Why I Take a Golfing Holiday Each Year

Every year I visit the city of Melbourne in Australia for one reason, to play golf. Although this sounds like an odd place to visit I also have relatives there so I can pretend as if I am there to see them. Melbourne has some fine sand belt golf courses that require more than brute force to master, which is perfect for a short hitter like me. Most courses are open to the public and are the green fees are quite reasonable. There are literally hundreds of courses within a few hundred kilometres of the city, which means that I can play a different one each year.

Some of my friends have been known to visit other exotic golfing locations, such as Thailand or Hawaii. Their stories about these far away lands had me intrigued and I am planning on joining a group of friends for a golf break in Thailand later next year. I'm sure my family in Melbourne will miss my visit, but less family time means more golf! One place I have always wanted to visit is St. Andrews. Not only because it is the home of golf, but because my childhood idol Peter Thomson won his second Open Championship there. The best thing about visiting the United Kingdom is that there are hundreds of courses I would love to play. If Thailand is a success maybe I'll research golf breaks UK for 2013! Let me know in the comments your favourite golfing holiday destination.

Danny Lee - The next big thing in golf?

I have been watching the Australian summer of golf (and not posting on this blog anywhere near as much as I should) and the name Danny Lee has been coming up a lot (that happens when you win a tournament I guess). He is the number 1 amateur in the world and beat a strong field to take out the Johnnie Walker Classic.

He put together 4 rounds of solid golf seemed calm and collected and much more mature than 18 years old! He plans on Turning pro after the Masters this year and I think the future is looking bright for him!

What do you think? Leave a comment.

Chinese golf becomes a major force

By Nick Mulvenney

SHANGHAI, Nov 8 (Reuters) - China's golf chief Zhang Xiaoning said extending the rain-disrupted HSBC Champions to Monday signified the world's most populous country had arrived as a major force in international golf.

Wet weather washed out play on Friday and delayed the start of the second round by three hours on Saturday, forcing organisers of the $5 million tournament to schedule a fifth day.

"Monday play is an honour reserved for only the most important tournaments," said Zhang, secretary-general of the China Golf Association (CGA).

"It has proved we have one of the world's most important tournaments and it has proved Chinese golf has truly arrived on the world stage."

The 2005 Asian Open in Shanghai was also rain-disrupted and extended to Monday but China's golfing trailblazer Zhang Liangwei said the decision to extend this week's event was a "significant moment".

"I'm very proud for Chinese golf," said the 43-year-old, who was the first man from his country to play at one of golf's four majors, the 2004 U.S. Masters.

"At the start of my career there were almost no tournaments in China. Now we have an event that is treated with the respect normally given to the majors."

My thoughts

I keep hearing China is the future and this step shows that they are serious about their golf. What will the golfing world look like in 50 years? I am not sure, but I am convinced China will be involved!

Crazy golf trick shot

Before I say anything else I will say this - Do not try this at home!

I have actually seen this trick shot performed by a couple of golfers before, but this video has the best introduction speech I have ever heard! Watch this shot and be amazed!

Will the credit crisis effect golf?

It is safe to say that professional golf and corporate sponsorship go hand in hand. When times are good for big corporations times are usually also good for golf. However, the global credit crisis is certainly making its presence felt. Everyone from major companies to the small investors is being hammered by the crisis, but this being a golf blog I want to know your opinion on how this will effect golf especially the PGA tour?

Please leave a comment

Ultimate golf game!

If you are a fan of golf games (like I am) you will have probably heard of the impending release of protee. A golf game for the computer (and eventually the wii), which allows you to play with real clubs and balls (optional). The following video gives a little glimpse into the game, but I am already excited and I can't wait for it to start raining!

BMW PGA Championship - Round 1 Wrap

Paul McGinley has never made any secret of his love affair with the West Course and here yesterday he did everything but fall to his knees and start kissing Surrey's most famous piece of turf. An opening 65, that gave him the first round lead of the BMW PGA Championship, no doubt helped intensify this affection, although the Dubliner had a point to make amid all that salivating.

"When it's playing hard and like this, this is a real test of golf, a proper test," he declared. "We're not tested enough on course management anymore. A lot of the courses we play are soft and one-dimensional." McGinley did not go so far as to say that the modern golfer is thus soft and one-dimensional. Yet he would not be alone in believing it.

