2015 Holiday Gift Ideas for Golfers

Tis the time to pick out yet another perfect gift for your loved one who also has a love for golf. If you've run out of books to give or they have a wide array of golf shirts, then this list should do the trick. This week we are featuring the hottest golf gear, essentials and accessories that will surely make your golf-loving friends and family the happiest this season.

Tour X-Jolt Rangefinder

The Bushnell Tour X Jolt Rangefinder is a must-have for all golf enthusiasts that love their technology too. It comes with two separate faceplates, one that tells you elevation change, distances, and land grade. The other rangefinder faceplate can be used in professional tournaments. Its key features include DDT (Dual Display Technology), Jolt Technology, Slope Technology, is rainproof, and much more! Every avid golfer will surely want this!

Price: $500

Cork Putter Grips

An eco-friendly, light, golf essential and pocket-friendly option. Cork putter grips are a big hit among professional players. Your golf fanatic loved one will surely like having this too. Designed to perform in all types of weather conditions, this hypoallergenic gadget is quite easy to maintain as well.

Price: $30+

Arccos

Definitely one of the top performance trackers out there, Arccos comes with 13 Standard Sensors and 1 Putter Sensor to track anyone’s game. It can be easily attached to the tip of the club's grip. This gadget will track every shot made from the first hole to the last. Once the tracking app is downloaded, attach the sensors, and you're good to go.

Price: $300

Izzo Callway Tournament Set 

A handy all-in-one kit for any golfer. It includes a 12 ounce stainless steel water bottle, Pro Line Putt Align Tool with 4 ball-identification stencils, and divot repair tool. Also in the set is a poker chip ball marker, 2 Callaway golf balls and 5 performance tees. All essentials for the leisure golfer and not a hefty burden on the wallet!

Price: $30

Golf Trip

And just in case you forgot... There's no golfer who wouldn’t enjoy a nice, relaxing golf getaway. There are so many hot golf trip deals out there that would fit any budget! Anywhere from Scottsdale, to Orlando, to Myrtle Beach or across some water to Hawaii. Don't forget you can go international to places like the Domincan Republic, Scotland, Ireland... and more! The possibilities with Golf Zoo are endless. Booking a trip is easy, hassle-free and are simple for your lucky gift receiver to book their custom package details. It's the perfect gift to let your loved-one really enjoy their love for golf.

Price: Varies by destination and time of travel

Viola! That concludes this year’s gift guide for your/our fellow golf enthusiasts!

Golf Trip: Suggestions for getting lessons before a trip

Many golfers try to learn the golf game on their own or through a friend, which can be helpful but may not be the best solution for everyone. Another option to consider for improving your game before your golf trip is taking some lessons. Never any harm in asking for help and your friends will be dazzled by your new skill level. 

For those of you who consider getting lessons, there are a few suggestions to consider:

1. Hire a credible instructor

You can ask the golf instructor for references from past students, or golfers he or she has taught.  The best information about the golf instructor's teaching methods comes from past students or other golfers that have taken lessons from the instructor. And don't be afraid to ask if they themselves had ever attempted a shot at the pro-level, you may be happily surprised by their response. 

2. Know what skill level the instructor teaches

Make sure that the golf instructor has taught someone of your skill level. If you're a beginner, find a golf instructor who has taught beginners like yourself and not built their resume with many who came in at a high skill level.

3. Stay within your price range

Decide on what you can afford before taking a lesson. Consider as many instructors as you can, because later on, you can trim down your list by checking how much each instructor charge. You'll know that every golf instructor makes up their own pricing. While one golf instructor may charge you $200 an hour, other instructor with the same experience may only charge you $60 an hour.

4. Find an instructor you feel comfortable learning golf from

Sure you're not trying to find a best friend but nobody likes to listen to someone they can't stand. Hence, it's important that you look for a golf instructor whose personality matches yours because you need to feel comfortable taking instructions from who you choose. This way, the golf lessons will become more productive and interactive.

For example, if you think you need to be pushed to the limits to get better, then choose a golf instructor who'll do just that to you. Others prefer someone who is calm and laid back as they advise. Having a basic idea of the type of person you are out on the greens, and the kind of individual that works best to teach you, can be valuable.

5. Know your commitment

Are you willing to devote a set amount of time each week for a lesson and time to practice what you've learned? With no commitment it will be hard to get the ideal results you may have in mind.

Golf lessons are by no means a requirement before your vacation, but most would say the overall improvement on their game is worth it, making the vacation time on and off the course more enjoyable. 

Golf Trip Tip: Keep a Score Journal

“On my next golf trip, I'll play better”... That's easier said than done.

Crossing from novice to expert level is not as simple as most would hope. Moving from A to B in golf (or any sport for that matter) proficiently is a slow process involving an effort that is “multifaceted”. The best way to track your progress over time is to keep a score journal, which here are some tips to remember when doing so:

My total score was...

