Golf Winner: What to Consider When Planning a Golf Resort Vacation

How To Play Golf

First, you need to consider your travel mates, will the trip be made alone, with a partner, with a group or with your family. Next consider whether you prefer to do all the research and make reservations by yourself. Alternatively, you may prefer to hand the entire job over to either a family member, your partner, someone in the group or a travel agent. You will need to consider these factors and make a firm decision on your course of action.

Personal trips mean budget considerations; will you and your partner stay at a Bed and Breakfast and stroll down to the local golf course to play or will you choose a golf resort vacation? Resorts do not come cheap but with some time and effort invested in research you can find some really good deals from the smaller, not so famous resorts. Usually if the golf course is absolutely super, you will have problems with rooms or food; you have to decide what is really important to you when choosing your golf resort vacation.

For real golf enthusiasts, golfing is all they care about, so that means an excellent golf course. Food will take a back seat so partners, family watch out! Online photos can be misleading, you can see pictures that show off what purports to be the best golf course in the world and by association the best golf resort as well. Write to them ask about the exact location of the course and the surrounding areas as well. If you get an honest reply well and good; if you do not you can always drop that option.

When you have a short list of your golf resort vacation spots, contact them to find out about tee times and booking procedures. Try to complete all the formalities so that you have your tee times all nicely tied up and do not forget to inquire about their pro shop golf equipment options.

Find out how far the golf course is from the main resort and the mode of transportation used to get there. Will the resort provide you with a golf cart or do you have to rent one?

Now you need to consider other interests and activities as well when choosing golf resort vacation spots. If you are travelling with a partner or family who do not share your absolute passion for golf, plan carefully before you book an all golf vacation. Many resorts are centrally located so that you have access to good eating places, cultural activities and shopping centers. If your family are happy with the outdoors, then try to find resorts that are located in natural settings rather than in urban ones.

Always choose your golf resort vacation spot and plan your trip with the complete involvement of your partner or family, you will have more fun this way.

Golf Winner: Why Do So Many People Play Golf and Why Should I Take Up Golf?

How To Play Golf

You have likely heard that business leaders are continually making large deals on the course, advancing their careers. The golf course is a place where even decisions about countries can be made as world leaders discuss politics over a round of golf.

Well, "continually" might be an overstatement business leaders, like other players, spend a lot of their time on the course hunting for wayward golfing balls. But it is correct that golfing may help you climb the company ladder. More-important reasons include hanging out with pals, staying in shape, and enjoying some of the most pretty views you will ever see. Although some people describe golf as a "good walk spoiled".

The same, but each golfing course is dissimilar from each other, and many are built to show off their beautiful settings. ) Golfing is a physical and psychological challenge it tests your talent and your will.

Your buddies may play soccer and basketball in high school, but how many are still returning kickoffs or grabbing rebounds when they are thirty or forty or sixty years old? The most vital reason to play, though , is that golfing is so elusive.

Should it become part of your life, you can hardly imagine life without it. To turn to golf is to turn to a sport that is with you for a life time. Golf will make you healthier, the golf course can be a place to think and gather you thought and can be very relaxing too. Why play golf? Well because it is so addictive and just when you think you have mastered it; it will bite you in the backside.

Golf Winner: Reasons to Opt For All Inclusive Golf Vacations

How To Play Golf

Everybody practices some kind of sport nowadays, and this is a good thing, if we keep in mind the ancient Latin saying "Mens sana in corpore sano". In English, the phrase translates to "A healthy mind in a healthy body". Some of us like to go bowling on Friday with friends or family, others go twice a week to play some football, and others go swimming, jogging, etc. Some people, however, love to play this wonderful sport that is golf. Golf can contribute a lot to a man's "mens sana" or "healthy mind", thanks to the fact that the panoramas where the action takes place are usually very beautiful and a treat for the eyes. However, golf can not be played in just any place at any time. It is a little more exclusive than other sports, because a standard golf course is quite large and difficult, and only a few persons can play it at a time.

For several centuries this sport has only been accessible to kings, dukes and barons, but now, thanks to humanity's quick advances in technology, communication and social maturity that happened in the 20th |century, almost everybody can go ahead and play golf if that is their desire. Of course, golfing is generally considered quite an expensive activity, but the truth is it becomes outrageously cheap if one plans ahead and buys an all inclusive golf vacation early.

