Golf Vacations Magazine October 2015 by Golf Vacations Magazine

OUR 13th YEAR!

THIS MONTH: My Turn • SweetStuff • ChipShots

GOLF VACATIONS OCTOBER 2015

RIVER TRIP GOLF IN

EUROPE

RESORT REPORT

CALIFORNIA’S TERRANEA Plus: 250 YEARS AT OMNI HOMESTEAD RESORT www.golfvacationsmag.com

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GOLF VACATIONS OCTOBER 2015

The Terranea Resort - Rancho Palos Verdes, California

Chip Shots

Resort Report: Terranea

A European Golf Vacation

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by Barry Lotz

by Chuck “The Traveling Guy” Miller

As an avid golfer since learning to play golf in San Diego, California at the age of 10, when considering vacation possibilities I try to think of how I can work in a round of golf. As a person who loves traveling to new and different locales, when I think of a vacation I look for opportunities to see and experience foreign countries and cultures. As someone who enjoys cruises, I continually review cruise itineraries when considering vacations. I recently found a way to enjoy golf, traveling and cruising while on vacation…a European River cruise.

Omni Homestead Resort

by David R. Holland

HOT SPRINGS, VA -- When the legend Sam Snead started working at The Omni Homestead Resort at age 17 the iconic hotel had already been around 146 years. Founded in 1766, the resort will celebrate its 250th year in 2016.

Sweet Stuff

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by Terry Ross

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CONTRIBUTINGWRITERS Chuck Miller (The Traveling Guy) is a resident of the golfing community of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. For the past 20 years he has traveled extensively throughout the US and around the world writing about “Places to Play and Places to Stay”. In 2012 he played golf in every state during a 50-week, 50-state driving tour of the US.

Executive Editor Jeffrey Diaz

David R. Holland is an award-winning former sportswriter for The Dallas Morning News, football magazine publisher, and author of The Colorado Golf Bible. Holland, whose favorite golf moment was teeing it up with former Dallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry, 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 (UK). He also worked for the Dallas Cowboys Weekly, United Press International and the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

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.

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 7th reprint is available on Amazon and at the Torrey Pines golf course.

Associate Editor Terry Ross

Features Editor Larry Feldman

Senior Writers JD Latorre Andy Reistetter Fred Robledo

For Editorial:

call (760) 774-2655 e-mail: Info@GolfVacationsMag.com

Regional Advertising Los Angeles Terry Ross • 949-279-7801 terryr@GolfVacationsMag.com Atlanta Harold Chambliss • 770-239-7500 haroldc@GolfVacationsMag.com

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portsMedia publications

President Jeffrey Diaz

455 NE 5th Avenue, Suite D-151 Delray Beach, Florida 33483 (760) 774-2655

and

Destiny Media, LLC 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 2015 SportsMedia Publications, 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

ARNOLD PALMER’S BAY HILL CLUB & LODGE NAMED IAGTO GOLF RESORT OF THE YEAR NORTH AMERICA

Adding to the resort’s impressive list of accolades, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, the home of one of most respected events on the PGA TOUR, the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard, is extremely pleased to announce it has earned the distinction of Golf Resort of the Year – North America for 2016, by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). Ray Easler, Vice President, Hospitality & Operations shared, “When we received the news that this honor had been bestowed upon Bay Hill, we couldn’t have been more proud. It is our goal to provide our members and guests with the best club and resort experience possible as well as a distinctive level of personalized service that is second to none, and by merit of this award, we are gratified to know our goal has been realized.” The award comes on the heels of the reopening of Bay Hill’s Championship Course following an extensive re-grassing project in Summer 2015, in which new TifEagle bermudagrass was sprigged on the

greens, and Celebration bermudagrass on the fairways and tees of all 18 holes. Mr. Easler went on to say, “we are very excited to have just completed a comprehensive re-grassing project and the response from members and guests who have played the course since reopening has been overwhelmingly positive. We are anticipating truly exceptional course conditions for this year’s TOUR event in March.” As the global trade organization for the golf tourism industry, IAGTO conducts annual awards to recognize the best performing golf resorts in three regions: North America, Europe, and the Rest of the World. Over 500 IAGTO golf tour operators in 62 countries vote based on criteria including customer satisfaction, course quality, accommodations, accessibility to tee times, overall value, levels of service, and the professionalism which the organization works with in the industry and with tour operators. Accepting the award at the 2016 IAGTO Awards ceremony on the Spanish island of Tenerife, Bay Hill’s Director of Sales & Marketing, Roy Schindele, said: “On behalf of the Palmer family as well as entire staff, we are honored to receive this prestigious

award. We continually strive to offer all our guests a superior experience and one of the unique qualities that makes Bay Hill so distinctive is the level of service provided by our attentive staff, each of whom has a personal commitment to welcome each guest to the winter home of Arnold Palmer and to treat them like family.” Located just minutes from downtown Orlando along the Butler chain of lakes, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge is the site of the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard golf tournament. The 70-room property features 27-holes of golf, the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy, tennis on four Har-tru and two DecoTurf courts, a full service spa and salon, fitness center, a heated Jr. Olympicsize pool, three dining locations, 3 lounges, and 9,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space. For reservations call (888) 422-9445 or (407) 876-2429. For more information or photo support, contact Ramona Hurley, Absolute Thinking, at (727) 967-2487 or HurleyRamona@gmail.com. Follow Bay Hill on Twitter at www. twitter.com/APBayHill Follow Bay Hill on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/APBayHill.

Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS

STAY TWO NIGHTS, GET THIRD NIGHT FREE AT MISSION INN RESORT & CLUB

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, FL– Mission Inn Resort & Club puts golfers and spa-goers in the enviable position of enjoying extra rounds or spa treatments with its Stay & Play Two Nights, Get Third Night Free offer, valid through December 27, 2015. Any guest who stays for two paid nights during this time, gets the third night’s accommodations for free, which leaves more time to play golf or indulge the senses at Spa Marbella. Room rates start at $166 per person per night based on double occupancy, two-night minimum. Gratuity, tax and resort fee are not included. (This offer is subject to availability; blackout dates may apply. This offer is valid only on select rates and packages; excludes groups and cannot be combined with other discount offers including negotiated group rates.) Mission Inn is a four-season resort located in the rolling hills of Central Florida’s

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Lake County in the town of Howey-in-theHills, 35 minutes northwest of Orlando. The destination resort features classic Spanish Colonial architecture, 176 graciously appointed guestrooms, suites and villas, two championship golf courses, three restaurants, two lounges and poolside bar. Recreational amenities include a spa, eight tennis courts, trap and skeet shooting range, jogging and bicycling trails, volleyball courts, outdoor pool and hydro-spa, fitness center, nautical center

with 52-slip marina, fishing, and powerboat and go eco-touring. Treasured for generations as one of Florida’s finest golf courses, the historic El Campeón at Mission Inn Resort & Club is on the list of “Best Resort Courses” in the nation by Golfweek magazine and part of the Historic Florida Golf Trail, a collection of more than 50 courses across the state. The second playing option, Las Colinas (The Hills) completes the resort’s unique 36-hole experience. Las Colinas was designed by Gary Koch and opened in 1992 to immediate acclaim. Golf Digest recognizes both courses among “Best Places to Play” in North America. The 6,200-square-foot Spa Marbella provides an extensive menu of treatments and specialized services. Descriptions of facials, massages and body treatments may be found at www.missioninnresort.com/spa. Call direct 352/324-3101 or 800/874-9053 (toll free) for additional information or access the web site at www.missioninnresort.com.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS Omni La Costa

OMNI LA COSTA RESORT & SPA CELEBRATES 50th ANNIVERSARY WITH A GIFT

CARLSBAD, CA – Visitors to Omni La Costa Resort & Spa can always enjoy two championship golf courses, 17 tennis courts, a fitness center, restaurants, and one of the country’s most famous spas, but for a limited time guests can also enjoy a $75 resort credit that can be applied to any activity with the Relax & Revive package. It’s the resort’s anniversary but guests are getting the present with the Relax & Revive package, which includes luxurious accommodations, access to the swimming pools (family and adults-only options available), fully equipped Athletic Club, as well as complimentary self-parking, plus the $75 resort credit. Valet parking is also available. Omni La Costa’s 36 holes of championshipcaliber play features the completely restored Champions Course, which hosted a Hall of Fame list of PGA Tour professionals for more than 30 years, and the thoroughly revitalized Legends Course, a recent host of the LPGA Tour’s Kia Classic. Guests also can enjoy complimentary replay on the course of the day (based on availability, unlimited access to the practice areas, practice balls and complimentary club storage). Rates begin at $254 (per room, per night, based on double occupancy. The $75 credit may be applied to golf, spa services, tennis court time, or a fine-dining experience. Additional information about Omni La Costa Resort & Spa may be found at lacosta.com.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort Announces Golf or Gourmet Escape Packages KIAWAH ISLAND, SC – Kiawah Island Golf Resort today announced special fall and winter “stay-and-play” or “stay-and-dine”

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packages. Kiawah’s “Golf or Gourmet Escape Packages” provide great deals for staying at the resort and either playing golf or dining in its award-winning restaurants with up to a 45% savings over peak season rates. “Whether you’re a golfer or a gourmet, this fall or winter is the time to get away to Kiawah Island Golf Resort,” said Tom Bewley, the resort’s Sales and Marketing Director. “Guests can pick their passion with the Golf or Gourmet Escape allowing a choice of luxury golf or culinary experience while staying on Kiawah Island Golf resort in a private Villa or the luxurious Five-Star Sanctuary hotel. To make this deal even sweeter, guests staying in The Sanctuary will receive valuable resort credits, room category upgrades, late checkouts and arrival amenities for three or four night stays,” explained Bewley. From November 15, 2015 to March 3, 2016 guests on the resort’s “Golf or Gourmet Escape Package” have their choice of accommodations (Sanctuary Hotel or luxury villa) plus either two rounds of golf, two dinners, or one of each. Guests have the option of the “Champions Choice” or “Players Choice” packages depending on their taste in restaurants or courses. Champions Choice Nightly accommodations and your choice of either: Two rounds of golf at any golf course (including The Ocean Course) or Dinner for two at any restaurant (including The Ocean Room or The Atlantic Room) or One round of golf (any course) and one dinner (any restaurant) Sanctuary $400/night* Villa $300/night* Players Choice Nightly accommodations and your choice of either: Two rounds of golf at Turtle Point, Osprey Point, Cougar Point or Oak Point or Dinner for two at Jasmine Porch, Tomasso or Cherrywood BBQ or One round of golf (Turtle/Osprey/Cougar/Oak) and one dinner (Jasmine/Tomasso/Cherrywood)

Sanctuary $300/night* Villa $200/night* Extend your stay at the sanctuary and receive 3 night stays receive a one-time $100 Resort Credit. 4 or more night stays receive a one-time $200 Resort Credit, a two room category upgrade based on availability, a late checkout (3pm) and an arrival amenity. 20% Spa discounts also available. Please call for details. For more information on Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s “Golf or Gourmet Escape Packages,” go to www.GolforGourmet.com or call 800-654-2924. For more information on the resort, visit www.kiawahresort.com or call 800-6542924. Visit www.kiawahgreen.com to learn more about Kiawah Island Golf Resort’s environmental commitment.

Fall Fore the Ryder Cup with The Gleneagles Hotel

Last September, the iconic 5-star resort hosted the 40th Ryder Cup Matches and to celebrate, Gleneagles is offering the “Falling Fore Ryder Cup“ package. Valid from September 2015 - September 2016, the package offers a savings of 24% and this news is quite timely as this upcoming weekend marks the one year anniversary of last year’s Ryder Cup! The package includes: - Three-night accommodations for two people in a classic room - Three rounds of golf per person on one of Gleneagles’ three championship courses: The PGA Centenary Course – Host Venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup - The King’s Course and The Queen’s Course - A two-hour golf instruction for two from the hotel’s qualified PGA professional coaches utilizing comprehensive indoor and outdoor practice facilities with the latest technology - A round of golf on Kingsbarn’s golf course, St Andrews, one of Scotland’s finest links courses* - Full Scottish breakfast daily per person

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • CHIPSHOTS including hot and cold buffet counters, a juice bar, breakfast omelet station, and more - Personalized golf bag tag - Use of The Club leisure facilities - including the pool complex, tennis courts, gymnasium, mountain bikes and walking/running tracks Prices start at £1,130 per person for a three night package. Rates are per person, based on double occupancy, and exclude the festive season. Subject to availability. To book a stay at Gleneagles, please call toll-free 1-866-881-9525 or e-mail: resort.sales@gleneagles.com.

