OUR 20th YEAR!
THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS JANUARY 2021
THE WILDERNESS
TWO-STEPPING NEAR HOUSTON, TEXAS
TRENDING: PUBLIC GOLFERS
JOINING PRIVATE CLUBS Plus: ALCANADA WINS DIAMOND AWARD
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GOLF VACATIONS JANUARY 2021
The Wilderness - Lake Jackson, Texas
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Learn How To Be A Professional Golf Teacher
by Barry Lotz 2020 has been an exceptional year for golf, especially during the Covid pandemic and opportunities for golf teachers abound. Golf participation has boomed, as people are tired of binging on Netflix and walking or jogging in their neighborhoods. Many Americans appear to see golf as a great escape.
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Chip Shots
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Spain’s Best: Club de Golf Alcanada
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Trending: Public Golfers Joining Private Clubs
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The Wilderness - A Texas Two-Step
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Sweet Stuff
Club de Golf Alcanada is in sparkling mood after landing the coveted Diamond Award at the 2020 Tagmarshal Awards. The 7,108-yard, Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed layout in north Mallorca, the only one on the island by the sea, is no stranger to winning top awards and has steadily added to its bulging trophy cabinet since it opened in 2003.
by Shane Sharp Golf, in its purest form, is a public sport. It was born that way in Scotland, imported to the U.S. as an accessible outdoor escape for the masses and to this day, more than 70% of golf courses are public with a median rate of $36.
by David R. Holland When you drive under the welcoming portal of The Wilderness -- an upscale, municipal golf experience -you know immediately this is going to be an adventure.
by Terry Ross
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America, the California Golf Writers Association, and serves both as a Consultant and Mediator to the golf industry. He is also the author of numerous books, including “333 Best Web Sites for Golfers”, “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf” which is in the Top Ten Golf Business Book’s bestseller list. His latest book,” The Right Mind for Golf is now in its 9th printing. He currently works with 14 Tour Players on mental coaching and scoring techniques. He can be reached at www. pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
Associate Editors Shane Sharp is a freelance writer and the owner of Southbound 4, a content marketing and PR shop in Greenville, S.C. He’s a contributing editor with GOLF Magazine, Club & Resort Business, Golf Inc. and Club Management.
Terry Ross Dakota Diaz
Features Editor JD Latorre
Senior Writers Terry Ross has covered sports as both a print and radio journalist for more than 35 years, and also has served as a consultant to the golf industry in a variety of capacities. He has been a regular columnist for the Long Beach Business Journal and is based in Orange County, California.
Tim Cotroneo Larry Feldman David R. Holland Dave McKibben
For Editorial:
David R. Holland is an award-winning former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, football magazine publisher, and author of The Colorado Golf Bible. “Multiple careers” best describes this world traveler (visited 35 countries), who achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force reserve. Holland splits home time in Colorado and Texas. He has written for GolfWeek’s Superintendent News, Colorado AvidGolfer, Midwest Golfing Magazine, South Central Golf Magazine and Fairway to Green. He also worked for the Dallas Cowboys Weekly, UPI and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Follow Dave on Twitter @David_R_Holland.
call (760) 774–2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com
Regional Advertising
Los Angeles Terry Ross • (949) 279–7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • (678) 906-4050 harold@chamblissmediagroup.com Chicago Dakota Diaz •(312) 809–8808 dakota@GolfVacationsMag.com
Published by
President Jeffrey Diaz
PO BOX #222 Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania 18229 (760) 774–2655 StonyCreekMedia.com
Cimarron Communications President/CEO James A. Diaz
Golf Vacations Magazine is published in digital format monthly and distributed online to over 1,000,000 golfer’s email inboxes each issue. Entire contents of this publication is copyright 2021 Stony Creek Media, LLC, all rights reserved and may not be reproduced in any manner, in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher.
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Learn How to Become a Professional Golf Teacher By Barry Lotz, J.D., Ph.D. PGTAA President
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ant to Become a Professional Golf Teacher?
2020 has been an exceptional year for golf, especially during the Covid pandemic and opportunities for golf teachers abound. Golf participation has boomed, as people are tired of binging on Netflix and walking or jogging in their neighborhoods. Many Americans appear to see golf as a great escape. Golf involves acres of outdoor space, thereby offering natural social distancing, and by having the ability to control the flow of golfers by advanced booking tee times, makes golf highly desirable. With the influx of so many new and existing golfers participating, a 60% increase in rounds played over last year has been noted. This has led to the demand for golf lessons and teachers to fulfill the demand. The National Golf Foundation, an industry association, put the number of golf course players at 24.3 million people in 2019, with another 9.9 million who only use places like driving ranges or venues such as Topgolf. The PGTAA Gives Its Students a Unique and Competitive Edge In the Golf World. The Professional Golf Teachers Association of America, the PGTAA, now in its 24th year of operation, is a unique organization that offers more than any other golf teaching school. What is it that makes this organization’s course unique? It gives its graduates real-life skills and experience that they can use when they enter the world of professional golf. It emphasizes teaching golf, as well as other organizational tasks and golf basics, so that they can earn a good living in their chosen field. While the PGA and LPGA give their graduates general golf skills such as how to run a golf organization, organizing golf tournaments, how to run a golf shop, maintenance and organization of parties, the PGTAA is unique because it offers 100% instruction on learning how to teach golf and making an excellent living in the golf teaching profession. The PGTAA has a reputation throughout the golf world for the high quality of their graduates. Its graduates have gone on to become Directors of Golf, Tournament Directors, Head Teaching Professionals and University Golf Directors in major golf instruction organizations in Europe, Canada, Asia, Mexico, the United States and Africa. Graduates include the likes of Mark
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Immelman, the Columbus State University Golf Coach and coach to three Tour players, former PGA Tour players Brenden Pappas and Scott Gardiner both at Paradise Valley Athletic Club in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Belen Mozo, a former LPGA player, Jon Mahanna, the Director of Golf at Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico, Mark Hammons the GM and Head Professional at Las Barrancas Golf Complex in Yuma, Arizona, Mike Kletz, the Director of Golf at Huddle Park Golf Club in South Africa, Aubrey Daniel at Bahrain’s most exclusive Golf Club, Will Goodreu at the Marble Island Golf Academy and Glen McCartney, the assistant golf coach at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania for the women’s golf team and Patrick Parrish, formerly of Pebble Beach Academy, Poppy Hills and Nicklaus Club Monterey.
