Golf Zoo Lodging Options

Which Lodging Options Are Right for Your Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation?

Myrtle Beach is renowned for the number of courses that call the area home, but that pales in comparison to the volume of accommodations options golfers have to choose from.

Before deciding where you want to stay, you have to decide what kind of room you want to stay in. Below are the three most popular options and why your group may, or may not, want to go that route.

-- More golfers fall asleep to the rhythmic sound of the Atlantic Ocean’s pounding surf than anything else, and the reasons are many. Standard hotel rooms have gone the way of persimmon drivers, and in their place have come multi-bedroom condos overlooking the beach. The view is beautiful, full kitchens allow groups to eat in and hang out, and on-site restaurants abound. No matter the size of your group, oceanfront accommodations are appealing. The only potential drawback is that large groups could be dispersed over multiple floors and you don’t enjoy quite as much privacy, but those are hardly deal-breakers. As a matter of fact, if your group goes its separate ways at night, this is probably your best option.

-- Golf course accommodations are, obviously, an appealing option, allowing players to stay and play onsite. Staying in an on-course condo will reduce drive time and might even allow you to sneak on the course at dusk to settle a few side bets. If your group likes to hang out, this provides the opportunity to do so while enjoying time outside (who doesn’t love a good corn hole tournament?). A golf group never goes wrong staying at the course. The only drawback is you miss that stunning view of the Atlantic Ocean.

-- The least utilized option is the beach house, but if you are traveling with a close-knit group, this might be the way to go. Inventory is limited and it can be more expensive, but your group can stay together, eat together and you have a place to hang out in the evenings with the benefit of some privacy. A nice home is perfect for large groups.

When planning your trip, remember: where you stay matters, so give it some thought and make the best decision for your group.

Golf Zoo Top Central Myrtle Beach Courses

Resort Course at Grande Dunes

5 Great Courses in the Heart of Myrtle Beach

The area popularly referred to as The Grand Strand is a 60-mile stretch of Carolina's coast that runs from Georgetown, S.C., across the state line into Brunswick County, N.C., with Myrtle Beach as the centerpiece.

There is a never-ending stream of courses to play on both ends of the Strand, but golfers shouldn’t overlook the heart of America’s most popular golf destination - Myrtle Beach proper. The hub of so many golf trips remains the home to some of the best courses in the Southeast and here is a look at five of our favorites:

-- Myrtle Beach’s second-oldest golf course, The Dunes Golf & Beach Club, is No. 1 in the hearts of many players. The Robert Trent Jones Sr. design is a consensus top 100 layout and has hosted events ranging from the U.S. Women’s Open to the Senior PGA Tour Championship. If you are a fan of classic golf course architecture and superior conditions, The Dunes Club should be atop your list.

-- The Resort Course at Grande Dunes has also been ranked among America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses and it’s the most modern of designs, featuring some of the area’s largest fairways and greens. Throw in five holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway, highlighted by the breathtaking par-3 14th, and this design is on any short list of the area’s best.

-- Arnold Palmer designed four courses along the Grand Strand, and King’s North at Myrtle Beach National is his most popular work. The layout is playable and the design unique, highlighted by “The Gambler,” the par-5 sixth hole that features an alternate, island fairway. This is a course you want to play.

-- There is a case to be made that Prestwick is Myrtle Beach’s most underrated course. The P.B. Dye design is challenging from the jump so bring your “A” game, but it’s a round you won’t forget. The back nine, in particular, is strong, highlighted by a three-hole finish that is as daunting as any in the area. The par-4 18th plays along a lake and into a green that resides in the shadow of the clubhouse, an idyllic finish.

-- Arrowhead Country Club is the only 27-hole facility in Myrtle Beach and you will want to play the Cypress, Waterway and Lakes nines. The course is most known for the holes that play along the Intracoastal Waterway on the Cypress and Waterway nines, but Arrowhead’s greatest strength is the quality of its conditions throughout the year. The Raymond Floyd design overseeds from wall to wall during the winter months, so it’s green 365 days a year.

The choices are endless in Myrtle Beach, but if you want to stay and play in the heart of the action, it’s hard to beat these five courses.

Take a Golf Trip and become a better golfer

Whether it's a once in a lifetime trip, or you go to the same destination annually, sometimes it's those special courses that bring out the best in you.

According to a well-known psychologist named Anders Ericsson, becoming a better golfer requires practicing beyond your comfort zone. That includes changing it up from the same 18 holes week after week. And proper technique goes beyond mindlessly pounding balls in an effort to build muscle memory – because according to Ericsson, muscles do not have the memory, only the brain does.  He further stated that improving your golf game has to be deliberate; it has to be done with purpose and must include a little pain until a golfer finally learns to bend the ball at his will.

For those of you who are seriously aiming to be a better player, here are six drills to help in that process. If you try them at your local golf club before heading off on your trip, or on the trip itself, they will be sure to further your game. They are guaranteed to push you out of your comfort zone and lower your handicap.

