5 Things I Hate About Air Travel

I love to travel. I’ve traveled internationally since I was a kid and I’ve pretty much seen it all.

As the Golf Travel Guru, not surprisingly, I spend a lot of time in airports and jets.

As we all know, the air travel experience has gotten progressively worse over the past few years...

In the past few months, I’ve flown from Orlando to Venice, Italy, Marsh Harbor, Bahamas, Cancun, Mexico, Seattle, Washington and Panama City, Florida. During my flights, I took a few minutes to make some notes on the air travel experience.

Here are some of the things that drive the Golf Travel Guru crazy:

1. Extremely Overpriced Food At Airports—Apparently it’s legal at airports to sell hot dogs for $9 and beer for $8.  That’s what I paid on a recent trip. What did I get for this royal sum? A hot dog that contained more salt than a person needs in a week with a stale bun that made sawdust look appetizing. My craft beer was a forgettable concoction that tasted like a can of Natural Light that was left on a porch in Florida on a hot July day.

2. Clueless Overhead Luggage Passengers—I mean what does it take to walk down the aisle of a plane and quickly place your carry-on bag in the overhead bin.  Oh nooooooo, these people have to languish in the aisle contemplating, I guess, "the meaning of life" while 50 other passengers wait patiently in line behind them. Here’s some advice: Put your damn bag in the bin, or just step out of the aisle and let everybody go by. P.S.: Don’t have some oversize bag that takes assistance from three flight attendants to stuff it in the bin.

3. Zone Busters—When the call over the intercom says “All passengers in zone 1 can board.”, it never fails that Mr. and Mrs. Zone 4 is up there ready to board. Puhleese, look at your boarding pass and enter the plane when your zone is called. It’s really not that difficult, is it?

4. Clueless Cell Phone Users—On airport concourses, I always seem to get behind the dimwit on his phone wandering aimlessly back and forth while a pack of people can’t pass the inconsiderate dolt. He or she is scrolling through social media posts or talking to the poor sap that has to pick them up from the airport. Regardless, just show some consideration for other passengers who can’t wait to get OUT of the airport.

5. Off-Site Parking—You practically need a home equity loan to afford near-terminal parking these days. Consequently, like millions of others, I park at a satellite lot. When I arrive after a flight, I typically wait sometimes up to a half hour till the transport van shows up. Are there any on-time van drivers anymore?

Jack Dirkin, One Of The Best Golf Swings?

Now, more than ever before, we see near-perfect "textbook" golf swings being televised from the world's professional golf tours. Names such as Tiger Woods, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Charl Schwartzel, Louis Oosthuizen, Rory McIlroy and Michelle Wie come to mind when we think about the game's best swings. But there are many similarly great swings from the amateur ranks that are unknown simply due to their limited exposure. One of them is Jack Dirkin. But even if Jack follows Tiger's march to the PGA, it'll be well over another decade before you get to see his swing on a pro tour. That's because Jack is only 5 years-old! Is it crazy to think that a 5 year-old possesses one of the best golf swings in the world? Take a look at his swing below and let me know what you think!

Tips On Taking a Caddie

"How 'bout a wee nip, my new friend?" inquired the ruddy faced caddie as he pulled up his sweater to reveal a flask of whisky to the American at the first tee of a world famous links course in Scotland.

Thanks to a frosty, late-November ocean breeze, the American was chilled with cold, stiff fingers that felt as flexible as popsicle sticks. He politely declined the offer. Not because he didn't need or want a liquid heater. Rather, he'd never utilized a caddie and didn't really know if bartender was one of the services he should expect.

In this age of sprawling, unwalkable layouts, golf cart-only courses, GPS systems and elaborate course guide software, a dwindling number of American golfers have ever played golf with a caddie. Often, many participate in the experience for the first time when they travel to the British Isles on a dream trip to golf's original playing grounds.

Luckily, Americans still have access to caddies at high-end resorts that have kept the service alive. Among the high profile courses that offer caddies are Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, Streamsong Resort in Florida, TPC The Players Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, Florida, Harbour Town Links on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and Pebble Beach Golf Links on the Monterey Peninsula in California. (At the end of this post, see a list of other U.S. places where caddies are available.)

Golfers who venture to England, Scotland or Ireland can still acquire the services of a good, knowledgeable caddie. Yet, even there, Americans shouldn't be blinded by the romanticized notion of the all-knowing, wisecracking caddie so often stereotyped in golf literature. Major courses such as the Old Course in St. Andrews, Trump Turnberry and Gleneagles have strong caddie programs as do several other major courses in Scotland and Ireland.

Other popular resort locales that offer caddies are Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Two places where I had superb caddie experiences are Royal Isabela in northwest Puerto Rico and Casa de Campo in the Dominican Republic.

Unfortunately, in certain places around the world, some amateur caddies offer little more assistance than toting your bag and assuming the role as a personal cheerleader.