In fact, the demise of the shot-maker is lamented throughout the game. True, there is Tiger Woods, but how many chances does he get to parade these skills? Indeed, how many chances do any of the professionals get, including McGinley, who plotted his way around yesterday by chasing two-irons off the tee up the bone-dry fairways and, on the sixth, purposefully aimed a wedge 20 feet left of the pin? "It is the substantial majority," he confirmed when asked how many of the Tour's venues fall into the "long and one-dimensional" category. "Everyone just thinks 7,500 yards is the future of golf. But firm and fast is what makes courses tough for us.

Resession hurting golf and the sponsors

A visitor to this week's Wachovia Championship in Charlotte might notice the opulence that envelops the Quail Hollow Club, one of the reasons this is among the PGA Tour's most popular stops.

Each and every one of the corporate skyboxes that surround various holes is sold out, giving those companies that purchased them the opportunity to wine and dine clients, employees and friends. The tournament has become so successful in its sixth year that high-end seating was added behind the 16th green and 17th tee. Regular tickets sold out months ago.

A few days spent watching golf in North Carolina would never lead to the conclusion that the country borders on recession, gas prices have hit all-time highs and the American economy is suffering.

But golf is certainly not above such issues, even if everything looks perfect at Quail Hollow...

Read the complete article

This week in golf

LPGA TOUR

Ginn Open

Site: Reunion, Fla.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Ginn Reunion Resort (6,505 yards, par 72).

Last year: Brittany Lincicome beat Lorena Ochoa by a stroke for her second tour title, closing with an even-par 72 in windy conditions. Ochoa finished with a 77.

PGA TOUR

Verizon Heritage

Site: Hilton Head Island, S.C.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Harbour Town Golf Links (6,973 yards, par 71).

Purse: $5.5 million. Winner's share: $990,000.

FedEx Cup points: 25,000. Winner's share: 4,500.

Last year: Boo Weekley won his first PGA Tour title, chipping in on the final two holes to hold off Ernie Els by a stroke.

PGA EUROPEAN TOUR/ASIAN TOUR/CHINA GOLF ASSOCIATION

Volvo China Open

Site: Beijing.

Schedule: Thursday-Sunday.

Course: Beijing CBD International Golf Club (7,321 yards, par 72).

Purse: $2.2 million. Winner's share: $367,740.

Last year: Austria's Markus Brier won at Shanghai Silport, finishing with a 4-under 67 for a five-stroke victory.

Another push for golf at the Olympics

PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem offered his support Tuesday for golf to become an Olympic sport, an endorsement that could give golf its strongest chance since it was dropped from the Olympic program more than 100 years ago.

"While there remain questions to be answered and issues to be resolved, I believe the time is now right to move forward," Finchem said on a blog he posted on the tour's Web site.

Because the International Olympic Committee requires seven years for a sport to be added, the earliest golf could be part of the Olympics is 2016. The IOC will meet next year to vote on a host for the 2016 Games and decide whether to include additional sports.

Any bid would have to come through the International Golf Federation, which the IOC recognizes as golf's ruling body for the Olympics. It is run jointly by USGA executive director David Fay and Royal & Ancient Golf Club chief executive Peter Dawson.

Golf last was played in the Olympics in 1904, with Canadian George Lyon winning the gold medal.

It almost was part of the Atlanta Games in 1996 - at Augusta National, no less - until IOC member Anita DeFrantz and others criticized the club's all-male membership, and the fact it had only recently taken a black member.

The last attempt for Olympic golf came in 2005.

"It failed for a pragmatic reason," Fay said. "It's not going to succeed unless the professional tours are behind it. We haven't had the professional bodies express support for it since Atlanta."

Finchem said golf as an Olympic sport would promote growth around the world. And while he mentioned that golf already has four majors, three World Golf Championships and The Players Championship, he thought there was room for golf in the Olympics...

Click to read the complete article

Putting tips video

I found this great little golf instructional video presenting short putts. Good Luck.

New Zealand launches Sir Bob Charles Tour

New Zealand Golf and the PGA of New Zealand will manage a new series of 72 hole strokeplay tournaments for professionals and elite amateurs.

Sir Bob Charles, who attended the launch in Auckland today, has agreed to lend his name to the series which will be known as the Charles Tour. The Charles Tour will be staged in partnership with the respective host clubs, including three existing independent events – the Carrus Tauranga Open, Youthtown Wairakei Open and Bayleys Taranaki Open.

These will be joined by an additional event, the Shirley Open in Christchurch, which was confirmed today. Two further tournaments will be added next year with Waikato Golf and Titirangi Golf Club indicating that they are keen to come on board.