Other PGTAA graduates have also gone on to teach at well-known resorts such as Torrey Pines, Westin Roco Ki Beach & Golf Resort, Houghton Golf Club in South Africa, and many more. PGTAA graduates have also found positions at various golf related operations, including schools, universities, golf retailers, country clubs, driving ranges, teaching schools such as the Dave Pelz Short Game School. Topgolf, Roger Dunn Golf Stores, Dick’s Sporting Goods, GolfTec, and many of the major golf companies are additional employment sources for PGTAA graduates. The PTGAA’s edge comes from its unique and detailed curriculum. It includes mastery of the game of golf - both the technical aspects of the game as well as mental aspects, which are just as powerful in determining success. The real uniqueness of the course comes from its emphasis on teaching golf, organizational skills and marketing skills. The PGTAA is the original originator of the Home Study course and the optional Onsite course for PGTAA graduates. The optional onsite course is available ONLY to PGTAA graduates. The Onsite course offers those PGTAA graduates an opportunity to receive face-
to-face instruction by seasoned PGTAA and PGA professionals, to the use of cutting edge technology such as Trackman and Flightscope, and are able to cement their teaching skills. The Onsite course, in and of itself, is not a requirement for PGTAA certification. Certification is only through the Home Study course. The Onsite course is taught by PGTAA, PGA and LPGA instructors. Attendees work with actual students, receive constructive advice, learn new teaching techniques and usage of teaching tools thereby improving and fortifying their teaching skills. Both the home study and on site modules contain detailed and current teaching materials, marketing trends, information relating to teaching golf, and resources to help graduates find a good job after completing their studies, as well as skills to help them market their abilities in the real world. On site courses are held throughout the year at different locations in the USA and internationally. Finally, the PGTAA is known as an institution with a high level of integrity. Unlike other schools that force enrollment to pay their high advertising costs, the PGTAA only encourages and accepts enrollment by students who are interested in taking their careers to a new level and who possess both excellent communication and golf skills. Admission to the PGTAA is via a telephone interview to ascertain the fitness of a prospective student and their aforementioned skills. The PGTAA course also doesn’t have “levels” that force students to take additional courses in order to graduate. The PGTAA offers simply one intensive, no-time limit to complete course, and upon successful completion thereof, the certification as a Class “A” PGTAA Master Teaching Professional is awarded. Unlike many other teaching institutions, yearly dues are just $100. The PGTAA is a quality school that offers a course of study you won’t find anywhere else. While the PGA and LPGA teach players to improve their golf skills to the highest level, the PGTAA goes one step further by teaching career skills to get your golfing career going. In fact, the PGA and USGA have been known to refer prospective students who do not or cannot enroll in their programs, for whatever reason, to the PGTAA. This speaks to the quality and credibility of the PGTAA. It is truly a unique, high-quality program that educates, supports, inspires and challenges each and every student. For more details visit http://www.pgtaa. com or call Dr. Lotz for more information at 760.335.0600
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The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa Unveils New Unlimited Golf Package
Savannah, GA – The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, Georgia, has unveiled an Unlimited Golf Package for golfers. The package combines luxurious riverfront resort accommodations with unlimited golf on The Club at Savannah Harbor’s award-winning golf course. The Unlimited Golf Package is priced as low as $130 per golf, based on double occupancy, and includes: • Luxury accommodations at The Westin Savannah Harbor • Unlimited round of golf for two based on availability • Complimentary Callaway Rental Clubs To book the Unlimited Golf Package, visit The Club at Savannah Harbor’s website at www.theclubatsavannahharbor.com. Tee times are required in advance and can be scheduled by contacting The Club at Savannah Harbor at (912) 201-2240. “We are thrilled to launch this new package that will undoubtedly exceed the expectations of golfers,” said Chris Thompson, general manager, The Club at Savannah Harbor. “Showcasing the very best of our resort and golf experiences, the Unlimited Golf Stay & Play package pairs Savannah Harbor’s incredible accommodations with unparalleled riverfront golf on our award-winning golf.” The Club at Savannah Harbor’s golf course, a Bob Cupp and Sam Snead design, winds its way through the tidal wetlands offering scenic views of the surrounding area. The Club is the former home to The PGA TOUR Champions’ Liberty Mutual Insurance Legends of Golf Championship. Nestled between the banks of the Savannah and Back Rivers of the splendid Georgia Low Country, the 18-hole masterpiece is annually recognized as one of the “Best Courses You Can Play in
Georgia” by Golfweek Magazine. The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa is nestled along the banks of the Savannah River and situated just a ninety second ferry ride away from historic downtown Savannah. In addition to incredible golf, The Westin Savannah Harbor includes a Heavenly Day Spa, Har-Tru tennis courts and 403 rooms and suites with 55inch LCD Smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi, multimedia connectivity and Westin Heavenly® Beds and Heavenly® Baths. Guests can enjoy fine or casual dining at Champions Bar & Grill, Escape Pool Bar & Grill and Midnight Sun Lounge, as well as coastal dining at Aqua Star. For more information on The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa, click here. For information on The Club at Savannah Harbor, visit www.theclubatsavannahharbor.com.
Club at Savannah Harbor
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Silverado Resort and Spa
Troon And Silverado Resort And Spa Team Up For “Ultimate Napa Experience Sweepstakes” Napa, CA – Troon® and Silverado Resort and Spa, home of the PGA TOUR’s Safeway Open, have teamed up for the Ultimate Napa Experience Sweepstakes in which one lucky person will win a fourday, three-night wine country getaway worth more than $4,000. Those interested in entering the sweepstakes should visit troon. com/sweepstakes-silverado by January 31, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. The winner will be notified via email on February 1, 2021. • The winner of the “Ultimate Napa Experience Sweepstakes” will receive: • Four day/three night accommodations at Silverado Resort and Spa in a one bedroom suite • Two rounds of golf for two • Silverado logoed gift from the golf shop • Two spa treatments • Dinner for two in the Grill – Alcohol not included • Sip and Cycle experience around Silverado – includes lunch • A unique wine experience for two at Prime Solum • A Clif Family Winery Food Truck experience • Hot air balloon experience for two There is no purchase necessary to enter the “Ultimate Napa Experience Sweepstakes” and those entering will automatically be enrolled into the Troon Rewards program, in which golfers earn 1 point per dollar spent on golf, instruction and merchandise at more than 100 courses nationwide. Rewards members can redeem their points toward free or discounted golf rounds.