Unlimited Golf Packages at Luxury Resorts in Mexico, Florida and Puerto Rico

Casa Velas Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Golf lovers rejoice this fall at Mexico’s Casa Velas resort, featuring unlimited golf, daily spa credits, city tours and more. With the package, guests enjoy unlimited time on the turf at Marina or Vista Vallarta’s championship golf courses. The 18-hole Marina Vallarta course offers 6,701 yards and a par 71 layout designed by Joe Finger. Vista Vallarta, a short drive from the hotel, has two courses. The easier Jack Nicklaus 18-hole course is a par 72 with 7,073 yards with grassy hillsides, a dense forest of Palm and giant Ficus trees and natural creeks. The Tom Weiskopf course, also 18 holes, is a par 72 with 6,976 yards and a more extreme terrain of dense jungles, deep ravines and swift creeks. Additional discounts include $30 USD spa credit per adult per night, 10% off at the Resort Boutique, and a guided City

and Shopping Tour or Cultural & Tequila tour. Nightly rates start at $190 per person per night, based on double occupancy. At Casa Velas luxury accommodations, gourmet meals, premium liquor and wine, 24-hour suite service, use of the fitness center facilities, WIFI, taxes and gratuities are included in a single price. $55 cart fee is not included. For more information on Casa Velas, please call 1-888-407-4869 or visit http://www. hotelcasavelas.com. Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Ponte Vedra, FL Set amidst lush landscapes and Atlantic beachfront shores, Ponte Vedra Inn & Club invites golfers to put themselves to the test on its two championship 18-hole golf courses with its new Unlimited Golf Package. Designed in 1928 by famed British architect Herbert Bertram Strong, the Ocean Course is a par72, 6,811-yard course, with 99 strategically positioned sand bunkers. A par-70 course, the 6,022-yard Lagoon Course was co-authored by two design geniuses – Robert Trent Jones with the front nine holes in 1961, and Joe Lee with the back nine holes in 1977. In 2007, Bobby Weed fully restored the layout, including new tees, fairways and greens, routing changes on several hotels, new turf standards, improved irrigation and drainage, and a greatly enhanced landscape theme where water is a dominant feature on 11 holes. The resort complements its golf offerings with newly-refreshed oversized guest rooms and suites, most overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The luxury resort also offers

nine restaurants, bars and lounges ranging from gourmet to casual; 15 Har-Tru hydro tennis courts; three oceanfront pools; and a 30,000 square foot luxury spa. The Unlimited Golf Package is available for two guests per reservation and starts at $259 per night. Cart fees are not included. For more information or to make a reservation, call 888-839-9145 or visit www.pontevedra.com. El Conquistador Resort & Las Casitas Village, Waldorf Astoria Resorts Fajardo, Puerto Rico For an unforgettable golf experience, El Conquistador Resort & Las Casitas Village, Waldorf Astoria Resorts in Puerto Rico, offer an Unlimited Golf Package for golfing aficionados on the Island of Enchantment. To kick-start the day, complimentary breakfast is included before hitting the resorts’ renowned Arthur Hills designed 18-hole golf course. With the breathtaking Atlantic Ocean and El Yunque Rainforest as its backdrop, the 6,800-yard par 72 championship course boasts perfectly manicured links on rolling hills lined with swaying palms. When not on the course, golfers can enjoy luxurious spa treatments at the Waldorf Astoria Spa; relaxation or watersports on the resort’s 100-acre private island; thrills at the state-of-the-art seaside Coqui Water Park; and more. Nightly rates start from $289 at El Conquistador Resort and from $349 at Las Casitas Village with the Unlimited Golf Package, including golf fees per paying adult. For reservations or more information, please call 1-888-543-1282 or visit www.elconresort. com and www.lascasitasvillage.com.

Casa Velas

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Golf Vacations • October 2015 11

RESORTREPORT

The Terranea Resort

HOW DOES ONE SPEND 24 HOURS LIVIN

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RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA

by Barry Lotz

ne visits Terranea, a self-contained, luxury destination resort with its luxury accommodations and superb amenities. And when you arrive, your soul and mind will thank you for the chance to regenerate.

NG THE DREAM?

Opened in 2009 by developer Rob Lowe (not the actor), this gorgeous resort on 102 pristine acres, poised above the Pacific, offers an unparalleled setting with 270-degree ocean views and a luxury vacation and adventure experience. The 100-acre, 582-room Terranea in Rancho Palos Verdes offers a range of features that’s unrivaled among upscale hospitality properties in California. It is safe to say that Terranea provides more “breathing room” than any other luxury, ocean front hotel in California and is just an hour away from the hustle and bustle of the Los Angeles metropolis. The town’s lovely coast has been a frequent backdrop for Hollywood films, including Con Air, Pearl Harbor, and the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. What is truly remarkable and takes a little time to realize, is the tranquility of Rancho Palos Verdes, a town on the southwestern outskirts of Los Angeles. This cushy coastal enclave has fresh air and lots of space and is quiet and peaceful – a totally relaxing vibe. Rancho Palos Verdes is a picture of natural beauty, with tall ocean side cliffs and relatively little development. To the west of Terranea is Point Vincente Lighthouse (which is closed to the public) and Point Vincente Park, which offers whale-watching opportunities, playgrounds, and nature walks. Guests must drive to anything that isn’t on the resort grounds. Inside the resort, attention to every minute detail is evident. Talking elevators announce the floor as they arrive, and the entire property has been painted different shades in an effort to make it look like a collection of old California mansions, rather than a brand-new resort. What really caught my eye throughout my stay and visits to all public areas, is just how spotless Terranea is on a daily basis. Kudos to the staff and management! Terranea Resort is an easy drive, especially from LA as well as from San Diego and Palm Springs. And a world unto itself. With breathtaking views, a superb spa, nine-hole golf course, six restaurants, and pristine manicured grounds - a week’s stay is not long enough! Exceptional dining, outstanding service, great rooms with well-appointed bathrooms, more than two miles of public trails, kids club, shopping, an outdoor adventure concierge service, pointe discover, and four swimming pools, along with a 140’ waterslide and splash pad, makes Terranea a positive and fun destination. Even though Terranea is both kid and pet friendly, solitude is possible. A separate adult-only pool (with beverage service) has some of the resort’s best views. One of Los Angeles’ only hotel Kids’ Club gives parents the time to actually use it. There is also the Spa pool which offers drink service and private outdoor hot tubs, accessible with a day pass to spa facilities. Accommodations range from villas, casitas, bungalows, suites and guest

