TheSafetyDude1079 asked:


My wife and I are addicted to golf. What kind of activities can we do when we are not on the golf course or driving range to get our daily (sometimes hourly) fix?

Do you recommend any type of video game or activity?
We live in an appartment complex. Not much of a yard.

Some great ideas so far, though. Thanks!

Cheryl

Titus Pullo asked:


I went to the Masters for the first time last year and was in awe of the beauty of Augusta National…you see it on TV for all those years and it looks great (especially in HD) but to walk the course and see it in person, you really can’t put it into words that feeling you have as a fan of golf. I can’t wait to retyrn and I’d say to other fans of golf, try to make it there at least once in your lifetime. It’s worth the trip!

Melvin

Albert Medinas asked:


It should come as no surprise that some of the most expensive golf clubs in the country are found in and around Las Vegas. It’s just not as easy as you might think to keep a lush green in the middle of a desert! That said, many private golf courses in the area don’t even list rates, so one can only guess how steep the rates actually are. But there are still a number of private and public courses where you can go and play a great round of golf - and still leave the green with some greenbacks in your wallet.
I lost at blackjack last night but I still have $50 left…can I play golf, or should I just head over to the slot machines instead?
Well, I guess that all depends on just how lucky you feel. But if you are tired of giving the casinos all of your money, and want to take advantage of the great golf courses Las Vegas has to offer, then you are in luck…maybe. A growing concern for those wanting to play on the golf courses in the Las Vegas area is the fluctuating rates. Hey, we’re all used to rates changing due to seasons, lighting conditions, reservations…the works. But some of the golf courses in Las Vegas have divided the seasons up in ever-more-imaginative ways, that seem to try and squeeze every last possible dollar out of the green. However (and this is subject to change, so DEFINITELY try to book some green time as far in advance as possible), the following golf courses can be played for $50 or less: Craig Ranch, Los Prados, and Eagle Crest.
I managed to escape the casinos with $100…golf anyone?
If you have been able to squirrel away a Ben Franklin, then a lot of the golf courses Las Vegas offers will gladly put you on the green. Now again, the rates at some golf courses are changing by the day, it seems - so be sure to check before showing up with only Ben. Those officially posting fees of $100 or less during the winter months are: Desert Rose, Las Vegas Golf Club, Painted Desert, Highland Falls, Palm Valley, Las Vegas National Golf Club, and the Rhodes Ranch. Oh, and for those not “in the know”, rates tend to be higher for golf courses in Las Vegas during the winter months, as the heat can be downright brutal during the summer. Oh yeah, Las Vegas is in the middle of a big desert, isn’t it?
I really need to stretch my golfing funds as much as possible…what options do I have?
No worries, my friend - sometimes the cards just aren’t rolling. You can save anywhere from $5-15 by walking golf courses instead of driving the carts. Not a great option during the heat of the summer months, but an option that can help stretch the dollar a little farther.
Twilight rates are another way to save money, but they can be very confusing. What is most confusing about the golf courses Las Vegas has to offer is that their twilight rates are not necessarily offered in the dying light. During the summer months, and due to the extreme heat, twilight hours tend to start in the late morning and early afternoon. In the winter, however, twilight hours occur at the end of the day, and it is not uncommon for golfers to not get in an entire 18 holes.
While Las Vegas does have many exclusive golf clubs, with prices so steep that they refuse to post them, there are a number of reasonably priced golf courses that offer some great greens at prices even the worst of gamblers can afford. Plus, if you are wise and plan accordingly, you can get those low prices even lower - and maybe even get in another round of golf to keep your mind off those lousy cards for a few hours longer! After a great round on the green, I can promise you that you will not leave Las Vegas feeling like a “loser” - even if your wallet tells you otherwise.

Kimberly

kissyh14 asked:


My husband and I are getting interested in golf and we would like to know what the dress code is for golf courses during the summer.

Thanks in advance.

