Lavana James asked:


Golf is one of the fastest growing sports in the world with an estimated 50 million people around the globe enslaved by the little white ball.

International golf course designers are arguably more sought after today than ever before and virtually any land not developed is being turned into a golf course with startling alacrity.

The People’s Republic of China is an effective microcosm of the unprecedented growth of the game. The first golf course was opened in China in the mid 1980’s and by 2005 there were already 200 operating courses in the land!

With well over 32, 000 golf courses on the planet and many more in the early stages of development, choosing the top ten in the world is no easy matter. That said, here’s our top ten pick of the year:

Augusta

Augusta is not only one of the most exclusive clubs in the world but also one of the most attractive, with each hole named after the abundant flora that grows around the course. Home to the first grand slam of the year, the Masters, Augusta has been tweaked here and there to make the course more challenging for the true champions of the game. Known to favour the long hitters, Augusta National may be the ideal place to improve your golf swing - if you can afford the green fees.

Ballybunion

Regularly referred to as the finest sea-side course in the world, the old course at Ballybunion is a tempestuous blend of wild, angry seascapes and gigantic Irish dunes. A formidable challenge to even the best of golfers, Ballybunion is tipped as the ‘supreme’ test of golf.

Leopard Creek

The Gary Player-designed Leopard Creek golf course is one of the leading courses in South Africa and is arguably one of the most exciting courses to play simply because of its proximity to the Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest wildlife conservation area. Hazards take on a whole new dimension as the water is home to hippos and crocs and it is not unusual to be closely watched by elephant and giraffe when teeing off.

Kingston Heath

Located in the famous sand belt of Melbourne, Kingston Heath is considered the jewel in the crown of Australian golf. A perfect example of strategic golf, Kingston Heath boasts a classic design with a great variation in length.

St Andrews Old Course

It would be remiss to exclude the oldest golf course in the world and the spiritual home of golf. This old course is recognised as the most famous of links on the planet and boasts some of the biggest greens in the world. According to golf legend, the course was played as early as the 12th Century and the bridge over Swilcan Burn is believed to have been built by the Romans. Anybody who is passionate about golf will be entranced by this old, familiar course.

Valderrama

Dubbed ‘the old continent’s finest coarse’, Valderrama in Spain is the venue of the European Tour’s grand finale, the Volvo Masters. A powerful course, Valderrama is the epitome of all things Spanish.

Nine Bridges

Located on a volcanic island off South Korea, Nine Bridges was designed by a team led by a horticulturalist and consequently the aesthetic appeal of the course is quite overwhelming. Built as a championship golf course, the location, excellent design, bent grass fairways and pristine greens make it one of the most attractive golfing options in the Far East.

Ailsa at Turnberry

A regular Open Championship golf course, the Ailsa at Turnberry has one of the most scenic settings in the United Kingdom, with fabulous views across the Mull of Kintyre and the Isle of Arran. Ball tracking may have to take on a whole new dimension at the Ailsa though, as the notoriously ‘fresh’ winds have claimed their fair share of booty.

Cabo del Sol

Located in Los Cabos, Mexico, the Cabo del Sol is a Jack Nicklaus signature course, boasting 1.5 miles of beachfront along the Sea of Cortez. Apart from its spectacular design, it is quite challenging to play with plenty of hazards waiting to trap the unwary.

Pebble Beach

A Jack Nicklaus favourite, Pebble Beach Links is the Mecca of world golf and is located within earshot of the thunderous Pacific Ocean. A classical out-and-back, Pebble Beach was ranked the number one public course in America by the Gold Digest magazine in 2007. It has hosted the prestigious US Open several times since 1972 and will be the venue of the 2010 edition.



Michael

natman asked:


I’m looking to start up a website that will provide golf course reviews. I, along with several other golfers will write reviews of golf courses in our area and rate them on several criteria. Do I have anything to be concerned with from a legal point of view.

