Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
This month we talk about The Best of USA’s Golfing Presidents.
Donald Trump, the 45th President of the USA, has played more golf in his first month in office than any other former President. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? Well, I have always thought that people in positions of power and authority need the stress-relieving powers of a game of golf. But when is a lot too much. When does golf get in the way of running the country? I think in Donald Trump’s case, only time will tell. I think most Americans don’t care how much golf their President plays as long as he is making the correct decisions for the country’s good! Thanks to Swing by Swing, here is a list of 10 golfing Presidents of the modern era!
The president of the United States is one of the most stressful jobs in the history of America, so it’s no surprise quite a few Commanders-in-Chief took to the golf course to let off a little steam. In honor of President’s Day, we take a look back on 10 past U.S. presidents that found happiness with a golf club in their hands.
Dwight Eisenhower
Famously a member at Augusta National Golf Club where he used to have one of the most notorious trees in golf named after him (which unfortunately fell in 2014 due to a major ice storm), Ike played more than 800 rounds of golf while calling the White House home. Playing often with Arnold Palmer in the years following the conclusion of World War II, Eisenhower and the King brought the game to the masses. According “Ike’s Bluff”, a biography by Evan Thomas, “Ike loosened up in his White House bedroom every morning with an 8-iron, hit balls on the White House lawn every day at 5 p.m…the man was serious about his golf.”
George W. Bush
Bush 43 is a certified golf junkie. While not only a decent player in his own right, Bush enjoys watching the pros on television and is a frequent guest at the biennial Presidents Cup matches. Most famously, Bush is a quick player with rounds that surpass three hours being considered slow.
Richard Nixon
Nixon took up golf while serving as Vice President of the United States under Dwight Eisenhower. However, his plan to spend more time with his boss turned into a full-blown addiction, eventually leading friends to build a three-hole golf course at his home in California as a respite from the likes of Watergate and Vietnam.
Ronald Reagan
Reagan had been a golfer long before he entered the Presidency. As an actor and executive, he played the game often, and his natural athletic ability led him to be a pretty good player. Once in office, however, Reagan’s rounds were limited dramatically, save for his annual New Year’s Eve outings on a private California course. Famously, Reagan was playing a round at Augusta National when a gunman took two hostages in the club’s pro shop and demanded to talk to the Commander in Chief.
George H.W. Bush
Bush 41 was a golfer by blood, and that line ran throughout his family. In fact, his grandfather, George Herbert Walker, was a former President of the USGA. And the founder of the Walker Cup. Bush was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011. He can be seen at multiple PGA Tour events each year.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Ready for a chuckle?
So many times, we feel embarrassed by the shots we hit or the way we played that day. But fear not, my friends, there are golfers out there who are much worse than you, I mean, much worse! So just check unforgettable golf bloopers to make your day!
You don’t realize until you watch bloopers like these that many golfers in the world are a lot worse than you! The thing that always amazes me is that there is a camera going for all of these. How many amazing bloopers have we missed because there was no camera!
What this entire compilation makes you realize is that there are a lot of bad golfers out there. So why aren’t golf schools doing a booming business?
We’ve all seen golf bloopers posted on the internet, but rarely do we find a bunch of them conveniently edited into a five-plus minute video posted on social media. Thankfully, the folks at Golf Is Life was looking out for us. They combined some of the most epic falls, spills, and club throws for our viewing pleasure.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
With the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am currently in full swing and all the celebrities out in full force, it is interesting to see how many musicians are playing. Proving that golf and music have always gone together!. Swing by Swing has put an interesting list together. Check it out!
Golf and music have always had a unique relationship. Both are forms of art and both, if done right, can be beautiful. However, golf is an escape for those who don’t play it professionally, and some musicians take full advantage, especially when they’re out on tour. For them, it’s a reprieve from the grind. As multiple Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and actor Justin Timberlake stated, “you have a lot of time on these tours. As Alice Cooper said, you can either drink all day or golf.” In honor of the Grammy Awards, we take a look at 10 of the finest musician golfers.
Snoop Dogg
Handicap: 18
Snoop Dogg may not be the best golfer in the world, but there’s no doubt he enjoys the game. The 15-time Grammy nominee rapper and actor says he shoots “about 90,” which by all standards, isn’t that bad. Also, he’s a big fan of Tiger Woods. In fact, he went on record saying that golf is “garbage” without the 14-time major winner playing.
