Entries from July 2008 ↓
July 31st, 2008 — CA, Lake Tahoe, george fazio, golf courses, restaurant
The Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course is located in Lake Tahoe, CA
Phone: 888.881.8659
Website: http://www.edgewood-tahoe.com/
Course History:
This is a stunning course that first opened its doors in 1968, and has since gone on to receive numerous accolades and an ardent fan base. It was designed by George Fazio and contains a great mix of hazards and terrain that make it a challenging but fun course to play. The USGA holds several events here and the course also frequently hosts celebrity golfing events. The public is usually not allowed on the course to play, and we've noted below which dates are unavailable.
What You Need to Know:
You can book your tee time online or by phone and this is one of the few courses that will let you book six months in advance. Please note that singles cannot reserve a tee time but may play on standby notice. If you don't call to cancel your tee time, the course will charge you for the full amount, so make sure that if you can't make it that you do cancel with plenty of notice to avoid this.
This is a very nice course and we highly recommend wearing traditional golf attire. Their pro shop is literally one of the nicest throughout the area and you'll find plenty of gifts or things for yourself. The Golf Bar and Deck is incredible and well worth the trip out. The food is just about perfect. Overall, this is a course that has everything required for a memorable and fun golf outing.
Playing Hints:
As we mentioned above, this is a challenging course, but novices shouldn't feel too intimidated. The water hazards will require a bit of effort to surmount, but the key is definitely distance and accuracy. It's a good idea to perfect the long tee shot before going to this course to increase your chances of staying under par.
The terrain is certainly not level and there may be times that one wrong shot will put you where it's just about impossible to see the green. This is a challenging area for many players and requires a good iron game as well as being able to hit a long drive. The greens are fast and unpredictable, but this just makes it more fun. Chances are, you'll want to keep coming back to try to master this course.
Fees:
Cart and Range Weekday Weekend Weekday Weekend
April - May 6
Call for Rates and Availability
May 7 - May 22 $140 $160 $100 $120
May 23 - June 15 $180 $200 $130 $150
June 16 - July 7 $200 $220 $140 $160
July 8 - July 13 Closed Celebrity Golf
July 14 - August 24 $220 $235 $160 $180
August 25 - Sept 21 $200 $220 $140 $160
Sept 22 - October 4 $170 $190 $120 $140
October 5 to Close $140 $160 $100 $120
How to Get There:
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From Reno
395 South to 50 West
Right at Lake Parkway
From Sacramento/San Francisco
50 East to Stateline Casino area
Left after Casinos at Lake Parkway
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July 30th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks, tools
If you are new to this sport, or ready to take it to the next level, club selection has a lot to do with how well you will end up playing. While there is no substitution for technique and skill, having the right kind of golf clubs can have a big impact on your overall score. Here are some tips to help you decide which golf clubs are right for you.
Beginning Players
The most common mistake beginners make is finding the cheapest clubs they can get, and they may not even be the right fit. While it is understandable that you don’t want to invest heavily in equipment if you are not going to end up enjoying the sport, you may never get the appropriate experience if your equipment is substandard.
In this situation, we recommend renting clubs from the course where you play. In many cases, your course will offer a free club fitting. This will help you learn more about the different types of clubs and the lengths you may need. We highly recommend getting a fitting before purchasing any set of clubs, regardless of their price. This can save you a lot of money over time and you’ll be able to find the right clubs for your specific needs.
Intermediate Players
Once you’ve got a good feel for the sport and you start to enjoy it, many players decide to take it to the next level and spend a little more on clubs. Once again, getting a proper fitting is really the key to club selection, but you can also make some decisions on the types of material for your clubs and their specific uses.
For example, let’s say that you are having issues with your overall accuracy. This may be caused by your golf clubs having too flexible of a shaft. Change this and you may experience better control. For those that need more freedom, a graphite shaft is ideal and is quite easy to find.
Advacned Players
At this point, if you have made it this far in the game, you’re going to want a set of clubs that reflect your skill. We highly recommend that advacned players that play frequently get a set of custom made clubs. This allows you the freedom to have clubs that are made of the right materials, and perfectly sized to fit your body. This option also works well for those that may not yet be up to this skill level, but have the money to buy custom clubs.
Remember, your clubs are an investment. If the sticker price is getting to you, here’s a formula to make it easier. Let’s say your new set of clubs costs $2500. You’ll be using them for five years, playing once a week. This boils down to $9 a game. Compare that with what you would spend for rentals or even on non-necessities, and it’s pretty clear you’re getting a good deal.
