OUR 18th YEAR!
THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots
GOLF VACATIONS OCTOBER 2019
WICKENBURG RANCH GOLF & SOCIAL CLUB FALDO DESIGN OPENS FOR PLAY
IN CAMBODIA SANTEE COUNTRY CLUB
www.golfvacationsmag.com Vacations • October 2019 Plus: CLUB SELECTION: SCOTTSDALES’S Golf PHOENICIAN GC1
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GOLF VACATIONS OCTOBER 2019
Santee Cooper Country Club, Santee, South Carolina
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Chip Shots
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Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club
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by David R. Holland
Few pairings are better than when you play a golf course for the first time and you are set up with a local who is about your age, and a savvy, low-handicap golfer.
New Faldo Design Opens in Cambodia
by JD Latorre
Vattanac Golf Resort, one of the most anticipated properties in Asia, has become the second Cambodian venue to join the Faldo Design portfolio, following the opening of the East Course.
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Club Selection: Phoenician Golf Club by David R. Holland
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Sweet Stuff
Camelback Mountain’s southern slope is one beautiful spot. Its rocks, boulders, saguaros and views that expand to the Superstition Mountains, Four Peaks, Papago Park and downtown Phoenix.
by Terry Ross & Barry Lotz
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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Barry Lotz is the director of the Professional Golf Teachers Association of America. He is a member of the Golf Writers Association of America 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” and “How to Build Business Relationships through Golf”. His latest book, “The Right Mind for Golf”, is now in its 8th printing. He can be reached at www.pgtaa.com or drlotz@cbsgolf.net
Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz
JD Latorre is a freelance travel writer currently calling the Pocono Mountains his home base. He has a knack for finding himself in some of the world’s most exotic locations, including Bangkok, Montego Bay, Bogata, Havana, Tenerife, St. Kitts, Cancun and Marseilles. His past lives included working for the Miami Herald, Chicago Daily Herald, Boston Globe, Daily News of Los Angles and Southern California Golf Newspaper.
Associate Editor Terry Ross
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:
call (760) 774-2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com 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.
Regional Advertising Los Angeles Terry Ross • 949-279-7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • 770-239-7500 haroldc@GolfVacationsMag.com
Published by
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tony Creek Media
President Jeffrey Diaz
PO BOX #222 Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania 18229 (760) 774-2655 StonyCreekMedia.com
and
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 2019 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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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Royal St George’s
GOLF IN KENT, ENGLAND IS “OPEN FOR BUSINESS”
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ent, England - Following the successful staging of The 148th Open at Royal Portrush, Golf in Kent has declared itself ‘Open for Business’ now that Royal St George’s Golf Club is the incumbent host of one of the world’s great sporting events, which will take place on the east Kent coast from 12-19 July next year. In addition to staging The 149th Open in 2020, the county will also welcome two of golf’s most prestigious amateur tournaments; namely The R&A Junior Open which will be played at Littlestone from 13-15 July and The R&A Senior Amateur Championship that takes place at Royal Cinque Ports from 29-31 July. As a result the international golfing spotlight will be firmly set on the county over the next year giving the golf clubs in the Golf in Kent marketing partnership the chance to benefit from the attention and attract yet more golfers from around the world to this corner of England, recognized as one of the premier golfing destinations in the country. Whilst golfers will no doubt be keen to experience the championship links at Royal St George’s prior to the staging of The 149th Open, Golf in Kent is looking to encourage golfers to stay another day or two and take the opportunity to play some of the other fine courses in the county.
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In addition to Sandwich - as Royal St George’s is often referred - golfers can also play two other courses that have staged The Open; Royal Cinque Ports, another revered championship links just three miles down the road, hosted The Open in 1909 and 1920 whilst Prince’s Golf Club, adjacent to Sandwich, hosted the Championship in 1932 when it was won by Gene Sarazen. On the other side of Dover, lies Littlestone. Founded in 1888, this championship links can be found on a stretch of land between the famous Romney Marsh and the English Channel. Laid out on its own set of dunes ideal for links, the resulting terrain offers hard and fast fairways that are beautifully defined from natural dunes, thick and wild rough and classic links deep, pot bunkers. In addition to these great links, golfers could take on the challenging clifftop courses at North Foreland, itself a Final Qualifying host for The Open as recently as 2011, with its stunning views over the English Channel and Walmer & Kingsdown, known as ‘The Club on the Cliffs’, which also enjoys a dramatic position perched atop the iconic White Cliffs overlooking France. The county also has an abundance of highly-regarded inland courses such as the parkland layout at Canterbury Golf Club,
located on the outskirts of Kent’s medieval cathedral city, which is considered to be one of Harry Colt’s finest ever designs in England. Further inland still, there are two magnificent downland courses at London Golf Club created in the early 2000s by the legendary Jack Nicklaus which are just 25 miles from the centre of London and set in an oasis of calm and tranquillity overlooking the rolling Kent countryside. Meanwhile just down the road at Edenbridge in west Kent, Hever Castle Golf Club offers 27 holes in picturesque parkland set in the famous Hever Castle Estate, once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, whilst not far away in Lenham, an exquisite nine holes at Leeds Castle Golf Club offers golfers the unique experience of playing golf against the backdrop of one of England’s castles, known as ‘the loveliest castle in the world’. Off the course, golfers can combine a visit to Kent with a wine tasting or two at the Wine Garden of England vineyards, a cultural adventure that could include Canterbury Cathedral and Dover Castle or a gentle stroll around some of the county’s glorious gardens such as Sissinghurst whilst also indulging in the many local gastronomic delights that the Garden of England has to offer. For more about Golf in Kent and its partners, go to www.golfinkent.co.uk
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Pga Golf Club To Host ‘Red, White & You’ Charity Tournament In December PGA Golf Club – the PGA of America’s award-winning 54-hole facility – will be the site of the fifth annual “Red, White & YOU” charity golf tournament on Sunday, Dec. 8. Open to all golfers, the entertaining fundraiser begins at 8:15 a.m. with kickoff ceremonies, followed by a scramble competition (with divisions) at 9 a.m. A post-event celebration starts at 2 p.m. Entry for PGA Golf Club members, PGA Professionals and active or retired military is $85. Cost for guests of members and the general public is $110. Breakfast, lunch, golf prizes and tax are included. All proceeds benefit PGA HOPE (Helping Our Patriots Everywhere), the flagship military program of the PGA of America’s charitable foundation PGA REACH. The year-round program introduces golf to veterans, while enhancing their mental, social, physical and emotional well-being. PGA HOPE also helps veterans assimilate back into their community through the social interaction of golf. For information about the Red, White and YOU golf tournament, contact Heidi Geiser at hgeiser@pgahq.com or 772.467.5488.
