The Golf Travel Guru

10 Little Things I Love About The Masters

2019-04-05T02:45:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, the Masters is Disney World for golfers. Walk around Augusta National during tournament week and you'll see the same unabashed happiness and gleeful smiles so prevalent at Mickey's place in Orlando.

Whether it's the grins you notice when first-timers see the circa 1970s concession prices or the "wow, look what I just scored" expression when people exit the merchandise store, you realize that while Disney World might be the happiest place on earth, Masters week is a close second.

I've been lucky enough to experience the Land of the Mouse and the Land of the Green Jacket and here are some of the little happy things I enjoyed that often go unnoticed about the Masters experience.

1. Cameras Allowed on Practice Days

If you want a wide variety of pictures to document your experience, you certainly won't be taking any shots of Tiger in his back swing on the back nine on Sunday. The good news is cameras are allowed on the Practice Round Days (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday). Everything is a lot less stressed and relaxed on these days and you have the opportunity to take all sorts of pictures that you can use to re-live your experience when you get back home. Click HERE for helpful list of Dos and Don'ts regarding cell phones, backpacks, lawn chairs, etc.

2. Free Picture In Front of the Clubhouse

It's not advertised anywhere on the grounds, but you can get a complimentary picture in front of the storied clubhouse complete with the flowers in the shape of the Masters logo in the background. It's easy, too. You get in line near the first hole of the short course, wait patiently (remember, too, never run to get in line) and you step up to the mark and look down towards Magnolia Lane and one of three photographers takes your picture. You pose, the picture is taken and the photographers gives you a small plastic card that allows you to retrieve you image later online.

3. Classic Umbrellas

I'm not sure why but I absolutely, positively love the timeless green and white umbrellas behind the clubhouse. They just remind me of a simpler time before smartphones and tablets. The people sitting under them always seem to be happy and contented carrying on actual conversations with others instead of scrolling their phone screens.

4. Egg Salad Sandwich

Yeah, yeah, the Pimento Sandwich gets all of the headlines, but my favorite is the Egg Salad Sandwich. First, you can hardly get them anymore as it has been banished somewhat as a 1950s relic sandwich choice. That said, the "Egg Sally" is made to perfection at the Masters. I'm not the only one that thinks so, either. Last year, Golf.com did a feature on the Top 16 concession items at the Masters and the Egg Salad Sandwich was rated No. 1 followed by the Classic Chicken and Pimento Cheese Sandwiches.

5. Hidden Concession Stands

Unlike most tournaments where the concession stands are in high-profile positions to sell you $10 beers and $8 hot dogs, the Masters is very discreet in placing their concession complexes in tree-lined areas away from the fairways. You won't believe the prices, either. Think 1972! How about a: A Masters Club Sandwich for $2.50, Pimento Cheese Sandwich for $1.50, a domestic beer for $4.00 and Georgia Peach Ice Cream Sandwich for $2.00

6. Masters Coffee Mugs

Out of all the souvenir loot I scored at the Masters Merchandise complex, my favorite is the coffee cup which cost around 12 bucks. Why? Because every single morning I can savor my coffee or tea and be reminded of my favorite golf tournament and all the happiness I experienced there. It's a phenomenal gift too with lots more staying power than a golf shirt or hat.

7. Orange Slices with Blue Moons

Think of all the money Masters organizers could save if they didn't include an orange slice with your Blue Moon. But, then again, the Masters never, and I mean never, scrimps on anything. Like Disney, they do everything in the world to exceed expectations. There is a serving tray of oranges next to the "craft beer" tap and you make a simple request and "voila" you've got the quintessential Blue Moon beer experience. Best of all, it's only $5 instead of the $9 to $12 you pay at most sports events (without the orange, too).

8. Moon Pies

When was the last time you had a Moon Pie? You can't find them much anymore, but you'll find this wondrous southern delicacy at the Masters. For first-timers, it consists of two round graham cracker cookies with marshmallow filling in the center and coated in chocolate. Wash it down with a Coca-Cola and you've got yourself a sugar high that'll last all 18 holes.

9. Old School Leaderboard

Forget digital scoring, the traditional leaderboards are manually operated taking patrons (remember you're not a fan, but a patron at Augusta National) back in time. There's a main leaderboard near the clubhouse and eleven leaderboards set around the course, each listing the 10 lowest scorers at a given time.

10. Significant Signage

Since you won't have your phone and you don't want to take time deciphering the layout map in the Spectator guide, the Masters has simple and unique directional signs located throughout the course. They're easy to follow and promote good traffic flow.

Dream Winners for the 2019 Majors

2019-01-29T01:24:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the "Dream Season" in professional golf! The four majors in 2019 will be played at storied venues like Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland (The Open), Pebble Beach Golf Links (U.S. Open), Bethpage Black (PGA Championship) and, of course, Augusta National (Masters).

What could be better than that? How about the four winners being marquee names that will elevate golf interest and have the media salivating with countless story angles.

Here is my foursome of dream winners:

Tiger Woods -- The Masters

Let's face it, not everyone wants Tiger to wear another Green Jacket. He's a lot like the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees and Notre Dame Irish. You either love'em or hate'em and their doesn't seem to be much middle ground. I'm a big Tiger fan for the same reason everybody in the golf industry likes the Big Cat. He's made us all a lot of money. Whether you admit it or not, the golf universe still revolves around Tiger and a victory at Augusta would be the crescendo on his comeback from four back surgeries. America loves a great comeback and Tiger wearing green in the Butler Cabin would be the ultimate dream scenario for many golf fans.

Rory McIlroy -- The Open Championship

Rory grew up in Northern Ireland and played Royal Portrush on several occasions in his youth. He's the sentimental favorite and the storylines would be off the charts if he can somehow snare the Claret Jug at this magnificent seaside links layout. McIlroy, a 4-time major winner, knows how to close the deal at the Open. He bested Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia in 2014 at Royal Liverpool to capture the Jug. Guess who holds the competitive course record for a round at Royal Portush? McIlroy shot a 61 on the Dunluce Links in 2005. He's definitely got a home field advantage so he'll be an obvious favorite.

Brooks Koepka -- U.S. Open

While Koepka isn't exactly a media darling with his methodical, boring press conferences, his power game speaks for itself. My gosh, this Florida blond bomber is going for a three-peat in the U.S. Open. Sports Betting Dime has Brooks Koepka as one of the favorites at +1400 and with good reason. He is the two-time defending champion who seems to thrive in front of the home crowd. Often overlooked because of his length off the tee is Koepka's overall game. He spent a few years playing around the world before fully engaging on the PGA Tour and he enhanced his short game skills and putting on all types of surfaces and courses around the world. When he's on his game, Koepka looks like a modern day Jack Nicklaus. He overpowers golf courses and is not intimated by anybody, anywhere.

Rickie Fowler -- PGA Championship

A victory would finally put to rest the notion that Fowler is all hat and no cattle with more style than substance. Golf needs more youth golfers and a Fowler victory would, in a small way, help propel that movement. Most of the teenage and younger golfers grew up idolizing Rickie not Tiger. With his flat brim hats, colorful outfits, fancy shoes and strong social media presence, Rickie is the most appealing golfer to Generation Z (youngsters born from the mid-1990s to the early 2000s). Fowler is charismatic and his skill level is equal to the best players in the world. If he could snare a Wannamaker trophy and hoist it high in his bright orange outfit, the future for golf will look just a little bit brighter.

Is Leopard Creek the Most Picturesque Course in World Golf?

2018-12-19T03:45:00.001-08:00

It is probably worth mentioning before going on that one thing is for absolute certain; you are never going to get a general consensus in favor of one golf course being more picturesque or easier on the eye than the other. That’s just the way it is and for good reason given how subjective the matter is. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and it very much depends on where you grew up in the world as to what has shaped your tastes.

Any honorable Californian will tell you Pebble Beach is the most beautiful course in the world while any Scot will tell you there is no better sight than St Andrews on a summer's evening in June. The list of personal favorites according to different nationalities is an indefinite one and really it is good for golf that there are so many breathtaking courses around the world.

So, you will never be able to agree on one but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few that are better than the rest; that’s as close as you will get to any sort of agreement. When the European Tour swings around to South Africa every December, it gives golf fans the world over a chance to see the wonders of Leopard Creek.

Based four and a half hours outside of Johannesburg, Leopard Creek is situated in South Africa’s Lowveld and in the town of Malelane. Malelane is renowned for its blisteringly hot temperatures and for the famous Kruger National park which is home to the Big Five: Lion, Rhino, Elephant, Buffalo and, of course, Leopard. The Kruger National Park is a massive game park that is bigger than both Israel and Wales and it is there, in the park, that you will find the Crocodile River traversing through its borders.

European Tour via Twitter

It is on the Crocodile River that the golf course Leopard Creek is built, which gives it one of the more dramatic landscapes and backdrops you will ever see surrounding a golf tournament. The timing of the event on the European Tour calendar makes it an ideal getaway for the players and their partners to enjoy arguably the best safari in the world with a bit of golf thrown in for good measure. Local hero Charl Schwartzel says Leopard Creek is his favorite golf course in the world but, then again, he would, as he has won on four separate occasions at the course.

Leopard Creek CC via Twitter

The 2016 winner of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Brandon Stone took home a cool £170k for his troubles and got to go out into the park most days after the golf had ended. There really isn’t a tournament like it and host Johann Rupert does go out of his way to spoil the golfers and even goes as far as to host a few of his favorite South African players in his salubrious digs looking overlooking the Crocodile River. You can be sure lots of the wonderful wine from the vineyards in Cape Town is flown up well in advance of the arrival of Ernie Els or Louis Oosthuizen at Rupert’s house.

Els is a longtime friend of Rupert and it is the businessman’s influence in Els’ life that has been integral to some of the success the Big Easy has enjoyed. Of course, all of South Africa would love their favorite golfing son to win another major, with his best chance probably coming at the Open in 2019 but, even then, Els is at odds of 200/1 in golf betting to do so. Still, even if Els doesn’t win another major, his loyal fans in the rainbow nation can watch him turn the clock back at Leopard Creek every year.

Leopard Creek underwent massive changes in 2017 as Rupert decided droughts could become more of a regular occurrence in South Africa and opted to switch the grass from Kikuyu to Bermuda. This meant the event didn’t take place as planned last season as the changes were put into effect.

Matt Wallace via Twitter

By and large, the changes have been very well received by the players and, if anything, it has made Leopard Creek even more of a world-class establishment.

Some things have to be seen to be believed and a trip to Leopard Creek should be on every golfer's bucket list. There will be few better sights you will ever see than rounding the dog-leg on the par five 13th to see the majestic Crocodile River lying below the green. Even if you’ve managed to put your golf ball into the river with the crocs, nothing will stop you from enjoying one of the best moments you will ever experience on a golf course.

The Guru Highlights Trends for Golf Meeting Groups in 2019

2018-12-04T17:06:00.001-08:00

If you're planning a golf group outing or just attending one, check out what the Guru and other experts predict will be the leading trends in 2019 in the December issue of Meetings Today. Click to: Meetings Today Digital Magazine

Top 10 Golf Travel Trends for 2019

2018-11-26T03:20:00.001-08:00

A strong U.S. economy, a record number of Baby Boomers retiring and golf cruise popularity are a few of the reasons 2019 will be a great one for golf travel. With more discretionary income, a trusty set of golf clubs and a passport, golf travelers are primed to travel and play golf around the world next year.

Here are ten golf travel trends The Golf Travel Guru highlights for 2019:

1. Boomer Power

According to AARP more than 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day. Baby Boomers are projected to have 70% of all U.S. disposable income over the next five years. As more and more Boomers retire or semi-retire they'll have more time and flexibility to travel. We'll see an uptick in Boomers traveling to play golf with their spouses, who also will have more time to travel. Boomers play more golf than any other age-group and many avid golfers are intent on playing the golf courses at the top of their bucket list. In 2019 and beyond, more Boomers will travel in off-peak seasons to capitalize on discounted trips. Many trip offerings like golf cruises, packages to majors like the Masters and British Open and pro-ams are designed to appeal to Baby Boomers. Millennials don't have the time, inclination or disposable income to take golf trips, but Boomers have all of these and a distinct passion for the game of golf.

