested in Hawaii golf) is the Turtle Bay Resort.

You are probably already familiar with the resort from the 2008 film Forgetting Sarah Marshall. This resort provided the setting for the film, but its two premier golf courses are also easily recognizable for playing host to professional golf tournaments.

Only 50 minutes from Honolulu, Turtle Bay is the only major golf resort on the North Shore.

The Golf:

Turtle Bay boasts two championship golf courses. One was designed by the King himself, Arnold Palmer. The other is a George Fazio design.

Each course is named after its world-famous architect.

The Palmer Course is notable in its use of a Scottish links-style layout similar to many of Palmer's original courses.

The Fazio Course preceded the Palmer and has played host to the Senior Skins game and an LPGA event. While shorter in length than the Palmer (at 6,500 yards maximum), the Fazio provides players of all varieties a challenge with enormous, sculpted greens.

The price for a tee time ranges from $90-180 during the year at both courses. Like most resorts, staying on-site has the added benefit of less expensive golf during your stay. While the Fazio and Palmer designs certainly are elite golf courses, junior golfers may play for only $30 at both.
Conclusion:

The Turtle Bay Resort is a phenomenal representation of the best Hawaiian golf has to offer. With many courses to offer, fantastic golf resources (for instance, a teaching academy and state of the art driving range on-site), and an unparalleled resort on-site, Turtle Bay is hard to match in quality.

If you are planning your golf trip, make sure to check out Hawaii golf courses here.

Turtle Bay certainly earns the ZealousGolfer.com seal of approval for its commitment to a great golf and vacation experience.

ZealousGolfer.com Travel: Nicklaus Golf Trail, Spain

on April 15, 2010 3:19 PM , in , , , , , 0 Comments

At the end of last year, I took a look at the La Manga Club, which proved to be one of the best options in Spanish golf. One of La Manga's neighbors in the south of Spain is the Nicklaus Golf Trail, which shares the great weather and proximity to phenomenal beaches.


What the Nicklaus Golf Trail brings to the table, however, is suggested by the name: five of the world's best courses designed by the Golden Bear: Jack Nicklaus. In fact, the Golf Trail boasts the highest concentration of Nicklaus designs of any golf facility in the entire world.

Let's check out the courses.

Courses:

The Nicklaus project is a pretty epic vision. There are five completed courses that are open to guests at this point, but that isn't all. One more course is in the works, and there are two more courses being planned.

The Polaris World project will create an unparalleled golfing experience when it is completed. That said, golfers already have the opportunity to play 90 distinct holes of golf.

The Mar Menor, La Torre, El Valle, Hacienda and La Torre Sur courses all boast unique, championship layouts. They are all within a 15 mile radius. The La Torre Sur will be familiar to American guests who have played Nicklaus's course in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Utilizing olive trees, large rocks, wide bunkers, and many lakes, these courses will provide challenges to any experienced golfer. Nonetheless, these courses capture the resort feel by being accessible to golfers of any skill level.

The Stay:

The Nicklaus Golf Trail is unique because it compiles the resources of many of Spain's best golf resorts. Thus, for those seeking a golf vacation in Spain, the Golf Trail is ideal: great hotels, beaches, and more golf holes than you will have time to play.

If you are interested in a trip to Murcia, Spain, make sure to search around here for tee times.

With so much to offer for the vacationing golfer from shopping in the town to the diversity of courses, the Nicklaus Golf Trail is truly a can't-miss opportunity.

Hacker Alert: Season 2: Returning to Golf

on March 4, 2010 8:56 PM , in , , , , 0 Comments

I always have mixed feelings about my first round of the season. On one hand, I love getting back out on the links. On the other hand, the weather is usually poor, and it takes me a few rounds to get my swing back together.


Fortunately, the "bad weather" issue wasn't a problem this year since I was kicking off my golf year in New Orleans instead of Pittsburgh. I headed out after I got home on a gorgeous sunny and 60 degree day.

The site of the start of my 2010 season? Audubon Golf Club, which is located in Audubon Park right across from Tulane University.

Audubon is a short executive course - par 62, about 4,000 yards altogether. Despite its small size, Audubon offers some tough little par 3s surrounded by bunkers and water and a few long-ish ones too.