Opting for all inclusive golf packages is probably the best way to go around, and this is because you don't need to worry about renting the golf course, or renting the equipment and golf clubs anymore. Everything is included in these special packages. Depending on each golf resort's policy, you could even get various types of discounts for various types of situations. And the best part is that if you choose a luxury golf resort, the term "all inclusive" means a lot more than at other, lower standard resorts. Big resorts are not only preoccupied with offering the best conditions for your golfing experience, because they also offer their guests excellent dining, luxurious spa facilities, massage lounges, swimming pools and actually everything and anything you and your family would ever need or want, everything you would expect from a five star resort and more!

Also, not few are the resorts that even offer golf training for beginners. So if you wish to learn golf and not pay a great deal of money, remember that usually the all inclusive golf packages also include golfing school training. If you follow the instructions of the professionals hired to teach you to play golf, you will become a good golf player in no time!

Golf Winner: A More Convenient and Affordable Way to Learn Golf

How To Play Golf

Most of the time, people who are learning how to play golf find it very frustrating. However, even though it is frustrating and may take some time, it is definitely worth it once you have learned how to play golf.

Nowadays, with the advancements in technology, those who would like to learn how to play golf have a lot of options to obtain golf lessons. Before, the only way to learn how to play golf is to attend lessons at your local golf course and meet a golf professional personally. Since the advent of online books and other internet resources, aspiring golfers can now be able to learn at the convenience of their homes.

If you would like to learn how to play golf, you may be able to do so through golf lessons online. This is more convenient than having to go everyday to the golf course just to learn. The golf e-books are written to help those who are aspiring to learn the sport.

Getting your golf lessons online provides a lot of benefits which is why this is more preferred than other lessons available. First and foremost, these lessons offered online are way much cheaper compared to those that are offered at golf ranges. The lessons provided are basically the same as those offered at your local golf course. Aside from that, the golf professionals who teach at the golf course typically charge a high rate per hour, which can end up being very expensive depending on the rates of that professional. Therefore, if you would like to save, it would not be ideal to learn golf from these pros, but rather learn it online.

Aside from that, you have the freedom to learn more about golf because you are not limited to the basics. You can expand your knowledge about golf by reading more e-books and getting additional lessons about golf.

In addition to the low cost and the ability to learn more, you can also learn at your own pace. You can practice at your own time and learn without having to ruin your schedule. These golf lessons are not hard to learn because the e-books are detailed and contain graphics and even video about the right positions when playing golf. Aside from that you can also print these e-books and take them with you while you are on the golf course so that you can execute the things that you have learned.

Golf Winner: Participating in a Professional Tournament of Golf

How To Play Golf

So you play golf every weekend with your friends and watch the occasional PGA event on television and you swear that a couple of the guys in your weekend group hit the ball with the same power and accuracy as the pros. You have not experienced golf until you have been to a professional golf tournament and watch the pros hit the golf ball real good. You will develop a whole new level of respect for pro golfers when you go to a live professional golf tournament and realize that the game looks easier on television than it is to play in real life and that the level that the pros play at in a professional tournament is way above what you and your friends play at on the weekends.

There is a grace and power to a properly executed golf swing that does not come across when you are watching a golf tournament on television. That feel of power, that hiss of the club as it cuts the air, and then the sound of impact do not come across on the television at all. To really understand the power of professional golf you need to feel it live at a professional tournament for yourself.

A pro golf tournament can also be a great bonding event for a father and son or any family members that happen to be a fan of golf. At my first professional tournament I remember seeing Raymond Floyd hit a hole in one. It was so much more exciting than it ever looked on television that it will remain as a memory for me for the rest of my life. Just like catching a home run at a pro baseball game, watching the players do their thing at a pro golf tournament is something you never forget the rest of your life.

Give it a try.

If you follow golf then you owe it to yourself to get to at least one live golf contest in your life. The experience is something you will never forget and you may even luck out and experience a professional hole in one as well. At a pro golf tournament you get to be so close to these world famous professionals that you could reach out and touch them if that was not frowned upon by the PGA. Give a live pro golf contest a chance and experience the power and grace of golf played by pros for you.

