International Golf Site

Simpsonville is a family-friendly town in South Carolina’s Upcountry, just minutes away from the city of Greenville. The area’s moderate climate affords residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy a number of outdoor sports and activities year round. Golf is particularly popular in the region, and the Simpsonville area offers several fine courses to try.

Bonnie Brae Golf Club is a public course located on Ashmore Bridge Road in Greenville. The par 72 course has gently rolling fairways and tight greens. Five lakes and several creeks offer a challenge to players. The yardage is 6,546 from the blue tees. Weekday green fees are $15 for 18 holes. Weekend rates are $22. Carts are available, but walking is allowed. The club has a fully stocked pro shop, a snack bar, and a driving range.

Verdae Green Golf Club at 650 Verdae Boulevard in Greenville is a challenging course with tight fairways. For nine years the club hosted the Greater Greenville Classic, now the Nationwide Tour. The lush course offers hilly terrain with creeks and Bermuda greens. The club has a Preferred Player Program with rates of $42 for Sunday-Friday and $52 on Saturday. There is a restaurant, fully stocked pro shop, driving range, putting green, and chipping green.

The Hejaz Shrine Golf Course is part of the Hejaz Shrine Recreation Club in Mauldin. The 18-hole par 72 course has rolling terrain and Bermuda greens. The course is challenging enough for good players, but still fun for the occasional golfer. Weekday rates are $33 (seniors $23) and weekends and holidays are $43 (seniors $33). Rates include a cart. There is a pro shop, driving range, and a grill that serves breakfast and lunch. Proceeds from the course fund the Shrine Temple and Shiners’ Hospitals.
The Lakeview Golf Course is located on Piedmont Golf Course Road in Piedmont, South Carolina. The par 72 course plays 6,470 yards from the blue tees. Monday-Friday rates are $25. Weekend and holiday rates are $33. Prices include a cart. Seniors can play Monday-Thursday for only $20. The club has a driving range, putting green, and pro shop. Lakeview accepts cash only, no credit cards.

Carolina Springs Golf Course is located on Scuffletown Road in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. There are two 9-hole courses with Bermuda fairways and bent grass greens. The terrain is rolling with woods and ponds. The club has a pro shop and a restaurant. Green fees are $25 on weekdays (Twilight- $20) and $34 on weekends (Twilight- $26). Prices include a cart. Recent upgrades have been made to both courses.
Weather in the Upstate of South Carolina allows for golfing and other outdoor activities most of the year. Visitors to Simpsonville may enjoy a round of golf at one of these popular courses.

By: G. Carpenter

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

G. Carpenter is the General Manager at the Holiday Inn Express Simpsonville hotel. The Holiday Inn Express Simpsonville is located just south of Greenville and only minutes from Mauldin, Fountain Inn, Laurens, and the Greenville Zoo. The hotel located just off I-385 at exit 27 with easy access to I-85, I-185 and I-26. For more information visit: www.SimpsonvilleHotel.com

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By Jason Munets
Mastering the golf course is not that easy. You should be familiar with the sand bunker, water hazard, and possible traps that can compromise the game. If you’re wondering how to find the right golf GPS, you have to take your time when shopping around. It is vital that you identify your needs and budget since these are the factors that will affect your purchase decision.

A lot of golfers today have realized the importance using Golf GPS units. If you’re looking for the best brand and model, make sure that you pick at least top three choices. You need to compare their strengths and bad points. This is possible through comparison websites and product reviews. If you don’t know how to find the right golf GPS, you have to make use of all the available resources online. This is the only way to find the unit that best suits your needs. When price is a consideration, make sure that you shop by price range. This will limit the choices to the units that fit into your budget.

It is possible to find units that are priced under $200. This includes the low end models that are equipped with the basic functions. The units are sturdy but since the basic functionalities are present, it might work for some golfers. Despite the low price, the units are highly reliable and can withstand harsh weather. Some of these models are the Skycaddie family, IZZo Swami 1500, and the GolfLogix Garmin GPS.

