Laurel Island Links

Amazing design, excellent condition, and true rolling slick greens are among the best things that suits the best description for Laurel Island Links. The course was designed by the famed David Love III and was opened for play in 1996. What makes this golf course unique from the rest of the traditional Georgia layouts are the seven bridges that span in the low-lying areas in order to connect the links. Not only that, the golf course also features the beautifully manicured Bermuda grass tees, greens, fairways, nearby marshlands, and the holes that wonders along the beautiful Crooked River Basin.

The golf course also offers golfers with the perfect starting hole at #1. This par-4, 386-yard layout features the slight left curve around a bunker and a wide fairway. The #1 hole, together with #4, #8, #9, and #18, has been considered as the most difficult greens in the entire layout. These greens offer the most inaccurate lag putting that can lead to certain three-putts. The rest of the greens in the layout are speedy which golfers also need to watch out for. If you want to take a peek on the perfect collection of excellent golf characteristics squeezed into one hole then get ready for the #15 hole. If you want to pass this fair test in golf then avoid going too far towards the left as another bunker awaits you on that side. These are some of the challenges that every golfer will be facing when playing in Laurel Island Links.

Among the many citations that the Laurel Island Links has been receiving include Golf Digest’s “Best New Courses in America” and the “Best Golf Course on the Georgia Coast” by Atlanta Magazine.

Siena Golf Club

Golf at its finest is what the Siena Golf Club is all about. Designed by the famous architects Lee Schmidt and Brian Curley, the layout is set in the natural beauty of the vast lands ringed by the very tall Spring Mountains. The golf course also features the artful bunkering, the gently rolling fairways, and the stunning views of Las Vegas’ skyline. While on play, golfers will confront the ideal blend of straightway holes and doglegs, the balance between the rugged and benign green complexes, the mix of the ample and slender fairways, and the variety in pacing and routing of golf holes. To add up to the challenge, the layout also offers golfers with the array of shot-making options as well as the grassy bail-out areas.

In order to make a good start at the Siena Golf Club, you need to have to deal with a justly straight par-4 first hole. As you move along the bunkers and fairways, you will be led to a beautiful 562-yard par-5 third hole with a tee box that is in front of the small lake. And to wrap up the challenging golf round, you will face the breathtaking 18th hole that features the slightly elevated and dogleg hills.

All year round, golfers from the different parts of the globe flock the golf club to experience superb golfing. Aside from the challenging holes, guests also look forward to have the glimpse of the scenic lush green course that perfectly blends with the striking backdrop of the Spring Mountains. If you want to have an exciting golf vacation destination that fits your cup of tea, then visit the Siena Golf Club.

Improving Your Golf Swing Plane through Your Stance

Most of the golfers, if not all would want to further improve on their golf swing plane. Majority of them have applied various instructions in order to master the perfect swings. Others hired the finest instructors to teach them the secrets. But many of them prospered because of hard work and perseverance and not mainly because of getting the finest assistance. What golfers do not understand that one important key in getting a desirable golf swing plane is through the stance. You only need to understand the basics since everything starts there.

Basically, in the game of golf, there are two schools of thoughts that offer two opposing ideas. There are golfers who believe that in order to achieve that perfect swing; you need to have the strong and balanced stance. And in order to achieve this, you need to have the wide stances that would resemble the triangle when getting to your driver. This is the first idea. But others also believe that narrow stances will give you more power and more control. Also, the latter position will provide you with more stability since both of your legs are straighter. This is the second idea.

But one interesting point here is this; the wider stance the more prone the golfer will have the hip or back injuries. It also causes the reverse tilting of your golf swing plane. One thing that you can do about these two ideas is to try both ways and find out what will work for you. It is good to work things out to find a suitable stance that will give you a powerful and winning swing. If you already know what kind of stance suits you, then do not wait for another idea to emerge. Stick to that and you will become a successful golfer.

The Oaks Golf Club

Perfectly nestled among the native wetlands and majestic timberlands of Mississippi, The Oaks Golf Club is all about unforgettable golfing experiences. This par-72 golf course is being highlighted by the dramatic green complexes, strategic bunkering, and a meandering routing that provides tranquil and serene golf atmosphere. The golf course was given a rating of 74.0 and a slope rating of 138. Since the course’s opening in 1998, the golf course has been receiving numerous awards and accolades from reputable publications. The awards include the “Top Ten Courses in Mississippi”, “Best Course on the Coast”, and the 2003 “Golf Course of the Year for the Mississippi Gulf Coast”. Golf Digest also cited The Oaks Golf Club as the “2008-2009 Best Places to Play”. The latter also rated The Oaks with 4 ½ stars based on a 1 to 5 scale with 4 being outstanding and 5 as superb. Aside from Golf Digest, the National Golf Course Owners Association, Golf Magazine, and the Coast Magazine have also cited the golf course as one of the best.