Sure it's nice to see your overall score improve but there's more to it than that. The systematic score tallies only tell two things: how much improvement you've made and how much effort you need to exert to achieve your annual goal. The most important thing to remember is the more numbers you include in the score journal, the more you can understand what pieces of your game need improvement. 

Count fairways, greens and putts

In case you still can't wrap your head around the score tally journal stuff, you can segment your scoring into some basic skill-areas. This method involves identifying three aspects of your technical game handicap. You can count how many times you've managed a quality trajectory in hitting your ball around the fairways. You can also track how many times you've landed on the “putting greens” while avoiding the hazards. Lastly, count how many putt attempts it takes before getting successfully completely each hole.

Let technology help you

In case you're still having a difficulty in simplifying your score journal, let those nice little handheld devices do the math. After all, crunching all those numbers on your own takes away from what you're really there to do... play some golf! Depending on what device you use, there are some handy applications that can do all the math-y stuff for you. It'll also allow you to enjoy the impressive landscape of the golf vacation destination more leisurely!

Eventually you'll see the numbers don't lie. In the competitive (and occasionally frustrating) sport of golf, numbers will tell you your areas of strengths and weaknesses. Be patient with numbers on the next golf trip, and learn how to use them in your favor.

Golf Vacation Practice: Range Drills

Some people define a golf vacation as a simple recreation. Something that is meant to be fun and not warrant seriousness. But there are other golf enthusiasts who are simply filled with passion for their chosen sport enough to make a few sacrifices. They cherish victories and take every defeat as a painful reminder to excel further. With proficiency aptly defined by handicaps (the number of strikes it takes to finish a hole), a dedicated golfer will do his or her best to reduce the frequency of those swings... If you'd like a refresher on the handicap concept, look back to our "Basics of Handicap" post to have a better understanding for these tips.  

One of the first things to improve when reducing handicaps is the spatial skill. Practicing this skill requires dogged repetition. If you are interested in skillfully launching your ball at an approximate distance your eyes have determined, you need to keep doing the range drills.

Why the Golf Range?

A golf range is pretty similar to a shooting range. You stand at an aisle and send forth a ball's flight to the prescribed distance (your target). Unlike an actual leisure game, you don't move towards the landing site of the ball. The reason for the stationary position is that it allows you to focus on individual aspects of your game – like distance, accuracy, and flight of the ball.

Muscle Memory

This is the first hurdle to being an adept player. It takes hundreds of club swinging for your body to be familiarized. A dozen trials would not yield a desirable result simply because the mind and the body is not yet fully synchronized. Muscle memory works the same in golf as it does with other sports. You often need at least a month of repetition to have smooth and fluid reflexes, making the swing of a golf club second nature.

Accuracy

As your body gets accustomed to launching golf balls with ease, the next concern is accuracy. It takes a certain tweak in the swinging curve to redirect the flight of the ball to an actual target. Muscle memory is crucial in order to be able to pull off split-second modifications in your swing. Practicing accuracy is a matter of recurring calculations of distance. It is one thing to let yourself drift in the “second nature” of club swinging, it's another thing to curb that impulse and take full control of it.

Repetitive drills can be tedious and time consuming, but positive results will eventually unfold in the latter part of the process. If you are truly committed to improving your game, always visit the range. It will never be a waste of time even if you delegate fractional hours of it into your golf vacation.

Golf Vacation Tips: The Basics of Handicap

You may hardly be concerned of the minuscule details about your game in your leisure golf vacation. Most leisurely golf enthusiasts who prefer simple enjoyment with friends and family are contented of the overly basic mechanics of playing golf. However, some aficionados would take it to the next level when it comes to playing better. It is important for them to learn about handicap to improve their golf expertise.

What is handicap?

You can pretty much comprehend golf handicap in the same way you would understand a video game's difficulty setting. Setting a higher difficulty level makes it harder for players to overcome simulated obstacles. A handicap, in this context, directly determines the golfer's skill level. But unlike the video game analogy, a higher handicap does not connote excellence. On the contrary, it is a numerical representation of a player's capability based on how many strokes he or she can make to finish one hole. If a player requires forty strokes to put the ball into a distant hole, it only means he or she either has a bad spatial capacity or a lousy swing. The lesser the handicap a player has, the more adept he or she is in playing.

How are handicaps determined?

There is a basic calculation when it comes to determining a player's handicap. The product of this initial calculation is called the “handicap index”. The factors that comprise the handicap index are “course rating” and “slope rating”. After determining the handicap index, it is then used to find out the “course handicap”. The latter determines how many allowable strokes a player has in a game in relation to his or her skill.

Why are handicaps helpful?