There are also mid range models that sell from $200 to $400. The units usually come with 3D displays and offers a game analyzer, hazard info, and about 300,000 courses! The high end units are priced over $400 and these are the socialites. You can invest on these units if you have the money and you love fancy features.

Make sure to get a unit that fits your budget and interests. If you do not need all the features that come with the more expensive units than there is no need to pay the extra money. Save you money and get one that only has what you are looking for and spend the extra money on some golf lessons! Now that you know how to find the right golf GPS, you can take your pick.

If you are a golfer than a golf GPS can easily help you score better on the course and play faster. The best thing to do is to look at some golf gps reviews and see which one rates the best and is right for you.

There are plenty of places online to check out reviews be make sure they are trustworthy. The best golf gps reviews will rate each unit on different factors and give you the best one for each price range and features.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Munets

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By S. Pesavento
Your golf stance is an important base and setup fundamental for having a good golf swing. The golf stance needs to be adjusted depending on what club you are hitting. Typically with your full swing iron shots, your stance should be shoulder with apart. With a driver swing, you want to have your feet slightly wider apart than shoulder width. When you are chipping or pitching you want to have a narrower stance.

Another issue golfers may have is knowing how far away from the golf ball to stand. Standing too close or too far away from the golf ball can cause some problems with the golf swing. If you are too close to the ball, oftentimes a golfer can start coming out of their shots too early. You’ll end up being too jammed up at impact and will have to compensate in order to hit the golf ball. Alternatively, standing too far away from the ball can cause you to lose your balance and make other compensations in order to hit the ball.

If your posture and stance are correct in your golf setup, a helpful checkpoint is to have a fist and a thumb width of distance between your left thing and the golf club handle or grip. To see if you are doing this correct, simply take your setup and then take your left hand off of the golf club. Set your left hand directly on your thigh and stick your thumb straight out. Where your thumb ends is the point where the golf grip should be. Being the proper distance away from the golf ball will allow your arms to hang down naturally and correctly. If the arms are too far extended from being too far away from the ball, your swing path will easily get off track and it will be harder to be consistent with your golf swing.

A helpful tip when setting up to the golf ball is to put your golf club head down first behind the ball. This is where you’ll align the clubface towards your target. Then set your right foot ahead of your left and step into your golf stance with your left foot then finally readjusting your right foot. This will help you to get a feel for standing the proper distance away from the golf ball and you’ll be able to repeat your setup the same way every time leading to more consistency as well.

For more great golf swing tips and strategies, check out the Golf Swing Genius.

For more great golf swing tips and strategies, check out Best Golf Tips and play your best golf starting today.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=S._Pesavento

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By: Paulo Griiettner

When you think about Brazil, you instantly remember about Soccer, Rio de Janeiro, Samba, Carnival and more, but one thing you don’t think for sure, is golf. Brazil is not realy very traditional in golf, like our “hermanos” from Argentina, where, just around Buenos Aires, there’s more golf courses, than in entire Brazil.

But this thoughts is about to change, because in the last feel years, the “Golf Business” is growing, and growing fast, as well as a sport. Every year a massive amount of money is invested in this Business in Brazil, and as a result of this, in ten years from now, Brazil will become one of the most important destinations for Golf Lovers in the world.

Bahia rushed ahead of this race. It is a state located in the northeast region of Brazil, well known for it’s tropical weather, a place that winter never come’s near and famous for it’s strong culture. 3 of the top 5 golf fields of Brazil are located in this blessed state.

Terra Vista Golf Course

Designed by Dan Blankenship, an former Pete Dye apprentice, that moved to Brazil, and became one of the best Golf Course Designer in South America. This 18 hole course, give’s you a felling of playing in 2 different courses. The front nine is played amidst the preserved Atlantic Rainforest, with its characteristic humidity, temperature and landscape. The back nine is played near the beach, with four holes overlooking the sea cliffs, offering playing conditions that are totally distinct in a stunning setting.

