Golf World Directory

The 2015 Valspar Championship proved to be an excellent contest, taking us right to the end we saw Jordan Spieth take the title in a 3 way play-off with Sean O’Hair and Patrick reed.

Going into this year’s championship, now ranked No.1 we are sure that Jordan Spieth not only wants to defend his title but do so with a more convincing win. Yet somehow, like all golf tournaments, we don’t believe it’s going to be quite as simple as that!

There are some great golfers gracing the fairways this year and many of them in top form, no doubt looking to storm ahead.

Yet it isn’t just the competition Spieth has to be aware of. . . The Copperhead course has had a make-over, while not too drastic and sticking with its style and layout to the most part, there will still be some differences. The fairways and the Greens have been relayed, opting for the ever popular Celebration Bermudagrass and TifEagle Bermuda Greens, not to mention a couple of extra bunkers that may prove to be hazardous in the 4 day stretch.

The Copperhead, considered one of the toughest par 71s on the PGA Tour presents us with the Snake Pit; A final 3 hole challenge from the 16th – 18th that, like the Bear Trap a couple of weeks ago, may prove to be a crucial section of the Championship – not just as they are the closing holes.

After Spieth’s victory last year it has been said that the course favours accurate and consistent putters, though with narrow fairways, new foundations, large hazards and some sharp dog-legs we believe this weekend is going to come down to accuracy from the tee. We believe that Fairways in Regulation is going to be a crucial statistic for the winner of this tournament. While no doubt it’s important to hit the green, each player will need to navigate the course and take advantage of the fairways to optimise their spin and consistency in hitting greens.

Some players we will be looking out for:

Of course, Jordan Spieth. Defending his win from last year, ranked No.1 and in good form he has to be the one to beat. He will need a strong start for this weekend though otherwise it will be an uphill battle against some tough competition.

Patrick Reed and Sean O’Hair; these guys will be looking to take what they almost had last year!

Patrick Reed is no doubt notable as World No.10 having had a great end to 2015. He continued his form early on in 2016 at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions with 2nd place and have recently finished 6th at the AT&T Pebble Beach. Otherwise he is due a win and could look to turn his form back around this weekend. Sean O’Hair; winner of the Valspar Championship in 2008 and P2 last year. The Copperhead is not doubt a favoured course of his; ranked as one of the best putters inside 10 feet if he hits the greens in regulation he could be in for a strong finish.

Valspar also has the South African duo Louis Oosthuizen and Ernie ‘The Big Easy’ Els.

With a recent win under Oosthuizens belt at The Perth International and a former World Number 1 in Els these two could prove to be tough competition. Certainly a duo to keep your eyes on!

We can’t forget Danny Willett, his first appearance at The Copperhead this weekend so sure he will be raring to go. T3 at The Doral last week so a good groundings to get him ready for this weekend.

And of course Russell Knox, competing this weekend and we hope he is going to find his 2016 form. He had a great end to 2015 with a 1st place finish at the WBC-HSBC and T2 at the OHL Classic. Yet he hasn’t managed to continue that so far in 2016. Having been CUT twice and a highest place of T26 maybe this weekend could be his chance!

We believe this weekend is going to be a great competition and hope you all enjoy watching!

Keep an eye on the players mentioned above and see if you can spot the changes from last year and the players that fall behind in the Snake Pit.  

Whether you’re an experienced golfer or relatively new to the sport I wonder how many different styles of golf courses you have played?

Have you even considered just how many variations there are?

Now I’m not about to get out my scientific calculator and start plugging in the variables to find the many combinations... but what I will do is run through a summary of them. That way, next time you’re out on the course or perhaps in the process of selecting where to play you can take into account where you’re playing or where you would like to play!

Style difference number 1:

How accessible is the golf course?

Some courses are known as Pay and Play, a nice open entry course where anybody, usually of any ability can turn up or book to play a round of golf. Sometimes these courses are considered to be less challenging or perhaps not in the same condition as other types of courses. From personal experience there are a few pay and play courses in my local area and the vast majority are in excellent condition, some to the extent that I would argue better condition than other styles (Which I’ll get to in a minute). The Challenge...? Well this obviously depends on your ability, but those I am thinking of above vary in forgiveness, hazards and lengths so I would say there are plenty of options available.

Alternatively, you have two other styles of accessibility. You have Members Only and Guests Only. While similar there is a small difference which is usually related to ownership and how the course is run.

