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Golf Exclusives E-Newsletter - April 1, 2005
Editor: Mike Fitzgerald
Golf Season is coming to the Midwest
Those of us in the chilly mid west are itching for the start of a new season. Well it is just about here. So I thought I would start you out with a book review. If any of you would like to borrow it just let me know. It's called the "Useful Golf Book". It contains some really good articles such as:
- How to Line Up Your Fourth Putt.
- How to hit a Nike from the rough when you hit a Titleist from the tee.
- How to avoid the water when you lay 8 in the bunker.
- How to get more distance off the shank.
- Using your shadow on the greens to maximize earnings.
- Crying and how to handle it.
- How to rationalize a 7 hour round.
- How to find that ball that everyone else saw go in the water.
- How to let a foursome play through your twosome without getting embarrassed.
- God and the meaning of the double bogey.
The author is now working on the book's sequel, "When to Re-grip Your Ball Retriever".
I hope you all have a great season of golf in 2005.
Welcome to the Golf Exclusives Hole in One Club
Want to get some recognition for yourself, and save a few dollars on your next trip? All of us love to get a hole in one, and when we do to brag about it to our friends, relatives and fellow golfers. With that in mind we created a club just for you:
Not surprisingly, I didn’t receive the names of any winners this past quarter. But now that the good golf weather is here, I expect a few of you to send in your information. If you or another member of your group has a hole in one, send us the information. It will be included in the next issue of our Newsletter. The golfer will receive a $25 Gift Certificate from Golf Exclusives, for future golf travel with us.
On the Road Again
In our last issue, we previewed the trip we made to San Diego in February. Here is a post -trip report.
Golf in San Diego is great. The area has all that we desire in a golf vacation: great golf comfortable accommodations, sightseeing choices, a varied dining experience, and gambling options for night life. There are also a number of casinos in the area.
On this trip we identified 3 resorts; Sycuan Hills where we stayed, Ranch Bernardo and Temecula Creek as resort we can offer to you. Each is different, and gives our customers a choice. Visit the update on the website for more details. Sycuan Hills has a renowned Golf Academy for Women.
We also identified a group of courses that we want to promote. We played Mt Woodson and saw the quality it offered. We also recommend Torrey Pines (2 courses), Ranch Bernardo, Twin Oaks, Temecula Creek (3 courses), Sycuan Resort (2 courses) and Encinitas Ranch.
All in all it was a great golfing vacation
If you have a recommendation for a golf destination that you think we would like, please send a note to mike@golfexclusives.com. Perhaps your favorite destination will be the subject of a future On the Road Again article.
How to Get Started in Golf?
We know many of our readers are seasoned golfers. But many of you know a friend that is just getting started in the game. Please share this article of tips with them. It comes from a friend of ours at Learn About golf .com.
Please visit his website at www.learnaboutgolf.com or more informative ideas on this great game
Golf anybody?
By Frank J. Peter, editor at LearnAboutGolf.com
Golf is a great game: sometimes rewarding, often frustrating but highly addictive. Getting started in it is actually not so difficult, and hopefully this article can help you avoid some of the common pitfalls.
The very first steps:
The biggest mistake by people wanting to start in golf is to rush out and buy a brand new set of shiny and expensive golf clubs. While they are nice to look at you should keep in mind that today’s golf equipment comes in great varieties to cater for different golfing types and abilities. Since you're just starting out you do not know which set fits you best. Just imagine the envious looks you get at the driving range when you come with your $2000 set, and the subsequent laughter when you try and just 'hack away' - not worth the embarrassment! Once you spend a few hundred or even thousand $$ on a set that doesn't suit your style you're stuck with it or you have to sell it to somebody else at a loss.
If you feel you want your own clubs get a half set. This generally comprises five irons and perhaps two woods and a putter. Usually the irons are the odd numbers 3,5,7,9 and wedge. These clubs are more than enough to get you started.
A better alternatively: most Driving Ranges will have clubs for hire, so you can try out a few different ones. You can also borrow one or two clubs from a friend. The shortest iron (nine iron) or a wedge are the best clubs to start, practicing with it will give you the feeling of hitting the ball in the air and should be fairly straight forward.
Where to get golf clubs?