The Charles Tour will carry an order of merit which will provide important playing opportunities for professionals. The leading amateur from the tour will be granted an exemption to the New Zealand Open, with a number of other exemption opportunities to be provided for professionals and amateurs.

The structure of the tournaments will be similar to that initiated by former professional Greg Turner.

“These have proven excellent for the development of the game – for the country’s best amateurs and budding professionals – male and female,” said NZG chief executive Bill MacGowan and NZPGA CEO Garth Stirrat.

“Greg’s vision is one we share. He saw this as the ideal time to let the tournaments continue without his direct input, and accordingly NZ Golf and the PGA have reached an agreement with the existing three events and a number of new venues.

“Collectively we are able to add some important playing opportunities for both amateurs and professionals.”

The organisation is delighted that Sir Bob has agreed to have his name associated with the tour.

“I’ve been a keen supporter of the development of the game in this country with both New Zealand Golf and the PGA for nearly half a century,” Sir Bob said. “I am impressed with this concept and honoured to have it named after me.”

It was fitting to name the tour after New Zealand’s leading professional Sir Bob Charles, who has given much back to the development of golf in this country.

OneAsia is officially on

The PGA Tour of Australia has joined forces with golf organisations in Japan, China and Korea to form a new Asian Tour.

The OneAsia Tour will include the top tournaments currently held in the Asia-Pacific, with the aim of producing an elite level of competition in the region.

Organisers hope to start the new tour in January next year.

The tour's backers have reportedly envisaged an eventual 35-stop tour to rival the lucrative and hugely popular US PGA and European Tours, with existing circuits acting as feeders.

"In an effort to better promote the game of golf and take the game to a higher level in the Asia-Pacific region, each of the founding tours believe it is necessary to find a single regional organisation that can truly represent the common rights and benefits of relevant local golf bodies and their members," the bodies of the four countries said in a joint statement.

"The new tour will seek to bring together the best tournaments conducted throughout Asia-Pacific to create an alternative elite career pathway for national organisations and their aspiring professional golfers in the region."

The chief of the current Asian Tour, however, has signalled reluctance to sign up to the new tour, which is yet to be officially named but is being referred to as OneAsia.

Kyi Hla Han said the project to merge the Asian, Australasian and Japanese circuits into the OneAsia Tour was complex and may not benefit the present regional set-up.

Friday's joint statement said an interim board has been appointed to guide the creation and launch of the tour, consisting of representatives from each of the founding tours. A board chairman will be officially appointed shortly.

Australasian PGA Tour chief executive Ben Sellenger has trumpeted the plan, saying it will lift playing standards and attract more big stars to the region.

He has also said the initial target was to play 20 tournaments with a minimum prize money purse of $US1.5 million, although some tournaments would be worth twice that amount.

Wii love golf

The Nintendo Wii was my present to my wife last year after she had a bad few weeks at her job and needed a pick me. Subsequently it has become one of the house favorites and it gets a lot of use. My favorite part of the wii is the golf games (of course) and bundled with the box is a sports game including... golf! This version is a little simple, but is still fun (and frustrating) enough to be worth playing a round or thousand. There are also two versions of Tiger Woods available and with the wii's motion sensing capabilities it really is a treat to play. It even picks up my slight slice from time to time.

Charter high speed internet for life are running a competition where you can win a Nintendo Wii simply when you pre-register for their high speed internet for life auction. You don't even need to bid on the auction just register, which seems pretty fair to me. I recommend you read their FAQ page and terms of conditions before you enter, but it is a very exciting opportunity. I will be signing up and if I win I will be giving the wii away to one of my readers. I can't imagine this will last of too long so if you are interested you can Click Here for a Chance to Win a Nintendo® Wii™!.

Good Luck!

Pro charged with killing a hawk with a golf ball - Crazy golf news

There seems to be more and more crazy golf news all the time and this story is no different

When is shooting a birdie a bad idea on a golf course? When it's actually a red-shouldered hawk and you kill it by intentionally hitting it with a golf ball, which is what pro golfer Tripp Isenhour is charged with doing..

Isenhour, 39, was charged with two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals and killing a migratory bird as a result of the incident, which took place Dec. 12 at Grand Cypress Golf Club in Orlando, Fla. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 14 months in jail and $1,500 in fines.

Isenhour was taping a video called "Shoot Like a Pro" and was interrupted by the noise of the bird, according to news reports. He eventually knocked the bird out of a tree with one of his shots.

According to court documents, Isenhour got upset when a red-shouldered hawk began making noise, forcing another take. He began hitting balls at the bird, then 300 yards away, but gave up.