Member’s only. . . These courses are like a gated community – some are more private than others but the underlying factor is that you need to pay a yearly membership to access and use of the facilities and the course. Some like I mention are more exclusive and to become a member you would need to be invited or recommended. Others have, particularly in recent years, designed more flexible memberships – usually in relation to payments and commitments.

Guests Only. . . These courses are usually associated with hotels or resorts and are made available only to those who are staying with them. So while open to anybody to play – they require you to be slightly more scheduled with your visits. Of course while these are not made specifically exclusive like a member’s only course in the form of recommendations and invites, there is no doubt some resorts and hotels can restrict visitors simply by upping their prices – which naturally creates exclusions.

 Style difference number 2:

As previously mentioned, Ownership is a factor that can play a large part in the style of a golf course. It may affect accessibility, depending on what the owner(s) intend for the course and it may well affect the condition, layout and nature of a golf course too.  

There are 3 types of owners. You have council owned, privately owned and hotel resorts which are run by the hotel company.

It is pretty clear how they match up to accessibility.

While not always the case, more often than not you will find that Hotel Resorts run a Guest Only policy, privately owned courses tend to be Members only, though can sometimes be pay and play.

Council run courses tend to be known as Municipal Golf Courses and these are usually pay-and-play courses. Though as I mentioned, this isn’t always the case – there are 3 courses nearby to myself that are privately owned and still run as pay-and-play.

Style difference number 3:

The one you have all been waiting for!!!

There are 6 main differences in golf courses in their nature of layout, surroundings and environment.

The more traditional courses are your Links Courses and Parkland Courses.

Links Courses are the ‘Original Courses’ just like the Home of Golf St Andrews Links these courses are usually set between the sea and agricultural land. Usually very challenging courses, not only because weather conditions can become unpredictable with wind and rain, especially as the majority of these courses are found in the UK, but also because golfers will be faced with undulating fairways and while usually not trees to create an obstacle links courses boast deep and challenging bunkers.

Parkland courses are your traditional luscious green courses that are often depicted when describing a stereotypical vision of golf. These courses are known for their inland settings, with trees crowding the fairways to add the already challenging layout of bunkers and rough. Depending on the venue, these courses can be very tough in winter months, particularly if you find yourself in the rough.

Perhaps the more unusual courses that can be found are Heath-land and Desert courses. Heath-land have a lot of similarities to a parkland course though you may find the fairways aren’t as verdant and the course may be lined with smaller hazards, such as shrubs and bushes, as opposed to narrowing effect of trees on a parkland course.

Desert courses, most commonly found in southern areas of the U.S. and of course the desert itself Dubai and Abu Dhabi. While the name may make you think of these courses as barren and unsightly I believe you will be pleasantly surprised.

If Emirates Golf Club in Dubai is anything to go by then while fairways, greens and tees are surrounded by desert and courses obviously boast large ominous bunkers, fairways and greens are kept in pristine condition. With fortunes being spent on a vast number of gallons of water to keep courses and water hazards in nothing but the best condition.

Quite a difference to Browns courses, as the name suggests there isn’t anything green about them. The perfect example is Kabul Golf Club, the only course to grace Afghanistan with our precious and loved sport.

You can find it on our site at

http://www.golfworlddirectory.com/index.php?page=golf-course-info&course=Kabul+Golf+Club

Finally, there are Resort courses. I am confident that many of you will have had the opportunity to play one of these courses at some stage in your golfing ‘career.’

These courses, usually a centre piece at many of the resorts are kept in the best of condition. Designed for the golfer’s enjoyment and pleasure they are often made wide and forgiving to improve chances of success. No doubt there are still hazards and golfers of all abilities will enjoy playing these courses. Sometimes you will find resorts that have more than one course, to tailor their approach for the different levels of golfers they may have visit them.

So next time you’re searching for golf course to play, remember two things:

1.      There are so many courses to choose from, so mix it up, take your time in selection and choose the course you really want to play.

And

Spring Start

Spring is just over a month away; the sun is beginning to break through and our hopes are up for the rain holding off. Though as ever in the UK we can’t expect it all so it is still cold outside!

It could be the perfect time to start golf . . . perhaps 2016 will be your year for taking up the sport?

It does make a difference – despite the fact we encourage golf year round and emphasised the importance of winter golf in our article ‘The Winter Warm Up.’