Golf Winner: Do You Need Golf Shoes to Play Golf?

How To Play Golf

For every sport there is a special shoe that helps to play the game better. But many new golfers do not wish to spend the extra money when they are just beginning and don't know if they will take the game seriously or not. So, you ask the question, "Are golf shoes really required?" Within the past few years changes have taken place that alter the necessity for golf shoes. They are now not really required.

Originally, golf shoes had straight steel spikes fastened to the shoe's sole in a threaded metal insert. The steel spikes were great for the shots that required a hefty powerful swing. They would help you to keep your feet fastened to the ground without slipping or sliding. However, the downside was that they left a lot of marks on the greens. The later in the day that you played, the more the greens were damaged and putting got more uncertain. Then, the greens had to be rolled with a heavy roller before the next days play.

Then, recently, the plastic spider-type spikes came along that are much kinder to the greens. Golf course managers were in favor of the new "soft" spikes because they made their job easier. Now, it is acceptable to play most courses with soft athletic shoes that do not have spikes, but you should check with the pro shop before doing so.

It can be difficult for a beginner to justify the additional cost of golf shoes, because they can be very expensive. Even though the spikes are now soft the shoes have not gotten cheaper. It might be better to delay that decision until you know if you're going to be a serious golfer, and if you're going to be such a powerful swinger that you actually need spikes.

When you finally decide to purchase golf shoes, take the time to shop around. There are hundreds of shoes to choose from and finding a pair that is right for you can take a while. Consider comfort first because you will be wearing them for up to 5 hours during your round. The style and color will be easier to choose because you know what you like. Do a trial fitting for every shoe you like, just as you would if buying street shoes. Choosing the right shoes can make you more comfortable while playing and, hopefully, improve your game dramatically.

Golf Winner: Play Golf Faster, Without Hurrying

How To Play Golf

Golf is a game of courtesy. It is the only sport where principles of etiquette are included in the rule book. Good manners are built on thinking of other people, and one of the most courteous things you can do for your playing partners and all the golfers behind you is to keep the game moving. On the tee, if you have the honor, be ready to hit right away. Keep some tees in your pocket and take only a few seconds to decide which club you're going to use. If someone in your group has the honor but is not ready and you are, ask if you can go ahead. When you're next to hit, be standing beside the tee box ready to go.

From the fairway, respect the privilege of the player who is away to hit next, but if they are unable to hit or are clearly not ready, go ahead and hit if you are.

When it's your turn, picking your shot, picking your club, aligning yourself, and stepping up to the ball shouldn't take more than fifteen seconds. Try timing yourself with a watch. Take one practice swing, step up to the ball, and swing. Whatever you're doing if you stand over the ball for a long time before you swing doesn't really help and makes everybody impatient with you.

Keep an extra ball in your pocket. If you need to put it in play, you can do so without having to go to your bag. And regarding your bag, know where everything is - balls, tees, whatever you might need. Have you ever played with someone who has to sort through their clubs to find their 6-iron? When you get to the green, leave your bag or cart on the side of the hole closest to the next tee. On the green, it should only take a few seconds to pick your line. Unless you're a professional-caliber putter, you're playing to get your first putt close, not in, and the extra time you spend is of little value. After you hit your first putt, putt out if you can do so without being in anyone else's way.

After everyone has holed out, your group should leave the green immediately. If your group has fallen behind the one in front of you, you can start catching up by having the first two players to hole out to go to the next tee and be teeing off while the other two finish putting.

Doing your part to maintain a steady pace makes you a popular playing partner by contributing to the positive playing environment that everyone wants to have.

What do you do if there is a turtle in your group? Be creative, but kind. I keep a paperback book in my bag. When someone is taking forever to play, I take out the book and start reading. They get the hint.

Golf Winner: How to Learn to Play Golf - Find a Good Mentor

How To Play Golf

It does not need the kind of physical exertion that most of the other sports demand. All one needs is patience, willingness to learn and passion for the game. Apart from all this, what one also needs is a good mentor who can teach you how to play golf. Finding a good mentor is as important as finding the right golf equipment for your game.

