August 7th, 2008 — Lessons Available, NV, Reno, golf courses, public course, restaurant
Washoe Golf Course is located in: Reno, NV
Phone: 775-828-6640
Website: http://www.washoegolf.org
Course History:
Washoe Golf Course is a public course that is extremely friendly and fun to play. No matter what your skill level is, you’ll feel right at home on this great course. It has much to offer, and the prices are truly remarkable. It has a rich history that dates back to the first World War, and it is one of the oldest courses in this area. It’s nickname is the “Shoe” and it has remained incredibly popular with residents and guests since the day it first opened. If you just want to play a simple round of golf in a great environment, this the perfect course.
What You Need to Know:
You can book your tee time by calling the number listed above. This course offers lessons as well as special Ladies and Mens groups that are very popular. The pro shop is surprisingly well stocked given the overall size of the course, and you’ll find pretty much everything you could ever need right there.
If you don’t have your own clubs, they do offer rentals at very good rates. Overall, this is one of the most economical courses in the area that still provides that great traditional golf experience. Odette’s restaurant, located on site is a legend and with good reason. You won’t find better food anywhere else in this area. We really can’t say enough nice things about this great course.
Playing Hints:
The front nine all play very straightforward. This isn’t the most challenging of courses, but it is a great place to really work on your game. Like most courses, accuracy really helps, but this one is a little more forgiving than others. The third hole is a deceptively easy Par Three, but it will take a few times of getting to know the course to par it.
One of our favorites holes on the course is the 18th, which is a very long par five. You’ll have plenty of chances to make up any slack on your score with this hole and you’ve got a great chance of making a birdie, even if you’re a novice.
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Fees:
Summer Rates
Adult
$20.00 - 9 Holes
$30.00 - 18 Holes
Senior (62 and Older)
$15.00 - 9 Holes
$25.00 - 18 Holes
Junior (under 18)
$10.00 - 9 Holes
$20.00 - 18 Holes
Winter Rates
Adult
$20.00 - 9 Holes
$25.00 - 18 Holes
Senior (62 and Older)
$15.00 - 9 Holes
$18.00 - 18 Holes
Junior (under 18)
$10.00 - 9 Holes
$15.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Rates
Weekdays Noon, Weekends/Holidays 2 PM - Summer
Adult
$20.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Senior (62 and older)
$15.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Junior (under 18)
$10.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Rates
Weekdays Noon, Weekends/Holidays 2 PM - Winter
Adult
$20.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Senior (62 and older)
$15.00 - 18 Holes
Twilight Junior (under 18)
$10.00 - 18 Holes
Pull Cart
$3.00 - 9 Holes
$4.00 - 18 Holes
Golf Cart Rental (per player)
$8.00 - 9 Holes
$14.00 - 18 Holes
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August 6th, 2008 — Tips and Tricks
Out of all of the blunders you can make on a golf course, a hook shot can be one of the most frustrating. Often, players find that they consistently hook their shots off the tees, and no matter what they try, they can’t get past it. Soon, they end up mentally defeating themselves before they even get up to the tee, certain that they are going to hook it. And, nine times out of ten, they will.
So, how do you correct a hook shot? There are actually quite a few techniques that you can use that will impact pulling the ball to the left, but first, you’ve got to get mentally prepared. Golf is 99% mental anyway, so we’ll focus on this step first. Once you’ve got your mental hook shot fixed, you can start working on the physical aspects.
Sit in a quiet place at home, where there are no distractions. Mentally go through everything you would as you go out to the first hole on your favorite course. Now, start thinking that you will have the perfect drive, right down the center. Envision teeing up, and addressing the ball. Bring your club back and watch as the ball goes right down the center line.
Repeat this in your head several times. If you have a problem with certain holes, play them in your head over and over until you are mentally hitting the shot the right way each time. This may take a few tries to get right, but visualization can have a huge impact on your game. In fact, many people that try this technique have found that the next time they go out on the course their hook is cured, without having to work on their stance or swing.
If you’re still having some hook issues however, it’s time to move onto the correct stance and how you swing your club. First, let’s look at how you hold the club. Are you gripping it as though you’d like to strangle it? This can be a major problem and will hurt your swing. The correct grip is actually pretty easy to master. When you hold the club, look at the v that is between your thumb and fingers. Do both v’s point a little towards your right shoulder? If not, this is the cause of your problems.
Work on developing the right grip until it feels like second nature to you. Then, move onto the next step. Stand with your feet facing forward, slightly apart. One should not be in front of the other and they should both be completely parallel. If you have one foot slightly back, it will pull your swing. Your entire body should be following that parallel line, from your head, to your shoulders, to your hips. Again, work on your stance until it becomes second nature.