"A solid, professional caddie who knows his trade can make a difference of at least two shots in a round to a scratch golfer and more to higher handicap golfers," a veteran Old Course caddie once told me while we enjoyed frosty pints at the Dunvegan bar in St. Andrews. "Carrying the bag is probably the least important thing a caddie does."

Here is the appropriate behavior you should expect from a competent caddie:

* Prior to the start of a round, the caddie should clean clubs if needed and count clubs.

* A well-informed caddie should know the local rules of the layout and be familiar with the course designer. A thorough understanding of the history of the course is also helpful.

* A caddie should rake bunkers, replace divots and tend the pin.

* A caddie should not offer advice to a players until asked. He should never say, "I think." The only time a caddie should volunteer information is when reporting yardage to the green.

* If caddying for the first time with the golfers, the caddie should be able to club correctly after 4 or 5 holes.

* A caddie shold get to the ball first and study the shot before the player arrives--the lie, turf, wind and target. He should form an opinion quickly in the event the player requests advice.

From a player's viewpoint, a caddie is not a servant. The relationship between a player and a caddie is a subtle partnership where the ultimate goal is to maximize performance.

As a player, if you display poor golf etiquette, a futile skill level with little dedication to the game or boorish behavior, you can generally expect sarcastic responses, especially from veteran caddies in Scotland.

Finally, what about that wee nip? Should you indulge?

It's definitely a personal choice. Just like guys who knock down a six-pack of brewskis during a round--some can handle it, some can't.

On a recent visit to Scotland, one of my caddies summed it up best when he said: "If your golf game is so bad that you must take a drink before a round, it's predictable your consumption will greatly increase after the 18the hole."

Now, that's great advice you can only get from a caddie.

Other courses and resorts with caddie programs, include:

Bandon Dunes (Oregon)
Bethpage Black (New York)
The Broadmoor (Colorado)
Cabot Links (Nova Scotia, Canada)
Cordevalle Resort (California)
Erin Hills (Wisconsin)
Madden's on Gull Lake (Minnesota)
Nemacolin Resort (Pennsylvania)
Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Resort (South Carolina)
Ritz-Carlton Golf Club Orlando (Florida)
Whistling Straits (Wisconsin)
Chambers Bay Golf Club (Washington)

Golf Weather

Golf weather certainly plays a huge role in a good golf game.  Obviously, if it is raining, you aren’t going to be able to golf as easily as if the sun was shining. While summer golf provides great weather conditions, you also won’t want to be on the course when it’s 110 degrees in the shade (which makes it hotter on the fairway!)

Monitoring the weather is something avid golfers do faithfully.  Ideal golf weather is about 70 degrees with clear skies and a soft breeze.  Sometimes you’ll get this kind of golf weather and enjoy it when you do.  But you can golf in other weather as well.

I know one golfer who is so obsessed with the game; he played on Christmas and New Year’s Day.  Of course, it was unseasonably warm that winter, but it was still cold enough to keep normal people off the links.  Most people won’t go to that extreme, but there are many who do, believe it or not!

What do you need to know about playing golf in certain weather conditions?  The answer is more than you know!  Different weather conditions should be approached differently when it comes to your golf game.

If you are playing golf in cold weather, you need to remember to take extra time to warm up and stretch.  You are more prone to injury in cold weather, so take the time to stretch out.  Wear layers of clothing with cold weather golf.  You will also want to keep your head and hands covered as those are the two places where we lose our heat the quickest.

In extremely hot weather, your approach to the golf game should also be tended to.  Most golf clubs have dress codes that you will have to adhere to and tank tops are usually not on that list.  Wear clothing that is made of lightweight, breathable fabric.  Make sure you wear plenty of sunscreen and a hat to protect your eyes.  Have plenty of water on hand and take time to rest in the shade of a tree.

Under no circumstances should you play golf in weather where it is thundering and lightning.  More people are struck by lightning on the golf course than in any other place.  It’s alright to play in a light rain – although it probably won’t be much fun – but if you heard the thunder roll or see light in the sky, vacate the course immediately.

While the weather can have an affect on your golf game, you can still play when you want to as long as you take proper precautions.

Golf Caddy

When you play golf, whether professional, semi-professional or even on the amateur level you are sure to encounter other players who have a caddy and want one for yourself.  But do you really need a caddy, or is this something that you can avoid?  Many players choose to forgo a caddy, but others always insist upon having a caddy available whenever they play.  The choice is ultimately yours, but in order to make the best decision possible you need to have as much information available as possible to help you decide effectively.

While playing on a normal basis it is typically unnecessary to employ a caddy, however if you are playing on a professional or even a semi-professional basis you are going to need a caddy.  In addition, there are times when you may decide to enter a competition and it is at these times when a caddy is necessary as well.  If you are looking at the duties that a caddy should perform there are quite a few typically.  The simplest are easy for a golfer to handle themselves if necessary while some of the tasks are much harder to do and require a much greater amount of skill.

