GOLF NEWBIES

Links Life Vol. 5

By Jeff Louis


So you still want to play golf? Once again, your personal mentor is here to guide you through.

Let’s discuss some of the points of golf reservations.

I hope you’ve all been practicing. It’s almost time to take you out on the course. Before we do that, however, you’ll need to know a few more things...

Tee time: This is your reserved appointment to play golf at a particular course. Sometimes these times are held with a credit card number because most courses have a cancellation policy. If you or a member of your group does not show up or cancel in time, then the credit card may be charged.

Pairings: This is the number of people you have promised will be there. The tee time can be made for up to 4 people, in a time slot. If you have more, then you have to work that out directly with the course.

Outings: Usually, if you need to book tee times for more than 8 people (2 foursomes) this is considered an outing. You should inquire about getting a discount if you have a large number in attendance.

Walk up: A walk up is an individual that comes to the course to play, but doesn’t have a designated (reserved) tee time. Usually, single players can not reserve a tee time.

Sign Up List: The name of a walk up goes on this list. You will be called to play according to your position on the list, or, need. If 2 players come together as walk ups and a group has 3 players and needs one more to fill out the slot, you have 2 choices. You and your friend can break up or you can let the next single walk up go next and wait for a time slot with 2 places available.

Starter: This is the individual usually positioned near the 1st tee. He or she takes your tickets and keeps tee offs running in a smooth and orderly fashion.

Ranger: This is the law & order keeper of the course. The ranger can help find your ball or give you advice on how to play a particular hole. The ranger can also ask you to play faster if your group is playing so slow that you hold up the rest of the course. One more piece of information, the ranger can also escort you off the course if he or she deems you are causing damage to the course on purpose - a/k/a vandalism.

This Week’s Golf Term:
“Playing Through": If your group is playing efficiently, or faster than the group ahead of you, and the group that is ahead of you is not in sight, then you can ask to “play through.” This means that the faster group of players is allowed to pass the slower group on the course. It is an acceptable, well mannered practice. There is, however, a caveat. The slower group does not have to let you play through, as they may feel that this is a personal affront to their skill sets. Size up the risk. You have more choices. You can call the ranger for an assist or decide to skip that hole to avoid confrontation. Do not cause a commotion and manhandle (figuratively speaking of course) the slow group. Allow them to finish the current hole and tee off 1st on the next hole.

PLAY IT AS IT LIES

SKYVIEW GOLF COURSE 3.5 stars

By Jeff Louis

“Shhhhhh. Don’t turn around. It’s just me!” I just wanted to sneak up on my readers as we head into the fall season with a tasty nugget of real estate. Are you coming in to visit from out of town? Would you like to see the change in seasons as they affect the color of the leaves on the trees? Is your significant other out shopping and you’re hoping to sneak in a round of golf? Grab your clubs and come with me to Sparta, New Jersey. We’re going to play Skyview Golf Course...

Skyview was designed by Robert McNeil and I can tell you this about the layout - yes this is considered a mountain course, but it plays different. Skyview is more like a serene, parkland-style course, that has attention deficit disorder. It starts out easy enough, with a straight away par 4. The only trouble present, comes into play if you hit a wayward drive into the street which lines the entire right side of the hole. However, the tone of the course is set on hole number two. This is the aptly named “Skyward.” How about a 547 yard par 5 that plays 100% uphill? Carts are not allowed on this hole, making it play even longer.

Oh, and it’s not over my friend. Prepare yourself for putting greens slicker than chicken grease on plate glass. Indiana Jones will have to help you play the next par 5. It’s called “The Edge.” (My goodness how the designers had fun naming these holes.) “The Edge” is a Par 5, 552 yards, and is the #3 Handicap hole - rated "Most Intimidating" by NJ Golfer Magazine. Okay, let’s examine this closer. Is the #3 hole the most intimidating? You bet it is!! Your tee shot had better be straighter than a William Tell arrow trying to hit an apple. You have no shot if your ball goes left, and, if it goes right, you’ll be up a hill, in a rock cropping that is filled with all snakes. That’s not even the scary part. Once you get to the end of the fairway, there is a blind 80 foot drop to the green. Oh don’t worry, Ashton Kutcher won’t be there to “Punk” you.

This type of psychotic, Jekyll & Hyde golf is exactly what makes this a lot of fun. Now, before some of you scream this is a ‘tricked out’ course, it’s not. This course is extremely fair. As long as you hit that ball straight or like to work your shots left or, right. Another part of the fun factor of Skyview lies in the angles which the holes play. Pictured above is the 7th hole, “Rock Pile.” You can see at the end of the fairway, there is a left tilt that leads into a right turn. Much of the same awaits you on the back 9 holes. Although, they play downhill, you can’t take them for granted. The number 14 hole, “Falling Rock” has a boulder precariously perched to the left of the tee box. This is not a marker. This is a reminder of the danger. McNeil has this hole squeezed tighter than a grizzly bear in a thong. (Extreme visualization, indeed). Once you get downhill, the hole is 90 degrees to the right. The drawing card is the extra large green. So inviting, so deadly. Come closer, closer. Pssst, Bagger Vance couldn’t read this green, no matter how many times he took his shoes off.

Now, I don’t want to scare you away from this course. On the contrary. You should line up to play it, regularly. Grab some apple cider and put your name on the list. I’ll be right there. Oh, and play it as it lies!

Recommendation: 3.5 stars
Current Price: Week $60; Weekend $85
Par 72, Slope n/a, Rating n/a, Yardage n/a
Address: 226 Lafayette Road, Sparta, NJ 07871
Website: http://www.skyviewgolf.com/golf/proto/skyviewgolf/

Photo courtesy of SkyView GC http://www.skyviewgolf.com/golf/proto/skyviewgolf/coursetour07/coursetour07.htm

PLAY IT AS IT LIES

BLACK BEAR GOLF COURSE: 3.75 STARS

By Jeff Louis

Hmmmph. What’s up? Well, I played some mountain golf a few weeks ago and it was so good, I need to think about where I can possibly go for the good vibrations to continue. Mountain golf is very hilly and has acute angles that you can use to place your ball properly. Definitively speaking, course management skills are a must. What am I talking about? Well read on...

I decided to accept an invitation from a good friend to head North to Franklin, NJ and go bear hunting. No, it’s not the type of hunting where you need either a license or a self defense excuse, just a tee time. Black Bear Golf Course ("BBGC") is part of the Crystal Springs Resort community. When you pull into Franklin, look out for the Weis Shopping Center. The course entrance is a little hard to find but there are signs directing you accordingly (which prevent you from going shopping instead).

BBGC, in a word or two, would be described as ‘ruggedly brawny’. Forget the fact that on rare occasions you may actually spot a black bear strolling about, this course has it all. You’ll find hills, water, deep rough, undulating greens and scenery. There are certain points on the course where you feel like you are on top of the world looking across vastness. You may even want to make sure the parking brake on your cart is secure, so you don't have to chase it back down the hill!

BBGC has enough challenges to make things very interesting for even the most skilled golfer. There is no way any player can possibly sleepwalk through its layout. Pictured is the 210 yard par 3. As you can see, the green is fronted by a long pond and rocks with very little bail out area to the right. The golf axiom: "it’s better to be long, than short", applies here to your tee shot.