“My father served in the military so this event is truly special and one I enjoy being a part of,” says PGA Golf Club General Manager and Director of Golf Jeremy Wiernasz. “The PGA of America and PGA Golf Club remain committed to improving the lives of our nation’s heroes and their families through the game of golf. “Since the inception of this program at PGA Golf Club, we have executed over 50 golf programs impacting nearly 100 veterans,” adds Wiernasz. “Events like Red, White & YOU significantly help PGA HOPE and its unique programs, and we are truly honored to host this inspiring charity event.” PGA Golf Club also will host the Second Annual Red, White & YOU Fairway 5K Run / Walk on Sunday, Oct. 20. Open to everyone, the race begins at 6:45 a.m. with kick-off ceremonies. The 5K run / walk begins at 7 a.m., and a post-race celebration commences at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $30 (service fees not included), and each participant will receive a race shirt and breakfast on the day of the race. Registration for the race can be done online, and race packets can be picked up at Fleet Feet in Stuart, Fla., on Oct. 18 from 12 – 6 p.m., and at PGA Golf Club on the 19th from 9 – 11 a.m. For more informa-
tion visit the event’s Facebook page. Sponsorship and donation opportunities for both Red, White & YOU events are available by contacting Geiser at hgeiser@ pgahq.com or 772.467.5488. Owned and operated by the PGA of America, and known as the “Ultimate Golf Resort Destination,” PGA Golf Club is home to three distinct golf courses – the Wanamaker, Ryder and Dye – designed by renowned architects Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. Next year, PGA Golf Club will host the 2020 Boys and Girls Junior Championships. The Boys Junior PGA Championship will be contested July 13 – 16; the Girls Junior PGA Championship will follow on July 28 – 31. Each event features 144 players in a four-round, 18-hole, stroke-play format. In 2021, PGA Golf Club will host the PGA Professional Championship on the Wanamaker and Ryder Courses. The Championship will be comprised of players who advance from the 41 PGA Section Championships, along with past champions, competing to finish in the Top 20 and a spot in the PGA Championship. All four rounds will be broadcast live on Golf Channel. To learn more about PGA Golf Club, visit www.pgavillage.com.
some greens are better when you add a little salt.
View or request a vacation guide There’s nothing like the salty sea air on a warm Gulf breeze while playing on one of 14 unique courses in the coastal Alabama area. From sparkling coastlines to rolling hills and links-style golf, you’ll find an abundance of ways and places to play both on and off the course.
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GulfShores.com/Golf 877-852-3618
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Kapalua Golf’s Plantation Course
Kapalua Golf’s Plantation Course To Reopen November 23Rd Following 9-Month Refinement Project Kapalua Golf’s Plantation Course, home of the PGA TOUR’s Sentry Tournament of Champions and one of the top 100 golf courses in the world, will reopen for daily-fee play on Saturday, November 23, 2019 following a 9-month, multi-million dollar enhancement project. Tee time reservations can be made up to 45 days in advance by calling 877-527-2582, or 30 days prior through Kapalua Golf’s website (www.golfatkapalua.com). In preparation for the 2020 Sentry Tournament of Champions, scheduled for January 1 - 5, tee times will be limited on the Plantation Course in late November and throughout December and golf carts will be restricted to cart paths only. In addition to the golf course reopening, the newly refined Plantation Course clubhouse and golf shop will also reopen on November 23rd following a four-month renovation project. An improved Plantation House Restaurant, located in the Plantation Course clubhouse, is expected to make its debut in early December. Original Plantation Course architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw oversaw the refinement project along with Troon’s Design,
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Development and Agronomy team and Golf Channel personality Mark Rolfing. During the 9-month project all 107 acres of fairways, tees and rough were grassed with Celebration Bermuda grass, while all greens were grassed with TifEagle Bermuda grass. A capillary concrete liner system was installed in all 93 course bunkers, allowing the bunkers to better weather heavy rain events. The Plantation Course’s practice green and chipping green areas were also rebuilt, with TifEagle Bermuda grass added. The practice range tee area was laser leveled and grassed with Celebration Bermuda grass. For a detailed, hole-by-hole look at all Plantation Course enhancements, please click here. “The newly refined Plantation Course looks and plays amazing,” said Alex Nakajima, general manager, Kapalua Golf & Tennis. “Mahalo to Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw, Mark Rolfing, the Troon Agronomy Team and Kapalua Golf’s Director of Agronomy Andrew Rebman and his team for their incredible efforts to have the course ready and in pristine condition by November. We’re excited to welcome locals, Maui visitors and the PGA TOUR’s best back to the new Plantation Course.” For more information on Kapalua Golf, visit www.GolfAtKapalua. com or call 1-877-KAPALUA.
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Troon-Managed Courses Turn Pink In October In Honor Of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
In an effort to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention and screening exams as well as funds for breast cancer research, Troon-managed and brand-affiliated facilities across the United States will fly pink and Play for P.I.N.K. in honor of breast cancer awareness month. Throughout October, Troon-managed and brand-affiliated daily-fee and private clubs will fly pink checkered flags on their 18th greens to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention and screening exams. In addition, participating courses will hold Play for P.I.N.K. fundraising events, including Par 3 Challenges, Play for P.I.N.K. golf tournaments and golf clinics, and designate Play for P.I.N.K. tee times in which a portion of the green fee will be donated to Play for P.I.N.K. Play for P.I.N.K. is a fundraising organization founded by Laura Lassman in 1990 with 100 percent of all proceeds donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. P.I.N.K. stands for Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, and Knowledge. Play for P.I.N.K. is currently funding 19 breast cancer research projects, led by 26 scientists from leading academic medical institutions around the world. Examples of Play for P.I.N.K. fundraising events at Troonmanaged facilities include: Westin Kierland Golf Club, Scottsdale, Ariz. – Will hold Sunday afternoon golf clinics throughout the month of October from 2 to 3 p.m. with 100 percent of the $25 fee donated to Play for P.I.N.K.. Those interested in attending any of the Sunday afternoon clinics can register by calling the Westin Kierland Golf Shop at 480-922-9283. La Cantera Resort & Spa, San Antonio, Tex. – Will host a breast cancer awareness golf tournament on October 27th and sell pink merchandise in the golf shop throughout October. A portion of the proceeds from the golf tournament and merchandise sales will be donated to breast cancer care programs. “We’re proud to support the Play for P.I.N.K. organization and
raise funds for breast cancer research,” said Bruce Glasco, chief operating officer, Troon. “Thanks to research, there has been a nearly 40 percent decrease in breast-cancer related deaths since 1989. By raising awareness and supporting causes such as Play for P.I.N.K., we hope to see an even greater decrease in the years to come.” To learn more about Troon’s Play for P.I.N.K. fundraising initiatives, visit www.troon.com/PlayForPink. For more information on Play for P.I.N.K., visit www.playforpink.org. About Play for P.I.N.K. Play for P.I.N.K. (Prevention, Immediate diagnosis, New technology, Knowledge) is a grassroots organization that raises money for breast cancer research through sporting and lifestyle events. 100 percent of all proceeds are donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation to advance the world’s most promising research. BCRF is one of the nation’s most fiscally responsible charities and the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world.