Arthur

Grahame Simpson asked:


If you have decided to have a golfing holiday in Mallorca you have chosen wisely. Mallorca is known for its outstanding golf courses and its beautiful surroundings to play in. Whether you are going to stay on one golf course throughout your holiday or tour around Mallorca and play on as many as you can, you have to decide where to start!

Here are a few golf courses in Mallorca that have proved extremely popular in the past.

Alcanada Golf Course in Mallorca is a wonderful course that has some of the most stunning views to take in. The Alcanada course overlooks the island of Alcanada and with the Sierra de Levante Mountains behind you, you will think you are in the middle of paradise.  The Alcanada golf course also has a clubhouse and a restaurant to enjoy when you aren’t in full swing.

Perhaps you would like a beautiful view of the Mediterranean Sea? If so the Capdepera Golf Course is perfect for you. Capdepera sits in and amongst the Arta Mountains and the views are simply stunning. The Capdepera course has artificial lakes, long fairways and is perfect for a great round of golf.

There is Canyamel Golf Course which is in a quiet part of Mallorca. The course is actually quite flat which may seem unusual if you have played on other Mallorca golf courses before this one. If you are lucky enough to be playing golf on a good and clear day, you will have the most beautiful view of the Island of Menorca from the fifth hole.

If you like your golf to be challenging, then the Andratx Golf Course is definitely for you. This is typically the most difficult and one of the shortest golf course on Mallorca and it also boasts some of the most spectacular views. Sitting in mountainous landscape is the Andratx Golf Course and this course is designed perfectly for a great round of golf.

What if you are not really confident about your golfing skills? You may want to try a golf course in Mallorca that has a golf academy to help teach people the ins and outs of golf. The Golf Park (Puntiro) Golf Course will be the one for you to start with. This course was specifically designed by Jack Nicklaus and he has made one of the most beautiful and well designed golf courses to ever exist.

If you are looking for a golf course in Mallorca with a little prestige then you may want to look at the Son Vida Golf Course. This is actually the eldest golf course situated on Mallorca and it was officially opened by Prince Rainier of Monaco back in 1964. Stunning views, wide fairways, different types of trees around the course and magnificent holes are what make this golf course much loved on Mallorca.

There are many wonderful golf courses on Mallorca just waiting for you to play a great round of golf on them. You may struggle to fit them all in one trip, so remember to budget for your next Golfing Holiday to Mallorca!



Jeffrey

Rob Carlton asked:


The obstacles you face on the golf course range from sand traps to water and trees. Even though you will not usually encounter more than one obstacle during the game, having to move your golf ball from behind a tree or trying to get it out of a sand trap could end up costing you a higher score. Golf balls that are lost in the water cannot be retrieved, so you will have to place a new golf ball near the water and sacrifice a shot in order to get back on track. Because of these obstacles, your game may never be as good as another golfer, but it is the obstacles that make the game much more interesting.

If you dread the obstacles on the golf course, you are not alone. They can be a real pain to get around and could cost you valuable strokes. In order to avoid these obstacles, the best way is to perfect your swing so that you can purposely avoid these obstacles. If you see a few sand traps, or brush up ahead, plan your next move. This could be anything from shooting over the trees, shooting around the sand trap, or shooting past the water to get to the green.

Once you reach the green, you should not think that you are safe from obstacles. Greens that are on hills are also obstacles you much overcome. If you don’t hit the ball correctly, it may roll down into a sand trap or small pond. When trying to get the ball on the green, you should gauge the distance and use enough force to push the ball to the top of the green and close to the hole. Inexperienced golfers are apt to overshoot the green, which can cost them two or three strokes if they are not careful.

When practicing at home, you can create obstacles such as hills and bodies of water by purchasing a putting green and moving to different areas in your yard. This will help you learn how to gauge your shots and learn how to control your ball. You can also practice at the driving range or on the golf course. Golfing at different courses that offer a variety of obstacles is a great way to learn even more about controlling your golf ball so that you can avoid these obstacles.