Transamerica Ilha de Comandatuba Golf Resort

This fantastic Resort, was build it in a private island, near to the shore and has fantastic feeling of freedom. The Golf Course was Constructed as well by Dan Blakenship, the Comandatuba Ocean Course is between the sea and the mangroves in an environment dominated by centenaries coconut trees, sand dunes, beautiful lagoons and native vegetation. An 18-hole golf course totally integrated with the natural landscape of the island. If you like golf, this is the definitive reason for spending a few days at the Hotel Transamérica Ilha de Comandatuba.

Costa do Sauipe Golf Links

Approximately a 60-minute drive north of Salvador in the city of Mata de Sao Joao, Costa do Sauipe Golf Links is a Brian Costello design that fully takes advantage of its glorious location overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

At nearly 7,000 yards from the tips, Costa do Sauipe is a championship course that played host to the 2005 Brazilian Open. Always in pristine condition, Costa Do Sauipe’s reputation is gold throughout the country and features carts, driving range and a quality clubhouse with all the amenities.

This does not stop there, there’s rumors of an Famous Hotel Chain is planning to build another golf field near to Salvador. Hope this information is true, and Bahia, becomes the biggest golf destination in South America.

Article Source: http://www.bettergolfarticles.com

Paulo Griiettner is a Vice President of BestToGolf.com a South America golf resource for those that are looking for a great golf experience, combined to a unforgetable family travel destination.

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By: GOLFnTours.com

You may be an avid golfer who has travelled around in Southeast Asia and played in most of the known courses on the golf map. However, the chances are you would not have discovered this little course nestled on the coast facing the Luzon Sea, just about an hour or so drive west of Baguio City. To call it a non-descript would unfairly douse the enthusiasm of the many mostly local golfers who gather every late afternoon for the game; nonetheless it could have been passed off as just one of the many courses in the Philippines, built during the time of the American administration and now awaiting either an upgrade, if fortune has it, or a slow death from neglect and then become completely overwhelmed when a new and modern course gets built in the vicinity, except that Wallace Golf Club, the only club in the city of San Fernando, Province of La Union, is unique!

Built in 1975 primarily for the US Airborne Division stationed here, it is the only course with sand-green in the entire Philippines! Not to raise undue expectations, the Wallace course is actually a simple Par 36 2,600-yard course with Hole#1 starting from the thatched-roof club house some 300 yards away from the sea and curving along the coast before turning at the lighthouse back towards the club house. The Signature Hole – one takes the liberty to call it that - is Hole#4 Par 4 307-yard dog-leg right with a 265-yard straight hair-clipped by tall trees at the turn before the straight again to landing. Not exactly a piece of genius in the course design but even if you have the driving prowess you might still be well tested to make the green in two. Period.

Sipping cool lemon tea on a lazy sunny afternoon and looking over the driving range and the tee-off for Hole#1, it is hard to imagine anyone who could be excited over these course technicalities. You either play here or you don’t. There are no other courses in the vicinity. But not so for Sixto Domenden, the 65 year-old grandpa resident pro, one of the two main architects involved in the building of Wallace. The other architect was his American Air Force colonel for whom, he recalled fondly, he often covered during the latter’s secret rendezvous with his girl-friend.

Way back in Baguio City Sixto began his career in the golf course as a caddy. But he was no ordinary one unless you consider caddying for the infamously great President Marcos as an ordinary job on the course. When they first met, Marcos was only a Congressman. By the time he became President of the Philippines, Sixto was already firmly his personal caddy. As he noted, Marcos did not change a bit after becoming the President and that impressed him a lot. It was the great President who made sure that his golden words of ‘always look back to where you came from before embarking further in your life’ were firmly imprinted in the mind of the then young Sixto. For that Sixto remained grateful. Perhaps the saga of the Marcos’ legacy could have become a little clearer and more easily resolved if everyone trusted the integrity of the great President as much as Sixto did: Marcos was a regular mean handicap 8, but his good card scores were never taken seriously by the media.