This is a severely contentious course. If you like to play golf, you come to courses like BBGC and challenge your game to its limits; and when you’re done, proclaim your intentions to come back and try it again. It’s worth the trip. Have I steered you wrong yet? So, I plan to come back again and again...to “feed” the bears. Not food, just my greens fees. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Remember, Play It As it Lies.

Recommendation: 3.75 Stars
Current Price: Week $59, Weekend $89
Par 72, Slope 130, Rating 72.2, Yardage 6673
Address: 138 State Rte 23, Franklin, NJ 07416
Website: http://www.%20CrystalGolfResort.com

Photo courtesy of Crystal Springs Golf Resort

GOLF NEWBIES

Links Life Vol. 4

By Jeff Louis

So you still want to play golf? Once again, your personal mentor, is here to guide you through.

Today, let’s discuss some of the areas of golf practice.

Driving Range: This is an area designated for practice. The name refers to the art of striking the golf ball with your club. The expression is called “driving it.” There are many potential practice areas in a driving range. Not all driving ranges have everything. Some have hitting bays. These are stations where only one person can hit at a time. Some ranges may have 20 hitting bays, some may have as many as 50. Some also have a short game area. This is where you practice shots are less than 100 yards long...


Practice Putting green: Most courses have a practice putting green near the 1st tee for warming up with your putting stroke. Usually, the type of grass that is on the green and how it is cut will give you an indication as to whether the ball is rolling fast or slow. Several things may affect the speed of a ball on the green. Rain and humidity make it slower, while sun and wind dry out the greens and make it roll faster. So it is best to get a good read on the practice greens before you go out on the course. You should determine “how the greens are rolling.”

Practice Sand Bunker: This is where there is a medium sized green surrounded by sand pits/bunkers. You can go into the sand bunker, drop several balls and practice hitting them from the pit onto the green. Here is an opportunity to test the consistency of the sand and determine what’s going to happen on the course.

Specialty Ranges: Some golf courses have a range specifically designed for you to hit balls into the water. Balls are recovered by the suction system in the water that pulls the balls to the bottom and collects them.

Range Picker: This is the famed rolling chicken coop looking cart that comes around to collect the balls. It has rubber spiral collectors that suck up the balls into attached crates. Although you may see a lot of people try to hit the range picker, this is not an acceptable practice.

Golf Phrases of the Week:

“The Dance Floor” refers to the greens.

“She’s dancing!” This refers to the “action” of a struck ball once it hits the green. If you watch on TV, pros can make the ball die (stop) where it lands, hit the green and roll or release. They can also do what is known as the famous backspin where the ball lands and spins back, this is also referred to as “pulling the string.” As you now know, the green is also referred to as the dance floor. So “she’s dancing” refers to the action of the ball once it hit’s the green.

PLAY IT AS IT LIES

CRYSTAL SPRINGS GOLF RESORT 4.5 stars

By Jeff Louis

Well, here I go again … in search of more international flavored golf. I’m sorry, I like a variety of golf courses on a weekly basis. It’s my addiction, but your elixir…as I attempt to cure you of what ails you on boring courses.

I recently accepted an invitation to return to the Crystal Springs Resort in Northern New Jersey to play their premiere course, Ballyowen. And I must say, there must be gold in them thar hills. First, let me drive you into the facility. The entrance, off of Wheatsworth Road, leads you up to a recessed entrance. Some of the greatest courses use this feature, (most of them, however, happen to be private courses). Although some might say the common man would turn up his nose at such atrocities, I guarantee you, the day you play Ballyowen, you WILL feel like a member at a private course. Driving through the entrance leads you to a road that winds directly through the middle of the course. Be careful, you may become so mesmerized you drive right into one of the man-made lakes or ponds...

Waiting for you at the top of the hill is the majestic clubhouse. Let’s just say I had to gather myself because ….well, this is the time to use the term ‘grandiose’. And just to add to the illusion, the cart caddies are wearing knickers and argyles, while the wait staff has donned kilts. Oh we’ve definitely gone Scottish now. I can almost smell the haggis and dark ale. Inside this major structure resides a well appointed pro shop as well as a restaurant with excellent American/UK fare. The price is minimal, yet the portions are generous. The main attraction of the restaurant is the large, seamless windows that almost give you a 240 degree view of the course from a perched location.

Time to play. The very first thing you notice about the course are the sharp angles. The fairways, at times, are raised like a tabletop, daring you to drift down their edges into a grassy abyss. Make no mistake about it, this is links style golf, complete with sheep and a ram (literally). No kidding! Ballyowen will test the very nature of length. Your length off the tee, the length of your putt, and the length of your patience! There are dunes (hills) the size of small schools on the course. If your shot lands behind one of them, you’ll need GPS, a compass and a prayer to see where your next target is located. This is a wide open 250 acre wonderland of golf amusement. You not only play the course, you also play the elements - there are no trees to block the wind. Course architect Roger Rulewich had a field day with this creation.

This course has multiple par 3’s where your tee shot is over a body of water. The par 4’s vary greatly from one hole to the next. You’ll go up and downhill, slope right or left and just to make it interesting, around bodies of water. The last hole winds your tee shot around a dune to a green elevated 40 feet up with flash sand bunkers. The round is over and the course still has teeth. Look at the picture, get something to drink and play it as it lies.

Recommendation: 4. 5 Stars
Current Price: Week $110-125, Weekend $145
Par 72 Slope 131 Rating 73.6 Yardage 7094
Address: State Rte 94, Hamburg, NJ 07462
Website: http://www. CrystalGolfResort.com

Photo courtesy of Crystal Springs Golf Resort

PLAY IT AS IT LIES

BETHPAGE STATE PARK:
5 STARS

By Jeff

“I think I’m ready to play Bethpage Black. I’ve been playing Tiger Woods on Playstation”. Famous last words uttered by a friend of mine before heading East to Farmingdale, NY and the site of the 2002 US Open won by Tiger himself. Bethpage will be host of the 2009 US Open after an impressive initial showing 6 years ago. If you watched on TV or were at the course, you experienced all that a New York venue can do to you. The home crowd serenaded Phil Mickelson for his birthday as well as laughed at Sergio Garcia (golf’s bad boy) for crying about the Black Courses’ unfair difficulty level.

In many ways, The Black Course is as unforgiving as the state in which it resides. Ordinarily, I wouldn’t do this but I have to warn you. This is not an easy course by any means. As a matter of fact, there is a sign right on the wrought iron fence of the 1st tee to tell you just that. There are golf demons on this course. Bethpage Black is as rigorous a golf test as it is a mental and physical torture. If your golf skills aren’t up to par, the ranger patrolling the course will kindly ask you to leave. You will be given a rain check or ….an opportunity to play one of the other 4 easier courses on the premises.

