Tuesday, January 27, 2009
PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day-Tomorrow!
Today's a travel day for the GT crew, but expect to see some photos from tomorrow's PGA Merchandise Show Demo Day late Wednesday. We'll bring you snaps of the latest, coolest golf equipment for 2009.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Club Review: Titleist 909D2 (and others)
Although this review focuses mainly on Titleist's new 909D2 driver, we also touch on the two other drivers in the 909 series, the 909D3 and 909DComp. At 1:00 we compare its sound to two of its competitors. Tell us who you think they are.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Lyon, France: Golf And Gourmet in the Rhone/Alpes Region
When your magazine's art director gets to play more (and better) golf than you do, it makes you think you're in the wrong line of work.
GT's art director, Warren Keating, recently spent a week in Lyon, France and its surroundings playing golf on what he reports are "breathtakingly natural," "picturesque" and "pristine" courses. We admire Keating for keeping his focus throughout his tour. The longtime GT employee moonlights as a painter and we're sure he was tempted to trade his driver for a paintbrush on a hole or two. Instead he brings us this detailed account:
A couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate to be included in a group of journalists that were invited to visit the Rhone/Alpes Region to review/photograph some of their golf courses. It was a short trip, Sunday to Wednesday, but the P.R. people made sure that we experienced a lot of gourmet food, great golf and some of the culture of the villages and towns of this incredibly charming region.
Golf in France is one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. While most Americans think of Scotland or Ireland as the ultimate destination for golf in Europe, Northern Europeans have already discovered that the courses in France are beautifully natural, moderately priced and the weather and culture can't be beat. The Rhone/Alpes region is home to the "real France," with old castles and villages surrounding the Rhone, dotting the hills of the Ardeche Mountains, a region inhabited by unbelievably friendly people. This is truffle and wine country, so the food and drink found here at the 19th holes is superb. We were able to have a meal at the fabulous gourmet restaurant, Michel Chabran, feasting on delicately prepared courses of regional cuisine and sampling Rhone Valley wines. During the trip, I made friends with an Irish and a German journalist, and we did our part to empty the casks of local wines, each night...and into the morning.
La Valdaine Motelimar Golf Club was our first stop. It's an unassuming, but interesting layout, situated at the foot of the Castle of Monard which houses 35 rooms and serves as three-star accommodations for visiting golfers. From December to March, the site hosts very successful truffle and golf weekends, and, in May, the course hosts the Pro Am des Nougats d'Or.
The course is the most southerly in the Rhone Alps region and meanders through plenty of natural water hazards and a beautiful river that runs through several of the holes. With slight elevation changes and mature trees, this course is a wonderfully natural experience, although often tempered by mountain winds. The Par 71, 6139 yards course, designed by Tom Macauley, is playable by all, no matter the handicap. Number 9 is the most challenging hole with a 200-yard carry over water off the tee, followed by another long iron over the lake into the green.
The next day we played at Domain de Saint Clair Annonay, located on the grounds of an 18th century castle. Nestle between the Ardeche Mountains and the Rhone Valley, the course is breathtakingly natural and features panoramic views on 172 acres of countryside, framed by century-old trees. A sense of peace and solitude exude from this tract, which plays at 6328 yards, Par 72. The adjoining hotel is a swanky, but affordable three star hotel that feels much more like a four star, complete with gourmet restaurant.
Our last stop was the Golf Club of Albon Senaud, meandering through hills around the majestic castle of Senaud. 296 acres of elevation changes, streams and lakes make each hole entirely unique. From the first tee, you see a picturesque lake, protecting the pristine green whis is framed by the majestic castle of Senaud, and you know that you're in for a treat. A creek meanders through the back nine, providing a peaceful, although challenging, character to your finish. Built in 1990, the course has somehow developed a mature feel.
For more information about the Rhone/Alpes region, click here.
GT's art director, Warren Keating, recently spent a week in Lyon, France and its surroundings playing golf on what he reports are "breathtakingly natural," "picturesque" and "pristine" courses. We admire Keating for keeping his focus throughout his tour. The longtime GT employee moonlights as a painter and we're sure he was tempted to trade his driver for a paintbrush on a hole or two. Instead he brings us this detailed account:
A couple of weeks ago, I was fortunate to be included in a group of journalists that were invited to visit the Rhone/Alpes Region to review/photograph some of their golf courses. It was a short trip, Sunday to Wednesday, but the P.R. people made sure that we experienced a lot of gourmet food, great golf and some of the culture of the villages and towns of this incredibly charming region.
