October 27th, 2008 — CA, Oroville, driving range, restaurant
Table Mountain Golf Course is located in Oroville, CA
Phone: 530 533-3922
Website: http://www.tablemountaingolf.com/
Course History:
This is a terrific course if you don't like a lot of uphill walking or you simply want to get out in the fresh air for a fun game of golf. You won't find any hills here, but it is still a beautiful course that is challenging and fun. Table Mountain has been very popular since they opened, due to their low green fees and friendly staff and it's easy to see why people return here again and again. We really appreciated the quality of the facilities and it would be hard to find a course with a better practice facility in this area.
What You Need to Know:
The atmosphere at the course is very relaxed and it's a great place to bring young golfers. You'll be able to register your tee time by calling the number listed above, but we do recommend checking their website for specials before you do. You can save a lot of money on their already low fees.
The pro shop was terrific and the grill was certainly above par. The same atmosphere extends there and it is a great place to go after a round. The food was great and the prices were even better.
The practice facilities, as mentioned above, are simply divine. The driving range is spacious and the two putting greens will really get you prepared to go out on the course. It's a great place to go before you head out, or some even prefer just to get their practice in here.
Playing Hints:
Although you won't be dealing with hills, that doesn't mean the course is an easy one. Water hazards really make it fun and you'll be dealing with five. The sixteenth hole, or should we say island, is probably the most challenging hole on the course. You'll be surrounded by water on all sides, so make sure you adjust your shot so that it doesn't get pulled too much to either side.
There are also plenty of bunkers to deal with, and the fourth hole has more than its fair share. They happen to be right in the center of the fairway, so you'll want to go a little to the left for your tee shot to avoid them.
Fees:
| GREEN FEES |
| . |
Weekdays
Monday - Thursday |
Weekends
Friday - Sunday & Holidays |
| 18 Holes |
$25.00 |
$30.00 |
| 9 Holes |
$15.00 |
$20.00 |
Senior
60 & Older |
$16.00 |
Friday Only Special Rate - $20.00 |
Junior
17 & Younger |
$8.00 |
$10.00 |
| After Hour |
$15.00 |
$20.00 |
| CART FEES |
| . |
9 Holes |
18 Holes |
|
| Electric |
$15.00 |
$25.00 |
|
| Single Rider |
$10.00 |
$15.00 |
|
| Pull |
$3.00 |
$5.00 |
|
| Transit |
$15.00 |
$15.00 |
|
| RANGE PROGRAM (annually) |
| Single |
$200 |
|
| Couple |
$250 |
|
| Family |
$300 |
|
| RANGE BALLS |
| Small Bucket |
Large Bucket |
|
| $3.50 |
$6.00 |
|
| RENTAL CLUBS |
| 18 Holes |
9 Holes |
|
| $10.00 |
$5.00 |
|
How to Get There:
View Larger Map
They are located near the Oroville Municipal Airport, just outside of Oroville. Please call the pro shop for exact directions on how to reach the course.
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October 25th, 2008 — Golf Ball Driver, Tips and Tricks, tools
One of the biggest problems that most golfers face is figuring out where they are going wrong when it comes to their swing. Volumes have been written about the art of the swing and still people have difficulty. If you are trying to see where you are going wrong, there are a few techniques and tips you can utilize to diagnose and fix these issues, before they get any worse.
1. Videotape your swing.
By far, if you need to know what is going wrong with your swing, the easiest way to tell is by videotaping it. Thanks to today’s little cameras, you won’t have to worry about lugging a big camera along with you on the course and you can immediately see what is going wrong. Have a friend videotape your swing at each hole and then you will be able to analyze what you may be doing wrong.
We recommend doing this at each hole since your swing can change dramatically as you play. Whether you end up getting tired and sloppy, or you start to warm up and improve, you’ll be able to pinpoint quite a few problems if you do this. We also recommend showing your video to a pro, or to a friend that is knowledgeable on the game. They may be able to spot something you’re not seeing.
2. Use a swing monitor.
Most courses are moving towards installing these monitors in their practice areas, and you should be able to find at least one in your local area that has one. These machines will help pinpoint the exact second where you start to go wrong and they are incredibly beneficial, especially to new players. If you have been struggling and just can’t get past the problem, this is the perfect solution.
Find a course that offers this and then pay for one lesson with the pro on staff. They’ll be able to help you interpret the results and find ways that you can improve your swing. It will cost a little money, but the amount of time you save and the results you can get will make it more than worth the expense.
3. Watch other players.
Make it a habit to watch other players on the course and on television and start analyzing their swings. As you become used to seeing different swings and the results they produce, you’ll be able to start incorporating some changes into your own game. This is a very helpful way to learn more about how a swing works and how to get big results from small changes.