THE COTTAGES ON CHARLESTON HARBOR ANNOUNCES NEW GOLF PACKAGE MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The Cottages on Charleston Harbor, located on the water’s edge of the beautiful Charleston Harbor in one of the world’s most celebrated vacation destinations, introduces its new golf package, the Coastal Carolina Golf Package. The package includes a round of golf at two of the area’s most popular courses, Kiawah Island Ocean Course which is home to the 2021 and 2012 PGA Championships, and Patriots Point Links, located waterfront next to The Cottages on Charleston Harbor. The area’s mild climate and the spacious surroundings of The Cottages’ make it the ideal setting for golfers. The new Coastal Carolina Golf Package includes: • Upscale accommodations for up to six guests in a beautiful two-bedroom, three-bath harbor front cottage • One round of 18 holes of golf at Kiawah Island Ocean Course which was voted the #4 Public Golf Course in the U.S. by Golf Digest • One round of 18 holes of golf at Patriots Point Links, featuring beautiful views of Charleston and Fort Sumter • Twelve-pack of local craft beer upon arrival • Daily continental breakfast served in the clubhouse • Snacks • Parking The Cottages on Charleston Harbor’s Coastal Carolina Golf Package starts at $719 and is based on three people for a weekday
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stay. The package price may be modified for fewer or additional guests. For more information or reservations, please call (843) 849-2300 or visit www.thecottagesoncharlestonharbor.com.
The Cottages on Charleston Harbor features 10 harbor front cottages with designer appointments and a full kitchen, all surrounded by lush landscaping and shaded by Palmettos. An ideal setting for a relaxing getaway, each two bedroom, three bath, 1,400 square-foot cottage has private screened porches equipped with rocking chairs, a Pawley’s Island hammock, table and chairs. Heart pine floors, gas fireplaces, leather club chairs, cathedral ceilings and walls of windows provide substance and warmth. Pillow top mattresses, custom bath amenities, flat screen HDTVs and a Bose stereo all contribute to the comfort and relaxation. High-speed wireless connectivity is available in all cottages as well as the Clubhouse.
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SCOTTSDALE TEES UP THE 2020 GOLF SEASON SCOTTSDALE, AZ – While some might think the Scottsdale golf season doesn’t hit its stride until the PGA TOUR’s Waste Management Phoenix Open comes to town at the end of January, savvy golf travelers know to get a jumpstart on the action and score the best deals by booking trips a bit early. “November through early January can be a real sweet spot for Scottsdale golf,” said Doug Hodge of TPC Scottsdale. “The courses will be in great shape (if a little damp) coming out of overseeding, the weather is typically perfect, with warm days and cool evenings, and availability and values are easy to find.” Plus, early season guests get first swing at all the newest offerings the “World’s Finest Golf Destination” has to offer, allowing for bragging rights with friends back home.
BOLD NEW LOOKS Two of Scottsdale’s most popular golf resorts, Fairmont Scottsdale Princess and The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa, have undergone exciting renovations over the summer. At the Princess, a remodel of its 458 standard guest rooms and 20 luxury suites over the last several months has brought soft, tranquil desert décor with clean, modern lines and furnishings; modernized bathrooms with sleek polished stone and oversized walk-in showers; and technology upgrades, including an Echo Dot with an “Ask the Princess” function and state-of-the-art televisions loaded with more than 1,000 apps via Sonicast. Additionally, the resort renovated its popular Princess Pool, expanding and redesigning the pool deck, and adding eight new cabanas, as well as a waterside eatery and bar. The new look was unveiled in September, marking the completion of a propertywide renovation that began in 2017. Westin Kierland is transforming its 732 guest rooms, including 55 suites, and corridors with a design that presents a striking new interpretation of modern eco-luxury. The refined rooms and corridors feature expansive contemporary redesigns, and enhancements and a new color palette inspired by the Southwest to evoke a sense of living amidst the desert. The resort’s new look will be unveiled in early Dec. 2019, ahead of the holiday season. At TPC Scottsdale, golfers can enjoy the distinctive thrill of playing the famed Stadium Course as it preps for the PGA TOUR. Those looking for a challenge can opt for the outstanding conditioning of The Champions Course, considered one of the best values in Scottsdale golf and then refuel at the recently remodeled Champions Grille, featuring an excellent menu of American classics, as well as a wide selection of craft brews and cocktails. OUTSTANDING VALUES Those who just can’t get enough golf will love Scottsdale Camelback Resort’s Unlimited Golf Package. The package provides accommodations at the iconic resort, daily breakfast and unlimited golf on either of Camelback Golf Club’s two outstanding golf courses. Plus, guests enjoy unlimited use of the practice facilities, complimentary club storage and 20 percent off retail purchases in the golf shop, spa or tennis shop. Tee times can be made up to 120 days in advance and rates begin at $249 per night, double occupancy. Not to be outdone, Mountain Shadows at the base of Camelback Mountain is home to the wildly popular Short
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Course. It features 18 distinctive par-3 holes that play fast and firm, making for the kind of course a golfer could play every day. In that spirit, Mountain Shadows is offering an Unlimited Golf pass, valid from Oct. 14, 2019 to Jan. 15, 2020. Cost is $450 per player and cart usage is just $5 per round. For travelers planning a longer-term visit to Scottsdale, Ranch Pass at McCormick Ranch Golf Club is just the place. Located in the heart of Scottsdale, McCormick Ranch Golf Club features two outstanding golf courses, each with its own distinctive style. The Ranch Pass, available for just $109, provides two complimentary greens fees and guarantees the best public rate (average savings is $20 per round), as well as exclusive passholder events, 50 percent off practice balls, and three-day advance tee times. The Ranch Pass is valid from Nov. 1, 2019 to Oct. 31, 2020. REWARDING EXPERIENCES Sometimes golf can be more than a game. Sometimes it’s an opportunity to make a difference in the community while enjoying a once-in-a-lifetime experience. One of those opportunities is coming to Scottsdale’s Starfire Golf Club Nov. 15, 2019 when it plays host to the 9th Annual Driving Out Domestic Violence Celebrity Gala and Golf Tournament. Each foursome teeing off in the morning is paired with a current or former professional