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Silverado Resort and Spa is Napa Valley’s only 36-hole golf resort and was recently named the “2020 California Golf Course of the Year” by the California Golf Course Owners Association. The 7,166yard, par 72 North Course annually hosts the Safeway Open, while the 6,612-yard, par 72 South Course is a favorite among members and resort guests. Both courses were re-designed by World Golf Hall of Fame member and former lead NBC golf analyst Johnny Miller. In 2020, the North Course was named to Golfweek’s Best 2020: Top 200 Resort Courses ranking. In addition to two 18-hole golf courses, Silverado features 340 guest rooms, a full service Spa, 10 tennis courts and 10 swimming pools, all in close proximity to Napa Valley’s 540-plus wineries. For more information and official terms and conditions for the “Ultimate Napa Experience Sweepstakes,” visit troon.com/ sweepstakes-silverado. For more information on Silverado Resort and Spa, visit www.silveradoresort.com.
Champion Hills Moves Up in Golfweek’s ‘Best Residential Golf Courses’ HENDERSONVILLE, NC – Champion Hills, Hendersonville’s premier private golf community, announces its seminal Tom Faziodesigned course has moved up six spots in Golfweek’s 2021 list of “Best Residential Courses.” The annual selection of the country’s 200 top real estate-focused layouts is determined by Golfweek’s elite team of more than 850 course evaluators. Each year, the raters survey over 3,600 facilities,
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grading each in accordance with Golfweek’s 10 strict standards of evaluation. Champion Hills ranks 64th on the prestigious list, up from 70 in 2020. “We’re honored to receive this recognition from Golfweek, one of the most respected publications in the industry,” says Dana Schultz, General Manager and Chief Operating Officer at Champion Hills. “Our operations and agronomy teams manage and maintain this course to championship standards, and our Fazio design has truly stood the test of time.” Champion Hills is Fazio’s former home course and club, and the legendary golf course architect devised a brilliant routing through the heavily forested hills, deep ravines and cool mountain streams of its Blue Ridge Mountain setting. He and his team of shapers pulled ridges into valleys and filled hollows to create “playing platforms” providing golfers with level lies amid 350-feet of elevation change. Said Fazio about his mountain masterpiece: “Six holes play slightly uphill on the entire course, but only six. Overall, the majority of holes play downhill. We did it through grading and do it through transition areas from the green to the next tee.” Delicately balancing strategy and playability, Champion Hills features five sets of tees, including three rated for women. Additionally, “combo tees” placed 15 to 30 yards in front of forced carries eliminate stressful shots for higher handicap golfers or those with slower swing speeds. Members are treated to inspiring elevation changes on several holes, including a 125-foot drop from tee to green on the par-3 ninth hole.
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About Champion Hills Champion Hills is a private boutique club in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, just above Hendersonville and 30 minutes from Asheville. Champion Hills is managed by Troon Privé, the private club operations division of Troon, the world’s largest golf management company. At Champion Hills, residents enjoy the perfect balance: a relaxed lifestyle that offers golf, tennis and much more. Unlike many private, seasonal, mountain communities, Champion Hills offers year-round golf, activities, and casual and fine dining options. And since 2013, property ownership is no longer a requirement for Champion Hills membership. For more information, visit www.championhills.com or call (828) 696-1962.
Champion Hills
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Sailfish Point
Sailfish Point Named One of Golfweek’s ‘Best Residential Golf Courses’ STUART, FL – Sailfish Point – the 532-acre oceanfront community on Hutchinson Island 45 minutes north of Florida’s Palm Beaches – announces its Jack Nicklaus Signature Course has been named to Golfweek’s 2021 list of “Best Residential Courses.” The annual selection of the country’s 200 top golf communityfocused layouts is determined by Golfweek’s elite team of more than 850 course evaluators. Each year, the raters survey over 3,600 facilities, grading each in accordance with Golfweek’s 10 strict standards of evaluation. Sailfish Point ranks 100th on the prestigious list. “Golfweek is one of the industry’s longest running and most respected publications, and we’re honored to receive this recognition,” says Victor Tortorici, PGA Director of Golf at Sailfish Point. “Our operations and agronomy teams manage and maintain this course to championship standards, and the Nicklaus team’s design has truly stood the test of time.” Starting in the spring of 2021, the golf course will undergo the most comprehensive and impactful renovation in its storied 40-year history. Led by Nicklaus Design, the project will yield an eminently playable routing with strategic options for players of varying ages, abilities and ambitions. New forward tees will be installed on all 18 holes, creating a 4,500-layout optimized for slower swing speeds. In all, there will be six sets of tees capable of producing 10 different playing combinations. The back tees will stretch to 7,111 yards, enabling
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Sailfish Point to continue hosting competitive member and PGA sectional events. Steps away from the Sailfish Point Clubhouse and the first tee is a newly expanded and completely re-imagined practice facility and short-game area. Setting the standard for game improvement in South Florida, it features a 10,000-square-foot practice green, multiple target greens and expanded teeing areas on both the north and south ends of the range. For more information about the Nicklaus Design-led golf course renovation and golf membership, visit www.sailfishpoint.com/ sailfish-point-golf-club.