Some of the basic duties that a caddy should perform including cleaning the golf balls that are used as well as the clubs, obtaining the yardage, fixing and replacing divots, taking care to carefully remove the flagstick, and even raking the bunkers as well as sand traps.  If you have a highly skilled caddy, you should also look to them to handle reading the greens for you, helping you choose the appropriate club, and also trying to keep track of any salts so that you can play the best game possible. 

There are typically four levels of caddy’s with each level having different skill levels.  The lowest level is the B level caddy’s these are typically the highly inexperienced caddies, however they are much cheaper price wise and are not as expensive to employ.  They are only allowed to carry a single bag and are generally what you will find on most golf courses.  The next level up is the A level caddy.  This is the caddy that is allowed to carry two bags, however while they have more skills they are still not the ultimate caddy to use.  You may find A level caddies when there are tournaments or competitions going on at a local golf course.

Professionals are only going to use an Honor or a Pro caddy.  Both of these levels are permitted to carry two bags and they are considered the top caddies.  A Pro caddy is the top of the line and is typically, what most professionals will employ.  On occasions, there will be times when an honor caddy is used instead.  The primary reason that professional golfers use Pro and Honor caddies is simply because they tend to have a much better understanding of all of the rules for the game.

As you can imagine the job of a caddy is not always considered easy.  There are so many things that must be done, as well as circumstances that should be taken into consideration in order to make the best decision possible in terms of club selection and appropriate knowledge of the rules.  In many professional circumstances, a golf player can be penalized if their caddy makes a mistake.  This means it is very important to ensure that you are working with a caddy who has the knowledge to ensure that you are following all of the rules, as well as they are following all of the rules.

If you are just starting out playing golf there is no reason to insist upon using a caddy.  However, if you are considering playing a competition or even at a high-end golf course you can expect to have a caddy for the game.  The pay that you are required to pay for the caddy will vary based upon the level of the caddy as well as the golf course that you are playing at.  Checking with the staff at the course will allow you to make appropriate pay decisions in the event that you do decide to hire a caddy.

Popular Golf Terms

There are numerous golf terms that are used in almost every game that is played, yet often it is virtually impossible for someone who is new to golf or just does not understand golf to understand the terminology. Some of the most popular terms are listed below to ensure that you know exactly what is being said while you are out on the green.  Of course, this list is not absolute, but this list will help you get started successfully.

Back Nine

This is the last set of 9 holes that are on the golf course.  This is determined by the order that the course is played in.  For example, if you start playing on hole 1, the back nine would refer to holes 10-18.  However if you started playing on the 10th hole it would actually refer to holes 1-9.

Bogey 

This is a score that comes in a single point over the par.  For example, if you are playing a par -3 hole then a score of 4 would be a bogey.  In going further, anything that was a par -5 would need a score of 6 to be a bogey.  This is just an example and is not restricted to only certain pars. 

Birdie

This is when a score for a particular hole comes in one stroke below par for the particular hole that is being played.  This means if the hole being played is a par -3 then the score must be a 2, if the hole is a par -5 it must be a score of 4.

Bunker

This is what is created as a depression in the ground that is generally filled in with sand, which provides a greenside hazard that needs to be avoided.  While the bunker typically shows up in the greenside, it is possible for them to also along the fairways or even beside the fairways.

Green

This is what the very end of a hole is call where the flagstick is located.  This is typically, where you will putt out the rest of the hole.  The shape can vary, however most are either oblong or oval shape.

Handicap 

This is an indication of the overall playing ability that a player has.  It is generally compiled based upon the last several scores that have been played as well as the course rating and the slop ratings that accompany the courses that were played.  Generally, someone who has a typical average of 10 over par will have a slightly better handicap.  In terms of handicaps, someone with a 2 is better than someone with a 3 or higher handicap.

Hole 

This is the exact area where the flagstick resides to mark the exact location of the hole on the green.  In addition it is also often referred to as the as the specific hole on a course – for example a golf course typically has 18 holes.

Over par

This is the term used to describe any score that comes over the par for the course or even the individual hole.  An example would be a score that was 5 on a hole that was a par -4.  This would result in an over par.  However, while this can refer to just a specific hole it can also refer to the entire course as a hole as well.

Par

This is considered the expected number of strokes in which it takes to actually sink the ball.  To determine the par you should take at least 2 for putts, then add strokes based upon the length of the green.  Very long greens will require higher values.  A very long green would allow a par of 5 for example, while a short green would only allow a par 3. The par number is generally added both for the individual hole as well as for the entire golf course as well.  This allows players to see exactly what they are looking at distance wise before they even begin playing.