athlete and the night closes out just as glitzy, with a Celebrity Gala catered by Dominick’s Steakhouse at Ross Aviation in the Scottsdale Airpark. Proceeds will benefit Chrysalis’ domestic violence programs, which serves more than 1,400 people in Arizona each year. To participate in the tournament, visit Driving Out Domestic Violence. At Grayhawk Golf Club’s Quill Creek Café, the popular Wednesday Night Party is soon to return to the patio. Starting Sept. 25 and running through Nov. 27, guests can enjoy live acoustic performances by local artists from 5-8:30 p.m. The parties also include outstanding appetizer and drink specials on the restaurant’s most popular items, such as the Grande Margaritas, craft beers, prime rib and chicken sliders. When it comes to putting interesting new twists on the “auld game,” no one does it better than the Boulders Resort & Spa Scottsdale. Starting this fall, the resort’s Birdies, Birds & Beyond experience will combine top-notch golf instruction with one-of-akind nature experience. The program begins with a morning of golf instruction followed by a guided tour via golf cart of the Boulders’ two stunningly beautiful golf courses. Along the way, guests will encounter and learn about the indigenous wildlife – ranging from javelina and desert cottontails to mule deer and elusive bobcats – that call the courses home. Cameras are encouraged. For a different kind of on-course experience, guests can opt for the new Golf Fitness Starter Program, taught by LPGA Professional and Certified Fitness Trainer, Nicole Cavarra. The program helps players improve their golf game by increasing their flexibility, strength and biomechanics. It also teaches techniques to improve functional motion and burn more calories while on the golf course. Additionally, students receive a customized Golf Fitness Starter Program to take home, enabling them to continue to make progress. To learn more about both these programs, contact the instruction team at the Boulders Golf Club. For more information about Scottsdale’s golf scene, visit ExperienceScottsdaleGolf.com.
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Harbour Town Golf Links
Harbour Town Golf Links Marks Golden Anniversary With Best Prices Of The Year This year is the 50th anniversary of the world-famous Harbour Town Golf Links, and The Sea Pines Resort is giving out the gifts—its best values of the year. Golfers and their guests may choose from a wide selection of packages with special savings and accommodations at the luxurious Inn & Club at Harbour Town or in a Harbour Town one-bedroom, resort-view villa. Select from a variety of golf and dining options, play the resort’s three championship courses, enjoy dinner at a resort restaurant – the choices are nearly endless. Starting as low as $400 per night for two guests at the Inn & Club at Harbour Town, the Golf Champions package includes lodging and a round for two at the Pete Dyedesigned Harbour Town Golf Links, the #1 rated course on Hilton Head Island and annual home of the PGA Tour’s RBC Heritage Presented by Boeing. This package offers a food credit if only one guest is playing golf. The Golf Players package, starting at $300, includes a round for two on either of The Sea Pines Resort’s other award-winning courses, the Davis Love III-designed Atlantic Dunes or Pete Dye-designed Heron Point, with a king or double-queen room at The Inn & Club. Packages offer a food credit if only one guest is playing golf. The Inn is famous for its elegant décor,
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coupled with legendary service and a host of premium complimentary amenities. Guest rooms are fitted with modern furnishings and conveniences, accented by crisp Egyptian cotton linens and design elements inspired by the natural beauty of the South Carolina Lowcountry. Multi-night golf and dining packages are also available with accommodations in Harbour Town one-bedroom, resort-view villas. Harbour Town Golf Links 50th Anniversary packages are available Sunday through Wednesday, now through October 21, 2019, and Monday through Sunday from October 22 through February 29, 2020. For additional information, exclusions, or to book the package, access the web site at: https://www.seapines.com/golf/harbourtown-anniversary-package.aspx
Coco Beach, a Hyatt affiliated hotel, where the Puerto Rico Open is played annually, and will be again on Feb. 21-24, 2020. Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) recently announced that a Hyatt affiliate entered into a franchise agreement for a new hotel. Opened in July 2019 as a Hyatt affiliated hotel, it will become Hyatt Regency Coco Beach Resort after an extensive renovation is completed this fall. The 486-room hotel will include 93 branded residencies. That’s exciting news for travelers who prefer luxury golf experiences, as they can stay steps from the water in beachside suites.
Puerto Rico Golf Shines With Addition Of Hyatt Brand To 17 Tropical Courses Puerto Rico’s golf offerings abound this summer with award-winning courses gaining enhanced stature and Island natives thriving at the top of the game, making a vacation to the Caribbean oasis ideal for enjoying the game in a glorious tropical setting. What do you get when you add a PGA TOUR event, an iconic hospitality brand, and two first-class golf courses? The Resort at
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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS The family-friendly resort is framed against the backdrop of the beautiful El Yunque rainforest. Guests can play a round of golf on one of the two Tom Kite designed 18-hole championship courses, then lounge by the sprawling lagoon-style pool and unwind in leisurely style. The soon-to-launch Hyatt Regency Coco Beach Resort will join TPC Dorado Beach and The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort & Golf Club as a trio of sumptuous properties with a combined five splendid golf courses near San Juan, the capital city, where historic buildings, an international airport, and dozens of restaurants, beaches, and cultural delights beckon. Other golf courses lay awaiting your tee time near San Juan, including at Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Golf & Beach Resort, home to a Greg Norman design (River Course) and a Tom and George Fazio creation (Ocean Course). The Palmas del Mar Golf Club boasts courses authored by Rees Jones (Flamboyan Course) and Gary Player (Palm Course). Rio Bayamon Golf Course is a municipal layout built by the city and a popular place for getaway rounds before flights home. It is conveniently located 10 miles from San Juan’s Luis Munoz Marin Airport (SJU) and affordably priced for non-residents ($65 including golf cart). Early birds can play for as little as $30 from 7 am to 10 am, Monday through Thursday (walking only). For more information on these courses and others in Puerto Rico, visit Discover Puerto Rico (www.discoverpuertorico.com).
Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Golf Course Named to Audubon Golf Trail Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser announced the addition of La Tour Golf Club in Mathews to Louisiana’s Audubon Golf Trail. La Tour joins 18 other golf courses from the state on the Trail displaying the highest level of standards, maintenance, and customer service. La Tour Golf Club features an 18-hole golf course designed by PGA TOUR champion David Toms. The par 72 course sits on 597 acres of beautiful rolling grasslands. The 7,232-yard championship layout, immaculate greens, abundant water, pure white sand traps, and 75 acres of native grass area is a challenge and delight for every golfer. “We are delighted to have La Tour on the Audubon Golf Trail representing Lafourche Parish as a great place to enjoy a quality golf experience,” said Timothy P. Bush, president and CEO of Louisiana’s Cajun Bayou Tourism. You can learn more about the Audubon Golf Trail at www. audubongolf.com. La Tour Golf Club
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By DAVID R. HOLLAND
Golf & Social Club www.golfvacationsmag.com
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ICKENBURG, Ariz. – Few pairings are better than when you play a golf course for the first time and you are set up with a local who is about your age, and a savvy, low-handicap golfer. From the first tee shot Dave Coffin nailed his drive and gave great insight and pointers for 18 holes at Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club. “Conditioning, conditioning, conditioning, said Coffin, a part-time resident and home owner. “This course is just immaculate.” “I have yet to have anyone not tell me how much they love the conditioning and no one has told me they dislike a single hole,” said Coffin, who lives six months in Oregon and six at Wickenburg Ranch. “This course is extremely playable for all skill levels and fairly forgiving off the tee except for a few holes that are a somewhat tight. It is a second shot and par-3 golf course. “The greens make it so interesting I have not gotten tired of it yet. 18 Golf Vacations • October 2019
When they have the five different pin settings you have to be on that correct part of the green to have a good birdie chance. If you are on any other level you become a defensive putter.” Coffin says he has played most of the upscale golf courses in Scottsdale and Wickenburg Ranch is as good as any. Big Wick and Li’l Wick: Arizona’s outstanding hidden gems When it opened in 2015, Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club, was the first new golf course to open in Arizona since We-Ko-Pa’s Saguaro Course in 2006. It was a prime example of why Arizona started marketing itself as a winter getaway almost 100 years ago. The land is vast, wild, rugged and available. As Greater Phoenix grew and suburbia set in, solitude was replaced by hustle and bustle. But Wickenburg Ranch has a renewed lifestyle for those who yearned for starry nights, four-season adventure, and lots of land and plenty of room to spread out. Like saddling up a trail weary pony, Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club provides a slow pace. Tee times are measured 10 minutes apart. No one is there to rush you. www.golfvacationsmag.com
The only things frenetic are the lightning quick bent-grass greens. The first years of Big Wick were award-winning then came L’il Wick, a par-3 layout that accentuates even more laid-back golf. There are no tee times, you can wear flip-flops, enjoy a relaxed dress code, purchase ice-cold beverages and food from The Watering Hole for the ultimate casual time.
used to run a dude ranch. Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club was landscaped in hardy high desert terrain by two amateur architects, Wendell Pickett and William Brownlee. That’s right, not Nicklaus, not Palmer, not Player, not Crenshaw and Coore, not Fazio -- Pickett and Brownlee.
When the fun spills over into the evening, the final four holes and putting green are lighted. Also incorporated into the 18acre design is a giant hammock and seating areas with views to relax in between holes.
Three dude ranches are still in the area on historic old west land within view of Vulture Peak where in 1863 a 49er named Henry Wickenburg struck the slope with a pick axe and for the next 79 years more than $30 million worth of gold was dug out.
Unlike Big Wick, there are no bookable tee times. Guests simply check in, and a Looper will be informed that they’re on their way. Upon arrival, guests will write their names on the chalkboard at the Watering Hole, and each group will begin when it’s their turn.
Those familiar with bent-grass understand what a tremendous difference it makes in putting surface quality, and that the chance to experience it in Arizona is a special treat, since the Phoenix golf courses average four to six degrees warmer than in higher altitude Wickenburg.
I played Big Wick on a cool February day enjoying faultless, verdant rye fairways and smooth rolling greens. And any avid travel golfer with his eye on competition lists knows Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club was deserving of its Golf Digest distinction -- No. 6 on its Top Ten Best New Courses in North America for 2015.
Also, the 7,059 yards, par 71 has a fun configuration of five par fives and six par threes.
FYI, this land is situated where game-show host Merv Griffith
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Views include Vulture Peak, massive saguaros, the occasional coyote and roadrunner, and rolling, rugged arroyo terrain that borders Prescott National Forest. You can be sure your new home is going to have all this without another neighbor’s house blocking your panorama.
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Probably the most memorable hole is “Big Water” the 246yard par-3 13th that plunges 100 feet to a green surrounded by water, a huge semicircle bunker in front and bail-out only left. “Yikes” is the 595-yard 14th that has water in three places – the drive, the mid-point on the fairway journey left, and front left and behind the green. The notable risk/reward hole comes at No. 6 named “Gutz”. It is only 343 yards at par 4, but the decision is to play safe or cut off a portion of the huge lake that blends into a massive bunker. Wickenburg Ranch Golf & Social Club was created as a private club reserved exclusively for members and their guests, but is currently open to a limited amount of unaccompanied nonmember play. Might be prudent to giddy up and visit soon. 20 Golf Vacations • October 2019
Food and Saloons: Jake’s Spoon, Wick’s Hideway, Jake’s Sip From the scenic golf course views and new-American Cuisine at Jake’s Spoon to the fresh dishes and open-air lakeside setting at The Watering Hole, there are plenty of restaurants to eat or enjoy a drink. For premium bourbons and others whiskeys as well as craft beers, carefully selected wines, and expertly poured cocktails, Wick’s Hideaway and Jake’s Sip refreshing beverages. Troon®, the leading golf course management company, now leads the effort, and that’s a big plus for the massive endeavor that is approximately one hour northwest of downtown Phoenix. Developed by Phoenix-based The M3 Companies, featuring Trilogy® at Wickenburg Ranch, Shea Homes’® newest Active Lifestyle resort community offers a one-of-akind lifestyle, model homes starting at $200,000 and up offering three feature builders. www.golfvacationsmag.com
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FALDO DESIGN’S NEWEST COURSE OPENS FOR PLAY
IN CAMBODIA
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hnom Penh, Cambodia – Vattanac Golf Resort, one of the most anticipated properties in Asia, has become the second Cambodian venue to join the Faldo Design portfolio, following the opening of the East Course.
