Stay-and-Play Getaway

Resort & Gardens, bring along a bathing suit, hiking shoes, golf clubs, walking/running shoes, bike helmet, a spirit of adventure and an appetite. You might also want to bring along a set of binoculars. Here, there are several hiking trails that allow visitors to explore the area’s natural beauty. Enjoy a cruise along the 10-mile-long Discover Bike Trail that takes you around the perimeter of this resort, through the woods, alongside the azalea gardens, and near many lakes and ponds. Traversing Callaway Resort & Gardens on a bicycle is a brilliant option. You can bring your own bikes or rent them on-site.

Another one of the highlights at Callaway Resort & Gardens is the stunning display of gardens. The gardens feature a variety of plants and flowers, including azaleas, roses, and hydrangeas. There are also several themed gardens, such as the Vegetable Garden and the Butterfly Garden, which are visually appealing.

Two must-see exhibits are the Butterfly Center and the Birds of Prey.

The Butterfly Center has many butterflies flying around this indoor, vegetation-filled planetarium, where you can learn about the lifespan of butterflies and their role in Mother Nature’s Circle of Life.

The Birds of Prey exhibit is a daily outdoor program which takes place at the Discovery Center Amphitheater. After witnessing this program, you’ll have a greater understanding of the unique powers of sight, hearing, and flight by raptors such as great horned owls, hawks, and eagles.

The resort’s centerpiece is Robin Lake where guests can enjoy a day (or days) at the beach making sand castles, taking relaxing beach walks, swimming in Robin Lake, frolicking on Aqua Island, playing putt-putt golf, enjoying a pedal boat, fishing, boating, and making ‘camp’ in one of the many cabanas (which have TVs) along the beach.

If your family is not interested in walking or riding a bike around Callaway, you can tour the resort on a golf cart, aka a Callaway Cruiser. You can rent either a four-seater or six-seater.

For those seeking adventure, Callaway Resort & Gardens has a zip line course that offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. There is also a treetop adventure course, which is perfect for those who enjoy an ‘aerial’ challenge.

If you want total rest and relaxation, visit the spa inside the Pine Mountain Hotel where you enjoy a variety of treatments and massages.

For avid golfers, there are two 18-hole championship golf courses on-site, Lake View and Mountain View, both of which are part of The Georgia Golf Trail. Mountain View is the former site of the PGA Tour’s Buick Challenge.

There are many accommodation options at Callaway: the Pine Mountain Hotel, the Cottages, and the Villas. Spacious and first-class are the best ways to describe the Pine Mountain Hotel, which has 150 guest rooms with easy access to the outdoor heated pool, hot tub, and Robin Lake Beach. The Cottages have two-bedrooms, are family friendly, and have fully equipped kitchens. And, the Villas are upscale, spacious, and well-appointed.

When it comes to dining, Callaway Resort & Gardens has several restaurants to choose from such as The Piedmont Dining Room, Country Kitchen, Cason’s Tap Room, Discovery Café, and the Champions Grille, which is located at the golf course. You must make it a priority to enjoy breakfast one day at the Country Kitchen, where the ham and eggs are delicious. The quality of the breakfast is matched by the beauty of the views from the dining room. Room service is also available if you stay at the Pine Mountain Hotel. At The Piedmont Dining Room, order the grilled pimento cheese sandwich for lunch.

So, when you’re ready to relax, see the azaleas, and watch a great horned owl take flight, visit Callaway Resort & Gardens. To book a place so you and your family can have a stay-and-play getaway at Callaway, call 1-800-852-3810 or access www.callawaygardens.com. For specifics on golf at Callaway, access www.georgiagolfandtravel.com.

WhenGolf Channel hired Martin Hall in 2011 to essentially become America’s Instructor, he didn’t think it would be a long-term gig. Eight shows, perhaps. A second season, unlikely.

Instead, Hall hit TV golf’s version of the flyer. The Director of Golf Instruction at The Club at Ibis recently hosted his 400th episode of “School of Golf,” making it the longest-running instruction show in TV history.

“It’s staggering … mind-blowing … remarkable, really,” Hall said recently at his daytime home on the back of Ibis’ range. “It’s hard to believe we have done 400 shows.”

That’s a longer run than some of the greatest shows in TV history, such as Cheers (273) and Seinfeld (180). Hall has produced his share of laughs with his upbeat personality.

The 67-year-old Martin admits he wasn’t keen on the idea when originally asked to audition for the role. He thought he was too old to appear on live TV every week.

But Hall soon realized he didn’t have to change his style. He just needed to teach in the same manner he’s done since he quit playing on the European PGA Tour in 1977.

“I decided when I started doing this that the Martin Hall you will see on “School of Golf” is the Martin Hall you will meet on the range at The Club at Ibis,” Hall said. “I teach the same way on TV as I do in person.”

It’s not an easy job trying to teach someone the incredibly difficult task of hitting a golf ball