2. Cruising to Golf

Grab your sticks and head for the open seas! Cruising is wildly popular with passenger growth from 17.8 million in 2009 to more than 27 million in 2018. For those who like to cruise and play golf, there are an increasing number of options. Companies like Kalos Golf Cruises and PerryGolf offer luxury cruises to a variety of destinations around the world. Golfahoy Golf Cruises are offered on 193 cruise ships, including European riverboats and luxury charters. At the 2018 Ryder Cup in France, Premier Golf Travel partnered with Viking River Cruises for a 10-day itinerary that included attendance at the Ryder Cup and cruising from Paris to Normandy. Premier Golf recently introduced a cruise to the Eastern Canada Maritime Provinces (Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island). Fore! Anchors Away!

3. Exclusivity and Personalization

Golf travelers increasingly want golf trips designed to accommodate their personal preferences. They're willing to pay more to get special access to certain golf courses and personalized experiences. Getting clients on, say, Muirfield and the Old Course in Scotland, Sunningdale in England or Shadow Creek in Las Vegas rewards them with an exclusive golf experience that few others get to enjoy. According to Virtuoso's 2018 Luxe Report, luxury travelers are seeking experiences not found in a guidebook, advertisement or brochure. In golf travel, that translates to finding clients exceptional, off-the-beaten path or highly exclusive golf courses with limited play offered to the public.

4. Emerging Destinations

France will see more golf travelers as a result of the massive exposure it received by hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup near Paris. Italy continues to promote golf more enthusiastically and will increase in popularity, especially for those who want to incorporate wine tours and tastings with golf. Two of my favorite Italian regions to tee up and sip vino are the Fruili-Venezia Guilia and Tuscany. Other emerging golf travel destinations include Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, New Zealand and Dubai. In the U.S., Branson, Missouri has built several impressive courses in the past few years with designer tags like Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Ben Crenshaw and it's ready to take its place as a viable golf destination

5. Social Media Deals

Golf Travel companies are increasing their presence on social media and they often post information and package deals on unique golf destinations, special event trips and tournaments or pro-ams. They also frequently post about discounted last-minute deals as they try to fill the remaining spots on a trip or cruise. Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin are popular outlets where you'll find postings on packages and events. Instagram is a great resource to see images of the golf courses you might be playing and the pubs where you might be celebrating after a round.

6. Improving Golf Travel Websites

Golf Travel companies are continuing to expand and improve their websites to give golf travelers easier ways to find information about destinations and courses and get quotes. With online request forms, online trip calculators, website blogs, live online chats clients will find it increasingly easier to book trips quicker with a better knowledge of all costs involved and which courses have available tee times in their desired destination.

7. Impactful Women

Women are very influential in couples golf trip decisions regardless if they play golf or not. Golf destinations with a plethora of off-the-course activities such as shopping, sightseeing, dining spas, wine tours and cooking schools are increasingly more popular. The couples golf trip, especially for Baby Boomers, has evolved to include less golf these days with more activities for a more well-balanced experience. Destinations ideal for couples who want top-notch golf and a wealth of things to do away from the fairways includes Italy, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The LPGA Tour, which has several high-profile tournaments in the Pacific Rim (Korea, Thailand and Japan), has elevated interest in that part of the world for golf travelers. The 2019 Solheim Cup (the ladies version of the Ryder Cup) will be played in September at Gleneagles in Scotland giving central Scotland a boost in exposure.

8. U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A

Scotland and Ireland never go out of style for golf travelers, but an increasing number of golf tour operators are now selling the U.S.A. Fact is, you don't have to cross the pond anymore for an exceptional links golf experiences. Hugely popular nouveau American resort complexes like Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Whistling Straits in Wisconsin offer waterside links-style golf and Streamsong Resort in Florida and Sand Valley in Wisconsin feature unique links-style experiences with fast fairways, dramatic sand dunes and lots of bump and run shots. Despite costly greens fees, golfers are still flocking to Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pinehurst No. 2 and the TPC Stadium Course at Sawgrass. The top value-oriented U.S. destinations are the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Northern Michigan, Branson, Missouri and Mesquite, Nevada.

9. Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland

While Ireland is often viewed as Scotland's baby brother in the world of golf travel, the Emerald Isle will take center stage in 2019 with the playing of the Open Championship (July 14-17) at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. It's shaping up to be one of the best Open's ever as the local citizens purchased more than than 1/5 of the public access tickets in the first 48 hours of posting. Northern Ireland hasn't held the event since 1951 so you might say there's some pent up demand. I predict the crowd noises will be booming roars similar to the Ryder Cup and The Masters. Following the immense exposure from the Open, it doesn't take a soothsayer, or even a Golf Travel Guru, to predict Northern Ireland will become a very popular destination for golf travelers. Heading the list of must plays in the region are Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Lough Erne, Castlerock and Ardglass.

10. The Spa Life

Instead of heading to the 19th hole to hoist a few, an increasing number of golfers are heading straight to the spa. They've traded in a Jameson and ginger or frosty micro-brew for a post round treatment that'll help them rejuvenate for the next day on the golf course. The most popular massages for golfers are Swedish, Deep Tissue and Sports. Even resort complexes teeming with core golfers like Bandon Dunes and Streamsong offer spa services. Some the best golf resorts with spas include Sea Island, Georgia, PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, The Boulders, Scottsdale, Arizona and Fairmont Mayakoba, Cancun, Mexico.

Who Will Wear THE Green Jacket in 2019?

2018-11-13T02:30:00.003-08:00

When Tiger Woods wins the Masters next year (2019) it'll be as big as Jack in '86.

Yes, I wrote it and I believe it. Tiger's going to slip on another Green Jacket in the Butler Cabin in April.

I'm not the only one making the prediction, either. Lots of oddsmakers think so, too.

Tiger is currently the odds on favorite followed closely by Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy.

Here's why Tiger is the favorite to win the 2019 Masters:

Tiger's confidence from winning the Tour Championship

Who can forget that phenomenal scene in Atlanta at East Lake when thousands of fans crowded around the 18th green on Sunday as Tiger put the finishing touches on his victory. The exuberant throng was reminiscent of Bobby Jones being celebrated at the 1930 Amateur Championship at St Andrews. It was Tiger's first win in five years and signaled golf world that he truly was back after multiple back surgeries and other personal setbacks. With this high-profile win, Tiger proved to himself and the doubters that he had not forgotten how to win. You could tell in the follow-up media interview that his confidence was back.

He' Done It--He's Won It

Tiger has won the Masters four times (1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005). His most notable was the first one, when he essentially lapped the field with a 12-stroke victory. It was his first career major championship. If he wins in 2019, he'll move ahead of Arnie for the second-most Masters victories behind Jack Nicklaus, who has six. Oh yeah, he's won 14 majors and 80 PGA Tour events, so he knows what it's going to take to win at Augusta.

He Knows Augusta National and how to play it

Woods first played Augusta National as a 19-year old amateur in 1995. He has played in the Masters 21 times during his career. Always inquisitive about the golf course, Tiger has always enjoyed the Champions Dinner each year because it gave him a chance to talk about what it takes to win with legendary champions like Nicklaus, Palmer and Players. Woods knows exactly what shots to hit and how to read the greens. If he has his "A" game and executes, he'll be wearing another Green Jacket in 2019.

He wants to win this tournament more than any other

While Tiger has had some amazing victories in his career, arguably, the most meaningful was the 1997 Masters, which signaled to the golf universe that he was truly a transcendent player. The emotional embrace with his father on the 18th green and the significance of his impressive victory running away from the field, make it one of the highlights of his career. Second to that memory was the 2005 Masters when he sunk an impossible chip shot at the 16th. Woods went on to beat Chris DiMarco in a play-off.

Golf Has Been Crying Out For an Eddie Pepperell

2018-10-26T04:09:00.000-07:00

The rise of Eddie Pepperell from the depths of the official world golf rankings is one that inspires golfers the world over. The extent to which Pepperell is able to influence novice players is slightly different than that what Dustin Johnson is able to. Standing at 5'10 and weighing 73 kgs (160 lbs.), Pepperell is by no means your physical specimen.

The most notable attribute that makes Pepperell stand out from the rest of the tour players isn’t his physical makeup, but rather his eloquence. Despite being a deep thinker and an intellectual, it’s very easy for fans to relate to what Pepperell is saying given how transparent and honest he is when a mic is in front of him. It makes a welcome change to the robotic answers we have grown to expect from most of the tour pros.

HowDidiDo via Twitter

That’s why when Pepperell wins, it’s a win for golf as a sport as this is an individual who is likely to attract a host of new fans and sponsors, even if he doesn't have one himself just yet. Yes, that's right: Eddie Pepperell doesn’t have a hat sponsor. When you consider that a simple name on a cap can earn a tour player millions of pounds every year, it does seem mind boggling that he has chosen not to have one, but that’s Eddie Pepperell: different in every way.

The sponsors admittedly weren’t lining up to have their brand featured on Pepperell's head last year and as recently as May 2017, the young Englishman was outside the top 500 golfers in the world. Languishing in the doldrums of professional golf, Pepperell’s career was at a crossroads after he lost his tour card in agonising fashion in Portugal at the end of 2016 only to win it back at Q-School a couple of weeks later. Despite earning back his playing privileges it was turning out to be another season where progress just wasn’t forthcoming.

A top ten in June 2017 at the Nordea Masters was followed by a tie for 16th at the US Open, which kick-started something within the 27-year-old. Pepperell would claim his maiden win on tour after 129 starts in February 2018 as he won the Qatar Masters. More success was to follow with a second-place finish at the Scottish Open and sixth at the Open.

It was just last week that Pepperell won the British Masters, which illustrates yet again what a startling turnaround it has been from the depths of despair he found himself in during 2016 and half of 2017. Winning doesn’t seem to be a once off and Pepperell is proving his success isn't a flash in the pan.

So, what next – a major? Before anyone spits out their tea, you only have to look at Pepperell’s rise and performance at majors to think he has a good chance of winning one. The odds may not suggest it, with moplay.co.uk's listed odds for the 2019 Open Championship having Pepperell at 125/1 to win, but you shouldn't forget this is a man who finished sixth at the Open this year and did so whilst feeling the effects of a heavy night the evening prior.

The Englishman admitted to feeling hopeless the night before the final round at Carnoustie so he and his swing coach enjoyed a few too many glasses of wine. In his post-round interview Pepperell came clean and admitted he was hungover.

TeamFA via Twitter

Golf now has a champion we can all get behind and root for. There’s no flashy Instagram feeds, self-praise or regurgitated answers when it comes to Eddie Louis Pepperell. What you see is very much what you get and that is something golf has been crying out for.

Three Players Who May Win Their Opening Major in 2019

2018-10-23T07:25:00.001-07:00

The 2018/19 golf season is up and running and although there is some big prize money and early FedEx Cup points up for grabs this month, many of the top players give themselves a few extra weeks off as they plan their schedule to peak around the Major Championships. The four big tournaments are the ones every golfer dreams of winning. Here are three players who could break their maiden in 2019 as they look to be improving all the time.

Tommy Fleetwood

Over the last two years, Tommy Fleetwood has made an almighty rise up the world rankings and has now established himself as one of the leading players either side of the pond. The 27-year-old played an integral role in helping Europe win back the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National last month and with his confidence being sky high at the moment, it would be no surprise to see the Englishman win a Major next year.

