Easy Guide to Playing Eco-friendly Golf

Golfers nowadays are buzzing about the recent development of eco-friendly courses in various golf vacation destinations. These courses are the environmentalist's dream, as they promote earth friendly ways of maintaining the courses immaculately green. They do this by engaging in sustainable practices in water use, chemical use, landscaping and preservation of the natural habitat of the area.

Gardeners and golf course overseers normally perform the job to preserve golf courses, but one of the most significant contributions in this trend is when players like you, support the “green movement” while you’re on the resort.

As you prepare for your golf vacation, you too can do your fair share of preserving the golf environment by doing the following:

·         Carrying a non-plastic water container. Yes, plastic water bottles are convenient, but bringing a non-disposable water container with you can help reduce a big amount of plastic waste in golf courses.

·         Throwing trash responsibly. As been told many times, keep your garbage off the green and into the bin. 

·         Pick up tees after play. Don't give the turf maintenance team a headache and don't leave your tees scattered around. You can also avoid creating trouble for other players.

·         Fix all ball marks. Learn to bend your back and cover up the ball marks sometimes. It is, after all, part of the golf course etiquette.

·         Use Eco-friendly products. Go green when shopping for your golf balls, tees, towels and other gears for your golf trip.

·         Avoid using golf carts. Riding them for comfort also produces air pollution, greenhouse fumes, and damages to the turf as they go. Leave the cart at the clubhouse. Walk instead.

·         Stay on the cart paths and take care of it. It would even be better to encourage the use of electric cars if there's none in your club.  Also, take great care of your cart as the maintenance will also take its toll on the environment.

·         Play only within the course boundary.  If you step beyond, there's a great risk of you causing damages to the surrounding flora. So learn how to stop and stay only within the designated area and just enjoy the view.  

So now that you have learned how to be a truly eco-friendly golfer– a true sportsman and defender of the environment- share these best practices with your favorite golf buddy and family, so they too will follow your league.

As more and more golf vacation destinations adapt to sustainable practices in the golf industry, you should do your share in minimizing your carbon footprint on the environment. Now that's a sure eagle!  

Preventing Common Golf Injuries

Going to a golf trip and playing golf are not like going to a court and playing basketball. Although, golfing is considered as less stressful sport and has many health benefits especially to seniors, nevertheless, running and constant repetitive swinging motions can cause pain in specific body parts.

To avoid, know these:

Preventing Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries are the most common spinal injuries when playing golf. These injuries are due to frequent movement and repetitive golf swings that cause muscles and ligaments strain. One common overuse injury is the neck pain which is a result from powerful swing and overstretching.

To prevent, consider to:

• Warm up before playing golf;
• Stretch your back and neck by placing the golf club behind the neck; and,
• Incorporate some relaxed golf swings to the warm up.

When suffering from overuse injuries, rest is the best remedy. Failing to rest the body can increase the pain and injury. For back pain, put ice on the sore muscles and have some rest until the pain is gone. If pain still persists, consider to have a massage or visit your clinic.

The Power of Proper Swing

A proper golf swing should be smooth and not jerky. The power of a golf swing should come from the transfer of force from all the muscle groups and not just one. If it is done improperly, it could result to forearm pain, chronic golf elbow and muscle sore.

To prevent this:

• Be conscious of your posture before and after swing;
• Avoid hunching over the ball;
• Spread your legs as wide as your shoulders; and,
• Make sure your weight is balanced on both feet.

If you are a starter, it's beneficial to consult a golf professional to learn the proper golf swing.

Watch Out for Excessive Sun Exposure

Especially in this summer season, it is recommended to stay re-hydrated and to wear some breathable suits while playing golf.

Moreover, carefully check out for signs of dehydration, heat stroke and over exhaustion. If you are experiencing rapid heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness and nausea, go back to your golf vacations resort and take some rest and consult a specialist.

To prevent these, make sure to:

• Wear sunblock (SPF 30 or above is recommended);
• Bring and drink water and/ or other liquids;
• Use umbrella and wear hat; and,
• Wear lightweight and breathable clothes (polyester, nylon or cotton).

Overall, strengthen your lower body and keep it flexible to prevent golf injuries. When playing under the sun, keep your body re-hydrated. Prevention is always a must to have a memorable and painless golf trip.

Walking vs. Riding a golf cart on the golf course

When you arrive at the golf course on your golf trip, you unload your clubs and approach the clubhouse to pay your fees. But as you speak with the cashier, you are suddenly faced with a dilemma: Should you walk or rent a cart?