Swing problems are a little harder to fix, but not impossible. You’ll want to make sure that you’re bringing your club back smoothly and back down with force, but not too much force. You should never break that parallel line. Keep trying and practicing and you’ll be able to put all of these together to end your hook problems for good.
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June 30th, 2008 — CA, Nipomo, golf courses, restaurant
Phone Number: (805) 343-1214
Website: http://www.blacklake.com/
Course History:
This course is actually three nine hole courses in one, so you’ll have the rate opportunity of being able to change up your game. This is one of the few 27 hole courses in the area and it’s well worth the drive. Most players prefer to start with their “Lakes and Canyons” layout and then move to the more difficult configurations after they get the hang of the course.
What You Need to Know:
Tee times can be registered online or by calling the number listed above. This is a busy course so we recommend reserving your time a few days in advance to make sure you get the slot you want. Numerous specials are posted on their website throughout the month, and you can save quite a bit on your green fees by taking advantage of them.
The bar and grill is open for lunch and also provides catering services. This is a great place to relax after a round of golf and the food is spectacular. The pro shop is well stocked and carries just about anything you could ever need. It’s a great place for gift shopping for the golfers on your list.
Numerous tournaments are held here throughout the year and since this is a championship course, play can be a little difficult at times. However, most players find that it is just challenging enough without being terribly intimidating. The course does stipulate that no ice chests are allowed on the course and any alcoholic beverages on the course should be purchased through the bar and grill.
They do not specify a dress code, but traditional golf attire is the norm for both men and women. We also recommend soft spikes. You can get the full list of course rules from the pro shop.
Playing Hints:
Although there are numerous water hazards and bunkers to deal with, most of the holes are pretty straightforward. The Oaks course has the straightest fairways but they are a bit long. The Canyon course is a little more complicated and more compact. It features some great water hazards and the play here is challenging. You’ll need to have a really good short game for many of these holes.
The Lakes course is challenging and although the holes are a bit short, you’ll have plenty of chances to practice your chip shots and putting. The greens here are a bit fast according to some players, so you’ll need to get some practice in ahead of time.
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Green Fees:
WEEKDAY GREEN FEES
January-December
18 Regular $56
Senior (62 & over) $48
Twilight* $40
9-Holes (Before 8am & after 3pm) $20
WEEKENDS & HOLIDAYS
January-December
18 Regular $70
Senior (62 & over) $58
Twilight* $50
9-Holes (Before 8am & after 3pm) $25
* Call for twilight times & restrictions.
CARTS
18 Holes $17 per player
9 Holes $14 per player
Pull Cart 18 $6
Pull Cart 9 $3
Spectator Fee $12
MISCELLANEOUS
Club Rent 18 $30
Club Rent 9 $20
*All rentals include a sleeve of Titleist NXT Golf Balls
Demo Club Rental $40
Brand Names: Call
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June 23rd, 2008 — CA, Chandler Egan, Pacific Grove, golf courses
Pacific Grove Golf Course is located in Pacific Grove, CA
Phone: 831.648.5775
Website: http://www.ci.pg.ca.us/golf/default.htm
Course History:
This is a beautiful municipal course that has been voted one of the best municipal courses in the nation. The value is absolutely unbeatable and the old English links style of play is very popular. It was designed by Chandler Egan in 1932 and quickly became one of the most popular courses in the area. The original course management wanted it to be suitable for players of all skill levels and they certainly achieved that. Novices won’t be intimidated but pros can still enjoy a nice round of golf here.
What You Need to Know:
You can register your tee time by calling ahead at the number listed above or by visiting their website to book online. We recommend stopping by their site to take advantage of their specials. The pro shop here is top notch and overall, from the money, the facilities here are actually quite surprising. You wouldn’t expect this level of service from a municipal course, but they truly exceed all expectations.
Playing Hints:
Most of the holes on the course are very straightforward but you will be dealing with more natural conditions such as some really tough roughs since this is an English style course. However, that only adds to its charm and it is a refreshing break if you are used to playing on more modern courses.
The third hole has a pretty severe dog leg, so you’ll want to aim a little left from the tee to make sure you get a clear shot of the green. The eighth hole can also be tricky in this regard. Once again, hang a little to the left to best this hole.
The sixteenth hole is a long haul but offers a chance to catch up on your score before heading to the final holes that are a lot shorter but a little tougher.
