by Mike Sigers on January 22, 2010
As I sit here wondering where to take my next golf vacation to, I notice the Food Network in on the TV in the next room and my wife is watching an old Iron Chef replay and one of her favorite Iron Chef’s is cooking some kind of French-fusion cuisine.
Hmmm….maybe France would be a nice place to play golf, do a wee bit of fine dining and travel by train. Sounds pretty durn fine now, don’t it?
And if you’re gonna play golf someplace you’ve never been, why not play the best of the best?
So I did a little investigating and I found the 5 best golf courses in France and found out a little more about them.
Here’s what I found:
1) Morfontaine – This course dates back to about 1913, when the Duke of Guiche obtained permission from his father to transform an old polo pitch in the park of Vallière into a 9-hole golf course for the pleasure of the Duke and his friends.
The opening ceremonies included professional golfer James Braid, who played against French champions Jean Gassiat and Arnaud Massy.
Pretty snazzy beginnings and even today it’s mentioned in the same breath with Royal Lytham & St Annes and Ballybunion, so I’m sure it would be a great golf experience.
2) Les Bordes – Private since about March of ‘08, so you can only get so much info, but I did find that Les Bordes was the brainchild of Baron Marcel Bich.
It was designed by Texan, Robert von Hagge, and it’s been said that when he designed this beast he was at his most wickedly creative.
Les Bordes opened for play in 1986 and it’s a supreme challenge. The unforgettable Jean Van de Velde holds the current course record of 71 (one under par) so don’t show up with your fake 6 handicap and try to tell them you’re gonna set the fairways on fire.
Les Bordes has a slightly American feel to it, both in terms of the design and impeccable conditioning but it leaves no doubt that you are in France. There is more style here on this tournament condition layout than just about any other course in France.
3) Golf de Chantilly – One of the most beautiful courses in all of Europe and set amongst the forest of the Ile de France, about 30 miles north of Paris.
It was originally built 1909 and has played host to numerous French Opens, including the 1913 French Open.
The very best have golfed their ball here at Chantilly, including the great Bobby Jones from long ago and The Golf Channel’s Nick Faldo from recent memory. Faldo even won the French Open.
The whole Chantilly experience is very traditional and it’s said that it has a very distinct British feel. With 36 holes (Le Vineuil and Les Longères) and a clubhouse that is very reminiscent of that at Sunningdale, you may doubt that you are indeed in France?
So there you have a great start to planning a European vacation and getting ready to play golf in France.
There’s no way I can cover it all in one blog post, but I hope it’s got you thinking about the possibility of some very fine French cuisine, some very stylish golf attire, some very friendly people and some darn good golf.
by Mike Sigers on December 7, 2009
What is the one thing a golf equipment manufacturer could ask, tell, show or give you that would cause you to buy a new golf club?
Leave you answer in the comments section below this post.
One man’s (or woman’s) question is another man’s answer.
One single thing.
The one most important to you.
One thing.
Let’s tell ‘em what we want and make ‘em beg to give it to us!
It’s that time of the golf season for most of us.
The time when we sit back and wait for the manufacturers to bombard us with the new features of their new golf clubs.
They always have features, but they never have benefits.
High C.O.R? Who cares. What will it help me do? Drive the ball farther into the weeds?
Higher Moment of Inertia? Who cares? Will it really take 3 strokes off my game? Id so, why didn’t it do it this year?
Thinner face? Thicker topline? Whoop-de-freakin’-do!
Features, features and more features.
I need benefits. It’s all about me. Tell me what it’ll help me do and then SHOW ME how to do that.
Money back if it doesn’t work will be nice too.
Then YOU GUYS have some skin in the game and not just me.
by Mike Sigers on December 7, 2009
Over the past few months, we’ve all seen lots of information . . . and misinformation . . . on the changes in the Rules of Golf regarding grooves on irons and wedges.
So, to set the story straight, EIDOLON Golf President Terry Koehler aka The Wedge Guy and award-winning golf journalist Steve Pike have written “The Spin Zone – The Real Truth About Grooves.”
This 24-page ebook is FREE for downloading at a new website:
www.GrooveSurvey.com.
This is the most comprehensive explanation of the new rules that has been published anywhere. You’ll learn exactly how and why the rule came about and how it will affect your golf and equipment purchasing, if at all.
GrooveSurvey.com also offers you a chance to take “The Great Groove Survey”, which will let you make your thoughts and feelings on the subject be heard.
I’ve already been there, taken the survey, signed up for further updates and downloaded the ebook.
No pain, no effort, no reason not to go, so do it now!
by Mike Sigers on December 6, 2009
Okay, so I don’t live in Saskatoon, where it’s 2 degrees as I write this.
But I am in western Kentucky and it’s about 31 degrees right now and not going to get a lot better til about April, which seems very far off.
Why am I crushing on Spain? Because it’s gonna be 68 degrees and sunny all week and it’s home to many events on the European Golf Tour.
Spain is also home to a fabulous La Manga Golf Resort, which is in La Manga, Los Belones, Cartagena.
For many years, La Manga has been the benchmark Spanish golfing vacations. It has been named European Golf Resort of the Year, several times, thanks to three fabulous championship golf courses and ultra-fantastic facilities of the highest standard. Bar none.
The South Course at La Manga is universally regarded as their premier layout and frequently hosts prestigious regional and national events, including the Spanish Open and European Tour Qualifying School.
The South Course was reworked by Arnold Palmer’s design team in the early 1990’s and was retooled again in 2004. The result is a fair but exacting test of golf, as are most golf courses worked on by Palmer’s design team.
La Manga’s North Course presents a different test of golf with tighter fairways and larger greens, neither of which play to my strengths this time of year. I like wide open fairway’s and smaller greens where my three-putt-itis doesn’t flare up as much.