Javier

Andy West asked:


Golf’s rising popularity, fame and fortune has propelled the sport into something of magnitude, but without good golf courses and top quality complexes, players would be left putting on Astroturf. Professionals, such as Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, have created a following of fans and many people look to follow in their footsteps, as with any star in any type of occupation. This increase in popularity and playing activity means that the golfing industry has to respond.

Golf course management has become an important and integral part of making sure that professional players continue to promote the sport. Golf complexes also provide many career opportunities to other people and they offer a varied selection of jobs for anyone to explore. Club pros, greens keepers, physiotherapists, photographers and writers enjoy plenty of exposure and a good, solid career thanks to golf courses and complexes. But all these spin off job markets rely on one very important occupation: golf course management.

Running a golf course is similar to any industry. There’s a certain amount of experience, training and know how required to have an effective facility that keeps members satisfied for continued patronage and encourages people to break into the sport of golf. While not every person is determined to have a PGA career, huge numbers of those hooked on the game of golf provide sales to facilities and jobs for the golfing industry. In the UK alone, four million people are involved in golfing and the popularity of the game in North America is even greater.

At this point, you may be asking yourself why you should look into golf course management as a career. The reasons are fairly simple. Top quality complexes need skilled employees to manage and oversee the well oiled functioning of their facilities. There’s an enormous amount of money involved in the golfing industry and complexes need to maintain the current standards that keep players coming back and provide exciting, new challenges to golfers. New greens are continually cropping up as experienced trainers learn the tricks and traps of courses and each facility needs to be better than the last, as well as providing stiff competition to other complexes. Competition, after all, only forces each facility to improve upon what already exists and increase the quality of what they offer to players.

Academies and colleges offer degrees in golf course management, so even someone who’s just getting into golfing can learn the ins and outs of running a complex. Most academies will offer training with emphasis on operations and management, and usually within two years, you’ll have a degree certifying your skills that makes you an attractive asset to any facility. A wide variety of courses within programs allow students to specialize in one area of the golfing industry or another, whether it is as golf pro or the general running of a complex. Programs are usually a blend of practical and classroom training, involving learning the in depth points of golfing as well as the business aspects of the industry.

Training in golf course management is provided by instructors that are usually PGA golf pros themselves, and the operational side of learning is provided by strong business leaders that will teach you the effective running of a golf complex, from the food industry to turf management. Human resources, sales and coaching are also integral parts of learning to work inside the golfing industry, which leaves you with a well rounded professional training and set of skills useful in any company or business. Many academies also provide extra training and coaching for those players who show the talent and ability to become PGA professional golfers themselves.

With a degree in golf course management, you’ll be able to provide services and facilities to not only the amateur golfer or weekend players but also the PGA pros. Every client is important to the longevity of the golfing industry and each situation you’ll face will only increase your personal value in the job market. Finding an academy or college that will provide you with the certification and skills you need is fairly easy, as even educational institutions themselves have noticed the increasing demand and responded with ample programs and varied courses to help you reach your occupational goals.

Tommy

Andy West asked:


There are many golfers who dream of being able to manage a golf course. With the proper knowledge and training, this is something that is much more of a reality than many golfers know. With more schools and training programs popping up all over the place, gaining the knowledge that will allow you to manage a golf course is something that can be done with relatively little effort and a monetary commitment.

Ask any golf course owner or manager and they will likely reveal that owning one of these courses is a whole lot of work and it is not for the weak and weary. For starters, a general knowledge of the game of golf and the art of business is a must. Beyond that, there are some specifics that will enable you to successfully manage a golf course. A golf course is unlike a lot of businesses in that it is a living, growing, and breathing business entity. Not only must the course look great and remain in good condition, golf course managers must realize that their product is equally dependent on good management and skilled business practice. Every stone must be turned and each blade of grass must be taken into account with intense commitment to detail. The competition is stiff these days, with each golf course looking more lavish than the next.

If you want to manage a golf course, a basic knowledge of business practices is something that will go a long way. The best way to gain this knowledge is through actual experience, but general business management classes will certainly be a boon to your quest to successfully manage a golf course. There, one can learn the basics of motivating employees, handling business goals or visions, and keeping with regularly accepted business hiring practices. There are many topics which you will need to master before you can even consider the golf side of things. Businesses must deal with the everyday headaches of taxes, public relations, and day-to-day operations. Without these basic skills of business, your quest to manage a golf course will be lacking a crucial foundation.

