Top 9 Golf Vacation Resorts to Love from About.com

By: Susan Breslow Sardone

1) The American Club, Wisconsin
The Midwest's only AAA Five-Diamond resort hotel, the American Club is located in Kohler, named the top golf resort destination in the United States by readers of Golf Magazine. Golf course designer Pete Dye created two championship courses at both Blackwolf Run and Whistling Straits. For non-golfers, a vacation at the American Club can include shopping for antiques, visiting the innovative Kohler Design Center, spa treatments, hiking, and canoeing. The resort also hosts weddings.

2) Greenbrier Resort, West Virginia
Three 18-hole championship courses and the Golf Digest Academy, which offers advanced instruction, attract golf aficionados to White Sulphur Springs. Non-golfers can swim in indoor and outdoor pools, depending on the weather, use the fitness center, and play tennis. They can also tour the bunker, secretly designed to harbor members of Congress during the Cold War. Additional recreation choices include whitewater rafting, horseback riding, and romantic carriage and balloon rides.

3) Williamsburg Inn, Virginia
Golf course designer Robert Trent Jones Sr. called the Golden Horseshoe's Gold Course his finest design, and many leading golf publications concur. Yet there's so much to do and see on a Williamsburg vacation that the allure of the links may fade. Travel back in history as you walk the streets, attend a town hall meeting at the brink of the American Revolution, stroll among the gardens, and dine on authentic 17th-century cuisine in the historic center or sophisticated fare at the elegant Inn.

4) Sea Pines Resort, South Carolina
Twelve-mile-long Hilton Head Island holds an astonishing 22 golf courses, including three at 5,200-acre Sea Pines Resort. When you're not playing golf, there's boating, biking, fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, birdwatching, parasailing, and swimming to keep you active on your vacation.

5) The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, Florida
Ritz-Carlton boasts two award-winning hotels in Naples. This one, where golf is the focus, was named no. 1 hotel in Florida on Condé Nast Traveler's Gold List. It contains the Tiburon Golf Club with two 18-hole courses designed by Greg Norman and the Rick Smith Golf Academy. Guests have access to The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, also a Mobil Five-Star property, located just three miles away on the Gulf of Mexico. Non-golfers can use the pristine beach, fitness, and spa facilities.

6) Mauna Lani Resort, Hawaii
Rated the no. 1 golf resort on the Big Island by Condé Nast Traveler, Mauna Lani has two extraordinary golf courses carved out ot black lava fields that overlook the sparkling Pacific. At this ultra-luxury resort, you can unwind in a canopied chaise for two on the immaculate beach, experience an open-air sauna as part of the extensive spa, and dine at Canoe House, named the best restaurant on the island. While on the island, don't miss touring still-simmering Volcanoes National Park.

7) Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North, Arizona
No mention of great American golf resorts is complete without acknowledging the world-class resort golf courses of Arizona. From the Phoenician Hotel to the Boulders Resort to the Four Seasons, it just doesn't get much better. So take your pick, and rest assured that the non-golfer in your relationship with find that the spas, shops, swimming, tennis, restaurants, and weather on your golf vacation fit him or her to a tee.

8) Alisal Guest Ranch & Resort, California
Northwest of Santa Barbara, the Alisal has been welcoming guests since 1946. Two 18-hole championship courses satisfy those who come to golf on either the private and secluded Ranch Course or the scenic and popular River Course. Set on a 10,000-acre working cattle ranch, the Alisal is also favored by horseback riders, who can choose from 100 steeds. If you like, the management will give you directions to a private spot overlooking the lake and a gourmet picnic basket to fortify you.

9) Turning Stone Casino Resort
In the midst of central New York's rolling farmland lies Turning Stone Casino Resort, an ever-expanding complex that features five golf courses. Among the designers: Tom Fazio, Rick Smith, and Robert Trent Jones, Jr. Non-golfing partners can gamble, swim, use the spa, or visit local attractions (including a huge mall).

Golfing In Costa Rica

by Kenth Nasstrom

Few places in the world offer the amazing variety of natural beauty and environment Costa Rica can provide.

This has made it possible for Costa Rica to allow some of golf's best designers to create an amazing golf experience for its visitors.

The courses are challenging and beautiful at the same time, as they reside close to the dramatic deep blue waters of the pacific coastline as well as close to the green volcanic mountains of the central valley.

Golfers from the US and Canada will find that Costa Rica is very accessible from the whole continent and the prices keeps dropping. Once in Costa Rica you can besides the golfing also enjoy luxury vacations with all inclusive in tropical heavens like Los Sue Marriot Ocean & Golf resort.

You can also find fine cuisines, hot nightlife and family activities everywhere, so everybody in the family will find their preferred vacation activity among one of the friendliest peoples in the world, the Ticos!

While touring Costa Rica visit and play golf courses like,

Parque Valle del Sol with its par 72, 6782 yards 18 hole course. Created by Tracy May or go north to the coast and try out the 18 hole course Hacienda Pinilla, a par 72, 7274 yards beauty created by Mike Young.

Some tips for a better golfing experience in Costa Rica.

* Check with your airline to see if they charge excess baggage fee for golf clubs.

* The least expensive form of transportation around the country, especially with a lot of golf clubs is to rent a car.

* Rainfall is a problem in the late afternoon and evening during the green season. Green season is from mid-May to mid-November, but the months of July and August normally see less rain and generally are beautiful with mild temperatures.

* Apply sun block before leaving for the golf course. Use shades and hat.

* Golf courses have dress code. The normal requirements are normally golf shirts with collars for men and proper attire for women. T-Shirts, bathing suits and short shorts are not permitted.

* Wildlife sensitive areas are common in Costa Rica. Take note of and respect signage for safety.