That being said: Test 1, acquiring a tee time. Most of the prime slots are given to those dedicated golf warriors who choose to spend the night in their car in an orderly line. When the starter arrives, you will exit the holding parking lot in the same order in which you entered. The purpose is to get a “baker’s ticket” . This is a numbered ticket that tells where you were in the line. When you get into the clubhouse, you’ll line up for the available slots on a first come (or slept) first served basis. Test 2, once you get a coveted tee time, you will have a color coded band attached to your arm showing you’re about to be a victim/guest on the Black course. Test 3, the driving range. I know you are all asking, why this is a test? Well, because other players tend to gather behind a banded player to gauge the state of their game. Some even say they’re taking bets as to how long you will last before getting asked to exit the course. Once you arrive at the 1st tee, you get the experience of any tour pro on TV. You actually get to hit your 1st shot in front of a gallery of waiting or curious players and people who packed a lunch just to see if you have control of your nerves. Isn’t this fun already?

Test 4, the course. Designer A.W. Tillinghast is an absolute master at creating visual challenges. He leaves no stone unturned. This particular design is a vehicle for bringing out your accuracy game. You do not want to miss the fairway anywhere on this course. It is penal. Even the primary cut of rough adjacent to the fairway is thick enough to swallow your ball into oblivion. Let’s see - almost 90 degree turning holes to 50 foot high elevated greens, diagonally crossed sand bunkers that make the hole appear to be shorter than it actually is, fairways squeezed harder than Florida orange juice, and tall as well as swirling ground fescue grass ready to make you cry with a missed shot. But, above all, AW makes you walk this epic course. There are no carts allowed. The only one you’ll see is that of the aforementioned ranger. So, you have a choice, either carry your bag, rent a pull cart or, at a nominal fee, hire a caddy for the day.

If you look at the picture above, that is the fairway of the 18th hole with it’s green in the foreground. Call it “three tiers of pain”. Good luck. If you need anything, the pro shop is one of the very best in the U.S.. Enjoy the U.S. Open experience, and as always, play it as it lies. Oh, by the way, my friend quit after the sixth hole from the psychological pain and embarrassment of a mediocre skill set. But at least he wasn’t asked to leave - he quit first

Photo courtesy of Bethpage State Park (web address below)

Recommendation: 5 Stars
Current Price: Week $60 Weekend $120
Par 71 Slope 140 Rating 73.1 Yardage 6673
Address: 99 Quaker Meeting House Rd
Farmingdale, NY 11735-1847
Website: http://nysparks.state.ny.us/golf/info.asp?golfID=12

PLAY IT AS IT LIES

RIVER WINDS GOLF CLUB:
5 STARS

By Jeff Louis

At what point does one declare themselves a certifiable golf junkie? Is it when you’ve spent designated bill money on that new “distance advertised” driver? How about the golf vacation you took with your buddies during your wife’s pregnancy? Well, for me, it was debating whether or not to play in a rain and lightening storm. Before you say I must be off my meds, let me explain. I wouldn’t be doing my job effectively if I didn’t risk it all for you …. the readers (LOL).

River Winds Golf Club (RWGC), located in West Deptford Township, in southern New Jersey, is an absolute winner! Although RWGC has only been in existence since 2002, this course has matured to a celestial level. Course designer Ed Shearon, along with one of the famed “US Open” doctors, Tom Fazio, has brought British Open ,“links style” golf to New Jersey …. with a fury. In a word, this course is a beast, and I mean that in the most affectionate way. There is no shortage to the amount of emotional peaks and valleys RWGC places on your psyche. Offering native swirling love grass to frame the fairways and sand bunkers would have been enough to get your attention. But it doesn’t stop there. You will be challenged on every shot you take to think about the ramifications of an error. This course has eventual “PGA Tour venue” written all over it.

The 2003 PGA championship brought about a famous comment from designer Pete Dye that his creation was like “popcorn. Sometimes, people choke on popcorn.” Well, if that was popcorn, RWGC has caramel on it. Framed by the Delaware River (which separates New Jersey from Pennsylvania), RWGC offers panoramic views of the Philadelphia skyline. But don’t get caught up in that. If you take your mind off of this course too long you’ll suffer agricultural purgatory. There’s more drama here, from shot to shot, than watching your only daughter have her first date. For example, the signature hole is the par 3, 17th hole (above). Oh yes, that’s an island green that you fire at from an elevated tee box located 150 feet up on an adjacent bluff. Indeed, RWGC is the intravenous excitement factor golf needed in the Northeast...

Okay, let’s recap. Not only do we have all of the ingredients of your new championship level course; just think, you can grab a world famous Philly cheese steak sandwich afterwards and wax poetic about how many balls you’ve lost in a single round. You may not be a pro golfer, but on this course, you can feel like one. That is, until you hit that 1st tee shot. Remember, play it as it lies!

Recommendation: 5 Stars
Current Price: Week $50 Weekend $60
Par 70 Slope 70 Rating 69.3 Yardage 7072
Address: 1251 River Winds Drive, West Deptford New Jersey 08086
Website: http://www.riverwindsgolf.com

Photo courtesy: http//www.riverwindsgolf.com

GOLF NEWBIES

02 Links Life

By Jeff Louis


So you still want to play golf? Once again, your personal mentor, is here to guide you through.

What are the different clubs and how many should I have in my bag? 14 clubs is the rule. You have:


1) the driver-the biggest club in the bag. It is used for tee shots.
2) Fairway woods/hybrids - they are used to hit long distances from the ground or off the tee. Specifically, they are used to control distance and accuracy,
3) Irons - they are used to advance the ball finite distances or for escaping trouble - like trees, bushes, or in thick rough*,
3) Wedges - they are scoring clubs. They are used when you're 100 yards or closer to the green, and
4) Putters - they are used on the green to roll the ball into the hole.

How many people are allowed to play at the same time?

If you've watched golf telecasts, most of the time you'll see 2 players in a group. For the weekend warriors like us, 4 is the maximum in a group; unless, of course, you have permission from the course to have 5, and that, is rare.

Who hits (tees it up) first?

You may have the person who finished the previous hole in the fewest strokes tee up first. This is called Honors. You may hear someone say, OK it's your box. That is a sign of respect. You can also play ready golf, meaning, if you're ready to hit, do so. This is to maintain pace of play. It would not be considered disrespectful to play out of turn in that style.

What are the colored balls or markers on the tee boxes for?

1)The black markers signify championship/pro skill. They usually indicate the highest skilled golfers playing the longest distance of the course. They also indicate a scratch or low handicap ability.
2) The blue markers signify very skilled golfers. They usually indicate a mid to low handicap ability.
3) The white markers signify the average ability golfer. They usually indicate a mid to high handicap ability.
4) The red/yellow markers signify senior or average/nonprofessional lady golfers. This usually indicates those playing the shortest distance on the course.

Note, the furthest tee box in the rear is very skilled golfers. You shouldn't be back there as a beginner. That should be your aspiration.

Why do I hear someone say good shot when the ball they hit wasn't that good?

In a word, etiquette. It's just plain good manners. Trust me, there will be occasions when something negative is said due to a wayward shot. That should come from the player who hit it, not you. Encourage good play, don't tear down another players misfortune.

In the meantime, enjoy your Links Life.