Whichever you choose, both could benefit and impede your game. Here's how:

Benefits of walking:

• An ultimate calorie burner.  According to Ron Kapriske of golfdigest.com, an estimated 1,442 calories are burned by walking the 18 holes. Whereas by riding a golf cart, only 809 calories are burned.
• Helps you prepare for your next shots. Think about it – by walking, you can study the course layout, including the contours of fairways and greens, more easily than golfers who ride. Therefore, you will be able to judge breaks in greens, as well as landing areas.
• Makes you appreciate the course more. When you put your feet on the ground and walk the hills, you get an appreciation for nature and the beauty of the golf course.
• Allows you to socialize with your buddies. By walking a course with a friend or loved one, you can converse with them frequently, as you stroll fairways, approach greens, and search for balls together. This one-on-one interaction offers you an entirely different social experience than you will have if you choose to ride in a cart.

Downside of walking:

• Take up much of your energy. Sometimes, when you haven't been playing or walking a lot prior to the start of the golf vacation season, walking the 18 holes can be an arduous feat.  The energy you have spent on walking can affect the consistency of your swings.

Benefits of riding a golf cart:

• Golf carts make games more accessible. For the elderly, the frail, the disabled and younger children, golf carts deserve a considerable credit for making the game more accessible. If you're physically unable to tote your own golf clubs (even with a pushcart) or to walk the course, then by all means, hop in the cart and enjoy the ride.
• Some people believe that golf carts make the game move faster. And certainly many golf course operators love them; some mandate the use of carts and charge extra for the privilege.

Downsides of riding a golf cart:

• Lessen your focus. After you made your shots, your focus for the next five minutes is on driving the cart and interacting with whomever you’re riding with instead of thinking about your game and your next shot.
• Riding can slow down the game. Whether you’re parking the cart in poor locations, riding back and forth searching for balls, or walking back and forth to the cart to change clubs, riding could take up much of your time and energy.

For many golfers, walking is highly beneficial. However, some golf courses don’t allow it. So, know before you go. If you think it’s allowed on the golf course, then, walk on your golf trip.

You, too, can play golf on the PGA Tour's Florida Swing

Ever wonder how you would stack up against the PGA Tour Pros on the courses they play? Well you can have that opportunity with the Florida Swing on the PGA Tour.

While many of the venues that host PGA Tour events are private, here's a tidbit that might surprise: Of the four courses on the Florida Swing, all four are open to the public.

Yep, that means you can play through the Bear Trap at PGA National, site of the Honda Classic, or test your skills on the new and improved TPC Blue Monster at Doral, where owner Donald Trump hopes to land a U.S. Open some day. If you stay at Bay Hill in Orlando you might even run into the tournament host, Arnold Palmer. Or check out the beautiful Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, one of the favorites among PGA Tour players.

They're not cheap to play, of course, but you can get on, whether by booking a tee time or at least staying at the resort. Here's a look:

The Honda Classic, PGA National

Where can you find five championship golf courses, all in PGA Tour-quality shape, all at the same place? The answer: PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach Gardens. The Champion Course, which has played host to the Ryder Cup, PGA Championship and the Senior PGA Championship, is the host course for the first stop on the Florida Swing, the Honda Classic.

The course is renowned for its famous Bear Trap, holes 15-17 that perilously make their way through a series of lakes and water hazards with no bailout in site. Catch on a calm day, and with a little skill, you have a chance to make it through unscathed. But even the best players in the world tremble through these holes when the wind's ablowin' and the tournament is on the line. All that said, this is a wonderful Jack Nicklaus-designed Florida golf course that's very memorable.

Best part is you'll like the other courses, too. They include the linksy Palmer Course, the traditionally designed (George and Tom) Fazio Course (formerly The Haig) and the Squire, which pays tribute to Gene Sarazan.

Also, the 379-room resort has undergone a $65 million renovation, which means updated rooms, a fabulous lobby bar and terrific restaurants. My favorite part, aside from the golf, is the 40,000-square-foot spa, which offers its outdoor mineral pools, dubbed the Waters of the World.

WGC-Cadillac, Doral Resort

My GolfAdvisor colleague Jason Deegan says the word "opulent" doesn't begin to describe the new Trump National Doral Miami, where they play the World Golf Championships-Cadillac Championship. Pretty much everything is new and spiffy.

The Donald bought the old worn-out resort when it was in bankruptcy in 2012 and vowed to make it U.S. Open worthy and then some. Basically, the 809-acre resort got more than a facelift; it's a complete makeover, including the famed Blue Monster Course, which is now more than 7,500 yards.