Golf in France is one of the best-kept secrets in Europe. While most Americans think of Scotland or Ireland as the ultimate destination for golf in Europe, Northern Europeans have already discovered that the courses in France are beautifully natural, moderately priced and the weather and culture can't be beat. The Rhone/Alpes region is home to the "real France," with old castles and villages surrounding the Rhone, dotting the hills of the Ardeche Mountains, a region inhabited by unbelievably friendly people. This is truffle and wine country, so the food and drink found here at the 19th holes is superb. We were able to have a meal at the fabulous gourmet restaurant, Michel Chabran, feasting on delicately prepared courses of regional cuisine and sampling Rhone Valley wines. During the trip, I made friends with an Irish and a German journalist, and we did our part to empty the casks of local wines, each night...and into the morning.
La Valdaine Motelimar Golf Club was our first stop. It's an unassuming, but interesting layout, situated at the foot of the Castle of Monard which houses 35 rooms and serves as three-star accommodations for visiting golfers. From December to March, the site hosts very successful truffle and golf weekends, and, in May, the course hosts the Pro Am des Nougats d'Or.
The course is the most southerly in the Rhone Alps region and meanders through plenty of natural water hazards and a beautiful river that runs through several of the holes. With slight elevation changes and mature trees, this course is a wonderfully natural experience, although often tempered by mountain winds. The Par 71, 6139 yards course, designed by Tom Macauley, is playable by all, no matter the handicap. Number 9 is the most challenging hole with a 200-yard carry over water off the tee, followed by another long iron over the lake into the green.
The next day we played at Domain de Saint Clair Annonay, located on the grounds of an 18th century castle. Nestle between the Ardeche Mountains and the Rhone Valley, the course is breathtakingly natural and features panoramic views on 172 acres of countryside, framed by century-old trees. A sense of peace and solitude exude from this tract, which plays at 6328 yards, Par 72. The adjoining hotel is a swanky, but affordable three star hotel that feels much more like a four star, complete with gourmet restaurant.
Our last stop was the Golf Club of Albon Senaud, meandering through hills around the majestic castle of Senaud. 296 acres of elevation changes, streams and lakes make each hole entirely unique. From the first tee, you see a picturesque lake, protecting the pristine green whis is framed by the majestic castle of Senaud, and you know that you're in for a treat. A creek meanders through the back nine, providing a peaceful, although challenging, character to your finish. Built in 1990, the course has somehow developed a mature feel.
For more information about the Rhone/Alpes region, click here.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Presidents and Golf
On this historic day, I thought I'd comb through YouTube and post some videos of our Presidents' golf swings. To my surprise, there's not much to see. President George W. Bush famously announced that he'd given up the game in 2003 this past May, and video and YouTube hadn't really permeated our everyday lives before him. That said, there is this video of President George H.W. Bush hitting a few shots (including a shank at 1:34) in this piece by a local Maine news program:
And, of course, there's a video of President Obama, warming up on the range while on vacation in Hawaii. (He dead chunks one at 2:40.)
Neither man's swing is anything to write home about and that's just how we like it at GT. It brings to mind the old adage, which I'll paraphrase: "If you can't break 80 you don't have any business being on the golf course and if you can break 80 you don't have any business."
We prefer our presidents to duff it around on the golf course and spend most of their time working.
And, of course, there's a video of President Obama, warming up on the range while on vacation in Hawaii. (He dead chunks one at 2:40.)
Neither man's swing is anything to write home about and that's just how we like it at GT. It brings to mind the old adage, which I'll paraphrase: "If you can't break 80 you don't have any business being on the golf course and if you can break 80 you don't have any business."
We prefer our presidents to duff it around on the golf course and spend most of their time working.
Friday, January 16, 2009
The Ultimate Junior Golf Lesson
If you're the parent of a junior golfer (or if you are a junior yourself) you know that golf instruction can sometimes get pretty complicated. It's Golf Tips' mission to take those complicated ideas and make them easy to digest. (I mean, really, the game is hard enough without bad instruction muddying it up.)