The difference, particularly for those just starting, is the opportunity for success. It wasn’t long ago when a group of us went for a round and happened to choose the foggiest day of 2015. It didn’t stop us playing, but we all accepted it wasn’t going to be our most successful round, considering we hadn’t played the course before.

(A shot from our foggy challenge)

There always seems to be a few people that say they want to start, say they feel they need to start and always say yep this is the year I’m going to start!

So get the spring start you need, don’t sit back and wait – get involved!

Here are the steps we recommend taking to make sure 2016 is your year:

Step 1: Find somebody to play golf with

Step 2: Find a set of golf clubs and equipment whether borrowed, hired or bought.

Step 3: Find a course to play – your first course is an important one

www.golfworlddirectory.com

(The perfect place to start searching wherever in the world you may be)

Step 4: Go and have fun!!!!

 Delving a bit deeper into the above we recommend your first step being to find somebody or a group of people to go for a round with, for the simple reason that like most things it is always easier when you’re with somebody as opposed to being on your own.

Having somebody there when you first start means you’ll make the effort to go so you don’t let them down. Means you’ll have somebody to talk to and recreate your rounds with and for those of you like us . . . there is nothing like a bit of friendly competition.

What is great about golf though – once you’ve found your comfort zone, once you know your course and have your clubs it is a sport you could quite happily play on your own. If that is what you fancy?

Now the Golf Clubs!

People love to blame their equipment and so spend lots of time and money on the perfect set of clubs. No doubt technology is improving ten-fold and a set of clubs that suit and fit your style are always going to help.

But when you’re first starting out we suggest not worrying too much about that. Find your swing and your style first.

When I was first starting out I had a lesson with a pro at local golf club. I had been playing with my Granddad’s old clubs – now old really was the key word! The 3 wood looked like a lump of concrete on the end of a pole. The clubs lacked the shape and finesse of clubs now.

Nonetheless, I used them and I learnt the game with them. During my lesson I was explaining that I was struggling to use the 3 iron to good effect. Taking the iron out the bag the pro explained that 3 irons are a tough club to use at the best of times, that this one would be particularly difficult due to its age, style etc...

In the attempt to show me what he meant he proceeded to take a shot with my 3 iron. It flew perfectly straight and perfectly long. He paused a moment, quite impressed that he had managed it and then followed up with ‘I guess that didn’t really show you what I meant.’

Though it did teach me something – If you’re that good it really isn’t going to matter much which clubs you use. So when you’re starting out don’t spend fortunes on clubs, get a set to borrow if you can and once you’re feeling more comfortable in your swing – that is when to go and get fitted and then take pride in a new set of clubs.

For those interested in how to select their clubs – keep an eye out for our future articles

 You’ve got your new found society . . . few girls or guys from school, university or perhaps colleagues from work. Could be family! You’ve got access to golf clubs – however you decided to go about it.

Now you need a course!

Good job we are here to help – www.golfworlddirectory.com allows you to find courses worldwide, whether you want to search an area directly or be adventurous and click through the world of golf!

But why is course selection so important?

Quite simply when you’re starting out while you want to be challenged, you want the chance for success. Going straight to a championship course, sitting in a 6ft plus deep bunker might not encourage you to return to the game.

Pace yourself and select appropriately. Not to mention, a lot of courses may require an official handicap. So search well, explore the world of golf and find the course that is just right for you!

Maybe 9 Holes will suit you and your friends to start with?

You may not believe it but there are a lot of options. You have Links courses, Parkland or Woodland courses, Heath-land courses, Browns or desert courses and of course resort courses.

You’ll find your preference once you start to play but it is good to be aware of the different styles and challenges of each.

Keep an eye open on our Blog at http://www.golfworlddirectory.com/index.php?page=gwdblog

Because we will be covering the styles soon!

Finally, as we said, Step 4 was to go and have fun!

Golf is a challenging physical and mental sport, but it’s surrounded by picturesque scenery, a social band of dedicated players with the opportunity to meet new people and if it’s something you enjoy there is usually a well crafted 19th hole for you to find comfort in whether you’re looking back at your round proudly or otherwise.

The Winter Warm Up

The Winter Warm Up

You’ve worked so hard to improve your game all year! You started early in the Spring, you’ve had your lessons, spent time at the range, played regularly. Made the most of Summer and Autumn.

So why would you let it all go to waste in the Winter?

So many golfers see Winter coming and get prepared to put their Golf...