The pros will get their first look at the course -- which was extensively altered by architect Gil Hanse -- in competition this March. You can be sure that it will have its old bite and then some, including the 18th, one of the toughest finishing par 4s in the world. Tiger Woods has won there three times, by the way. The course, which used to have six holes with water hazards, now has 14.

Like PGA National, though, there are four other courses at Doral, including the McLean Signature Course, designed by resident teaching pro Jim McClean, and Greg Norman's Great White Course, which was redone in 2005. As part of the recent renovations, the resort also got a new lighted driving range and TaylorMade Performance Lab.

Valspar Championship, Innisbrook Resort

It might surprise many casual golfers to learn that the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort near Tampa is one of the favorites among PGA Tour players, especially those who live in Florida. Paul Azinger, who resides in nearby Bradenton, said it was "the best course we play on tour," and Stewart Cink said it's good enough to host a U.S. Open.

Designed by Larry and Roger Packard, the course opened in 1974 and has hosted numerous pro events, including the Valspar Championship every mid-March. Playing more than 7,300 yards, the par 71 doesn't have a Bear Trap but rather a Snake Pit, which is the finishing stretch on the Copperhead Course.

Again, the beauty of Innisbrook is that there's more golf at this resort.

The recently renovated Island Course plays more than 7,300 yards and has hosted both NCAA Championships and U.S. Open Qualifiers, while the North Course and South Course, although shorter, still have plenty of fangs.

Arnold Palmer Invitational, Bay Hill

If you're an Arnold Palmer fan, have ever drank an Arnold Palmer or just like to walk in the footsteps of a legend, you've got to figure out a way to play out at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando.

Host of the Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by Mastercard, the surest way to play the course is to stay at the intimate hotel there. The best part about this whole experience is that you might catch a glimpse of Mr. Palmer at the club. And not that I'm encouraging you to bother him at lunch or on the range, but he's always been fairly approachable.

The course, designed by Palmer and Dick Wilson in 1961, may not be one of the country's best, but it's well above average with several memorable holes. The sixth is one of the best par 5s anywhere, racing around a lake that dares long hitters to cut off as much as they can off the tee shot and approach, making it one of the greatest risk-reward holes in the world. And the finishing hole, with water to cover on the second shot, is pretty memorable as well. Just ask Tiger, who has secured several of his ridiculous eight wins there with long, clinching putts.

Mission Inn Resort & Club: More than meets the eye

Mission Inn Resort & Club is a hidden gem. Here is a description of the property and what it has to offer.

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. -- You sort of know what to expect with Mission Inn Resort & Club just north of Orlando. As Drew Toth, director of sales and marketing, says unapologetically, "This isn't the Ritz-Carlton," so you might expect a pretty blue-collar resort.

And that's true, to a point, until you realize that the clientele runs the gamut.

There's something about this place that appeals to everyone. Sure it's not the Ritz, the Omni and even the Hyatt -- there are plenty of those -- but you won't find anything quite like the Spanish Colonial-style Mission Inn Resort.

It has a golf course that dates back to 1917, a tennis academy, plenty of meeting space and some of the best wedding settings in the state. This is the old "sum of the parts exceeds the whole" scenario. What you see isn't all you get. And you can't underestimate the value of a personal touch.

This unique property has been owned for the past 50 years by the Buecher family, which is still active in the day-to-day operations. Maybe that's why you feel like you're part of that family when you're here. But beyond that, there's simply a pretty good product there -- has been for years -- even if it's not particularly glitzy.

Mission Inn's El Campeon golf course

For golfers, it starts with the older of the two golf courses. Mission Inn's El Campeon Course, designed by Chicago's George O'Neil in 1917 and enhanced in 1926 by Charles E. Clarke of Troon, Scotland, has as much character as you'll find in any Florida golf course. It's been the site of NCAA championships, state tournaments and local pro events for decades.

These are not cookie-cutter holes on a typical flat piece of Florida land. The finishing stretch includes a par 4 with an island green surrounded by sand, palm trees and water on the 16th, an adventurous, tough par 5 and a dogleg-right par 4 that plays over water off the tee.

The 6,800-yard par-72 course is one of the two or three hilliest in the state, with elevation changes up to 93 feet that come into play on several holes, not only from elevated tees, but also approaches that add a club or two going back up the hill. That may not sound like a lot to folks who play in other parts of the country, but in Florida, that's huge. And many of the greens have false fronts and quite a bit of slope.

