For those unacquainted with the game, the tee looks like a little spike with a small cup on top in which the ball sits and it raises the ball off the ground thus giving the player a better opportunity of hitting the ball. The tee is normally used for the first shot of each hole and its purpose is to allow the ball to gain extra distance and height.

Golf tees have taken on many shapes and forms since their invention in the 1800′s but today they come in two basic formats which are wooden and plastic. Though the head may vary the height is a standard 21/8 inches but Golf rules say that it is illagel for a too to be greater than 4 inches.

The eco friendly player is well advised to use either biodegradable plastic or wood in order to protect the enviornment. Since tees are hit hard it is well advisable to have a good supply on hand as they often get lost when they fly with the ball or get broken upon impact. Tees are also a good substitute for removing divots on the green or repairing plug marks on the fairway.

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• So You Want To Play Golf?

End of story!!!

Ahem! Please forgive my patriotism but as any golf player worth his salt knows…this is a hot debate.

Ongoing and definitely NOT closed!

So where the hell did this enjoyably frustrating game actually originate…well…I am here to let you know that I finally have the answer.

But first I would like to list the existing theories:

1. The Chinese

Ancient Chinese records claim that the game started there and as we know today most everything else comes out of China…so why not golf. Apparently, it originated under the name “Chuiwan” (A word I often use when I fluff a chip or miss a putt) during the Song Dynasty (960–1279 A.D.). It has been depicted in old drawings and and unbelievably they also used a full set of clubs.
They had a driver called a Cuanbang, a two wood called a Pubang and a three wood called a Shaobang. I notice they all have a “bang” in them. The clubs were decorated with precious stones and metals suggesting this was not a peasants game. The Chinese reckon that some Mongolians exported the idea to Scotland via Europe during the Middle Ages during their travels…who knows?

2. The Dutch

A game similar to Golf was played in Holland in the city of Loenen aan de Vecht on 26 February 1297.
But it doesn’t sound as advanced as the Chinese form as they only used a leather ball and a stick.
As with the modern game the player with the least shots was the winner. The only difference is that the target was several hundred yards away and it wasn’t a hole. Although a later form of Golf with real clubs and a hole has also been reported in the Netherlands in the 17th Century.

3. The Continental Europeans

Other reports claim that a Golf-like game which predates the Dutch variety also existed and enjoyed immense popularity.

4. The Scottish

The most infamous legend of all is the Scottish variety…but they have PROOF! LOL
But they are certainly responsible for the invention of the modern game of golf as we know it today.
The word “Golf” seems to have progressed over the ages and through many lands.
The word golf, or in Scots gouf, is usually thought to be a Scots alteration of Dutch “colf” or “colve” meaning “stick, “club”, “bat”, itself related to the Proto-Germanic language *kulth- as found in Old Norse kolfr meaning “bell clapper”, and the German Kolben meaning “mace or club”.
Golf was first mentioned in the 1457 Act of the Scottish Parliament where it was prohibited by James II of Scotland who believed the game distracted focus from more military sports like Archery which were necessary for military soldiers. Later bans described Golf as an unprofitable sport! It was also considered unladylike by the accusers who said Mary, Queen of Scots had played the game after the murder of her second husband.
James VI of Scotland also banned Golf but subsequently received a number of sets of clubs (and balls) as gifts when he later visited Perth, St.Andrews and Edinburgh. The oldest playing full course is “The Old Links”, Musselburgh where Mary, Queen of Scots was reported to have played in 1567.

5. The Stone Age Men (My Theory)

I envision two stone age blokes (called Ug and Mo for arguments sake) picking up the bone from a pterodactyl wing and a small rock and looking at a far away cave. Ug thinks “Me can make ball go in cave” which he promptly says to Mo in whatever grunt like gibberish the spoke back then. Of course Mo says “Me no think you can make ball go in cave”

The cave was probably a 20 yard par 3…just to clarify!

Ug proceeds to belt the living daylights out of the stone and manages a triple bogey. Naturally, Mo believes he can outdo his pelt wearing buddy. This was the start of tournaments and before you know it they started meeting the other clan members for their regular Saturday four-ball.
Wouldn’t life be so boring without a little fantasy….

Wherever the game of Golf originated it is sure to remain popular and the debates over it’s history will be no more than petty trivia to be discussed over a whiskey on the 19th hole.

