A Golf Vacation For the Entire Family

A golfing trip can be the perfect vacation whether you’re an avid golfer or just play for fun. Even those that play golf will each prefer something different for their golf vacation.

For some, the highlight of a golf trip would be having perfect weather for golfing all day and strolling the beach at night. Golfers that are always striving to better their game may want inclement weather and many hazards on the course to make them play better under adverse conditions. They may also love the idea of playing on a course where professional golfers such as Arnold Palmer or Tiger Woods have played. Who knows whom they may run into on the course?

Golfing is a serious game for many people, men and women alike. In the past, golf was more a game enjoyed by men so couples would mix golf and travel together to get the perfect vacation. With so many different golf balls and accessories, golf no longer needs to be played only during daylight hours. There are glow-in-the dark golf balls and fluorescent golf balls, which both make playing golf at night much more fun and challenging. Because of these brightly designed balls, winter golf is more popular than ever as there is no longer the chance of not seeing the balls in the snow.

Playing golf under extreme weather conditions is something that appeals to male golfers more than the woman, although there are many women that will get right down and play in frigid temperatures right next to their male competitors. Even though most don’t enjoy the extreme cold temperatures, they realize the actual game doesn’t take that long and it will give them the opportunity to test their skills under the worst conditions.

For the more serious golfers, playing in inclement weather with many hazards is not only challenging and exciting, but a lot of fun. There are some serious precautions, however, that need to be taken to protect yourself, your family and any friends that may be with you. If the weather is excessively hot, it’s important to bring plenty of cold water or fluids to prevent dehydration and illness because of overheat. Always dress appropriately.

If the weather, however, is cold, it is equally important that you dress for the cold temperatures with plenty of layers of warm clothing. Drink warm fluids and take breaks as often as necessary. Nothing will wreck a golf vacation quicker than members of your group getting sick or worse yet, a trip to the emergency room.

Many people choose to not combine golf and travel together and prefer to just shoot some balls at their local shooting range with their friends. Playing some good competitive fun games with their friends is often what they consider a great golf vacation. No work and playing golf everyday-what more could they want?

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Wie poised to finally earn her card

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Michelle Wie is in the final group at a golf tournament for the first in more than two years, this time without the pressure of trying to win her first tournament as a pro.

Wie saved par on three of her last four holes Saturday for a 4-under 68 that left her one shot behind former NCAA champion Stacy Lewis at the LPGA Tour qualifying tournament, where the only goal is to leave LPGA headquarters with a full-time job. (She struggled early on Sunday. Live scoring updates are here.)

Better than being in second place, Wie was nine shots clear of the cutoff for the top 20 players to earn their cards.

Lewis hit a delicate pitch over the bunker to an elevated green for a tap-in birdie on the par-5 16th, sending her to a 5-under 67 and the lead at 15-under 273.

Wie went bunker-to-bunker on the 15th and escaped with par, made birdie from the greenside bunker on the 16th, hit a tough chip down the slope to save par on the 17th and closed out her round with another tough bunker save on the 18th to finish at 14-under 274.

Amy Yang of South Korea, who has won on four tours around the world, shot a 67 and was at 275.

They will be in the final group at the easier Champions course, which is being used for the last round this year because it accommodates a small grandstand behind the 18th green and allows for more movement of spectators.

There usually aren’t any spectators at Q-school except for family and friends, yet Wie has drawn out fans who are curious to see a 19-year-old from Hawaii who has been playing LPGA Tour events since she was 12.

Wie played in the final group of a major when she was 13, made a strong bid at qualifying for the U.S. Open when she was 16 and then suffered through a horrendous year of injuries, shattered confidence and high scores until pulling herself out of a rut.

Now, the part-time Stanford student is one round away from LPGA membership.

Wie’s only victory on the mainland came 30 minutes down the road at Ocean Hammock, where she won the U.S. Women’s Amateur Public Links after she had just finished the eighth grade.

That was the one thing she failed to do while taking sponsor’s exemptions and earning worldwide fame in golf – win a tournament. She doesn’t have to at Q-school, as long as she finishes in the top 20.

No trophy will be awarded Sunday, although Lewis plans to play as if that were the case.

“I want to win,” Lewis said. “I wouldn’t be terribly upset if I didn’t, but that’s why I came here.”

Lewis, who won an NCAA title while at Arkansas, wouldn’t be at Q-school except for an archaic LPGA policy that did not count her earnings from a tie for third at the U.S. Women’s Open, the biggest event on the LPGA Tour schedule. That was her first tournament as a pro, and she played in the final group at Interlachen.

“There was more pressure at the Open,” Lewis said. “I’ve felt really comfortable here all week.”

It won’t bother her playing with Wie, especially after beating her by one shot when they were in the same group Friday.

“She’s a good player,” Lewis said. “But it’s not like she’s a step above everybody else.”

Wie gets far more attention than the rest of the field at Q-school – even those already on the LPGA Tour – for six years of headlines, good and bad. She was in Sunday contention at majors four times while still in high school, and twice shot 68 at the Sony Open on the PGA Tour, the lowest score ever by a female competing against men.

And she’s still a draw. Even though only about 200 people were in the gallery, it was more than Lewis saw on the Futures Tour, and more than anyone can ever recall at Q-school. On the sixth tee, a marshal gathered the fans and instructed them where to walk so they wouldn’t cause the round to take longer than it already did (about five hours).

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Golf Holidays In Thailand

Thailand is fast becoming a preferred destination for golf holidays and there is without a doubt that this fascinating and exotic country does provide you with a unique golf experience.

Golf courses in Thailand have excellent and modern facilities along with proper infrastructure and roads. In fact, many golf enthusiasts claim that golf holidays in Thailand are much superior to those in Europe.

This could be because there are many golf courses spread across Thailand so you will rarely find an over crowded golf course. Even in the most popular places, golf courses have sprung up and you will find each course providing you with an exclusive and special atmosphere where golf culture is undiluted by tourism.

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hua Hin, Khao Yai, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Phuket and River Kwai all have golf course ideally suited for different budgets. You can always create a custom golf tour package to suit your pocket, and, if necessary, you can also combine two locations.

However, you should take into account the time of the year you are planning your golf holiday in Thailand. Remember, Thailand basically has three seasons. The cool season starts from November until February. During this period, there are clear skies and the weather is highly conducive for golfing. However, this is the peak tourist season in Thailand and you would need to make reservations well in advance to get accommodation you want.

Summer in Thailand begins in March and temperatures gradually increase. April and May are hot and humid. Do remember that the Thai New Year is celebrated in May and this is the time when Thailand comes to a virtual standstill.

The rainy season in Thailand is from June until end of September. It rains most days and the weather can be highly unpredictable. During this period, there is less sunshine and this can definitely dampen your golf holiday in Thailand.

If you are looking for a budget golf holiday in Thailand then October is the month for you. During this month, the prices are still low and the tourist season has not started as yet. You can decide when to play and get bargain deals.

Popularity: 6% [?]