The Golf Shop via Twitter

Fleetwood had his highest place finish in a Major in 2018 as he finished second in the US Open. That is a tournament the man from England clearly enjoys as he was also fourth in 2017. Fleetwood can be backed at 33/1 in the golf betting to go one better next year by winning the second Major on the golf calendar.

Rickie Fowler

It is a surprise to everyone in golf that Rickie Fowler has still yet to win a Major. The American now has nine top-10 finishes in the big four events. In 2014 Fowler finished inside the top five of the US Masters, US Open, Open Championship and US PGA Championship. Unfortunately, 2018 wasn’t Fowler’s best season of his career as he failed to record a single victory, however, he once again played well at Augusta as he was second behind Patrick Reed.

Fowler has the game to win any tournament he enters. If he continues to play well in the big events, he will land his maiden Major and that may come in April where he is 16/1 to land the Green Jacket at the US Masters.

Jon Rahm

Like Fleetwood, Spaniard Jon Rahm played his role in helping Europe beat USA in Paris. Rahm won his singles match against Tiger Woods on the Sunday, an indication of how fearless the 23-year-old is. Earlier this year, the Arizona State graduate rose up to as high as number two in the world rankings following his success in the CareerBuilder Challenge. Later in the season, Rahm scored in his home country when he appeared on the European Tour in the Open de Espana.

For The Win via Twitter

In 2018 Rahm started the Major Championships with a fourth-place finish in the Us Masters. Augusta looked to be a course which suited the European golfer as he is a big hitter off the tee, therefore, he took advantage of the par-5 holes at the course in Georgia. Rahm also recorded a tie for fourth place in the US PGA Championship which was won by Brooks Koepka.

The opening Major of 2019 begins on the 11^th of April at Augusta when the world’s leading players tee off in the US Masters.

Has Captain Bjorn Got it Right?

2018-09-25T05:12:00.003-07:00

Europe’s Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn has received a fair amount of criticism from the golfing pundits after naming his four wildcard picks for this year’s tournament. Form was said to be clinically overlooked in favour of experience as Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson joined up with those that had qualified from the European and World points list.

Bjorn has played it safe, but has he got his selection right?

No Weak Links

Tiger Woods by Keith Allison

One of Thomas Bjorn’s concerns would have arisen from the fact that reigning Ryder Cup champions the United States will go into this tournament with one of the strongest teams for many years. Even though they are conceding home advantage this time, comparison site Oddschecker shows that Jim Furyk’s squad are odds-on favourites to retain the title that they won two years ago and it’s easy to see why.

Among the roster is double 2018 Major winner Brooks Koepka and the current US Masters Champion Patrick Reed. Dustin Johnson, who has only just lost his World Number One ranking, also features as do Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler and Bubba Watson who has won three tournaments on the PGA Tour this season.

Tiger Woods is included as a Captain’s pick after a strong return from injury while Furyk, unlike Bjorn, has gone for form above reputation by including Tony Finau. It’s a formidable line up so what have Europe got to offer in return?

Pride of Spain

Sergio Garcia & Francesco Molinari by myphoto

The main media focus has been on Sergio Garcia who becomes the first man in the history of the Ryder Cup to line up in the tournament having missed the cut in all four preceding Majors. On the plus side, here is a man who was Masters Champion less than 18 months previously and across a long professional career, the 38-year-old has recorded no fewer than 33 tournament wins.

During this year’s competition, Garcia could also overtake Sir Nick Faldo to become the leading European points scorer in the history of the Ryder Cup so we can, at least, empathise with Thomas Bjorn’s dilemma.

Adaptable

Ian Poulter by TourProGolfClubs

Paul Casey could only be seen as a contentious pick because the Englishman has committed to the PGA Tour for many years. He’s been consistent across the Atlantic and won the Valspar Championship earlier this season so there’s no real concern over form for a man who has appeared in three previous Ryder Cups.

Ian Poulter has also made a recovery of sorts in 2018 after he dropped out of the world’s Top 200. Victory at the Houston Open in April this year suggests that ‘Poults’ is back and he will undoubtedly prove his worth as the talisman who inspires the rest of the team.

That leaves 2016 British Open Champion Henrik Stenson where the concern is not over quality but whether the Swede is fully fit following a recent injury. Overall, the European wildcards are an experienced bunch and while form isn’t there in every case, the team will need that experience as they face what is arguably the best US side in the history of the competition.

What Does Tiger Need To Do To Win a Major in 2019

2018-09-14T05:09:00.001-07:00

Love him or hate him, you really have to hand it to Tiger Woods. After making his eagerly awaited comeback in January earlier this year at Torrey Pines, Tiger has gone on to make an impressive 17 starts in 2018 thus far and has mounted serious title challenges at Carnoustie, Bellerive, Bay Hill and Innisbrook, whilst qualifying for the season-ending Tour Championship in the process. Moreover, Woods also managed to force his way into Jim Furyk's Ryder Cup plans and perhaps most importantly, has shown glimpses of the game which has seen him land 14 major titles. However, the question on everyone's lips remains, can Tiger land the illustrious 15th and if so, how does he go about achieving that in 2019?

Play Smart But Plan Smarter

Despite the fact that Tiger is now seemingly pain-free, it's important to remember that he's no spring chicken at 42 and with the gruelling modern-day professional golfing schedule to contend with, Woods needs to plan smart if he's to have any chance of landing another major title. Much like Woods' fellow Nike compatriot Roger Federer has done for the past 3 years with regards to the French Open and entire clay court season, Woods should look to pick and choose his tournaments wisely in order to give his body and his mind time to refocus and recuperate.

Of course, you could argue that Federer's reasons partly lie in the fact that Rafael Nadal is as good as unbeatable on clay and that trying to wrestle the Roland Garros title from his grasp is almost futile but by the same token, the rest has demonstrably improved Federer's results on grass and he has spoken numerous times about how important it is to feel fresh when you're advancing in years; Tiger Woods could do much worse than take note of this advice - perhaps he can use this extra downtime to build and design some new courses?

Forget About Winning

As the old adage goes, "The harder you try, the worse it gets." Ultimately, golf is the same as any sport in that you tend to play your best stuff when you're most relaxed and enjoying yourself. Woods has really come to the fore in the past couple of months and it's plain for everyone to see that the American is simply enjoying being able to play the sport he loves without any hindrance. Although it may sound paradoxical at first, Woods' biggest strength could also be his biggest downfall when it comes to trying to land that illustrious 15th major - the competitive streak which has seen him become one of the most decorated players of all time could also lead to him trying a little too hard and few golfers have found success when operating with this mentality.

Instead, Woods should stick to simply enjoying playing golf again and events such as the upcoming Showdown at Shadow Creek should help the 42-year-old in this regard. Woods will go head to head vs Phil Mickelson during Thanksgiving week for a total purse of $9 million and, as of 11th September, Woods is the 4/7 favourite with Betway to come out on top in one of the most eagerly anticipated one-off matches the sport has ever seen.

Keep Being Tiger

Despite his namesake being a ferocious predator in its own right, Tiger is much more like a shark in that when he smells blood, you're in big trouble. Over the years, it's impossible to recall how many good golfers have crumbled in the last round when they knew that Woods is hot on their heels and back in the day (whenever that was), if Tiger took a sizeable lead into the final days play then the result was almost a foregone conclusion. The point is that the name Tiger Woods still strikes fear into the heart of the opposition and he should continue to play on this as well as rallying the crowds, all of whom will undoubtedly be rooting for him to succeed.

Tiger's Comeback Is a Victory In Itself

Those who purchased his recently-released biography on eBay or Amazon will be aware of the hardships and sacrifices Tiger has made over the last couple of years in order to facilitate his comeback - when you consider that many top commentators believed he would never be the same after his injury problems, the fact that he's back out on the course in any capacity is remarkable. However, we're all aware by now that this won't be enough for Woods and so, with that being said, can he land his 15th major title? As reported in the Express, Nick Faldo certainly seems to think so and that's good enough for us.

Three Best Bets for the 2018 Ryder Cup

2018-09-04T04:29:00.001-07:00

The 2018 Ryder Cup is set to be a fantastic renewal of the team competition between the USA and Europe as on paper the two sides look fairly balanced and that is reflected in the betting as the bookmakers are struggling to separate them.

If you are looking to have a punt on the event at Le Golf National in Paris, France, here are the three best bets, which can hopefully help you make a profit from the tournament.

1. USA to Win the 2018 Ryder Cup

Credit: Hambric Sports via Twitter

The defending champions are -110 in the golf betting to win the Ryder Cup for the second consecutive tournament and they should be backed to do just that. Jim Furyk has a very experienced team who will be able to handle being the visitors with the crowd against them in Paris. Europe, on the other hand, have five rookies who have qualified into the event which may play against them when the pressure is on at the weekend. Three of the four Major Championships were won by Americans in 2018, which is a strong indication that they probably have the advantage and can retain their crown later this month.

2. Brooks Koepka to be Top USA Points Scorer

American Brooks Koepka has proved to be the man for the big events. The 28-year-old is now a three-time Major winner after claiming the US Open and US PGA Championship in 2018. Despite so much success in the big events, Koepka has only won one other PGA Tour tournament. The American should thrive in the Ryder Cup format and given his form this year, Furyk is sure to use him as often as he can in the four-balls and foursomes which means he should be backed to be the top USA points scorer. Koepka played in the 2016 winning team, therefore he has experience of the event; he was also a member of the European Tour in the early stages of his career and will be familiar with the course.

3. Francesco Molinari to be Top European Points Scorer

Credit: The Open via Twitter

There is no doubt that Francesco Molinari has been one of the in-form players in world golf in 2018. The Italian won the Open Championship at Carnoustie earlier in the summer where he broke his maiden in the Major Championships. Molinari shot bogey-free rounds on the Saturday and Sunday in Scotland to beat the field by two shots. The world number six also claimed the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth earlier in the campaign, while he was sixth recently in the US PGA Championship, which was won by Koepka at Bellerive Country Club. This will be Molinari’s third appearance in the Ryder Cup, therefore not only will Thomas Bjorn be looking at him to help the rookies through the tournament, he is sure to be in the majority of the matches across all three days so back him to be the top European points scorer at Le Golf National.

Enjoy the great team competition in sport and good luck with your bets.

10 Absolutely Stupid Golf Fashions

2018-05-11T04:32:00.001-07:00

1. Long Sleeve Dress Shirts

Lately, Phil Mickelson has been wearing these at tournaments. He looks like a rules official or some bored office worker that wants to pull off a quick nine after a long day toiling away in a cublicle. Even Phil the Thrill can't pull this look off, so puh-leeze, just wear a regular golf shirt. Another great and goofy Phil fashion statement is wearing a watch while playing.

2. Flat Brim Caps

Unless you're trying to squeeze in a quick round before you attend a rap concert, please refrain from wearing these ridiculous looking lids.

3. All White From Head to Toe

If your desire is to look like an ice cream truck driver, house painter or tennis player at Wimbledon, by all means, show up at the golf course in all white.

4. High-Top Golf Shoes

You can thank Rickie Fowler for trying to introduce this fashion statement on to the golf course. Thankfully, it hasn't caught on. Unless you're an NBA golf fanatic like J.R. Smith or Stephen Curry, please leave your high-tops at home in your closet.

5. Camouflage Outfits

Maybe for Larry the Cable Guy or some deer hunter who just fell out of your tree perch onto the fairway, but the rest of us should not wear camouflage on the golf course. Same goes for bowling shirts, Hawaiian shirts and baseball and football jerseys.

6. Golf Sandals

Yes, you might be in the bunkers all day, but that still doesn't give you the right to play golf in sandals. If you like sandals so much, please take up beach volleyball or perhaps frisbee golf.

7. Matching Husband and Wife Outfits

This is the couple that has WAY too much time on their hands. Oh yeah, they also generally own a tricked up golf cart with sheepskin seat covers and a customized license plate that reads "Bob & Madge."