Putting Tips

As you can imagine, one of the most important things that you can do to improve your golf game is improve your putting skills.  Here are the putting tips:While it may seem impossible, simply practicing and working to improve a few minor things will greatly improve your skills.  Once you have learned what you need to do, practice the skills until you have them mastered.  Remember, a good putting skill will ultimately translate into a much improved long shot as well so taking the time to practice your putting is very important.

You are of course going to need to practice to improve, but the exact skills that you need to practice tend to vary from player to player.  As a general rule of thumb, there are three things that you need to specifically focus on in order to get the best golf game possible.  The first skill is ensuring that your swing is proper so that you will contact the ball exactly in the middle of the club head.  If you are not dead on the center you will never be able to master putting.  You simply cannot hit the ball from the side of the club head and expect it to go straight.  No matter how long you practice, this is not possible and will result in plenty of frustration over what you are doing wrong.

Once you have worked to improve hitting the ball from the very center of the club head you need to move onto tonsuring that you always hit the ball in a straight line to the target.  This means if the ball needs to go 2 feet away from you towards the lake, you would not want to aim the ball towards the tree beside it.  You may think this sounds a bit strange, but many people do not squarely approach the ball to the target.  They then stand around and wonder why they are missing their shot.  Even if you are off by just a fraction, this can seriously alter your putting skills because the ball is not going to go where you want it to go. 

You will likely need to practice this point a lot, most people do not realize when they are just slightly off center from the target. Yet even the slightest difference away from the target will result in a missed shot and an increased handicap.  Work on this by ensuring that you take plenty of time to practice.  This is even a skill that you could practice in your office, or bedroom at home using a small home putting kit.  However, going to the driving range is not going to help you here so avoid them if possible while you are working on this skill.

Your last skill that you need to work on to improve your putting skills is working to ensure that you are accelerating the club head when you are actually coming into contact with the ball.  Many players make the mistake of slowing the club down right before they actually hit the ball.  This will cause you to lose the momentum that you need in order for the ball to make it to your target.  Working to make a conscious effort not to slow the club down will usually be sufficient in order to improve this skill and give you some improved results.

Golf - More than a Walk Through the Pasture

Mark Twain once wrote playing golf was a good way to spoil a walk through the pasture. The inimitable Mr. Twain, from this statement, could be believed not to be a golfer. After all, there is more to golfing than just walking through a pasture.

First and foremost, golf is a way to either work out stress and frustration, or, for many, to get even more stressed out and frustrated. It can be the most infuriating game ever played or invented, or the most fun. And, no two trips to the golf course will ever be the same, regardless of how good a player someone is. 

This is because the weather conditions are never identical, and weather does play a big part in golf. The more intelligent golfers will not go near the course in a thunderstorm, but there are a few brave, and foolhardy, souls who will brave the elements just to play. The wind also plays a major factor in golf, as the wind will affect the way the ball travels. When hit, golf balls have spin. The spin can be enhanced by the wind, causing the ball to drift away from its intended target. Therefore, the golfer has to take the wind into consideration and plan his or her shot accordingly.

Golf is also a good form of exercise, for those golfers who walk the course. A good course is about two miles around, so playing eighteen holes is roughly equivalent to walking four miles. Any doctor will tell you that such a walk can only be beneficial to the walker's heart and lungs.

Additionally, playing golf is good for getting out of the house and being outdoors. Golfers can enjoy the sun and wind note the beauty of the nature they 're surrounded by, as the majority of courses are well landscaped and quite pleasing to the eye. Golfers can also watch squirrels and rabbits on the course, sometimes, and take pleasure in the antics of these creatures. This also helps free the golfer from thinking about the mistake he or she made on the last shot or previous hole, calming them down and getting them ready for their next shot.

For others, however, playing golf is a great way to beat stress. After all, a golf course is about the only place a person can knock the crap out of something, not only not get in trouble for hitting something, but being praised and rewarded by knocking the crap out of the ball well. How perfect is that?

Golf is also a game of honor. Surprised? Don't be. After all, golf is the only game where a person can call a penalty on themselves, and those who play with honor do. Of course, there are the jerks who claim to play golf, but wouldn't think of calling a penalty on anything they've done. Their scores, though, are meaningless, and this kind of behavior will also show up in their day to day lives.

Golf Driving Range

Many golf courses have driving ranges. These golf driving ranges are instrumental in helping you improve your game, and you should use them as much as you possibly can.  Even though it’s called a driving range, you can practice all of your golf shots on the range.  By taking advantage of this valuable tool offered by your golf course, you are sure to improve your game.

In the game of golf, it’s essential to know how far you are able to hit your clubs on a consistent basis.  By taking advantage of the golf driving range, you will get a great idea of how far your driver can go as well as your 9 iron.  Once you know how far you can hit your clubs, you will be able to practice some great course management skills when you are out on the course.

