GolfShot for Golf News

The first major tournament of the year has recently been completed and it was definitely an event which will be remembered for some time. It was an unusual leader board at the event and it was only until the third round that Phil Mickelson restored some amount of normality to the leaderboard.

He put in a flawless display of golf and came in six under par by the end of the competition. Many people were expecting that either Rory McIlroy or Tiger Woods would win the competition but both players were clearly not on their best form. Many have described Rory McIlroy’s experience as a golfing nightmare and people are generally agreeing that they overestimated the ability of Tiger Woods to make an adequate comeback.

McIlroy started the day in third position but the Irishman’s game began to collapse after just a few holes and he began a very quick fall down the leader board. Even from right at the start of the tournament it was clear that McIlroy was not going to be able to win the competition. He started too weakly and then it became clear he would never be able to recover his position. The tournament was led by a wide variety of players at many points but McIlroy was never one of them.

Tiger Woods also had a disappointing day and after a promising start he was unable to make any progress on those who were winning the tournament. There were points when his play was so poor that it was possible that he would finish in his worse position since he began his professional career.

Fortunately for him, he managed to play a little bit better and this failure didn’t happen, but he was far from winning the competition. Peter Hansen was the surprise leader in the competition making only one serious mistake on the first hole.

Tiger Woods is prepared to take on the UK at the Augusta Masters next week but no doubt Phil Mickelson, the Aussies, and the top South Africans are going to have a lot to say about how well he performs.

Florida has seen Tiger Woods in top form over the last few weeks and the game from a few other stars has been remarkable including Luke and Lee, Tiger and Rory, and Justin and g-Mac. It should be very interesting to see who ends up with the green jacket once all is said and done.

Only Tiger was able to prevent the UK boys from taking home a Florida Slam as he played remarkably well at Bay Hill this past Sunday as his real work ethic, swing work, and attempting to straighten out his putter. Although he has been on a hiatus for four years, it is clear that he is hard at work attempting to come back and with 14 majors under his belt he only has four more if he wants to hold the same status that Nicklaus did.

Of course, it is going to depend on how focused he is and how much of a fight they put up from the UK. Woods is certainly going to be a favorite at the Masters and with good reason because he already has four green jackets, more than every competitor that is playing for the UK combined.

Still, his iron shots are not quite as strong as they used to be so if the UK players do not get intimidated they still have a very good chance of taking the win since they can match his inconsistency on the Augusta greens. Unless he is able to sharpen up some lose ends quickly, the Masters may be very interesting to watch next week.

This weekend, the inaugural Bahrain Invitational golf tournament is set to go ahead, despite the civil unrest that is currently going on in the country. The Pro-Celeb-Am event takes place only a week before the F1 Bahrain Grand Prix, which is now in doubt after a number of the Formula 1 teams expressed their concerns over safety.

Violence erupted on the streets of Bahrain earlier this year between security forces and protestors after the unrest during the Arab Spring of 2011 led to last years Grand Prix being cancelled. The Shia population, which make up the majority of Bahrain, have been demanding democratic reforms from the country’s ruling Sunnis, and the government have been trying hard to quell their protests.

The two day Bahrain Invitational, which is to take place on Friday and Saturday is being jointly organised by the BOC, Bahrain Olympic Committee and the EDB, Economic Development Committee of Bahrain. Colin Montgomerie, Thomas Bjorn and Paul Casey are just some of the starts travelling to compete alongside other sporting stars such as Ruud Gullit, Tim Henman, Gianluca Vialli and Joe Montana.

The Bahrain International is being held at the Royal Golf Club’s Montgomerie Course, and is one of the ever increasing number of international sporting events that are being held in the Arab state. Casey, who was the winner of last years Volvo Golf Championships in Bahrain said that he was very excited to be returning to the country, a place where he has previously enjoyed success.

Casey added that the Montgomerie Course was a fantastic place to play and the people of Bahrain were always friendly and welcoming, and the pro-celeb tournament was undoubtedly going to be great fun to take part in, for both competitors and spectators, and that he was looking forward to seeing more of the kingdom during his weekend stay there.

Never in the history of golf have the three best players in the world all been from the UK. In fact, it has been 16 years since there was a victory by a player from the UK at a Masters event. It seems possible that the competition happening this Sunday is going to be won by a player from the UK, that is unless Tiger Woods continues on his resurgent path.

This is the first time the top three players in the competition have been from the United Kingdom, and while many are hopeful for their performances, the clear favourite for the event is still Tiger Woods. This is particularly interesting because in the last few years he has only won a single title.