When the golden moment for the personal caddy to the President finally arrived, perhaps as a sign of him taking the President’s words of wisdom in earnest, he chose to remain in golf instead of accepting a possibly more lucrative job of position or working abroad. Thus he became the Assistant Director of the Wallace Golf Club project with his American colonel as the chief.

Apart from the President, he also caddied for dignitaries. Among them was Singapore’s former Prime Minister, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew who, as he vividly recalled, would always characteristically look up at the sun, open-mouthed, as if to draw inspiration from it before proceeding to set-up for the shot. When asked for the reason, the Prime Minister apparently told him that he drew energy from the act. One day according to Sixto, President Marcos confided to him that the Prime Minister was his mentor. However it wasn’t exactly clear that whether such a ritual of Mr. Lee had in any way decidedly influenced the President to regard the latter his mentor, notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Lee is now, perhaps coincidentally or as the result of a strange sequence of events or for the diplomatic golfer in the Prime Minister or the other way round, a Minister Mentor in the cabinet of the Singapore Government!

Sixto also caddied for the late Dr. Christian Bernard, the renowned surgeon who performed the first heart implant operation in 1967. He remembered Dr. Bernard as, understandably, being more concerned with his delicate fingers for surgery than for a more robust grip of fellow countryman Ernie Els’. But, if there’s a feather in the cap that old Sixto would gladly anecdote, it would be that he clinic-coached Christina Kim for two months at the Mimosa Club in Clarke Field. Then, young Kim was preparing to qualify for the LPGA card. Before going back to South Korea to do her regional qualifying, she gave Sixto his first ever cell phone for them to stay in touch. As it turned out according to Sixto, on at least two occasions, young Kim called him during play to ask for advice. The rest, as they say, is history. Ms Christina Kim duly qualified and is now a big name in LPGA. For Sixto, the same cell phone remains in his possession despite failing batteries and a long expired shelf-life of the phone itself. For him, it just might ring again and when it does, it can only be for the big time!

Meanwhile, the Junior Golfers’ Programme started by Sixto to produce new young talents continues in this most unassuming course of Wallace Golf Club, although as he has often wondered, for how much longer? In retro, it is not as if he hasn’t done enough for golf in the Philippines by first becoming a caddy, then winning the National Caddies’ Tournament of the Philippines and then representing the nation in the Putra Cup (a regional Southeast Asia Inter-national Team Tournament) which his team won with no small contribution of his top 10 finish in the individuals. The pinnacle of his career was being the personal caddy to the great President following which was his illustrious involvement in the building of Wallace. Sixto has in fact come full circle and should be able now to look back with pride and satisfaction at Wallace today.

But, nearby, where the Casino is, the landscape has lately been irreversibly unearthed. In about six months’ time, a modern 18-hole course will be ready to complement the Casino with mod-cons that Wallace can only dream of. What of Wallace after that? The committee has, albeit reluctantly, decided that progress shall be the way to go and the sand-green shall be turfed, just like everywhere else. Deep down, in the fading light of the evening sun there’s sadness evident through the smudged metal-rimmed glasses on the well-weathered face of the creator of the Wallace Golf Club. Looking over the sand-green of the last hole in the direction of the lighthouse, there is no doubt in his mind, when the virgin turf finally surfaces in six months’ time, a piece of the colourful history of golf in the Philippines will be silently but surely concealed and lost forever! Will Sixto remain? Why not, even if it is only for the reason that putting will now become less strenuous! There’s so much that he can now look back on and be proud of, and not least to pass on the story of the origin of golf in San Fernando lest it be so easily forgotten beneath the skin-deep turf of the new green. Yes, I shall remain, just like Christina Kim, watch your telly, never fails to aim her put a little beyond the hole, he assured me!

Post script note:
GOLFnTours.com chanced upon Mr. Sixto Domenden at Wallace’s driving range while net-working in the Philippines to bring the country into its golf tours destination map and also to promote in general the business of GOLFnTours.com. If you find the article interesting you might like to find out more about golf in the Philippines. GOLFnTours.com would be happy to tailor a package for you there or to any other hot golf destinations in Southeast Asia.