You need accuracy and sound course management to get the best results when you play the 6,291 yard North Course. It also helps if you are a “shotmaker” and not a slash and banger, like me.
La Manga’s West Course is also considered a genuine championship layout, which means there are no bad courses or pushovers on this beautiful resort property.
Coming in at 6,529 yards, the West winds its way through pine trees and has more severe slopes than the other two layouts.
In fact, the West is the favourite of many repeat visitors, particularly because of its unique setting and outstanding views. Because the fairways are kinda tight, it’s prudent to play conservatively from the tee and when you couple that with the fabulous Par 3’s, you see why I would use my hybrid’s more than I normally would. That in itself leads to better scores and less time hunting the edges for golf balls gone astray.
Golf in Spain is always good, but at La Manga, good turns to great.
by Mike Sigers on October 26, 2009
The November issue of DETAILS hits stands in the next day or so and it has a great interview with Andrew Giuliani who’s ready to move past the Duke golf team scandal and step out Dad Rudy’s shadow.
Giuliani opens up to DETAILS about making amends with his father, playing golf with Tiger Woods, and making a run for the PGA Tour.
Click thru and give it a read.
Photo courtesy of DETAILS Magazine.
by Mike Sigers on October 14, 2009
Stan Utley, a well-respected short game instructor, announced the launch of his new website – stanutley.com (formerly
www.stanutleygolf.com). He also has a new Facebook Fan Page and Twitter account.
Those who are interested in learning more about Stan Utley can become a fan at www.facebook.com/StanUtley or become a follower at www.twitter.com/StanUtley.
I’m reading his latest book, The Art of Scoring, right now and will have a review in a few days.
The new website and social media platforms will feature current Utley news, instructional photos/videos and special offers. Guests, “fans” and/or followers will now have the ability to communicate directly with Stan or
other fans by posting comments, photos and video, while Utley can directly
respond back to his most loyal supporters instantaneously.
“My friends have asked me to get a little better at communicating what I am doing,” said Utley. “So, with an ‘all-in’ approach I have created my own new website, Facebook Fan Page and Twitter account. So far so good, I am finding these websites helpful and love all of the feedback that I am getting from my friends, fans and followers. Just remember, I am new to this stuff so bear with me a little as I work out the kinks.”
Stan Utley, 47, lives in Scottsdale, AZ and plays out of Grayhawk Golf Club.
He is a member of the PGA TOUR and ranks No. 6 according to Golf Digest’s
“America’s 50 Greatest Teachers.” Upon graduating from the University of
Missouri in 1984 where he was a three-time All-Big Eight selection and
two-time All-American, Utley turned pro and joined the PGA TOUR. Utley has one PGA TOUR victory at the 1989 Chattanooga Classic and holds a PGA TOUR record for fewest putts in nine holes with six at the 2002 Air Canada
Championship. Currently, Utley focuses most of his time teaching. His list
of students includes Sergio Garcia, Jay Haas, Darren Clarke and Paige
Mackenzie. Utley has also written three instructional books; The Art of
Putting, The Art of the Short Game and The Art of Scoring. To learn more
about Stan visit stanutley.com or become a fan at www.facebook.com/StanUtley and a follower at www.twitter.com/StanUtley.
I’m watchin’ you, following you and waitin’on some good stuff Stan!
by Mike Sigers on October 13, 2009
One of my really good friends goes to Tunica, Mississippi to play golf and gamble.
I only gamble by hitting a 5-iron instead of a hybrid.
That was a joke … a bad one, but a joke.
I do actually play some Nassau’s, some Skins Games, some Greenie’s and some Low Ball-Low Total.
I tend to lose becuase I won’t lie about my handicap.
My buddy also heads out to Vegas every now and then, plays golf and visits the casinos.
To help him out, since he’s a faithful reader, I decided to post a link to a guide to 10 Of The Best Casinos In The World.
From now on, when he’s in the mood to travel, play golf and gamble, he can just revisit this post, pick a number and go.
Heck, he could even turn it into a bucket list of sorts!
If you’ve visited any of these or played golf around them, leave us a comment and tell everybody about your experience.
by Mike Sigers on October 13, 2009
If you need another resource for public golf courses that you can play, stop by and see Jay and the gang over at Forelinksters.com.
All of the courses on the site have been published and rated by the members. So, at any given time, you’re able to search a city, state or country to find the top rated courses, as determined by the golfers who’ve played the courses.
You’re also able to establish a list of your favorite courses, and be advised of any updates or ratings to your course.
Additionally, you can contact other members who have published courses
to inquire further on their posting or for suggestions in other course they’ve played in their area.
The website’s only been live 120 days or so, and already there’s 2400 courses posted.
Give ‘em a try and tell ‘em Mike sent you!
by Mike Sigers on October 13, 2009
If you golf in Northern California, you need to check out golfpage.com for some coupons, specials and discounts.
My new buddy Randy says he adds things on an almost daily basis and wants to help you save money.
Stop by, give him a try and tell ‘em Mike sent you!
by Mike Sigers on October 13, 2009
We all need golf equipment and we need someone who cares about our needs.
The folks at NJGolfman seem to be just that kind of people.
They’re committed to providing their customers with access to brand name, top quality products at unbelievably low prices.
They’re a family-owned, brick and mortar golf shop and understand the importance of customer service, especially in the golf industry.
Their goal is to provide internet customers with the same integrated quality merchandise and service that our in-store customers receive.
If you’re in the neighborhood, feel free to stop by and tell ‘em Mike sent you!
They’re located at 610 Washington Street Hoboken, New Jersey 07030.
They also have 14000+ positive feedbacks on Ebay.com.
Give ‘em a chance to win your business!
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