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Golf Vacations • October 2015 13

RESORTREPORT

rooms, while offering a casual elegance that blends effortlessly with the natural setting. Specifically, standard rooms are 450 square feet, which are larger than the average Los Angeles hotel room, and suites are 900 square feet and have a separate living room area; master and guest bathrooms and two 42-inch flat-screen TVs. All the rooms have balconies and most have ocean views, Turkish robes, Serta pillow-top mattresses, 37- inch flat-screen TVs with HBO and in-room movies, plus iPod docks are standard fare. Internet access is included in the resort fee. Two-, three-, and four-bedroom “villas” are also available, with their own garages, full kitchens, hot tubs, and outdoor fireplaces. Resort casitas, with their own entrances, full kitchen, living rooms, and laundry facilities round out the accommodation options. Terranea caters extensively to guests of all ages. Many of the resort’s kid-friendly activities are expensive, but the long hiking trails, exceptional pools, and large rooms offer families many perks at no additional cost. • The “Tide Pool Kid’s Club” has computers, arts and crafts, board games, video games, photography and nature activities. Costs vary. • The main pool has a waterslide and a fountain. • Both restaurants, Bashi’s and Nelson’s, have room service that offer kids’ menus, and a kids’ buffet at the Catalina Kitchen is available during Sunday brunch. • Babysitting arrangements can be made through concierge, but services are not affiliated with the hotel. • “Teen Scene” nighttime activities by reservation for guests ages 13 to 17; daily Rock Band video game activity for a fee. • Suites can be expanded into lock off two-bedrooapartments for families. For golfers, an award-winning nine-hole, par 3 golf course of 14 Golf Vacations • October 2015

1,239 yards and a par 27, The Links is really enjoyable. You need just 3 clubs - a 5 or 7 iron, a wedge and a putter to get around the course. Club rentals and pull carts are available. No motor carts are allowed, but this did not dampen the experience, rather it enhanced the round. $55 is reasonable for a course with outstanding greens, excellent conditioning and awesome views. Pull carts are available. Want to play a full round of ocean front golf? Going south and less than 8 minutes away, is Trump National, 7311 yards, par 71. A free resort shuttle is available at no charge to carry you to the course and pick you up when called. There is another public course, about three miles north, the Los Verdes Golf Course, which is 18 holes, 6,617 yards and a par 71. Here the green fee does not include golf carts or equipment rental, and the free resort shuttle takes guests to the course. Additionally, the award-winning Spa at Terranea also boasts 25 treatment rooms, great ocean views, a salon, and a Wellness & Fitness center with boutique and cafe. Terranea’s multiple hiking paths are well signed, encouraging visitors to watch for local species like the endangered El Segundo Blue Butterfly and the California Gray Whale. What I loved about Terranea, despite its size, is the highly personal service – from the concierge, to the front desk clerks, bellmen, and restaurant staff. They are excellent at remember guests’ names and extremely helpful. My wife was actually taken outside the building to point out the resort’s best jogging paths and I was driven to The Links and to the furthest point of the property - insights abounding from the bellman. Though the resort does not offer a “sandy beach”, if you do need to be on a beach or surf, eight miles and 20 minutes www.golfvacationsmag.com

RANCHO PALOS VERDES, CALIFORNIA

away, is Redondo Beach. The “beach” at Terranea is too rocky to really be considered a beach. The small patch of sand is at least a five-minute walk from the hotel, and the actual waterline is overrun by rocks. You cannot swim here. It should be pointed out, that the “normal” attractions of LA such as Rodeo Drive/Beverley Hills, Hollywood Boulevard, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and Universal Studios theme park are all at least an hour away. You are about 45 minutes to LAX. There are plenty of dining options on-site at Terranea; all the food is good and offered at typical LA prices. All the restaurants have outdoor seating with spectacular views of the ocean. • Casual dining all day at Catalina Kitchen, which also has an excellent breakfast buffet; entrees range from chitarra spaghetti to double Colorado lamb chops. • Haute Cuisine dining at Mar’sel open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday; entrees range from California Chanterelles to Wagyu ribeye steak. • Pub fare and micro brews with great views and patio dining is at Nelson’s which is open for lunch and dinner every day; kids’ menu available; entrees range from turkey BLT to fish and chips. Hamburgers were excellent, sunset views are incredible. • The newest addition to the hotel is Bashi, a poolside restaurant serving Asian fusion cuisine. • For a quick bite, breakfast lunch or dinner, Sea Beans Café offers pressed sandwiches, gelato, and coffee, as well as snacks like energy bars, smoothies and chips. • The Lobby Bar is popular with guests, who tote martinis around the lobby and cigars are for sale which can be enjoyed on its back patio. • The adult pool bar, Cielo Point, offers snacks and drink as does the Spa Cafe, in the spa. • 24-hour room service with a delivery charge and a 20 percent gratuity automatically added. www.golfvacationsmag.com