Article Source: http://www.bettergolfarticles.com

www.golfntours.com/

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By Greg A Banks
Practice your short game! This is the best golf tip you will ever hear. Driving the golf ball happens only once per hole. The rest is approach shots, pitching, chipping, and putting.

To be good at the game of golf, you need to be a well rounded player. There will be many situations you must learn to adapt to. Like playing out of high ruff, being under a tree, getting up and down from a sand bunker, or reading a steep down hill putt.

All of these things will happen to you as a golfer. Not being prepared will definitely add strokes to your score card. If you’re serious about golf, putting the time in to practice all parts of the game is a must.

Approach shots
Practice hitting 150 to 140 yard targets at the golf range. Find the clubs in your bag to do the job. Pay close attention to your ball flight and how your ball lands. When it lands does it, roll to the right, roll to the left, or keep rolling straight. You need to know this to either make adjustments to your swing, or know what to expect during real play.

Pitching
There’s a certain touch that comes with pitching. This can only be learned through experience. Part of a good short game is learning to pitch the ball high, or low if needed. You will need different types of these shots from close range, all greens are not created equal. You need different techniques to take advantage of certain situations near the green.

Chipping
There’s nothing like screwing up a shot 5 yards away from the green. It’s not hard to become very good at these short shots. They can also be very rewarding. These shots can go in to save Par, or put a birdie on your score card.

Sand bunkers
Some golfers are doomed when they get in a sand bunker. All because of no practice. Sand bunker are part of the golf course. You should practice getting out of the sand just like any other part of your game.

Putting
Becoming a good putter is a major way to save strokes. Becoming confident in this area is idea for high handicappers. Getting the feel for the speed of your putts will lower the chances of giving up three strokes on the green.

All of these situations are bound to come up while playing a round. If you want lower golf scores, practice your short game. A nice drive off the tee doesn’t guarantee a good score.

Play better golf with a good Short Game read more golf tips @ Lower Golf Score Now.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_A_Banks

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By: Prasad Kolte

Algarve is a premier golfing destination in Europe. The brilliant sunny weather and grand golf courses make Algarve a golfing paradise. There are over twenty world class golf courses in Algarve and the number is steadily rising. All the golf courses are complete with faultless infrastructure to afford you an unforgettable golfing experience. Not to mention the stunning scenery of the Algarve region and coastline that only adds to the appeal of the courses. There are so many top courses here in the Algarve, you will be spoilt for choice when you have to decide on a golf course among them. The by now famous names of some of the courses are Parque da Floresta, Palmares, Boavista, Penina, Morgado do Requengo, and many more.

The Algarve region enjoys 300 days of glorious sunshine coupled with very pleasant weather. Tourists from the UK, Germany and Holland especially come to the region to enjoy days of winter golf away from the freezing conditions back home. That is why Algarve is the top European golfing destination for golfers.
Accommodation facilities are available near all the courses as classy golf resorts have come up all along the course routes. There are also 5 star accommodation facilities available in hotels surrounding the golf courses. Given all this, it is only natural that the summer months see the highest number of golfers in Algarve and it is virtually impossible to find any tee times or accommodation during the peak season. So take into consideration the following tips to enjoy a hassle free golf holiday in Algarve.

Book in advance:
It helps you to weigh all your options and you get to play on the course of your choice. Also you can avail of the lower rates when you book early.

Conduct an online research
Check out all the option in terms of golf courses, tee times, costs, accommodation facilities and car hire. There are pictures, maps & detailed course descriptions on the golf sites.
Golf lessons
By a resident golf pro are offered by most of the golf booking services, and many of the courses. There are even lessons for children. Group bookings are always economical as there are discounts. See what all you need and which booking company offers you all these services.

