Archive for the ‘golf course’ Category

Las Vegas Golf Courses, and the “Losers” Who Play Them

golf courses

It should come as no surprise that some of the most expensive golf clubs in the country are found in and around Las Vegas. It’s just not as easy as you might think to keep a lush green in the middle of a desert! That said, many private golf courses in the area don’t even list rates, so one can only guess how steep the rates actually are. But there are still a number of private and public courses where you can go and play a great round of golf – and still leave the green with some greenbacks in your wallet.
I lost at blackjack last night but I still have $50 left. . . can I play golf, or should I just head over to the slot machines instead?
Well, I guess that all depends on just how lucky you feel. But if you are tired of giving the casinos all of your money, and want to take advantage of the great golf courses Las Vegas has to offer, then you are in luck. . . maybe. A growing concern for those wanting to play on the golf courses in the Las Vegas area is the fluctuating rates. Hey, we’re all used to rates changing due to seasons, lighting conditions, reservations. . . the works. But some of the golf courses in Las Vegas have divided the seasons up in ever-more-imaginative ways, that seem to try and squeeze every last possible dollar out of the green. However (and this is subject to change, so DEFINITELY try to book some green time as far in advance as possible), the following golf courses can be played for $50 or less: Craig Ranch, Los Prados, and Eagle Crest.
I managed to escape the casinos with $100. . . golf anyone?
If you have been able to squirrel away a Ben Franklin, then a lot of the golf courses Las Vegas offers will gladly put you on the green. Now again, the rates at some golf courses are changing by the day, it seems – so be sure to check before showing up with only Ben. Those officially posting fees of $100 or less during the winter months are: Desert Rose, Las Vegas Golf Club, Painted Desert, Highland Falls, Palm Valley, Las Vegas National Golf Club, and the Rhodes Ranch. Oh, and for those not “in the know”, rates tend to be higher for golf courses in Las Vegas during the winter months, as the heat can be downright brutal during the summer. Oh yeah, Las Vegas is in the middle of a big desert, isn’t it?
I really need to stretch my golfing funds as much as possible. . . what options do I have?
No worries, my friend – sometimes the cards just aren’t rolling. You can save anywhere from $5-15 by walking golf courses instead of driving the carts. Not a great option during the heat of the summer months, but an option that can help stretch the dollar a little farther.
Twilight rates are another way to save money, but they can be very confusing. What is most confusing about the golf courses Las Vegas has to offer is that their twilight rates are not necessarily offered in the dying light. During the summer months, and due to the extreme heat, twilight hours tend to start in the late morning and early afternoon. In the winter, however, twilight hours occur at the end of the day, and it is not uncommon for golfers to not get in an entire 18 holes.
While Las Vegas does have many exclusive golf clubs, with prices so steep that they refuse to post them, there are a number of reasonably priced golf courses that offer some great greens at prices even the worst of gamblers can afford. Plus, if you are wise and plan accordingly, you can get those low prices even lower – and maybe even get in another round of golf to keep your mind off those lousy cards for a few hours longer! After a great round on the green, I can promise you that you will not leave Las Vegas feeling like a “loser” – even if your wallet tells you otherwise.

Golf Course Reviews: New York Golf Courses

If you live in the New York, there are many golf courses you can choose from to go enjoy your day.

Top 5 Golf Courses Near Paris

Going on a golf break in France has never been easier. With the Eurostar now faster and more popular than ever, Paris is only a comfortable two hour train journey from the centre of London. The French capital has numerous charms, and many golf enthusiasts will be loathe to trade the attractions of the city for the country while on a golf break in France. Luckily there’s no need to, as some of the best golf courses in France are within striking distance of Paris, allowing you to combine a visit to the capital with some rounds of classic golf.

The best golf near Paris is concentrated in three regions: Chantilly, Fontainebleau and Versailles. All three feature beautiful countryside and some outstanding golf courses; though Chantilly has the widest and best range of courses, there’s plenty to enjoy in Fontainebleau and Versailles as well.

Here are five of the best courses for a golf holiday near Paris:

Paris International Golf Club

The only golf course in France to be designed by the Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus, Paris International Golf Club is consistently rated by visitors as one of the best maintained and enjoyable courses to visit for golf near Paris. The club house has to be seen to be believed; it’s enormous, elegantly designed and has luxurious facilities that include a spa and a swimming pool.