The closest off-site dining is a set of affordable restaurants, including a Starbucks and a Subway, at Golden Cove, a mile drive down the road. You will also enjoy, which is fairly standard for this upscale category of hotel, and as mentioned previously, highly attentive check-in staff who remember your name, poolside drink service, daily turndown with a chocolate and water, and the free daily guided hikes and free croquet. Shuttle service takes guests anywhere within a five mile radius -- first-come-first-served basis. Other daily services provided are the Los Angeles Times or USA Today, same-day laundry/dry cleaning, free boccie ball, kids’ s’mores, Kayak tours and group bike tours charged per person. There is a 24-hour Business Center with four computers, two printers; Internet and printing which is covered by resort fee. The Terranea Resort is expensive, but well worth the splurge, and you should budget a minimum of $500.00 per day for room, taxes, meals, parking and resort fees. The resort has many packages available for weddings, business meetings golf and social functions. Rates vary drastically depending on type of room, size and view, from $390.00 to $2300.00, before taxes. Parking is $35 per night. Daily resort fee is $25. The Links Golf Course is $55.00 per round. I can hardly wait to revisit Terranea! For more information, please have a glass of wine, relax and visit www.terranea.com. Golf Vacations • October 2015 15

Combine Gol on a Europea

Viking River Cruise

16 Golf Vacations â&#x20AC;˘ October 2015

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lf and Deck Shoes an Golf Vacation

By Chuck “The Traveling Guy” Miller www.golfvacationsmag.com

Golf Vacations • October 2015 17

s an avid golfer since learning to play golf in San Diego, California at the age of 10, when considering vacation possibilities I try to think of how I can work in a round of golf. As a person who loves traveling to new and different locales, when I think of a vacation I look for opportunities to see and experience foreign countries and cultures. As someone who enjoys cruises, I continually review cruise itineraries when considering vacations. I recently found a way to enjoy golf, traveling and cruising while on vacation…a European River cruise. My wife and I took a Viking River Cruise along the Rhine River from Basel, Switzerland to Amsterdam, Netherlands during which we enjoyed days and nights of comfort, culture and camaraderie on board one of Viking’s new Longships, and had the opportunity play golf on an outstanding course in Lucerne, Switzerland. In 2014 Conde Nast Traveler’s readers named Viking River Cruise’s Longships “Best River Cruise Ships” and in 2015 Travel & Leisure Magazine named Viking River Cruises the #1 River Cruise Line. After our week on the one year old Viking Longship Viking Idi, we can understand why… outstanding staterooms kept organized and immaculate; excellent food served in the outdoor Aquavit Terrace or in the casual but elegant main dining room; free Wi-Fi in our stateroom; wonderful all-included daily shore excursions lead by extremely knowledgeable local guides; staff and crew members that made every moment enjoyable; and complimentary soft drinks, beer and wine at every lunch and dinner on board. In addition, we enjoyed soothing tunes by an on board pianist and listened to talented local musicians and singers who came on board to entertain the 186 passengers. We enjoyed the daily patter of Nick Hale, Viking Idi’s Program Director who was omni-present, a fountain of information about the ship, sites and ports along the Rhine, and was witty enough to be an extremely successful stand-up comic. When you take a Viking Longship on the Rhine, you are in a hotel that glides effortlessly from town to town and city to city on one of Europe’s busiest and most famous rivers. You pass barges carrying coal, oil, wheat and all types of freight. You pass vineyards on steep hills. You pass castles that sit high above the river, some of which date back

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to the 13th century. Some of the castles are in ruins, some have been converted into private homes and some are now very, very expensive hotels. All are sites to behold. In addition to our daily shore excursions, Viking offered other tours which were included in the price of the cruise. We had a drive through the Black Forest where we learned about the history of Cuckoo Clocks and how they are made, and had a demonstration on how to make a Black Forest Cake. We visited famed Heidelberg Castle, took a tour of 13th century Marksburg Castle near Koblenz where we had a look at what life in a castle was really like; and toured the Kinderdijk Windmills near Amsterdam, A UNESCO World Heritage Site. Optional tours available at an added charge included a tour of the medieval Village of Colmar, a tour of a Mercedes Factory, a wine tasting and winery tour, a World War II Museum tour, a dinner of sauerbraten, red cabbage, apple sauce, dessert and lots of wine at the Rudesheimer Schloss in Rudesheim, and a Pub Crawl in Cologne. If you decide take a Rhine River cruise and add on a pre or post cruise extension to play golf in Lucerne as my wife and I did, enjoy a round at Golf Club Kussnacht. In 1995 four farm families went together to develop the course located just 20 minutes from downtown Lucerne. It has wonderful scenic views of green grassy rolling hills, colorful flowers decorating flowerboxes on wooden farmhouses, gently clanging cowbells on cows grazing in nearby pastures, and “Kodak moment” views of the Alps and Lake Lucerne. You may in fact have trouble concentrating on your golf game as the dazzling scenery will make you feel as if you are in a theater watching an IMAX movie. Golf Club Kussnacht isn’t a long course. It ranges from 4300 meters (about 4700 yards) from the forward tees to 5470 meters (about 6000 yards) from the back tees. However, it isn’t a pushover by any means even with the extra distance Kick X balls we play which give us greater distance on our shots. Kussnacht’s hilly terrain, eleven doglegs, and five holes where water comes into play combine with elevated tees and greens to make the Par 68 course quite challenging. With one Par 5, 12 Par 4’s and five Par 3’s

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Golf Clun Kussnacht Teeing off on one of the uphill holes