This is because a bad introduction to the game of golf can ruin your stance and your swing for life. If these fundamentals of the game are taught the wrong way to start with, you can never hope to improve your game and hence, you would never be able to enjoy it.

Now, the question is - How to learn to play golf? The best way to learn to play golf is to take the help of professional trainers who are masters in their game. These professionals can help you grasp the nuances of the game of golf and make you a better player.

But the problem one faces with this method of learning is the cost factor. The golf equipment in itself is very expensive and it costs a bomb to buy the best equipment in the town. Add to that the high cost of the professional golf training program and your annual budget could go horrendously awry. In these times of recession, when everybody is walking a tight rope, nobody would want to spend a fortune on just to learn how to play golf. A cost effective way to learn to play golf is through the power of the internet.

The online world is a great source if you are finding cheap yet effective ways to learn to play golf. There are a lot of video tutorials and e-books available on the internet which has the A-Z about the techniques and tips of the golf game. Both, video tutorials and e-books are good sources to learn to play golf. But according to few learners, e-books have a slight edge over video tutorials, despite tutorials being a visual medium.

The first advantage of e-books over video tutorials is the cost factor. Compared to video tutorials, the cost of e-books is nominal and is easily affordable. The next advantage one gets with e-books is the portability factor. To access the video tutorials, one has to have a laptop or a computer with a fast internet connection, but e-books can simply be downloaded and read on any of the light and portable e-book readers available in the market. The portability factor is a huge plus because it means that you have access to your lessons anytime, anywhere.

And for those of you who think that visualization of the various swings and mechanics related to golf are a hard task with e-books, let me tell you that most e-book golf guides have fully illustrated pictures which make learning a cinch. At the end of the day, however, it all depends on personal choice and according to me; e-books are the best way to learn to play golf.

Happy golfing

Golf Winner: Learn to Play Golf - Getting the Fundamentals Right

How To Play Golf

When you learn to play golf, be prepared for some of the most exhilarating moments in your life as well as the most frustrating as well. Rule number one; do not rush out to buy pro shop golf equipment without first considering a variety of factors. Golf equipment is manufactured based on several factors that cater to height, weight, playing style and more.

It is always advisable to start playing for a while to learn what sort of equipment will best fit your playing style. Think before you spend, arriving with a top of the line set of clubs will have everyone staring at you, fluffing your shots will have everyone laughing at you; further, you will be stuck with your very expensive clubs if they do not match your playing style.

• Most club houses will offer lessons from beginner upward and you can learn to play golf renting the pro shop golf equipment to being with. Once you get into the game and figure out your playing style the pro will help you select the clubs that best suit your frame, height, swing style and length of shaft for your body movements.
• Practice with it until you get a grip on sending the ball soaring in the air in a fairly straightforward manner. The turf is not supposed to accompany the ball though - just thought I would throw that in!
• You could then progress to buying a set of used golf clubs, not necessarily a full set but a few clubs that includes the 3 wood, 5,7 and 9 irons, pitching or sand wedge and putter.
• Choose the golf pro from the club you have signed up with and do not forget to ask for a package rate for several lessons, it is usually cheaper when you take several lessons together in a package deal.
• When you learn to play golf you will need to concentrate on learning the basics, gripping the club correctly, standing the right way over the golf ball, swinging the golf club in the approved manner, putting right and so on.
• Practicing on a driving range before you try the golf course is always a safer bet. Get your aim and choice of clubs right first - you need to be able to calculate distances and trajectory averages confidently before you really start playing.

Implementing these fundamentals to your game will secure you a better start. Most people think it is easy to learn to play golf, but it is not if you do not practice. Hitting the golf ball on your first swing session is probably the hardest part. Keep your eyes on the ball and focus and you will be safe.

Golf Winner: Some Reasons Why Golf is a Mind Game

How To Play Golf

Even though you will spend a good bit of time moving from one hole to another, golfing is still about physical strategy and unwavering mental focus. It is also extremely important to realize that the social interactions that occur in a golf game can also affect your performance.

Consider a situation where you have been invited to play golf as part of a sales team. If the prospective client is also playing, you will want to do as well as possible. At the same time, you may be looking for vital information that will help you make a sale, or gain additional insights into the other person's needs. Under these circumstances, playing golf can be every bit as mentally complex as playing poker.