8. Oversized Golf Shirts

Hey, the 1980s called and they want these shirts back NOW.

9. Logos Gone Crazy

Nothing and I mean nothing is more annoying than the guy who shows up wearing a logo hat, shirt and pants. He's basically saying, "Hey guys, I played Pebble, Pinehurst and Bandon Dunes and went to the Masters and you poor slugs haven't been anywhere."

10. Cowboy Hats

I realize a cowboy hat provides more protection against the sun than a traditional golf cap, but unless you're a rancher rounding up some cattle or an urban cowboy looking for love in all the wrong places, I highly suggest leaving this legendary lid at home on the hat rack.

Product Review: Square Strike Wedge

2018-05-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

You would think someone named "The Guru" would be a fairly good stick, right?

Well, I'm not. I'm just another struggling mid-handicapper that's hit a pool screen or two and chipped more thin and fat shots than I can count.

My long game is pretty consistent, but from 15 or 40 yards away from the green I'm the master at turning a sure par into a double bogey.

Enough is enough... I decided to finally do something about my lousy short game.

I got the Square Strike Wedge.

By now, you've probably seen the commercial on The Golf Channel with two-time U.S. Open Champion/TV commentator Andy North touting the Square Strike. For whatever reason, North comes off as sincere and not just some celeb offering a testimonial for a paycheck. The more I watched the video the more I believed it might be the answer to some of my problems.

I've used everything from a putter to 4-iron to sand wedge to chip. Nothing worked consistently.

So, I guess you won't be surprised when I tell you I was chipping balls with my Square Strike minutes after ripping open the box.

I threw a few golf balls down on my carpet in my den and started chipping away.

Let's just say, I was kicking ass in my den. At this point, I wasn't sure how it would work on the course, but I sure liked the immediate results. Except for one ball I bounced off an end table, I had no mishits with about 10 shots.

By utilizing a simple, exaggerated putting stroke, I was amazingly popping the ball up instead of hitting dribblers and chunks.

Two days later I took it to the golf course, a great little 9-hole layout, the Winter Park Golf Club just north of Orlando. Located on the edge of the village, it's one of the nation's best walking courses and the Guru loves to walk to play golf.

I had some impressive results. I probably saved three or four strokes on my round by being able to execute shots that typically give me trouble such as chipping over a bunker and hitting a 20-yard chip when I was short of a green to about 8 feet to the pin. Normally, with that type of shot I can't get it within 15 feet of pin and that's if I don't chunk it three feet or skull it over the green.

Oh yeah, while I was waiting on the group in front of me I hit a couple of 30 to 40 yard practice bump and run shots with good results.

I'm not going to go all scientific on you. In simple language, this is why I think the Square Strike worked for me:

* It's heavy (.73 pounds) so it forces you to make a pendulum swing, which helps with control and accuracy. My gosh, even the most struggling duffer can execute a putting stroke, right?

* It has a shorter shaft so you must hunch over a little more than with a regular wedge. The result is you have much better control.

* The club face looks and feels like it's more forgiving. I instantly had more confidence with it. Instead of imaging a chunk with one of my other wedges, I actually had positive swing thoughts with the Square Strike.

Just The Facts:

Loft: 45 degrees

Length: 35.5 inches

Lie angle: 68 degrees

Head weight: 330 grams (.73 pounds)

Guru Verdict

If you can swing a putter, you can use the Square Strike. While it takes some getting used to swinging the heavier club head, once you do you'll be pleased with the results. I definitely think you can save 3 to 6 strokes a round and maybe even more. The Square Strike has taken a permanent place in my golf bag.

Celebrate Women's Golf Day at Pinehurst Resort

2018-04-20T11:16:00.000-07:00

It's about time women had a great buddy trip and I've discovered a fantastic one that incorporates Women's Golf Day on June 5th.

A couple of friends of mine, Ann Mabry and Barbara Gutstadt, are trip ambassadors for the Women's Golf Day Getaway at Pinehurst Resort June 3-6, 2018. Ann and Barbara are both avid golfers and the most knowledgeable and experienced women in the golf travel industry.

Mabry is the managing director of Premier Golf and Gutstadt is the founder of Women's Golf & Travel Concierge, a division of Premier Golf.

They created the Women's Golf Day Getaway as a way for women to network, celebrate Women's Golf Day and enjoy golf in a luxury resort setting.

"The combination of world-class golf, elegant accommodations and a variety of amenities make this package a great way to honor Women's Golf Day with lots of fun and camaraderie," Mabry says.

We designed this package with lots of golf experiences and also fun activities that encourage bonding and camaraderie, Gutstadt says.

The Pinehurst Women's Golf Day Getaway Package, includes:

Three nights accommodations at the Carolina Hotel or Holly Inn
Breakfast buffet each morning
Welcome and farewell dinner and drinks
Two rounds of golf on Pinehurst Resort golf courses 1, 3 or 5
90-minute golf clinic at Pinehurst Golf Academy (June 4th)
Drive, Chip and Putt contest (June 5th)
All taxes and hotel service charges
Participants will have easy walking access to Pinehurst Village with its boutiques, pubs and restaurants

If you're interested call Ann Mabry at 770-291-5155 (direct line) or Barbara Gutstadt at 844-740-4522. One call does it all with Ann or Barbara. If you're a women golfer who loves to travel and play great courses, they can take care of you with the utmost in knowledge, experience and professionalism.

Barbara Gutstadt

Ann Mabry

10 Most Ridiculous Golf Course Antics

2018-04-12T07:24:00.000-07:00

It's part of the Guru's job description to play lots of golf courses. I've been lucky to play everything from high-end Top 100 courses to no frills munis and nine-hole layouts. Believe me, I've seen the good, the bad and the ugly.

Some golf courses just don't get it. Here are 10 of the most ridiculous golf course antics I see during my travels:

1. Drill Sergeant Starters

He barely says hello because he's so intent on delivering an 8-minute manifesto on the do's and don'ts on the golf course. In his mind, he's the all-knowing drill sergeant of the fairways and you're the wussy, idiot numbskull teenager just off the bus on the way to basic training. If you really want to get under this guy's skin then forget your receipt. All hell will break loose. You'll be humiliated in front of your group and forced to head back to the pro shop to prove that your not some trespassing loser.

2. Do Nothing Rangers

Hey, I realize many of these rangers are retired guys just trying to get some free golf and get away from the wife for a few hours, but too many of them don't enforce any sort of pace-of-play policy. My gosh, I always seem to get behind the slow poke foursome with guys checking yardage books, lining up putts like its a U.S. Open qualifier and taking 15 practice swings. Then, I see a ranger and I think , "Oh boy, he's gonna really nail these clowns." Nope, not really. Nothing but crickets as "Do Nothing Ranger Guy" whizzes by totally oblivious to the slow play everywhere on the course.

3. $5 Water and $7 Beer

I love it when I'm playing golf on a 98 degree July day in Florida and sweating my coconuts off and along comes the concession cart with their $5 water and $7 beer. I cough up the fiver because I don't want to be dehydrated and I pay the $7 because my game is trending downward rapidly and I'm desperate for some swing oil. Yet, when I'm drinking either beverage the only thing I can think of, is: "Wow, what the heck is the profit margin on these drinks?" When I calculate the answer, I really get pissed off at the golf course.

4. Aerated and Poor Quality Greens

Some golf courses protect announcement of their aeration dates with CIA style secrecy. Then they happily charge you full price to putt on ridiculous, bumpy greens that make a round of golf excruciating. Even worse are the bumpy, poorly maintained greens that haven't been aerated. Honestly, I'll take a fairway full of weeds and unkept bunkers if I can putt on well-maintained greens that aren't slow and shaggy.

5. Crazy Mower Guy and Overzealous Maintenance Guy

I understand lots of the course maintenance guys might not play golf, but sometimes their behavior is a bit annoying. For instance, when mower guy (usually wearing a bandana over his nose to fight off the pollen) comes roaring over a hill, pedal to the metal, just as you're in your backswing. Or how about the guys raking fairway bunkers that move in slow motion while you wait on the tee.

6. Terrible Signage and Yardage Markers

Some courses don't want to spend money on signage so you wander around in your cart aimlessly trying to find the next hole. It's annoying and slows down the pace of play. Also, not everyone carries a rangefinder so please at least give us a stake or bush denoting 100 and 150 yards and perhaps the yardages on sprinkler heads. Is that too much to ask? Once again, with limited yardage markers, it slows down play. Sometimes I wonder if they want us out there for five hours so they can sell us overpriced beer and water.

7. Crappy Practice Range

Kudos to golf courses with great practice ranges, but I've been to some (and not just munis, either) where the range is a joke. The beat up range balls look like they've been there since the 1970s, the mats are worn out and slick or the grass on the teeing areas looks like a beat up polo field. I find it a total waste of time to hit balls at a substandard range.

8. Cynical Pro Shop People

These are the guys that are sick and tired of folding shirts and resent the fact they're a scratch golfer and they have to kiss ass to dubbers and hackers who can't crack 100. You meet lots of friendly pro shop people, but be aware of the cynical, bitter guy who washed up on the mini-tours and ended up behind the counter. Sadly, he's come to the realization that shooting par on any pro tour will result in nothing but missed cuts and a quick pipeline to the golf retail industry.

9. Lousy Club Cleaner Guy

Let's face it, we all this annoying drill...These guys want a tip and nothing else matters. They don't give a rat's ass about your clubs and actually cleaning them. Generally, it's a cursory wipe with a grimy, wet towel and this mediocre service is supposed to be worth a few dollars. Their ultimate goal is get green in their pocket, not off your clubs. Yet, we always pay. I've never stiffed a lousy club cleaner guy, but I'm not satisfied with the service very often.

10. No 9-hole Rate

Hey, times have changed. More people (especially millennials and busy business types) don't have the time or inclination to devote four or five hours to a round of golf. We need more courses offering 9 hole rates and perhaps even 6-hole or 12-hole rates. The ideal for people that like to walk and play like the Guru would be offering special 9-hole, walking rates after 3 p.m.

On-Site: England's Golf Coast

2018-03-20T04:21:00.000-07:00

Royal Lytham & St Annes

Most of the golf masses always conjure up images of Scotland when the talk is about golf in the British Isles. While it doesn't have an Old Course, Royal Dornoch or Muirfield, England's Golf Coast in the northwest corner of the country has a phenomenal star-studded line-up.

I recently visited the area for the first time and, I must admit, I should hit myself in the head with a 9-iron for waiting so long. England's Golf Coast courses have served as venues for Open Championships, The Ryder Cup and Walker Cup. The region has hosted the Open Championship--are you ready for this?-- thirty-two times.

Enhancing your visit away from the fairways is a chance to immerse in Beatles memorabilia in Liverpool and perhaps even take in a Premier League soccer match (the season runs from August to May) in Liverpool or Manchester like the Guru did during his early spring visit.

GOLF OVERVIEW

Royal Birkdale Clubhouse

England's Golf Coast is home to 15 golf courses. Some are very recognizable names, others are not. I assure you, though, you'll be playing a quality course no matter where you tee up in this region.

Here are some brief impressions of the four courses The Guru played:

Royal Lytham & St Annes--I know this is high praise, but this course instantly made my most-favorite-courses-I've-played list. The front-nine is absolutely phenomenal with a great mix of wonderfully designed holes. My favorite hole is the short par 4 8th (I played from the 389 yard green tees). If you push your tee shot to the right, chances are you'll land on the railroad tracks. You play from an elevated tee to an elevated green guarded on the left by the deepest bunker on the course. From the famous, classically designed clubhouse to the train occasionally whisking by, this is a fantastic golf experience.

