And For Your Second Course...

Selected by Sports Illustrated as one of the Top Ten New golf courses in the world, We-Ko-Pa presents a unique alternative to the already upscale Scottsdale golf market. Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw have teamed together for the new course at Wekopa called Saguaro.

This design team, known for such highly touted courses as Bandon Trails, Sand Hills and Friar's Head in Baiting Hollow, NY are very excited about the new prospects at Wekopa. "This piece of land has some very interesting natural movement to it" said Crenshaw of the new Wekopa course. "I think this golf course will be pretty unique for the desert. People will be induced to play different shots and find solutions to new challenges when playing this course".
The new Saguaro course, located just north of the practice facilities, is scheduled to be open for play in December 2006.

Escena Golf Club - Newest Addition

We are thrilled to have Escena Golf Club in Palm Springs in Golf Zoo's stable. Escena is a Nicklaus Design cut out of raw desert in North Palm Springs and is certain to be a huge success. The grooming of the course is impeccable, the clubhouse and driving range will be coming soon.

Located near the Palm Springs airport, this is an upscale addition to golf on the western end of the valley which I'm certain will be well received. Next time you're booking a golf vacation with us, be sure to include Escena Golf Club, you won't be disappointed. The views of the surrounding mountains are awesome and the desert landscaping is simply beautiful. Enjoy !

A Pure Golfers Facility

I just returned from PGA Village in Port St. Lucie, Florida - what a wonderful experience! This PGA run facility has everything any golfer would want. There are 3 -18 hole courses designed by Tom Fazio (North and South courses) and Pete Dye (Dye course). The North and South courses are being renovated May - October of this year; after that, they should be even better than they are now. I played the Dye course, this is a unique links style golf course with a lot of variety.

For those players that like to practice and learn about their game, there's a 35 acre practice facility. This has it all - 15,000 sq. ft. putting green, 5 greenside bunkers with different sand from courses around the world, two 25-station chipping area, over 100 individual practice tees and an outdoor ampitheater reserved for student instruction.

If you really want to get into the mechanics of your golf swing - set up and appointment at the PGA Kinematics Lab. This part of the learning center provides essential movement assessments for greater game improvement.

The lodging will be anything from a hotel (Hilton Garden Inn - Sam Snead's Tavern) to Villa's (Kolter Resort and Sheratons Vacation Villa's). Closest airport is in West Palm - about 45 mins. south of resort.

In my opinion - if you want to enjoy great golf, great practice and overall game improvent - then PGA Village is the place for you and your group. If you have any other questions or have interest in booking your next golf trip, please call 888.333.6103 or go to www.GolfZoo.com.

Come Test Your Luck on the Gambler

King’s North at Myrtle Beach National is a must play on your next golf trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This is one of my all time favorite golf courses because it gives you so many options for risk/reward golf shots in a beautiful setting.

Home of the famous island green, featuring bunkers in the shape of “S” and “C” known as the South Carolina hole. Number 18, a 464 yard par four is framed by 42 individual bunkers. The most memorable hole on the course is the par 5 “Gambler.” On the tee box you are forced to make a decision to go for the island fairway and take a crack at the green in two or take the conventional route around the water.

For all you northerners out there who love their bent grass greens you are in luck as all three courses at Myrtle Beach National have the true rolling bent greens. Give the staff of Golf Zoo a call at 800.777.7650 and one of our experienced Golf Vacation Specialists will help you put together your dream golf vacation.

Play all day with breakfast and lunch included!

World Golf Village - St. Augustine, Florida -

If you like to play more than 18 holes in a day and have 2 meals included with it - then I have the place for you; the resort courses at World Golf Village -Slammer and the Squire, King and the Bear. These are two great golf facilities at one great property. During the months of July 1 through September 30, you can play all day with two meals. The Slammer and the Squire was designed by Bobby Weed with Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen as consultants. The King and the Bear is the only course in the US designed by Palmer and Nicklaus. A golfer can play all day with 2 meals for around $133 per day. The second round is not booked in advance, but day of play - 2 courses to choose from.

The only issues are summer aeration: King and the Bear (8/22 - 8/24), Slammer and the Squire (9/5 - 9/7). It looks like July 1 through August 21 would be perfect.

You have 4 different lodging options at the facility - Comfort Inn & Suites, Laterra Resort and Spa, WGV Renaissance Resort, and the Villa's at WGV. This package is for the diehard golfer that can deal with the heat, a lot of golf and a full belly. If this package interests you, please call 888.333.6103 to discuss.

Life in the Trap Golf Comic of the Week

Here is the new Life in the Trap golf comic strip this week!:

(click comic for a larger version)

Top 10 er... 15 Golf Vacation Planning Tips!

Getting pumped for that Golf Vacation that you have been thinking about all Winter? We have asked our Golf Vacation Specialists here at Golf Zoo what are their Top 10 Golf Vacation Planning Tips. Without further ado...

