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:
View Larger Map
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 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.
Photo Credit: 1
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July 16th, 2008 — CA, Visalia, golf courses
Phone Number: 559-651-1441.
Website: http://www.playvalleyoaks.com
Course History:
This is a stunning course that is incredible to play. It is actually made up of three nine hole course and you can pick your own configuration. It’s almost impossible to get bored with this course and you’ll find plenty of opportunities to challenge yourself. Although the course can be difficult at times, it is not too much for a novice player to handle.
What You Need to Know:
You can book your tee time by calling the number above or they do have the option to book online. The staff here are incredibly friendly and the course is very well maintained. Although they don’t specifically state that there is a dress code, it is best to err on the side of caution and wear traditional golfing attire.
The pro shop is simply the best in the area and they also offer custom club fittings. If you’re new to golf or need some pointers, the pros are very helpful and the lessons are very beneficial. Numerous events are held throughout the year on the course and it has become a local favorite. It is a bit tucked away however, so we included some basic instructions on how to get there below.
Playing Hints:
Each of the three layouts will play very differently. The first, the Valley Course, is a very traditional course that has incredibly narrow fairways lined with trees. You’ll really need to work on your accuracy with this one. Even though the 7th hole is the shortest, it’s also the most difficult. It’s a 200 yard par 3, but you’ll need to avoid the bunkers on your approach. Try to be as accurate as possible since the 45 foot green can easily demolish your score.
The Oaks Course is a great place to start if you’re still working on accuracy. The fairways are a bit wider on this one and you’ll have more room for error. Once again, the hardest hole is the shortest. The eighth hole is a par 3 but it may take a few times around to get that score. You’ll be dealing with trees to the right and a lake to the left. Once you get past these, the sloping green is surrounded by tough bunkers.
The Lakes Course is the newest addition and offers a good balance between the other two courses. The fairways and greens have a bit of a roll to them, but they aren’t too much to handle with practice.
Green Fees:
Weekdays Fees
Regular (18 holes/9 holes) $24.50/16.50
Twilight $16.50
Junior and Senior $16.50
Tournament $24.50
Weekends and Holidays Fees
Regular (18 holes/9 holes) $31.00/18.50
Twilight $18.50
Junior and Senior (after 11:00 am) $18.50
Tournament $31.00
Cart rental (18 holes) $12.00/rider
Cart rental (9 holes) $8.00/rider
Rental clubs $10.00
Driving range
Discount Cards Available
$4.00/token
Directions
View Larger Map
From CA 99, take the Highway 198 exit to Plaza Drive. Bear right, then take a left at the T-intersection, and Valley Oaks is located on your left. Call for more information at 559-651-1441.
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July 11th, 2008 — Book Review
Manuel de la Torre is a legend in golf and he also happens to be the son of a golfing legend. When you put this together in one book, you have an incredible resource that you will want to turn to again and again. Although the book tends to wander a little bit in places, it is a very enjoyable and quick read. Novices to the game will find it extremely enlightening and pros should be able to walk away with more than a few hints that will help them improve their game.
De la Torre’s father learned golf from a man who lost a leg in World War One and went on to become a champion with a killer drive. It’s from this tradition and foundation that de la Torre went on to become one of the most skilled golfers in present time. His book is a wonderful look at the philosophy and skill that went into perfecting his own game and of course, the most important thing - the swing.
Numerous books are written every year that try to dissect the swing and figure out how everyone can turn into a powerhouse over night. Millions of dollars are spent every year by golfers that are seeking that magic bullet, either in the form of a can’t miss system or a special driver that promises the moon. All of these things add up into one lucrative cash cow but usually leave the recipient with little more than a few tips and no improvement in their swing.
De la Torre’s approach is much different and you’re not left feeling as though you’ve been ripped off after reading it. His tips can be put into immediate use by any player and although they may not work for everyone with the same results, they are certainly tested remedies for fixing common problems. The book is an incredibly enjoyable read and never once did it wander into dry territory.
This is considered a classic in the golfing industry and there is a reason. By far, when it comes to books about the art of the golf swing, there simply is no competition. It’s concise, helpful and very engaging. The reader never feels overwhelmed or intimidated, and most end up feeling as though they can go out and hit the course and actually improve their swing. The author is considered one of the top 100 teachers in the world and it’s easy to see why he earned that distinction after reading this book.
Overall, we highly recommend this book and it deserves a place of high honor in any golfer’s bookcase. It’s a thoroughly entertaining read that is also incredibly useful and packed with real world advice. It is an older title, but the book is a timeless read that is just as helpful now as it was when it was first released. Sometimes, the old ways really are better, and if you don’t work on the fundamentals, no special driver is going to give you the results you want.
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June 5th, 2008 — CA, Manteca, golf courses
Manteca Park Golf Course is located in Manteca, CA
Phone: 209.825.2312
Website: http://www.ci.manteca.ca.us/golf
Course History:
When the course first opened in 1966, it was a simple nine hole executive course. However, the second nine were added soon after and it became an incredibly popular course. The founding fathers of Manteca built this course with their citizens in mind and the attention to detail shows. It is definitely a high class facility, even though it is a public course. The championship level of play is challenging enough to keep pros interested without overcoming the novice player.
What You Need to Know:
Tee times can be reserved by calling the pro-shop. This is a public course, but we still recommend wearing appropriate golfing attire. In addition to the course, you’ll also find a full service park, making it a fun getaway for the whole family. Tennis courts are also available to the public on site. The pro-shop is stocked with all of the latest gear and the snack bar is well stocked. This is definitely a family friendly course.
Numerous tournaments are hosted here all year round and it is a very popular destination. We recommend reserving your tee time well in advance to make sure you get the slot you want. Please note that members of the military get a special rate on all green fees. Overall, given the low price, great atmosphere and challenging play, this is one of the nicest courses in the area.
Playing Hints:
The first hole is a bit daunting at first glance, but if you’ve got a strong drive you can easily do this one in just three shots. Watch out for the green though, it’s very fast. The fourth hole is a bit tricky. You’ll be pointing to the right, but you’re going to want to shoot to the left. If you have a tendency to slice, be aware of the nearby water hazard.
The dogleg on the twelfth hole is a bit challenging for some. Aim to the right for a clear shot to the tee. You don’t want to hit this one too long or you’ll end up in the field. If you do, the course asks that you take an extra shot and that you do not go into the field to get your ball since it is private property. You’ll meet another dogleg on the last hole. For this one, try to keep as close to the center of the fairway by aiming a little left. From there, you’ll have a clear shot to the green.
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Course Fees:
DAILY FEES
Current Fee
WEEKDAYS
9-Hole Weekday
$15.00
18-Hole Weekday/Resident
$18.00
18-Hole Weekday/Non-Res.
$21.00
Junior and Military Weekday
$10.00
Senior/Disabled Special-T/Th After 12:00 Noon
$10.00
Twilight-Weekday
$14.00
Promotional Fee (max with cart) After 11:00 AM
$21.00
WEEKENDS/HOLIDAYS
9-Hole Weekend
$16.00
18-Hole Weekend/ Resident
$21.00
18-Hole Weekend/Non-Res.
$28.00
Junior and Military Weekend
$12.00
Twilight-Weekend
$16.00
MONTHLY PASSES (weekdays only)
Resident Adult
$75.00
Non-Resident Adult
$95.00
Senior/Disabled Resident
$57.00
Senior/Disabled-Non-Resident
$80.00
Junior (Resident or Non-Resident)
$37.00
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