Tag: tips

  • Bandon Dunes Resort – Travel Tips

    Bandon Dunes Resort – Travel Tips

    Bandon Dunes Clock

    Bandon Dunes Golf Resort has been a bucket list golf destination since the day it opened, and I found out for myself last summer what makes it a special place. After spending a week in Bandon in July 2018, I can’t say enough good things about the golf, accommodations, hospitality and the overall experience. Bandon Dunes truly is THE links golf mecca in the United States.

    Bandon Trails Par 3

    My only complaint was that it was so remote and hard to get to, but that’s just part of the experience. The most dramatic landscapes for golf often are in very remote areas. Developer Mike Keiser was warned about that, but he thought if the golf courses and overall experience were good enough that people wouldn’t care how remote the place is, and he was right.

    Bandon Dunes Bunker Stairs

    It has been one year since I walked the fairways of Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes, Old Macdonald, Bandon Trails and Bandon Preserve with my good buddies John, Tony & Bill. I still think about that trip on a weekly basis and look forward to returning someday. Since many people have yet to discover Bandon Dunes, and because it is such a unique experience, here are some tips to help plan your trip and get the most out of your visit!

    Bandon Dunes Travel Tips

    • Read Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes, by Stephen Goodwin which describes the process by which developer Mike Keiser found the land and proceeded to transform it into the most dramatic seaside golf resort in America. It’s a great read that will only help build anticipation for your trip. Plus, once you are there it’s awesome to be able to finally see in person what you read about in the book!
    • It pays to be prepared. Golf is walking only at Bandon Dunes, so if you are not in top physical shape you should prepare several months in advance by walking four or five miles a few times a week to get your feet and legs ready for the firm ground and rolling terrain.
    • To expand on the last thought – Bring a comfortable pair of shoes, some good socks, and some blister ointment and pads! I walked over 45 miles in 5 days. Take care of your feet!
    • The logistics of getting there can be a challenge. For our trip, we flew into Portland (PDX) and drove down in a rental car. It’s 256 miles and took about 4.5 hours. The more expensive but far more convenient option is to fly into Southwest Oregon Regional Airport (OTH) in North Bend which is serviced by United Airlines. From there it’s a much shorter 25-mile drive that takes about 35 minutes.
    • If I could do it again, I would have planned to spend more than 5 days in Bandon. Our plan was to get in, play 36 holes a day for 5 days, and get out. In retrospect, I would have loved a few off days to rest my feet and explore the town of Bandon or just relax at the clubhouse and soak in the views.
    • To the point above – Arrive early and spend your first afternoon playing the 13-Hole Par 3 Preserve Course, followed by some time after dinner on the massive Punch Bowl putting green. It’ll prepare you for the links experience and help you get used to the greens.
    • Speaking of the Preserve, play the 13th hole with a putter only. It’s an unwritten tradition. The hole plays abut 100 yards, straight downhill. Check out our video of the hole here.
    • Expanding on the “putter from 100 yards” concept – You need to embrace the ground game at Bandon. Don’t just reach for the 60-degree wedge around the greens. Many times using a putter or chipping with a 7-iron will be more successful. Use your imagination! Take these two shots for example…
    • Get Mamma’s Meatloaf in McKee’s Tavern. It’s all about comfort food at Bandon, and if you are walking 36 a day you’ll need the carbs!
    • Take advantage of the replay rates to play 36 holes a day for maximum value. Your second round of the day is half price!
    • If you plan to play each course more than once, which is recommended, schedule your tee times to play each course both in the morning and in the afternoon. The conditions are often completely different! (wind)

  • Challenge Yourself With The Worst Ball Scramble

    There’s a popular saying in sports: Practice makes perfect. Short game guru Dave Pelz came up with a better one: Perfect practice makes perfect. Having studied the way golfers work on their games for years, I can make two educated assumptions about the average weekend golfer and their practice habits.

    1. Most golfers don’t spend enough time practicing.
    2. Not enough of that time is spent working on the short game and putting.

    Golf is one of those games that rewards you proportionally to the work you put into it, so it’s not hard to see why the average golfer doesn’t improve from season to season. Since most people don’t have the time to dedicate to practice golf, you have to maximize the time you get to help you improve.

    When I was in college I frequently skipped class to play golf tried to schedule my days in such a way that I could play golf between classes, and when playing golf alone I started inventing games to keep my mind and game sharp. One of these games was a worst-ball scramble. Like many people do when playing alone, I played two balls on every hole. In a normal scramble you would hit two shots, select the best shot of the two, then proceed to hit two balls from that spot and so forth until you hole out.

    The worst ball scramble is the exact opposite. The player hits two shots, then selects the worst shot between them and hits the next two shots from that location, then continues hitting from the worst ball until the ball is holed out. This game is very difficult, which also makes it fantastic practice for your game and your mind.