Isenhour started again when the hawk moved within about 75 yards, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer Brian Baine indicated in a report.

Isenhour allegedly said "I'll get him now," and aimed for the hawk.

A few shots later, witnesses said he hit the hawk. The bird, protected as a migratory species, fell to the ground bleeding from both nostrils.

Isenhour plays on the Nationwide Tour.

8 year old golfer in Malaysian pro-am

Rory McIlroy, who is eyeing a place in this year's European Ryder Cup team, was awe-struck by the performance of his eight-year-old playing partner in Wednesday's Malaysian Open pro-am.

McIlroy recorded a hole-in-one on the way to a nine-under 63 at Kota Permai Golf and Country Club but it was young nine-handicapper Galvin Green who left a lasting impression on the 18-year-old from Northern Ireland.

"He (Green) is absolutely awesome," McIlroy told the European Tour's official Web site (www.europeantour.com). "I really can't get over how good he is and that really made the day.

"He is an incredibly talented prospect for the future. It was nice to play with him and even though I played pretty well, he made me look pretty average."

The 4-foot-7 Green, who romped to a 14-shot victory in the world under-eight championship, was carrying the ball about 170 yards on Wednesday.

McIlroy, who first made headlines with a flawless opening 68 in last year's British Open at Carnoustie, said the stocky Malaysian was a better golfer than he was at the same age.

"I got (my handicap) down to single figures when I was 11 so he is three years ahead of me," said the teenager.

Green's golfing talents run in the family as his older brother Gavin is also the world under-14 champion.

"Galvin is a strong kid," said McIlroy. "He has solid legs and quite big forearms for a kid of that age...

Read the complete article

Golf this week

PGA Tour - Honda Classic
PGA National Champion Course, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

European Tour - Johnnie Walker Classic
DLF Golf and Country Club, New Delhi, India

Coming off their appearance at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, Adam Scott, Colin Montgomerie, Vijay Singh and Soren Hansen all headed to India to try to take the crown from Haig.

LPGA Tour - HSBC Womens Champions
Tanah Merah Country Club, Singapore

Annika Sorenstam is off to a hot start with a win and a fourth-place finish. She will be joined in the field by Karrie Webb and Lorena Ochoa, who are both making their season debuts this week.

Strange golf news - Elaine Joyce sues public club for men's only event

Elaine Joyce, a champion amateur golfer, and her father were looking forward to a weekend tournament last May at the respected public course on Cape Cod where they hold full memberships. But their names were not listed when officials posted the tee times for the event at the Dennis Pines course.

Joyce’s father, Pat, received a call from the club’s head pro, Russell Champoux, who said the tournament was not open to women. It did not matter that Joyce would play from the men’s tees. Or that she had won more than 20 club championships over the years. Or that she had captured the title in 2001 at an event for the state’s top female club champions.

Joyce complained to the town, but over the next several months, Robert Canevazzi, the Dennis town administrator, did not budge. When Joyce filed a complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination in July, the club said its actions were not discriminatory. In a letter, Canevazzi told Joyce that the club would begin scheduling men’s and women’s fields in all tournaments in 2008, giving women more weekend play. The club’s lawyer, Kristin Tyler Harris, reiterated the position. But women would not be permitted to play in men’s tournaments.

On Friday, Joyce, 43, filed a federal lawsuit in United States District Court in Boston to challenge the town and the golf officials. Her case confronts the tradition of men’s tournaments on morning weekends, events that are woven into the fabric of golf life at private and public courses...

Read the complete strange golf story

Phil Mickelson new swing 2008 (Swing Vision Video)

I know there was a couple of people interested in seeing the video of Phil's new swing for 2008 and this video from the Northern Trust open captures the action. I found the commentators remarks interesting and it sounded like he wasn't overly impressed with this swing.

Enjoy the swing vision.

Chipping Tips

Chipping is an area of the game that can save you many shots a round. A player with a good short game will generally practice this part of the game for many hours. Time should be spent honing the correct technique and stroking the ball over an over until it feels as natural as possible.

This sounds all well and good, but many golfers need some help finding the correct technique for them and I have found some of the better golf chipping videos out there to help you in this area. Try all of the techniques and find the advice that suits your game the best and then hone these skills until chipping becomes a natural part of your game. The added benefit to this is that you will feel more relaxed next time you have to make a difficult chip or find yourself in a tense club tournament situation.

I hope these golf chipping tips shave a few strokes off your game