Handicaps pretty much set up the organized ranking system. It is only wise for golf trip players to know their potential opponent's handicap bracket if they pursue a serious contest. A 47-handicap player is simply no match for a 5-handicap player. Handicaps create fairness and equity among golfers.

By knowing your handicap, you can have a more clear idea of how good your golf game really is. This will give you better odds and make your golf vacation less daunting when competing with a relatively skilled opponent. 

Biloxi Revived

A short time ago, I took a familiarization trip to Biloxi, Mississippi. Not only was I pleasantly surprised, but completed impressed. The quality of the courses and accommodations were top notch. Starting with the golf, I would have to describe the overall service and quality of conditions as nothing short of world class. The accommodations from the hotels to the condominiums were luxurious. 

We are all aware of the hurricane devastation in New Orleans because of our national media, but that same devastation was delivered to Biloxi as well. In the Southern tradition, Biloxi rallied and rebuilt a new and better community. Foremost, what stands out in my memory is the sense of community and fellowship. Biloxi is also a perfect example of Southern Hospitality.

When considering your next golf vacation, with the added excitement of casino gambling, look no further than Biloxi - The Gem of the Gulf Coast.

Golf World 2009 Readers' Choice Top 50 Public Courses

Golf World Magazine recently came out with its 2009 Readers' Choice Awards Top 50 - Public*Private*Resort. There are two areas I handle for Golf Zoo - Florida and the RTJ Golf Trail in Alabama.

I will talk about the Public "Top 10 List", for my area. The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, two facilities - Grand National (Rank #1), Opelika, Alabama. This facility has two great championship layouts - Lake and Links courses. The other facility is Capitol Hill (Rank #2). Prattville, Alabama. This facility has 3 championship layouts - Judge, Legislator and Senator. Both these facilities have a Marriott property on site, but other lodging options are also available. The next facility on the "Top 10 List" is Orange County National (Rank #8) in Winter Garden, Florida. This facility has 36 holes on site and a fantastic practice facility. Both courses (Panther Lake and Crooked Cat) are host to final stage of PGA Tour final stage of Q'School every two years. There are hotel rooms on property, but there are many options for lodging in Orlando.

Here are some other courses in Florida that round out the " Top 50 Public Courses": Southern Dunes (Rank #17), Haines City, Florida. TPC Tampa Bay (Rank #18), Lutz, Florida (Home to Sr. PGA Tour event). Celebration GC (Rank #24), Celebration, Florida.  PGA Village (Rank #30) (54 holes), Port St. Lucie, Florida. RTJ Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove (Rank #32) (36 holes), Mobile, Alabama.

Now for the some of the " Top 50 Resort Courses" in my area: Walt Disney World Resort (Rank #13) (72 holes and home to PGA Tour event), Lake Buena Vista, Florida. World Golf Village (Rank #15) (36 holes), St. Augustine, Florida. TPC Sawgrass (Rank #21) ( Home to the Players Championship, 5 golf courses to choose from at this facility, must stay on site), Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. PGA National GC (Rank #42) (Home to PGA Tour Event, 5 golf courses on site, must stay on site), Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Innisbrook Resort and GC (Rank #45) (Home to PGA Tour Event, 4 course on site, must stay on site), Palm Harbor, Florida. Lely Resort G&CC (Rank #48) (36 holes on site), Naples, Florida.

If any of these courses are of interest, please call me at 888.333.6103, or email me at glen@golfzoo.com. As I mentioned; I handle Florida, along with the RTJ Golf Trail in Alabama. I can set up packages for all these areas and we have numerous other courses to choose from, check out www.golfzoo.com and see what we're all about.

Rio Secco to Host Wendy's 3 Tour Challenge

Officials from the Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge today announced a new two-year agreement with Harrah’s Entertainment to host the made-for-television event in 2008 and 2009. For 2008, Rio Secco Golf Club, located in Henderson, Nevada, will host the official pro-am on November 10 and the Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge professional competition on November 11.

The Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge is the only professional golf tournament that pits three players from the PGA, LPGA and Champions Tours against each other in competitive, head-to-head threesomes for Tour bragging rights. Each threesome consists of one player from each Tour competing in two separate, nine-hole stroke play matches. The one-of-a-kind contest is scheduled to air on ABC Television December 13 and 14, 2008.
“We are thrilled to announce our new partnership with Harrah’s,” said Denny Lynch, Wendy’s Senior VP, Communications. “Harrah’s and the Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge have the same commitment to providing the ultimate golf experience. I know our guests and the Tour professionals will enjoy playing Rio Secco and we look forward to working in partnership with their team to provide a world-class setting for our Event and to generate funding and awareness for the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.”

“We look forward to serving as host for the Wendy’s 3-Tour Challenge,” said Eric Dutt, Vice President – Las Vegas Golf Operations at Harrah’s Entertainment. “The event will allow us to showcase Rio Secco Golf Club to a national audience. Equally important, we are pleased to align our company with the tremendous work being done by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.”