"Every hole will give you something to think about," said a GolfAdvisor reviewer. "Playing this course was truly a gift. Cannot wait to return."

Another reviewer chimed in: "An absolute must for any golfer in Central Florida. It is the unique jewel of all the courses in Central Florida."

As for the other course at Mission Inn, Las Colinas, it's enjoyable, too, and certainly a test, but not nearly as memorable. This 1992 Gary Koch design is spread out and not walkable like El Campeon. Still, it complements the other course and gives resort guests two options.

The rest of the story at Mission Inn Resort

If you're staying at the resort on a weekend, you might want to ask for a room away from the lobby. The reason: wedding traffic. Mission Inn does a lot of it, and wedding guests like to celebrate. They're not always quiet when they roll in late at night. So just ask for a room a little farther out -- at least for the weekend -- unless you plan on crashing their party.

I bring this up because much of the same thing that attracts wedding parties -- setting and value -- appeals to golfers as well. The resort has a marina, a poolside bar, pool room, fitness center, nice spa and really good food. I was particularly impressed with the Saturday night prime rib and seafood buffet. Even if you're on a diet, you might enjoy the sushi, crab legs, fish and fresh vegetables. If you're not watching your weight, you can graze for a couple of hours. Be sure to top it off with a sundae and a bread pudding.

If you're like me and play tennis, too, you'll love the tennis facilities, which not only include hard courts, but also six har-tru claylike courts as well as the Cesar Villarroel Tennis Academy. Villarroel is a former Bolivian Davis Cup player who has been at the resort for 25 years, and he knows how to teach, not only in terms of strokes, but strategy as well.

There's also eco-touring, fishing, volleyball, skeet shooting and excursions into the nearby town of Mount Dora. And the resort's 30,000 square feet of meeting space not only attracts wedding parties, but also corporate retreats.

Here is the Golf Zoo hot deal for this great resort. Feel free to contact glen@golfzoo.com to plan your next trip.

http://www.golfzoo.com/-screen-scnSell_Special-_ispost-1-.htm

Orlando Top 10 golf courses by player ratings

Here are the top 10 rated courses in Orlando, rated by the players. You can contact glen@golfzoo.com to set up your Orlando golf package.

Top Rated Courses In Orlando Area

 Courses with the highest golfer ratings (minimum 10 reviews to qualify)

1. 
   

   Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge

   
   

   Winter Garden, Florida, USA

    (30)
2. 
   

   Waldorf Astoria Golf Club

   
   

   Orlando, Florida, USA

    (225)
3. 
   

   Mission Inn Resort & Club

   
   

   Howey in the Hills, Florida, USA

    (212)
4. 
   

   Bella Collina Golf Club

   
   

   Montverde, Florida, USA

    (174)
5. 
   

   Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes Orlando

   
   

   Orlando, Florida, USA

    (161)
6. 
   

   Red Tail Golf Club

   
   

   Sorrento, Florida, USA

    (263)
7. 
   

   Grand Cypress Resort

   
   

   Orlando, Florida, USA

    (205)
8. 
   

   Grand Cypress Resort

   
   

   Orlando, Florida, USA

    (192)
9. 
   

   Celebration Golf Club

   
   

   Celebration, Florida, USA

    (450)
10. 
    

    Falcon's Fire Golf Club

    
    

    Kissimmee, Florida, USA

     (339)

Getting Ready For Golf

Most golf vacation resorts offer some teaching lessons to their guests who are interested to play golf. In golf, a lot of factors that must be considered in order to create a good round to your fellow players; not just about strong swings. There are many benefits that you can get while playing golf. Because of that, more people have become willing to take on a new sport. By playing golf, people can stimulate their minds by calculating accurate distances, as well as trajectories. Not to mention the fact that the wind also affects the outcome.

Given these facts, you don't have to be a super computer to do the calculations. Fair estimates will work and applying the right amount of force during swings is the key. In order to deliver the best swing, golfers must know the basics which include the right position and body posture when hitting the ball. As long as the players have mastered the basics, then having golf vacations can be as enjoyable as watching your favorite football team score their winning shot. The only difference is that you're the one making the shot in golf.