Royal Liverpool--Oozing with history at every turn, Royal Liverpool was founded in 1869. Often referred to as "Hoylake", it's the second oldest seaside links course in England. Luckily, The Guru has played the oldest--Royal North Devon. What strikes you immediately is how flat the terrain at Royal Liverpool is with little definition. The further you move away from the clubhouse, the more undulations you'll incur. My favorite holes are 9 through 12 alongside the shore. I spent an enjoyable hour wandering through the memorabilia loaded clubhouse. What a treat!. I saw the 2-iron Tiger used almost exclusively off the tee in his 2006 Open Championship victory. The list of Open Championship winners is amazing. It includes Walter Hagen (1924), Bobby Jones (1930), Tiger Woods (2006) and Rory McIlroy (2014). Hoylake has hosted the Open Championship twelve times.

Royal Birkdale--To be sure, you've got to hit fairways at Birkdale to score well. Unless, of course, you're Jordan Spieth, who famously jacked his drive way right onto the practice range on the 13th hole at the 2017 Open Championship. While I was excited to play all of the holes at Birkdale, it was fun to play the 13th to appreciate just how spectacular Spieth's recovery was in the final round of the Open. Overall, Birkdale is a true and fair test of all skill levels. The fairways are routed through flat-bottomed valleys between massive dunes. The day I played, the wind was rather tame. When the wind cranks up, Birkdale gets real tough, real quick. Royal Birkdale has hosted the Open Championship ten times. On a stroll through the Art Deco clubhouse, the photos dotting the walls feature the past Birkdale Open champions. Wow, what a list...Arnold Palmer (1961), Lee Trevino (1971), Johnny Miller (1976), Tom Watson (1983), Mark O'Meara (1998) and Padraig Harrington (2008).

Formby Golf Club--Formby often gets overlooked because of the three Royal courses, but, make no mistake, it's a superb layout. It has a distinctively different look and feel than the Royals. Formby is bordered on three sides by beautiful pine trees. The course is an engaging blend of links golf and inland golf with lots of variety in each hole. No two holes on the course are even remotely alike. I love the stretch of holes between six and ten, which are stunningly photogenic and challenging to play. Formby has a friendly membership and welcoming ambiance on the the course and in the clubhouse. I'm so glad I got to play this under-publicized gem.

Others to play include West Lancashire, Southport & Ainsdale, Hillside, Delamere Forest, Wallasey, Formby Hall and Formby Ladies Course.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa

* Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa (Southport)--Located six miles from the center of Southport, this exceptional amenity-rich, 4-star resort has an 18-hole parkland style golf course, nine hole par-3 course, PGA Golf Academy, a luxury spa, a restaurant and bar with golf course views and ample parking. The par-72 Old Course, an established venue on the European Challenge Tour, has fast greens and is routed through beautiful countryside with lots of trees.

* The Vincent (Southport)--A popular hotel with golfers, The Vincent is located only about two miles from Royal Birkdale. It's situated on Southport's main shopping Street (Lord Street). It has a sleek, urban vibe throughout the property with amenities like free Wi-Fi, plush European-style bedding and LCD TV in guest rooms. It also has a 6th floor gym and a chic restaurant with an eclectic menu. Amazingly, I had sushi AND fish and chips one evening at the restaurant the overlooks Lord Street.

* Ramada Plaza Hotel Southport--Set on the waterfront in Southport, this 133-room property has American-style guest rooms loaded with amenities and especially appealing attributes like convenient, covered parking and a superb breakfast buffet perfect for golfers headed out for a full day on the links. The front desk staff is extremely helpful and can guide you to top restaurants and sites in the area.

Hard Days Night Hotel (Liverpool)--If you love The Beatles, this 110-room hotel on North John Street in central Liverpool is for you. Located adjacent to The Carvern Club, where the Beatles rose to fame, the hotel's common areas and guest rooms have specially commissioned Beatles-inspired artwork dotting the walls.

Malmaison Liverpool--A boutique hotel in the city center with views of the Mersey. The stylishly designed rooms have plush European-style bedding, great bathrooms with power showers, flat screen TV and same-day laundry service.

Bowden Lodge (Southport)--A family-run guest house situated near Lord Street, which is loaded with shops and restaurants. Set in a Victorian family home, the Bowden is charming, clean and centrally located.

*Guru stayed there during my visit.

Where The Beatles Rose To Fame

10 Little Things I Liked

1. If you're a Beatles fan, this region is a must visit. The Fab Four grew up in Liverpool and you can visit places like The Cavern Club where they got their start. There's also a Magical Mystery bus tour and The Beatles Story, the world's largest permanent exhibition of Beatles memorabilia.

2. Great fish and chips can be found anywhere from small shops with takeaway to upscale restaurants that prepare the dish to perfection.

3. The train route that goes directly by the golf courses of Formby, Southport & Ainsdale, Royal Lytham & St Annes and Hillside. It's fun--sometimes you have to wait till the train passes so you don't lose concentration on your shot.

4. The friendly and helpful golf professionals I met at all four courses I played.

5. The surprisingly great Italian restaurants I found: Trattoria 51 in Southport and Il Forno in Liverpool.

6. Golf knowledgable players that follow proper etiquette and play at a more rapid pace than in the U.S.

7. Rising star Tommy Fleetwood who grew up in the area is celebrated at Formby Hall with the Tommy Fleetwood Lounge, which has walls dotted with pictures of him during various points in his career.

8. The Halfway House at Royal Lytham where I enjoyed a wee nip of Bells Scottish whiskey to warm up.

9. The Winslow Hotel at Goodison Park People's Pub where I hoisted a few pints prior to an Everton match against Brighton. The Blues won 2-0.

10. The full English breakfasts I enjoyed with eggs, bacon, sausages (bangers), grilled tomatoes, beans, hash browns and black pudding.

Goodison Park

LOCATION

England's Golf Coast in northwest England stretches from Lytham in its northern reaches to Liverpool and Wirral in the southern sector. You can fly into either Liverpool John Lennon Airport, about 9 miles from Liverpool city center, or Manchester Airport, which is about 35 miles from Liverpool. By train, London to Liverpool is about 2 hours and 15 minutes. The Guru flew into Manchester and rented a car, which was very convenient. The M6 (England's version of the U.S. interstate system) is the main arterial through the area offering easy access to all major destinations.

THE SCOOP

If you want to go, especially for groups of 8 or more, I suggest you get in touch with a couple of very proficient and knowledgeable travel professional friends of mine: Geoff Harris of England's Golf Coast (enquiries@englandsgolfcoast) or Ann Mabry of Atlanta-based Premier Golf (888-439-1831). You can also direct message me on twitter @GuruGolfTravel for any tips. For general information on the area, click www.englandsgolfcoast or call 0174 807800

On Site: Trump National Doral Miami

2018-03-02T05:31:00.000-08:00

In the past twenty years, I've visited the resort "formerly known as the Doral Golf Resort and Spa" more than a half dozen times. My most recent visit to the property (now named Trump National Doral Miami) was the first time after the Trump Organization spent more than $250 million modernizing and dramatically enhancing this legendary 800-acre resort.

To say I was blown away by the enhancements would be a vast understatement. Trump National Doral Miami definitely lives up to all the hype. From impeccable landscaping at every glance to common areas in the main building brimming with gold appointments, stunning chandeliers and plush Italian marble, the Trump's have literally created a "new" resort.

Heck, I hardly even recognize the old place. That's a great thing, believe me.

If you're looking for the quintessential luxury Florida golf experience, Trump National delivers in sense of place, wonderfully maintained golf courses, great food and in numerous other ways.

GOLF

Make no mistake, the golf courses were not an afterthought in the enhancement program. Top notch designer Gil Hanse was brought in to revamp the Blue Monster and provide consultation on the other courses. Hanse is masterful at creating lots of challenge for the best golfers in the world and fun, playable holes for mid-handicapper resort players.

No matter how bad you play on a Hanse course, you don't walk away blaming the designer. If you're honest, like the Guru, you blame your lack of concentration, poor set-up and inconsistent swing.

Trump National Doral has four championship 18-hole golf courses. There's something for every skill level. If you don't have a skill level or you want to take your game to another level, the on-site Rick Smith Golf Performance Center is amazing with its high-tech gadgetry.

Blue Monster--One of my favorite courses to play in Florida, the Blue Monster was enhanced by Gil Hanse in 2014. It's still long, it's still tough, but Hanse requires more than length to score well. He re-evaluated and re-sculpted every hole assuring golfers of great shot angles and lots of high risk, high reward possibilities. One thing Hanse didn't change is the routing of the celebrated 18th hole with water skirting the entire left side. It's arguably, the best individual hole in Florida.

Golden Palm--Gil Hanse and his team put their design magic on this links-style layout that has open vistas, contoured greens, superb green complexes and innovative bunkering. It's named after the predominate tree that dots the course. One of the most intriguing design aspects is the bunkering. Hanse puts some heavy rough behind the back side of many bunkers, which presents a great challenge.

Red Tiger--This is a shotmaker's layout where you need a good strategy on each hole not brute strength off the tee. Fourteen of the holes have some sort of water feature and there are two island greens (No. 6 and No. 14). It's target golf, yes, but not overly penal. If you're having a good ball striking day, you'll do fine.

Silver Fox--If you like water, not necessarily landing in it, you'll enjoy this layout that has the liquid stuff on 16 of the 18 holes. It has a good mix of holes with elevated tee boxes and greens and you'll need to keep your sand wedge accessible because there are some very strategically placed bunkers.

Rick Smith Golf Performance Center

Opened in January 2018, this state-of-the-art instruction facility is headed by Rick Smith, who has tutored the likes of Phil Mickelson and Jack Nicklaus during his long and storied career. I interviewed Rick at the PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando recently and he's tremendously excited about his facility at Trump National Doral. The affable Smith is a great communicator and he instructs his staff to make the learning process fun and productive. The facility incorporates four indoor hitting bays and a fifth for evaluation and club fitting as well as a practice tee and short game area. The vibe at Rick Smith Golf Performance Center is easy going, helpful and non-intimidating. Whether you're a beginner or professional wanting to take the next step, this is an exceptional facility.

ACCOMMODATIONS

The accommodations encompass 643 total guest rooms, 14 deluxe suites, 27 premier suites, 2 presidential suites and 48 spa suites. The rooms are situated in villa-like lodges. I stayed in the Arnold Palmer lodge and others are named after golf icons like Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Gary Player and Sam Snead.

My Deluxe Room (343 square feet) had a balcony overlooking the 18th green of the Blue Monster. Stylish and elegant, the room has soft, neutral colors, gold appointments, mahogany veneers and walls dotted with vintage photographs of Arnold Palmer.

10 Little Things I Liked

1. The gigantic American Flag positioned behind the 18th green of the Blue Monster golf course.

2. The efficient valet and bellman services at check-in and check-out.

3. My guest room located in the Arnold Palmer Villas building with its amazing collection of vintage photographs of Arnie and his friends.

4. My room's spacious balcony overlooking the Blue Monster. Loved sipping a smooth Cab while watching the golfers finishing on one of the toughest holes anywhere.

5. The plush European bedding and six, yes six, big fluffy pillows.

6. The gold fixtures in my bathroom with granite countertops and marble flooring.

7. The phenomenal Rainfall Shower Head with strong water pressure.

8. The Natura Bisse Diamond Collection bath amenities.

9. The calamari with citrus/habanero sauce and ice cold Corona Light I had at the pool bar on my first day.

10. The Grilled Bacon appetizer at the resort's BLT Prime restaurant. An amazing dish of double cut bacon, parsley, garlic and sherry vinaigrette.

DINING/LOUNGES

BLT Prime--An upscale steakhouse with a phenomenal view of the Blue Monster golf course. I dined here one night and had an exceptional meal. While the Guru generally opts for the biggest steak on the menu, I'm watching the waistline so I opted for the grilled jumbo shrimp in basil oil. It was exceptional. For desert, absolutely, positively, don't miss the peanut butter chocolate mousse with banana ice cream. Amazing!