When you play golf, others sharing the greens with you are likely to be discussing the game and past performances. If you are a novice, then you might feel a bit overwhelmed as more experienced players share about past victories. That said, if you can maintain your focus, you may just have a few stories of your own to share at future games. Without a question, if you are going to play golf on a regular basis with the same group of friends, being able to gain this type of ground will be of immense benefit.

As you learn more about the subtle mental elements of a golf game, you will soon understand how the social nature of this game creates a wide array of sublime meanings. For example, if someone knows that a piece of gossip or strange news will grab your attention, they may save it for a crucial moment in the game. Needless to say, navigating these experiences will require all of your skill and talent as a golfer.

Golf Winner: Five Must-Play Golf Courses

How To Play Golf

The seasoned golfer is always on the hunt for the best of the best when it comes to new and exciting golf courses that are making waves in the industry. Here are five must-play golf courses in the United States.

1. Pine Valley Golf Club in Clementon, NJ - Pine Valley, which is 15 miles from Philadelphia, is constantly listed in many reputable lists for the best golf courses in the world and the U.S. George Crump is the founder of the course and made the island the main focal point of the area. The tee is an island. Each plot is surrounded by sand, dense woods and water among beautiful scenery.
2. Cypress Point in Pebble Beach, CA - Cypress Point is known for its picturesque surroundings of the sea and wildlife (players have even had sights of deer roaming the area). The course, which was designed by Alister Mackenzie, is one of the most exclusive clubs in the world. 3. Shinnecock Hills Golf Course in Southampton, NY - William Vanderbilt, Duncan Cryder and Edward Mead were the first to discover the area in the swanky Long Island town of Southampton. With the help of 150 Shinnecock Indians, a 12-hole course was constructed in 1891; the course had been upgraded and added several times afterward. A unique part of the course is that the longest par 4s play downwind while the shorter par 4s play into the wind. The course is challenging off the tee and from the fairway.
4. Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, PA - Oakmont is claimed to be one of the most difficult courses in America. The greens are slick and wildly contoured and combined with rough ditches along the fairways and nearly 200 bunkers. The course opened in 1903 and was to resemble the open links of Britain.
5. Pacific Dunes in Bandon, OR - Opened in 2001, many consider Pacific Dunes to rival Pebble Beach as the best public access course in the country. The course is difficult with consecutive par 3s and among beautiful scenery.

Golf Winner: Golf Club Drivers - You Can't Play Golf Without Them

How To Play Golf

Known as the 'wood' from the wooden club head that it traditionally used to have, the 'driver' is not quite the chauffeur of a car when it comes to golfing but rather the longest club with the largest club head in your golf bag. In PGA tours a driver shot may actually cover over three hundred yards.

The club head of a driver club is generally spherical in shape with a flat sole and bulging club face. These club faces were made of beech wood traditionally and required exquisite crafting skills to get the perfect shape and bulge. The club heads these days are made of titanium giving great strength to the driver club and more resistance to wear and tear.

The shaft is called by many as the 'engine' of the club. A well-made shaft can increase the distance covered by the golf ball considerably whereas a poor shaft may result in sliced or inconsistent shots. How well the shaft flexes determines the effectiveness of the driver club. The flex of a shaft generally accumulates the kinetic energy generated from the player's golf swing and transports it to the club face when it hits the ball. Remember too flexible a shaft may actually cause the club to swing adversely during a shot.

Why do golfers drive a ball?

The wood gives the golfer the power to hit the ball hard enough so that it can cover the distance. The driver set of clubs generally have three types of clubs: the driver, a 3 wood for short teeing and a 5 wood that would cover considerably longer distance than the 3 Wood.

The key to a good drive shot lies in avoiding a slice shot so that your shot has the power that it requires, understanding and aiming for your target area correctly, avoiding early straightening of the arms during the downswing, and swinging along the central axis during your backswing so that you can accumulate and launch maximum power to the ball. Ensure that you have a solid contact with the ball, anything less will result in a weak shot.

Drive shot also requires discipline and control over the shot from the golfer's point of view. Loose drive shot may actually end up hurting your back. Also different golf courses have different layouts and gaps between the holes. This means the average distance that your ball will travel can never be pinpointed and estimating the distance your ball will travel for a drive shot on different courses can be challenging.