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Golf Vacations â&#x20AC;˘ October 2015 19

it carries a men’s slope rating of 121 and a ladies slope rating of 115. Kussnacht’s manicured fairways, smooth fast greens, fast BMW golf carts, friendly employees, and a wonderful lunch on the outdoor patio of the clubhouse restaurant made our day of golf truly enjoyable. Although we only scheduled ourselves to play golf at Golf Club Kussnacht in Lucerne while on our trip, there are many golfing opportunities along the Rhine. A few that were suggested to us were: Near Koblentz/Boppard- the Jakobsberg Hotel and Golf Resort. In Cologne - Golf Club Gut Larchenhof e.V.- a Jack Nicklaus course, one of only a few Nicklaus courses in Europe, and Golf - und Land Club Koln e.V.- where Bernard Langer won his first pro event at age 17. In Amsterdam there are 31 courses within a few miles of downtown. The best way to secure a golf tee time and arrange for rental clubs if you don’t wish to take your own, is to contact the courses directly by email. Once on the ship, the Concierge can reconfirm your tee times and arrange for transportation to and from the courses. Extending in Lucerne was a great decision as Lucerne is a very friendly city for English speaking tourists as almost everyone speaks English, and, it is a very walkable scenic city. It has hundreds of years of history, numerous museums, and a calendar full of concerts and festivals. Also, shopping for watches, attractive fashions and stylish accessories is available in shops along the narrow alleys and in the wide squares. Whether on your own or with a guided tour, you can visit interesting and historic sites like the Benedictine Monks church, the Rathaus (City Hall), and the world famous Chapel Bridge, Europe’s oldest wooden

covered bridge dating back to the 14th century. Numerous sightseeing excursions are also available including trips into the Alps where you can ride Europe’s oldest mountain railway, the world’s steepest cogwheel train, or the first revolving aerial cable car. We can highly recommend an excursion we took…a three-hour Lake Lucerne cruise on the steamboat Gallia which takes you around the lake past lush meadows, popular resorts and small villages that dot the shoreline. Only steps from the Chapel Bridge, and it’s 18th century painted panels portraying scenes of Swiss and local history, you can enjoy both lunches and dinners at excellent indoor/outdoor cafes along Lucerne’s Ruess River. We had a delightful meal outdoors at the Phistern restaurant. The building in which it is housed was originally the Bakers Guild dating back to the 15th century. (A Dining Recommendation: Have the ravioli starter followed by either a Caesar Salad with shrimp and chicken or a dinner of strips of veal with a mushroom cream sauce and Swiss Rosti potatoes). For another dining and entertainment treat, plan dinner at the Stadtkeller Restaurant. There you can enjoy a delicious Swiss dinner of cheese fondue, salad, entrée and dessert, and a fun and highly entertaining folkloric show featuring musicians in national costumes yodeling, doing flag twirling and playing cowbells and thirteen foot long alpine horns. During our three days in Lucerne, we stayed at the Waldstatterhof hotel just two blocks from the main train station and Lucerne’s inter-

Golf Clun Kussnacht Clubhouse and restaurant with lots of colorful flowers

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nationally acclaimed Culture and Convention Center. It’s a tastefully renovated downtown hotel that has maintained its old European architectural charm on the outside yet inside has comfortable modern rooms and an inviting restaurant that offers a bountiful buffet style breakfast. A word of caution…don’t expect large showers or air conditioning. At the Waldstatterhof, as is the case in most older hotels in Europe, showers are small by Western standards and rooms are not air conditioned. With a great deal of sadness we disembarked in Amsterdam after seven wonderful days on the Rhine. It wasn’t that we were unhappy to be going to Amsterdam, it was just that we had had such a tremendous cruise on the Viking Idi. In addition to our excellent accommodations, outstanding food, and terrific tours, we had the opportunity to meet and get to know fellow travelers from England, Australia, Lebanon and numerous states in the US, as well as crew members from Germany, Austria, England, France, Croatia, Bulgaria, Serbia, Slovakia, and Romania. During our two days and nights in Amsterdam, we stayed in two different hotels, Casa400 Hotel, a student hotel for college students when school is in session. It was quite comfortable, nothing like the hostels and student hotels I stayed in during the seven and one-half months I bummed around Europe in 1960. It was a convenient five minute walk to the metro which took us to downtown Amsterdam in 15-20 minutes and it housed the East 57 Restaurant where we had an excellent and quite reasonable dinner. Our second hotel was the Park Hotel located on one of Amsterdam’s busy canals and was just two blocks from the Rijks Museum. It also had one of Amsterdam’s newest high-energy and trendy restaurants, MOMO. Although we ate at the Café Zuylen Bar and Restaurant near Dam Square while walking through the old section of Amsterdam, we did have a to-die-for chocolate dessert at MOMO. Even though totally different, both hotels and their restaurants are now on our “places to stay and eat” when we next visit Amsterdam. During our two day in Amsterdam we walked through the old section, took a canal cruise using an I amsterdam City Card that was good for transportation in the city, gave us free entrance to a number of museums, and a reduced price at the Rijks Museum where we marveled at Rembrandt’s Nightwatch. We also took an emotional tour through the Anne Frank House where we got a real gut check on what it must have been like for Anne and her family hiding from the Nazis. We also spent time walking through the Red Light District. No matter what you think about the “world’s oldest profession”, a walk through the district is an experience not to be missed. During our 14 days in Europe, we had a great day of golf at Golf Club Kussnacht, loved visiting all the towns and cities in four countries, and thoroughly loved our cruise on the Rhine on the Viking Idi. If you also enjoy golf, traveling and cruising, combine all three by taking both

your golf and deck shoes on a Viking River Cruise on the Rhine River. And, if you want to take along your electronic gear including your laptop, ipad, iphone, etc. and not have to unpack and place them in the grey boxes provided as you go through the ever present TSA inspections, get yourself an ecbc Lance Back Pack with the checkpoint-friendly ecbc FastPass System. All you have to do is unzip the FastPass compartment, which displays all your protected electronics and cords, lay the Back Pack flat on the conveyer belt and send the it through the checkpoint scanner. Doing so certainly made our security checks much simpler. For information about Viking River Cruises, visit their website www. VikingRiverCruises. For information about golf courses from Lucerne to Amsterdam, visit www.1golf.eu/en/golf-courses/europe and follow the prompts for language, countries, cities and courses. Kinderdijk Windmills

Alpine Horns - part of show at Stadtkeller Restaurant in Lucerne

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Omni Homestead Resort:

