Think About the Game
Before you pick up the telephone to make reservations for the golfing vacation of your dreams, stop and think about the important details of your personal dream.
Ask yourself the following questions, and remember there are no right or wrong answers. The only penalty comes from not asking them at all.
1. What kind o f a golf course and resort do I want to visit? Do you want to go to an easy course where you can boost your ego by shooting the lowest score of your golfing career? Or would you rather visit one of America's most difficult courses, where your score will climb into the stratosphere but, oh, what stories you'll be able to tell at the 19th hole when you return home?
2. Is price an object? The courses in this book, all of them above average,
range from as low as $10 per round to $150 and more. It's all golf, and there are some classic challenges and gorgeous locations at the less-expensive courses; it's up to you to decide whether a brand name is worth the extra cost.
3. When I spend the night, do I require a luxurious resort setting, or is a clean Motel Cheapo acceptable? There are many advantages to staying at a world-class resort, especially if you are in mixed company (golfers and nongolfers) or if you plan to stay in one area for an extended period of time and want to make use of other amenities. And, as I will point out in Chapter 3 on hotels, a luxury resort is not always that much more expensive than a strip motel if you plan to play golf at the resort's course. You'll have to do the math yourself, based on your own preferences and plans.
4. Must I travel in high season? The warm spring of Florida and much of the South is a huge lure to frostbitten northerners. But sometimes it seems as if the entire state of New Hampshire is in line in front of you at the tee ... and airline, auto rental, hotel, and greens fees are at their highest.
5. Am I willing to spend a little bit of time to save a lot o f money? If so, read on; you'll find all the information you need to make the most of your money and time on a golfing vacation.
Spending the Green
From the tee to the ball to the club to the golfer to the spectacular golf resort, the price of entry and the complexity of the sport have soared like a wellstruck drive from an elevated tee.
Golfers spend $30.5 billion per year on equipment and greens fees, according to foundation studies. Of that amount, $3.6 billion is spent on golf clubs. Average spending depends on frequency of play, with avid golfers (25 or more rounds per year) spending about $3,084 each year, moderate golfers (8 to 24 rounds) about $884, and the occasional golfer (less than 8 rounds per year) about $359.
You can pay $200 or more for a round of golf at a fancy resort, with $50 gloves holding a $500 custom-fitted titanium wood, and wear a monogrammed $300 golfing ensemble that makes you look just like Tiger or the Shark or the Golden Bear or some other pro star with a colorful nickname.
Or you can pay $15 for 18 holes at a well-maintained municipal course, wear a pair of slacks from the closet and a tee shirt from Kmart and tee off with an off-the-shelf club purchased from a discount store.
Either way, you're swinging a stick at a ball on a peg. And the ball costs a buck or two, no matter how pricey the rest of your golfing setup.
From the tee to the ball to the club to the golfer to the spectacular golf resort, the price of entry and the complexity of the sport have soared like a wellstruck drive from an elevated tee.
Golfers spend $30.5 billion per year on equipment and greens fees, according to foundation studies. Of that amount, $3.6 billion is spent on golf clubs. Average spending depends on frequency of play, with avid golfers (25 or more rounds per year) spending about $3,084 each year, moderate golfers (8 to 24 rounds) about $884, and the occasional golfer (less than 8 rounds per year) about $359.
You can pay $200 or more for a round of golf at a fancy resort, with $50 gloves holding a $500 custom-fitted titanium wood, and wear a monogrammed $300 golfing ensemble that makes you look just like Tiger or the Shark or the Golden Bear or some other pro star with a colorful nickname.
Or you can pay $15 for 18 holes at a well-maintained municipal course, wear a pair of slacks from the closet and a tee shirt from Kmart and tee off with an off-the-shelf club purchased from a discount store.
Either way, you're swinging a stick at a ball on a peg. And the ball costs a buck or two, no matter how pricey the rest of your golfing setup.
Golf Is a Simple Game, Right?
At its most basic, golf is a very simple and inexpensive game:
1. Hammer a peg into the ground.
2. Place a ball on top of the peg.
3. Swing a stick at the ball.
4. Aim the flight of the ball at a hole in the ground a few hundred yards away, trying not to hit the trees, the water, and other golfers.