Choose a golf holiday company which offers you all services under one roof from car hire to golf bookings, hotel bookings, advice and information about the courses, difficulty levels, and golf lessons.

Other Activities in a Golf Holiday
In Algarve, there is so much more to enjoy and explore when you are not playing golf. Soak in the Mediterranean atmosphere: go shopping, savour the quaint countryside…and when the sun sets go clubbing and party the night away in the wonderful nightlife of scene in Algarve.

Article Source: http://www.bettergolfarticles.com

For further information log on towww.golfalgarve.com ” target=”blank”> www.golfalgarve.com or write to prasad@golfalgarve.com

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By John Holdsworth

By the nature of their design the longer clubs are harder to strike consistently well. If miss-hits creep into your game it tends to be with one of the longer irons. Most golfers are confident using a 9 iron but aren’t so sure about how to hit long irons. The club is longer and has less loft but if you make exactly the same swing with each club you can achieve consistent results.

If you are having problems hitting long irons a simple practice drill may restore your confidence. Hit alternate shots on the practice fairway with your 3 iron and 9 iron. Begin with the 9 iron as it is easier to hit. After a good shot change to the 3 iron - hitting long irons immediately after a good shot will give you’re the confidence to conquer the club you fear most. Work at making the same swing and try to maintain the same rhythm for every shot.

Most golfers understand the principle that you need to hit down on the ball to gain height on a shot. Achieving this on the golf course is harder to carry out. From the beginning of your downswing ensure that your hands lead the club head into the ball. If you let the club head get ahead of your hands you’ve got trouble as from this position it is impossible to put the club on a downward path into impact.

When the leading edge of the club head strikes the middle of the ball you hit a thin (also called a sculled shot). The ball flies very low and runs a long way. In dry conditions the ball can travel as far as a good shot and can finish close to the intended target. If the ground ahead is flat this shot is not such a problem. However, if there is a hazard in front of you, you may have a problem. A thin is more likely to happen when you try to hit the ball hard. This shot can happen from the longest iron to a short chip shot.

If you are striking the ball well but the trajectory of your shots is too low go back to basics and check your address position. Ensure that the clubface is aligned square to the ball to target line. The further you are from the hole, and therefore a longer shot, the more alignment faults are exaggerated.

Correct ball placement is one of the most neglected fundamentals in golf. Most players analyze their swing in search of the cause when their shot goes wayward but faulty ball position could be the problem. As little as half a ball width can make the difference between striking off the heel, toe or sweet spot

of the club. For your long irons the ideal position is opposite your left heel. As the club length shortens the ball should be nearer the middle of your stance.

These are just a few hints and tips on how to hit long irons which should help you learn to hit long irons with confidence and precision.

Find more information on how to hit long irons and when you can master that learn how to hit a draw and take your golf to the next level.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Holdsworth

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By Fred Altvater
The poor play in 2010 of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson left the door open for some unlikely players to add new hardware to their trophy cases. Phil did manage to win The Masters in April, but was diagnosed with arthritis later in the summer which forced him to limit his practice and physical fitness schedules thus hampering his effectiveness in tournament play and falling to #4 in the world. All of Tiger’s problems seemed to be self inflicted in 2010. After a nasty confrontation with that pesky fire hydrant during Thanksgiving weekend last year Tiger has had to endure unprecedented media scrutiny, an untidy divorce, coaching and swing changes, as well as a calendar year with no official wins. He looked like a man who wanted to be anywhere but on a golf course for most of the year.

European Tour players dominated the world golf scene and may continue to do so in 2011. Englishman Lee Weswood currently holds the #1 Official World Golf Ranking and Germany’s Martin Kaymer is #3. European Tour players occupy 7 of the top 11 slots in the world rankings and European players won 3 of the major championships in 2010. Irishman Graeme McDowell outlasted the field to claim the U. S. Open. His accurate driving, laser perfect iron play and overall calm and determined demeanor over hard and fast Pebble Beach plus his consistently strong play throughout the balance of 2010 has shown that he is planning to be around for awhile. South African Louis Oosthuizen conquered gale force winds to lap the field at St. Andrews to take the Open Championship. Finally, but definitely not least, Martin Kaymer mastered the 1,200 bunkers at Whistling Straits to hold the PGA Wanamaker Trophy. He also won 3 European Tour events and claimed the Race to Dubai becoming the #1 player on the European Tour.