This week's golf terms:
par - is the number of strokes the course determines it takes to finish each hole and then to finish the entire course.

scratch - is the ability to shoot par or better. Better, it is your ability to play based on the course you are playing. More specifically, it is your ability to play the course in the number of strokes the course determines. So if you are generally a 70 stroke golfer and you play a 70 par course, you are a scratch golfer at that course.

handicap - is your ability to play, in numbers. The lower the number, the better the player. A handicap index is used when two or more golfers are playing together. It is like being spotted points in basketball because the person you are playing against is better than you. For example, if you play with a golfer who is a scratch person at a par 70 course and you are an 8O stroke player, the scratch player should give you a handicap of 1o to balance the two of you out, thus giving you an actual chance of winning. To sum it up, a handicap index gives golfers of different playing abilities a chance to fairly compete against one another.

rough - is the grass on the side of the fairway that is longer, thicker and gnarly and therefore harder to hit through.

fairway - is the oasis of closely mowed grass that can give you the best shot - usually the area you should be hitting from.

green - is the surface that you putt on.

strokes - are the number of times you either attempt to hit or actually hit the ball.

This week, I will also give you a few pieces of encouraging golf lingo and metaphors. Use them to celebrate a good shot. Try these commonly heard terms, or, make up some of your own. "That's a golf shot there!" "Nicely done." "Useful, that." "That was restaurant quality right there." "Tasty."

PLAY IT AS IT LIES

SPRAIN LAKE GOLF COURSE: 3 stars

By Jeff Louis

Let me ask you a question, if by Disney’s standards, you whistle while you work, what do you do while playing golf? My answer, it doesn’t matter, you’re playing golf! You’re supposed to enjoy just being out amongst nature, "fellowshipping." This game is your own personal psychotherapist. That being said, this week I move the analyst’s couch up to Sprain Lake in Westchester, NY...

This is one of the most non-pretentious and fun tracks in Westchester N. It may not carry the prestige of Winged Foot (a famous private golf course that hosted the 2006 US Open), but to the players here you wouldn’t know any different. At only 6110 yards from the back tees and with a rating under its given par 70, it seems like an easy day is waiting. Be aware there are no givens on this course. Off the tee, on most holes, you can see where you should plot your shot placement. And here’s that siren, calling you to be a hero. Don’t listen to her. There are some severe downhill angles and side hill lies that will have you asking yourself “why did I do that?”

Sprain Lake plays tighter than a drummer in James Browns’ band. There are a few holes where an errant tee shot can still be played. Still not convinced? How about some of the most quietly undulated greens designed to test your patience, especially with some select pin placement. You can easily see the break go one way; yet the ball may roll the opposite way. What Sprain Lake doesn’t have in length is definitely made up by its challenges. If you like to walk the course, be prepared to warm up rigorously. The back 9 holes will definitely challenge your calves.

Sprain Lake has a very small pro shop that gets right to the point. It has shirts, gloves, balls, hats, and equipment that can be purchased at excellent prices. Here’s a big plus, a new driving range is now open at the far end of the parking lot. In addition, the halfway house behind the 9th green has very good chili dogs and reasonable prices as far as golf courses go. Done playing? Head in to the bar/restaurant behind the clubhouse to chill out with your favorite beverage in a relaxed atmosphere. Westchester County, NY golf keeps you coming back. Until next week, play it as it lies.

Recommendation: 3 Stars

Current Price: Week $42, Weekend $56

Par 70, Slope 70, Rating 69.3, Yardage 6110

Address: 290 East Grassy Sprain Rd Yonkers, NY

Website: http://www.westchestergov.com/parks/golf/SprainLake.htm

GOLF NEWBIES

Links Life Vol. 3

By Jeff Louis

So you still want to play golf? Once again, your personal mentor, is here to guide you through.

We���re really going to get into some terms this week. I know there is some lingo that may be confusing and that you would like to better understand. As your guide, your wish is my command...

Green - The end of a golf hole. Where the flagstick and cup are located and where a golfer will putt to end the hole.

Pin or flag - This is the marker/pole on the green with a flag. It indicates where the hole is. When you are finally on the green, you take the flag out of the hole and putt (roll the ball into the hole).

Hazard - This can be many things, water, rocks, cactus, bushes, and/or environmentally protected areas. Specifically, these are areas or objects that make it hard to get a clean shot. They are usually marked with red or yellow stakes. You can play out of any hazard except the environmental ones, as long as your club doesn���t touch anything. If your club touches any hazard, that is a penalty. The alternative is to take a drop (see below). And, yes, you can play out of water as well. It happens.

Out of bounds - These areas are marked with white stakes or poles. They are usually used to protect the yard to a residence or the area outside of the golf course. If you hit a shot out of bounds - beyond those stakes, you would have to take a drop (again, see below) and play your shot over from where you last hit it.

Drop - This is a penalized do-over. Though usually used when you have lost a ball, you can take a drop even if you haven���t lost your ball. A drop is considered unplayable. This is a one stroke/shot penalty. So, say you hit your 2nd shot out of bounds. You will "drop" a ball from where you last hit. To mark your spot, hold the ball shoulder high and let it go. As long as the ball has not bounced closer to the green, it���s considered now in play. This drop is considered your 3rd shot/stroke. Your hit is your 4th shot/stroke and now you can move on with play. So, you basically lose a shot on the drop.

Provisional ball - If you hit a shot that you suspect you may not find (in the woods, out of bounds, or in a hazard), then you declare that you are going to hit a provisional ball. It is a drop with benefits. You will still lose a stroke.���but only temporarily. If you hit the provisional ball (from where you hit the original ball) and if, as you are moving forward toward the green, you find your original ball, you may play that ball. The provisional ball is now out of play and the penalty drop is removed. If, however, you do not find your ball, the provisional ball is in play and you lose a stroke. The provisional ball is used to keep pace of play, so that you don���t waste time searching for balls and replaying shots unnecessarily.

Putter - A putter is used on the greens to roll the ball in the hole. You may use any part of the head of the putter to strike the ball.

Chili dip - When you are around the green and a short shot is needed to get up to the green, sometimes we all lose focus. You may take up too much turf. That turf may go flying further than the ball. This is the dreaded miss-hit called the chili dip or ���laying sod.���

PLAY IT AS IT LIES

PATRIOT HILLS GOLF CLUB: 4.5 stars
19 Clubhouse Lane
Stony Point, New York 10980
Website: http://patriothillsgolfclub.com/
845-947-7085

By Jeff Louis

Morning just comes way too fast these days! My 4a.m. alarm reminded me, “it’s time for golf.” So, why does it feel like I’m travelling when I’m only going 69 minutes from home?

Today, I played a course I had no knowledge of until a company outing opened my eyes to it- Patriot Hills Golf Course ("PHGC"). It is located a mere 10 minutes south of Bear Mountain State Park and the West Point Military Academy in Stony Point, NY. I immediately noticed the tranquility and Civil War stone buildings as I drove through this Stony Point community.

Patriot Hills is a mountain style course, meaning it was literally designed to route through some severe hilly terrain. PHGC plays downhill as well as uphill. Here is an example: on the 11th hole, the gold (championship) tee box has a 225 foot drop in elevation to the fairway. And, once you leave the 12th green heading to the 13th tee box, it’s a ¼ mile uphill winding ride. Nevertheless, Rick Jacobsen Design (course architect), took safety into consideration. The cart paths wind down to its lowest points in a serpentine fashion. This is reminiscent of Lombard St. in San Francisco, CA - "The worlds’ most Crookedest Street (that’s how it’s marketed)." From the courses’ highest points, the vistas are dramatic. You can look across the Hudson River and see the majesty of Bear Mountain from several holes.