That was about all that was required back when the game was new, and the basic concept still holds. There are about 26.4 million American golfers among us now, up about 50 percent from a decade ago, according to 2000 figures from the National Golf Foundation. Of that number, about 6.1 million are pretty serious about their sport, playing 25 or more rounds per year.
About half of American golfers are between the ages of 18 and 39. Another 19 percent are in their 40s, and 25 percent are seniors, age 50 and older. Women make up about 19 percent of U.S. golfers.
According to the foundation, there are more than 16,743 courses of all description in the United States, including regulation, par-3, and executive courses. Seventy-one percent of the courses are open to the public.
Florida tops the list of states with 1,228 courses, followed by California (986), Michigan (951), Texas (881), and New York (871). And finally, if you're trying to determine the highest concentration of golf holes per 100,000 population in metropolitan areas, you'll want to stay in the southeast: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (694), Naples, Florida (599), Wilmington, North Carolina (357), Fort Myers/Cape Coral, Florida (316), and Fort Pierce/Port Saint Lucie, Florida (315).
At its most basic, golf is a very simple and inexpensive game:
1. Hammer a peg into the ground.
2. Place a ball on top of the peg.
3. Swing a stick at the ball.
4. Aim the flight of the ball at a hole in the ground a few hundred yards away, trying not to hit the trees, the water, and other golfers.
That was about all that was required back when the game was new, and the basic concept still holds. There are about 26.4 million American golfers among us now, up about 50 percent from a decade ago, according to 2000 figures from the National Golf Foundation. Of that number, about 6.1 million are pretty serious about their sport, playing 25 or more rounds per year.
About half of American golfers are between the ages of 18 and 39. Another 19 percent are in their 40s, and 25 percent are seniors, age 50 and older. Women make up about 19 percent of U.S. golfers.
According to the foundation, there are more than 16,743 courses of all description in the United States, including regulation, par-3, and executive courses. Seventy-one percent of the courses are open to the public.
Florida tops the list of states with 1,228 courses, followed by California (986), Michigan (951), Texas (881), and New York (871). And finally, if you're trying to determine the highest concentration of golf holes per 100,000 population in metropolitan areas, you'll want to stay in the southeast: Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (694), Naples, Florida (599), Wilmington, North Carolina (357), Fort Myers/Cape Coral, Florida (316), and Fort Pierce/Port Saint Lucie, Florida (315).
Delta Sherwood ResortStanding among towering century-old pines at the very edge of Lake Joseph, Delta Sherwood Resort is a retreat unlike any other. The Resort is also just a short trip by car or boat to ClubLink's fabulous Muskoka golf courses, including the championship course at The Lake Joseph Club.
In every corner of the recently renovated Sherwood Resort there is a unique level of service and comfort. Each guestroom and cottage suite is decorated to reflect the traditional character of Muskoka, and accented with thoughtful modern conveniences. Rooms with whirlpools and private balconies are available, and
there is a new Boathouse Suite overlooking Lake Joseph.Our uncompromising hospitality is demonstrated by five consecutive CAA/AAA Four Diamond Plate Awards for exceptional dining and service. Our chef and his team enhance their 'Modern Country House' menu with over 100 selections from the Sherwood Resort's wine cellar. In the dining room, our reputation for award-winning service brings a friendly, welcoming manner to your table at every meal.
Among the dozens of popular activities at Delta Sherwood Resort are tennis, swimming, sailing, canoeing, water skiing, windsurfing, trail hiking and much more. For more information click here.