Citrus Golf Trail Members Announce Inaugural Citrus Golf Trail Open SEBRING, FL— The member courses of Sebring’s Citrus Golf Trail (CGT) launched an exciting new amateur golf tournament that debuted December 2-5, 2021 and will be held annually. The inaugural Citrus Golf Trail Open will be open to amateur men and women and will be played at the six courses that comprise the Citrus Golf Trail -- Pinecrest Golf Club, River Greens Golf Course, Sebring International Golf Resort, Sebring Municipal Golf Course and Sun ‘N Lake Golf Club’s Deer Run and Turtle Run courses. Known as the Value Golf Capital of America, the Citrus Golf Trail features quality golf experiences at affordable prices. The tournament will showcase the region’s rich golf tradition and history as the member courses look to the future while giving a nod to the past.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS “It is wonderful time in golf right now to announce this exciting new tournament that will shine a light on the great courses that make up the Citrus Golf Trail,” said Andy Kesling of the Citrus Golf Trail. “This announcement marks a culmination of hard work and collaborative efforts to provide exposure to this unique golf destination.”
Golf has been an integral part of the Sebring area since the 1920s. In December 1959, Pinecrest Golf Club, one of the six courses that make up the current Citrus Golf Trail, was the site of a televised match-play elimination golf tournament for one of the biggest purses in golf at the time of $171,000. The tournament was part of the “World Championship Golf” series of matches that were televised on the NBC TV network. Pinecrest also hosted the best men and women players in the world at the Haig & Haig Scotch Foursome tournament, which debuted in 1960 and was
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played in the area until 1964. “We are thrilled to host the Citrus Golf Trail Open and showcase the Sebring area’s wonderful golf and vacation opportunities,” said Casey Hartt of Visit Sebring. “Sebring has hosted numerous worldclass sporting events over the years, and we are looking forward to adding this golf tournament to our resume of events and highlighting our special part of Florida.” The tournament will also have a charitable component to support local young people interested in golf. The Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County will receive a portion of the tournament proceeds to establish a First Tee Community Program, an initiative that helps empower kids and teens to build their strength of character through golf. “Golf is a sport that teaches its players some of life’s most valuable lessons, such as honesty, patience, problem solving, building selfconfidence, focus and hard work,” said Dave Cornuet, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Highlands County. “Learning to play golf will help our local youth become better people in every part of their lives.” Registration for the 2021 Citrus Golf Trail Open will begin January 1. Additional information about the event, including fees and format, will be announced in the coming weeks. To learn more about the Citrus Golf Trail, please visit: www. citrusgolftrail.com
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Branson, Missouri
Ozarks National Garners Best Public Course Honor Branson, MO – The year 2020 has been many things, not the least of which has been the ascension of Branson Golf as one of the country’s most compelling destinations, thanks to opening new, astounding golf courses year over year for the past several, and garnering a parade of best-of honors from national and international golf media. The latest distinction comes from GOLF Magazine (GOLF) via its biennial “Best Courses in Every State, 2020-2021” that was published this week. Big Cedar Lodge’s Ozarks National (Bill CooreBen Crenshaw design) ranks third out of five courses listed. All four of the other Missouri courses included are private, meaning that GOLF rates Ozarks National as the state’s No. 1 public golf course. GOLF also ranks Ozarks National as one of its “Top 100 Golf Resort Courses.” Wrote one GOLF Top 100 Course Rater about Ozarks National: “Despite the severity of the property, Coore and Crenshaw created an intimate routing in which holes lay firmly on the rugged ridges that encompass the area. This creates several blind shots and more than a few uphill ones — a couple to skyline greens. Too many other modern designers would have bulldozed the landscape to mitigate the blind shots – not Coore and Crenshaw! Therefore, the overall feeling is quite natural – and the long vistas are stunning. Very wide fairways mitigate the big slopes but strategic bunkering and complex greens lend challenge and variety. The ground game is alive and well at Ozarks National.” This isn’t the first top ranking for Ozarks National, which garnered
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“Best New Public Course in America” upon opening in 2019. Earlier this year – along with three other Branson Golf venues – it was rated No. 1 in Missouri by Golfweek. Buffalo Ridge (Tom Fazio-Johnny Morris design), Branson Hills (Chuck Smith), and LedgeStone (Tom Clark) joined it to hold four of the state’s top 10 spots, including the top three. “You know you’re in the Ozarks, and it was our job to compliment that, with the way that the holes fit together, and the directions they are going,” said Crenshaw. “We’re very proud of [Ozarks National].” Branson Golf’s six other good to great championship course playing options include Payne’s Valley (Tiger Woods) which opened in September 2020; Top of the Rock (Jack Nicklaus); Mountain Top (Gary Player); Thousand Hills (Bob Cupp); The Pointe; and Holiday HIlls. All are open to the public and close to one another. Payne’s Valley, Mountain Top, Buffalo Ridge, Top of the Rock, and Ozarks National are Big Cedar Lodge courses. GOLF describes its best-of ratings program and panelists as follows: “We empower and hold accountable a group of 97 welltraveled — and well-connected — golfers/aficionados, each capable of expressing their own sense of design excellence at the highest level. The group is seasoned and experienced — we look for raters who know what’s out there, what’s changing and what’s coming down the pike. From judging posts across four continents, our panelists are positioned to place courses from different regions around the globe in proper context, one of the main reasons our rankings are the most esteemed in the game.” For more information about Branson Golf, visit www. explorebranson.com/golf or www.facebook.com/bransongolf
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Puerto Rico Named No. 1 Caribbean Island by AFAR in Annual Traveler Awards Puerto Rico has been named the No. 1 Caribbean Island by readers of AFAR in the travel company’s annual Traveler Awards. AFAR reaches nearly 1 million people per magazine issue, and its readers cast more than 150,000 votes in the annual Travelers’ Awards to honor their favorite hotels, cruises, airlines, trips, and destinations. An American territory, Puerto Rico shone with AFAR’s collection of savvy, discerning travel aficionados. The Island’s travel attributes include being bilingual, the air hub of the Caribbean, not requiring a passport for U.S. citizens, and offering scores of activities and amenities to enjoy within the tropical setting. Puerto Rico’s 18 golf courses, thousands of restaurants, scenic beaches, vibrant nightlife, biodiversity, and culinary options ensure visitors discover the Island in diverse, unforgettable ways. Puerto Rico is a place where the Old World is mashed up with the new on an island that is small but offers an immense bounty of one-of-a-kind experiences. The discovery vibe resonates at each golf course located throughout the Island – from the northwestern tip to the east coast, with several in northeastern Puerto Rico near the capital San Juan. The Island’s golf resorts, accentuated by tropical splendor and remarkable ocean views, are renowned for their first-class service and inspirational amenities. For more information on the Island’s golf courses, resorts, and other destination attractions along with Puerto Rico’s new health and safety guidelines, visit DiscoverPuertoRico.com.