Chantilly Vineuil

Widely reckoned to be the best golf course in France and ranked as one of the Top 5 golf courses in Europe, Chantilly Vineuil was designed by the legendary Tom Simpson at the beginning of the 20th- Century and is traditionally laid out and immaculately kept. This course has hosted the French Open numerous times, with Nick Faldo winning it here in 1989. It’s a challenging course – you’ll need to combine accuracy with power to avoid ending up in the woodland or numerous bunkers. Located 1 mile north of Chantilly and 30 miles away from the capital, the Chantilly Vineuil is one of the best options for golf near Paris.

Fontainebleau

Another classic Tom Simpson design, the Fontainebleau is arguably the most enjoyable of the three he designed in France. The golf course is set amidst the largest forest in the country and is ranked in the European Top 20 and World Top 100. It is often remarked that the landscape and layout have a remarkably English feel so this course (one of the oldest in the country) can provide a taste of home for those on a golf break in France. The art deco clubhouse is a real treat and a great place to relax between rounds.

Chateau d’Augerville

Situated near Fontainebleau, this course is something of a hidden gem out of all the golf courses near Paris. The design is unusual, tricky and rewarding. The variety of this course is what makes it so enjoyable – each hole presents its own unique challenge including a couple of blind shots that require a brave and steady hand. Diligent golfers will be rewarded on the 9th and 18th holes with a walk up to the beautiful 17th-Century chateau (also a luxury hotel), where you can take lunch on the terrace and watch other golfers as they try to tackle some of the more challenging holes.

Golf National Albatros

Now the home of the French Open, Golf National Albatros has been voted by the European Tour Pro’s as the second best course on the entire European tour. It’s not for the faint hearted and is renowned as one of the toughest golf courses in France. With its tricky fairways causing pros and amateurs alike more than a few headaches, it’s a true Championship course. However, if you’re feeling brave enough to tackle it you’ll be rewarded with a great round of golf on one of the best designed courses in the world.

The Most Famous Golf Courses in Scotland

As the pound continues to tumble against the Euro, UK golfers looking to travel abroad may find themselves frustrated by the increased cost of travel, accommodation and green fees in Europe. Traditional golf holiday destinations such as France and the Algarve have become more expensive, but the increased cost of golf abroad is the perfect excuse to rediscover some of the finest golf courses in the UK.

Keen players looking for the perfect UK golf break need look no further than Scotland -its dramatic combination of coastal and mountain scenery provides a stunning backdrop for a golf holiday, and Scotland’s numerous championship courses are favoured by the very best players in the world. It is the home of the links course – flat coastal courses with few trees or water hazards, where the wind can have a dramatic effect on your game. While the Scottish links design has been much emulated around the world, it has never been bettered.

There are literally hundreds of courses to choose from in Scotland, including many of the world’s biggest and best alongside countless smaller hidden gems. But if you want to play on the most famous and world renowned courses on your golf holiday in Scotland, here are five that you simply must play…

The Ailsa Course

The Turnberry Golf Club is perhaps the most famous in Scotland. It contains three courses, but it is The Ailsa that is the best and most challenging. Looking out across the Mull of Kintyre, the Isle of Arran and the castle of Robert the Bruce, it is certainly the most scenic golf course in Scotland. But there’s more here than fine views; the strong winds demand even stronger drives, the ninth hole (with a tee perched on the edge of the sea) is justly famous, and the course as a whole is an absolute delight to play on.

Kingsbarns Golf Links

Stunningly designed by Kyle Phillips, this course is a masterpiece of links craftsmanship that hugs the coastline – the North Sea is never out of sight. This intricate and demanding course is only a decade old, but is already ranked as one of the finest in Scotland. Watch out for the par five 12th hole, the signature hole on the Kingsbarns Golf Links. Kyle Phillips may be a Californian, but he has created one of the very best Scottish links courses in existence today.

Gleneagles Kings Course

There are a number of outstanding Gleneagles courses that are well worth playing on your golf holiday in Scotland, but the Gleneagles Kings Course is the pick of the bunch; it is truly a course worthy of kings. Designed by James Braid, it offers breathtaking views and superb design that has been delighting and challenging golfers since 1919.

Carnoustie Golf Links

Skilled golfers looking for a real challenge on a golf holiday in Scotland need look no further than Carnoustie Golf Links. Widely regarded as the most difficult course in the UK, it has hosted seven Open Championships in its time, with even the world’s best players often finishing well above par. But if you are up to the challenge, the Carnoustie will offer you a round of golf unlike any other in Scotland.

St Andrews Old Course

Often regarded as the oldest golf course in the world, it is believed that St Andrews Old Course has been in use for over six hundred years. Not only is it the oldest, it is widely rated as the best in the world. The natural terrain has hardly been altered to create the course, and playing golf here allows you to enjoy historic holes, classic scenery, and one of the finest rounds of golf that you can play in Scotland.

« Older Entries