with the West Course set to be completed later this year. Over the past decade, Cambodia has come into its own among Southeast Asia golf destinations, pairing championship-quality courses alongside the rich cultural attractions of the ancient Khmer civilizations, in addition to leisure activities and historical tours.
Measuring over 7,500 yards, the golf course has unique design features taking inspiration from the Bayon temple at Siem Reap, as well as actual on-course replicas of other pre-Angkorian structures, including the Preah Vihear and Angkor Wat, one of the largest religious monuments in the world. The design sets the innovation standard for golf in Cambodia, offering a unique combination of culture, leisure, and golf.
Local identity was the focus for Sir Nick Faldo and his team during the design phase of this project. The end result is therefore made all the more impressive by the fact that during the first site visit, there was nothing but flat, featureless land within clay basins, requiring large scale earthworks that were initially hampered by severe flooding in 2013, delaying the East Course’s construction.
Located only 20 kilometres from the centre of Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital, this is the first of two unique championshipstandard golf courses that will sit at the heart of the luxury resort,
Andrew Haggar, Faldo Design Lead Architect, said: “Vattanac Golf Resort has been one of the more challenging but rewarding projects Faldo Design has undertaken, as we literally had a blank canvas
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with one or two trees on a flat plot of land that used to be occupied by rice paddy fields. The opening of the East Course was a proud moment for the design team – the golf course looks absolutely superb and the design features will soon become a talking point around the world.” Sir Nick Faldo commented: “I’m very proud to finally see this course open for play, delivering on the bold development vision we were tasked with. After what was a detailed and bespoke creative design process, I am confident it will offer a strategic and memorable test to players of all standards and I look forward to seeing the impact it makes on the region’s golfing landscape.” Since the opening of the East Course in May, it has become clear that Vattanac will eventually become a key competitor to Faldo’s additional Cambodian design, the award-winning Angkor Golf Resort in Siem Reap. Including one of the best clubhouses in Cambodia, the Vattanac Golf Resort development master plan will also eventually see the addition of residential villas, a resort hotel, retail shops, an international school, and other sports and recreation facilities in order to attract international visitors. For more information on Faldo Design, visit: nickfaldodesign.com
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CLUB SELECTION
PHOENICIAN GO
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by DAVID R. HOLLAND
SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA
OLF CLUB C
amelback Mountain’s southern slope is one beautiful spot. Its rocks, boulders, saguaros and views that expand to the Superstition Mountains, Four Peaks, Papago Park and downtown Phoenix.
Sounds like a great place for hiking, exploring the beautiful flora and fauna of the Sonoran Desert and golf. The new Phoenician Golf Club re-opened for daily-fee and resort play last November following a 10-month redesign and renovation project. The new 18-hole golf course was designed by Scottsdale-based architect Phil Smith, with course construction managed by Troon’s Senior Vice President of Golf Course Development, Ron Despain, and The Phoenician Golf Club’s Superintendent, Tom Bush. “I like that it is all one designer now, Phil Smith, because when it was three nine-hole layouts one could tell they were all done by three different designers,” said Director of Golf Erik Broka. “So bringing it from 27 holes to 18 we actually gained 300 yards. The greens are the defense, for sure, with up to six fall points on some greens. That can be tricky when they are rolling 10 and 11 on the Stimp meter – smooth and fast. “I don’t think it is that hard to get to the greens, but watch out,” he said, “there are some three putts out there. Golfers tell us it is a fun course, not hokey, that it’s a real layout now, resort wide fairways, friendly when you are in the short grass, and before you could really telling going from one nine to the next that it was designed by different designers.” During the redesign and renovation, Smith used previously existing fairway corridors to reroute the golf course and develop new golf holes with re-contoured fairways as well as rebuilt and resurfaced green complexes. Greens now feature TifEagle grass putting surfaces that allow for additional pin placements; while tees, fairways and roughs are 419 Bermuda grass. All tees and bunkers were repositioned to provide the best strategy for each player’s skill level. “This really has been a rebirth of The Phoenician and now its golf club,” said Smith. “Our goal with the course redesign and renovation was to give each player the opportunity to make an informed decision before every shot by employing fundamental design strategies to create a great golf experience for resort guests and daily-fee golfers. Everything is now right there in front of the golfer, as there are no blind shots or blind hazards. We’re thrilled with how the golf course looks and plays.”