This is definitely a challenging layout to play. The course has four -to- seven tee boxes available on every hole to make sure everyone has a good time and a chance at a fair examination of their golf game. And, despite its relatively short-listed 6502 yardage, PHGC plays a lot longer than that. Most of the greens’ approach shots from 150 yards in and are of an uphill variety. Plan on hitting 1-2 more clubs longer than you think you’ll need. Once you arrive on the greens, you’ll have a lot of fun reading the breaks and undulations. Don’t get me wrong, this course may take a bite out of you, at least the first time you play it.

One almost feels the actual presence of George Washington while playing this course. I swear I smelled cannon powder. Seriously though, there is an arsenal further up the road. So when traveling in New York State, stop by and visit Patriot Hills. When you’re done, you’ll probably salute the course. And, if you happen to find a cannon ball in the fairway, remember, play it as it lies.


Additional Info:
Current Price: Week $90 Weekend $120
Par 72, Slope 70.7, Rating 131, Yardage 6502

GOLF NEWBIES

01 Links Life

by Jeff Louis

So you want to play golf? Maybe your boss has an outing and you want to get some points? Maybe your significant other spends more time on the course than you like, and you want to join in? Or maybe it just looks like fun.

You can pick any number of reasons to want to start playing golf, and they���re all valid. I���m here to guide you through it. Sort of like your own, personal mentor.

When should I buy clubs? Any time is good, but don���t buy the most expensive set. Start out with, let���s say, a boxed set from Sports Authority or Dick���s. All the clubs are there, and, it���s economical to start with because most sets contain a bag to carry the clubs in.

What is the best equipment to buy? The best equipment is equipment that fits your budget and style. Consider how it looks to you, how it feels when you swing the club (not too light or heavy, not too soft or too stiff, and not too long or too short) , and does it work for you. Don���t get caught up in brands and logos right now.

What balls should I buy? Well, bargain balls are great for starting out. You want to get the feel for hitting a ball and putting on the greens. At this point, you don���t have to go top of the line just yet.

Should I take lessons? Absolutely. Are they necessary to get started? No. Your own motivation will get you started. If you want to make sure you have the best chance to score well, seek out a local PGA professional at a course, or at a driving range/ practice facility. Remember, there���s no shame in having instruction as a beginner. Even touring professionals bring their coaches on the road from time to time.

What course should I play? At the beginning, you may want to visit a driving range/ practice facility. Get familiar with how to hit the ball with no pressure on you. This is a game to have fun. You���ll get there, trust me.

Next week, we���ll discuss golf clubs (equipment) and a few terms. I���ll end each volume with a golf term to remember.

See you next week as you start your Links Life.

"Mulligan/Breakfast ball": A mythical term started by golfers signifying starting over after a botched shot. Normally heard on the first tee. There are no ���do-overs��� in golf. Accept your shot as it is and move on.

PLAY IT AS IT LIES

CRAB MEADOW GOLF COURSE: 4 stars
220 Waterside Road
Northport, NY 11768
631-757-8800

By Jeff

I really need to stay at home right now. And I guess, at times, I suffer from a healthy sense of "homeland curiosity." Do you know what I mean? Do you ever feel the need to know what���s on the other side of the fence? What other courses can you travel to close to home? Well, I recently found out, I can stay right at home and satisfy my voracious golf appetite. Out in Long Island, NY, in the town of Huntington, is a real gem of a golf course called Crab Meadow. It may not be the longest course available, at only 6574 yards from the back tees, but please, don���t be fooled. This course will make you play the game. And, if you like to try to pull off shots you see on television, you will definitely want to come to Crab Meadow.

This course is loaded with several elevation changes and doglegs, both left and right turning. The signature hole, is the 8th, which is a par 5. It���s the only hole on the course with a water hazard in play. Let���s put it this way, Crab Meadow is the essence of classic shot maker���s golf. Have you ever heard a player say ���this course doesn���t fit my eye?��� Well, Crab Meadow fits every eye. The one adjective you could never attribute to this course is, boring. And, aside from the serpentine layout, every hole, except one, treats you with a view of the north shore of the Long Island Sound. On a clear day, you can see all the way across the sound to Connecticut.

In case you like to arrive early to warm up, there is a driving range, and a practice putting green. Also, the snack shop and The View Restaurant, on the premises, offer extremely tasty treats. You know, with escalating gas prices these days, it may not be a bad thing to explore your home. Rest assured, the Crab Meadow staff works extremely hard to make sure your visit is enjoyable from start, to finish. It sort of feels like you���ve sat down at your mother���s for Sunday dinner .... you know it���s going to be good! Come home to Long Island, NY and Crab Meadow Golf Course. It feels like a family reunion. Remember as always, play it as it lies.


Recommendation: 4 Stars
Current Price: Week $65, Weekend Same
Par 72, Slope 71.6, Rating 125, Yardage 6574
Address: 220 Waterside Road - Northport, NY 11768
Website: http://www.crabmeadow.com

PLAY IT AS IT LIES

HERON GLEN GOLF COURSE: 5 stars
110 State Hwy 202/31
Ringoes, NJ 08551
908.806.6804

by Jeff

Can anyone do it better? This is a question I’ve asked myself since last week. Before I go any further, let me explain. Recently, I was a playing guest at the 2008 Invitational at Heron Glen Golf Course ("HGGC") in Ringoes, NJ. This piece of perfection masquerading as a golf course has only been open for 6 years and is already a perennial favorite! Hunterdon County residents would probably prefer this course remain a secret, just for them. Too late, I’m going to let the cat out of the bag right now.

Prior to 2002, there was nothing on this property except landfill. Course designer Dan Schlegal, along with the Hunterdon County Association transformed this site using “magic.” They created a synergy between golf serenity and the wondrous harmony of nature. One more thing, they’re still not done. They welcome your suggestions on how to make it even better. Not many courses do that these days.

HGGC is a combination parkland and links style course, meaning, it’s wide open, for the most part, but there are some trees to make things interesting. The course layout, from hole to hole, seems to be married to the landscape of the area. It’s subtle mounding, elevation changes, strategic ponds, and environmentally sensitive areas are all an integral part of the decision making process involved in determining how you play the course. Because this course was built using bent grass, you can expect to get fair bounces in the fairways and true rolls for putting on the greens promoting fair play.

I’ve played this course in the past and I’ll drive from NYC, in a heartbeat, to play there every chance I get. The ”conditioning” (upkeep) of the course is always superb, not just for tournaments. Just because you label a course “championship”, doesn’t necessarily make it so. HGGC is of that pedigree.

Here’s the secret. It’s not just the course that brings you back, it’s the staff. Heron Glen is managed by Kemper Sports Management (KSM), out of Chicago, IL. Everyone there CARES. That’s their job and they are very effective at it. HGGC. and KSM. make you feel like family. You can go anywhere you’d like for your tournaments, outings and functions. Chances are, most of the time, it’s just an available piece of property for rent. But, come to the HGGC to play, or to just speak to a staff member and I guarantee this will be your destination of choice. You can take my word for it, ask a local golfer, or ask a past/present tournament host. They keep returning! I asked the question earlier. Can anyone do it better? Hmmm? Well, Tiger Woods literally just won the 2008 US Open championship on one leg. HGGC, the staff, and course are right up there.