Europe defeated Team USA in the 2010 Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor in Wales. Graeme McDowell won the final point for the Continentals on the 17th hole in the final match of the tournament. Captain Colin Montgomerie’s European team took control of the matches when the U. S. team could only manage 1/2 point out of a possible 6 points in Session #3. Even though the Americans came back to win 7 of the 12 points in the final singles session the deficit proved to be too great to overcome. Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Rory McIlroy, Luke Donald, and Martin Kaymer all played superbly and led the Europeans in victory.

Speaking of youngster Rory McIlroy, he won in spectacular fashion for the first time on the PGA Tour posting a unbelievable 62 in the final round to capture the Wells Fargo Championship. The tournament was held at Quail Hollow and it is not a golf course that easily yields -10 under par rounds to a then 20 year old golfer. He is now officially past being a young player to watch. He is one of the elite players in the world. Major Championships should not be uncommon in his immediate future.

Thanks but no thanks, Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Graeme McDowell, and Martin Kaymer have all earned PGA membership but due to the extensive travel necessary will continue to play full time on the European Tour. This greatly helps with sponsors for tournaments in Europe and should only strengthen that tour in the future.

The TV contract for the PGA Tour expires during 2011. With these marquee European players foregoing PGA Tour membership, Commissioner Tim Finchem has had to ask his #1 Television draw, Tiger Woods, to add some tournaments to his schedule for early 2011. The tour needs a boost in ratings early in the season to keep the TV revenue flowing into the PGA treasury. I hope Tiger isn’t too busy playing with his kids to play a couple of extra rounds for the tour. I would hate to think that the everyday run of the mill professional tour player might have to take a pay cut in 2011 and beyond.

Fred Altvater is a certified USGTF Level III Golf Instructor, has published and been a contributing writer for a monthly golf magazine, and currently is a contributing golf sports writer for The Toledo Free Press and The Toledo Examiner. Find video tips and articles that can help your golf game at http://www.toledogolflessons.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Fred_Altvater

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By Eric A. Rosenberg
It can be difficult to choose the perfect gift for a golfer, especially if you are not a golfer yourself. Here are some gift ideas that will make any golfer happy. Oh, and if you are a golfer, you might want to print this list and put it in a conspicuous place to give a hint about an item you would like to receive.

* Golf magazine subscription ($12 for a 1-year subscription). A golf magazine subscription is something every golfer will enjoy. Golf magazines provide news about the sport, game improvement tips, golf destination reviews, equipment reviews, interviews with professional golfers, and other useful and interesting information.