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CLUB SELECTION
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PHOENICIAN GOLF CLUB The golf course renovation was executed in conjunction with the third phase of a major enhancement at The Phoenician, A Luxury Collection Resort – the most extensive in its 30year history. The new course showcases the unique beauty of Arizona’s Sonoran Desert and matches the reputation and quality of the award-winning resort. The new course plays to a par of 71 and offers four sets of player-friendly tees ranging from 4,594 yards from the forward tees, to 6,518 yards from the championship tees. By transitioning from 27 to 18 holes, turf usage was reduced by approximately 45 acres and a new highly-efficient irrigation system was installed. The combination of turf reduction and the new irrigation system capabilities will lead to increased water conservation. The Phoenician’s golf shop, locker rooms and 19th Hole dining venue have also been renovated and expanded. Smith’s resume includes 25-plus years working with PGA Tour and golf course-design legends Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. Smith has executed numerous high-profile renovations, including work on Troon North’s Monument and Pinnacle courses, the TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course, Superstition Mountain and Desert Mountain’s Apache, Chiricahua and Renegade courses. The golf operation is managed by Troon®, the leader in golf course management, development, and marketing. Troon is the best in the golf management world by leaps and bounds. Broka is especially proud of The Phoenician’s stunning views. “The back nine views along Camelback Mountain’s south side enhances holes like 13 and 14. You are going west up hill and when you pull up to your tee shot you have an amazing view of downtown Phoenix with Chase Field.” About The Phoenician, a Luxury Collection Resort The newly transformed Phoenician offers two exquisite experiences – a 585-room, AAA Five Diamond luxury resort and a 60-room, Forbes Five Star, AAA Five Diamond boutique hotel, The Canyon Suites -- at one magnificent destination. Both The Phoenician and The Canyon Suites are owned by Bethesda, Maryland-based Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. (NYSE: HST), and operated by Marriott International, Inc., as part of The Luxury Collection. For dining I picked Mowry & Cotton, which has a Bottle and Board menu at $25. Choose from one of four fire-roasted flatbreads or house-crafted buttermilk buns, all unique and instagram-worthy to share, along with specially chosen red and white wines to complement the robust flavors. https://www.thephoenician.com/golf
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SWEETSTUFF LiveView Golf Pro By Terry Ross
T
he manufacturers of the LiveView Golf Digital Swing Mirror (DSM™) have introduced several new products and an even better camera to their arsenal of golf practice and improvement tools that utilize some of the newest and most innovative technology on the market today. The new LV Pro camera has a muchimproved lens that solves the issue of lowlight when practicing indoors. This new camera is custom built for low-light situations and brightens the frame considerably in low-light conditions--and allows for viewing greater detail in playing back swing photos. Company Founder Shane Yang noted that many of the users of the LiveView products used them for indoor practice sessions and had to watch darker images, so this new camera has a much larger lens than the LV+PLUS to gather as much light as possible and converts it using a sensor that is almost four times larger as well. This larger lens also improves outdoor capture as well by providing sharper images. The LV Pro also has a built-in wide-angle lens that reduces image distance below seven feet from the ball. Like the LV+PLUS, the Pro version offers 60 frame per-second video capture and integrates the latest Wi-Fi technology using 802.11 BGN to reduce frame errors
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and ensure that more of your swing data is captured. This means more swing detail can be seen and analyzed during practice. The LiveView camera acts like a digital mirror for the golfer or student using it in that they can see their swing from any angle in real time or play it back on each swing or after a sequence of swings using the software that can be downloaded in IOS or Android. Just like the prior models, the LiveView Pro is completely wireless and is ultracompact, weighing in at less than 4 oz. and measuring just 3.8” X 2.72” X 1.2”—plenty small enough for a golf bag—or to pack for a trip. The internal rechargeable battery lasts for two hours of practice and the 640 X 480 resolution gives an excellent picture from which to dissect your swing—or even email it to an instructor. The new and improved wide-angle lens allows you to utilize a smaller space for practice and video and can capture a full 6.5’ swing from 6.5’. When combined with the LiveView smart swing trigger and automatic slow-motion replay, LiveView Pro makes it easy to get instant feedback on every single ball strike. One of the new useful accessories available is the Smart Remote control that is just larger than a quarter and allows you to utilize the smart swing trigger and auto slow-motion replay to get instant feedback without even having to touch your viewing device. Another nice new accessory available thru LiveView is the new LivePod 2 telescoping smart pole stand that is very versatile and attaches to all the LiveView cameras with a tripod screw--and even comes with a universal phone clip for other devices. It creates a stable mounting base that can be used indoors or outdoors and stands over three feet high when fully extended—but collapses to less than 12” for compact travel and even fits in a golf bag. This metal tripod is one of the most versatile we have seen and can be used to tilt the camera straight down at the ball to video putting practice. This is probably something that most players have never done, but it is extremely valuable in examining one’s putting stroke and being able to tell in slow motion the path of the putter during the stroke and just where on the face of the putter you are striking the
ball. This is extremely valuable information when practicing the short game and can help in improving an area of the sport that is hard to get feedback on for most players. The latest version of the LiveView app also lets you do all kinds of nice swing analysis functions with the ability to create templates to help with swing improvement. The app also has Live Swing Guides that allow the player to draw plane lines or stationary posts that can be used in the live feed as precise reference for the intended swing. To learn more: www.liveviewgolf.com
Yellow! Yellow! More Yellow! By Barry Lotz
L
ike CBD oils are taking hold on all the Tours, yellow balls are also appearing on all the Tours. All the major golf brands have yellow balls in their product lines. This trend is growing and the many benefits emanating from golfers using yellow balls, such as seeing the ball better, making consistent solid contact, scoring lower, making more putts, and finding balls on the course, are the tales now being woven. I personally switched to yellow balls many years ago, both for golf and tennis. I
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SWEETSTUFF by Terry Ross and Barry Lotz
see them better, my putting, my dispersion rate is tighter, solid ball contact is indeed improving, especially with the Callaway Magna ball. Throw in balancing the ball and being custom fitted for a ball for my game, I now have both the psychological and reality benefits of knowing what ball works best for me. And my attitude changes dramatically to this visually stimulating and mood changing ball, when playing. I have no scientific data to back up my statements, but I do see and experience the benefits of yellow balls. Yellow balls are easily identifiable in your playing group, especially the Callaway Chrome Soft Truvis soccer ball look. Fred Couples, Vijay Singh, Rory Sabbatini, Bubba Watson, Billy Andrade,
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Kyle Jones, Scott Gutschewski, Zac Blair, Mark Calcavecchia, Ken Tanigawa and Kirk Triplett (won the PGA Champions’ Hoag Classic with a yellow ball), are all yellow ball aficionados. Factoids: George W. Bush, the 43rd president, used a yellow ball to garner his first ace. Jerry Pate used a colored ball (orange) for his victory at the 1982 Player Championship. The golf ball is the only piece of equipment you use on every shot and there are many game-changing performance and quality differences between various brands and models. As previously mentioned, most of the major manufacturers have yellow balls