• The Lovely Missus O’Reilly
• The history of the golf ball

In the world of golf, there is a national organization that caters for golf enthusiasts with disability. The National Amputee Golf Association (NAGA) which supports the Professional Golf Association (PGA) and the Unites States Golf Association (USGA). NAGA sponsors local and regional tournaments all around the United States and has members from 17 other countries with it’s over 2000 members. NAGA makes golfing for handicapped people possible specifically for amputees.

Now if you think that being physically disabled (arms or legs) can be very challenging in the world of golf, how about being visually handicapped? Can the blind play golf or even train for it? Yes, the blind can be trained to play golf. The English Blind Golf Association accepts blind members to train and play for their organization. Players establish a playing relationship with their caddies who will guide then to align and position them for the drive or swing.

Golfing for handicapped people involving blindness would be much challenging since the player would be reliant to their partner who sees the playing field. It is a partnership during the games and would really mean good teamwork to win. They have to really train and trust one another on every aspect of the game to be able to achieve a good score in the game.

Golfing for handicapped people shows somehow a grouping as to the type of handicap or disability they have. This gives the group or association to attend to the specific requirement of the member to achieve their full potential in the game of golf.

Aside from the grouping, handicapped people still have handicap scores based on severity of their disability. Equipments also are customized for the handicapped to fit their style of playing and to provide them with extra comfort during the game. Some rules are also made exclusively for the handicapped. All these will be fully discussed in the next article about golfing for handicapped people.

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• Golfing In The 21st Century
• Welcome To The Golf Mad Blog

During the past years the progressive evolution of online golf games has become evident. The latest technology is accessible through many remote corners of the cyber space as well as in online videos. The best thing is that you can participate at those events regardless of your expertise level or funds. Whether you are a starter or even a real time golf pro, playing online golf is simply fun.

One of the leading and most considered online golf games is World Golf Tour, a free to play virtual golf simulation with millions of online players, real golf courts and realistic high definition graphics.

The online game World Golf Tour is upgraded daily, with designs and complexity increasing gradually throughout the time so users can experience an even more realistic feeling when they play golf online. Although belonging to a wider spread segment of online sports games with lot of concurrence, World Golf Tour held the crown for many years as being one of the hottest, if not the best, virtual professional golf experience available on the internet.

Realistic game features and graphics of virtual golf games are just a few reasons why millions of people have become enthusiastic online players. Such high numbers can usually also be reached with video golf. In Sid Meier’s SimGolf, for instance, you will find yourself in a role where you can create and design your own personalized golf course. Another cool feature is the option where you can set up your own online resort network to be the ultimate golf expert and watch your resort expand continually.

Online golf is the virtual gaming of the future. The attractiveness of golf has increased a short while ago to incorporate just about all revenue brackets and age groups, mainly because of the growing fascination for many famous pro golfers on their path to becoming international golf champions.

Similar to other sports, online golf would not be regarded as such nowadays without a customizable fantasy league with real players. Lots of fantasy golf games can also be played online and are equally as fun, especially for little players. Mario Golf is just one of the many awesome fantasy golf games to turn you into a golf ace.

The purpose of online sports games vary from game to game (as mentioned above) and can range from pure entertainment to professional learn-and-play simulations. While entertainment oriented online golf is, like the name says, just for fun (e.g. fantasy golf) professional online golf games like World Golf Tour instead will bring you a more realistic feeling if you are serious to learn how to play golf.

• World Golf Tour Dominates Console Rivals

I would like to go into a problem, that people have, when trying to learn something; and it applies to learning anything. It’s that, they are too focused on being perfect. This makes people stiffen up, and performance anxious. Because they’re stiff, they’re really not that aware of what they’re doing. In this state of mind, practicing (golf/other things) becomes more of a fight, against not failing to live up to your self image, than about being able to see what they are doing wrong and correcting it. Get it? Can relate? In this angry “fight state”, you MIGHT be taking action – meaning you’re doing something – but… what are you really doing? You’re probably in a bad spiral, where you’re trying harder and harder – without actually changing your approach. If you don’t change, you can’t go from failure to success.