There can be few greater pleasures than a good day’s golfing in the company of close friends, new friends, colleagues or business acquaintances and of course family. A nice challenging golf course, friendly and helpful team and naturally a welcoming nineteenth hole, these combinations can make for the ideal day.

Of course we at www.golfworlddirectory.com are here to connect you to the world of golf so that your society and corporate days can be planned and perfected, ensuring your next challenge goes off to a tee.

But just consider, when you’re enjoying a round of golf on one or more of the impressive venues in our worldwide directory, take a moment and consider just how many people are involved in making your day go as smoothly as possible – doing everything they can to make sure you’re satisfied. Whether it is the Greenkeeper, the clubhouse staff, administrators or Golf Professionals, they are working tirelessly to help every aspect of your day, bar of course the all important performance on the course. But let’s face it, for some of us we can’t be expecting miracles.

Though there is one person who can try their best to help in this department. The PGA Professional is always there. Whether it be working on your swing and trying to make it as good as one of the Tour greats, repairing those precious clubs as quickly as possible and certainly supplying all of your equipment needs at rock bottom prices from the Pro Shop.

And this is just the beginning!

Golf Professionals train long and hard for their PGA status. Tutoring, examinations, the need to cover all aspects of the game – Golf’s version of The Knowledge!

It is the Professional Golfers’ Association is the organisation responsible for ensuring your club’s Pro can provide expert advice and provide assistance where needed. They have achieved huge amounts for the sport, for clubs and most importantly for you and me as golfers to help us enjoy our rounds to the fullest.

All it takes is a quick search online to find out that almost every country in the world where you can play golf has its own PGA. In Europe you’ll see that all countries are members of the PGA of Europe (http://www.pgae.com/). This combines the organisations, much like in politics, to keep standards, professionalism and expectations consistent across the continent in order to make your transition from course to course smooth and enjoyable!

It is fantastic to see how the sport is growing around the world. If you consider that Golf has been around in Great Britain and Ireland for many generations, the Home of Golf is St Andrews links in Scotland. With the growth of the sport we now see courses featuring on the European Tour in the Middle East. The prestigious Emirates Golf Club hosts the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, we have a ‘Race to Dubai.’ In addition golf in Asia has taken off and shows promise for being the future of Golf. Many new stars, particularly for Women’s golf with Inbee Park from Korea ranked World Number Two, along with 6 other ladies from Korea and China helping to make up the majority of the Top Ten in the official Rolex Rankings.

A fundamental component of continuing to develop the popularity and participation of Golf across the Globe is the constant supply of Golf Professionals. They are important in making the experience for veterans of the sports meet expectations, while being a teacher and encourager to beginners and improvers of the game.

After all without the knowledge and expertise of the professionals the future of the traditional game would not be so bright.

The Professional Golfers’ associations of Europe and worldwide provide the services and support to help every country to maintain common standards and are on hand to help Golf Clubs and Resorts around the world find and employ the appropriate and qualified staff.

The PGA has over 7500 qualified members, with 1500 of them in over 70 countries around the world. Helping to achieve enjoyment in the game for hundreds of thousands of golfers around the world, whether a single figure player or a 28 handicap weekend golfer.

So if you are fortunate enough to play golf across the British Isles, or even further and can travel the world playing golf, be sure to spare a thought for the PGA Professionals; the caretakers of the noble game and the driving force behind the sport ensuring the enjoyment for subsequent generations.

 Show your Appreciation for your Club’s Golf Professional:

Tag your Golf Club, Tag the Pro and comment on your experiences with them!

As both golfer and television commentator, I have been fortunate enough to travel to most countries where golf is played. Over the past 2 decades the expansion of Golf Courses worldwide means that as a Golfer, Society or Corporate group there are now vast opportunities for you to travel and experience the adventures of different golf challenges around the world. Golf World Directory Limited have worked and continue to work tirelessly on providing a comprehensive worldwide golf directory to provide the information and connections you need to explore the world of golf. By visiting www.golfworlddirectory.com you can interact and discover hidden gems or search old favourites. If you need further details then they connect you to the course or club via their websites wherever it is available. The joys of playing golf in far away places are many. The views, the flora and fauna, the many types of courses but perhaps most of all, the pleasure of meeting new people from different cultures whose common interest is the game of golf, all with an ambition one day to perhaps beat par. This website is a must for every golfer who plays ‘away from home’. Enjoy your travel, enjoy your golf and enjoy reading the content within this Blog – I’m sure you will.

Peter Alliss