Remember, this is our secret now. Play it as it lies.

Price: $71

Par 72, Slope 74.1, Rating 135, Yardage 7065

Play It As It Lies

DISNEY WORLD���S OSPREY RIDGE Golf Course: 5 stars

By Jeff

Is it that time again? Hello, all. I bring you greetings and salutations from the land of Mickey Mouse. That���s correct everyone. I���ve returned to Orlando, Florida. I must say, with the heat and humidity, it is sweltering during this current heat wave. Just a reminder, please, stay hydrated on the course.

I���d like to bring your attention to exhibit ���A.��� ���Dramatic and challenging.��� This description can be found on the home page of Disney World's Osprey Ridge golf course - where I am. And, it���s never a bad day when you���re on Disney property. I think it has to do with the fun quotient the cast members exude. Pardon me, let me explain. All employees of Walt Disney World resorts and theme parks are referred to as cast members. Needless to say, the golf courses are no different. Hospitality is at the forefront and that is obvious from the moment you drive through one of the many entrances on the property. Disney is huge, but the course is pretty easy to locate as there are signs everywhere guiding you to wherever you���d like to go in the park. This makes life a lot easier. Now, on to the course, shall we?

Osprey Ridge is a hidden gem amongst the many golf courses Disney has to offer. Many golf aficionados will recall the Magnolia and Palm Courses, located in the shadow of the Grand Floridian Hotel, as the site of the former Disney Funai Classic*. It was originally held in October on the PGA tour (prior to the current schedule changes). Those that have played this Tom Fazio designed course will vigorously argue that Osprey Ridge tops all Disney courses.

The visual from the very first hole makes it clear this will be different from most Florida based courses. This is not wide open, grip it and rip it golf. There is an impending sense of shot placement and course management, with just enough pine trees to get your attention. It���s just like the old golf saying, ���it���s better to be short and in the fairway than long and in the trees.��� There is a premium placed on shot making on this course. Fazio takes us on a journey not unlike Walt Disney himself. You���ll encounter elevated tee boxes, sanded waste areas, fast running greens and water on several holes to stimulate your retinas. Oh don���t worry, as long as you play away from the water, you���ll do just fine. There are 4 sets of tee boxes available so everyone can have an enjoyable, yet challenging day.

Although the 7th hole is rated as the #1 handicap hole (hardest), I believe it���s actually #16. This hole is a par 5, starting from an elevated tee box with a water fountain on the left side of the fairway. Now before you say, "that���s nice", hold on ��� Fazio throws a major wrench in the plans. You���ll need three well struck shots, from the tee to the green, in order to reach it in regulation, in order to have a chance at making birdie. That green is also elevated and sloped from back to front and right to left, with water waiting for you if your approach shot is either short or wide left. Come to think of it, hole 14 is a mega 454 yard par 4 with your tee shot having to carry a right to left running lake guarding a narrow runway sized fairway. Nail biting!

Everyone, please, take your time on this course. Not just for the golf, but, more so, for the Audubon rated wildlife. As the course name suggests, there are plenty of osprey, wild turkey, cardinals and crows, to name a few, bringing color and extra fascination to your round. Also, Osprey Ridge has a full practice facility available for warming up, prior to this gem. Oh! Did you forget balls or gloves? Do you need souvenirs? The pro shop has just what you need, whether or not it���s Disney themed. If you just needed to get away for a few hours and had not planned to play golf, don���t worry. Disney courses have Titleist brand equipment, and, Footjoy brand shoes available for rental. Hey, did the round satisfy your vacation needs? Not so fast. Are you entertaining clients, or famished after your round? Make it your business to visit the Sand Trap Bar & Grill. The fare is tremendous, whether it���s a light lunch, or, dinner. Have I given you enough to chew on? Go enjoy yourself at Osprey Ridge. Gotta go, I think I can convince Mickey to play another 18 today. As always, play it as it lies.


* No longer on the PGA tour schedule due to the new FedEx Cup format shortening the official season as per 2007.

Recommendation: 5 stars
Current Price: Week $109, Weekend Same
Par 72, Slope 74.4, Rating 131, Yardage 7101
Address: Walt Disney World Orlando, Fl
Website: http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/moreMagic/golf/golfLanding?id=OspreyRidgeCourseLandingPage

Play It As It Lies

By Jeff

OK, let's continue our review of the the 69th Senior US Open. The sun was shining, not a cloud in the sky and there was just enough wind to dislodge any number of allergy irritants. Basically, a perfect day. As a spectator, we’re used to seeing the masses following Tiger Woods (usually the ropes are restraining a crowd typically 10 rows deep). Not so for the Champions Tour. It’s not like there aren’t crowds, it’s just easier to get closer to the action than the regular PGA tour.

When you come to the 1st tee, you’ll notice a right facing, perpendicular set of tees. The first hole shares a tee box with the number 14 hole. Let’s examine the pro approach to playing, shall we?1st hole. Slightly downhill, baby dogleg left, tree lined fairway on the same side. Out of bounds to the right side, and, you have to cross a creek 40 yards in front of the green to a “Sunday sucker pin placement”. [Translation: if you don’t want to wreck your scorecard, don’t even think about hitting it here!] The pin is located on the green right behind the front left bunker. For the most part, the pros took either driver, or 3 woods, off the 1st tee depending on their methodology.

Hello course management! Most of the pros played their approach shots to the fat part of the green instead of trying to attack that pin. Hmmm, maybe they’re onto something? Since the 2nd tee box is near the 1st green, I decided to camp out on the rope to really get a good look at the pro’s tee shots.

Next is an uphill par 4 slight dogleg right. This is interesting to note because my 1st instinct is to hit with a driver. There were few pulled. The choices ranged from fairway wood, to hybrid/rescue, to long irons. Maybe it was just me, but these guys haven’t lost a step. They crushed their shots! The balls were decimated.

Now I really feel like a little kid. Golf is a game. And, although some would like to call it a way of life, I call it my mistress. I’m so consumed by it that all other menial tasks fall by the wayside. Now, before you say a word, just know, I’m not alone in this. While there, I took a moment to observe the employees and guests of the corporate tents in attendance. Quite a few were wearing their golf shoes. No, they weren’t playing, but they wanted to feel like they were while walking the course. Oak Hill is an ultra private club, requiring membership or an invitation to play the course. The thinking is similar to that of a kid who brings a glove to a baseball game.

I also noticed the camaraderie displayed between the players. It was extremely refreshing. You see, the major winning paydays occur on the main PGA tour. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not like they’re playing for peanuts; but they seem to be having more fun. Despite the grueling challenges the tournament presents. Anytime the US open is involved, the course is set up to separate the great players from the marginally successful.