Start out with a bucket of balls and your driver.  Try out various stances and see which ones help you drive the ball farther.  Hit a lot of balls and pay close attention to what works and what doesn’t.  When you find a shot you are pleased with, hit several more balls using that same technique to see if it was just a fluke or if you can replicate it over and over again.

Then you should move to your fairway woods or your irons.  Practice the same technique with these clubs.  You may have to buy another bucket – or bag on some courses – of balls, but believe me, it will be well worth the money when you are able to effectively know what clubs will give you the yardage you need and want.

Many golf courses have lighted driving ranges, so even if you can’t play the course, you can still work on your swing in the evening hours.  Many people find that having a lighted driving range can help them work on their swing at inconvenient hours when daylight has left but they still feel the desire to swing a club.

One point you need to keep in mind when on the golf driving range is that you are playing in perfect conditions.  There are no hills, there are no hazards, and you are concentrating to the best of your ability.  Just because you can hit a 300 yard drive on the range doesn’t necessarily mean you can do the same on the course.

However, you can certainly learn a lot about your golf game when you are on the driving range.  Don’t pass up the chance to practice as much as you can.  Practicing is best done on the golf driving range, so buy a bucket of balls and whack away.  You never know what you’ll find out!

Common Golf Injuries

All kinds of sports usually tend to have injuries that go hand in hand with the sport. The problem becomes learning what is typical to occur and learning exactly how you can avoid the injuries in order to really ensure that you are as healthy and safe as possible out on the green. One of the best things you can do for your body is of course make sure that you are in good physical condition before you play golf, but this is not always possible as you can imagine.  However if you take the time to ensure that you are in good physical shape you will greatly reduce the number of injuries that you are prone to have.

As you can imagine, with all of the walking and swinging that you do with clubs on the green back injuries are quite common.  However, aside from using muscle rubs, and ice packs or back braces simply taking the time to do proper conditioning of your back muscles can help to avoid these problems.  It is also important to ensure that you get the rest that you need following a game of golf to ensure that your back has the time to rest between activities that it needs.  If you play continuous games back to back, you may want to consider an occasional massage or even a chiropractic alignment.

Golfer Elbow
Another common injury is tennis elbow, or more commonly called in golf – golfers elbow.  This typically results most often in players who are playing a lot suddenly.  However, there are a few minor differences between tennis and golfers elbow.  The primary difference is that tennis elbow impacts the outside of the upper arm, while golfer’s elbow impacts the inner arm.  While there is no specific way to avoid these injuries they are most often caused by suddenly playing a lot.  For example, if you typically play a single game a month then suddenly entered into a very long tournament you could potentially be at risk for developing either tennis elbow or golfers elbow.

Golf Shoulder Injuries

As can be expected shoulder injuries also top the list of major problems for golfers. You can just imagine the pressure that is put on the shoulders as you are swinging the clubs continuously.  Take a body that is tired or worn out in the least and you have a prime recipe for an injury.  To avoid this you need to ensure that you are warming up your shoulder muscles as much as possible before a game and work hard to ensure that you are taking proper care of your body.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

One other problem that tends to occur a lot is carpal tunnel syndrome.  This happens primarily due to repetition stress.  For example, if you play numerous games of golf in a row for several months straight you could be looking at a potential injury in progress. The results of the injury can be quite serious at times, but if you are careful and catch it early typically just a brace will solve your problems.  However, serious cases of carpel tunnel can cause you to be incapacitated or even require surgery in order to use your hands appropriately.  The problem is that carpel tunnel syndrome can often give no serious signs until it appears and causes problems.  Always ensure that you wear a wrist brace if you start to notice that you are having serious wrist pain.

Golf Score

When you are playing golf, your golf scores become both your best friends as well as your worst enemies. Many players live by their golf scores and judge their progress according to what the score card says.  While you might think that your golf scores are the best gauge of how you are coming along as a golfer, that isn’t necessarily the case.

The way golf scores are tallied can mean so many things.  Just because you shoot an 8 on a par 4 doesn’t necessarily mean you are a bad golfer.  It might mean that you had a bad drive and a mis-aimed chip – but it doesn’t make you a bad golfer.  So don’t put too much stock into what the scorecard says.  Judge your golf game by how you play rather than what your scores are.

Golf scores are only meant to help you keep track of the strokes you take to get from tee box to the hole.  They don’t ever take into consideration things like hazards, weather conditions, or anxiety.  Sure, you can’t keep track of how you are doing without paying attention to your golf scores, but you still need to keep in mind that there are a million variables that can make your score fluctuate.

Of course, if you’re a golfer, you know all the terminology – birdie, eagle, bogey, double eagle (if you’re really lucky) – but the real story in golf scores lies in how you played the course and navigated the hole.  Instead of keeping track of scores, why don’t you keep track of where you were for a particular shot and how that shot came out?