Champions Bar & Grill--Upscale sports bar with plush leather seats and polished wood appointments. It's a great place for a post round libation. It has an all-day menu and outdoor patio seating. Lots of variety on the menu. You can get anything from a 16 oz. half bone-in ribeye to fish tacos and kale salad.

Palm Grill--Great poolside restaurant with al fresco dining and a menu dotted with specialties like fish tacos, Cuban sandwich, local Cerviche and shrimp Acapulco style.

Marketplace--A convenient, small grab-and-go place with coffee, pastries, sandwiches, wines and other beverages. Need coffee before you hit the links? This should be your preferred stop.

THINGS TO DO NEARBY

CityPlace Doral--Located about five blocks from the resort (about a $5 Uber ride), this one year-old shopping and entertainment complex is perfect for those who want to slip off the resort campus for a night. It has live music on its plaza every Friday and Saturday night and restaurants such as Brimstone Woodfire Grill, Cooper's Hawk Winery/Restaurant and Cabo Flats Cantina & Tequila Bar. There's also a Cinebistro and Kings Bowling Alley.

Miami International Mall--Four miles from the resort, this mall has 140 stores and 22 eateries.

Hialeah Racing & Casino--Situated about 5 miles from Trump National Doral is the historic Hialeah Race Track, which features horse racing, live entertainment and a casino with slots and poker tables.

LOCATION

Set in the town of Doral near the Miami International Airport, 15 miles west of downtown Miami, the resort is located at 4400 NW 87th Avenue, Miami, Florida 33178.

GET THE SCOOP

For more information click www.trumpnationaldoral.com or call toll-free (800) 71-DORAL (36725)

Exceptional Enhancement at Mission Inn Resort & Club in Central Florida

2018-02-15T08:17:00.001-08:00

While just about everybody on the planet seems to have visited Orlando for one reason or another-- whether for a family theme park vacation, convention or sports event-- the lucky ones are those who venture 30 minutes or so northwest to Lake County.

With its rolling hills, pristine lakes and charming towns like Mount Dora, Tavares and Eustis, it's a great place for a reprieve from the bustling and hectic theme park corridor. Don't worry, you can get to Orlando and its theme parks, restaurants and other attractions from here rather quickly via the Florida Turnpike.

For golfers and other travelers who want a nice slice of the Lake County good life, Mission Inn Resort & Club, a family-owned, classic Old Florida Resort located in the town of Howey-in-the-Hills is a superb choice.

Recently, I talked with longtime friend Drew Toth, Mission Inn's director of sales and marketing, about the property's $3.5 million enhancement program completed last month.

"We're really excited about the new look and feel in our guest rooms and other parts of the resort," says Toth. "We've got the perfect blend of a relaxed, classic Florida resort and the latest amenities."

With its distinctive Spanish Colonial style architecture, Mission Inn looks more northern California than central Florida. One of only a few family-owned resorts in the U.S., Mission Inn has been owned by the Beucher family for more than fifty years. The Beuchers throw their heart and soul into the resort and it shows from the friendly, attentive service to the impeccably maintained golf courses to the superb cuisine served in its restaurants.

Mission Inn has two golf courses, three restaurants, two lounges, a poolside bar and a wealth of amenities (see below).

WHAT'S NEW

I've played golf and stayed at Mission Inn several times through the years and I can attest to the decided "new look and feel" of the resort's 176 guest rooms and popular common areas.

Toth and I had our conversation at Nicker's Restaurant at the golf clubhouse, which has been updated with new carpet with earth tone colors. Other areas that received the carpet makeover were the golf pro shop, Club Room and Champions Room. New carpet, buffet areas and counter tops highlight the enhancements at La Hacienda, the resort's main dining room, and The Grand Ballroom was refurbished.

For the Guru, what really sets apart a historic, classic hotel is the time and attention to detail in refurbishing the guest rooms. I absolutely, positively love what they done with the rooms. The refurbished and enhanced guest rooms at Mission Inn are impressive on many levels.

More than $20,000 was spent on each room highlighted by appointments like an earth tones color scheme of soft beige, brown and white and custom furniture with polished hardwood nightstands, dressers and desks. Ah, but no great hotel is complete without exceptional bedding and the new rooms have Stearns and Foster mattress sets. Other added amenities include new lighting, bath area make-up mirrors and mahagony doors with an innovative key card lock.

Among the amenities in a Mission Inn guest room are:

--Marble and granite bathrooms
--A workspace
--King or two double beds
--Screened balcony with views of golf, tennis or lakes
--High-speed Internet
--Dataport
--Flat screen T.V.
--In-room music/movies service
--Coffeemaker
--Hair dryer
--Gilchrist & Soames bath products

GOLF

To be sure, Mission Inn's two golf courses take full advantage of Lake County's engaging, rolling and un-Florida like terrain.

El Campeon--Originally opened in 1917 and later redesigned by Scotsman Charles E. Clarke in 1926, this legendary layout is one of Florida's finest. Hey, if you don't believe the Guru, Golf Advisor rates it #9 in it's "Top 25 U.S. Courses" and they named it the #1 "Golf Course in Florida" in 2015. El Campeon, with the highest elevation changes in Florida, is the antithesis of the typical flat-as-a-pancake Florida course. Characterized by roller-coaster-like fairways framed with oak and cypress trees and two peninsula greens, one island green, and one island tee, the course has natural hillside contours with tee-to-green elevations up to 85 feet. It's just flat out fun (and challenging) to play El Campeon.

Las Colinas--Designed by Champions Tour player and NBC broadcaster Gary Koch and Lakeland, Florida architect Ron Garl, Las Colinas is a wonderfully scenic way to spend four hours or so. It has spacious, open fairways on most holes, large undulating greens, exceptional bunkering and some sort of water as a hazard or feature on just about every hole.

AMAZING ACTIVITIES

You've got to be the most dedicated coach potato in the world if you can't find find something to do at Mission Inn, which has a dizzying array of activities. Just listing them all is a herculean task:

--8 tennis courts
--Fitness center
--Spa Marbella (6,200 square feet)
--Outdoor pool and hydro-spa
--On-site 55-slip marina for fishing, sailing and boating on Lake Harris
--On-site trap and skeet shooting
--Adventure and scenic bicycling
--Historical and educational eco-adventure trails
--Adventure challenge courses
--Gary Anderson's Schematic Golf Academy
--Bird Golf Academy
--Volleyball on sand courts

OTHER THINGS I LIKE

--The 30,000 square-foot driving range and 10,000 square-foot putting green
--The scenic courtyards on the property and covered walkways that connect the property's guest rooms, restaurants and meeting rooms.
--The Sunday brunches at La Hacienda and the Saturday Night prime rib and seafood buffet at Nicker's
--The margaritas at La Margarita Lounge and frosty beers at Nicker's
--All sorts of event space (indoor and outdoor) for parties, weddings and meetings. (30,000 square feet)
--The tennis center under the direction of Cesar Villarroel
--Easy access to Mount Dora, Tavares, Renninger's Antique Center and the Yalaha German Bakery

THE SCOOP

For more information, click www.MissionInnResort.com or call 800-874-9053

5 Reasons To Rent Clubs on Your Next Golf Vacation

2018-02-06T02:02:00.001-08:00

Every time I travel with my clubs on an airline I'm always a bit anxious when I place them on the luggage conveyor belt.

Quite honestly, I never know if they'll end up damaged, temporarily delayed or even get to my destination at all. Most of the time it works out, but I still get a queasy feeling when I turn them over to airline employees who don't give a rat's ass about handling my clubs with care.

That said, I travel with my clubs less and less these days on international trips. Frankly, I don't want to pay for substandard service and care anymore. I've also had some fairly good rounds of golf with rental clubs, too.

Here are my 5 reasons why I choose to rent:

1. Hassle-Free and Time Saving

You don't have to waste time meticulously packing your clubs and lugging them through airports. Better still, you won't have to search endlessly for the oversize luggage carousel to retrieve your clubs or worry about customs rummaging through your bag.

2. Avoid Costly Baggage Fees and Damage To Your Clubs

Some of the airline fees for golf clubs are obscene. Don't these airlines make enough money by saving on their lousy food, measly bags of peanuts and cramped seats. Ever since they discovered how extra fees are an amazingly easy way to gouge their passengers, airlines have no problem charging for just about anything. They practically want you to get a home equity loan just so they'll take your clubs on a flight.

3. Rental Clubs Are Generally Excellent, Quality Clubs

Years ago, rental clubs were typically some dusty set the golf pro brought from his garage for the odd golfer that didn't bring his own clubs. Not anymore. Many of today's golf club rentals are high-quality, premium brands. For instance, Sweet Spot Club Hire in Australia, has premium men's and women's Callaway and TaylorMade sets for all skill levels--from scratch players to newbies.

4. Great Chance to Try Out a Different Set of Clubs

I'm a huge blame-it-on-my-clubs guy, so I'm always open to different sticks. With rentals you can take them for a test drive on 18 holes instead of hitting them into a net off synthetic turf at a golf store. Worse still, is the demo day at your golf course where the sales guy puts on the hard sell like an annoying car salesman.

5. You Actually Might Play Better

Who knows, your own clubs might be holding you back. Renting clubs is a great way to find out if maybe it's time to shelve the old sticks that have consistently produced double and triple bogeys and lots of heartache.

Finally, A Product That Speeds Up Play

2018-01-31T04:19:00.002-08:00

The doomsayers are suggesting all sorts of reasons why golf isn't as much fun anymore.

Some say the courses are too long and difficult. Others point out Millennials have exceptionally short attention spans. And some say the next generation doesn't want to put in the time and effort to learn and play the game correctly.

Those reasons all have a ring of truth, but, in the Guru's humble opinion, one of the biggest problems (especially with golfers who play frequently) is the pace of play. Nothing, and I mean nothing, ruins a round of golf when the pace of play is agonizingly slow. I can put up with howling winds, pouring rains and even infrequent beer carts, but I absolutely can't stand to play behind tortoise-slow golfers who channel PGA Tour chronic slowpokes like Ben Crane, Jason Day and Kevin Na.

Standing on the tee on every hole before you hit your drive is beyond annoying. Too many golfers mimic the dawdling PGA Tour players. Let's face it, five and six hour rounds are slowly eroding the fun factor in golf.

Luckily, somebody has finally come up with an answer to slow play. His name is Bodo Sieber, the CEO of an innovative company called Tagmarshal.

I met Bodo at the 2017 PGA Merchandise Show in Orlando and we reconnected at this year's show at a party at Topgolf Orlando. At the '17 Show, Bodo had less than 20 golf courses utilizing his product. Today, he has more than 100 courses using Tagmarshal.

Bodo is passionate about his product and for good reason. It flat out works.

The Tagmarshal system works like this:

--It uses a series of GPS "tags" the function with both cart and walking courses. You clip it onto one golf bag in a group or it can be installed in carts.

--It has simple-to-use pace analytics, weather data integration, utilization heatmaps and geo-fencing.

Tagmarshal's unique algorithms highlight risk groups allowing courses to provide concise, objective support to head off pace problems before they arise, which reduces average round times and improves the overall pace experience.

The Tagmarshal system has a 15-minute average pace improvement. Some courses improve by as much as 20 minutes. It can also optimize operational efficiencies and add revenue by reducing marshalling costs and by adding capacity and optimizing busy days.

Among the courses using the Tagmarshal system are daily fee layouts such as Erin Hills in Erin Wisconsin; The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Resort in South Carolina; Gainey Ranch Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona; and Whistling Straits in Sheboygan, Wisconsin and private courses like the Wisconsin Club in Milwaukee; Conway Farms Golf Club in Lake Forest, Illinois; and East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta.

Erin Hills Golf Club

Sieber recently added Pinehurst Resort courses #2, #4 and #9 to his impressive list of clients.

Thanks again Bodo and Tagmarshal for helping make golf a more pleasurable experience.