On Saturday, Jay Haas pitched a shot out of the left rough that ran onto the right side of the green and trickled into the hole for an unlikely birdie. I can just hear famed sportscaster Howard Cosell voice describing the action emphatically. “There! Right there. Perhaps THIS is a sign brought down from the Greek God Zeus as lightning has struck the wedge of one young 55 year old Jay Dean Haas from St Louis, Missouri.” Maybe it WAS a sign as Jay won on Sunday with a score of 7 over par. At once exorcising the demons from his failure at the 1995 Ryder Cup at this very Oak Hill course on the same18th tee. When you overcome that kind of adversity, you should be rewarded. He was. He lifted that trophy with jubilance. I felt for him. We all live vicariously through professional athletes at one time or another. It’s the stuff of legends. That sounded cheesy didn’t it? Oh well.

It’s time to get my clubs out and hit the links. Yes sir. More menial tasks jettisoned by the wayside for a day of joyful frustration chasing a little white ball. Forget the fitness trailer. Golf is my elixir, and I’m ingesting it like nobody’s business. Until next time remember, play it as it lies.

Play It As It Lies

Greetings. Today, I feel like I’m extremely lucky. I’m returning to a golf course that I had been privileged to play, or should I say experience, last year. The famed East course at the Oak Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY. Golf addicts know what I’m talking about when they hear that name. For those currently not on the little white ball intravenous program, let me give you a run down on the prestigious championships Oak Hill has hosted over the years. It has hosted the Ryder Cup, the PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, the US Open Championship, and the US Amateur Championship.

The course pedigree is impeccable. However, if you need further insight, let me give you a quote on the industrial strength of Oak Hill from the best player on the planet. Tiger Woods said, “It’s the hardest, fairest golf course we’ve ever played.” If Tiger Woods attributed that to Oak Hill, what chance do mere mortals like you and I have? On that note, I’m here for the latest championship, the 69th Senior US Open. The history on the course is like a thesis for winning: Tom Watson, Craig Stadler, Jim Thorpe, Sandy Lyle, Dr Gil Morgan and others. There must be something in the water to allow this caliber of player to continue to press on after age 50, playing at this level. Well, maybe not the water, but surely the parking lot. That’s where the player’s fitness/rehab trailer is located. Five days of pain, mental gymnastics, prayer and the thickest rough on the east coast - not located on Bethpage NY’s Black course.

Upon entrance into the Open, you are searched for any and all electronic devices. Cell phones, cameras, iPods, etc. They are to be left home or they can be checked at the front gate. If you’re worried about having to call someone, scattered about the course are banks of free use phones from local carriers.

For a golf junkie like me, this was Camelot. I took it all in - the practice putting green, chipping area, and driving range. Watching, I realized Pro golfers are very meticulous in their preparation prior to playing a round. Each pro’s “situation” can look like a White House cabinet meeting attended by agents, swing coaches, short game gurus, and sports psychologists. Each has an integral part in the success of their player. I felt like I was looking through a peephole and stealing a graduate level golf education first hand. It was too much for me. Oh well, off to the action...Stay Tuned Next Monday

Play It As It Lies

Barefoot Landing, The Love Course: 4 Stars

by Jeff

Greetings from the Mid-Atlantic low country! After our last trip together to Florida, I was a bit famished and needed to replenish my golf energy. You see, I crave playing 36 holes a day and I need substantial sustenance. But a catfish and cheese grits breakfast will work to start the day. That���s right, it���s South Carolina baby! Specifically, Myrtle Beach.

Since we���re all family now, I don���t mind sharing a classic track. We���re going to the Barefoot Landing community, in North Myrtle Beach, to enjoy ���The Love Course���. It���s named after its designer, PGA tour member, Davis Love III. Davis is one of the legends in the game. He has an easy going demeanor, but competes with a killer attitude. Since turning pro in 1985, he���s racked up 19 wins. Only 3 other current players have more wins: Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Vijay Singh.

Davis has always been known as a long hitting player off the tee so you would think this course might be unplayable for mere mortals. Not so. This course can best be described as his clone. It looks like him (figuratively), acts like him, but has its own agenda.

I���ll save the clubhouse for later, let���s get out on the course! The 1st hole is pretty different for a warm up. Most of the time, you can count on a wide-open and straight offering. Not today. This is an uphill, dogleg left hole. And please don���t look at this as difficult. A well-placed fairway wood or hybrid club off the tee will leave you in position to attack the generous green. The 2nd hole is a wide open, downhill par 5, dogleg right to an elevated green that plays longer than its 518 yard measurement. The one thing you���ll notice here is the exposure to the elements. There just aren���t that many trees in play on the front 9.

The signature hole is the par 4, 294 yard 4th hole. You���ll play slightly uphill to a green that has on its left remnants of a Scottish castle. I���ve personally hit a tee shot off of those bricks that ricocheted onto the green. No, it wasn���t on purpose, but it was fun!

You���ll soon wish you had some of those missing trees, as the low country crosswinds will start to make the game more interesting. Davis really tempts you into shortening the holes by trying to hit over the obvious hazards (sand bunkers, marsh, and arroyos) to be able to save strokes. Don���t worry; he has plenty of bail out areas if you don���t quite feel up to the heroics. The back 9 meanders through tall pine trees native to South Carolina. After suffering on the front, you���ll look at those trees as a welcome respite from the breezes. They do offer resonation if you hit them, signaling other players to duck and seek shelter.

The clubhouse is a stately plantation style colonial raised 8 feet off the ground. Once inside, it feels like you���ve stolen a day in an exclusive country club. There is even an attendant to care for your shoes if you like. The ambiance is set with dark stained wood walls and high backed chairs with hard leather bound menus. The porch is panoramic in design as it goes around the clubhouse begging you to sample the 1st rate Orange Roughy entr��e with southern style sweet tea. My goodness!! All you need now is a hand held fan to cool off. Expect a very service oriented staff; hospitality is this course���s forte. There are 4 courses here at Barefoot. I���ll be back next week with another review from right here in Myrtle Beach. Remember, play it as it lies!

Current Price: Week $100 Weekend Same
Par 72 Slope 75.1 Rating 138 Yardage 7047
Address: 4980 Barefoot Resort Bridge Rd N. Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Website:http://www.barefootgolf.com/love.cfm

Play It As It Lies

Victoria Hills Golf Club: 4 Stars

By Jeff

Hello friends. I hope you���ve all enjoyed our excursion out west to Arizona. We���ll return there in the future as I have more outstanding golf properties to share with you. But for now, are you looking for something new and exciting? For those considering traveling to the Sunshine state of Florida, this time of year is usually the best time to visit Orlando as it isn���t too hot, or drenched with afternoon showers, or overcrowded. (Well, unless you count Memorial Day weekend.) We all know this is home to Tiger Woods, Mickey Mouse (Disneyworld), Universal Studios, a plethora of water parks, and, if you���re a fan, the NBA���s Orlando Magic. There are many activities to be enjoyed whether you���re a golfer, or, you���ve brought your family and friends for a getaway. Either way, I���m the mayor this week, and I���m presenting you with keys to the citrus golf city! Here we go.