However, his recent performance at the Arnold Palmer Invitational showed that Woods seems to be back on form and just as strong as he was before. Critics are saying that if he plays as he did at this previous event, the three golfers from the UK simply do not stand a chance.

Last year Rory McIlroy, one of the UK players, suffered a significant defeat and many thought that he would continue on a downward spiral. However he has proved to be capable of an immense comeback and it is clear that he sees himself as a serious challenge to Tiger Woods. Despite all the media hype about McIlroy being the biggest challenge to Woods for the green jacket, this is simply not the case, that privilege is held by Luke Donald.

Donald is the world number one and is a successful champion. There is no question that he has the skills to take on Woods but whether he can pull off a victory on the day is unknown. Either way, a victory for the UK would be very welcome by fans of the sport.

Jack Nicklaus, the six time world champion, has offered his talents to Rory McIlroy and Luke Donald in order to improve their golf game. He has even gone as far as creating a special practice facility for the players. It is widely thought that if either of these players wins the green jacket then at least some part of this is going to be due to the assistance they have received from Jack Nicklaus.

In South Florida, at the Bears Club, the two players have been practising ahead of the Masters tournament. They’ve been playing side-by-side for countless hours, making sure that they are as ready as possible for the competition. The par-3 course is where Donald feels most at home and his routine on this course is meticulously prepared and structured, much like the rest of his life.

When he practices, he is very meticulous, and makes a note of the different styles of shots he wants to use, tests them out, and notes down in his diary which ones are most effective. His golf is obviously a very calculated process, but one that has certainly worked for him in the past.

Nicklaus has also been helping McIlroy ever since he first came to the United States to play as a professional. Nicklaus is said to have given him advice about how to control himself on the golf course and not set targets that are too high. The advice is something that seems to have been taken on board and is allowing McIlroy not to get ahead of himself on the course.

McIlroy has also been working on his golf with his coach, Michael Bannon, and they’ve been working on both his long and short game. Golf fans all across the UK are hoping the players will bring a great deal of happiness to them this Sunday.

Tenerife and golf fit like a glove (excuse the pun), the year-round warm weather and long hours of sunshine provide the ideal environment to practice your swing. The beautiful volcanic landscape and impressive Mount Teide provide a stunning back drop to the courses designed by world famous golf architects such as Dave Thomas, Seve Ballesteros and Pepe Gancedo.

Golf del Sur

The impressive course at Golf del Sur has hosted the Tenerife Open, the PGA European Tour. There are some tricky holes here including some par four and five shots, a great challenge for experienced golfers. To practice before your round there is a practice bunker, chipping green and putting greens. The club house is built in traditional Canarian style and includes two restaurants, a bar terrace and two equipment shops so everything you need is on site.

Look out for: Black sand bunkers, ravines and palm trees

Length: 18 holes, Par 72 or 9 holes, Par 33

Where to stay: If you are planning a golfing holiday or just fitting in a round of golf to your family holiday, it is recommended to hire a car as there is not much else to do around Golf del Sur. Stay in the nearby resorts of Playa de las Americas or Los Cristianos for easy access to the course.

Centro de Golf los Palos

Surrounded by banana trees, this course is perfect for beginners or those who don’t have time to fit in a whole round. Relaxed individual or group lessons are available in various languages and there is also a children’s play area to entertain the little ones whilst you are practicing.

Look out for: Lakes and streams on this 9-hole course.

Length: 9 holes, Par 27

Where to stay: The Agua Mar Apartments in Los Cristianos are only a short drive or bus ride away.

Buenavista Golf

If you are on holiday with people that may not appreciate golf in the same way you do, then head to this stunning course. With its modern club house with views over the whole course, Atlantic Ocean, the Teno Park, and a large outside terrace, this course is perfect for enjoying the sun as well as perfecting your swing.

Look out for: Waterfalls and lakes provide unusual obstacles

Length: 18 holes, Par 72

Where to stay: The Hotel Blue Sea Puerto Resort is a short drive along the coast in Puerto de la Cruz and within easy reach of the beach and town centre. The drive from here to the golf course is a stunning coastal route.

Golf Costa Adeje

Camouflaged perfectly into the natural surroundings, this beautiful course has been built on an old banana plantation and the old stone walls break up the terraces. The last 9-holes make up the Los Lagos course, a shorter, more technical course with wonderful sea views.

Look out for: The specialist lift that takes you and your buggy down to the driving range.

Length: 18 holes, Par 72 or 9 holes, Par 33

Where to stay: The Costa Adeje Gran Hotel is close to the golf course and offers a wide range of other facilities including pools, a gym and children’s club – perfect for family holidays.