to sell. This article breaks them down into two types, those for golfers with high swing speed (HS), 106 on upward, and those whose swing speeds range between 70 and 105 mph (LS). The most popular yellow balls of each manufacturer are featured. Many golfers are mistakenly led to believe that they should be fit for a golf ball based solely on their driver swing speed. This is a flawed approach. The truth is that every golfer has many different swing speeds, not just one. Golfers utilize a wide range of swing speeds to execute the vast array of shots that are required in every round, and to play your best the golf ball must perform for all these different shots. There are several important factors to consider when deciding
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SWEETSTUFF which golf ball is best for you. Dean Snell has 40+ granted patents and was the co-designer of the Pro V1, Professional, Tour Prestige, HP2 Tour and HP2 Distance balls. Snell worked closely with Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Davis Love III to bring cast urethane technology into the golf market. Dean was also responsible for the invention of several key ball franchises, including TP Red & Black, Penta (golf’s first five-layer ball), Lethal, and the TOUR Preferred line which are played today by Sergio Garcia, Dustin Johnson, Jason Day, Justin Rose, among others. He also led the design of the Noodle, Burner, RocketBallz and Project (a) golf balls designed to perform for average players. In my opinion, Dean Snell has a philosophy that every golfer should adapt regarding golf balls: According to Dean, “I do not recommend golf balls based on swing speed. I think that is the most over-rated marketing scam out there for golf balls. I usually tell people to take different balls and test from 100 yards and in. This is where they have different feel, different launch, different spin, and control… every player can compress the ball well inside the outer cover… so where you play the most golf, from 100 yards and in, is where you should test the products. If someone is of slower swing speed, and cannot generate enough spin around the green, then I would recommend the MTB X ball… This ball has a little higher spin rate with the shorter irons to help stop the ball a little quicker. They will not see the balls spin back like tour players, but they may be able to stop it 4-5 feet closer, and maybe make a putt or eliminate a 3 putt from time to time.” Think about what happens with the swing speed story. Ball companies tell players if they have slow speeds, then they NEED to play softer, low compression balls. Well, softer low compression balls mean LOWER SPIN on ALL shots. So, if someone tells you that you need lower compression to compress the ball and add speed to your driver, let me tell you what that means. If you hit your drives at slow speed to 220 yards… and let’s say If you could add 1 mph to your ball speed (which will NEVER happen, but let’s go with it here for sake of showing impact), your new 1 mph ball speed just added about 8-10 INCHES to your drive. So, you just went 221 yards on the perfect shot. NOW, you must finish the hole with a ball that has limited spin and limited performance the closer you get to the green. So, where you need to add spin and performance, you have given that up for an extra foot of distance off the tee. Choose a golf ball that helps you lower scores around the green. Everyone is capable of compressing the golf ball off the tee… you will not see 10 yard plus gains with drivers by playing these softer lower compression balls. But you will be giving up a lot of performance”. Snell Golf Snell Golf uses cast thermoset urethane on their MTB BLACK and MTB X golf balls. Both balls are 3-pieced balls and are also available in yellow. The MTB BLACK is 80-85 compression and the MTB X is 90-95 compression. Both balls have a low lift and low-drag 360 dimple pattern.
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Snell golf also has the inexpensive, Get Sum yellow ball, their fun, real soft low spinning ball that is priced for beginners and players looking to just play a few rounds and have fun. It is also for those players who truly like the soft feel in a golf ball. www.snellgolf.com Srixon One of the earliest manufacturers of yellow golf balls, Srixon’s Z Star ball was one of the most played of yellow balls on the PGA Tour. Their new SeRM, Slide Ring Material produces lots of spin which one needs to score lower. This extremely resilient urethane cover uses Moveable Polymer Cross-Linking to greatly enhance spin. With molecular bonds that stretch but don’t break, SeRM gives you a softer cover that digs into your club grooves at impact. That extra bite means more friction, which leads to dramatically more spin, and ultimately, unmatched stopping power around the green. www.srixon.com Titleist Both the Pro V1 and Pro V1x feature Titleist’s thermoset urethane casting technology. This allowed their engineers to cast a thinner layer of the proprietary cover formulation, developed exclusively for Pro V1 and Pro V1x, while retaining its trusted Drop-and-Stop™ greenside control and soft feel. Both golf balls have been designed to leave the clubface with more ball speed and lower long game spin for more distance, while providing the best short game control to help golfers shoot lower scores. The Pro V1x will fly higher and with more spin than the Pro V1 off the tee and with long irons. The urethane cover on the outside of both balls is easily grabbed by the grooves in wedges and short irons, but the golfer will likely see a little shorter game spin from the Pro V1x. www.titleist.com Bridgestone Bridgestone is famous for their ubiquitous ball fitting program. Their current line of balls provides unmatched feel, accuracy and distance. To help players find the perfect ball for their games, Bridgestone offers an easy and comprehensive fitting tool. The TOUR B XS Yellow is a 3-piece, urethane cover golf ball designed for high swing speeds (greater than 105 MPH). It features a 330-dimple pattern. The enhanced feel of the TOUR B XS comes from a softer cover as a result of the SlipRes technology. The TOUR B XS gets distance as a result of increased ball speed from the gradation core construction. The Tour B RX and e12 SOFT Yellow are both for swing speeds less than 105 mph. TOUR B RX Yellow is also a 3- piece, urethane cover golf ball with a 338-dimple pattern. www.bridgestonegolf.com Callaway Callaway golf balls continue to gain momentum as some of the
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SWEETSTUFF by Terry Ross
best golf balls in the game. The four-piece Chrome Soft is aimed at golfers who want a ball that offers both driver and iron performance, as well as a soft feel and short-game control. The introduction of Callaway’s new graphene Dual SoftFast core has allowed for a thinner outer core and a larger inner core to enhance the ball’s speed and reduce long-game spin for more distance. A new urethane cover means the feel has been made softer. The Chrome Soft also comes in an X version for faster swingers to maximize distance. A yellow Truvis Chrome Soft and Chrome Soft X are also available. ERC Soft Yellow, named after Ely Reeves Callaway, the founder of the company, is Callaway’s largest ever Graphene-infused Dual SoftFast Core. This groundbreaking technology features a larger inner core that maximizes compression energy while minimizing driverspin and promoting high launch for long distance.
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This multi-material cover creates an exceptional combination of faster ball speeds for longer distance, incredibly soft feel, and noticeably higher spin for excellent control around the green. The new Callaway Trionomer Supersoft golf balls are a long, straight distance ball that’s incredibly soft, with an ultra-low compression core for fast ball speeds, and super low spin and low drag. www.callawaygolf.com The 2019 season saw many ball companies introducing yellow balls. Now there is a large selection allowing you to find the perfect ball for your game. Being fitted for a golf ball is available, whether dynamic or static, so there is no excuse for not taking advantage of the technology available. Once you find the ball that works best for you--your game will improve.
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