Historic Property Celebrates 250th Year in 2016 By David R. Holland

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Omni Homestead

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Cascades #17

OT SPRINGS, VA -- When the legend Sam Snead started working at The Omni Homestead Resort at age 17 the iconic hotel had already been around 146 years. Founded in 1766, the resort will celebrate its 250th year in 2016. Few resorts in the USA have this history. Guests first arrived at The Homestead a decade before the American Revolution to soak in the historic natural hot springs Jefferson Pools and view the beauty of the Allegheny Mountains of Western Virginia. Southern hospitality is abundant in a 2,000-acre setting that today offers 483 guest rooms and suites, 72,000 square feet of meeting space with fine and casual dining choices including Sam Snead’s Tavern loaded with golf memrobilia. Golf comes to The Homestead It was 1892 when The Old Course opened with six holes and that first tee holds the distinction of being the oldest first tee in continuous operation in the USA. Presidents to tee off include William Howard Taft, William McKinley, Woodrow Wilson, Dwight D. Eisenhower and just about every single modern golf-playing president. Even The Duke of Windsor joined the fun. Golf was so popular from the start that men’s and women’s tournaments became frequent and by 1913 it was evident to the resort’s leadership that Donald Ross should be retained to expand the course to 18 holes. Ross introduced fairway contouring that produced sidehill, uphill and downhill lies to small greens. Approach shots were no gimmes. Today’s course measures 6,099 yards at par 72 and has been updated by Flynn in 1925 and Rees Jones in 1994. The Old Course demands precision over power and Don Ryder, The Homestead’s just retired Director of Golf, pointed out its unique

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configuration of six par threes, six par fours and six par fives. Cascades Course For 82 years the Cascades Course was ranked No. 1 in Virginia and Snead said “if I could play only one course this would be it”. Flynn’s 6,667-yard, par 70 on paper doesn’t strike fear into the expert golfer, but Mark Fry, head pro, said that when the NCAA Championships came here in 2004 it was no pushover with a field of winner Ryan Moore, and notable tour luminaries Bill Haas and Camilo Villegas. Elite events staged here include the 1928 USGA Women’s Am, 1966 Curtis Cup, 1967 USGA Women’s Open, 1980 USGA Senior Men’s Am, 1988 USGA Men’s Am, 1994 USGA Women’s Am, 2000 USGA Men’s Mid-Am, 2004 NCAA Division I Men’s Championship, and 2009 USGA Senior Women’s Am. In 1923 when Flynn routed the course today’s modern machinery was absent. Plows, pulled by mules and horses, helped Flynn tool a landscape that created stances and lies that demanded skilled golfers to approach greens that were sometimes sloping or pitched. Flynn returned in 1935 for some enhancements. A bunker restoration project took place in 2007 as part of a Master Plan submitted by Wayne Morrison and Tom Paul. Golf historians say A.W. Tillinghast was called in to consult prior to the Cascades construction, but Flynn was hired. Ryder, who is a wealth of information, has been here a lifetime going from a doorman to pro. “One of the things you’ll notice right away about the Cascades Course is how naturally it blends with the mountain setting. There’s that stretch of holes on the back nine, 10 through 13, that just seems like they’ve been there all along. And it’s that way throughout the course -- truly, 18 different

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Old Course Putting Green

golf holes, all fitting into their places.” The rough is thick and the fairways narrow on some holes. According to Ryder, the success of your round depends on how you drive. “If you drive the ball well, you can hit some greens. But if you drive the ball poorly, you’re in for a long round. I’ve played courses where you can drive it all over the place and still finish okay, but The Cascades is not one of them.” To avoid high scores, Ryder also suggests players keep the ball on the wide side of the green. “On the Cascades, if you start missing on the short side you’ll make bogey after bogey. The greens are contoured and fast and short putts are rare. It’s a hard course to get up and down when you miss the greens on same side as the flag pin.” The crystal-clear Cascades stream flows through the course, coming into play on several holes, particularly the final three. “The stream definitely presents some challenges,” noted Ryder, “but it really adds to the beauty.” The one-and-only Sam Snead To many Virginians the name Sam Snead towers over all who have a history at The Homestead. The smooth-swinging legend started working here at age 17 as a maker of hickory shaft golf clubs in the old Casino Building, that now serves as The Old Course’s pro shop. “Slammin’ Sam” grew up only a mile and a half away and the winner of 82 PGA Tour events and seven major titles now has his name on the address of The Omni Homestead -- 7696 Sam Snead Highway. In his final years he was a fixture at the practice areas accompanied by his dog, a golden retriever. Don’t be surprised to see a professional golfer on the range, putting greens or fairways. Sam’s nephew J.C. Snead was present one day of my visit. He won eight times on the PGA Tour and five times on the

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Great Hall

Champions Tour. “What’s amazing to me,” said Fry, “is that 38 golf pros have come out of Bath County with a population of 4,200. Don Ryder has two brothers who are golf pros -- that’s three from one family!” Omni Homestead Resort: It’s more than just a golf resort What makes The Homestead special? Mountain scenery, quality golf with superlative conditions, friendliness, history, comfy resort hotel, historic photos, library, lounges, spa, restaurants, swimming, hiking, tennis, sporting clays, falconry, fly fishing, kayaking and canoeing. Allegheny Springs is a two-acre family-friendly water attraction with lazy river, water slides and water play zone. The resort also offers the South’s first downhill ski area, a beautiful Equestrian Center with riding arena, Segway tours, and Mini Cascades, a new 18-hole miniature golf course. Restaurants include The Main Dining Room, which offers a breakfast buffett and formal dinner. Regional tastes include fresh ingredients from the resort’s surroundings. Seasonal dishes include vine-ripe heirloom tomatoes and burrata cheese, Highland county lamb, freshly prepared lobster bisque, Virginian grass-fed beef, Allegheny mountain trout and Chesapeake crab, as well as favorites like the gold brick sundae. Other dining options includes Sam Snead’s Tavern, Jefferson’s Restaurant & Bar and the Casino Restaurant. The Lobby Bar is adjacent to the Great Hall and offers a signature and classic cocktails, wines by the glass and regional craft beers. You can shoot pool here or throw darts in the Georgian Room located behind the bar, or relax and watch a sporting event on one of the HDTVs. Don’t miss the portraits of all the sitting U.S. Presidents that have visited The Homestead. All this in one fantastic location only an hour and 40 minutes from Roanoke’s new regional airport.