The Ultimate Insider's Guide to Golf in Orlando

2018-01-16T05:27:00.001-08:00

The Guru is a mild-mannered type, but I get a bit miffed when writers from outside of Florida swoop in to do a review of Orlando golf. I'm figuring they play a few rounds, take some notes, snap a few pics, hoist a couple of brewskis at World of Beer and suddenly they're some kind of experts on golf in O-Town.

Sorry guys and gals, this is the Guru's turf.

Heck, the Guru has lived in Orlando for almost three decades. I know golf in Florida, especially Orlando, and I don't need some carpetbagger to come in and tell me where to tee up. I also know the top golf resorts as well as the best dining and transportation options.

Thanks for letting me get that rant out. Now, here are some of the Guru's best places to play in Orlando:

For Golfaholics
Orange County National

Orange County National (OCN), located about five miles north of Walt Disney World, welcomes all comers. Whether you're a tour player grinding on your game to get better or a novice who just stumbled out of Topgolf and now want to take up the game, OCN has everything you need. The sweeping, 900-acre complex has 36 holes of championship golf, a nine-hole practice and learning course, 42-acre practice range, 22,000 -square-foot putting green, golf academy and 33,000 square-foot clubhouse. There's even an on-site 50-room lodge for golf travelers.

For Nicklaus, Palmer and Watson Fans
Reunion Resort

Three of golf's most influential icons, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson, designed a separate signature course at the Reunion Resort near Kissimmee. The Palmer has dramatic elevation changes up to 50 feet on some holes and six tee locations on each hole. The Nicklaus, a parkland-style design, is a high-risk, high-reward gem. The Watson has fast, firm, wide fairways with a variety of interesting shot angles. All three layouts are wonderfully maintained and highly rated by numerous websites and magazines.

Best 9-hole Experience
Winter Park Golf Club

Set in the heart of the New England style village of Winter Park, 3 miles north of Orlando, this course used to be a rough-around-the-edges muni. Not Anymore. Winter Park GC underwent a terrific enhancement project in 2016 executed by up-and-coming architects Riley Johns and Keith Rhebb. Built more than 100 years ago, the course is thoroughly modern now with strategic bunkering and exceptional green complexes. It's a great little course for those who love walking and you'll absolutely love the fourth hole that doglegs around a cemetery. I enjoy strolling the fairways which are lined with beautiful mature oak trees. You'll definitely feel more of a New England than Florida vibe on this layout.

Bargain Hunter's Special
Winter Pines Golf Club

Affordable greens fees, inexpensive range balls, lots of excellent teaching pros for lessons and a snack bar with very reasonable prices for beer, breakfast and lunch are just some of the lures that make this one of Orlando's most popular golf courses for all skill levels. You'll see everything from tour pros working on their games to college kids with their hats on backwards flailing away on the range. Winter Pines is a short, fun, 18-hole layout that plays to par 67 with some 200-yard par threes and its number one handicap hole, a 400-yard par 4. How cheap is it? Monday through Thursday after 2 p.m. you can play 18 holes for $17 including cart. A large bag of range balls (50) is only $5.00.

Best Kept Secret
Red Tail Golf Club

It's about 35-minutes from the tourism corridor near the town of Sorrento, but it's well worth the drive. You won't recognize the course designer's name (Dave Harman), but, I assure you, this is a fun and interesting course to play. It's a links-style layout with mature oak trees, lush native foliage and lakes as well as a 10-acre practice facility and two practice putting greens. It's surrounded by ranch land and just a few homes so chances are you won't be bouncing any drives off pool screens. If you want to play a "hidden gem", this is it.

Arnie Fans
Bay Hill Golf Club

While Bay Hill is a private club, you receive play privileges if you stay at the 70-room Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club & Lodge located in southwest Orlando, which is open to the public. It's an amazing experience for Arnold Palmer fans or just any golf fan. Arnie's pictures and memorabilia from his iconic career dot the walls everywhere, from guest rooms to common areas. Just seeing photos of Palmer will remind you of everything great about the game of golf. The course, home to the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational, is a spectacular layout that incorporates beautiful lakes, bold bunkering, elevated tees, sometimes rolling fairways and dogleg holes. Designed by Dick Wilson and Arnold Palmer, the course sweeps along the shores of the Butler Chain of Lakes with a good number of tight fairways.

Best Luxury Resort Experience
Ritz Carlton Golf Club

The Ritz-Carlton brand speaks for itself and you'll even find their exemplary service on the golf course as well. Immaculately maintained, the Greg Norman course is dotted with lakes, wetlands, live oaks and cypress heads. A Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the course has a natural, park-like ambience making you feel like you're miles not just a couple of hundred yards from the Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels. Wide fairways with generous landing areas, no out-of-bounds stakes throughout the course, short roughs and closely mown green complexes encourage a faster pace of play. In addition, there's an optional Caddie Concierge Program. During the winter months, the caddies wear white, Augusta National-style uniforms.

Best Family Golf Resort Experience
Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate

This amenity-loaded resort near Kissimmee has a fantastic master plan with all of the golf elements located directly behind the hotel. You have easy walking access to two championship golf courses, the world headquarters of the David Leadbetter Golf Academy, a par-3 lighted pitch and putt course and a miniature golf course. If you want to introduce your young children to golf this is the place to do it. For golfers seeking a challenge, both of the courses, designed by Greg Norman, are excellent plays, too. The headliner layout is the International, which is reminiscent of the challenging coastal links courses in Australia. The National is a traditional, parklike layout that was carved out from citrus groves, wetlands and natural forest.

Best Course With High-Impact Features
Waldorf-Astoria Golf Club

Visually appealing, this 7,108-yard Rees Jones design set behind the Waldorf-Astoria Orlando hotel is as beautiful as it is challenging. Jones has masterfully utilized the pine and cypress trees and wetland preserve to provide a scenic view on every hole. High-impact features abound on this layout, which has exaggerated mounding on many holes, undulating fairways and artistically styled bunkers with bright white sand and elevated greens.

Best Course For Links Style Golf
New Course at Grand Cypress

If you can't make it to St. Andrews, Scotland, this layout designed by Jack Nicklaus, is the next best thing with its noticeable similarities to the Old Course. A creek that fronts the first green on the New Course is similar to the Swilcan Burn at St. Andrews. The seventeenth hole at New Course resembles St. Andrew' famous Road Hole, and the fifth hole, with its bunkers on the right side of the fairway, is similar to the Principal's Nose and Deacon Sime at St. Andrews. Lending an air of authenticity to New Course are replicas of St. Andrews' stone bridges and walls, a snaking burn (creek), a starter's hut overlooking the first tee, seven double greens, five-foot flag pins, deep pot bunkers (some as deep as 12 feet) with ladders and simple white fences.

Best Places for an After-the-Round Brew

Fiddler's Green, an Irish pub/restaurant in Winter Park

World of Beer, a bar/restaurant with three locations in the Orlando area with dozens of beer selections.

Crooked Can, a craft brewery in downtown Winter Garden.

Best Transportation Options

If you've got a group, Limo Bus Orlando has an excellent fleet to accommodate a variety of your needs, large or small. For those playing golf in or visiting the Miami area, the Miami Limo Bus is a superb choice for restaurant hopping, pub crawls, parties, etc.

Best Luxury Non-Golf Hotels

Grand Bohemian Hotel in downtown Orlando

Alfond Inn in downtown Winter Park

Golf Trip Junkie Makes Your Golf Vacation Dreams Come True

2017-12-19T05:52:00.000-08:00

Booking a golf vacation looks fairly easy, right?

You hit the web, then start surfing for hotels and tee times and you're well on your way to a dream golf vacation...

Uh, no, not really.

You'll quickly find out the confusing nature of hotel, condo and villa accommodations, the difficulty of finding tee times everyone in your group can agree on, and the annoyance of deciphering the driving distances between courses are just a few of the many details that will get you so frustrated you might want to pick-up a 9-iron and launch it skyward.

Guess what, though, someone has already done all hard the work for you. Why not bypass all the anxiety and frustration by contacting Golf Trip Junkie , a golf vacation company that specializes in personal service with the primary goal of exceeding your expectations. You can either click to visit www.golftripjunkie.com or call them at 877-634-0790.

When you call, you'll most likely talk with the company's founder and president, Sean Petersen, who personally answers the phone.

"It's the first step in our heightened personal service," Petersen says. "I want to find out exactly what the client is looking for in their golf vacation. I use my vast travel experience playing at major golf destinations to design the perfect package for them."

The friendly and golf travel knowledgeable Petersen has played hundreds of golf courses in every major golf destination in the U.S. such as Pinehurst, Pebble Beach and Scottsdale as well as Scotland, Ireland and the Dominican Republic. Some of Petersen's personal favorites include Royal Dornoch and North Berwick in Scotland and We-Ko-Pa Saguaro Course (Arizona), Pasatiempo Golf Club (California) and Pinehurst No. 2 in the U.S.

Sean Petersen

"We take care of the details so our clients can relax and not be stressed out worrying about the logistics of the trip," Petersen says. "Our planning and execution process is simple. We offer dedicated hands-on service with obsessive attention to detail from the beginning of the trip till the end through all of the good to any challenges presented along the way. We take absolutely nothing for granted."

You name the golf destination or resort and Golf Trip Junkie can take you there in style. From Palm Springs to Palm Beach and every major golf vacation destination in between, Golf Trip Junkie has the expertise and knowledge to plan and execute a truly memorable experience. Popular U.S. destinations include Pinehurst, Pebble Beach, Destination Kohler, Kiawah Island and Phoenix/Scottsdale to name a few.

Internationally, some of Golf Trip Junkie's more in-demand destinations include Scotland, Ireland and the Dominican Republic. Golf Trip Junkie has access to guaranteed tee times at the Old Course in St. Andrews.

"We can customize our packages to fit the clients individual wants and needs," Petersen says. "Also, even if our access to golf courses and lodging options does not include their destination, we will work to get the best possible price for the client."

For those who want to attend The Masters in Augusta (who doesn't), Golf Trip Junkie has a variety of hotel and private home packages available. Hotel packages include full breakfast, Masters tickets and tournament transfers. To review Masters Packages, click HERE

If your corporate group wants an outing for team bonding, relationship building or customer loyalty appreciation, Petersen and his team are adept at planning the entire itinerary. Golf Trip Junkie has recently coordinated highly successful corporate golf programs in destinations like Pinehurst Resort, Wild Dunes Resort and Kiawah Island Resort in South Carolina and Wa-K0-Pa Resort in Arizona.

"With our knowledge and attention to detail, we make it easy for the corporate planner," Petersen says. "We can assist with site selection, accommodations, tee times and so much more to make it stress free for the planner and entire group."

Golf trip planning and execution can actually be a very easy and a non-frustrating experience. That is, of course, if you call Golf Trip Junkie (877-634-0790) or visit the website for quotes at www.golftripjunkie.com

"It just takes one call or click and I'll take it from there," Petersen says. "I'm extremely confident I can deliver the ultimate golf vacation experience."

Australian Golf Club Rental Company Hits the Sweet Spot

2017-12-07T03:08:00.000-08:00

What's worse than shanking a drive deep into the woods or three-putting on an easy, flat green?

I'll tell you what. It's lugging your heavy golf travel bag through a crowded airport, checking the bag in while an attendant rings up your hefty luggage surcharge and then having the airline either damage or lose your clubs with little urgency to return them to you soon.

If you're traveling to Australia to play golf, you should take advantage of The Sweet Spot Club Hire, an innovative club rental company that offers the latest premium brand clubs delivered directly to your hotel or resort.

"We make golf travel hassle-free for golfers visiting Australia," says Luke Santamaria, co-director of The Sweet Spot Club Hire. "Our process is very simple and easy to use."

Here's how it works: You visit their website www.tssclubhire.com, select the dates and specific clubs you want to hire (rent), your clubs will be delivered to your selected hotel, resort or golf course and be the clubs will be waiting for you upon arrival. Clubs can be rented for as little as $20 a day.