Golf courses are not cheap and they are certainly not the easiest in the world to obtain. If you are serious about managing your own golf course, you must come up with a business plan in which you will outline the financing options necessary for acquiring the property. The original business plan should include all of the costs that you may incur when you first choose to manage a golf course. Included in these are the costs of course upkeep, the rent on the property, taxes, and other assorted costs. This part of the pre-planning portion of your project could possibly be described as the most important aspect. By having a clear and decisive plan of action in your financial realm, managers can provide prospective lenders with proof that they have the capability of managing a golf course. Without this, the golf course may never get off of the ground.

When the finances are taken care of, it is on to the management of the golf course itself. Many owners and managers choose to hire corporations that will assist with the golf course management, but that takes all of the fun out of it. If you feel you have enough knowledge and expertise to manage a golf course, then by all means, mold your possession to fit your liking. If the finances begin to head south in the early going, hiring an experienced professional consultant is never a bad idea.

Owning and managing your own golf course is really not as unrealistic as it may seem. With the proper preparation and planning, you can be on your way to managing a golf course. If operated correctly, this venture could turn into a personal paradise where money, leisure, and self-actualization meet.

Antonio

Andy West asked:


In the past, most of us thought that the only possible career in the golf industry was joining the PGA tour. Since golf has since become a major industry, anyone with an interest in the sport can find gainful employment in the field. And you don’t even have to be a professional golfer.

Anyone who loves to golf has most likely wondered about golf course jobs and how to obtain one. But the reason many golfers view it as only a pipe dream is that they believe they need to be a professional golfer. In fact, that could not be further from the truth. Although it is important to have experience and knowledge of the game, anyone with an active interest can secure a great golf course job.

Depending on your level of experience and your interests, there are a variety of options to choose from. The most obvious of course is the golf instructor. Typically, these types of positions are reserved for those who have shown an increased ability in the sport. You will also need to have a natural knack for teaching as well as a lot of patience.

If you possess these skills, this could become an extremely rewarding job. Not only will you be able to help others to improve their game, but your game will improve as well. Since you will be showing your skills to others, this will naturally allow you to improve on your imperfections. And imagine how satisfying it would be replacing your office with a golf course.

If you are not interested in golf instruction, there are a variety of other ways that you can be employed in the golf industry. Golf businesses these days are not only looking for people who understand the game; they also want someone who understands the market. Golf is a booming industry and in order to make a successful career out of it, you need to understand every aspect.

If you are serious about working in the golf industry, your options are nearly unlimited. There are over 18,000 golf courses in the United States as well as thousands of golf related businesses. These include golf schools, manufacturers, resorts and even online businesses. The sky is the limit if you have the determination, the drive and the passion.

If you are not sure you have what it takes for a successful career in the golf industry, then you can enroll in a golf college. These types of institutions will hone your existing skills and prepare you for a wonderful and rewarding golf career. The instructors will be able to see by your talent and your personality just what sort of golf course jobs would be appropriate for you.

If you have the mind of a manager, then managing a golf course might be your best option. Or if you have the heart of a teacher, then golf instructor may be your calling. And if you are good at working with your hands and are very creative, perhaps a career in the manufacturing world would best suit your needs.

Any avid golfer has dreamed of making golf their life’s work. Most never believed that it could one day become a reality. There are vast opportunities in the wonderful industry of golf and it’s time that you fulfilled your dreams.

Melinda

tydavwv asked:


I once (found in winter 07) a golf course online that had an 8-10 room inn/hotel associated with the property, but haven’t been able to find it again.

George

Tim Dillard asked:


There are many reasons why golf course communities in Cherokee County in Atlanta have become some of the top places to live in Georgia. First, the scenery of a pristine golf course is often enhanced by a waterfront view with the proximity of Lake Arrowhead or Harmony Lake to many of these subdivisions. Second, the mild climate in the Atlanta region makes it possible to enjoy those top Cherokee County golf course communities year-round.