The more you change, and the more you are aware of the changes occurring, the more you learn.
In school, we learn that a person learns through repeating. It’s ingrained in us, from a very early age, that we learn through doing something over and over again. But how is that possible? On a golf course, if the ball is in a set position, and you hit it the same way ten times? …Have you learned anything? What have you learned, specifically? Your mind SHOULD be drawing a blank, when trying to come up with the answer. …And why is that? It’s because you have been doing the same thing ten times.

Let’s say you manage to hit the ball “the perfect way to hit a golf ball”, ten times over. Will the results be PERFECT ten times in a row? That depends on if, in every one of those occasions the distance to the hole was the EXACT same. At the moment you move the ball, what would have put it directly in the hole, from the previous position, will put it somewhere else. Because the circumstances have changed. And if you don’t adapt to the circumstances, you will fail. In other words: adaptation is where it’s at, rather than something predetermined like “perfection”. Complete adaptation equals perfection, on the golf-course.

Conclusion, so far = when you try to be perfect, you stop learning; because you become stuck in living up to something, and become cut off from what is actually going on; consequentially, you cannot see what you’re doing wrong, and you can’t adapt to improve anything. Also: if you have learned something, repeating it is worthless. Obviously, right. The point is to put yourself in a position where you’re both “being hit” with all these changes, while at the same time being able to pick them up.

You will naturally develop your muscle memory when you relax. To maximize that, you have to do as much different stuff as possible (read: least repetition equals most learning).

What would prepare you best for the different circumstances of the golf course… having done many different things – which have built a bank of many reference points, in your mind, to “how a golf club can hit a golf club”; based on an infinite number of combinations of club-angle/arm-angle/club-speed/more – or having done all in your power to hit the ball the SAME way every time (even if that way is the supposed “best”)? The thing is, what is the perfect hit is all defined by the circumstances.

And how do you get this knowledge? By developing your relationship to a golf club (rather than trying to live up to some self image or hit the ball the “perfect” way; because perfection depends on circumstance). You can’t measure amount of practice in time spent on the golf course. You measure it by ACTIONS TAKEN. If you do the same thing over and over, you’re just doing the same thing over and over. That’s not practicing – it’s stupid. When you’re becoming bored in your practice, you have literally stopped practicing – because your mind has stopped picking things up (and that’s why you never learn anything in subjects that you dislike; while you have no problems in subjects where you have fun/feel stimulated in some way).

The fact that what is perfect, in one situation, puts you right in the bunker, in another, takes the necessity of repetition (read: boredom) out of practice – and makes RELAXATION necessary, instead. This is awesome, because when you relax you become that much more able at picking up what is going on in your body (read: more able at accumulating muscle memory reference points; golf-skill).

• Zen and the art of making a long putt

Believe it or not, for over 400 hundred years, golf balls were made entirely of wood; this of course meant a golf ball that fared feebly in terms of aerodynamics and the like. This poor state of affairs persisted until the invention of what we now call the feathery ball (also known as the feather or featherie ball). The feathery ball itself was hand sewn cowhide outside, and very tightly packed goose feathers inside (hence the name). The leather and feathers were boiled separately and then hastily formed together into a ball before anything began drying. At the time this was a revolutionary invention that really added a lot of new dynamics to the game of golf; this ball was not only hard, but could fly over 250 yards, and was generally far superior in terms of flight characteristics to its wooden forbearers.

The feathery ball would not be dethroned for over 200 years. There were of course downsides to this design; even the best artisan could only churn out feathery balls at a rate of three or four per day, and a single ball cost the equivalent of $20 nowadays. And the feathery ball still shared the wooden ball’s propensity for irregular flight patterns.

In 1848 the game of golf was once more revolutionized, this time by the Reverend and Doctor Robert Adams Patterson. He invented the gutta-percha ball, often time’s referred to as the gutta ball. This golf ball was derived from dried tree sap, which lent it a rubbery feel and allowed for a more perfectly round figure. The appearance of the gutta ball coincided with the discovery that a ball would fly a more accurate trajectory if it had little imperfections in it, and manufactures began to purposely nick their products. In just a few years time, the gutta ball fully replaced the feathery ball as the preeminent golf ball. The reign of the gutta ball would be short-loved compared to that of the feathery…

Less than a century after Robert Adams Patterson unleashed his gutta-percha ball on the world of golf, multi-layered balls were developed, by an Ohioan named Coburn Haskell. The first multi-layered consisted of covered rubber tightly wound around a soft or hard core. These so-called wound balls quickly gained widespread appeal and remained present in the sport of golf up until the end of the 20th century.