Jw Marriott Starr Pass Resort & Spa Is On Par With A Newly Designated 9-Hole Course Tucson, Arizona . . . Amidst the natural beauty and stunning saguaro-filled mountains of Tucson National Park and honored by GOLF Magazine as one of the “Best Golf Resorts for Families”, JW Marriott Tucson Starr Pass Resort & Spa has given guests and golfers a reason to put down their iPads, pick up their clubs and experience its newly re-imagined 9-hole Coyote course. Already recognized for its 27-holes of championship golf designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer, and once home to the PGA Tour’s Tucson Open, the luxury golf club has combined its renowned Rattler and Road Runner courses into an 18-hole championship course and has repositioned its Coyote course
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JW Marriott Starr Pass
into a 9-hole course that offers a relaxing and all-encompassing golf experience. “Starr Pass Golf Club is thrilled to be able to offer two unique golf experiences to our resort guests, locals and members,” said Todd Howard, director of golf. “By re-imagining the Coyote course, it allows an affordable and healthy walking alternative for golfers who enjoy the course’s scenic terrain and are looking to get ‘their steps in’ at the same time. However carts are available on Coyote if they’d rather ride.” For guests of the JW Marriott Starr Pass Resort, access to the Coyote course will be complimentary and included in the daily resort fee. The Coyote course is a par 36, ranging in length from 2,593 to 3,431 yards, with the same quality bent grass greens as Rattler/ Roadrunner. The layout of the course offers ease and flexibility for players of all skill levels. “Seniors, ladies, beginners or someone just looking to get in a quick 9 holes after work, make Coyote a fun, easygoing alternative where guests can play at their own pace.” Coyote’s fairways will no longer be overseeded but will be colored with playerfriendly and environmentally safe dye to give the appearance of an overseeded fairway, ultimately reducing water consumption. This demonstrates a high degree of quality environmental stewardship on behalf of Starr Pass Golf Club who is continually recognized for its conservation efforts and preservation of the desert. The Club is also recognized as a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf Courses, through its environmental planning, wildlife and habitat management, outreach, education, water conservation and water quality management. Roadrunner and Rattler will remain a
par 71 golf course, ranging in length from 4,777 to 6,627 yards. Fairways and tees feature Tifway 419 Bermuda grass and are overseeded with perennial ryegrass, while the greens roll true with bent grass. Howard reiterated that the 9-hole, twomile walking course alternative, is distinctly aligned with one of the most important of the JW brand pillars – wellness. “As a company, we strive to create an authentic, healthy and enriching guest experience on every level,” he said. “The stunning scenery and serenity of the Coyote course combined with its mountain vistas and countless wildlife sightings, creates a sense of place, allowing our guests to connect to the environment around them in a mindful, healthy and peaceful way.” Aside from getting a healthy dose of sunshine and vitamin D, the two-mile trek around Coyote’s 9-holes will also give families and guests an educational lesson on Tucson’s wildlife and an opportunity to explore the indigenous plants, flora and fauna that comprises area’s diverse ecological system. As a result of the resort’s commitment to maintaining the natural corridors which allow wildlife to sustain their migration patterns, it’s not unusual for guests to see a variety of wildlife including Mule deer, javelina, coyotes, Gambel quail, road runners and raptors, to name a few. Managed by Marriott Golf, Starr Pass Golf Club offers a championship driving range and putting green, a variety of membership options and golf instruction. The Clubhouse features Catalina BBQ Co. & Sports Bar with indoor and outdoor dining and a full-service golf shop. The golf club is located less than a mile from the resort, with a complimentary shuttle for resort guests. For further information on room rates and packages visit www.jwstarrpass.com.
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SPAIN’S BEST
ALCANADA SPARKLES WITH TAGMARSHAL’S DIAMOND AWARD Club de Golf Alcanada is in sparkling mood after landing the coveted Diamond Award at the 2020 Tagmarshal Awards. The 7,108-yard, Robert Trent Jones Jr-designed layout in north Mallorca, the only one on the island by the sea, is no stranger to winning top awards and has steadily added to its bulging trophy cabinet since it opened in 2003. The latest accolade – the highest honour at the Tagmarshal Awards – was presented for “exceptional oncourse performance and player experience over the past year”. Alcanada was one of only eight courses to receive the prestigious recognition and the only venue in Europe, with Baltusrol Golf Club, Country Club at Castle Pines, Cypress Point Club, Erin Hills Golf Club, National Golf Links of America, Pinehurst No. 2 and Quaker Ridge Golf Club the other Diamond Award winners. The Tagmarshal course management system has been in operation at Alcanada since 2017 and has played a pivotal role in maintaining pace of play and providing real-time data. Alcanada is widely regarded as one of the best courses in Spain with spectacular panoramic sea views over the Alcudia Bay towards its iconic picturesque lighthouse. Measuring 6,499 metres and boasting 18 beautiful, yet challenging, holes, the Robert Trent Jones Jnr-designed layout is a must for any golfer. Surrounded by pine and olive groves throughout, the course often appears in Europe’s top 100 rankings and is a great test for golfers of all abilities, from beginners to professionals. This was shown when it was selected as the host venue for the European Challenge Tour Grand Final in November 2019. And director of golf, Kristoff Both, believes the Tagmarshal award shows the club’s commitment to enhancing the experience for golfers. Both said: “It’s fantastic to win this highest Tagmarshal award. We’re delighted with the system since we installed it and it works really well. “We never had a huge problem with slow play at Alcanada before, but the Tagmarshal system ensures we should never face it. It is one of the biggest annoyances on the golf course and it’s great recognition for us.”
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Going Private
Across the U.S., Thousan are Joining Private Clubs Champion Hills
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by Shane Sharp
nds of Public Golfers s for the First Time www.golfvacationsmag.com
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G
olf, in its purest form, is a public sport. It was born that way in Scotland, imported to the U.S. as an accessible outdoor escape for the masses and to this day, more than 70% of golf courses are public with a median rate of $36.
during a pandemic, but in retrospect it makes sense. Getting exercise and being outside is exactly what people want,” says Private Communities Register Director of Sales and Operations Ben Keal.