This prized golf gem has also challenged some of the world’s finest golfers through the series of golf championship matches that the golf course has already hosted. Among the major golf competitions include the Nike Mississippi Gulf Coast Open in 1999, the Mississippi Gulf Coast Open in 2002, the USGA Junior Amateur Qualifying Site in 2002, and the PGA Tour Q-School – Stage 1 in 2003.  The Oaks Golf Club is also known to have the popular “Hooters Girls” that provides golfing guests with refreshment and snacks through the club’s traditional refreshment cart.

All about Putting

In the game of golf, the lower the score, the better. And one way to get there is to develop the effective golf putting techniques. It may not be known to many, putting constitutes about 40 percent of the entire golf round regardless of the handicap level. And converting this opportunities to score, you will be on your way to the top. Golfers often have this wrong notion of restricting their putting practices to few casual putts when in fact in most parts of the golf round they have to deal with putting.

Here are some of the basic things that you must consider in order to enhance your putt shots:

The first thing that you have to consider is keeping the putter’s face square. All you have to do is try to peg a tee approximately 12 inches in the ground behind the ball, and place a coin in front of the ball at about 6 inches. After the set up, hit the ball lightly on the backstroke and smooth forward swinging. See to it that the putter head position stays square and that the ball should directly roll over the coin. That’s it! Keep practicing this putting tip and watch how your scores decrease each game.

The next thing that you need to consider is to maintain a smooth swing. The smooth swing is among the effective putting fundamentals that are often taken for granted. Here is how you do it. When already doing the swing, the smooth backstroke must hardly touch the tee and that you can swing immediately and accelerate forward. Make sure that your arms are moving in a pendulum fashion with the shoulders and your hands are still.

And the last thing that you have to consider is achieving a distance control. Of all the basic techniques in putting, this method is the most time consuming. This can only be mastered when you invest time for practicing because having the distance control is about getting the right “feel” on the green. The more you practice, the better chances of getting that “feel”.

Try to follow these simple techniques and in no time, you can have desirable results. If you are not yet confident enough with your putting, try having the putting statistics in order to find out what part of your skills need more attention.

The Preserve Golf Club

The Preserve Golf Club is a Jerry Pate masterpiece that offers 18 holes of pure golfing experience. The entire course meanders through Mississippi’s 245 pristine acres also ringed by the acres of century-old nature preserve. Surrounding the 7,067-yard par-71 golf course are the pitcher plant bogs, long leaf pine savannah, cypress swamps, native grass prairies, and the live oak groves that manifest nature’s awesome beauty. The Jerry Pate signature layout also features the five sets of tees that will challenge even the highly skilled golfers.

Each year, golfers with various ability levels flock this award-winning golf course not just to experience one of the world’s finest golf, but also come across with nature’s wonders. Pate’s long experience in golf course designing has led him to create a masterpiece that is beyond compare. In 2007, The Preserve Golf Club has been designated as one of the 21 golf sanctuaries around the world with the prestigious Silver Audubon International Signature Sanctuary. This was done to assure of the development that is included in the comprehensive environmental planning before and after the construction. The Preserve Golf Club is dedicated to lend a hand in protecting its natural environment while the pristine conditions of the entire golf course are being maintained.

Although The Preserve has the limited space, Jerry Pate skillfully blended the long and short hole designs that are bounded by pure nature. He also made sure that nature and wildlife are unharmed. To add up to the diversity of each golf round, Pate took advantage of the natural swamps and wetlands in order to make The Preserve Golf Club a highly celebrated golf haven.

Quick Pointers on How to Become a Successful Golfer

In golf, there is no such thing as an overnight success. It takes a lot of time to perfect any golf techniques. However, top golf professionals who are now enjoying their fame and success have also started from scratch. But with perseverance and good golf training, they were able get on top of the ladder in no time. Of course you also need to have the effective golf techniques in order to succeed. If you want to have a flourishing career in golf, there are two simple things that you must bear in mind. The first one is having an appropriate golf grip and the other thing is having the perfect swing.

The Golf Grip

The grip serves as your point of contact with the golf club.  That is why it is very crucial that you do things the right way. The way you hold the golf club will surely influence how the club will hit the golf ball. If the first link is weak, that is the grip, the whole chain gets affected. Of course, the grip would depend on each individual. A certain form of grip may work for a good golfer but not with you. The thing that you have to remember here is that you need to have that kind of grip that goes well with your tempo. Also, you have to take note of the pressure that you are applying on the grip. Gripping the golf club too tight will definitely end up in a weak swing. And so before compromising your golf game, see to it that you have already come up with a comfortable yet effective golf grip.

The Golf Swing

The golf swing is among the most discussed topics when it comes to giving effective golf tips. However, there are still those who cannot perfect their golf swings. The only thing that you have to bear in mind here is that your swing is the final link that connects the golf club to the ball. In order to complete a successful golf swing execution, try to visualize the ball’s flight from its position all the way to the target point. Practice is the key to mastering your golf swings.