Willie Nelson
Handicap: 16
The ageless Willie Nelson loves to get out to the course whenever he’s got free time. In fact, he’s been on record saying “All I do is play music and golf.” The 14-time Grammy winner owns a course in Texas. “Par is whatever Willie shoots,” says the pro.
Bob Seger
Handicap: 16
Grammy winner and Rock and Roll and Songwriters Hall of Famer Bob Seger enjoys his time on the course whenever he’s not performing. Back in 2009, he played the Buick Open pro-am with Tiger Woods which made for a great show.
Adam Levine
Handicap: 15
The lead singer of the 3-time Grammy-winning band Maroon 5 plays to a modest 15 handicap but is always looking to improve his game. Back in 2012, he was celebrity student on Golf Channel’s The Haney Project and came out a better golfer. He’s been known to play a pro-am or two as well.
Roger Waters
Handicap: 12
73-year-old Rock-and-Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy winner Roger Waters of the legendary band Pink Floyd loves to golf his ball when he’s not playing music. He belongs to the exclusive National Golf Links of America located out on Long Island, New York.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
This week is the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. A tournament we all look forward to, like this week, all the golfing celebrities come out and mingle with the pros and the crowd. A fun time is had by all in the midst of a 72 hole stroke play event that has been won by every great golfer that has ever set foot on a golf course. Here are some great golfing moments presented by Swing by Swing
Pebble Beach Golf Links has seen its fair share of great golf over the years. From unbelievable performances to incredible hole-outs, to of course the celebrity pro-am, there’s been no shortage of excitement on the Monterey Peninsula. Here is a look at 10 of the best moments in Pebble Beach history.
Tiger Woods at the 2000 U.S. Open put on one of the greatest golfing displays of all time. Shattering multiple records en route to lapping the field by 15 shots, he went on to claim his second major title. In fact, he was the only player under par the entire week.
Jack Nicklaus hit one of the most famous shots of all time on the 71st hole of the 1972 U.S. Open. His one-iron hit the flag stick nearly dropping for an ace on the famed par-3 17th. He had to settle for a tap-in but it gave the Golden Bear the spark he needed to go on and win his third U.S. Open title.
Who can forget Tom Watson’s chip-in on the 17th hole during the 1982 U.S. Open? After leaving himself with an impossible shot in the deep rough, Watson managed to knock it in for the unlikeliest of twos. He went on to win his only U.S. Open title.
Tiger Woods was seven shots off the lead with seven holes to play during the 2000 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, when lightning struck on the par-4 15th hole. Tiger jarred his approach from 97-yards for eagle fueling a comeback win for the ages.
Johnny Miller’s win at the 1994 AT&T was remarkable considering he took a break from his broadcasting post on the 18th tower to compete in an event he won 7 years prior. “I play young at Pebble,” the 46-year-old said and did he ever.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Here are 10 Par 3 courses worth playing! They are fun and not as time-consuming as a regular course, particularly if you don’t have a lot of time on your hands. You can get in 18 holes in about 2.5 hours on most Par 3 courses. I teach at Tupelo Bay Golf Center, and their par 3 is another gem in this category. Come and visit sometime!
Golf courses don’t necessarily need to be long to be difficult. While some par-3 courses pride themselves on toughness, all of them offer a chance for people to have fun. Whether they are scaled-down versions of famous par-3s around the world, or a totally original design, some of these tracks are the real deal. Here are 10 awesome par-3 courses around the U.S.
Par-3 Course – Augusta National Golf Club
Par 3 Course #8. Augusta national.
via Pinterest
The “Par-3 Course” at Augusta National doesn’t need a fancy name. Every year the pros gather here for another traditional unlike any other on the Wednesday before the competition. It’s beautiful and pristene just like its much longer counterpart. In fact, Paul Azinger once called it “the best golf course in the world.” Check it out.
Treetops – Treetops Sylvan Resort
Jones Course.
via treetops.com
Threetops, located in Gaylord, Michigan, is one of the best known par-3 courses in the world because of it’s dramatic elevation changes and beautiful mountain views. In fact, the 7th hole plays three (!) clubs less due to elevation. Back in the day, it was the home to the ESPN Par 3 Shootout. See it here.
Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course
Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course
via Mike May.
The Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course gorgeous little gem located right between the ocean and the Intracostal Waterway on some of the most expensive real estate on the southeast coast of Florida. It was redesigned by Raymond Floyd and is always in great shape. Check it out.
Challenge Course – Monarch Dunes
Challenge Course.
via ncga.org
This “links-style” 12-hole course located at Monarch Dunes in Nipomo, California is designed Damian Pascuzzo and Steve Pate. Multiple tees provide an opportunity to play a different course each time you go out. Some of the unique links features include dunes and fescue that line the holes. See it here.
Cloud Nine Short Course – Angel Park Golf Club
Angel Park Cloud 9 Course.
via golfvegas.com
Located at the Angel Park Golf Club in Las Vegas, the Cloud Nine Short Course is a tidy little 12-hole track inspired by some of the most iconic par-3s in the world, including TPC Sawgrass’ 17th island green. The best part is 9 of the 12 holes are lighted so you can play well into the evening. Don’t worry, whatever you shoot in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Check it out.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
You just have to see a product with an umbrella on it, and you know immediately Arnold Palmer has put his stamp of approval on that item! Branding has become a big business worldwide, and an outstanding logo will definitely set you apart from your competition. My Favorite? Gary Player’s “Knights Head” logo. Simple but says it all about the man. Which is your favorite logo on the PGA Tour? Comments, please.
If you’re not building your brand in today’s world, what are you really doing? Well, as it turns out, golfers are their own brands and some of the most iconic names in the sport are synonymous with bears, umbrellas, or in Phil’s case, themselves. Here’s a look at the 10 of the best Tour pro logos over the years.
Air Phil
Representing Phil’s masters Win!
Phil threw his hat into the logo game ring at the start of his 2017 season by introducing us to “Air Phil.” By far one of the most hilarious on this list, it’s of course, a tribute to his 2004 Masters win. Thumbs up, Phil!
The man, the myth, the legend John Daly uses this lion as his logo. It screams business in the front and party in the back, kind of like Long John himself. Grip it and rip it!
The Shark has been a longtime favorite in the logo world. Its sleek design and unique colors always stood out, especially when Greg Norman wore that phenomenal straw hat.
The Golden Bear
A Lasting Image.
via walczy.com
The Golden Bear is a timeless classic. Jack Nicklaus was truly the man to carry that name. With his golden flowing locks and ferociousness on the course, it just was perfect.
Jordan Spieth
A Very New Image
via golfdigest.com
Jordan Speith unveiled this logo not too long ago, but you already see grown men wearing the initials of 23-year-old’s initials on their caps. What a world! It is pretty sweet looking though.
Who do you think has the best golf swing on Tour – Here are the Top 10! As chosen by Swing by Swing.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Here are the Golfers with the Silky Smooth Swings!
A smooth, consistent, and powerful golf swing is poetry in motion. While most pros are world-class athletes born with near flawless swings, the majority have spent years grinding to make them as perfect as possible. Here are 10 of the prettiest swings currently on tour.
10. Louis Oosthuizen
Oosthuizen, the 2010 British Open champion, has honed his swing to near perfect. With flawless tempo and effortless power, his swing is one of the nicest in the game today. On plane and smooth as silk – good luck trying to copy this one!
9. Tiger Woods (2016)
Tiger’s been through it all with his golf swing, but nothing will top his form in 2000. Unfortunately, father time hasn’t been too kind and plagued the 14-time major winner with well-documented injuries over the last decade. Obviously, another overhaul was necessary. Still, in our humble opinion, it’s one of the prettiest out there. (We’ll blame the club drop on rust.)
8. Sergio Garcia
The current number 13 ranked golfer in the world has exceptional posture at address. His takeaway is smooth and he really fires his hips through the ball at impact. Check out that angle of attack! Hopefully, El Niño can put it all together to bring home a major championship before his career comes to a close.
7. Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth employs a rather compact, simple swing that has allowed him continued success off the tee and finding the greens. What we’d like to focus on are the shoulders and hips which are in perfect synchronization for the entire swing. Add in the slightly bent left arm and hopefully, we’ll be watching this beauty for the next 20-30 years.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
What are your Top 10 Golf Books of All Time? This list by Swing by Swing has several that would certainly not make my Top 10! My favorites include the following, some of which appear in Swing by Swings list: Golf is a Game of Confidence by Bob Rotella, The Talent Code by Daniel Boyle, Master Guide to Golf by Dr. Cary Middlecoff (which was my very first golf book) Ben Hogan’s Five Modern Fundamentals, Dave Pelz’s Putting Bible, The Match by Mark Frost, The Greatest Game Ever Played by Mark Frost, Swing the Clubhead by Ernest Jones, Final Rounds by James Dodson and Bobby Jones on Golf. List some of your favorites below!
Golf has permeated our very culture. It has found its way into our movies, TV shows, magazines, and books. While the lure of picking up a hardcover book and reading it front to back is fading, that doesn’t diminish the quality of some great books about golf. Keep some great tradition alive by peacefully reading a book about our beloved game. Here is a list of the Top 10 Golf Books out there.
10. A Good Walk Spoiled: Days and Nights on the PGA Tour by John Feinstein
Courtesy of Amazon
Feinstein paints the world of golf in a way that it has never been captured before. Feinstein gets inside the minds of some of the game’s greatest players but also its struggling newcomers. Journey alongside some great moments in golf, like Davis Love III’s epic comeback victory in the Ryder Cup. Feinstein expertly describes, “One week you’ve discovered the secret to the game; the next week you never want to play it again,” summarizing the every man’s relationship with golf.
9. The Big Miss: My Years Coaching Tiger Woods by Hank Haney
Courtesy of Amazon
It is no coincidence that Tiger won six majors during the six-year span the Haney was Tiger’s swing coach. He was at his side on and off the course, streamlining Tiger’s mechanics as well as discovering what made the athlete tick. For all his criticism, he is only on a quest to understand. Tiger’s most dominant fear on the course was “the big miss,” a shot so horrible it ruins the entire round. Haney gives us a metaphoric spin.
8. The Greatest Game Ever Played by Mark Frost
Courtesy of Amazon
This is the famous story of blue-collar kid Francis Ouimet, who grew up living across the street from The Country Club and would play the U.S. Open at the very course in 1913. Against all odds, and with his 10-year-old caddie by his side, he takes home the title in an 18-hole playoff against the great Harry Vardon. One of the greatest stories in amateur golf.
7. Golf is Not a Game of Perfect by Bob Rotella
Courtesy of Amazon
Rotella’s way of explaining the game that is is so simple and matter of fact that it only makes sense. He helps us realize the stark reality that the most important part of the game of golf is between your ears. He provides a mental perspective that not many other writers can.
6. The Short Game Bible by Dave Pelz
Courtesy of Amazon
This book is considered topical for advanced golfers, so it can be a tad overwhelming. But golfers who understand the importance of the game of golf inside 100 yards are better off than most. Enhance your game a great deal and read up.
Looking for a Winter Getaway – Here are the Top 10 Caribbean Courses!
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Looking for a Winter Getaway this year or early next year? The Caribbean is a great place that is affordable, not too far, and offers great golf and white beaches. A terrific place for the entire family to have the time of their lives! Thanks to Step by Step for providing this Top 10 list to make the searching a whole lot easier!
With the Hero World Challenge taking place at Albany in the Bahamas this week, we can’t help the fact our tropical juices are flowing. As much of the nation prepares for the long haul of winter, we can all use some sand, sun, and most importantly, golf in our lives. That said, we rounded up a list of the top 10 courses in the Caribbean.
Casa de Campo (Teeth of the Dog)
Casa De Campo
Located in La Romana, Dominican Republic, this course was designed by a name we know all too well: Pete Dye. He built it in tangent with his wife and it opened for play in 1971. This course spans of 7,350-yards and 7 of the 18 holes run along the coastline. Check it out.
Sandy Lane
Sandy lane – Barbados
This Tom Fazio design was the host of the World Cup of Golf in 2006, located in the Barbados Islands. This is a public course, with solid terrain throughout. The 195-yard par-3 9th catches most people’s attention with an elevated tee shot onto a rather scary green. Of course, all of this takes place under the supervision of other golfers who have a great view of this whole from the clubhouse. See the course.