Most Pro shops and driving ranges sell second hand clubs. They will also be able to offer you advice and let you try some clubs out. Alternatively, nearly all driving ranges will have clubs for hire if you want to have a go without committing to a set until you get the hang of it. Or ask other people at the driving range, you will soon find out that many have another set of clubs at home because they made the exact same mistakes I mentioned above. Make sure you try before you buy, if they fit (and only if they fit!) you can often get them for a steal. Make use of these opportunities, and also take a look at our website www.LearnAboutGolf.com as to how to choose a club. I again stress that you need to have a basic understanding on which club suits you reasonably well before you buy. DO NOT buy expensive brands at this stage.
"I want to play, I want to play!"
As hard as it will be to contain yourself don't even contemplate going anywhere near a golf course. Golf is technically quite demanding, and without at least some basic training you'll end up with a lot of frustration. You've seen the top players on TV loosing their cool in frustration; imagine how you will feel if not even a single shot goes where you want it to. Besides, the other people having to wait for you will also not be happy.
As a beginner at the great game of golf, start off at a driving range, take at least four or five lessons, learn the fundamentals, progress to a 9 hole course and eventually venture out into the great unknown of an 18 hole golf course. Believe me, it will be a lot more fun for you and those around you if you follow this path.
Where to get lessons?
You will meet plenty of people at the range who will teach you the 'innermost secrets' of golf. Fact is that most of them have started playing not long before you. So the answer to the above question is: go to a Professional. As you have seen on TV, even the world’s top players have a coach. Tiger Woods, probably the best golfer the world, still takes lessons. Certified Golf Professionals are the only people qualified to teach you how to play the game. Lessons from a Pro will cost you money but will be the best investment you'll ever make. Taking the advice from the 'know-it-all' people at the range will likely screw-up your game at the very early stages; and it will take a long time to correct the faults later.
The two places to get golf lessons are at driving ranges and golf clubs. You don't have to be a member of a club to get a lesson from the Pro. You bring in money, so they will be glad to help. The usual cost is about $25-40 per 45 min, but you will get reductions for a block booking. If you are a bit on the budget see if they do group bookings, those are also cheaper than individual lessons.
What else to do?
Books and videos can be invaluable in learning the basics. To build a sound golf swing you will need the three fundamentals: Grip, Stance and Posture. There are some very good books and videos on the market that will help you to establish the three fundamentals. And watch the Pro's on TV, or better still video them and play back in slow motion, you'll learn a lot this way. Don't get blinded by too much science, you're still a beginner. Stick to Grip, Stance and Posture and you'll be on your way. Take a look at the golf tips <../../../beginner/tips.html> and golf lessons on our website, www.LearnAboutGolf.com for some advice as well.
Summary
- Don't waste your money on expensive clubs until you have reached a basic level of competency.
- Don't go near a Golf Course until you have reached a basic level.
- Get lessons from a qualified professional.
- Learn the three fundamentals
- Watch the Pro's.
- Practice.
- Learn the rules of golf and basic golf etiquette.
I hope that this article has been of some help to avoid costly mistakes many people made, including myself. Follow the above basics and you are on your way to all the fun (and frustration) golf can offer. Enjoy!
Golf Exclusives Specials
Saddlebrook Resort
Wesley Chapel near Tampa FL
2005 SUNTASTIC SPECIAL
May 6 through September 30
Two Night Minimum
INCLUSIONS
- Accommodations
- Breakfast each morning
- Dinner each evening
- Daily golf (18 holes - cart & greens fees)
- Second golf rounds (same day) at cart fee - subject to tee time availability
- Nightly club cleaning & storage
- Practice range use (one bucket of balls, daily)
- Advance tee times
- Daily Spa admittance (Spa services are extra)
- One hour Har-Tru court daily
- Daily on-property biking
- Resort fee
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Deluxe Guest Room
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$220.00 single, $180.00 double
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One Bedroom Suite
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$230.00 single, $185.00 double
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Two Bedroom Suite
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$205.00 double, $184.00 triple, $173.00 quads
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Three Bedroom Suite
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$210.00 triple, $193.00 quad
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Non-golfers deduct $50.00 per night
*Rates are per adult, per night
*Rates are subject to applicable taxes
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