Mont Tremblant and Le Maitre
Le Maitre Golf Community offers 250 acres of paradise in Mont-Tremblant, a 4-season destination of international renown. Located along the quiet shores of the Diable River, in the Laurentian Mountains, the course offers glorious scenic vistas, dramatic elevation changes, dense forests and pristine waterways. It also features a state-of-the-art practice facility with target greens, a 13,000-square foot clubhouse. At the end of the day, a great night's sleep is guaranteed in one of our luxuriously appointed homes. The 2 to 4 bedroom cottages, each
tastefully decorated and accented in warm colours, natural wood and stone, offer large balconies with majestic mountain views. Five-star dining awaits in the breathtaking, 13,000 square foot clubhouse. Sit on the terrace and enjoy a glass of vintage wine from our cellar while marvelling at the view of the waterfalls on the 18th hole. In the dining room, guests are treated to refined service and a sumptuous dinner from our menu of local products and classic favourites. Activities are plentiful, and are offered all year. In the summer, guests can play tennis on our two outdoor tennis courts, lounge around the pool overlooking the golf course, or walk or bike on the 200km of trails leading right through the resort. In the winter, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and sleigh rides are offered on site, and a shuttle is available for guests who want to ski at Mont-Tremblant or visit the pedestrian village at the base. For more information on accommodations please visit: rvmt.com
The Best Golf Courses
Amata Spring Country Club
Highly RecommendedOpened end of 2005 as private members only golf course, this world-class golf course will test, tease, penalize, reward, and require you to play each and every golf shot with utmost precision and thought if a
good score is to be obtained.
Amata Spring Country Club is truly a World-Class Private Club that will be enjoyed by all levels of golfers. From the Championship tees the course can play to a length of over 7,450 yards. This length combined with a stiff prevailing wind which blows particularly hard from late morning onwards ensures that even the most proficient single handicap golfer will be severely tested. Other tee boxes are strategically placed on each hole to make sure that the golfing experience will be both enjoyable and challenging for players of all levels. Whilst power and accuracy are both required on the longer front nine, finesse and precision are a must on the shorter hazard-filled back nine, particularly on the par 3 17th which at 145 yards boasts the only floating green in Asia.
Highly RecommendedOpened end of 2005 as private members only golf course, this world-class golf course will test, tease, penalize, reward, and require you to play each and every golf shot with utmost precision and thought if a
good score is to be obtained.Amata Spring Country Club is truly a World-Class Private Club that will be enjoyed by all levels of golfers. From the Championship tees the course can play to a length of over 7,450 yards. This length combined with a stiff prevailing wind which blows particularly hard from late morning onwards ensures that even the most proficient single handicap golfer will be severely tested. Other tee boxes are strategically placed on each hole to make sure that the golfing experience will be both enjoyable and challenging for players of all levels. Whilst power and accuracy are both required on the longer front nine, finesse and precision are a must on the shorter hazard-filled back nine, particularly on the par 3 17th which at 145 yards boasts the only floating green in Asia.
Detail Information
Holes: 18 Par: 72 7400 Yards Designer: Schmidt-Curley Design
Established: 2005 Location: ChonburiDistance: 1 hour from city center
Open: Closed on Tuesday Max. golfers per group:
Weekday: 4 Cart: Weekday: 588,50.- Weekend: 4 Weekend: 588,50.-
Established: 2005 Location: ChonburiDistance: 1 hour from city center
Open: Closed on Tuesday Max. golfers per group:
Weekday: 4 Cart: Weekday: 588,50.- Weekend: 4 Weekend: 588,50.-
Golf Set: N/A Shoes: N/A Umbrella: N/A Driving Range: Yes
Massage, Restaurant, Spa, Pool, Sauna
Massage, Restaurant, Spa, Pool, Sauna
Glen Abbey
Golf Club is one of Canada's premiere daily fee courses, that will be remembered for years as the site of "The Shot of 2000" - Tiger Woods' 218-yard 6-iron from a fairway bunker on the 18th hole to set up the birdie that clinched the Canadian Open and the Triple Crown. (Tiger's Triple included his victories in the 2000 U.S., British and Canadian Opens.) Canada's No. 8 ranked golf course is open to anyone wishing to retrace Tiger's historic 
steps and challenge Jack Nicklaus' first solo design. Opened in 1976, Glen Abbey is held in high esteem by Tour players for its difficulty - 7,112 yards, Slope 140 from the Black tees - but it is surprisingly accommodating from the shorter tees. You can freewheel with the driver on its receptive fairways, but the greens are devilishly undulating and protected by steep bunkers. Nine-minute tee-time intervals help keep play moving along, and the maintenance is immaculate. Glen Abbey is in Oakville, Ontario, just west of Toronto.Glen Abbey is also home to The ClubLink Academy along with a spectacular clubhouse facility including the Gallery Bistro & Grill and a variety of beautiful banquet, meeting and seminar rooms.