Home to the Butch Harmon School of Golf, Rio Secco Golf Club was designed by renowned architect Rees Jones. The golf course lies at the foothills of the Black Mountain Range, and features six holes through steep canyons, six holes on a plateau overlooking The Strip, and six holes in a broad desert plain.
About the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption is a nonprofit 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to dramatically increasing the adoptions of the more than 150,000 children in North America’s foster care systems waiting to be adopted. Created by Wendy’s® founder, Dave Thomas, who was adopted as a child, the Foundation leads programs such as Wendy’s Wonderful Kids, placing adoption recruiters throughout the U.S. and Canada to find permanent, loving families for children in the foster care system, and Adoption-Friendly Workplace, encouraging employers to offer adoption benefits to their employees. The Foundation also works with adoption advocates and officials to streamline the adoption process and make adoption more affordable for families. As the only foundation dedicated exclusively to foster care adoption, we are driven by Dave’s simple value: Do what’s best for the child. To learn more about the Foundation’s work, please visit http://www.davethomasfoundationforadoption.org/.

Introducing My Golf Zoo!

Ever wanted to join your very own golf community? Now you can! Golf Zoo has created a social network targeted towards you - Golfers! There are a number of things that you can do - from creating your own member page, have your own blog, upload your golf pictures and videos, participate in forums and create your very own group that you and your golf buddies can all be a part of. It can also be a place where you can post your pictures and videos of your golf trip once you get back - and feel free to comment on other members' pages!

So what are you waiting for? Go to My.GolfZoo.com now and create your very own member page - it's fast and it's FREE!

South Carolina Golf Vacations Rule!

Myrtle Beach nabbed second place in a recent Golf Digest survey that asked 4000 avid golfers & affluent travelers where they planned to vacation in 2008. Myrtle Beach was on the top 10 list of places that provide a high quality golf and overall vacation experience provided.

Hilton Head Island and Kiawah Island were also on the top ten list, The survey found that 73 percent of golfers research and plan vacations online.So hear is the good news: Linda and Craig both book these top ten destinations, give us a call @ 1-800-929-7300 and visit our website at http://www.golfzoo.com/, to customize your own dream golf vacation getaway.

Linda

The online survey was conducted in September by the Golf Digest Research Resource Center for the Travel Industry Association of America. Results were announced at the recent TIA Outlook Forum in Charlotte, N.C.

Taylor Made Performance Lab is Best I've Seen

I've just been to the Taylor Made Performance Lab at Aviara Golf Club in Carlsbad, California and what an amazing experience. If you're thinking of buying a new set of irons or the whole set and you don't invest in this great experience first you're missing out and not getting what you need or want in a new set of clubs.Tom Fuller was fantastic, knowledgeable, courteous, professional and a very good player himself. Next time you're planning a golf package vacation to San Diego area, make a point of getting there, it's reasonably priced and offers invaluable insights to your swing, posture, strengths and weaknesses. At the end of your session your club specs are emailed to Taylor Made and your clubs are shipped to your address.
Aviara Golf AcademyFour Seasons Resort – North San Diego, 7447 Batiquitos Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92009
(619) 297-8700 Ask for Tom Fuller, he's simply the best.

Junk the Jet Phil!

Dear Phil;

You're very talented, but you can't keep flying that Gulfstream home at night after a tournament round such as at the Nissan Open flying home each night from L.A. to San Diego. Just this last week, you missed the Pro-Am in Dallas at the Byron Nelson Classic. The PGA Tour didn't disqualify you from the tournament, which now has all the other players riled up, as they would have been disqualified for the same infraction of the rules. Phil, you just changed coaches from Rick Smith to Butch Harmon. Now sell the Gulfstream on eBay already and work more on the game.

Joe Fann

Will Bill Energize Golf Industry?

Energy regulations signed by President Bush could give the Grand Strand's golf industry a boost, with more evening daylight hours translating into increased revenue at area courses. However, some Myrtle Beach course owners say the tradeoff of one less hour of light in the morning has the potential to hurt their bottom lines.

The Energy Act of 2005, among other things, extends daylight-savings time by four weeks each year beginning in 2007. Some Myrtle Beach area golf leaders say more daylight in the evening will let golfers stay on courses longer. especially during the peak spring season, This will add three weeks to daylight savings time in March and another week in November. While other golf course leaders feel that an extra hour of daylight in the evening means one less hour in the morning and the afternoon business will come at the cost of the higher priced morning rounds. For example- morning rounds between $85-$100 replays are usually a spur of the moment decision by a lot of groups for the cost of a $22.00 cart fee.

Fellow Golfers out there - Let me know: Friend or Foe?