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SWEETSTUFF

deliver a great feeling ball with performance on every type of shot. When it comes to making low compression golf balls, what’s often sacrificed is spin performance on shots into the green. Any shot to the green without sufficient spin will hit and release quickly, making it extremely difficult to stop the ball close to the hole or hold the green. There is clearly a point of diminishing returns. We’ve moved away from that trend with DT TruSoft by maintaining really good short game spin relative to those products.   “We’ve learned a lot from our experience over the years with very low compression core technology, which we’ve used in the centers of our dual core products,” Hogge said. “We know how to make the formulations and manufacture them consistently, so that every DT TruSoft feels and performs the same every time you tee it up.” DT TruSoft models are available in white and optic yellow colors with play numbers 1-4. For more information on the Titleist DT TruSoft ball: www.titleist.com

ith an emphasis on the short game, Titleist has just released probably its softest golf ball yet with a low compression core that makes for more control around the green. The Titleist DT TruSoft ball is the latest in the venerable DT line of golf balls and replaces the DT SoLo with a better product that not only offers distance but offers exceptional spin and feel around the greens—even coming out of the rough or chipping. It is somewhat reminiscent of the feel of the old balata golf balls of years ago—but with space age design. It is designed with a fast, very low compression core and soft pure ionomer cover--the softest core construction and ionomer cover blend Titleist has ever used. The new core and cover work together to provide a uniquely soft feel and sound on every shot, while delivering very low spin in the long game for consistently long distance and reliable short game spin for playability into and around the green. A 376 tetrahedral dimple design ensures an aerodynamically consistent flight. “DT TruSoft is the latest generation of Titleist’s soft compression core and cover technology. In each of our past three introductions of DT models, we have continued to provide golfers with softer and softer feel,” said Michael Mahoney, Director of Titleist Golf Ball Product Management. “Through our extensive testing with golfers, we know there is a growing interest for extremely soft feel, yet these golfers still want performance into and around the green. DT TruSoft represents the best combination of very soft feel and the allaround performance of distance and playability you expect from a Titleist golf ball.   “DT TruSoft is significantly softer than DT SoLo, which was already the softest compression golf ball in our line and exceeds the performance of other products in this category as many of our competitors sacrifice either short game spin or distance.” The stopping power on the greens with this new ball is impressive, as is the consistent distance despite the fact that it is a lowcompression, soft golf ball. “This is the softest, best performing DT model we’ve ever made,” said Matt Hogge, Titleist Golf Ball R&D’s Director of Product Implementation. “We’ve balanced our core and cover combination to

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rying to perfect one’s putting stroke can be one of the most maddening things about the game of golf. It looks like the easiest stroke there is, but it is a part of the game that confounds even the best players in the world.  For those that are serious about improving this all-important scoring shot, the PT-30 Putting Trainer by Voice Caddie is a simple yet effective device that can really help develop a better putting stroke. This small electronic device—about the size of a small candy bar—snaps easily on the shaft of the putter and gives real-time analysis on each and every stroke during a practice lesson or when fitting for a new putter.

It is adjustable for a variety of green speeds and gives the putting distance for each shot, the putter face angle and the putting time and tempo—all good feedback for serious practice. The beauty of this device is that it is small, easy to use and needs no certain brand of phone or app to read the results of your practice session—simple the way it should be. Just look down at your putter shaft for the instant feedback. The PT-30 shows the distance of your putt—or if practicing with limited space—how far your putt would have gone. It tells if the putter face is straight, closed or open at impact and by how many degrees--and it tells you if you pushed or pulled the putt. It also

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SWEETSTUFF by TerryRoss

shows your stroke tempo and displays the back and forward stroke ratio. You can also change the display to see the total time of your putting stroke instead. In addition, the PT-30 includes the unit selection of meters and feet, and there are seven various green speeds that can be set to gauge an accurate distance of each putt. For a light, easy to use and unobtrusive training device that gives instant feedback, the PT-30 checks all of the boxes and then some. For more information on the Voice Caddie Putting Trainer: www.voicecaddie.com

he most popular golf glove franchise—the FootJoy StaSof®-recently introduced its newest version and even after 35 years, this glove is packed with lots of new features—including a better fitting style, softer feel and better performance in hot conditions.

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Played by more than 800 of the game’s leading male and female tour players around the globe, according to FootJoy-- and winner of more Major Championships than any other glove model--the new StaSof represents the latest advancement following extensive research and development. This is the 13th generation of the StaSof and it combines new and established performance technologies with hand-sewn craftsmanship to deliver what the company calls Advanced Performance Feel. Constructed from premium Taction2®Advance Performance (APL™) Cabretta Leather, the new StaSof provides improved tour-tested performance due to a number of new features, including the softer, thinner elastic that contours the glove to the hand for a lightweight feel, improved fit and comfort. A single stitch PowerNet™ mesh and strategically placed perforations also create a more comfortable feel and fit across the knuckles. “The original StaSof glove set the benchmark when it was introduced over 35 years ago, but thanks to our exclusive partnership with Pittards®, continuous product innovation and a relentless pursuit of the finest materials, the StaSof to this day maintains its status as the #1 Cabretta leather glove on Worldwide Tours,” said Maria Bonzagni, Senior Director of Marketing, FJ Gloves and Accessories. “We have worked tirelessly to improve all facets of this iconic glove and have no doubt the new design and technology within will continue to help improve the performance of millions of golfers worldwide for years to come,” she added. Among the new features are the Taction2® Advanced Performance Leather® tanned exclusively by Pittards® of England, that is not only durable but offers the ultimate in feel, water and perspiration resistance, while providing exceptional grip performance in all playing conditions.

A new soft moisture-wicking Elastic cuff contours the glove to the hand for a lightweight feel, improved fit and comfort, while the new single-stich PowerNet™ knuckle minimizes the seam to create a more comfortable feel and fit. In addition, the new precision placement of finer gauge elastics improves the overall feel and consistency of fit. There is also a new proprietary angled ComforTab™ Velcro® closure that helps secure a better fit. Strategically placed perforations and PowerNet™ mesh improves breathability and flexibility. The new StaSof is available in an impressive 26 size options, ensuring an all-encompassing provision of men’s left, cadet & right as well as women’s left and right sizes. The new StaSof is available in both pearl and black colors. For more information on the new StaSof glove: www.footjoy.com

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