Let’s say, you make a horrible drive on a par 4 and only end up 100 yards off the tee box.  Let’s hope it’s past the women’s tee – if you know what I mean!  So now you are faced with a long fairway shot.  You pick up your favorite club and smack a beautiful flyer right on the green.  Who’s going to say that wasn’t a good golf shot?  You end up with a par on the hole, but your score doesn’t really reflect that amazing shot now does it?

The point is, don’t put too much emphasis on the amount of strokes on your scorecard.  Think about your golf score as a reflection of the amazing shots you’ve made as well as the flubbers you’ve had to live through as well.  Then you can find out what kind of a golfer you are and not have to live by the golf score alone.

Basic Golf for Beginner - Part 5: Putting

"Drive for show, putt for dough" is the lesson we’ve all seen and learned from watching professional golfers in every tournament and championship.

The masters of golf can drive a ball from here to eternity, but it all boils down to how many strikes of the ball it takes to put the ball in the hole. The long accurate drives don’t amount to anything if you’re unable to putt accurately.

Choosing a putter is important, but using whatever putter you have consistently is more so. I’ve had the same putter for fifteen years; I know what it feels like in my hand, I know its weight and how that plays into my putts.

Putting takes lots of practice. Typically, we drive the ball eighteen times in a game, but putt at least double that number. Doesn’t it stand that we should practice our putting at least twice as much as driving? If you can’t get to the practice green regularly, practice on your carpet at home.

Keep in mind that no ball can make it into the hole if it doesn’t have enough power behind the ball to get there. Take the time to get down and look at the path from your ball to the hole; does it slant one way or the other? Is it uphill or downhill?

Stand with your feet spread for balance and line up the putt. Keep you hands, arms and shoulders
completely still; imagine that you are a "bobble head" but you move from just below your chest. Keep your head directly over the ball. Pull your club back; keep your hands, wrists, arms and shoulders steady-the movement comes from your chest. Hit the ball, following it with your club.

Learn from each putt and remember the lesson. Perfect practice, make perfect !!

Basic Golf for Beginner - Part 4: Golf Short Game

We’ve all the seen the long accurate drives of Tiger Woods. The ball flies through the air and lands in the middle of the fairway, 300 yards away.

The green-eyed monster of envy consumes us as we wonder if we could ever hope to drive like that. Fortunately, long drives are not the be-all-end-all game of golf.

Enter the short game. Without good short game skills, all the long drives are for naught.

The short game is those shots that get us onto the green from about one hundred feet out, be it from the fairway, a bunker, the rough or a drop zone and includes chips, sand shots and pitches.

This is where your higher numbered clubs would be used, as well as your pitching iron, sand wedge or lob wedge.

Most golf courses have practice areas as well as a driving range. Spend some time working on hitting your ball onto the green from different distances. Aim for a ten-foot circle in the center of the green at first. Experiment using your wedges; what works for someone else, might not work for you and your particular swing.

After you get accustomed to doing this drill consistently, it’s time to spend some time in a sand trap. Knowing how to get the ball out of a trap will cut your score.

 Plant your feet firmly into the sand, with your left foot turned toward the hole. Imagine a 4-inch circle around the ball and try to hit the edge of the circle that is away from the ball.

Take lots of sand with your ball and swing completely. Don’t decelerate at all when or after you hit the ball. It should pop up onto the green and stop. This doesn’t work unless the sand is very soft and powdery. On hard surfaces, you might need to avoid actually hitting the sand.

As in all aspects of the game, only practice will help you to improve.

Basic Golf for Beginner - Part 3: Golf Long Game

Golf long game refers to your drives (shots off the tee) and fairway shots; everything short of the shots you make to get onto the green.

Each hole has a different difficulty level, different par and distinctive hazards, so instructing you to use your Driver on every tee would be blatantly wrong.

This is something you will learn over time as you learn the various shots you make according to the club, the placement of the ball and your personal swing.

Generally speaking, the lower the club number, the longer and lower your ball will go. A 4-iron shot will travel long and low and will most likely roll, whereas a 9-iron shot will have much more loft and go less distance both in the air and on the ground.

The professionals on television make it look so easy; they consistently hit the ball long and straight and never miss-hit the ball making it dribble ten feet, or completely miss the ball.

Driving is very important to the game, and many hours spent at the driving range will help improve your distance. Experiment with the same club to see what works for you if you move the ball forward or backward in your stance. Take a lesson, if possible, and learn the proper swing from the beginning.

Mastering the long game helps you get to the green in fewer strokes, keeping your score and frustration level down. Remember that it takes a long time to learn consistency and remember, Enjoy and have fun!

Basic Golf for Beginner - Part 2: What to keep in your golf bag

There are a lot of golf bags available on the market. Some designed for fashion, some for utility and some that combine both features. There are big bags, bigger bags and bags so big that they would keep everything you need for a long weekend vacation in one of the side pockets!