Moving on to my game, it was tough. I walked onto the first tee completely cold (as in, didn't hit a ball since last October).

The front nine sucked. Nothing was really working. I was hitting a low slice with my driver, which is pretty uncharacteristic of my normal shot shape. There were the occasional iron shots that hovered a few feet above the ground as they approached the green sprinkled along as well.

Simply put, I definitely wasn't in my comfort zone yet. As I moved along, I got some confidence with my irons and driver, but my wedges and putter never caught up during the round. This week will definitely include some time on the practice green. Not surprisingly, as a generally poor short game player, I tend to lose my touch pretty badly during the winter.

Fortunately, the back nine went fairly well. I needed that. I finished the front 9 on a medium-sized par 4 that stretches along a lake while doglegging to the right. As a venerable Tin Cup, I managed to dump three balls into the water before taking out my 7 iron and laying up on the side.

With that mistake, the back nine was fairly calm with a few pars between series of bogeys. Nothing to write home about, but it could have gone a lot worse.

I want to get out again by next Thursday (probably at Audubon again to emphasize my short game and short to mid irons).

My keys for the week:

1. Get on the putting green and work on lag putting. It was dismal this week, and I need to get my touch back.
2. Go to the driving range and hit a lot of balls to get my feel back. I need to get my timing in order again.
3. Try to identify why I was slicing in the beginning of the round. My shot shape transformed into my usual draw by the end of my round, but I am not entirely sure what changed.

My goal for next time I play Audubon is to finish at 10 over par or less. If I can commit to working on my keys, I think this is realistic progress for me. I suppose we'll see.

ZealousGolfer.com Travel: Dona Filipa and San Lorenzo Resort, Portugal

on February 19, 2010 3:05 PM , in , , , , , 0 Comments

In my last ZealousGolfer.com travel article, I covered one of Europe's classic golfing spots: Scotland. This time, I am going to talk about one of the most popular vacation destinations for Europeans: Portugal.


Americans hear a lot about Spanish golf. Great weather, Sergio Garcia, etc. However, Portugal, as Spain's neighbor to the west on the Iberian Peninsula, is too often left out
of the conversation.

It shouldn't be. As a terrific coastal nation, Portugal should be on the top of any golfer's list when planning a golf trip to Europe.

One "can't-miss" course in Portugal is at the Dona Filipa and San Lorenzo Golf Resort. Found in southern Algarve, Portgual, Dona Filipa overlooks the fantastic coast and the Atlantic Ocean. More about that later.

The Golf:

Dona Filipa's crown jewel is certainly the San Lorenzo Golf Course. Combining the features of natural woodlands, water, and undulating Bermuda grass greens, the San Lorenzo course will not disappoint.

The course is a fairly recent (1988) design by American Joe Lee, an icon in the golf architecture community. He is the one responsible for designs at Cog Hill, the Walt Disney World Resort (ZealousGolfer.com Reviewed), and the La Costa Resort.

As a resort course, San Lorenzo offers many options for everyone from experienced to new golfers (the white tees play at over 6,200 yards and the red tees are set at roughly 5,200 yards).

Players often encounter numerous forms of wildlife during their rounds at San Lorenzo. Many attest to seeing flamingoes, nesting storks, and turtles while on the property.


With a short game area consisting of practice bunkers, a full size putting green, and two chipping greens, San Lorenzo offers golfers ample opportunity work on their games or warm-up before rounds. A driving range is also located on site.

San Lorenzo's clubhouse is fit with a bar and a restaurant to accommodate the needs of golfers before or after their rounds.

All in all, San Lorenzo is definitely worth playing. As a consistent leader in Portuguese golf, San Lorenzo should be on your agenda during your golf trip in Portugal.

The Hotel:

Although the Dona Filipa Resort is well-known to hand out enticing deals to guests, it remains a respected five-star hotel.

154 luxury rooms, three tennis courts, a heated pool, a spa, and close proximity to the ocean make the Dona Filipa hotel appealing to the golfer and the non-golfer alike.

Recent visitors have cited the staff's service as the hotel's most valuable asset. With a team eager to ensure that you enjoy your vacation, the luxurious accommodations of the hotel cannot be beat.