The division between public and private golf was once so binocular that golfers often identified themselves proudly as either “public” or “private” golfers. This was especially true during the 80s, 90s and early 00s as developers invested billions of dollars in upscale golf courses as centerpieces of exclusive communities.
Not only are new members and relocations on the rise, but first-time private club membership sales are hitting all-time industry highs, especially in Sunbelt states like Arizona, the Carolinas, Florida, Georgia and Texas.
That line of demarcation has been perhaps forever blurred in 2020. Private clubs throughout the country have experienced a substantial increase in new members, largely due to an upsurge in golf participation in light of Covid-19, but also because of people moving into private golf communities from densely populated areas. According to a recent survey by Private Communities Register, 71% of 1,679 respondents surveyed indicated they’re planning to move to another state and purchase a home in an amenitized community, with 65% relocating within the next two years. And Private Communities officials report a 41% increase in golf-related traffic at the website. “We certainly did not expect to see such a spike in traffic
Here are three clubs and communities leading the way in offering amazing memberships for first-time private golf buyers.
Champion Hills
Champion Hills is home to what many golfers consider to be one of the most exhilarating courses in North Carolina. Situated in the charming small town of Hendersonville, an hour south of Asheville and an hour north of Greenville, S.C., Champion Hills is ideally positioned for the current luxury real estate market and membership upswell. It boasts a broad array of residential options – resale homes, building lots and low maintenance cottages and lock-andleave villas – suiting a wide variety of buyers. For golf lovers, Champion Hills is synonymous with Tom Fazio, one of the greatest living golf course architects, who for decades made
Sailfish Point
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Sea Pines Country Club
his home amid the Western Carolina hardwoods. Fazio was so enamored with Champion Hills’ location near Hendersonville’s quaint, vibrant downtown, that he relocated his office to Main Street where it remains to this day. His design work at Champion Hills is legendary, a magical mountain layout wrought by not only Fazio, but many of his brightest architecture pupils of the time. New Champion Hills residents from points north are often pleasantly surprised by how much home they can afford in one of Western North Carolina’s most exclusive mountain communities. Building lots typically range from .5 up to 1.5 acres, with prices from $50,000 to $300,000. Move-in ready luxury residences range from $500,000 to $3 million featuring golf course, mountain and wooded views. “We’ve welcomed a number of new full golf members this year,” says Dana Schultz, Champion Hills’ general manager and chief operating officer. “They love the pure Fazio golf experience, Blue Ridge mountain setting and the playability of the layout from tee to green.” As residents are known to say at Champion Hills, “visit for a day, stay for a lifetime.”
Sailfish Point
While relocating to an island may sound extreme, it’s actually quite feasible along Florida’s highly desirable and www.golfvacationsmag.com
underexposed Treasure Coast. The region running from Indian River County south to Martin County is a throwback to the Sunshine State’s unspoiled coastal landscapes of the 50s and 60s. Near its southern end in Stuart, Sailfish Point is a 532-acre luxury, oceanfront community surrounded on three sides by the Atlantic Ocean, Indian River and St. Lucie Inlet. For prospective buyers whose love of deep-sea fishing rivals their obsession with golf, there simply is no better place to park your flip-flops. Its nationally-ranked Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course meanders through the waterways, wetlands and coastal dunes that define Sailfish Point’s Treasure Coast setting. The first time they play it, golfers are blown away by the course’s stunning collection of unobstructed water views from nearly every hole. A host of move-in-ready luxury residences are available, from surprisingly spacious townhomes and condos to sumptuous villas and sprawling estate homes. Prices start just below $1 million for condos and scale up to $15 million for an oceanfront estate. “We had a lull in March, April and the first part of May like everywhere else, but activity ramped back up in June once businesses started reopening and there was more clarity about our path forward,” says Sailfish Point Realty Broker and Managing Partner Kristen Cheskaty. “We’re anticipating Golf Vacations • January 2021 21
a robust peak season as people realize more flexibility by a “Distinguished Club” as awarded by BoardRoom Magazine, working remotely or opting for early retirement.” and one of “America’s Healthiest Clubs.” A 7,300-square-feet $3 million fitness center opened in 2019 featuring the latest A recently reimagined 60,000-square-foot clubhouse with cardio and strength training equipment, as well as a grab-andresort-caliber beach club offers multiple dining options, a two- go café and infrared saunas. story fitness center, aquatic center, tennis courts, full-service spa and access to a staggering five miles of pristine beach. Staying fit is only half of the equation, and Executive Chef Brian Coseo ensures that members have access to fresh and Downtown Stuart, one of Florida’s artsiest small towns, and the local meats, seafood and produce to keep both their bodies hip-but-quaint Jensen Beach, are just minutes away. As is the deep and minds in a healthy state of being. Living in Sea Pines, and blue water of the Atlantic’s Gulfstream current, offering anglers really living at Sea Pines Country Club, makes for a highly easy access to the sailfish, wahoo and other coveted sport fish. coveted island way of life.
Sea Pines Country Club
Sea Pines has been synonymous with Hilton Head Island since its creation in the 50s by real estate mastermind and masterplanning visionary Charles Fraser. Situated on the island’s south end, this 5,000-acre gated community features an incredible mix of residences spanning luxury beachfront and golf course homes to villas and condos.
Pinehurst
Often lost amid the resort’s nine 18-hole golf courses, including storied U.S. Open venue No. 2, is Pinehurst Country Club. Established in 1903, the “private side of Pinehurst” offers hundreds of members exclusive access to the resort’s storied layouts. Members have their own clubhouse, tennis and pickleball courts, swimming pool and a robust social calendar that keeps them busy year-round.
Miles and miles of bike paths famously link the community’s enclaves with a bevy of amenities, such as the Sea Pines Beach Club. Restaurants and shopping abound, as Sea Pines is truly a self-contained Shangri La in which time slows down and days are filled with seafood and sunshine.