Golf is a great game, but it takes patience and practice in order to become better. If you are prepared to have a good time while golfing and you are able to focus on performing well, the game of golf will become even more enjoyable.



Tony

Lenard asked:


also, do private golf courses give certified handicaps to guests?

i’m planning to play at the course for the first time. BUT i’m not a member of any golf course YET because i’m not sure whether I want to play golf forever. well, if I get a membership and I stop playing after getting tired, then my money would go to waste.

thank you for reading.

Ellen

Jason B asked:


How many of the golf courses are public, private, semi and resort?
I was hoping to get actual numbers. I have contacted the golf associations in Canada, but no response yet and I couldn’t find any info on their sites.

Thanks in advance for the answers!

Jeremy

Morgan Clarke asked:


Few places in the world can live up to the sheer density of high quality golf courses you see in northern France. I’ve played in over 40 countries and there are some fantastic places but I keep coming back to Cote d’Opale….Just 110 miles from London. As well as the renowned courses, there are a couple of hidden gems too. Here are five of the best that you must take in on a northern France golf break:

AA Saint Omer Golf Club

The great thing about Saint Omer is that it offers golf for all abilities. The forward tees provide an enjoyable game while even the European Tour pros find it tough off the very back. It’s a pretty, woodland course set over lush, rolling terrain and it offers great views. There are plenty of opportunities for the driver, but be careful as you approach the greens as they are particularly well-guarded. Annual host to the European Tour and now boasting a superior three-star hotel overlooking the 18th, AA Saint Omer is definitely one of the highlights of golf in northern France.

Hardelot Les Pins

This French Open qualifying course is one of my favourites…Anywhere. I’ve played here since the age of eight and the course has never looked better than now. Every hole presents a ‘death-or-glory’ dilemma; whether it’s a corner-cutting driver or a putt on a three-tiered green. Beautiful and brilliant and deservedly a hot favourite. No golf break in northern France is complete without visiting Hardelot.

Le Touquet La Mer

Le Touquet La Mer is an outstanding course - a wonderful golfing experience from start to finish. It’s not for novices and even experienced types may find it quite unforgiving. The secret to a successful round? Be in fine form from the very first hole, always plan your next shot and don’t be too greedy! It’s scenic, it offers some great links-like golf and it’s very close to home - golf in northern France doesn’t come much better than this. We respectfully call it “the beast”.

Arras Golf

Frequent host to the French Ladies golf open, Arras is a “game of too halves”. The front nine are packed with water features and protected greens that make pars (let alone birdies!) hard to come by, whilst the back nine gives you opportunities to make your scorecard look respectable. There’s a nice hotel on site and the historic town is wonderful. Under an hour from Calais, Arras provides nice golf at terrific value.

Belle Dune Golf Club

Try not to get too drawn in by the beauty of the place because this is a rather tricky course with real teeth if the wind blows. The layout follows a walk through one of Europe’s largest nature reserves so there is plenty of space and great scenery. But the design is seriously good too. The small clubhouse belies the fact that this is a “big course” in the best sense. Belle Dune is golf in northern France at its most charming.

Given the courses are so close to England, there’s absolutely no excuse for British golf enthusiasts not to enjoy them. Whether you take a long weekend, or spend the whole summer there, a golf break in northern France is a must for any serious golfer!



George

Boris Tomson asked:


Augusta National Golf Club: A Fantastic Golf Course

The Augusta national golf club has been the location of the well known and highly televised Masters Tournament. The course is located in Augusta Georgia and has be placed on land that was a tree nursery.

A well designed golf course for those with the skill to enjoy it

The club is adorned with mant trees, flowers and every hole has the name of a tree that is located on the hole. In the early days it stood out from the rest of the golf courses due to the small number of bunkers, compared to other golf courses. The widths of the fairways on the course were also different from the other professional courses.Visit to : http://golfclub-review.blogspot.com

Changes to the Course

Over the years changes to the course such as placing more bunkers, changing the contours of the greens and having more trees on the course. The creation of extra rough areas made the course more challenging.