Nike Golf Bag

Generally speaking, you need a bag just large enough to hold your clubs, extra balls, your glove, tees, car keys, extra pencils, ball markers, a ball retriever, sunscreen, a windbreaker and a large umbrella.

It is also a good idea to have a packet of tissues, a band-aid or two, and if you play courses where insects are a problem, a can of bug repellent comes in very handy.

A small pack of baby wipes come in very handy; in your bag they get warmed by the heat, so when you get sweaty or a sand trap covered you with sand, a nice warm wipe can be very refreshing.

Some people happen to be allergic to bees, hornets and wasps, so a Epipen is an important addition to my bag. For people who hypoglycemic so to carry carry Lifesavers, which has to be replaced several times throughout the year because they tend to melt.

One item that doesn’t need to be in your golf bag is your cell phone. If you must carry it, turn off the ringer as a courtesy to other players. If you must use it, be aware of others who might be taking a swing or putting their ball. Be considerate!

Having these items in your golf bag should provide everything you will need, even in a minor emergency(like a blister) or a major inconvenience, like a sudden rainstorm. Being prepared makes the game a great deal more fun.

Fun Things to Do in St. Andrews, Scotland

One of the great things about playing golf in St. Andrews is the wonderful, quaint village lifestyle. Beyond the phenomenal golf courses, there's a wealth of great activities to enjoy.

To extend your golf enjoyment away from the fairways, here are five activities to enhance your experience:

British Golf Museum-Conveniently located a 5-minute walk from the town center and across the street from The Royal and Ancient Clubhouse, this well organized, recently renovated museum will immerse you in the history of golf. There are thousands of items detailing more than 500 years of history with exhibitions, hands on activities and extracts from the R&A’s film archive. You’ll see clubs, balls, clothing, trophies, medals, films, photographs, artwork and books on display. 

Himalayas Putting Course—Home to the St. Andrews Ladies’ Putting Club since 1867, this roller coaster-like course, adjacent to the Old Course, allows you to practice uphill, downhill and sidehill putts. All you need is a putter and a willingness to have fun. The course is open from April to the end of September (7 days a week) and there is a slight fee with discounts for senior citizens and under 16s.

Tom Morris Golf Shop—Originally opened in 1866, the Tom Morris Golf Shop, facing the Old Course, is the oldest golf shop in the world. In addition to a wide selection of golf clothing, there’s a display area that celebrates the shop’s namesake, Tom Morris, the legendary four-time Open champion who is widely regarded as the father of the modern game. Among the items on display are his original workbench where he made golf clubs and balls, his locker where he stored his clubs and the fireplace he used to heat and shape gutta percha balls.

Official Old Course Walking Tour—Staged from early April to late September, the 50-minute guided tour of the Old Course is the next best thing to playing the celebrated course. Walks are scheduled for everyday of the week except Monday during July and August. Tours start at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. at. Longer tours start at 10 a.m.

Jigger Inn-It’s one of golf’s most famous 19^thholes. Set adjacent to the Old Course Hotel in an historic building that dates back to the 1850s, this traditional Scottish pub is brimming with golf memorabilia. It’s a great place to grab a pint and sit near an open-hearth fire and listen to golf stories from other patrons or spin a few yourself. When it’s time to dine, a golfer’s favorite is the Jigger Burger with Mull Cheddar, Ayshire Bacon and Fries.

What Makes Pine Valley Pine Valley?

You know you're having a good summer when it includes an early invitation to play Pine Valley! I am blessed to live an hour away.

Perennially ranked as the #1 golf course in the world, Pine Valley has it all. While many courses have some or many of the elements outlined below, none have the distinct combination of them all.  After being exceptionally lucky to have played the best golf the world has to offer and after my return visit and a period of reflection, below are my thoughts on what makes Pine Valley Pine Valley. Eighteen reasons (one for each hole); but it's the 19th reason that gives away the true secret:

Pine Valley's half-way house between the 8th fairway and 12th tee

1.       A visionary founder – George A. Crump, an affluent, low-handicap Philadelphia hotelier and sportsman, who had toured the British Isles and played its great courses before envisioning Pine Valley.

2.       The routing – It’s elegant, unforced and unparalleled. A subtle (yet difficult) use of water as a hazard enhances the design. Crump abhorred “parallelism” and it shows. 

3.       Pedigree – While clearly Crump’s vision, the list of those he consulted and who had a hand or influence over the course is a who’s who of the Golden Age of architecture’s greats: Hugh Wilson, C.H. Alison, Alister Mackenzie, George Thomas, C.B. Macdonald, Robert Hunter, H.S. Colt, Donald Ross and Perry Maxwell. Too many cooks didn’t spoil this stew.

4.       It’s unorthodox approach – There are expansive waste areas, no rakes, and no yardage markers. Quite the opposite of the typical course today’s professionals’ play, where you hear howls of protest if every lie isn’t perfect.