View Larger Map
Course Fees:
| Green Fees (effective July 1, 2007) |
Resident
|
Non-Resident
|
| 9 Hole Mon - Thurs |
$12
|
$20
|
| 18 Hole Monday-Thursday |
$20
|
$40
|
| 9 Hole Fri - Sun & Holidays (Reservations after 2:30pm) |
$18
|
$25
|
| 18 Hole Fri - Sun & Holidays |
$25
|
$45
|
| 18 Hole Twilight RateAfter 2pm Standard TimeAfter 4pm Daylight Savings |
$15
|
$20
|
| 18 Hole Junior Rate - 17 and under Mon - ThursAfter 2pm Fri - Sun & Holidays |
$10
|
$20
|
| Annual Cards (Valid from July 1 to June 30) |
|
|
Resident
|
Non-Resident
|
| Single Player |
$710
|
$875
|
| Single Senior (65 or older) |
$635
|
$775
|
| Non-Resident (No Club Affiliation) |
|
$2,000
|
| Junior Annual (17 & Under)Mon - ThursAfter 2pm Fri - Sun & Holidays |
$200
|
n/a
|
| Junior Summer 3-Month Card(17 & Under)Available June-August only Mon - Thurs
After 2pm Fri - Sun |
$75
|
n/a
|
| Rentals
|
|
|
Resident
|
Non-Resident
|
| Electric Cart - 9 Hole |
$20
$10 rider
|
$20
$10 rider
|
| Electric Cart - 18 Hole |
$34
$17 rider
|
$34
$17 rider
|
| Set of Golf Clubs - 9 Hole |
$25
|
$25
|
| Set of Golf Clubs - 18 Hole |
$40
|
$40
|
| Pull Cart - 9 Hole |
$4
|
$4
|
| Pull Cart - 18 Hole |
$8
|
$8
|
| Annual Club Storage(Fiscal Year July 1 - June 30) |
$125
|
$125
|
| (4) Bag Attachment |
$5
|
$5
|
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June 19th, 2008 — CA, Clubhouse menu, Lessons Available, Santa Barbara, golf courses
Glen Annie Golf Course is located in Santa Barbara, CA
Phone: 805-968-6400
Website: http://www.glenanniegolf.com/main/index.php?name=Rates
Course History:
This is a truly stunning course that overlooks the channel islands and the bay. For those who enjoy a scenic course, it is hard to beat this one. The amenities here are absolutely some of the best in the area and this is considered to be one of the best and most challenging championship courses in this region. That said, although the course appeals to pros, novices should still be able to enjoy playing here. It may take a few times to master the course, but considering the view, it is well worth the time spent.
What You Need to Know:
By far, the club house at Glen Annie is one of the best ever built. Visitors come from miles around to enjoy it, even if they don’t play golf. The structure has won numerous architectural awards and the inside is sumptuously furnished. You’ll enjoy dining here after a tough round of golf or maybe stopping by just for fun.
The pro shop is completely stocked and offers gifts for all golfers. Many players like to take advantage of the patio after a round so they can relax and get a better view of their surroundings. This is one course that everyone should try to visit at least once in their lives.
This is a championship course and it is quite hilly, so we recommend taking advantage of the proffered cart. The course is currently running a special where you can get unlimited rounds of golf for a month, with a cart, for less than $300 a month and we highly recommend taking them up on this deal. For the money, this is a great deal.
Playing Hints:
While the course has only two water hazards and a few bunkers sprinkled around, it’s the hills that make this a challenging round of play. There will be times when you won’t even be able to see where you’re aiming, but that is part of the fun of playing here.
Most of the holes are straightforward, but you will be dealing with a dogleg on holes four, ten, sixteen and fourteen. They are reasonably easy as long as you stick to the left on four and to the right on the others. You’ll need to bring your top game for this one, as longer drivers will definitely have an advantage. A long drive off of most tees is essential as the rough is quite tough here and separates each fairway into well trimmed islands surrounded by a sea of grass.
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Course Fees:
Monday-Friday
18 Hole Regular
$59.00
Resident*
$39.00
Regular Twilight
$34.00
Resident Twilight
$24.00
Saturday-Sunday and Holidays
18 Hole Regular
$74.00
Resident*
$49.00
Regular Twilight
$39.00
Resident Twilight
$29.00
Cart Fee Rates
18 Hole Cart Fee
$11.00
9 Hole Cart Fee
$6.00
PGA Golf Instruction
$65.00 hr.
$40.00 ½ hr.