The Georgia-based instructor Clay Chappell has a similar philosophy, but whereas we target all age ranges, he specifically targets juniors. Chappell has worked with kids for years and knows exactly how to make the game fun to play and easy to learn. (He also founded the United States Junior Golf Association.)
Now Chappell's produced a DVD called "Clay Chappell's Ultimate Junior Golf Lesson." From the clips we've seen and the numerous lessons we've watched him give, we think his simple, clear message is something kids (not to mention a few adults) will benefit from.
For more information click here.
Here's a sneak peek:
The Georgia-based instructor Clay Chappell has a similar philosophy, but whereas we target all age ranges, he specifically targets juniors. Chappell has worked with kids for years and knows exactly how to make the game fun to play and easy to learn. (He also founded the United States Junior Golf Association.)
Now Chappell's produced a DVD called "Clay Chappell's Ultimate Junior Golf Lesson." From the clips we've seen and the numerous lessons we've watched him give, we think his simple, clear message is something kids (not to mention a few adults) will benefit from.
For more information click here.
Here's a sneak peek:
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Villa Premiere Hotel and Spa Golf Packages
Villa Premiere Hotel and Spa in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico announced their Tee it Up Golf Package earlier today and it's a good one.
Prices start at $299USD per person, per night (based on double occupancy) and includes 4-nights/5-days accommodations in an oceanfront room with jacuzzi, and one greens fee at Vista Vallarta (featuring a Jack Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf course), Marina Vallarta and El Tigre Golf Clubs. Plus one 50-minute massage, all meals and beverages and a welcome glass of champagne.
Prices are valid for travel between April 20th and October 31st, 2009. ($320 from now until April 19th).For more information click here or call (877) 886-9176.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sweet Golf Deals (in California)
Recessions aren't fun, but they do have an upside: discounted greens fees and package deals.
Tustin Ranch Golf Club in Orange County, California, is celebrating their 20th anniversary with 1989-priced greens fees. From Monday to Thursday in January and February, club members and their guests pay $45 each (general public pays $65). Rates don't include a $10 cart fee, but that's still a steep discount (weekday general public greens fees are $110).
On Sundays, brunch is just $19 and green fees ring up for $89 (with cart). Call 714.734.2111 or click here for more info.
Up the coast, on the Monterey Peninsula, the newly renovated Bayonet Black Horse course has packages with Sanctuary Beach Resort (877.944.3863), Casa Munras Hotel (800.222.2446) and Embassy Suites (831.393.1115). Rates range from $189-$305 per night and include one 18-hole greens fee, cart and range balls.
To find out more, visit the hotel websites (hyperlinked above) or call them and ask about the "Bayonet Package."
Tustin Ranch Golf Club in Orange County, California, is celebrating their 20th anniversary with 1989-priced greens fees. From Monday to Thursday in January and February, club members and their guests pay $45 each (general public pays $65). Rates don't include a $10 cart fee, but that's still a steep discount (weekday general public greens fees are $110).
On Sundays, brunch is just $19 and green fees ring up for $89 (with cart). Call 714.734.2111 or click here for more info.
Up the coast, on the Monterey Peninsula, the newly renovated Bayonet Black Horse course has packages with Sanctuary Beach Resort (877.944.3863), Casa Munras Hotel (800.222.2446) and Embassy Suites (831.393.1115). Rates range from $189-$305 per night and include one 18-hole greens fee, cart and range balls.
To find out more, visit the hotel websites (hyperlinked above) or call them and ask about the "Bayonet Package."
Friday, January 9, 2009
Titanium Drivers and Hearing Loss. A Connection?
As the resident hard-of-hearing Golf Tips editor, now I know why I can't hear very well. It's all those dang 300+ yard drives I've hit throughout my golf career that have killed my ears!!
I'm kidding. I have four words for the attached link:
1. Give
2. Me
3. A
4. Break
Sure, today's drivers are a lot louder than they used to be, and we've tried some that are so loud it took some getting used to. But loud enough to cause hearing loss? I don't know about that.
CLICK HERE
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