1. Plan ahead! If you want the "prime tee-times" you need to book months in advance. Many times package providers can book a tee-time six months before an individual can.
2. Work with an individual that knows the area well and plays golf - not a call center with no personal touch.
3. Make sure you know your dates of travel before you book or start quoting prices to your golf buddies. Golf travel prices are dictated by the time of year and one day can double the price. Ask when the rates change, and you can keep more of your change in your pocket.
4. Have a pretty clear cut idea on what each individual of your Golf Group wants to pay for the trip.
5. Be flexible with your tee times - everyone wants 8-9 AM, but remember that some courses offer reduced rates for late morning and early PM tee times.
6. If you can plan your golf trip to happen during the week - rates can be lower than weekends and less crowded on the course.
7. In some cases - Villas, Condos and Homes can be less expensive than hotels, and a lot more fun for the group.
8. If a deal sounds too good to be true it probably is. So do your homework and find out what kind of "deal" it really is.
9. Find out if you can pre-book replays and don't always plan on a tee time being available when you are done your first 18 holes.
10. Don't spend hours making phone calls, changing tee-times, and leaving credit card numbers when all you have to do is call Golf Zoo.

5 BONUS Tips!

1. Bring your balls...
2. And extra gloves as well
3. Bring your umbrella, even though it won't get wet in the garage
4. Get your golf shoes re-spiked, even if they haven't needed it since 1985

and finally:

5. Leave the pencil with the eraser at home - it's a dead giveaway...

Do you have your own tips that you would like to share? We would love to hear from you! Post your comments below!

CP's Top Three Scottsdale 36 hole combos!

Coming to Scottsdale, and want to get as much golf in as you can??? Here (in my humble opinion) are the best 36 hole days in the valley.

#1 - Gold Canyon - Sidewinder and Dinosaur Mountain

This is still my favorite 36 hole day. You've got both courses at the same facility, and it's good to warm up on the Sidewinder course in the morning, get your swing in shape, and grab a cold beer (and a prayer) at the turn to take on the formidable Dinosaur Mountain in the afternoon. It's a good 30-40 minute drive east from Scottsdale, but well worth it!

#2 - Golf Club at Eagle Mountain and SunRidge Canyon

Play two of the best tracks in the valley with Eagle and SunRidge - definitely play Eagle in the morning, as it's the more forgiving of the two - most of the fairways here are bowl shaped, so if you spray it a little off the tee, you're still O.K. Views are awesome, and Eagle has the best staff in the valley. Feeling confident? Super. Now we'll bury you on the back nine at SunRidge Canyon. SunRidge is a similar course as far as topography to Eagle, but MUCH MORE DIFFICULT. I think SunRidge has the best "3 finishing holes" in the state. #16, a true 3 shot par 5, then make sure to play from the tips at #17 - a ridiculous par 3 that's all carry over the valley, ending with a dog leg left long par 4 to finish. (No worries - you just gotta hit a 275 yard draw over fairway bunkers that are in play in order to have any prayer at par) You'll need a cold one after the back nine at SunRidge, but you'll HAVE to return...

#3 - TPC Stadium and Grayhawk Talon

For this one, you have to have 2 things... SOME GAME AND LOTSA CASH. Definitely one of the more expensive 36 hole combos, but worth the money if you wanna play where the pros do... Start at TPC Stadium, as the front nine is relatively gentle, and ends with a fantastic last 4 holes, then take the 10 minute drive north to Grayhawk Golf Club, where the clubhouse is spectacular, the service second to none, and the beer seems a little colder at Phil's Grill. Talon, a tougher test than TPC but not unfair for the typical hack if they play from the Terra Cotta tees. (5867 yards is all you'll want with this course if you're a 15 or more) I like Talon more than Raptor as it seems like the fairways are a little wider, and it has an island green on #17, "Devil's Drink" which is a great hole to take a little of your buddies pocket cash on a "closest to the pin" bet. Make sure to either have lunch before, or dinner after your round at Phil's Grill - great food and service, and some cool memorabilia.

Scottsdale has alot of great 36 hole days, but in my opinion, (and I've done 'em all), these are Scottsdale's "Top 3".

Great Happy Hours In Myrtle Beach!

After a day on the links in beautiful Myrtle Beach, South Carolina you are probably ready for an ice cold beer and some great food. But, chances are your low on cash after paying your gambling debts to your buddies. Well, here are some great happy hours that won’t cost you a lot of money.

Burro Loco- $5 Pitchers of Beer, Free Wings, Free Chips and Salsa, $3 Pizza, and ½ price Appetizers
Ron John’s- $5 Pitchers of Beer, $3 burgers, $.30 Wings
Liberty Steakhouse and Brewery- $2 micro-brew pints, ½ price Appetizers
Murphy’s Law Sports and Raw Bar- Dollar Drafts, $.35 wings
Master’s Gentleman’s Club-$2 bottles, $2.50 Vodka drinks
Overtime Sports Café- Daily drink and appetizer specials

If you are looking for other suggestions on golf, lodging, or restaurants give the knowledgeable golf vacation specialists at Golf Zoo a call (888) 777-7650.

Life in the Trap Golf Comic of the Week

Here is the new Life in the Trap golf comic strip this week!:

(click comic for a larger version)