Cybele asked:


I understand why agriculture and the spraying of noxious weeds (ie poison ivy) are exempted but why golf courses. Do golf courses need to be weedfree when golf courses don’t affect human health and welfare?

Ida

slappinemdown_100_200 asked:


Going there to visit folks and don’t know of golf courses in the area. Is there issues with asians playing golf courses there? Back when Tiger first started, there were some issues.

Brenda

Robert Santry asked:


Whether you’re a seasoned golfing enthusiast who always keeps their clubs on them, or are the type who plays the odd game now and then to relax, luxury holidays in South Africa are impressively well catered for. South Africa’s varied terrain makes it a unique destination for golfers, with a mix of breathtaking coastal courses, a fine elevated selection and a good number included in international events. Then of course there’s the weather - the climate is absolutely ideal, with the bright sunshine perfect for those who like to spend their times on the fairways and outside the clubhouse.

Here are some of the best golf courses in South Africa. If you only play a couple of times while out there, make sure one of these is on your list:

Leopard Creek

Leopard Creek is pretty much the undisputed jewel in South Africa’s golfing crown, and is a frequent inclusion in ‘World’s Best Courses’ lists. If you only play a handful of courses on your golf holiday in South Africa, make sure this is one of them. As well as being an entertaining and challenging course in its own right, what is really unique about Leopard Creek is its location: right on the border of the world-renowned Kruger National Park. The course (a Gary Player design) is sculpted to make the most of its location, and you shouldn’t be surprised to see a number of moving hazards around the water features, as warthogs, giraffes and crocodiles have been known to wander the course, and the trees are full of exotic birds too. With this kind of scenery, it’s an unforgettable round of golf, but don’t let it spoil your concentration for the final hole: a dramatic island green that has been known to make and break scorecards!

Gary Player Country Club

Unsurprisingly, this South Africa golf course was also designed by the legendary Gary Player, and it’s very much a challenge fitting for the man himself. This is one of the longest and toughest courses in the country, and not one for South Africa holiday makers who barely play. If you have the skills though, this course is another which frequently sneaks into ‘worlds best’ lists, albeit at a lower entry point than Leopard Creek. You need to have an accurate approach and watch out for the copious bunkers and water hazards to get a decent score here.

Wild Coast Country Club

Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security by the incredible Indian Ocean views - this is actually quite a tricky course, especially if you find yourself straying into the rough, or the coastal winds whip up! It’s quite a varied course, featuring several unexpected changes in elevation, which offset the relatively wide fairways. Look out for the thirteenth hole, which is a particularly taxing one, craftily designed to be up there with some of the best in the world. If you’re heading for a golf holiday in South Africa, this is a must.

Fancourt Hotel, Country Club and Golf Estate

Yet another Gary Player design that’s world renowned for a great round of golf, the Fancourt Hotels’ golf course is located on the charming southern Cape. The views are stunning, as is the golf - though it took a lot of effort to make. Over 700,000 metres of earth were moved to make this links style course on a surface that was originally flat! It was well worth the effort though, and if Links style play is your preference then this is certainly worth a visit. The hotel itself is very nice as well, and a good choice if you want to combine a few rounds of golf with your luxury holiday in South Africa.

Arabella Country Club

Not even 10 years old yet, the Arabella Golf Club has come a very long way in a short time, and is now one of the most celebrated golf courses in South Africa. Designed by the celebrated South African golf architect Peter Matkovich, the course is a wonderfully memorable mix of rolling fairways, cheeky bunkers and well placed water traps. It’s quite a sight too, as the course borders South Africa’s largest natural lagoon!

There are plenty of golf courses in South Africa, and although most struggle to match up to the high standards laid out by these ones, the perfect conditions mean you’re pretty much guaranteed an enjoyable round wherever you go. So if you’re planning on a luxury holiday in South Africa, don’t rule out some quality time on the fairways!



Alvin

akleo asked:


I am planning to visit Iran for a few weeks and I was wondering if there are any golf courses in Tehran? If so, how much does it cost?

Jimmy

Savannah Durbin asked:


One of the many dilemmas of a golfer is: “Should I spend a lot of money on joining a private club, or do I play at public courses?” There is no right or wrong answer; it just depends on what you are looking for. Both private golf courses and public golf courses have their advantages and disadvantages.

A public course is ideal for the golfer that does not play very often. What’s the sense in paying every month for a membership that does not get used? If you don’t play more than once a week over the summer, and do not play often during the winter, a public course would probably make more economic sense. Also, if you are all about trying out new courses, and see yourself getting bored playing the same eighteen holes every time you play, then definitely consider a public course.