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July 29th, 2008 — CA, Lake Tahoe, golf courses, restaurant
Coyote Moon Golf Course is located near Lake Tahoe, CA (This is one of my favorite courses... Played it when they first opened before they had their license to sell beer... Beer was free! Water you had to pay for.)
Phone: 530-587-0886
Website: http://www.golftahoe.com/coyote-moon
Course History:
Coyote Moon is a fairly new golf course but it has been incredibly well received and quickly shot to fame. Although it is one of the most difficult courses to master in this area, it is also one of the most enjoyable to play. Professionals will find it challenging, but even novices will be able to enjoy a round without feeling too intimidated. The scenery alone makes this well worth the trip and overall, this is one of the nicest courses in the area.
What You Need to Know:
This course is very eco-friendly and has numerous features that make it a very "green" course. There may be some areas that are parked off from the public and the management asks that visitors observe these rules. That's a small price to pay considering the overall beauty of the course.
Although no dress code is specified, we highly recommend traditional golf attire since this is a more conservative course. The facilities are definitely top notch and the grill is a definite must-stop-by. They are open every day for breakfast and lunch, and the bar is open until 7pm.
Playing Hints:
The terrain makes for a very challenging round of golf and the management states that you'll need to use just about every club and every technique at your disposal to beat this course. It's definitely one of the toughest courses to play and you'll find that distance combined with accuracy will make your game a lot easier and will keep your scores higher.
The sixth hole is particularly challenging and you'll be facing a water hazard right from the tee. Keep to the left a little bit and keep in mind that your shot will be pulled towards the water. On the fourteenth hole you may feel as though you're playing hopscotch, not golf, as you try to avoid the rough. Try to make your tee shot as long as possible and head straight. This should put you in a great position to make it to the green in about another shot with the right club and the right amount of power.
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Fees:
Regular Rate May 23 - October 19 (18 Holes): $160
Twilight Rate $100
Twilight Times
Opening through June 12th: 3:00pm
June 13th through September 7th: 4:00pm
September 8th through October 19th: 3:00pm
All rates include use of warm up station and shared golf car.
Booking Policy
For 8 Players or Less:
Regular Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance.
Twilight Reservations may be made up to 30 days in advance.
Cancellations must be made 48 hours in advance.
How to Get There:
Reno
Take I-80 West to exit number 184, Donner Pass Road. Turn right onto Donner Pass Road. Turn left at Northwoods Blvd. Course is 1/2 mile up the hill.
San Francisco/Sacramento
Take I-80 East to exit number 184, Donner Pass Road. Turn left and cross over the interstate. Turn left at Northwoods Blvd. Course is 1/2 mile up the hill.
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July 28th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks
If you have ever come up to short or too long on your approach to the green, it’s time to master the art of the flop shot. This is a shot that eludes many golfers, but once you’ve got it down, you will notice that your overall accuracy improves and you’ll be able to get a lot closer to the pin. Here are some tips to help you land that next flop shot.First, it’s important to realize that this shot is nothing like chipping. When you chip the ball, you’re trapping the ball. This gives you either more or less distance depending on how hard you hit it. A flop shot requires you to slide underneath the ball, not trap it. This is the number one problem for many golfers trying to land this shot. Once you have the difference down, you will be able to start making flop shots consistently.
Let’s talk about stance. Your stance will be much like a chip shot. Your knees should be slightly bent, and your arms slightly bent as well. Hold your club as you normally would, and backswing as you normally would. But, as you hit the downswing, the key is to slow down.
Think of it as an arc of power – much like the swing systems on most golfing video games. On the upper end of the swing, you want to give it as much power as you can. Right before you hit the ball, you want to slow that down to maximize the force. It takes a little getting used to at first.
We recommend practicing in your backyard, or even in your living room (without the ball of course) until you get the feel for the swing rhythm. You’re not actually going to be hitting anything yet, but the key is to get the feel for the swing. Once it comes naturally to you, you’ll be able to move onto the next step.
Now, let’s talk about your wrists. You’ll want to hold your hands normally on the upswing, but right when you hit the ball, the key to landing that flip shot is your wrists. This is one shot where you actually want to break your wrists. Imagine you are holding your club and clasp both hands together.
Keeping them together, move both hands sharply to the left, so that your left hand is now facing sideways and your right hand, which is on top, is also facing sideways. Both hands should be vertical. Now, put your arms down like you would if you were holding a club and get a feel for that same movement.