Amarilla Golf

Bordering the sea, this course in the south of Tenerife has excellent views of the Atlantic Ocean. Here you will find a state of the art driving range, putting green, equestrian centre, tennis courts and a swimming pool. This is the perfect golf course for a family day out, with a club house restaurant and bar for refreshments throughout the day.

Look out for: The 5^th hole – You have to drive the ball over the ocean waves to the next green.

Length: 18 holes, Par 71 or 9 holes, Par 27

Where to stay: The Hotel Dream Noelia Sur is a short distance away in Playa de las Americas and offers 4 star relaxation after a hard day on the green.

Article Courtesy of lowcostholidays.com

There are some moments in sport that are so spectacular they are never forgotten, these events include such things as Federer playing at Wimbledon, or Maradona in Mexico. It might be that the sporting world is about to witness another moment of absolute greatness that won’t ever be forgotten.

This moment of greatness is going to be around Tiger Woods, the player who, back in 1997, won his first major tournament at only 21 years old. At this time he was pushing the boundaries of golf as a sport and not just in relation to his age, but also in relation to his race. He made himself a success in a sport which has typically been dominated by country club going Americans.

Since he was involved in a social scandal around two years ago his game has never been the same. After taking a long break from the sport he has returned and his game is more barren than it ever was. However, after a poor initial return, it does seem as if he is going to start winning again. He is returning to Georgia shortly to play another golf game and he already has a few wins under his belt, since his return to the game.

Some people are speculating that his return is going to be impressive and he is going to start dominating the game again. Many legendary sportsmen continue their careers for many years and Nicklaus, for example, won his final major tournament when he was nearly 50 years old. There is no question that players of golf can still be great even well into middle age and so it is entirely possible golf fans will be seeing the return of the old Tiger Woods.

When the scandal was revealed about his personal life his corporate image took an enormous hit and many of his sponsors were quick to abandon him. When he saw this happening he quickly made promises to change his ways. Unfortunately for the golfer, instead of improving his image, it just made him look as if he were desperately trying to keep his sponsors happy, rather than actually make an effort to changes life.

Hank Haney was Tiger Woods’ coach for six years before he was sacked in 2012. He is just one of the people who has been criticising Tiger Woods’ character very heavily in the last few years. Just recently he published a book about his career with Tiger Woods, his attacks on the man’s character are very strong and could even be described as relentless. Some of the softer descriptions he uses in the new book include ‘selfish and petty.’

When Tiger Woods was at the top of his game he was a terrifying force on the golf course and this psychological element also played a significant part in his victories. Professional golf players, with years of experience, often saw their game significantly decline when they were playing Tiger Woods, much of this was put down to the fact that they were afraid of him. Since the scandal broke, and his career was affected, people have been less afraid of him and this is making him easier to beat.

With his recent wins however, it is entirely possible that some of that fear is beginning to return. Many people are fearful that the Tiger is stalking them once again and this may start to affect their game.

In recent years people have been speculating that his declining in his game has meant that he won’t be able to beat Nicklaus’ 18 record, but if his recent performance continues, he might just be able to do this. Speculation is that Tiger Woods has some vengeance built up in him which was also seen in his earlier games. If Tiger Woods plays with his old form in Georgia then it is going to be a spectacular sight, but also a bloody one for the other golfers

If you are a keen golfer, and when it comes to packing for a holiday your clubs take top priority, you will probably be one of the thousands who combine their breaks with at least several rounds of golf. Golfing holidays are big business around the world, and taking a break from your local club to play some of the best courses in the world is a luxury that not many sports offer.

If you have done the main courses around Europe and are looking to go further afield, once location well worth considering is the Maldives. This collection of over 1000 islands, 200 of which are inhabited, that cover over 90,000sqkm  of the Indian Ocean may not be the first place that comes to mind when you think of a golfing destination, but there are a couple of courses here set against a tropical background that has to be seen to be believed.

Luxury holidays in the Maldives are the only holidays in the Maldives. Every resort is of an exemplary standard and is the sheer, indulgent luxury that many of us have always dreamt of. Two resorts; the Kureda Island Resort and the superb Shangri-Las Villingili resort and spa onAdduIsland. This resort encompasses the only 9 hole golf course in the Maldives and is a fun course designed for beginners and aficionados alike.

The course is for the exclusive use of the Shangri-Las guests, and to see for yourself everything that this resort has to offer, head down to the website of renowned travel specialists ITC Classics. There are 130 guest villas here, with a choice of beach, water, pool and even tree-house living. For the ultimate in luxury and space there are also 2 presidential suites which are sumptuous.