Strategically placed sand bunkers test every player's shot making skills all throughout their golf trip. Golf requires players to analyze the course before diving in it. A golf course can have various and surprising elevation changes in which affect the rolling of the ball when it hits the grass. Aside from that, the type of grass being used in a course also affects friction (when the ball is rolling) thus making it difficult for players to arrive in the most accurate estimate. Putting these factors together, the sand bunkers, water hazards, elevation changes, and grass variation from greens, fairways, and roughs, makes golf an interesting sport that combines physical abilities to mental advancement in order to have a good round. This is a very good physical and mental stimulation which can regulate blood flow, burn calories, and tone muscles.

Imagine having all these challenges in one sport. Golf can render the adrenaline rush and the relaxing ambiance at the same time. Furthermore, several golf trips allow you to interact and have fun together with your family, friends, or co-workers that's why having to question why people love golf is a big understatement. For someone who may not have given golf a chance yet, go for it. You won't regret the decision to take a swing at trying something new!

Staying Healthy and Fit By Golfing

A golf trip with the family is truly a relaxing way to enjoy a vacation. Most of the time, people get a lot of stress from work and at home. One of the ways to cope up with stress is to have a quality time with family and loved ones. Stress is not something that can be easily avoided. However, anyone can manage coping up with stress especially if an individual has the right attitude to get involve with various activities. If stress is not managed well it can cause more problems, especially when it comes to an individual's health. A person can obtain a lot of health problems if he allows stress to ruin their healthy lifestyle.

In this generation, more people have become worried about gaining weight. While it is not too late, many people are encouraged to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly. Too much work is not healthy, the body needs to rest and relax once in a while. There are plenty of healthy activities that you can do to relive any kind of stress. Taking a vacation is a great time to start doing these stress-relieving activities. One of these activities is learning how to play golf - or if you already know how to play, use it as a break from everything else you have going on. An individual can burn calories simply by playing golf. Walking, swinging and balancing are some of the requirements necessary to golf. Also, people who are committed in playing golf will usually join in a professional competition or make it their recreational activity every weekend or break.

Golf is a relaxing sport where people are surrounded with plush green golf courses. Golf courses are usually surrounded with beautiful scenery and a unique landscape. Aside from that, golf resorts are best known for having a peaceful and soothing environment. Golf vacations resorts are not only a place for people who desire to play golf since there are also other activities and entertainments depending on your chosen vacation package. Most golf resorts have swimming pools and beaches if their guests want a dip in the water after a day out on the green.

People who are interested to go on a vacation with their family can check out some hot deals from different travel guide and vacation destination sites. Apart from getting information online, other people can go directly to a vacation expert or a trusted friend to hear out if they have a perfect place for a golf trip to recommend.

Key To A Successful Golf Vacation

Having golf vacations allows an individual, a family, or merely a group of people to relax and take time off from their tiring jobs and day to day activities. By visiting several destinations, one can effectively release stress and improve health and wellness while at it. However, some novice visitors, guests, or golfers, find their vacations the other way around. Unsatisfied with meals, bad experiences on the course, bad customer service, super high rates and charges, and hundreds of other reasons can really ruin a supposed-to-be good vacation. Luckily, everyone can avoid this kind of experience with proper research and planning. The steps below show how you can really appreciate your golf trip for the rest of your life.

Careful planning ahead of time is the key to a successful vacation. Planning involves deep and thorough research in terms of various golf vacation destinations including their daily rates, weekly rates, or monthly rates, not to mention that the prices vary from season to season. Since distance is a hindrance (second to budget), it is quite easy to first pin point locations near you before taking your budget into account. The closer destination, the better. But don't let this concept cloud your decisions when it comes to finding places to stay and play. After picking out a handful of locations, you need to list their pros and cons. This may include rates, amenities, travel distance and cost, quality of service, as well as quality of courses. 

Make sure that the overall or the total cost of staying and playing in one resort is accounted for properly. After tallying the rates and the total cost to be spent while staying in a certain resort, consider the top 5 or 10 golf vacation resorts for further evaluation. Assessment in regards to customer service can be done by asking previous clients or by using the internet to find reviews from past clients who went to various resorts on your list. Do not just read one review per resort, as you need to read more than that to know if the reviews are reliable. Make sure you tally the positive and negative reviews, as well as their weight in your judgment. After doing this, discard the resorts with the most negative reviews and narrow down your choices to the top 5 resorts.

These resorts should offer competent golf vacation packages in order for you to save a little during your vacation. Listing all the amenities provided by each resort can help pin point which amenities and services matters to you the most. When you're down to your top three, select the resort with the most affordable rates and try it out for at least a day before booking your whole weekend. If you are not satisfied with the services, then you can transfer to another resort of your choice and enjoy your golf vacation.