Golf Winner: 3 Reasons People Love to Play Golf

How To Play Golf

Golf is one of the most popular sports and most challenging sports that many people love to play. You see it is also one of the most frustrating games you can play and a lot of people can't handle the frustration it brings.

However, it is extremely rewarding when you hit that ball just perfect off the tee, hit a great chip shot or sink an impossible putt.

Reason number one is that golf is an individual sport. There are a lot of people that like to play sports that don't enjoy team sports and golf is a good sport to play if you prefer to be solely responsible for how well you do.

Reason number two is that it is constantly changing. The great thing about playing is that each course is a little bit different with different fairways, hazards, layouts, greens and even hole distances change quite a bit.

Reason number three is that it is a challenge. People love to challenge themselves. However, certain people can't handle the large challenges this sport can give you. It is not only a physically tough game, but it is more a mental sport. You need to be able to keep your cool and relax while you play otherwise you will be running between mad and frustrated all the time.

There is a recent development in golf courses in Bahia, a situation which will most likely be found in other locations across the country thanks to the media which encourages people of all ages to start enjoying this hobby which in the past was only for the upper class.

Golf Winner: Where to Play Golf in Brazil

How To Play Golf

Not many people are aware of the fact that Brazil is slowly but surely becoming quite a popular golf destination. Many people that plan on visiting this country will spend a couple of hours at a golf course having fun and relaxing. The question is where golf players can make the most of their time? With the help of this article you will be able to know which places to visit in order to enjoy a beautiful afternoon at a golf course.

First of all, Salvador Da Bahia is dedicated to this sport. By dedicated we mean that they have actually created a Department of Golf within its tourism department. One of the most important golf courses in all Brazil is Costa do Sauipe Golf Links which is in Sao Joao. It was designed by Brian Costello and takes advantage of its gorgeous location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

Another interesting option is Costa do Sauipe which is the championship course which hosted the Brazilian Open back in 2005. It features all the needed, like carts, driving range as well as a clubhouse with all of the amenities needed for the golf players. An avid golfer by the name of Alexandre Rui Chammas, a resident of Sao Paolo, stated that this golf course is in fact one of the best courses in all Brazil.

An alternative would be Comandatuba which is a privately owned course belonging to Transamerica Hotel that in fact dominates the entire island. The course itself is not only a golf experience per say but also an ecological excursion because by going here you will notice a wide variety of birds, anteaters, foxes and even monkeys. The golf course was designed by the famous American golf course designer Dan Blankenship. Although the setting is quite exotic, the golf conditions are just perfect. An 18-hole championship course that plays at nearly 7,000 yards from the tips, Comandatuba will challenge you with a respectable 72.9 rating.

In the Rio de Janeiro region, there are a couple of golf courses in Buzios, and in the opposite direction - in Angora dos Reis, where there is a luxury resort that has a great field and it is connected to the local hotel. The location is known for being a great place for sea sports like swimming, surfing and diving, but of course, it has some great golf courses.

Yet another important travel attraction in the country where there is a golf course is Iguassu, located in the mid south, near the frontier with Argentina and Paraguay. Iguassu boasts the world's biggest waterfalls, a natural phenomenon far beyond Niagara Falls. The local Bourbon Iguassu Golf Resort hotel has excellent greens.

Golf Winner: The Best Places to Play Golf in America

How To Play Golf

If you call yourself an avid golfer then there are few great places in America that you should know about and visit them at least once in life. If you planned a vacation to any of the destinations nearby these golf courses, then try to stay there for some extra time and play at a golf course to spend the most wonderful time of your life.

Here are few courses which well worth your visit.

Pebble Beach (California) - Your list could never complete without iconic course of Pebble Beach situated in California with rating of 74.3. It was designed by Jack Neville and set for play in 1919. Pebble Beach took little time to achieve instant status as one of the best golf playing courses of United States. Best Private Course: Augusta National Golf Club - It is as popular as Pebble Beach course, if not more so. The Augusta National Golf Club celebrates hosting of the Masters each year in the most sought after tournament of professional gaming. It was designed by Booby Jones who is remembered as a golf legend in history. The course presents some of the toughest holes of the world. You can play only if invited by a club member.