Add in the swing motion and at the last second, break your wrists. Keep going until all the pieces fit together. Then, you’ll be ready to add the ball. Remember, you want open the club face and slide underneath, not hit down. Ideally, your flop shot should pop up and land right where you want it. It takes a little practice, but with time, you’ll be flopping like a pro.
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July 25th, 2008 — Book Review
It is said that the game of golf is 90% mental and every year, numerous books come out that are geared towards mastering the mind game. While some are good, most fall into the category of "it might work for someone, just not me." This book by Dr. Parent is an interesting read and unfortunately, it really doesn't rise above this old cliché. It's a good read and most golfers should be able to get at least something out of the book, but it's not one that will change your life.
The Zen way has become increasingly popular throughout the years. From the Tao of Pooh, to Zen Golf, numerous books all preach that if you can find your inner center, you'll unlock your potential. While golf is largely mental, it's tough for a lot of players to adopt an Eastern philosophy and sense of calm when they're at the bottom of a bunker. If you've got a naturally laid back personality, than this book is probably well suited to your needs. Type A personalities however probably won't be able to get much from it. It's a bit frustrating at times, and although there is a lot of truth to the advice, it's just not advice that everyone can use.
The book uses a lot of parables to illustrate the exercises that players can use to overcome mental blocks and start playing an enlightened round of golf. While they are very cute, sometimes too much so, they are not very helpful if you have a consistent problem staying focused. Some of the recommended exercises will work, but there is no one cure for fixing any one golfer's game. We all have issues, and chances are, they are unique to your own personality. There is no one-size-fits-all approach that works to fix a mental game, and this book tries a bit too hard to get into this category.
All of this said, it still is a worthwhile read and you should be able to get at least a few tips out of it that can help you tweak your game. At the end of the round, it's all about mastering YOUR mind, not someone else's. No one can simply use techniques from one book, there has to be a balance of several methodologies that can all be put together to form the desired result.
We appreciate the effort that went into this book and while it's not one of our favorites, we would still recommend it to golfers. Novices might find ways to overcome a few common problems and those that are still struggling with their mental game can also walk away with a few tips. Many golfers literally swear by these methods, so it is worth the time to give it a try. If you go into the book with the right mindset, realizing that there really is no magic bullet when it comes to working on your mental game, then you should be able to glean at least a few tips out of it.
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July 24th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks
No matter how well you can drive or chip, the key to your score often lies right on the green. The exercise of putting a little ball in a little hole is one of the most frustrating known to men and it can be the deal breaker when it comes to getting a great score. If you’re ready to putt like a pro, there are some secrets that you need to know. These will make an enormous difference in the way that you put, and you’ll find that your score improves naturally as you begin implementing them.
The first step is to learn how to gauge distance properly. We don’t really stop to think about how far we are from the hole. We look and decide, too far or not close enough. However, there is a lot to be said to learning how to tell exactly how many feet you are from the hole. You’ll be able to fine tune your swing to reach a set amount of distance after you try these exercises.
First, let’s work on gauging distance. Off the course, set up a little test on your lawn or even in your living room. Measure off a variety of different distances and mark them with chalk, or with pieces of paper inside. Now, remove the measuring tape and try to gauge exactly how far away each one is from you. Work until you can correctly guess each measurement. Try changing it up, and moving things around until your accuracy increases. If you have natural terrain changes in your yard, take advantage of those as well.
Now, let’s work on reaching a set distance. Set up your measurements again and grab your putter and some practice balls. Work on reach the exact end of each measurement until you start to feel in your arms how much strength you need to reach a set distance. There will be some factors here that may change, such as green density and slope, but this will help you start to “feel” distance as well as see it.
After you are successfully reaching the right distance, it’s time to head out to the course and try a few more exercises. You’ll be taking advantage of a practice green in this situation, but if your course doesn’t have one, you can easily take your exercise on to the regular greens. Chip your way up to the green and then try to see how far away you think you are. Grab a measuring tape and check your distance. If you’re wrong, you’ll need to go back and work on seeing distance again. If you’re right, try to putt that correct distance, relying on your muscle memory. If you don’t make it, grab that measuring tape again to see where you went wrong.
By consistently “seeing” and “feeling” distance, you’ll be able to work up to handling terrain changes on the green as well. You may even find that your long game improves as a result of these exercises.