To book a tee time at Glen Abbey or any other ClubLink daily-fee course,
please call 1-800-276-9542.
steps and challenge Jack Nicklaus' first solo design. Opened in 1976, Glen Abbey is held in high esteem by Tour players for its difficulty - 7,112 yards, Slope 140 from the Black tees - but it is surprisingly accommodating from the shorter tees. You can freewheel with the driver on its receptive fairways, but the greens are devilishly undulating and protected by steep bunkers. Nine-minute tee-time intervals help keep play moving along, and the maintenance is immaculate. Glen Abbey is in Oakville, Ontario, just west of Toronto.Glen Abbey is also home to The ClubLink Academy along with a spectacular clubhouse facility including the Gallery Bistro & Grill and a variety of beautiful banquet, meeting and seminar rooms.To book a tee time at Glen Abbey or any other ClubLink daily-fee course,
please call 1-800-276-9542.
Kanata Golf and Country Club
Completely redesigned by award-winning architect Tom McBroom in 1990, Kanata nicely blends 
modern shot values with the classic traditions of great parkland courses. Surrounded by heaving mounds and gaping bunkers, the small-to-medium sized greens place a premium on accuracy and the short game.
Although lined with mature trees, the gently rolling fairways are deceivingly generous but accented with deep penal bunkers. Kanata is also known as one of the most challenging and well-maintained courses in the Ottawa area.
Please contact us for more information or to request a membership package.
Email: MembershipSales@clublink.ca Take a Test Drive!
If you are interested in joining Kanata Golf and Country Club and would like access to play in the near future, please call 1-800-787-0617 for more information.
modern shot values with the classic traditions of great parkland courses. Surrounded by heaving mounds and gaping bunkers, the small-to-medium sized greens place a premium on accuracy and the short game.Although lined with mature trees, the gently rolling fairways are deceivingly generous but accented with deep penal bunkers. Kanata is also known as one of the most challenging and well-maintained courses in the Ottawa area.
Please contact us for more information or to request a membership package.
Email: MembershipSales@clublink.ca Take a Test Drive!
If you are interested in joining Kanata Golf and Country Club and would like access to play in the near future, please call 1-800-787-0617 for more information.
Golf Shoes
Worldwide Golf offers the newest and most popular golf shoes available today. From vendors like FootJoy, Adidas, Nike Golf, Ecco, and Callaway Golf.
Adidas W Tour 360 3.0
-2 year waterproof warranty
-THiNTech low-profile technology for stability and improved footwork
-Full-grain leather upper
-3-D FitFoam for ultimate comfort and a custom fit
-POWERBAND chassis for enhanced grip and power
-Clog-resistant TPU outsole with DTAC Cleats
-Perfomance last
Trunk-it 201 Golf Organizer
Trunk-It™ Golf Gear Case was designed to organize all your golf accessories neatly in the trunk or back of your vehicle! And the dividing walls are adjustable to fit your needs. A great gift for every golfer.
Quick-E-Seat
3-legged stool with super strong, lightweight aluminum frame. This attractive walking seat is comfortable and portable. patented auto-fold system easily collapses from a Simply lift shoulder strap. Perfect for golfing, hunting, fishing..etc. Weight Capacity: 300 lbs. static (sitting)
3-legged stool with super strong, lightweight aluminum frame. This attractive walking seat is comfortable and portable. patented auto-fold system easily collapses from a Simply lift shoulder strap. Perfect for golfing, hunting, fishing..etc. Weight Capacity: 300 lbs. static (sitting)
Elite Aromatic Cedar Shoe Tree
Premium full cedar design helps to keep the shape of your shoes. Features a full size forepart and a full cedar, easy grip heel.
Premium full cedar design helps to keep the shape of your shoes. Features a full size forepart and a full cedar, easy grip heel.
7' x 9' Standing Practice Net
Durable long lasting polyester net. Free standing 7/8" steel frame. Net backdrop traps grounders. Can be used indoors or out. Color gift box.
Durable long lasting polyester net. Free standing 7/8" steel frame. Net backdrop traps grounders. Can be used indoors or out. Color gift box.
Golf Wood
Manufacturer: Nike Golf
Model: CPR-3
SKU: 09NIKCPR3FWLRH
Condition: NEW, FACTORY SEALED
Makeup/Loft: See DropDown
Dexterity: Womens Right Handed Left Handed?