Modern balls are still multi-layered but are now composed of the synthetic materials surlyn or urethane. They are either two, three, or four layers, habitually depending on the skill level of the player using the balls (the lower swing speeds of the less skilled, and their habit of losing balls often, suite them better to two-layered balls, while a pro would gravitate towards three or four-layered balls). Golf ball manufacturers can now apply the power of computers to fine-tuning golf balls, and are able to create a plethora of different types of balls, each with specific characteristics. Yes, we’ve definitely come a long way since the wooden golf ball…

• The History Of Golf
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In Hawaii golf courses are plentiful and as challengingly varied as any lover of the game could dream to find. Hawaii has a typically tropical climate but is a little less extreme due to the trade winds from the East which make it a very enjoyable experience. Although the temperatures fluctuate slightly in winter they are fairly constant with summer highs usually in the upper 80s °F, (around 31°C) during the day and mid 70s, (around 24 °C) at night. Each of the islands has its own distinctive geological and vegetative profiles. The combination of Hawaii’s volcanic proximity and lush weather conditions make for some unusual and distinctive course features.

Obviously trying to describe each course would be impossible in such an article due to the massive selection available but I would like to introduce you to a few of what I believe to be the more well known clubs. Firstly, I would like to introduce the Fazio Course at Turtle Bay Resort which is the proud host of the LPGA Tour’s Hawaiian Open. This golf course is famous for its lengthy fairways, complex bunkers and craftily designed greens. In fact, this course has the privilege of having been trod by gurus like Arnold Palmer, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Gary Player and Sam Sneed in the very first Senior Skins Game.

Being Irish, the Dunes At Maui Lani Golf Course also appealed to my instinct because of its similarities to Irish type golf courses. The rugged landscape has been responsible for folks drawing this comparison, and rightly so! The course boasts 18 of the most challenging links style holes in the world and has been chosen as on of the “Best Kept Secret Golf Courses in America” by Golf Digest. Being aptly named due to the abundance of dunes dimpling the terrain it is somewhat of an eco design in the way that the fairways have a mainly symbiotic relationship with the earth by going over dunes rather than through them. It has been likened to the world renowned “Ballybunion Golf Course” in county Kerry, Ireland.

For a totally exotic experience you might like to indulge in Ko’olau Golf Club which has been artistically sculpted out of a tropical rain forest by legendary golf course designer Dick Nugent. This “Garden of Eden” environment cannot be missed as it is a true treasure not only to behold but also to play. Ever changing levels of elevation, majestic waterfalls and winding pathways make this a place which captivates the soul. The 2,000-foot Ko’olau Ridge mountain range overlooking the scenery with godlike presence and the fact that the course actually offers “three” climates in one round has to be enough of a temptation to lure the doubter to this magnificent heavenly location.

For more information about Hawaii tee times just come by and say Aloha!

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But of most interest to you guys will be the vast assortment of golf courses to choose from on this petite paradise. Hilton Head Golf is a term that anybody involved in the sport is sure to have heard, and justly so, due to the 24 exquisitely designed golf courses waiting to be explored and played in this friendliest of locations.

Among the most prestigious courses are Harbour Town Golf Links and Long Cove Club (which is private) and they are ranked 67th and 68th respectively within the best courses in the country. Harbour Town is the home of the annual Verizon Heritage PGA Tour which takes place on this wonderful course each April. Another advantage to golfing on Hilton Head Island is the constant year round sub tropical climate, sunny blue skies and perfect greens making them a true pleasure to play.

The fact that there are so many golf courses in such a small area also has another added bonus. These courses were designed by some of the most well known names in golf course architecture (including George and Tom Fazio, Arthur Hills, Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, George Cobb, Gary Player, Fuzzy Zoeller and Willard Byrd) so playing more than one course while visiting Hilton Head Island is something one should simply take for granted. It would be a shame not to sample the complete menu. And although one could visit the region for a short golf break, in my opinion it is better to make your stay at least a fortnight long in order to sample as many of these great courses as possible.