"The longer you hire the clubs, the cheaper the rate per day," says Luke Cerra, co-director of The Sweet Spot Club Hire.

In addition, there are multi-set discounts such as 2 to 3 sets (5%), 4 to 6 sets (10%) and more than 7 sets (15%).

Recognizing that golfers have varying skill levels, Sweet Spot offers club sets for high, mid and low-handicappers as well as ladies sets. For instance, a high-handicapper might opt for a Callaway Big Bertha Fusion set while a single-digit player might select the TaylorMade M2 set.

"We're both golfers so we understand the affection for our own personal clubs," Santamaria says. "That's why we've selected top notch, premium brands to offer our clients the next best thing."

Better still, clients can select from steel or graphite shafts and stiff or regular flex.

For your convenience, Sweet Spot also rents umbrellas to protect against rain and the hot Australian sun and sells TaylorMade golf balls.

If you haven't played in Australia, it should be on your list of golfing frontiers to visit. After all, it has 9 of the Top 100 ranked courses in the world.

"We have some absolutely phenomenal golf courses here in Australia," Cerra says. "On your visit, we invite you to use our great service. We believe it will make your golf vacation much more enjoyable in many ways."

Click to The Sweet Spot Club Hire to hire (rent) clubs for your next visit or learn about all the company has to offer.

The Sweet Spot Club Hire

On Location: Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort

2017-11-29T09:33:00.001-08:00

For more than 25 years, I've traveled the highways, byways and waterways of Florida. I've devoured conch fritters in America's southernmost city, Key West, and feasted on fresh smoked grouper in the panhandle, so the Guru knows a thing or two about the good life in the Sunshine State.

One of my favorite places to visit is Amelia Island, a 13-mile long barrier island about 35 minutes from Jacksonville. It has a great mix of controlled development and untouched natural surroundings. What I love is you can enjoy a beautiful, walkable beach, numerous bike and nature paths and lots of great resort and public golf, dining and sightseeing without ever leaving the island.

The Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, which sits on 1,350 acres, is perfectly positioned oceanside with easy access to the village of Fernandina Beach (about a 15-minute drive).

GOLF

Two of my favorite course architects, Pete Dye and Tom Fazio, have separately designed the two championship layouts accessible to Omni Amelia Island guests.

Oak Marsh--Appropriately named, the course meanders along saltmarsh creeks through moss-draped oaks. A classic Pete Dye design built in 1972, Oak Marsh has several Dye signature features, including long, contoured fairways and bulkheaded greens. Like all Dye courses, Oak Marsh demands accuracy and shot-making ability from its challengers. If you're a spray hitter off the tee, be prepared for the nature walk of your life as you roam the fairway fringes to locate your ball.

Long Point--A Tom Fazio design, this layout takes you on an amazing trek through a well-preserved wilderness area. Dense forests, fifty-foot high sand dunes and marsh and ocean views dominate the experience. Fazio requires you to hit a wide variety of shots, ranging from those over menacing marshlands to those aimed at narrow, tree-lined fairways and oceanside greens surrounded by dunes.

ACCOMMODATIONS

Taking full advantage of its Atlantic Ocean setting, the resort has 404 oceanfront guest rooms and suites with patios and balconies. With an impressive amenity package, the rooms (as all Omni rooms) are, in the Guru's humble opinion, an exceptional value.

Room Amenities include:

--Ocean views from all 4004 guest rooms

--Furnished balcony or patio

--Serta Pillow Top mattress with 330-thread-count Egyptian cotton sheets

--Plush terry cloth robes

--Exclusive skin care products

--Coffee maker with premium coffee

--Work desk with lots of outlets and ports

RESORT AMENITIES

--3.5 miles private beach

--Infinity edge adult swimming pool

--10,000-square-foot family-friendly pool with a children's splash par and 2 hot tubs

--23 Har-Tru court tennis complex

--Shopping village with 14 boutiques, deli and market

--Nature center

--Hiking and nature trails

--Fishing, kayaking, paddleboarding and surfing

--Guided Segway tours, bicycles and golf carts

--Horseback riding

--Fully equipped fitness center with a 20-yard lap pool, personal trainers and group classes

--80,000 square feet of versatile indoor and outdoor meeting space

10 Little Things I Liked

1. The friendly southern hospitality you receive throughout the resort.

2. The great veranda and fire pit at the golf clubhouse.

3. The packed hard sands on the beach, which are ideal for sunrise and sunset strolls.

4. Blueberry Margaritas at the pool.

5. Plush, comfortable bedding. I always get a good nights sleep at an Omni property.

6. Fire pits and whirlpools in the pool area.

7. Great balcony overlooking the pool and Atlantic Ocean. A phenomenal place to wind down after a good or bad day on the course.

8. Delicious in-room coffee with the Keurig Coffeemaker.

9. Convenient and prompt tram service throughout the resort.

10. Boutique shopping center near the front of the resort.

DINING/LOUNGES

You don't have to leave the resort premises for great dining. Here's the menu:

--Bob's Steak & Chop House--Prime steaks, great whiskeys and an excellent wine list can be found here.

--Verandah--A contemporary design dining room featuring fresh seafood and varied wine list.

--Oceanside--It's swimsuits, flip-flops and margaritas during the day and later it transforms into an upscale ocean-side dining venue at night where you can hear waves crashing and smell salt air.

--Marsh View Bar & Grill--Features casual fare with stunning panoramas of the marsh and 9th hole of the Oak Marsh Golf Course. (Available only to registered guests and members).

Other options on resort grounds include Falcon's Nest (pub-style menu and build-your-own-burgers), Natural Slice (pizza joint with fresh ingredients and hand tossed dough), Marche Burette (French-style market and deli), Sunrise Cafe (features great breakfast buffet) and Seaglass Lounge (handcrafted cocktails and small plates).

THINGS TO DO NEARBY

--Shopping, dining and entertainment in Fernandina Beach, a walkable fishing village with a quaint downtown area with lots of great restaurants and local shops. I highly recommend the Salty Pelican Bar & Grill on North Front Street. Get a table on the second floor open-air porch and enjoy the superb seafood. No exaggeration alert: At the Salty P I had the best fried shrimp platter ever in my many years of travel.

--Amelia Island is a bicyclers paradise with excellent trails. You can rent bikes, baby trailers, jogging strollers, tandem bikes ant Island hoppers at the resort.

--Visit Fort Clinch State Park where you can explore a Civil War era fort.

--Ride a horse on the beach (Kelly Seahorse Ranch 904-491-5166 or Amelia Island Horseback Riding 90753-1701)

--Take a fishing charter from Fernandina Beach.

LOCATION

It's situated about a 45 minute drive from downtown Jacksonville and 29 miles from Jacksonville International Airport. If you're traveling on I-95 north or south, take exit 373 (Route A1A East) and it's about 17 miles to the resort entrance. Address: 39 Beach Lagoon Road, Amelia Island, Florida 32034

GET THE SCOOP

Call 904-261-6161 or 1-888-444-OMNI. Visit their website by clicking HERE

Top 10 Golf Travel Trends for 2018

2017-11-20T03:36:00.000-08:00

Let the good times and dimpled balls roll for golf travel enthusiasts in 2018.

With an American economy revving up with 3 % growth accompanied by meteoric stock market numbers, more people will have a few extra bucks to spend on luxury pursuits like golf vacations in the coming year.

Here are ten golf travel trends the Golf Travel Guru highlights for 2018:

1. Extended Golf Travel Vacations

Referred to as "sojourns" for the baby-boomer generation, these involve two or three month stays in golf rich areas. Typically, these golf travelers rent vacation apartments short-term or utilize services such as Airbnb. Popular locations include Portugal, Spain, Italy, France and Ireland. These longer vacations aren't just for retired boomers, either. Many boomers work as consultants or freelancers and all they need is a reliable wi-fi connection and they can travel and play golf for weeks at a time.

2. Over-The-Top Greens Fees at Iconic Golf Courses

You're going to need the few extra dollars from the robust economy because more and more of the world's most famous courses are charging past $400 for a round of golf during their high season. If you want to play golf's high-profile layouts, be prepared to shell out some serious coin. Some of the priciest include Pebble Beach Golf Links ($525), TPC Sawgrass--PLAYERS Stadium Course ($495) and Pinehurst No. 2 ($420).

3. Merging Fitness and Golf

In addition to great golf, many golf vacationers want top notch wellness facilities at their resort or hotel. Especially attractive to linksters are spas with numerous treatments and services, well-equipped fitness centers, walking and jogging trails, nature paths, yoga and exercise classes. From losing weight and getting in shape to improving mental health, the goal is to improve your life beyond the fairways.

4. Making Safety and Security a Priority

Savvy travelers are increasingly more cognizant of political turmoil, terrorism, inclement weather patterns and they want to play golf at destinations that are safe and secure. Travel agents and golf tour operators are paying closer attention to political happenings, hurricane seasons and other troubling weather situations in planning vacations.

5. Exciting New Courses to Play

Several impressive golf courses debuted in 2017. For those seeking new golfing frontiers, the menu is enticing. Heading the list are: Hogs Head Golf Club in Waterville, Ireland, Streamsong Black in Bowling Green, Florida, Sand Valley Golf Resort in Rome Wisconsin, Norman Signature Course in Nayarit, Mexico, Panorama Golf Resort near Praque, Czech Republic and Danzante Bay Golf Club in Mexico.

6. Viva Italia

Italy, the sumptuous oasis of great wine, pasta and gelato, has increased its tee time bookings by 40% in the past three years. The momentum is expected to continue as Italy will host the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2022. Italy has 142 18-hole golf courses and several exceptional golf resorts. The Guru's favorite destination, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in the northeast corner of the country, has a good menu of courses like Golf Club Trieste, Golf Club Udine, Golf Club Lignano, Golf Club Grado, Golf & Country Club Castello Di Spessa, Golf Club Castel D'Aviano and Golf Club Tarviso. Other great choices throughout Italy include Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort in Manciano, Argentario Golf Resort & Spa in Monte Argentario and Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa in Ragusa, Sicily. It doesn't get any better than a chilled glass of pinot grigio after a round of golf.

7. Emerging Destinations

For those seeking new golf travel frontiers, countries increasingly bullish on golf as a lure for tourists include South Africa, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Korea, Vietnam, Mauritius, St. Kitts/Nevis and Malaysia.

8. Shipping Your Sticks

An increasing number of golf travelers are opting to ship their golf clubs. Who can blame them? Long baggage security check-in lines, lugging a heavy bag around the airport and searching in vain for the oversized bag drop-off are just some of the reasons traveling with your clubs is a major pain in the posterior. Oh yeah, the airlines could lose your clubs and you're really screwed. It's really not surprising that shipping golf clubs is increasing in popularity. Top companies include Shipsticks.com, Luggageforward.com and Golfbagshipping.com

9. Ryder Cup 2018

The Ryder Cup has evolved into one of the sporting world's (not just golf's) biggest events. Ryder Cup 2018 will put the spotlight on golf in France and attract golf travelers from around the world. The matches will be staged September 28-30 at the Albatross Course of Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, a suburb of southwest Paris. For those who want to attend, your best bet is to go through an authorized golf travel tour operator. There are a variety of options, including Ryder Cup cruises and various pre- and post-trips to popular French regions like Bordeaux, Normandy and Brittany.

10. Food and Wine Lovers

Golfers love great food and fine wines. Hey, just about everybody is a foodie and wine lover these days. Destinations with superb, interesting cuisine and great wines are becoming even more attractive to golfers who want to enhance their vacation experience. Some of my favorite wine/golf destinations include South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Italy, France and Napa Valley in California. For dining, the Guru particularly likes Australia, which has awesome outdoor (al fresco) dining options and Italy, with its fantastic family-owned trattorias and wine estates.