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July 23rd, 2008 — CA, Dress code, Jim Summers, Lodi, PGA Rules, Sandy Tatum, golf courses, restaurant
Lockford Springs Golf Course is located in: Lodi, CA
Phone: 209-772-1081
Website: http://www.lockefordsprings.com
Course History:
This course was designed by Jim Summers and Sandy Tatum and quickly became a favorite of golfers from the entire bay area. The course is well suited to players of all levels and is challenging enough to give a pro a great round of golf.
What You Need to Know:
This is definitely a full service golf course and the practice facilities are unmatched. The grill is also top notch as well as the pro shop. You can really make a great afternoon of it here and have a lot of fun while you're at it. The course is home to numerous events and tournaments throughout the year and it is easy to see why.
You can register your tee time by calling the number above or you can use their online registration system. We recommend checking their website often as they usually have specials or giveaways every month. It is a good idea to register your tee time around two weeks in advance since this is a popular course.
We recommend wearing traditional golf attire such as a collared shirt and slacks when golfing here. They do observe PGA rules so you'll want to be on your best behavior at this course. We also recommend soft spikes so it's a good idea to change out your metal ones before you arrive.
Playing Hints:
The main issue with this course for many players are the hidden water hazards. It's difficult to know where they are until you are right on top of them so you will want to play with caution at least the first time around. This is a championship links course so expect to deal with sloping greens, changes in elevation in the fairways and numerous hazards along the way.
The only holes that do not have a water hazard are the seventh, ninth, third and seventeenth holes. That doesn't mean they are easy however. Most have narrow fairways, so you're going to want to avoid the rough at all costs. With most holes, your best bet is to really hit it off the tee as straight as possible. The one exception would be the fifth hole where you are going to want to hit it to the left to avoid the rough. The eighteenth hole also has a severe dog leg filled with rough, so it's best to go as left as you can on this hole as well.
Fees:
|
Weekday Green Fees
|
Walk
|
Ride
|
| Open to 11am |
$30
|
$45
|
| 11am to 2pm |
$25
|
$40
|
| 2pm - 5pm |
$15
|
$29
|
| 5pm - close |
$10
|
$20
|
|
Weekend/Holiday Green Fees
|
Walk
|
Ride
|
| Open to 11am |
$45
|
$60
|
| 11am to 2pm |
$35
|
$50
|
| 2pm - 5pm |
$20
|
$34
|
| 5pm - close |
$15
|
$25
|
How to get there:
View Larger Map
From Sacramento
Hwy 99 South to Hwy 12 East.
8 miles east on 12 to Hwy 88.
Turn right on 88.
1/2 mile south on the left.
From Stockton
Hwy 99 North to Kettleman Lane.
8 miles east on Kettleman to Hwy 88.
Turn left on 88.
1/2 mile on the right.
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July 22nd, 2008 — Tips and Tricks
So many golfers make the mistake of jumping ahead when it comes to handling their game. They get wrapped up in the latest swing techniques or spend their lives in the search of the perfect club. Unfortunately, these players are missing what could be wrong with their game. Sometimes, you have to go back to the beginning if you want to lower your score.
Golfing fundamentals are essential for any golfer, no matter how long they have been playing. If you’re finding it impossible to break into pro territory, the answer may not be in a better club, a different ball or the latest shoes. The answer may be found in the way that you actually play the game. If you’re skipping over the cornerstones of golf, you won’t be able to build a strong foundation for the rest of your game. No club can help you if you are missing the essentials.
If you are ready to rebuild your game, you may want to consider going to a pro and getting some lessons. There is no shame in backtracking and you may actually be able to find the trouble spot that is causing all of your problems. Sit in on a lesson with a brand new player and pay attention to how the pro instructs them. Listen to those beginner tips and then try to play as though you have never played the game before.
If you remove all that you have learned through the years and start fresh, you may find that suddenly, you’re playing the way you’ve always wanted to. We all have a tendency to want to play like Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus when we first start out and in our rush to get there, we skip over what is truly important. By going back to those beginning lessons, you can rediscover the game and what it really means and requires from you.
This is a very important step in building a strong mental game of golf. Often, we create our own mental blocks and it can be hard to get through them. You need to be able to take it down to the bare minimum again and literally start over. By taking the time to relearn the sport, you will most likely unlearn the problems that you were creating for yourself.
One of the best side effects of starting over is that you may find your love for the sport completely renewed. If you’re constantly fretting over your score or how to find the perfect swing, you’re missing out on the whole point of the game. Yes, a score is important, but it is essential to enjoy your time on the course as well. You’ll have the benefit of the years of knowledge in the back of your mind, but you’ll still be able to rediscover the reasons why you even got started as a golfer.