Approximately 35 miles north of downtown Orlando in DeLand, Florida, there is a hidden gem by the name of Victoria Hills. This golf course is a rollercoaster of mental agility. Ron Garl, a well versed Florida based designer, has created something rarely seen in courses in this state. Florida golf courses tend to be flat in nature but Garl moved a lot of land to create varying elevation changes of up to 80 feet! Creating elevated tee boxes, greens, and majestic, sweeping

undulations in the fairways. In Florida? Yes, in Florida. This course garnered a Golf Magazine ���Top 10 you can play��� accolade in 2003. Indeed, from the time you exit off Interstate 4 until you enter the clubhouse, the setting is serene. As you���ll soon see, Victoria Hills is a local, as well as visitors��� favorite.

The clubhouse looks like it has been transplanted from the fine state of Georgia; especially as it is colonial in design, complete with columns. And to complete the picture, there is pristine white paint with black accents on the doors, roof, and windows, and old station clocks are everywhere. If you let your imagination run, you can almost see Robert E. Lee rocking on the porch with a lit pipe in his mouth. This clubhouse is the gateway to southern hospitality! Your starter for the day has all the aforementioned charm despite being originally from elsewhere.

You will immediately notice that the tee box markers offer a variety of choices based on your skill level. Everyone will have an equal chance to enjoy this creation. You start off with a par 4, 429 yards from an elevated tee, to an elevated green. Oh boy! We���re wasting no time today getting started. You know you are in for a good time when your reaction after playing the 1st hole is ���exhilarating!���

For a Florida course, you would think there would be more holes with water hazards on them, but there are only 3. ???? But there is no need with a course this good. To occupy your sightlines, Garl has framed several holes with tall pines and red straw to guide you, or, test you - if you find yourself hitting a shot from in between them. To be fair, there are just as many wide fairways on some holes - in case you happen to hit your shots wayward. I can best describe your balls on the greens as marbles in a taco salad bowl. The four par 5 holes seem toget longer from hole to hole. Why do I feel like I���m being stretched out? By the time you���ve played 18 holes, you feel like you���ve visited a golf theme park. You will want to play again. But for now, you���re done.

Not so fast! The restaurant in the clubhouse is so down to earth; with great southern fare, you���ll want to relax for a minute or two. So, breathe and have an Arnold Palmer (1/2 iced tea, �� lemonade). Everyone is extremely friendly and loves to share stories from their course experiences. So come down to Orlando and have some fun, sun and golf! I���m ready to go back now. Hey! Remember���.play it as it lies!

Recommendation: 4 Stars

Current Price: Week $59; Weekend $65

Par 72 Slope 73.5 Rating 142 Yardage 6854

Address: 300 Spalding Way DeLand, FL 32724

Website: http://www.joetowns.com/victoriapark/golf.asp

Play It As It Lies

Arizona National Golf Club: 5 Stars

By Jeff

Howdy! This trip out west is my own Lewis & Clark golfing expedition …. a mission of discovery. I need to find out what makes some of the most technically sound, ruthless competitors tick on the pro tour. Oh no, not the PGA tour, the LPGA tour. Yes sir, the ladies.

I’m referring to the winning machines from the University of Arizona, Annika Sorenstam, and Lorena Ochoa. Annika joined the LPGA tour in 1994 and has 71 wins. That’s averaging over 5 wins per season. (Can someone please tell her that there are pseudo starving golfers out there that want to eat, too?) Lorena Ochoa joined the tour in 2003 and already has 22 wins. She’s averaging 4 wins per season and she just got here! Lorena made 7 starts this year and already has 5 wins. She’s either ranked 1st or 2nd in every major statistical category except putting. Clearly something serious is going on in southern Arizona that needs to be investigated. And I am just the man to do it.

I’ve played the 2 hour drive south, from Phoenix to Tucson, in my mind, for months. But you know what they say about the best laid plans. We began by enjoying a nice sunny drive until we met the 2 lane demon. What the heck was going on? Everyone was slowing down because you couldn’t see 2 cars in front of you. Were we trapped in a motorized purgatory? Nope. We were having a first-hand view of one of nature’s furies, a full blown dust storm. Oh, we were on a real adventure now and we hadn’t even paid the price of admission for the show. This dust storm then began alternating with heavy fog. But, no way was I turning back. I had come too far. At least that’s what I was silently rationalizing in my mind.

We made calls to the course to see if it was still playable and were told “it’s cold and overcast but expected to clear by the afternoon. People are on the course now!” So, we continued. Twenty miles from the Tucson border, the dust gave way to just heavy fog. But, we continued. Eventually we reached the end and thought …. We made it! But, the joke was on us. Construction on I-10 blocked every entrance except the first, which we never saw because of our muddy windshield. But I am no quitter.

At least we were now in rainy, foggy Tucson. Yet, just as I muttered a few choice words under my breath the skies cleared. It was so unexpected that I almost crashed the car. Why? I was now looking at the snow capped Santa Catalina Mountains. In Arizona! Well, I did tell you this was an expedition of discovery.

We had finally arrived at the Arizona National Golf Course, home to the University of Arizona (U of A) Wildcats golf team. I couldn’t get past the mountain views. That was until I looked down and saw the U of A’s red, white & blue “A” symbol on the side of the 18th fairway ….spectacular!

The course itself sits in a lush community, but off the beaten path of the main streets of Tucson. First appearances would cry “stuffy.” Not so. The staff is very friendly and accommodating. It felt like I was a member of an exclusive country club for a day. The pro shop is constructed of dark, mahogany wood. It frames the apparel and accessories sections like they are best in show. After we checked in, we were led to the expansive practice area. You feel good when the range has pyramid-like stacks of balls.

Let’s get to the course. Robert Trent Jones Jr. (RTJ Jr.) designed this course in 1995. His course design is a combination of experience and talent. He knows how to set you up for the “kill.” You have a nice easy par 4 straight away hole to get you going before the 575 yard par 52nd hole. This hole looks easy on paper, but plays longer than “Soul Train” has been on television. We survived until we got to the 5th hole, which I’ll say is the “signature” piece. From the back tees (where we play like some kamikazes) RTJ Jr. is on a mission. He has placed a huge cactus in your line of sight and has squeezed your tee shot with desert on both sides all the way down to the fairway. Now we’re thinking, this is just the 5th hole …. time out. Five holes in the books, major elevation changes, and the U of A golf team walks this course, daily?

This course is as beguiling as a Venus Fly Trap. Alluring and dangerous to your game if you’re not ready. Forgive me Vivian Green but this course is an “Emotional Roller Coaster.” Arizona National has more twists and turns than Lombard Street in San Francisco (the world’s most crooked street). You’d need a Sherpa and a week off to walk this course. Oh. I forgot to tell you. Since it rained earlier, it was cart path only and yes we felt the burn.

I acquired a golf workout and an education that day. Point - I’m taking my hat off to the ladies. Annika, Lorena, Wildcats, I see now why you’re built Ford tough. You have to be playing this course from the tips! What else can I say about this course but, I’ll be back, soon. So, if you love playing golf and want a test of nerves and game, while taking in Nature’s beauty, come to Arizona National in Tucson. Remember, even with a giant cactus in your face, you can still …play it as it lies.

Recommendation: 5 Stars
Current Price: Week $75 Weekend $95
Par 71 Slope 72.4 Rating 146 Yardage 6785
Address: 9777 East Sabino Drive Tucson, AZ 85749
Website: http://www.arizonanationalgolfclub.com/