The greens at the Augusta course had a long tradition of being made from traditional Bermuda grass. In 1981, they were changed to being made from bent grass. This was the deciding factor for the decrease in the contours on the green.

Members of the Augusta national golf club are probably familiar with the large oak tree that is located on the course and is thought to be over 140 years old.

The Eisenhower tree is a solid pine tree, which is situated on the 17th hole of the course.

Historians of the course claim that the tree was hit with a golf ball numerous times, (to his disgust) by President Eisenhower, and so he recommend that they remove the tree. The chairman of the course at the time did not want to have to ignore the recommendation of the President, however he decided the best thing to do was close the meeting.http://golfclub-review.blogspot.com

The course also has Ike’s Pond, which was named after General Eisenhower. He had taken a walk in the woods on a distance portion of the club grounds, and advised the chairman of the club that he had found a great place to include a pond. The pond was built based on his recommendation.

The chairman’s job was an extremely diplomatic role, with so many top names of politics and high ranking officials. It allowed its first African-American member in 1990. It is currently an all-male membership.

The Augusta course is a spectacular golf course, for both professionals and the weekend players. I highly recommend it if for only to pick out the specific famous peole, who have played there, and to identify how they moulded course. http://golfclub-review.blogspot.com



Carol

Boris Tomson asked:


How to Overcome Golf Course Obstacles

A golfer’s nightmare - You have somehow eliminated the slice you have been struggling with, you have the perfect swing and the perfect stance. Yet, despite doing it all right on paper, you still find yourself occasionally behind the largest tree on the course of standing in knee-deep grass of the course sand trap.Visit to : http://golfclub-review.blogspot.com

Think about it, though. If the golf course was smooth with no sand, water or bunkers, golfing would soon become boring for even the most committed golfer. Obstacles make the game challenging and a far better game. You can learn to appreciate these traps much more once you know how to get out of the situations they cause for golf players

You have a couple options when you find your golf ball hiding behind a large tree. Obviously, one option is to try to bore a hole through the tree so your ball can slide through, but this probably will not pass the approval of course maintenance as well as the other golfers.

Rather, many golfers choose to sacrifice one putt in order to get the ball in a better position. Whether or not this is the better option depends on how much the golfer is willing to risk for that one play and also on the golfer??s ability. A ricochet shot is occasionally an option if there is another tree nearby and in the right position, but in reality the result is far too uncontrollable. There is no way to know how the ball will react once it hits the tree trunk and layered bark.http://golfclub-review.blogspot.com

The best choice is to practice your curve ball before you find yourself at this point. When the time comes, you will be ready to get the ball back on course, save your game and also impress your fellow golfers.

Sand on the golf course presents an entirely new problem for golfers. Many tryout the “whack and see” approach by simply pulling out his or her sand wedge, whacking the ball and then watching the sand fly as they hope the golf ball also took flight.

Consistency is the key to overall success when it comes to golf, and this also goes for those times when you need to get out of the sand box. Simply put, sand is a real problem when trying to get the golf ball back onto the fairway. You will have trouble controlling the putt from the sand trap since golf balls do not roll well in sand.

The best way to get out of a sand trap is to use the wedge and get enough loft to clear the top of the sand trap, though less loft is typically much easier to control. So, you will want to choose your golf wedge carefully.

Ultimately, regardless of whether you are behind a tree, in a sand trap or facing another obstacle, choosing the best club, properly setting up your shot and controlling the ball are the best steps you can take to get back onto the open green. http://golfclub-review.blogspot.com



Gary

ConnorWilhem3 asked:


If you’ve traveled a lot for work and played golf across the country, let me know what region or what cities have the most amount of courses per capita.

I used to live in Atlanta and we had the worst municipal courses anywhere. I like California and Florida.

Kevin