Coco Beach
Coco Beach Golf – Puerto Rico
This Puerto Rican course is built in close proximity to the Rio Grande. This resort actually contains four different courses, but all are equally magical. The Lakes and Oceans nines make up the Championship course, while the Mountain and Palms nines formed the International course back when Trump owned it in 2015. It has since been bought back by Coco Beach Golf and Country Club. Check it out.
White Witch
White Witch is a beautifully built course in Jamaica. Keith Stein situated this course 12 miles northeast of Montego Bay. While the course looks green and inviting at first, its namesake is the “White Witch of Rose Hall,” Anne Palmer. She was an early 19th century mistress of the former sugar plantation on which the course is built. It is rumored she abused her slaves and practiced voodoo, on top of murdering three husbands. The par-three 17th is a signature hole, with the beach white bunker contrasting against the lush green, with a lone tree in the back popping out against the ocean blue. See it here.
Cinnamon Hill Golf Course
Another course located in the beautiful and cultural Jamaica, Robert von Hagge helped redesign this course in 2002. This course is a neighbor to the previous course on the list, White Witch. While it does have some of the same sloping lands, Cinnamon Hill incorporates natural ruins such as bridges and rock walls, and even an ancient aqueduct. Check it out.
Golf Chats is a website to encourage discussions on various subjects relating to the game of golf. I am Mel Sole, Director of Instruction of the Mel Sole Golf School and SAPGA Master Professional. I invite you to enter into a discussion on this or any article on the golfchats.com website. The input is for the entire subscriber base to learn something new each time! Please post your comments below. Keep it clean and tasteful. We are here to learn from one another!
Golfing in Mexico is everything you want in a golf vacation. Great golf courses, great accommodations, great food and wine, and to make the pot even sweeter, very affordable! The American dollar is robust right now, so a Mexico golf vacation should definitely be on your list for the near future. Here are the Top 10 Courses in Mexico as listed by Swing by Swing!
The OHL Classic is played every year in Playa del Carmen, Quintana Roo, Mexico, meaning players can expect bright sun and high temperatures. It is hosted by El Camaleon Golf Club, a par 71 layout that stretches to 6,987 yards. In the spirit of the event, we have selected our Top 10 courses in Mexico.
10. Four Seasons Punta Mita
What a spectacular hole!
This Jack Nicklaus signature course can claim the rights to having the world’s only natural island green. White sand and tall palm trees surround you on every hole as you walk through a tropical paradise. This par-71, 7,000-yard course also has an optional par-3 hole. (http://www.fourseasons.com/puntamita/)
9. El Dorado
A Jack Nicklaus gem!
Opened in 1999, El Dorado Golf Course feeds off the draw of the famous Golden City. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it is said that this course blends the crashing oceans and desert surroundings perfectly. The 16th hole is the most memorable, as it looks over the Sea of Cortez. (http://www.eldoradogolfandbeachclub.com/golf)
8. Mayakoba – El Camaleon
One of many courses designed by Greg Norman.
The host of the PGA Tour’s OHL Classic, El Camaleon Golf Course, was designed by Greg Norman. This 7,000-yard plus course features golf carts with integrated GPS systems and the ability to order food and beverages from the cart. However, it is not a walk in the park as water comes into play on all but 3 holes. (http://www.fairmont.com/mayakoba-riviera-maya/activities-services/golf/)
7. Puerto Los Cabos
Looks like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman like going to Mexico!
This course was designed in tandem by Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. The front nine comes courtesy of Norman, while the back has signatures of Nicklaus throughout. The long-term plan for this course is to extend each of the designers’ respective 9 holes into two full 18-hole courses, each staying true to their designers. (http://www.puertoloscabos.com/index.php/about-our-golf-courses)
6. Club de Golf Malinalco
One of my favorite courses in Mexico.
Built by architect Steve Burns in 1993, Club de Golf Malinalco has the enviable nickname of “The Augusta National of Mexico!” With greens just as fast as Augusta, the course plays at just over 7000 yards. A real test and a pleasure to play! visit http://www.clubdegolfmalinalco.com/
via Mike May.
Phil threw his hat into the logo game ring at the start of his 2017 season by introducing us to “Air Phil.” By far one of the most hilarious on this list, it’s of course, a tribute to his 2004 Masters win. Thumbs up, Phil!
via walczy.com
via golfdigest.com