Director of Golf Ben Bridgers says the club has added 85 new golf members this year, a banner year under any circumstances, much less the year that was 2020. Golf courses remained open throughout the spring as other businesses were closed due to the pandemic. Local golfers found their panacea in Pinehurst’s Golf fans know Sea Pines as the host venue of the PGA TOUR’s seemingly endless supply of world-class golf. RBC Heritage, held annually on Harbour Town Golf Links at The Sea Pines Resort. What they may not know is there’s private, “We are seeing an influx of avid golf members, and also member-owned enclave situated just behind the community’s some first-time private club members, and the benefit quickly guard house, Sea Pines Country Club. became clear to them back in the spring,” Bridgers says. “They have a sanctuary where they can enjoy some of the best golf Its Lowcountry-style golf course was designed by Arnold courses in the world, including our par-3 course, the Cradle Palmer and later updated by local golf course architect Clyde and putting course, Thistle Dhu.” Johnston. Many golf aficionados consider it among the island’s best layouts, a dexterous mix of challenging and fair holes set According to Bridgers, the majority of Pinehurst Country amid a Lowcountry backdrop that would make Pat Conroy Club members live in, and around, the Village of Pinehurst. proud. For those who relish game improvement, the practice Famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted designed area will be upgraded and expanded in 2021. the village’s curvilinear streets, opens spaces and enduring landscape via commission from James Walker Tufts. A number While golf is a major calling card, Sea Pines Country Club’s of Pinehurst courses, such as numbers 3, 5 and 6, feature golf lavish clubhouse, with its resort-style pool and expansive course frontage homes that are popular with members. outdoor deck – situated along a vast tidal marsh with views of the Calibogue Sound – is where many members end up The Line-Up spending most of their time. Especially young families, of which the club has seen an influx this year. Champion Hills www.championhills.com “Members love having a place to relax, work out, and grab a casual lunch or dinner. And their kids can take part in so many Sailfish Point sports and activities,” says Nic Booth, the club’s director of www.sailfishpoint.com membership development. “After a busy workday, and after all the homework is done, it’s nice for families to have a chance Sea Pines, Sea Pines Country Club to spread out and enjoy an afternoon together playing golf, www.seapinescountry.com tennis, bocce ball or just lounging by the pool.” Pinehurst Country Club Sea Pines Country Club holds the dual distinction of being both https://www.pinehurst.com/pinehurst-membership/ 22 Golf Vacations • January 2021
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Pinehurst No. 4 - Hole #2
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The Wildern by David R. Holland
The Wilderness Golf Club - Back of the Clubhouse
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AKE JACKSON, TEXAS -- When you drive under the welcoming portal of The Wilderness -- an upscale, municipal golf experience -- you know immediately this is going to be an adventure.
First you see the beautiful, log cabin-styled clubhouse -- then you realize you are in the coastal wetlands, a forested outpost with Spanish moss hanging from the live oaks, and even an alligator mom and youngsters that hang out near the first tee in a pond surrounded by tall grasses. The Texas Gulf Coast is just 10 miles south. Don’t even think that this hidden gem, one of the best in the entire greater Houston market, was 30 years in the making, 24 Golf Vacations • January 2021
with environmentalists and politics delaying the project over and over. You are all set to take on a 7,106-yard par 72 designed by Jeff Brauer that is strategic, beautiful and challenging. His bunker complexes are as good as they get, and his portfolio is as excellent as any golf-course designer that’s not named Nicklaus, Fazio, Player, Weiskopf or Palmer. “When I first saw this golf course, I was impressed by the great use of the land and wetlands,” General Manager Doug Borow said. “It has an automated drainage system with interconnected ponds to move the water.” www.golfvacationsmag.com
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Brauer framed the greens with dramatic bunkers and elevated faces. If I didn’t tell you this was a municipal golf course, you would think it is an upscale daily-fee course.” And you will enjoy the friendliness of the staff and the green fees because they are very affordable. The Wilderness Story Parts 1 and 2 “Funny story, but I have designed two courses named Wilderness,” Brauer said. “The Texas Wilderness was started first but faced some environmental challenges. I gave it the name Wilderness because it sat in Wilderness Park. But I started another course in Minnesota at Fortune Bay and they were looking for a name. The Texas one had sat tied up in courts so long I thought it was dead.” After seeing some slogans in the Minnesota Fortune Bay hotel about putting the Wild in Wilderness, Brauer suggested the name to them. “Wouldn’t you know it, the Texas course came back to life the next week, so in 2005 I had two Wilderness courses open,” he added. One concern by the city was water usage. “We now have seven rain-water-collection ponds, so we hardly ever use the ground water,” Borow said. “Reducing water costs allows us to allocate more resources towards making The Wilderness one the best conditioned golf courses in the Houston market.” The Wilderness Layout Best of all, there are zero houses on the layout. The front is open with wide enough fairways even lending views of parallel holes, but it becomes more secluded on the back nine with frequent opportunities to lose a ball on wayward shots. Take a close look at the seventh green. This par 5 of 551 yards has a green that measures almost 70 yards from front to back. Brauer joked you can throw a hip out putting from back to a front pin. Another fun par 5 comes at No. 2, a 560-yarder protected by a lake left. This is a birdie opportunity with multiple landing areas for lay-ups. Risk-reward is strong on the 10th -- a 535-yard par 5, with a sneaky water feature right that comes in to play on your second shot. The other par 5, the 15th, rolls out at 572 with a pond on the right. This hole’s semi-
The Wilderness Golf Club #16
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blind green was inspired by a similar hole at Lahinch in Ireland. The best photo hole is the par-3, 167-yard 13th -- wetlands, wildflowers, huge handsome bunker and a slightly elevated green make this a must selfie. More Distinctions at The Wilderness This award-winning golf course has above-the-norm instruction, a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary distinction and has received the PGA of America Family Course designation. The PGA Family Course is designed to encourage kids to participate and have more fun playing the game. The nine-hole course set up is based on the concept of shorter holes whose distances are suited to young players’ ability levels. Course yardages reward improvement while reducing the frustration that often plagues the beginning golfer. The PGA Family Course is comprised of nine holes on the front side of The Wilderness. There are two new sets of tee plates. Blue Level 1 tees are 1,100 yards in length, and Gold Level 2 tees are 1,900 yards in length. Level 3 tees are the existing set of orange tee markers at 2,798 yards. The native areas include palmetto, which is native to low-lying areas in southern Brazoria County. Aside from the gators, all kinds of critters live here like most wetlands. Steer clear of snakes, but enjoy the hawks, deer, raccoons, turtles and bobcat sightings. The Wilderness is such a treat for the senses when you consider much of the Gulf Coast is home to oil refineries and chemical companies. It is a must-play. Covid-19 guidelines can be found at https://www.thewildernessgc.com/covid-19-update/
The Wilderness Golf Club #3
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The Wilderness Golf Club #13
Photos Courtesy of The Wilderness The Wilderness Golf Club #10
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SWEETSTUFF
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uring these uncertain times, golf has awoken as one of the few sport activities that offers relative safety and relief from boredom due to the Covid pandemic. This is going to continue in the New Year! The most recent numbers are in and Golf Datatech is reporting almost a 26% jump in rounds played versus a year ago. Golf retailers are having extremely successful times, primarily because of increased rounds of golf and for some, finding they have more discretionary income due to eating out less and less consumption of gasoline. Here are some of our favorite new products that any golfer is going to enjoy.