San Francisco Golf Course - This is a 18 hole regulation size championship golf course with PGA rating of 73. The course has some of the longest tees for par in United States. If you are looking for a challenge, that's great.

Ahwatukee Golf Course, Phoenix - This Phoenix situated golf course also got in the top 25 venues in US with many good reasons. Its design shows aesthetic thoughts of John Boulla. The course was first opened in 1973. It got PGA rating of 71.5 and it is great place for all type of golfers.

The Lakes at Ahwatukee, Phoenix - Gary Panks was its designer. This is a beautiful course and first opened in 1977. PGA gave it a rating of 62.6. It doesn't intimidate novice players yet it is a challenging place to all skill levels.

Kiawah Island, Ocean Course in South Carolina - We are at home of Hollywood movies. Are you ready to play in nasty wind blows, tough bunkers and raised fairways conspiring against you? This course has been rated as America's hardest golf course by Golf Digest.

You see I didn't try to present the same old top 10 golf courses list that is present all over on different golfing publications. Having done that, I will wait for some vigorous conversation on the topic from your side.

Golf Winner: How Well Do You Play Golf Without the Ball?

How To Play Golf

How well do you 'play' when you're not with the ball?

In my journey of mental game mastery, I've discovered many insights and discoveries along the way. One of those bigger insights is that connection between playing good, consistent golf and how we, as players, organise our thoughts when we AREN'T with the ball.

Because here's the thing. Have you given thought to how your game can ever make progress when you only attend to 15-20% of it on a regular basis! Yes, you read that correctly. That's the time we spend WITH the ball.(Actually I'm being over optimistic, it's probably nearer 10%)

The MAJORITY of players hardly ever attend to that other 80- 85% at all. Does that seem like a solid strategy for you?

Just in case you were wondering, the percentage comes from what the typical player does in a routine round. If the average round is 4 hours and the average player spends 30 seconds with the ball per shot, a round of 90 shots takes up 45 minutes of the total. How do you manage the other 3 hours 15 minutes!

Now of course, I'm not suggesting that for one minute that the time with the ball isn't a vital part of the strategy but have you considered that how you attend to the other 80% of your time on the course has a huge influence on the ball striking 20%. Interesting?

The reality of players I come across is that they understand the importance of thinking well on the course, managing that time between tee shot and approach or bunker shot and putt. They totally get that to have a strategy in place to cope in those moments after making double bogey would be a useful tool. But then convince themselves will have to wait until they spend another hour on the range sorting the 15% out! Or rush off to check the next golf magazine or online coaching product to convince themselves this week will be different.

Question time for you - HONESTLY, how much time do you spend rehearsing skills that you can rely on, for when you're not with the ball? Or have you absolutely no idea what I'm talking about?? Don't worry because you're in good company, a huge majority of players don't even consider this aspect.

But, if you're looking for the difference that makes the difference, isn't it time you explored how you manage yourself away from the ball. It might just get you that edge in the club competition, win you valuable money or merit points on that pro mini tour or heaven forbid, you may even enjoy your golf more!

If you find yourself making the same mental errors on the same holes, chances are it's because you've never rehearsal what you'd like to do instead. Blindly following the same poor strategy in the hope 'it will come good' just doesn't cut it. Identify what it is you're consistently doing to undermine your golf game and start from there. By all means go to the range, the putting green, get tuition and understand your golf swing; that's a key ingredient to making progress. But it's also about how you 'play' without the ball, how you ensure the 80% is supportive of the 20%.

Players I coach invariably make great progress in a short period of time and yet I never discuss their swing or technical ability. I firmly believe it's because they understand that the total game requires attention, not just the 15% we spend with the ball.

So this week, have a good look at your game. Develop the ball striking element of playing the game but do in partnership with your skills away from the ball. Only then will you truly make that 15% count and deliver the game you're seeking.

You have a huge amount of time away from the ball, underestimate its relevance and you'll risk sabotaging the time you are with the ball. Look at the big picture, it's a total game plan you need. As I asked, 'How well do you play without the ball?

For strategies on how to manage this aspect of your game, get in touch and start working towards TOTAL GOLF, not just PART GOLF!