Among the other things that must also be taken into consideration include the spacing between your legs, your stance, and your balance. Make this things work and you will be on your way to a successful golf career.

Beach Club Golf Links

The 18-hole Beach Club Golf Links has been dubbed as one of Ocean City’s outstanding championship golf courses. Designed by the famed Brian Ault, this golf gem is all about the perfect harmony of sand, water, and the mature stands of grasses and trees that provide a unique and memorable golfing experience. The Beach Club also features 6 imposing lakes that run through mature forests with the gently rolling fairways. That is why the course provides the fair test of golf especially for the long hitters. But nonetheless, the golf course can be very accommodating to the recreational golfers.

In 2006 and 2007, Golf Digest rated the Beach Club Golf Links with 3 ½ stars “Course to Play”. From the back tees playing at 7,020 yards, golfers will bump into various challenges that even the accomplished golfer would find it very taxing. The 3 additional tee boxes on the other hand can reduce the distance for the weekend enthusiasts. Adding up to the challenge are the appropriately placed bunkers that guard the large and undulating greens. The course also provides the wide and sweeping fairways that would allow golfers for a fair recovery for an errant tee shot.

Aside from the demanding golf holes, guests at the Beach Club Golf Links are also provided with other high-end facilities. For the beginners, the 24 station driving range can be an advantage. The area features two practice putting and chipping greens with a bunker. A golf shop can also be located within the vicinity where you can get the complete line of golf equipments and accessories. After each golf round, guests can also share a meal at the Beach Club Café where variety of foods are served that will surely satisfy all sorts of appetites.

How to Deal with Golf Game Pressures

The game of golf is both a physical and mental test. It may sound unusual but a golfer standing on the first tee usually battles with emotion more than the hazards of the golf course. Thoughts of how to go about the entire round often makes a golfer feel nervous, thus affecting his golf game. However, just like swinging skills, mental strength also needs practice and is developed over time. Although the means of how to deal with anxiety that is associated with playing golf are not yet established, below are some suggestions that you can follow. Remember, great swinging techniques can work well, in fact better, when you have the positive mind set during a golf game.

Suggestion #1: Visualization

Visualization in golf is the practice of keeping a positive outlook as well as imagining success when already in the greens. Carrying negatives thoughts with you during a golf game can be very stressful. That is why it is very critical for golfers to become aware of the counter-productive emotions that usually lead to undesirable results. In order to avoid getting anxious when on play, focus on the desired outcome and concentrate on it. Think of getting the ball down the center part of the fairway. This mental focus will eventually land you the most likely result.

Suggestion #2: Neuro-linguistic Programming

Neuro-linguistic programming or NLP is a kind of behavioral technology that can allow a person to choose his physical, mental, and emotional state of mind. On the process, the person can also implement, alter, or release certain behaviors. In golf, NLP is just a matter of reframing a golfer’s mind to learn from the past mistakes. The key here is to avoid dwelling too much on what went wrong in the past but rather focusing on what has worked before and what will work as of the moment.

Suggestion #3: Self-hypnosis

Self-hypnosis in golf, as the name mainly suggests, is putting oneself in a certain desirable state before hitting the greens. This process has been considered by many as a mental training that can help golfers stay calm when faced with various pressures. The technique will also make you feel relaxed and directed. And the more composed you are during the game, the better chances of having successful outcomes. If preferred, you can look for reliable resources on how to go about an effective self-hypnosis.

River Run Golf Club

The River Run Golf Club is a Gary Player masterpiece that has been known for its playability as well as scenic setting. The golf course is perfectly set in a 250+ acre site that offers the true beauty of a riverfront picture. And the 6,705-yard golf course now takes advantage of the area’s natural terrain and foliage. Aside from providing the most satisfying and diverse golf experience, each of the layout’s 18 holes offer unique golf challenges. What was once a farmland and a forest has now become one of the world’s finest golf destinations.

In order to preserve the natural beauty of the area, Player came up with a unique golf course design that can easily integrate to the area’s distinct atmosphere. He only moved a little dirt in order to fashion the first six holes that would wind over a flat and open countryside. The woodlands on the other hand served as the home for the club’s remaining golf holes. Reminiscent of the Scottish-type courses, the front nine offer the rolling and open mounded fairways. The fairways are of rye and the greens are bent grass.

The entire golf course layout in every respect is very enjoyable to play. The modestly bunkered fairways are very generous and the medium-sized greens are not that difficult to play. Few lakes and marshes can be spotted on the course to dress up the beautiful landscape but they are not as demanding compared to any challenging courses. Continuing all the way to the 18th is actually a test, but a fair golf test. The back nine presents the various challenges of driving tee shots down the tree-lined fairways and over the natural marshes. The 9th as well as the 18th provides the spectacular views of the majestic St. Martin River.