Rehearse your full swing.  Take note that mindlessly swinging will hardly make you a better golfer, so make it your goal to do a deliberate practice swing of the particular technique you would like to learn and utilize. For instance, if you are focusing on the backswing, you don't have to jump up to the tee right away.

Take dead aim as a game. Maximize your the of practice tees by using them to your advantage. Kick off by playing an entire nine using a variety of clubs and scoring yourself accordingly. Generally, the first hole calls for driver, then 6-iron, and eventually wedge. Use specific clubs in succession and so that you are able to make use of your equipment in random order.

Improve your chipping distance. Some golfers find chipping a challenge. If this doesn’t happen to be your strength, don’t fret because there are ways to improve on this aspect. Once you're out on the practice green, take five balls and drive chips to your target hole until you eventually knock all five balls to within a club-length of the cup. Repeat this drill until you finally manage to knock them all inside.

Target that straight five-foot putt on the practice green.  When you are on a golf trip, make it your goal to do at least 50 straight five-foot putts. It will be a bit challenging but it will greatly improve your short stroke.

Work on your half wedges. Acknowledge that you can’t always hit wedges at full distances and dedicate some time to improve on this. Do not be discouraged when you hit awkward distances like 35, 50 and 75 yards, instead keep hitting until you land a ball within an acceptable distance.

Blast sand shots! Be extra careful not to mindlessly swing sand shots from the practice bunker. Instead, use this to further improve your skill. Decide on a challenging radius around a hole and practice blasting five balls within your chosen radius. Eventually shrink your radius, send shots from a new distance, and start over again.

Winter Golf Vacation Destinations

Whether you just want to take a break from work and de-stress, or you simply want to tune up your golfing skills, these 3 spots are the best places to go to during this time of the year. 

California

Arguably the most famous and most populous state in all of the U.S., people come here from all over the world not just to visit but to settle, live and thrive. There is no wonder why millions of people choose to be here: impressive beauty, wealth and lifestyle. California is warm during the Holiday Season, making it a perfect place to visit.  It is also home to many top-notch golf courses to to help you unwind, relax and destress. Pristine green and premier accommodations are yours for the taking.

Moreover, California is full of many natural and man-made sights that are frequented by many tourists each year. There are beaches, mountains, lakes, infamous bridges and big city escapes for your post-golf activities. The mixture of many cultures makes this place vibrant and rich of varieties of tastes and cuisines. During the Xmas season, California becomes even more alive and exciting as a lot of people who wish to escape the cold come here.

Mexico

If you are looking for a fun filled holiday retreat where you can party, get lost and play a whole lot of golf, Mexico is the perfect place for you. This country is exquisite, vivacious and very alive. There is so much energy generated around by the locals, expats and visitors and every day spent here is fun and full of adventure. 

They’ve got a lot of outstanding golf resorts here that are favorites of World Champions. The sun, unique flare and the natural beauty (caves, hidden beaches, secret lagoons and more) that Mexico offers makes it easy for golf Holiday trip seekers to choose Mexico over any other place in the world.

Hawaii

Surf and golf holiday combo? If you are looking for a laid back escape to play golf and hit the beach, Hawaii is the top choice for you. Famous for its amazing blue waters, Hawaii’s got great green too. Located in Maui and Oahu, Hawaiian golf courses are surrounded by epic splendor: mountains, beaches, a volcano, palm trees and more! Warm all year, it is the perfect winter destination for just about anyone! 

There are many professional golfers who live in Hawaii, and why not? The way of life and the challenging golf courses is the ultimate combination to make this extraordinary paradise a number one golf vacation destination.

myRoundPro: A Must-Have App for Golf Trips

Frequent golf vacationers want nothing but a better game each time they visit a golf spot. And to achieve this goal, some vacationers turn to various gadgets marketed to have the potential to improve your golf. To name a few, there’s swing-optimizing smart watches, data collecting e-caddies, and hovercraft golf carts.  Unfortunately, all these golf dedicated devices tend to be practically expensive and can only be used when a golfer hits the link.

Fortunately, Microsoft teamed up with a distinguished company called TaylorMade and came up with golf-related apps that can be used on a daily basis – whether you are at a golf spot or not. The result of such collaboration is an analytics app that works with Microsoft Band fitness tracker.

For the uninitiated, Microsoft Band features a Golf tile that is fitted with algorithms, GPS, and accelerometers. This way, it can automatically calculate golf scores for every round. Microsoft, the high-tech company behind this app, prides that Microsoft Band is smart enough to differentiate a practice swing and an actual shot. It features sensors programmed to detect impact of the ball to the club. In addition, it can also fill in scores once it senses that the player has taken his last shot on a hole. Users of this app need to manually record scores if other players are not using it yet; but it really acts like an invisible scorekeeper.