    • Worst ball scramble forces you to focus and concentrate on hitting two good shots every time, because you will be playing your next shot from the worst of the two
    • Worst ball will test your patience and mental fortitude. Nothing is more frustrating than hitting a shot close to the hole knowing it won’t count because you missed the green with your second shot.
    • In order to hole out and move to the next hole, you must make a two putts in a row, since the worst shot on the green would be a missed putt.
    • You’ll find that your thought process on the course becomes much more conservative. You’ll be much more inclined to hit something other than a driver off the tee in order to stay in play, and you will tend to aim your approach shots towards the middle of the green with greater frequency. This conservative mindset is common in the pro game, but most amateurs simply aim for every flag and usually pay the price with higher scores.
    • Playing a worst ball scramble is great practice because you will likely hit as many shots in 18 holes as you would in 3 normal rounds of golf, especially on and around the greens. Extra reps!
    • I’ve seen touring professionals shoot 85 playing this game with me. There is nowhere to hide. Playing worst ball will immediately identify the area(s) of weakness in your game.

    If you play golf alone or in a twosome, worst ball is a fantastic and challenging game to play. It will help you work on the weak areas of your game and help you focus and force you to plot your way around the course in a conservative way, which will help any golfer in the long run. Give it a try the next time you have a lazy Sunday afternoon to spend on the course. Just bring plenty of golf balls!

  • Cold Weather Golf – 10 Tips

    cold weather golfFor those of us fortunate enough to live in warm weather states like California, Texas, Arizona and Florida, we get to play golf year round. Lately however, a cold snap has struck in the US and virtually every spot in the nation has seen freezing temperatures. I was born and raised in Canada and the Northeastern US, so I’m no stranger to cold weather golf. Although I now call Florida home, even we aren’t totally immune to the cold. In fact, I remember one morning a few years ago in Orlando when it was actually colder than Juneau, Alaska! With the high humidity in the air down here, 40 degrees feels more like 20. Being from Canada (and also being slightly crazy), I’ve played plenty of golf in cold, miserable conditions. My friends here in Florida usually stay inside when it drops below 60, but sometimes they venture out for a round, and their lack of preparation leads to a crappy day, and crappy scores! So without further ado, here are my tips for playing your best cold weather golf!

    10 Tips for Cold Weather Golf

    Tip #1 – Be realistic! Understand that the ball isn’t going to go as far or spin as much in the cold. You also have to be prepared for the fact that you can’t go out there with the same strategy as a normal day. Be prepared for a tough day and stay mentally tough.

    Tip #2 – Keep your hands warm! This is the single most important tip for cold weather golf! Your hands are your only link to the club, and you need feel to play good golf. If your hands are frozen, you lose all your feel and your game will suffer, especially around the greens. Get yourself a nice pair of mittens and/or some hand warmers for your pockets. Wear the mitts whenever you aren’t hitting a shot, and take them off prior to hitting.

    Tip #3 – Cover your head and ears! Some say that between 7 to 55 percent of your body heat can be lost through your head. Whatever the science is behind it, it’s smart to cover your head and ears with a wool hat or ear warmers. You’ll be more comfortable. Get yourself a nice ski tuque like mine, and at the very least it will be a great conversation piece!

    Tip #4 – Play a softer ball. Golf balls don’t have compression ratings any more since wound balls went away, but some balls are softer and in cold weather you’ll want a ball that is easier to compress. A hard rock ball like a Top Flite XL will feel like a steel ball bearing on a cold day, so opt for a softer option, like the new Srixon Q-Star.

    Tip #5 – Use more club! Check the ego at the pro shop bruiser, the ball doesn’t go as far in the cold. You might have to take one for the team and hit 2 more clubs on every approach shot, but at least you’ll be sure to get to the hole. Because the ball doesn’t go as far, also consider playing one tee up from your normal length. There’s nothing that will ruin a day faster than having to hit three wood into every par three and four.

    Tip #6 – Channel your inner Scotsman and play the ground game. If it’s bitter cold outside, it’s likely the ground will be hard too. So use that to your advantage and play some run up shots and bump and runs. Forget the flop shot in the cold, as the ball won’t spin, the greens are harder and if you aren’t wearing mitts, your hands will feel like steel pliers on that lob wedge.

    Tip #7 – Dress in layers. It might keep you warm, but wearing your ski parka will turn your golf swing into a slap shot. You simply can’t make a full turn in a jacket. Instead, wear a turtle neck or insulating layer followed by a shirt and thin sweater or wind shell. This layered approach will keep you warm and still allow you to make a full golf swing. You can always wear that jacket between shots if it’s really cold, but take it off when you hit.

    Tip #8 – Don’t stop drinking fluids! Many people will substitute water and Gatorade with coffee and hot cocoa when it gets cold, and their game suffers. Your body still needs nutrients and hydration even when it’s cold, and coffee just doesn’t cut it. So, have your hot cocoa, but don’t forget to take a few sips of that sports drink every hole to stay properly hydrated.

    Tip #9 – Hit it solid! That should be a no-brainer and it’s not really a tip, since the goal of every golf shot should be solid contact. But seriously, you’ll know what I’m talking about the first time you take a mighty lash with a 3 iron and hit it a few grooves too low. Ouch!

    Tip #10 – Relish the challenge. Tom Watson got it. He loved playing in adverse conditions. You see, he knew that half the field was virtually eliminated before they even started because they dreaded being cold or getting wet and didn’t really want to be there. I love playing in harsh conditions for the same reason. If my opponent is hating life out there, I have the advantage because I’m much less likely to get rattled by the conditions. So relish the challenge of cold weather golf and take solace in the fact that most everyone out there with you is miserable! At the very least, it will make you feel better.

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