Club Champion Dials in Your Game
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or those wanting to get the most out of their abilities, a club fitting by Club Champion might just be the ticket for improvement in 2021. With over 45,000 hittable club head and shaft combinations, Club Champion offers everything a golfer could want at their more than 74 locations nationwide. “We have everything a golfer needs to gain distance and lower scores. We’re sort of like a candy store for golfers,” said Nick Sherburne, Club Champion’s founder. “From the moment you book an appointment, you’re immersed in this Tour-level experience that allows you a peek into a professional golfer’s life, with every club
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imaginable at your fingertips.” Club Champion’s unique approach is brand agnostic; they focus on the golfer and not the manufacturer. This tactic allows them to give each customer a unique and informative experience that renders real results on the course. Speaking of results, a Golf Digest study found that eight out of nine Club Champion custom-fit golfers lowered their scores by as much as six strokes per-round and added an average of 21 yards off the tee. Club fittings are not a new concept--but offering a professional experience for amateur golfers is a relatively recent upgrade to an outdated practice. Golfers have always been able to visit local pros or retailers who have one or two fitting carts provided by club manufacturers. With this approach, golfers are unable to mix and match across brands to determine their ideal combinations. True customization just is not possible outside of custom fittings, which is where Club Champion comes in. Using cutting-edge technology, Club Champion master fitters are able to analyze a golfer’s swing and match them to clubs that maximize their strengths. For those serious about the sport, this game-changing experience will provide insight into one’s swing mechanics and enhance their experience on the course. For more information about custom club fitting and Club Champion’s process, please visit: www.clubchampiongolf.com.
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SWEETSTUFF by Barry Lotz with Terry Ross
Callaway Jaws MD5 Wedges
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here are good wedges available in the marketplace. All golfers should spend time in finding wedges that will lower your score. To this end, I highly recommend Callaway’s new Jaws MD5 wedges. Callaway’s new and good-looking Jaws MD5 wedges have been designed for those golfers looking for a little confidence boost around the greens. Made of 8620 soft carbon, JAWS MD5 wedges come in 23 different loft/bounce combinations with 5 distinct grind options: C-Grind and New Low Bounce W-Grind feature 8º of bounce. The S-Grind features 10º of bounce and X-Grind and W-Grind feature 12º of bounce. Also available in women’s specific models: 52º, 56º and 60º all in the W-Grind. With the range of bounce and grind options, it makes finding the perfect wedge to suit your game extremely easy. JAWS wedges are available in 10 color zones and new medallion paint-fill color options. Stamping choices gives golfers more ways than ever to personalize each wedge and make it their own. These wedges perfom! Don’t get carried away with comparisons to a conventional blade-style wedge. Optimized head-shaping progresses from traditional shaped lob and sand wedges to a compact player preferred design in the gap and pitching wedges for a seamless transition into an iron set. According to Roger Cleveland, Callaway’s chief engineer, “The spin you get from the JAWS Groove is remarkable! It’s all about the trajectory and control from the added spin – JAWS is absolutely the perfect name”. The JAWS MD5 spin rate is even better than its previous model. Each JAWS groove is rendered to the tightest tolerances Callaway has ever achieved, promoting consistent spin rates from shot to shot. Our testing group absolutely loved the trajectory that the new wedges offer with full shots. They all agreed that you could really dial shots at the flag, knowing that the ball was going to stop quickly
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and consistently. Callaway’s proprietary new JAWS groove is designed to a 37º wall angle, an extreme difference vs. the 5º used in the MD4 series which elevates the groove-edge sharpness to a new level for maximum grip and spin from all types of lies. JAWS grooves are particularly effective from 80 yards and in, producing a player preferred “one hop and stop” trajectory. JAWS MD5 also incorporates Callaway’s proven Groove-InGroove Technology. These milled Micro-Positive grooves are placed in the flat parts of the face for added surface roughness and grip. Three raised micro-ridges are featured between each groove, adding grip to the ball’s cover to increase spin on a variety of shots. This combination of JAWS grooves, plus micro-grooves, provides 84 different contact points to promote more spin. According to our testing group, the strike feels extremely pure on full-length shots and they loved the extremely responsive feel from short chips around the green. They were further enamored with the amount of spin that was generated out of the rough. Though not as controlled as a flushed shot off the fairway, they felt that you could be rather aggressive out of the rough and still manage a good amount of control. Lofts of 46˚, 48˚, 50˚, 52˚, 54˚, 56˚, 58˚, 60˚ are available in both Chrome and Tour Grey finishes. For more information: www.callawaygolf.com
Volvik XT Soft Golf Ball
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ere is a great golf ball for the average high-handicapper golfer who has a swing speed of 75-95 MPH. This urethane, three-piece ball preforms extremely well. I like the explosive distance off the tee, its excellent greenside control, but mostly, the VATS (Volvik Alignment Tracking System) that creates a visual key off the tee and on the green. Flight stability comes from its Cube Octahedron Dimple Design. In a nutshell, the 70-compression ball offers great feel, control and distance at a very affordable price. It is available in traditional yellow or white gloss. For more information: www.volvik.com
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