Scores for each round of game played while on golf trip as well as GPS data are linked to a carefully researched and well-tested analysis tool called myRoundPro – a software based on an internal tool that was developed by TaylorMade to test club performance on actual golf courses. For the record, members of the UCLA golf team have been using this technology to analyze and improve golf performance – but this is the first time it was tied to a consumer product.

So what does myRoundPro do? Essentially, such system provides every golfer a mapped-out view of every round of golf played. It offers a sliced-and-diced data for every shot and swing executed – without any special golf ball or anything attached to the club or whatever gadget other than the fitness band itself. Interestingly, myRoundPro tracks distance covered for each drive, the average score over time, as well as the number of fairways hit. It also maps out each shot on the overlay of the course played.

The best thing about this app is that it is fully automatic, requiring only a few manual steps to set up. Golfers only need to search and select a course from TaylorMade’s 18,000 golf vacation spots in the Microsoft Health mobile app. Players would later have to select the tee box they plan to use for each round. Afterwards, golfers can practice swing to calibrate the system and get it ready for many more rounds.

Eating Healthy on your Golf Trip

Just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean that your diet should be, too. As what you eat determines your performance, you’ll need to have a solid diet plan when you’re going on a golf trip.

More than just about improving your health in general, proper nutrition can help boost your golf performance. It’s a no-brainer. Eating healthy means your mind stays sharp enough to make tough decisions, and you have sufficient energy to play all 18 holes.

So before you grab that bag of chips for a quick energy boost, read on to know what you should be munching on your golf vacation:

Eat or drink

• Water – Chugging down at least 8 glasses of water daily can help you keep hydrated, especially when you’re teeing off under the heat of the sun. Loss of water can lead to dehydration, which can affect your performance and physiology.

• Small frequent meals – Spreading out your meals throughout the day allows you to replenish your energy levels without bogging you down post meal. Experts recommend 5-6 small meals instead of the usual 3 big meals.

• The power combo – Your meals must consist of the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in order for you to have enough energy to finish all 18 holes. This trio also ensures that you are getting the right nutrients into your body.

• A healthy snack. Forget chips. Go for snacks that are jam packed with fiber and other nutrients for a healthy digestion and lots of energy to finish the course. Go for fruits or a bag of nuts for a quick mood and energy booster, and you’re all set for a good match.

Avoid

• Alcohol and caffeine. Take it easy on the alcohol and caffeine. Both are diuretics and can cause dehydration. In addition, they can also affect your performance. Caffeine can over stimulate your mind and muscles, thus making your performance less controlled, while alcohol is on the other side of the spectrum. Too much of it, and you’ll suffer loss of coordination.

• Food rich in sugar. Sugar-based food will only give you a quick jolt of energy, but once blood sugar rapidly plummets after a temporary high, you’ll be on an express train to exhaustion.

• Binging 2 hours before tee time. When you have food in your digestive tract, blood gets diverted away from your brain and muscle, which explains why you feel lethargic after a heavy meal. This is another reason why you need to spread out your meals to 5 small ones instead of 3 big ones. But with that said, you must also avoid;

• Skipping meals. Playing on an empty stomach is just as bad as teeing off on a full one. You’ll need a steady release of energy to get you through the long play. Going for small meals fuels you throughout the day without slowing down your metabolism (and yourself) and prevents sugar highs and lows.

It is important to note that your brain consumes 20% of the calories your take in. And if you’re fuelling your brain (and body) with the right type of food, you’ll be able to think on your toes all throughout the 18 holes.

Stay healthy. Have a great golf trip!

Golf Tips: How to Make More Birdies

Golf birdies don’t always happen by pure chance; these come as a result of excellent golf conditions and great golfing skills. Professional golfers share the following tips on how to make more birdies:

Be familiar with your yards. While on a golf trip, carefully observe professional golfers on tour and observe how they manage to almost accurately estimate how far every club in their golf bag goes. While it is essentially impossible for a beginner or an average golfer to be precise, most golfers tend to have a close idea of how far they hit each club.

The next time you go on a golf vacation, spend at least an hour on each range. Hit 5-10 shots with each club and figure out the average distance each club in your bag flies. This will give you an idea how to hit more greens and make more birdies.

 Devise a game plan and stick with it. Make a detailed, strategic game plan for every shot you want to hit at the golf course. Know exactly where you want to land your golf ball and swing your way to it.

Some golfers do not always have pin sheets for each round of the game but, whether you’re up for a competition or simply going on a golf vacation, at least plan your rounds a few days ahead.  Focus on a target each time you play and be determined to follow your game plan.

If you are a beginner, start at the green. Identify your target and know where you should be hitting from as you approach the greens. Then imagine where you’ll be hitting next to get to your ideal approach shot.

Establish control. If you’ve been watching golf tournaments, you might have noticed that some golfers tend to choke up on the club and make shorter, more controlled swing. In case you don’t know it yet, shorter, more controlled swings result to more precision and less error.

Like any other skills, control on golf clubs does not happen overnight. You might have to make several trips to your favorite golf vacation destinations so you can practice your swing as well as your game plans.