* Laser rangefinder ($250 and up). A laser rangefinder provides the golfer with the distance to the flag and other objects. This helps them decide on which club to use for the shot. Some rangefinders will provide only “straight line” distance, while more expensive models will include elevation change in the calculation to give a more accurate distance computation.
* Hand-held GPS ($250 and up). A hand-held GPS provides the golfer with a layout of each hole on the golf course, and gives the distance to the green and major hazards on the golf course. Some GPS systems require a subscription or membership to access their database of courses.
* Golf umbrella ($20 - $30). There’s nothing better than a good solid golf umbrella when you’re on the 4th fairway and the skies open up. A vented “gust-buster” umbrella will withstand high winds. It is also useful for activities off the golf course, like walking the dog, or visiting the mailbox in the rain.
* Rain hat ($10 - $20). Get a rain hat that will roll up and fit easily into a golf bag. This is another item that will come in handy for activities off the golf course.
* Golf balls ($20 - $40 per dozen). Every golfer needs golf balls. The only question is which brand and model they like to use. Take a look in your golfer’s golf bag to get an idea of what they like to play, and your gift will be well-appreciated. You can also order personalized golf balls with the golfer’s initials or name, and you can get golf balls with logos of colleges, sports teams, golf courses, etc.
* Golf cart seat cover ($20 - $45). Here’s a unique gift for golfers who use a powered golf cart when they play. The golf cart seat cover will add comfort on cold days when vinyl golf cart seats rob heat from the golfer’s backside, and on hot days when the vinyl gets sticky on the back of their legs. If you are a handy with a sewing machine, you can also make one using a large, thick beach towel. Just visit a local golf course, and measure the distance between, and the length of the seat handles. Then cut two holes in the towel and finish the holes with the sewing machine. The cover will fit over the handles and can be tucked under the seat to keep it in place.
* Hand warmers ($30 for a box of 40). If your golfer plays in colder weather this is a nice gift to ward off the cold and keep hands flexible.
* Golf package gift certificate (whatever you want to spend). Purchase a golf package gift certificate for your golfer and help them enjoy a wonderful golf vacation. The gift of a golf vacation in Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, Florida, Europe, and other golf destinations is a great gift for the golfer. You can choose to spend as much or as little as you would like to help them get there. Most golf tour operators will offer a gift certificate to popular locations.
* Ball markers ($5 - $10). A ball marker is used to mark the position of the golf ball on the green when the golfers want to pick the ball up to clean it or get it out of the way of another golfer. Ball markers can be various designs and sizes. Some are magnetic and come with a clip to attach to the bill of a cap, or a belt. Some golfers like to use a unique coin to mark their golf ball.
* Pitch mark repair tool ($5 - $15). A pitch mark repair tool is used to fix the mark made by a golf ball hitting the green. Pitch mark tools may also come with a magnetic ball marker. You can get them with college and sport team logos and other designs.
* Ball retriever ($20 - $30). A ball retriever is used to recover a golf ball that is hit into the water. There are various designs, but most are telescoping to fit in the side pocket of a golf bag. Some are sturdier than others and the length and weight can vary significantly.
* Golf towel ($8 - $14). A golf towel is generally the size of a hand towel and it has a grommet on one corner to clip it to a golf bag. You can get then with various logos and designs.
* Golf tees ($5 for 50 tees). All golfers will appreciate a supply of golf tees. You can buy a bag of 50 tees for $5. Longer tees (over 3 inches in length) can be used for virtually all tee shots, whereas shorter tees have some limitations for use. You may want to look in the golfer’s golf bag to see if there are any particular sizes or styles of tee they like to use, but generally plain or white, wood tees will do just fine.
* Golf club labels ($10 for 20). Golf club labels have the golfer’s name, address and phone number printed on them. They are about the size of an address label and are affixed to the shaft of the golf club. If a golf club is accidentally left on the golf course, it can be returned to its owner.
* Golf club head covers ($25 - $30 each). A golf club head cover is used to protect the head of the golf club from damage caused by banging against other clubs in the bag. Generally, they are used only for the driver, fairway metals and hybrid clubs because these are the largest and most expensive clubs. The heads of these clubs are also hollow which makes them more susceptible to damage. If your golfer has a favorite professional or college sports team, a nice head cover with the team’s logo will be cherished for years. They also make fun club head covers that look like animals or cartoon figures. You may buy individual head covers or a set for several clubs.

Hopefully, this list will help you find a gift for your golfer that will be useful and appreciated. They would be appropriate for a birthday, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, the holidays and other special occasions. Many of these items are available at your local sporting goods store, or the pro shop of a nearby golf course. You may also find good deals on internet sites of golf supply retailers.

About the Author

Eric Rosenberg is co-owner of Golf Packages of the Carolinas ( http://www.seasidegolf.com ), a company that arranges golf packages for Myrtle Beach, Hilton Head, and Charleston, South Carolina, in addition to other locations in the United States and Europe. To start planning your next golf package, contact Golf Packages of the Carolinas at info@seasidegolf.com.

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