4. Get some instructional DVDs.
If you can’t quite afford an instructor, you can get some DVDs that will show you how to perfect your swing, piece by piece. We highly recommend the The 8 Step Swing by Jim McLean
DVD series and the book. These two resources are packed with information and help for every golfer.
With a little time and by paying attention, you can fix your golf swing and get better results from your game.
Photo Credits: 1
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October 24th, 2008 — Book Review, Tips and Tricks
Golfers can spend their entire lives trying to perfect their swing, or their stance and for many this pursuit always falls just short of their goals. Enter Joseph Laurentino, the author of The Negotiable Swing and his assertion that it is possible to play a great round of golf, even if your form is not perfect. There is certainly enough evidence to back him up – one weekend of watching pro golf on television can prove his point quite well.
But, how does the average golfer put that to work for themselves – in their own game. Laurentino offers some hard hitting advice that may change the way you think about golf and certainly about the way that you stand. While the stance and the swing are essential, perfection may not be in many cases.
The first three chapters cover basic form and common problems that golfers have. Chapter three is probably the most interesting out of the three since it discusses at length which aspects of your stance and swing are “negotiable” or what may not matter as much as you think it does. This is a fascinating discussion that raised a lot of new points.
The next group of chapters cover the different elements of the swing and how to make the most of what you have. We found these sections to be incredibly informative and helpful. For the everyday golfer, this is real advice that you most likely wouldn’t get from a course pro.
Last but not least, chapter twelve covers at length whether or not you as a player would benefit from instruction. This is a terrific look that encourages you to be honest with yourself, but still realize that there are some things about your stance that you may never be able to change. By realizing this, you may be able to save quite a lot of money on instruction fees and still be able to get the results you’re looking for out on the course.
We highly recommend this golf book to anyone that is struggling with their form and feels as though they will never get it right. You may not have to! While there is no replacement for proper form and learning the fundamentals of golf, Laurentino does offer hope to those of us that are still struggling to get it “right.” If you have ever wished you could play like a pro, or you are just trying to shave a few points off your game, this book may have the perfect answer for you.
We’ve read a lot of different golf books, and Laurentino’s newest book definitely made it into our top ten. He does a great job of writing in a style that is easy to read while still being very informative. While those that don’t have a problem with their stance or swing (and they are most likely in the minority) may not need this book, the rest of us can certainly benefit from it.
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September 12th, 2008 — Book Review
For those of us that adore the sport of golf but fully acknowledge that it can be the most maddening exercise on the planet, it’s always nice to stumble on a memoir that is both fun to read and useful. Carl Hiassen’s book may not win any great awards like the Pulitzer, and at times, it can be a bit stuffed with fluff, but for golf lovers everywhere, his story will resonate loud and clear.
Hiassen’s a good golfer and there are times you might want to wring his neck as he describes his perfect shots and great scores. However, these are peppered with plenty of amusing stories and just enough failures at the sport to redeem him. After a thirty-three year hiatus from the sport, Hiassen decided to pick the game back up again and this book tells of his journey. He had originally used the sport as a way to bond with his father, and now that Hiassen’s son is of age, they are now doing the same thing.
He has a great no-nonsense way of looking at things, from popular books on golf to the equipment we all need. If you’ve ever been lured into buying a Big Bertha only to feel empty inside later, you’ll feel right at home as Hiassen regales you with the tales of the equipment he’s wasted money on. The book is a true memoir style book and at times, it falters a bit. You end up wondering if he was trying anything he could think of to pad the book at times, but at the end, it’s still enjoyable.
There are a few parts you can skip, such as the tournament tale. If you don’t really love the sport, this section will be more than a bit dull and full of strange terminology. That was probably our biggest complaint for the book. While it is fun to read and entertaining, it really is only for those that truly understand the game and its terminology. Someone who has never played golf before could pick the book up and think that it was written in a different language.
A truly great book is able to reach across cultural, age and yes, even sport divides and this book just did not manage to do that as well as it could have.
Overall, if you really love golf, or you are looking for the perfect gift for a golfing buddy, this is a great title. It is fluff, but it is good fluff. You can look at the book like a big serving of cotton candy. There isn’t much there, but it tastes good and it’s fun to eat. If you’re looking for a hard hitting instructional manual, this isn’t the book for you, but it may change the way you think about golf. As golfing memoirs go, it’s one of the best. If you already own every book on golf ever written, this one deserves a place alongside them.
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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.
Photo Credits: 1
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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.
View Larger Map
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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