Shaft: CPR Graphite shaft
Grip: Nike Rubber Composition
Length/Lie: Standard/Standard
Headcover: Included (Matching)
The unique geometry of the scoop back design positions the CG lower and deeper than long irons…Nike CPR (Clubs for Prevention and Recovery) hybrids have a new and improved geometric design for 2006, which moves the CG (Center of Gravity) lower and farther back to make it even easier to hit higher, straighter and more accurate shots from all types of challenging lies. CPR hybrids give you confidence when faced with a shot from deep rough or a tight fairway lie, or if you need to hit a tight fairway from the tee. The unique geometry of the scoop back design positions the CG lower and deeper than long irons. Designed for players who prefer a larger hybrid head design, the CPR 3 woods feature a wider sole, which means less digging and fewer fat shots. It also features a 1.75” shorter shaft for maximum control and accuracy.
Manufacturer: Nike GolfModel: CPR-3
SKU: 09NIKCPR3FWLRH
Condition: NEW, FACTORY SEALED
Makeup/Loft: See DropDown
Dexterity: Womens Right Handed Left Handed?
Shaft: CPR Graphite shaft
Grip: Nike Rubber Composition
Length/Lie: Standard/Standard
Headcover: Included (Matching)
The unique geometry of the scoop back design positions the CG lower and deeper than long irons…Nike CPR (Clubs for Prevention and Recovery) hybrids have a new and improved geometric design for 2006, which moves the CG (Center of Gravity) lower and farther back to make it even easier to hit higher, straighter and more accurate shots from all types of challenging lies. CPR hybrids give you confidence when faced with a shot from deep rough or a tight fairway lie, or if you need to hit a tight fairway from the tee. The unique geometry of the scoop back design positions the CG lower and deeper than long irons. Designed for players who prefer a larger hybrid head design, the CPR 3 woods feature a wider sole, which means less digging and fewer fat shots. It also features a 1.75” shorter shaft for maximum control and accuracy.
Adams Golf Insight XTD a3 Hybrid-FW
Insight XTD a3 is specifically designed for medium to fast swing speeds. It provides the easy-to-hit performance of a hybrid and greater distance than a traditional fairway wood by combining the best features of our Idea Boxer Hybrids with the best features of our legendary fairway woods.
The result is the new Insight XTD a3 Hybrid-Fairway Wood that will kick traditional fairway woods to the curb.
Features:
Increased ball speed for a hotter, longer ball flight.
11 yards more distance compared to conventional oversized fairway woods.
Unique sole shaping and design results in 22% less turf drag that increases versatility and playability off the ground.
Increased inertial properties around the hosel achieves 41% more MOI for greater forgiveness.
Insight XTD a3 is specifically designed for medium to fast swing speeds. It provides the easy-to-hit performance of a hybrid and greater distance than a traditional fairway wood by combining the best features of our Idea Boxer Hybrids with the best features of our legendary fairway woods.
The result is the new Insight XTD a3 Hybrid-Fairway Wood that will kick traditional fairway woods to the curb.
Features:
Increased ball speed for a hotter, longer ball flight.
11 yards more distance compared to conventional oversized fairway woods.
Unique sole shaping and design results in 22% less turf drag that increases versatility and playability off the ground.
Increased inertial properties around the hosel achieves 41% more MOI for greater forgiveness.
Guide to the Best Golf Coursesand Resorts
Welcome to the 2001-02 edition of Golf U.S.A.: A Guide to the Best Golf Courses and Resorts. Here you'll find more than 2,500 of the best public, resort, and semi-private courses in the nation.This is not a guide to windswept and dusty $5 courses where you'll play with make-it-yourself clubs and second-hand balls. Instead, the goal is to help you get the most for your money and make the best use of your time.We've collected information on the best public, resort, and semiprivate courses at any price, along with details of how to get the most for your money-no matter how much you spend-on equipment. You'll also find valuable advice on how to travel in economic style from coast to coast.And we offer a selection of money-saving coupons. There is no connection between the information in this book and the coupons we publish, except that everything between the covers is intended to save you money.Pardon us for saying so, but we think the cost-effectiveness of this book speaks for itself. You should easily be able to save several times the cover price, and have a good time doing so.
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