Hilton Head Island has also gained the reputation as a kind of golfers Mecca due to the fact that so many golfers of all levels often come here to practice all every aspect of the game including putting, swing therapy and their short game. In fact, there are many opportunities to participate in private or group golf clinics, lessons from top class pros or hit a few buckets of balls on the driving range between games to sharpen your game. The possibilities are limitless, but one thing is fore sure, you will be in heaven on Hilton Head Island and you will without doubt improve both your game and your life through your stay!

For more information on hilton head tee times click this link.

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The most popular area for playing golf is The Algarve derived from the Arabic language which means “the west”. It has an area of 5,412 square kilometers with approximately 410,000 permanent inhabitants, and incorporates 16 municipalities. The Algarve is within easy reach from all European cities being no more than a 2 – 3 hour flight making it quite accessible. Like Turkey and Majorca, Portugal’s high season is during the winter and spring season making it a great place for short breaks in cold weather because of its moderate climate. There are sometimes light showers during the peak golf season which may contribute to the hesitance of golfers to experience this heaven on Earth. Wind is another factor that comes into play with the trade winds often reaching force seven but any really competitive golfer shouldn’t want to play without some form of climatic challenges. After all, any “middle of the road” golfer can play in static conditions but the great players are able to be victorious no matter what Mother Nature chooses to throw at them.

Ponte de Lima Golf Course, which is nestled among hills and vineyards, is a typical example of a golf course in this region. The first 9 holes are sprinkled with really old trees making it both a wonderful sight to behold and a tricky test for even the most seasoned players. The eighth hole is one of the longest holes in Europe stretching some 622 meters but being a par 5 makes it realistically achievable.

Aroeira Golf Course is a championship course located next to a river which offers breathtaking scenery and is a mere stones throw from Lisbon. On a clear day the Portuguese capital can be seen from the first tee. This course is actually within a nature park filled with rare birds, flowers and other marvelous wildlife. British newspaper journalists christened this course the “Wentworth of Lisbon” because of the similarities between Aroeira and the famous London club.

Parque da Floresta which is the final course from our Portuguese golf course selection is arguably, as the saying goes, saving the best for last. Situated above a fishing village, its awe inspiring panorama tends to disguise how tricky this course can actually be to conquer. Sporting an intricate network of obstacles including bunkers, lakes, twisted wild rough and knotted trees it really makes you work for your wages. Parque da Floresta was designed one of Spain’s most well known architects whose “non intrusive” approach to building golf courses meant changing the original landscape as little as possible. The olive, palm and pine trees give it somewhat of a Mediterranean feeling. This course is truly remarkable.

Portugal is a fantastic place to play golf and just because it isn’t among the trendiest destinations for golfers to visit doesn’t mean that it isn’t among the best to play. It would be well worth your while considering this land when next booking a getaway because the experience will be absolutely unforgettable.

Visit this site for more information about playing Golf in Portugal.

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Phil, who is no stranger to California Golf Courses, in particular Pebble Beach, having won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am in 1998, returned this year to attempt to take the trophy back but was pipped at the post by Dustin Johnson who finished 16 under to quench Phil’s -11 challenge. According to his website readers, who have released an unofficial 2010 PGA schedule, he is due to play in Pebble beach again in June where he will compete for the prestigious U.S. Open Championship title. He may find this years competition a little tricky on the Arnold Palmer course because it has been primed with some new enhancements in order to make the contest more of a battle. Pebble Beach Golf Links official website enlightens us by quoting the following:

“In preparation, Pebble Beach has unveiled a number of course enhancements, all under the direction of legendary champion and course designer Arnold Palmer. Pebble Beach Golf Links has recently been strengthened to enhance player appreciation, heighten the challenge and exceed guest and championship expectations.”

This will be the fifth time that the resort has hosted this event and the feeling I get from the build up to this spectacular is that both the players and spectators are in for a sweet treat. Phil, who in the past was like many golfers has had his share of injuries inflicted by the rigorous strain the game can put on both the body and mind looks to be in good shape for this years schedule. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. On the negative side, a little scandal seems to have erupted at the beginning of this year concerning the use of an illegal wedge. Fellow PGA Tour professional Scott McCarron accused him of “cheating” for using the Ping Eye 2 wedge, a club featuring squared grooves that have been banned as of January 1. Despite this controversy, I believe that Phil will go on to surprise his fans yet again and show his rivals exactly what he is made of by putting up a square challenge and taking home a good fistful of accolades to boot.

• Golf Basics