Resort facilities include 3 lounges and bars, 2 restaurants, a spa and yoga pavilion, a gym with sauna and steam room, scuba diving, kayaking, wave surfing and sailing. There is also an adventure zone for the little ones. The golf course covers 71/2 hectares of previously undeveloped land at the south end of the island, and shoes and equipment are available for hire if you don’t want to take your own.

Designed to fit in with the natural beauty of the island, flora exists to highlight the sparkling ocean and a diversity of pandanus, palms and other exotic plants are dotted along the coastline to create a true golfing utopia.

ITC Guest blog

Donald Trump, one of the world’s richest men, stated that he will pull out all of the stops to save his Scottish golf resort from becoming just another plot of wind farms. Trump says that he is attempting to save Scotland from going broke and becoming a land of wind turbines that take over the beautiful unspoiled lands that it holds.

Although it may have been early in the morning when Trump started his tirade, he does apparently have more to do than just develop property, enhance his riches, become even richer, and right books about how he is super rich. It appears that his campaign to save his golf course is even more important than working on The Apprentice or marketing one of his many products which include Trump Steak, Trump Ties, Trump Fragrance, and Trump Vodka.

It seems he is making some progress too as he is more than just an irritation to Alex Salmond the Scottish First Minister who wants to place eleven wind turbines about a mile away from the coast of Aberdeenshire which is very close to where Trump is working on creating the luxury Trump International Gold Links resort.

Trump, of course, is billing his gold resort as the best on the globe and plans to open it towards the end of June, but he has halted work on a £750m development close to the resort near the Balmedie Estate that is intended to consist of holiday homes and hotels, until the wind turbine proposals are scrapped. He is so inflamed with the idea of the turbines, that he has donated ten million pounds to a fund that is against wind farms in Scotland.

He stated that he was told that a wind farm would not sit near the course or else he would have never chosen Scotland for its location and instead gone with Ireland. Trump’s rant carried on to attack Alex Salmond, stating that the first minister is going to destroy Scotland at this pace.

It is going to be hard for Salmond to stand his ground against Trump given the fact that the billionaire has the money and the media profile to stop at virtually nothing. Ironically, at one point Salmond was accused of being too friendly towards Trump and offering him the land for the resort that should have been used for scientific purposes instead of economic growth.

Ever since the day that Trump was allowed to purchase sand dunes against the wishes of local concillors that were worried about environmental damage it has been rumoured that Salmond is too focused on economics. However, it would seem that the pair’s cosy relationship has come to an end as Trump recently wrote a letter to the Prime Minister stating that he was completely against the wind turbines that are being erected all over the country.

In the letter, Trump went as far as to tell the Prime Minister that taxing citizens to fund the wind farms will destroy the economy and the country and will prevent job growth in Scotland since the turbines are made overseas. He added that the Asian countries that make the turbines are laughing at Scotland for giving their economies billions of pounds instead of keeping the money in the country.

The turbines near the planned golf resort are not the only wind farms in the works in Scotland, as there are plans for many more to be erected along the coast after a study was completed by the Scottish Executive that suggested that if 33% of the offshore wind was collected Scotland could run entirely on wind energy.

Trump calls these claims ludicrous and nothing more than hot air. He also is up on his soapbox claiming that his mother was born in Scotland and this is why he choose the country for his golf resort, but now he is angry that this act is being spoiled by the way Scotland that i ruining its landscape.

Windlesham Golf Club in Surrey have just announced that they have been joined by Alastair Higgs, who will be their new course manager. Higgs is a former finalist in the TORO Student Green Keeper of the Year competition, and leaves his position as head green keeper at Donnington Valley Golf Club to take up his new position at Windlesham.

Having worked his way up through the ranks of green keeping and course management at such clubs as Calcot Park and Blue Mountain, Higgs is the perfect candidate to implement core elements of the Windlesham 10 year development plan that has been designed for the course by Hawtree, a world renowned firm of golf course architects.

Peter Lumley, Managing Director at Windlesham Golf Club explained, “Alastair has already established himself as a key part of our management team and will no doubt enable Windlesham to realise its objective of becoming one of the top of the first division golf clubs in the UK.”

Higgs added, “Coming to Windlesham is an opportunity to work with a club which has a clear membership strategy and is investing heavily in its facilities. Its ongoing culture of improvement, backed by an enthusiastic and forward-thinking management team makes Windlesham a good fit with my personal ambitions.“

A six-handicap golfer himself, Higgs also brings additional pedigree to the team at Windlesham. He has already begun restructuring his team and the way it goes about setting the course up for play to further enhance members’ experience consistently across 364 days of the year. He has also started a monthly course newsletter entitled ‘Greens’ to keep members informed of developments and improve their knowledge of green keeping which has been already very well received