While Dona Filipa and San Lorenzo provide guests with many entertainment options on the property, the area surrounding the resort is well known for phenomenal dining and shopping. Unlike many resorts, it is tough to get bored when staying here.

On top of that, the resort borders the Vale de Lobo beach, which is often recognized as one of Portugal's nicest beaches.

Conclusion:

If you are planning a European golf adventure, you should definitely investigate a stay at the Dona Filipa and San Lorenzo Resort. Great golf and great accommodations make this resort a unique gem among the many European golf options.

Tiger Strike: The Chase for the Rehab Money Shot

on January 19, 2010 11:21 PM , in , , , 0 Comments

I'm back. After an extended post-Christmas break, ZealousGolfer.com is back on a roll once again.

It looks like I will be starting the new year with an interesting golf adventure. This morning, I caught a story that the first picture of Tiger Woods in a Hattiesburg, Mississippi sex rehab clinic would be worth up to $500,000! Oh yes.

The rumor (which some sources are reporting as confirmed) is that Tiger has checked into the Pine Grove mental health facility.

After sharing this information with several of my close friends in New Orleans, they decided to make the hour and a half trek to Hattiesburg with the hope of catching the money shot.

Tonight, I will chronicle their journey to Mississippi and back. Xiao, Kevin, Ross, Matt, and Rosanne will be sending me updates and pictures throughout the evening. I will make sure to keep posting.

9:53: "We have set sail. We're first gonna go pick up some supplies for the trip" - Xiao.

10:25 PM: "Singing Queen in the van. Woohoo." - Xiao.

Things aren't looking good. We'll see how this goes. At least the group is pretty optimistic as they begin their journey across state lines.

10:50 PM: The group has crossed over into the state of Mississippi. Kevin explains the photo (on the right): "We decided to have a Freebird concert when we entered the state."

I am following the story online, and the rumor is that the rehab clinic is fortified due to immense media presence. Things are not looking good for the group in their search for gossip magazine gold.

From my understanding, there is really no plan whatsoever how the group intends to capture a shot of Tiger. Things are going to get interesting very, very quickly.

11:42 PM: The group has arrived in Hattiesburg, MS. They made a pit stop at a gas station before finishing up the first leg of their journey.

With only a few miles left, they now must overcome obstacles like strictly enforced barriers around the hospital and a crowd of professional paparazzi.

The first picture of the crew in Hattiesburg is on the left. As you can see, Matt B. (jumping from joy on the right side of the gas pumps) is ready for action.

Hopefully the next one they send me will be the elusive Tiger Woods money shot. We'll see about that.

The next update will cover the atmosphere around the hospital.

12:40 PM: "We're in Brooklyn. Does that mean we took the wrong direction to NOLA?" - Xiao

Sounds a lot like defeat. I can't say this was unexpected, but I am disappointed that the stake out was so short.

Fortunately, Xiao says they saw the hospital and got some pictures of Tiger's new home...without Tiger of course. I will post those on ZealousGolfer.com tomorrow when their digital camera makes its way back to town.

It looks like a potential $500,000 reward is still out there for any aspiring low lives/paparazzi. Best of luck to all of those who choose to pursue it. Feel free to throw the picture this way...

UPDATE: THE MORNING AFTER

The team returned at 5 AM this morning. I just had a brief conversation with one of the photographers. The scene he described at the hospital was far different than the account given by several media sources thus far.

According to Kevin, there were no barricades or obstacles outside of the Pine Grove facility. Anyone who wanted to peek in could easily do so, apparently. On top of that, the squad managed to walk right into the lobby through the front door. No questions asked.

Alas, a security guard eventually realized they had no business being there, and the team left the building.

On the bright side, Kevin took several shots of the scene, and they should appear on this website shortly.

If this story says anything, perhaps it is that a) it is very easy to invade other people's privacy and b) it looks likely that someone will capture the Tiger Woods money shot in the near future.

While the group was unable to nab gossip magazine riches, they did make it to the beach around Biloxi, Mississippi and seemed to have enjoyed their time.

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In other news, I plan to change the design of ZealousGolfer.com over the next few days. As you can see, the site is falling apart in a couple places. Rather than doing some repairs, I'd prefer to have a change of scenery. Get ready for (another) new look.

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