A private course on the other hand, is best for a golfer that plays multiple times during a week, and frequently plays over the winter. More money would probably be saved in the long run in paying a set amount of money each month on membership and a cart pass, than to pay fifty to one hundred dollars for every round.

A private club is very attractive because of the social atmosphere. Not only can you and your friends go out and play at a familiar place, but you have the potential to meet more people with similar interests. It is also a great place for networking, and making good connections. Many private clubs have weekly leagues and hold special member tournaments that are very fun to participate in. They are often a great way to make friends. Some leagues even have special events where you can play at other courses against players from different courses.

Depending on what you are looking for, and how much money you are willing to spend, both private and public clubs have their ups and downs. It pays to research specific prices; as there are expensive private clubs, and public courses.



Ana

dreamersleague asked:


What courses, qualifications or degrees would someone need to be able to find a job as Groundskeeper at a Golf Course or Resort Hotel?

Nancy

Martin Thomas asked:


At one time, courses were only really categorized as private or public

Private courses Are for members only. Visitors may play on payment of a Green Fee. Costs of the green fee vary considerably depending on time courses often have twilight rates after a certain time of the day frequently there are Winter rates between certain months of the year. The rate will also vary depending on whether the visitor is introduced by a member or not.

Many courses will not allow visitors at the weekend (unless introduced). Some courses do not allow visitors at all, unless they are introduced, but these are a small minority. If in doubt about whether you will be able to play on arrival at a course, or whether the cost of a round falls within your price structure, give the Club Secretary or Professional a call beforehand. In the vast majority of cases you will receive friendly advice, and occasionally some cost benefit! Most private courses are very welcoming to visitors (they need the green fee income!) Some may require sight of a handicap certificate. Please ensure that your game is at an acceptable level before venturing on to a full golf course. Even more important is a knowledge of the etiquette of the game, especially in knowing when to let a following group play through if you are holding them up. Lots of clubs have a second course sometimes 9 holes, sometimes all par 3 holes. These are often called a ‘blue’ course. Most private golf clubs operate on the principle of an annual subscription for membership. These are often very much more reasonable than people are led to believe especially if you consider the amount of time you can spend enjoying the club’s facilities. What can be expensive and off putting to the would-be member is the entrance fee, which combined with the subs can often double the cost of your golf in the first year. Many clubs, except for the prestige locations have now waived the entrance fee in a bid to attract new members. If you want to know, speak to a member of the club, or pick up the phone to the Secretary.

Public courses Sometimes municipal if the course was built or came under the control of the local authority normally do not have a membership, and all players pay a green fee to play. Many of these do not have a tee time booking system, but operate on a first come basis.

It should be mentioned here that there are some superb public courses, and particularly in Scotland, but also true elsewhere, some of the municipals are championship standard.

Nowadays, there is a huge range of different types of membership between the traditional types mentioned above. One frequently used expression is pay’n'play. At these, there are members who pay a subscription, normally lower than at private member clubs, but who then pay an additional fee each time they play. In the UK, the point is being reached where more people are playing golf on this basis than any other. And it can be a cost effective way of playing golf particularly if you do not envisage playing many times in the course of a year.

Lance

Grahame Simpson asked:


Alhaurin Golf Course is a beautiful course with a great layout that challenges all golfers.

Alhaurin Golf Course front 9 holes.

Hole 1: A par 5 dog leg to the right with rough trees and bushes down the right side. Play the tee shot left to middle. The green has slope away to the right and a bunker on the left.

Hole 2: Tee shot to the left and short of the huge drop down to the green which has bunkers all around.

Hole 3: Par 3 160 meters where the green is narrow and the land falls away after the bunker on the right.

Hole 4: Play the tee shot to the right of the left fairway bunker a driver isn’t needed. The hole is a dog leg to the right and the corner can be played over for a smaller chip shot. The green has two bunkers left and right.

Hole 5: Short par 3 with the green sloping to the front and a bunker.

Hole 6: The tee shot is down, down, down to the fairway which dog legs to the right. The rest of the fairway slopes away to the left so keep the ball to the right side. Trees bushes and rough are all down the right. Bunkers are up the left side and of the small green.

Hole 7: Straight hole with a larger green which has bunkers right and back.

Hole 8: Another hole where you start on one level then drop away. Don’t go long down the slope as it will roll away of the mountain. Aim for the marker and stay at the top for the best second shot to the green with two bunkers on the left.

Hole 9: Slight dog leg to the left, so, tee shot middle to right, avoiding the tree in the middle of the fairway. The green is bunker protected to the right and back.

Please visit Alhaurin Golf Course Guide for the back 9 holes.

If you wish to play Golf Courses of the Costa del Sol then let www.sungolfer.com help you.



Glen