5.       Perfect fairways – Land on the fairway and the unorthodox approach ends. The fairways are manicured to perfection.

6.       The greens – A significant part of Pine Valley’s difficulty emanates from the greens. The fairways are in fact wide, but hitting and holding the greens are the real challenge in Clementon. And they are among the best conditioned on the planet (honorable mention to Winged Foot, Augusta and Carnoustie).

7.       Privacy – It is largely true, you don’t see other golfers or holes most of the time you are playing because of the pine trees and the routing.  And you really are cut off from the outside world. Especially notable in this regard is the 13th-hole and its splendid isolation.

8.       Forced carries – Off almost every tee!

9.       The difficulty – Par of 70, rating of 75.2 and a slope of 155 from the 7,009-yard tips. The course deserves its fierce reputation. Okay, you're not a big-hitter so you play the white tees. Sorry, it doesn't get much easier at 6,532 yards, the slope rating only goes down to 153.

10.The risk/reward options available – There is always a shorter carry available off the tee for the safer player. And an aggressive line available for the tiger. The issue is missing your intended line. The penalty isn’t small. It’s like stepping on a land mine.

11. The mix of long and short holes – With a par four of 320 yards and a par three of 145 yards, the course doesn’t overwhelm the golfer like other difficult courses such as Oakmont and Bethpage Black. In fact, the course is deceptive in that you often think it shouldn’t be that hard if you play it properly. It is the ultimate thinking man’s course that rewards brains over brawn.

12. The intangibles – The hidden location, the mystique, the little town hall and their own police department, the legendary stories, the snapper soup, the sherry on every table, the coleslaw, the discrete valet car parking, the wet towels on a hot day, the enforced no cellphone policy, the understated clubhouse, the overnight cabins, the quirky halfway house, the short course, the pro shop, their esteem for amateur golf, the speed of play, the Crump Cup…

13. The driving range – Among the best in the world, although calling it a driving range is an insult. It is a multi-faceted practice area that has everything you need to warm-up for the stern test to come.

14. The members – Low handicappers and gentleman. Their selection process somehow weeds out what many clubs miss, douches who are overly impressed with themselves because they are good at golf. Pine Valley just has good golfers who love the game. You can feel the reverence for the game while on property. Bravo.

15. The caddies – The Navy Seals of the caddie corps.

16. The natural terrain - The sandy soil makes this ideal golfing terrain, as does the natural land-forms and elevation changes. Unlike many esteemed golf courses Pine Valley achieves greatness without awe-inspiring views of the water. It does so purely on merit and not on beauty, (the course's beauty is rugged and fearsome) or based on memorable shots that professionals have hit during tournaments.

17. It has no weak holes – How many other golf courses can you say honestly that about? Bobby Jones said it best when referring to Pine Valley, “…I do remember every unusual hole, and I can tell you that I will remember every hole on that course.”

18. It’s longevity – Who many other courses have stood the test of time and are almost unchanged from their inception? It is a testament to the quality of the effort.

19. It’s in New Jersey - When people talk about great golf regions they mention “Philadelphia.” You do fly into the City of Brotherly Love to play Pine Valley, but it is in the Garden State indeed

The par-4 sixth hole from the tee

The approach to the short par-4 12th green

The approach the difficult par-4 13th green

The difficult par-5 15th hole. The entire hole tilts from left to right, and notice how it gets progressively narrower as it approaches the green, which plays up-hill and has a false front

When traveling around and experiencing different clubs and their traditions, several common threads appear, and there are certain clubs others like to emulate. You hear often about Augusta, obviously, since they have such great traditions. The other course I have heard about often is Pine Valley: "Our course is like Pine Valley... you can’t see other golfers out on the course, it’s like Pine Valley…the clubhouse is very understated…it’s like Pine Valley…the club is trying to replicate the feel of…Pine Valley…the waste areas are like…Pine Valley..." You get the idea. But there is only one Pine Valley.

My favorite hole on the course is the second. It is the quintessential Pine Valley hole with a forced carry over a waste area to a generous fairway, although one hemmed in by trees. The second shot is UPHILL to a green that is accurately described as challenging. Hit good shots and you are rewarded. Be a little loose and a snowman isn't far off. I'm also a fan of the par-4 12th hole, which is only 327 yards but is the only true dog-leg left on the course (the 13th is also a dogleg left, although does not bend as sharply at #12) and is an understated but challenging hole since the green is narrow and set at an angle to the fairway. I also like seventeen with a fairway set at an angle to the waste area, and another hole which has an uphill (and blind) shot to the green.

P.S. and good news – the pro shop now takes credit cards, with one exception. It seems like the bean counters in corporate home offices are wary of two things being charged to corporate cards: visits to strip clubs and loading up on logoed merchandise at Pine Valley, thus the club only takes personal credit cards and no corporate cards.

For my original write-up of Pine Valley: click here