Finally, the beautiful selection of affordable homes on golf courses makes this style of living available to many folks who might not be able to afford the luxury in other parts of the country.

There is a wide variety of home choices in the top Cherokee County golf course communities. You can find property in the middle of the $100,000 range, making golf course living a reality for many. However, there is also golf course property that can be found in some of the more exclusive gated communities in the Atlanta area, with homes in the million dollar range and including other amenities in the community as well.

You may find country clubs, fitness centers, formal dining rooms and even shopping available in some of these more expensive neighborhoods. The other advantage to selecting golf course living in Cherokee County is that many of the golf courses are also located on a lake.

This offers residents waterfront scenery and water recreation with the golf course community lifestyle. With so much to choose from, it is easy to see why some of the top homes for sale in Atlanta are found in the Cherokee County golf course communities.

Some of the top Cherokee County golf course communities can be found at Lake Arrowhead, BridgeMill, Bradshaw Farms and Hawk’s Ridge. Some will be found on the beautiful shores of Lake Allatoona that will provide opportunities for boating, fishing and water skiing in addition to the eighteen holes that you will be able to enjoy as often as you like.

And because Cherokee County is just about 40 miles from Atlanta, you will be able to commute to your job, sports events and cultural activities quite easily from your Cherokee County home.

If you are looking to make the move to Atlanta, check out why Cherokee County is one of the top places to live in Georgia. You may find that this beautiful, diverse area is the perfect place for your own family to call home.

Ramon

Josh Sloan asked:


Golf course fronting estates became popular in the 1980s, and have since become a common feature of suburban America. Golf-front living can offer some excellent benefits such as outstanding views, having access to your favorite hobby in an instant, a quality home in a safe neighborhood of other quality homes, and, most often, like-minded neighbors. However, there are also some draw-backs. Deciding what is right for you means getting informed and analyzing your priorities.

There is a difference between golfing communities. Some are focused around the course, while others are residential neighborhoods foremost, with the course as a side benefit. Further, a surprising number of golf-front residents don’t even play golf. While the idea of the typical golf-front real estate owners is retirees and golf-fiends, many younger families choose these neighborhoods for their safety, beauty and quality. They are buying a lifestyle, and a home with excellent appreciation value.

However, depending on where your home is situated, there is the obvious risk of stray balls ending up in your yard, or worse, through your window. Some golf community residents have even been known to be bothered by golfers coming onto their property to retrieve balls. But in general, these risks are worth the benefit of living in such an amazing and valuable location.

Of course (pun intended), not all homes are right on the green. There will be lovely homes across the street and within a few blocks of the actual course which still offer the convenience of the close proximity to the course and the great neighborhood, but without the risk of stray balls and trespassing golfers. Although there’s always a trade-off , as the views aren’t likely to be as lush in these homes.

If you do purchase golf-front property, look for insurance policies that give a good rate for unlimited window replacement. In general, knowing the risks of an area makes you responsible for any damage done, however, some clubs have been forced to pay for damages, or erect safety fences or nets in extreme circumstances. A responsible course developer should take the risks into account, and minimize them throughout the design of the course. If specific course features make your home consistently a dangerous area, or if the course was redesigned after your home was built, putting it more at risk, consider requesting help from the course owners to minimize your risk. However, if the stray balls are purely accidental, accept the risk and pay for good insurance. Buying a home behind a green, or right next to a tee box, as opposed to a few yards up from it, may allow you to avoid the highest risk of having your home visited by stray balls. Further, there is some evidence that homes on the right side of the fairway are more often hit by erroneously sliced balls.

When weighing the pros and cons of a golf community, consider association fees, and also rules and regulations associated with living there. Also, assuming you’re a golf-lover, be sure you love the course—otherwise you miss out on the advantage of living so close.

Finally, when considering a golf-front home, don’t buy sight unseen. Considering the risks, and benefits, of certain areas, it is best to know exactly where your home is situated before committing your hard earned money to it.

Renee