Turn back the clock and see is starting over isn’t the right answer to fixing your game.
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July 21st, 2008 — Ahwahnee, CA, golf courses, restaurant
Phone Number: (559) 642-1343
Website: http://www.sierrameadows.com
Course History:
Sierra Meadows has long been considered one of the most beautiful golf courses in California and with good reason. The fairways are lined with enormous oaks and the overall feel is very tranquil. The course recently underwent a multimillion dollar makeover and the fairways and greens were all rebuilt. This course has a reputation of being suitable for novice players while still being challenging enough for professionals.
What You Need to Know:
You can book your tee time online or by calling the number above. They frequently run specials on their site so we recommend checking there before you book your time to take advantage of them. However, this is a very economical course even without discounts.
The pro shop is stocked incredibly well and features gifts and merchandise for all golfers. The on-site restaurant is one of the best in the area and is open for lunch every day. It is frequently booked for private events and they are known for their delicious soups and sandwiches.
Although the course does not specifically state that there is a dress code, we recommend traditional golf attire. It is also best to change out any metal spikes for soft ones, since most of the courses in this area do have a soft spike rule. Lessons are available from the resident pro and are reasonably priced.
Playing Hints:
This is a terrific course that offers enough of a challenge without being terribly intimidating. The first hole gets you started off right with a severe dogleg. We recommend keeping to the right. Watch out for their signature oak tree in the middle of the fairway at the curve.
The fifth hole is known as their signature hole and it is a challenging par three. You'll be playing across the water so try to hit a long tee shot to make the green in one. However, be careful of the bunkers that surround the green.
The tenth hole will take a while to master. It has a slight dogleg, but danger is present on all sides. Go too far to the right and you'll end up out of bounds. Too far to the left and you'll end up in the creek. We recommend playing this one conservatively until you get the hang of it.
The sixteenth hole also features a hazard that runs the entire left side of the fairway. You'll need to drive a little bit right of center to avoid it. Keep in mind that there are some severe bunkers around the green. It's the perfect spot to work on your chip shots.
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Green Fees:
All green fees include a cart fee, except "Walking Golfer" prices.
Weekday Green Fees Monday - Thursday
18 Holes 9 Holes
Regular $34.00 $20.00
Senior $29.00 $18.00
Junior $15.00 $15.00
Cart $15.00 $10.00
Twilight w/cart $30.00 $30.00
(Call for start times)
Weekend Green Fees Friday - Sunday
18 Holes 9 Holes
Regular $39.00 $22.00
Senior $34.00 $20.00
Junior $15.00 $7.50
Cart $15.00 $8.00
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July 18th, 2008 — Book Review
For those of us that enjoy the lighter side of golf, this is a definite must read and chances are you'll be rolling on the floor in no time at all. Too often, golfing books are so serious that it is difficult to wade through them. The industry seems to be addicted to dry tomes that are either dissecting a swing to infinite pieces or carrying on about historical figures and past events that may not be helpful to today's golfers. If you love the game and just want to have a little fun, this is the perfect book for you. That's not to say that the other types of books don't have their own unique purpose, but this is truly the lighter side of golf.
The entire book reads like one big inside joke and pretty much only golfer's will understand the humor. If you've ever made it out of one bunker only to land in another, this is definitely the book that will appeal to you. In fact, that's the title of one of the 72 tips contained in the book. The list gets even more humorous as you go and without a doubt, every little problem that golfer's face today is addressed in a funny manner.
However when you strip all of this humor away, you end up with a book that really teaches you how to improve your game. The author's approach is a unique one - by showing you what not to do and joking about it, he's actually teaching you the techniques you need to use to improve your swing, get past hazards and finally get the scores you really want to be getting.
I like this approach and it's incredibly useful. The tips are not only funny but they really do work in the real world. You don't get the impression that the author spends his life behind a desk and never really gets out there to enjoy (or not) the game. You really feel akin to him since most of us have gone through the exact same struggles. It's a matter of feeling like you can really connect with this person and through this, the author opens the door to some really effective teaching techniques.
You'll get the feeling of being on the 19th hole when you read this book. It's very relaxed and very laid back and it should not intimidate any reader. The author manages to establish a rapport with the reader almost instantly and that is carried through the entire book. If you haven't read the first edition of this book yet, we highly recommend that one as well for even more tips and plenty of jokes.
Overall, this is a terrific book and it would make a great gift for any golfer. Whether you're just starting out or you are a seasoned pro, there is something here for everyone to enjoy and get more than a just a few laughs.
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