Driving Range
$5.00 - 40 Balls
$8.00 - 80 Balls
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June 11th, 2008 — Antioch, CA, Lessons Available, golf courses
Roddy Ranch Golf Course is Located in: Antioch, CA
Phone: 925.978.4653
Website: http://www.roddyranch.com
Course History:
This course is part of the historic 2000 acre Roddy Ranch in Antioch, CA. This is a relatively new course that opened to tremendous accolades. It’s already been named one of the best value courses in the bay area and with good reason. If you’re looking for a challenging game of golf that won’t break the bank, look no further. This course is a little off the beaten path, so we included some directions for you below.
What You Need to Know:
Don’t let the prices fool you, this is a very nice course. Everything is top notch and its on the same level as many private clubs when it comes to amenities. You can register your tee time online or by phone. Their website also has a feature to let you pick your time and a special discount, so we recommend visiting before you book.
Lessons are offered every day of the week from the PGA pros on staff. These are also priced very reasonably and there is a special tee that is devoted entirely to practice. Numerous tournaments are held at the course every year and this is a great way to get a feel for the course before you actually head out.
Although the course does not specify a special dress code, we recommend traditional golf attire and soft spikes.
Playing Hints:
The holes are pretty straightforward at first glance, but look a little closer and you’ll see the combination of heavily sloped greens, nasty rough, and sandtraps make for some challenging play. By far, the two hardest holes are the sixteenth hole with its blind green (approach from the right to avoid the bunkers) and the thirteenth hole that also features a blind green surrounded by bunkers. You’ll be playing into the wind on this hole for an even bigger challenge.
The last two holes will give you a chance to salvage your score, especially the par 5 on 18. Just watch out for the remaining bunkers and you should do just fine.
Course Fees:
Standard Weekday $45.00
Weekday Twilight $35.00
Weekday Super Twilight $25.00
Standard Weekend $70.00
Weekend Mid-day $55.00
Weekend Twilight $45.00
Weekend Super Twilight $30.00
*Junior Rates Weekday (15 and under) $15.00
*Junior Rates Weekend (15 and under) $45.00
*Senior Rates Weekday (50 and older) $35.00
*Senior Rates Weekend (50 and older) $50.00
How to Get There:
View Larger Map
From the west:
Take Highway 4 towards the city of Antioch, exit at Lone Tree Way, turn right. Proceed to Deer Valley Road, turn right. Travel approximately 3 miles and you will see the golf course appearing above and to your right as you pass Empire Mine Road. The next right is Tour Way, well marked as the entrance to The Golf Club at Roddy Ranch.
From the east:
Take Balfour road west from Brentwood to it’s intersection with Deer Valley Road. (Roddy Ranch is straight ahead of you.) Turn right onto Deer Valley, and immediately left into Tour Way to enter the Golf Club.
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May 30th, 2008 — Book Review
Golfer’s have long been fascinated by the elusive hole in one. Some achieve it, while thousands of others only dream about it. This book attempts to discover whether holes in one are simply the result of luck, statistics or a combination of the two. It’s an incredibly interesting read that covers the history of hole-in-ones as well as presenting some thought provoking facts that may convince you that a hole-in-one may be in your future. All in all, it’s an enjoyable read.
One of the main issues with this book is the poor editing, such as repeated stories, but if you can look past this, there is a lot of intriguing information to digest. For example, four members of the same family have all gotten a hole in one on the same hole at the same course. The author also mentions that that particular hole can also hold four golf balls. Is there some sort of strange luck at work on some courses or is a matter of being in the right place at the right time statistically?
The accepted statistic is that you’re more likely to get struck by lightening than you are to get a hole in one, but after reading this book, you may just be convinced that your lucky break is around the corner. The author also covers those who have literally horrible games, scoring dismally on most of the course, only to come up with a hole in one. That brings up the question as to whether skill has anything to do with it. This factoid is juxtapositioned with the fact that on player managed to get two holes in one on the same day, during the same round.
While we may never fully understand how some players can get a hole in one, or even several, while we struggle to make par, this is a discussion that will last through the ages. This book is a definite must read if you enjoy golf lore and exploring the mystery of the hole in one. As the title suggests, that is pretty much all that is covered in the book, and there really aren’t any tips that you can walk away with.
However, it is still a fun read and one that we highly recommend if you enjoy this sort of thing. It’s interesting to see how players manage to get that life changing hole in one and it does provide at least some small measure of hope that someday that could be you. The key is really to just keep playing and hope for the best. At the end of the day, we may never really know how to get a hole in one, and it may be that it is simply blind luck. However, until someone comes up with a solution, it’s a lot of fun to speculate and lore like this is always enjoyable.
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