Now’s the time

Sitting here looking out my Myrtle Beach window the sun is shining brightly on this Wednesday, January 12, 2011. The bad news is the temperature will probably not get to 40 degrees, today. That’s quite a difference from our January 57 degree average.

We have had some unseasonably cold weather, including freezing rain and snowflakes! Yes, you read it correctly I said snowflakes. Regardless, of this cold blast that’s hit us, I stand by a previous post that December through mid-February is the “Value Season.” This is a great time to visit the Myrtle Beach area for some golf.

However, if you’re not taking the chance with some cool weather and a possible frost delay, now’s the time to make plans for a spring golf trip. This is the busiest time of year for Myrtle Beach area golf directors and their staffs. They’re booking tee times and accommodations every day. If you want the prime times and best rooms, call the golf department, today. Visit online at http://www.myrtle-beach-tee-times.com/, or call toll free 877-238-1975.

Farmstead Golf Links finishing hole is one of the “18 most fun holes in America,” says Golf Digest

The edited headline above is from a recent press release I received. Having played Farmstead less than a month ago I can assure you that #18 is unique and quite challenging. However, do not judge Farmstead on this one quirky hole. The course is a great layout and one you’ll want to add to your “must play” list.

Following is more of the story. 

MYRTLE BEACH, SC (December 17, 2010) - Farmstead Golf Links in Calabash, NC, on the northern end of Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand, has one of the “most fun holes you can play in America,” according to an article in Golf Digest's January 2011 issue. Golf Digest Architecture Editor Ron Whitten selected Farmstead's closing hole as one of his “home run” holes, and his final pick in a stellar line-up of courses that feature floating targets, overstuffed greens and rocky challenges.

The par 6 hole at 767 yards from the tips is “so impossibly long,” wrote Whitten, that “you tee off in South Carolina and putt out in North Carolina.” Farmstead Golf Links' mammoth 18th hole is the only par 6 on Myrtle Beach's Grand Strand. A favorite among visiting golfers and locals alike, it actually begins with a drive into a wide, sweeping fairway in South Carolina and concludes on a large undulating green in North Carolina.

Myrtle Beach winter golf means value

There really isn’t a bad season to play golf in Myrtle Beach, including winter. Actually, “winter golf” should be considered the “Value Golf Season.” Package prices are at their absolute lowest. Both accommodations and golf courses are collectively offering their best rates! It is the only time of the year where both are at their best value and that makes for some great package prices.

Average highs in December (59º), January (57º) and February (60º) make for a very pleasant round. Sure, you’re going to catch the occasional frost delay. There’s also a good chance you’ll be playing golf in the high 60s, low 70s. The only downside might be we’re off Daylight Savings Time. You’ll be hard pressed to play 36!

Unlike years past, the Myrtle Beach area is vibrant during the winter months. Few businesses close, but there are less traffic challenges. Many of the restaurants and attractions offer discounts in appreciation for your business. The savings are abundant in the “Value Golf Season.”

Checkout our “Value Golf Season Packages” and make plans today. You’ll be glad you did.

More Tiger, fewer pundits

Thank goodness Tiger Woods played well at the Chevron this past week. If he had simply been in the middle of the pack, the pundits would have nothing to write about. Now, they can unanimously declare “He’s Back!”

Let me be clear. I’m a Tiger fan, stand in awe of his achievements and am ready for his return to the leader board. However, I’m not a fan of all Tiger, all the time reporting by the hordes of golf reporters.

I certainly do not pay any attention to their views on just where Tiger’s swing, focus and competitiveness stand. If you’re a golf fan, you’ll know exactly where he stands. One hack went so far as to predict a major and three additional championships in 2011 for Tiger. He stumbled through a justification and then went to collect his paycheck.

Graeme McDowell won the Chevron coming from four strokes back. That was quite an accomplishment. In fact it was quite a year for McDowell with a major and clinch of the Ryder Cup for Europe. His story did get some coverage buried in the “Tiger articles.”

I’m ready for more Tiger on the tournament leader boards. I can do without the scores of golf contributors offering their views.

An LPGA opportunity

Did you happen to catch the Golf Channel reporting on the Alexis Thompson petition? Here’s the background. Thompson is a 15-year old golfer from Florida that turned professional earlier in the year. In limited action on the LPGA tour she won more than $330,000. Note, that she is not a member of the LPGA. To be a member the requirement is 18-years of age.

Back to the petition – she is requesting the LPGA tour allow her to play in 12 events this season, via sponsor exemptions. Presently, the tour only allows an individual, non-LPGA member 6 tournaments under sponsor exemption. She is not petitioning to become a member of the LPGA, just asking to play 6 additional events.

I do not see how the LPGA and its commissioner Mike Whan can say no. First and foremost, she’s a tremendous talent. Frankly, the LPGA needs her star power. With leader boards that are more and more becoming crowded with international players, the LPGA would welcome an American contender. The question they face is how do you position that yes vote.

American Golf Census says, “Get Counted!”

The American Golf Census is counting as many of the country’s 27 million golfers as possible. Being counted shows your support of the game and lets policymakers better understand how golf enhances the lives of millions of Americans from all walks of life. All registrants are automatically entered into golf's most spectacular sweepstakes totaling more than $100,000 in prizes! The prize package includes the latest golf equipment from Taylor Made, Callaway and Nike - Dream travel for two to Pebble Beach, St. Andrews, Southwest Ireland and Pinehurst - Not to mention, a once-in-a-lifetime April weekend in Augusta, GA, and golf instruction at the ANNIKA Academy. Visit http://www.americangolfcensus.org/ to be counted and maybe win big!

One-dimensional?

Recently, our local newspaper carried a Letter to the Editor from a gentleman that seems to regularly offer his opinions on golf subjects. The article began with a walk down memory lane that reminded we “chronologically challenged” readers of the munies we grew up playing.

No tee times, no carts, carry bags and a course that was fairly straightforward. Place your ball in the rack and when it was your turn tee it up. Where I grew-up the nine hole public course featured 4-holes on each side of the railroad tracks and then back over the tracks to the Par 3 No, 9 finishing hole. Separate tee boxes gave a slightly different look to the 2^nd nine, but the tracks were still there.

All was well with the gentleman’s “Letter” until he began pontificating and portrayed golf course design as one-dimensional. He further described today’s courses as “monstrously long and difficult.” I beg to differ.

During the past twelve months I’ve had the privilege to play more than 30-Myrtle Beach area golf courses. I’m a writer doing 20+ course reviews each year and an average, mid-teen handicap golfer. Thank goodness I’m a better writer than I am a golfer.

Granted there are some monstrously long and difficult holes, but I’ve found this area’s courses quite playable. The one thing they have in common is their diversity. A case in point is reflected in the two Glen’s course we played last week. Heather Glen Golf Links and Glen Dornoch Waterway Golf are in name and positioning quite similar. However, both are quite different in playability, length and visual appeal. I thoroughly enjoyed and had fun on both golf courses, but for decidedly different reasons.

If you’re concerned with distance and difficulty, play from the tees that are appropriate for your handicap. However, if you’re concerned with playing one-dimensional golf courses on your Myrtle Beach trip, talk to your golf director. Make sure they know you’re looking for golf course variety. There are plenty of courses to consider and they’ll be happy to accommodate you. 

Has golf become information overload?

Ryder Cup team competition is by far my favorite televised golf event. It’s been a long two years since Boo galloped down the fairway, but this coming Monday the hype begins again. Everything will be analyzed to death by a horde of golf reporters. Frankly, I can do without their yakking.

If Phil and Tiger play together, so be it. If Fowler proves to be a wise choice, so be it. If the quiet Furyk takes a leadership role, so be it. Just let them play!!!

Back in “the day” there were three national publications and a few regional magazines dedicated to golf. Most golfers subscribed with game improvement as their objective. It was a simpler time and television was just beginning golf coverage. Now, we have even more print vehicles, a ton of online from web sites to eMagazines and a television channel dedicated to golf with their own web site of course.

At the risk of oversimplification, which I’m about to do, that’s entirely to much media dedicated to golf. If you’re like me, you have information overload! More and more I’m tuning out the talking heads and only coming back for tournament coverage.

Most of us play golf because we love the game, not the drama.

LPGA member, Conway native McPherson honored

MURRELLS INLET, SC (September 16, 2010) – Kristy McPherson has been honored with induction into the University of South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame. She was a three-time First-Team All-American; two-time South Eastern Conference (SEC) individual champion and SEC Player of the Year in her senior year. She has finished second in her last two LPGA events the CN Canadian Women's Open, where she closed with a 66, and the P&G NW Arkansas Championship, where she shot consecutive 68s in the final two rounds. Those two strong showings have allowed her to climb to 23^rd on this year’s LPGA money list.

Perkinson captures World Amateur Championship

MURRELLS INLET, SC (September 3, 2010) – Bobby Perkinson of Alcoa, TN made double bogey on the par-4 ninth hole at the TPC of Myrtle Beach on Friday afternoon. However, the 74-year-old retiree still shot his age for a net 3-under-par 69 and a one-stroke win in the nearly 3,100-player event. Three players tied for second place - Bob Butler from Massachusetts, Chetan Suman Dosh from India and Joseph Williams from West Virginia.

The Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship held annually in the latter part of August is a premier golf tournament. Utilizing more than 50-Myrtle Beach area golf courses the event is for every player with a verifiable handicap. As soon as we have the 2011 dates, we’ll get them posted. See you at the 19^th hole!