* The saying trees are 90% does not apply to dense tropical trees. Tree lined fairways is an expression that really has been taken to a completely new level here. So stay on the fairway.

* When playing at the resort ocean courses, you?ll have to learn how to play the wind. You have strong winds from the sea almost all year. Use the tree tops to get a feeling for the wind.

Want a perfect vacation with wonderful golfing experiences, go to Costa Rica!

Top 14 Tips for Selecting A Golf School

By: Bud Bradley

With the increase in number of schools for learning Golf, it has become necessary for the learner to find out a school that suits him best from all the angles. Here are the tips for selecting a Golf School:

1. When the institute was established and how many members they have. Since when they are into coaching.

2. What type of golf course they have? Is it 18 holes, 22 holes, 27 holes or more?

3. Do they organize tournaments regularly (a lot of learning is possible by the learner by simply watching good players)?

4. The school should have sound credentials. If possible, find out from other sources about the claims they make.

5. Try to get the record of accomplishment of the schools by talking to people who either are learning there or have completed the training and now practicing there or elsewhere.

6. Get details from other such schools, make your own assessment/comparison and decide. If a school offers any guarantee, the same should be crosschecked with schools.

7. Find out the details of the program they have for the learners. What methodology they follow in coaching the students.

8. How many students have completed their training and where they are. Have they trained/produced national/international golfers?

9. What kind of facilities they have? Do they have the facility to learn Uphill, Downhill, Side hill, Sand and trouble shots?

10. Can one learn all types of shots during training or some shots they do not teach during training?

11. Do they have separate ground for training?

12. What type of facilities for learning/improving the Swing. Do they have a Video that can analyze the swing? If yes, it will be better because one can learn by seeing his shots on the video and find out where and what is wrong in it. You can improve/ accelerate your learning curve by watching and practicing.

13. Do they customize the trai zning program according to the needs / skills of the individual or these are common to all. This may be very crucial in deciding as one would always like to have a tailor made learning package so that he can get best out of the training.

14. Do they have covered ground for learning, this is important because if it rains continuously for days together one may lose his training time resulting into loss of total training days/hours?

Follow these tips, and selecting the right golf school becomes a no brainer.

More Women Enjoying the Game of Golf

By: Leslie Wright

Golf has primarily been a game for men until the past few years. Women are starting to see that there's more to golf than just hitting a ball. While men are still leading the stats in "who's golfing", women are starting to make up a larger portion than they did in years past. More and more lessons, golf teaching aids, and even special clubs and gear are being made available to the women joining this great game.

According to what the National Golf Foundation defines as "core" golfers (those who play at least eight times a year and an average of 37 rounds yearly) women currently make up 18 percent of the 12.5 million golfers. What's more important to note is how many women are picking up the game of golf over the past few years. The number of occasional female golfers (those playing between 1 and 7 times a year) soared from 2.6 million in 1997 to 4.3 million last year! Seeing the opportunity to market products to this new group of golfers, opens up the door to many manufacturers inventing newer and better golf teaching aids in order to keep these beginning golfers interested in playing the game.

With women making more appearances on the golf courses, course directors are also starting to pay attention. In addition to lessons and golf teaching aids, they're seeing new opportunities to extend their invitations as well as some new income springing up from the ladies. For example, at The Boulders in Scottsdale, AZ, there are golf and spa packages where ladies can enjoy spa treatments in between golf lessons.

Here is a stat you might not know: PGA pro tour players miss 50% of their 6 foot putts! There is a golf teaching aid designed specifically for this purpose. Any golfer knows the importance of improving your short game, and this tool is one of the best on the markets.

Another important tip is to remember to take the shot you're given...not the shot you want. As easy as this may sound, it's not always so simple. While it's tempting to take that "Tiger Woods" in between the trees and over the bunker shot...many times it's better to take the straight shot back into the fairway.

To all the ladies joining this great game of golf, know that you can't be a pro the first time on the course! Golf is a game of patience, fun, and skill - and the best golf teaching aids are right here at your fingertips!

5 Features Of A Good Golf School

By: Don Smith

If you want to make a BIG LEAP in improving your golf game then a golf school is your best bet. A golf school is 100% dedicated to making you a better golfer. The majority of the golf schools can and will teach you to become a better golfer in a short amount of time.

The 5 major features a good golf school should be offering are:

1. No more than a 4 to 1 teaching ratio with 2 to 1 being something to look for and 1 to 1 being ideal. The 1 to 1 teaching ratio schools tend to be a lot pricier, but if you can afford it then it's definitely worth it to your golf game.

2. The golf school's pros should be seasoned teaching professionals that are highly qualified. Make sure at least 2 of the teaching professionals are recognized in the golf world/community. I would even suggest looking in some recent or past golf magazines to see what golf instructors are listed at particular golf schools.

3. The golf school should have accommodations included in the price with the accommodations on or very near the golf course where you're taught. I find this to be convenient because you don't have to worry about booking a room for your stay.

4. The golf school should provide a specific lesson plan for your swing. They should tailor it specifically for you and not follow a caned plan. This is important because every golfer is different and they require a specialized instruction play just for their golf swing.

5. The golf school should provide unlimited follow up via email or phone. I think this is probably the most important because it shows how genuine they are in improving your game. It shows that they're in it for the long run and are dedicated to making you a better golfer.

You should also think of the golf school as a vacation so the accommodations and surrounding area should fit your lifestyle off the course. Also, look for golf schools that provide unlimited golf after your teaching session is over. Try to find some testimonials on their website to see what some of their previous students felt about the course.

US Golf Schools is a great place to perform some due-diligence on the golf schools available in your area that meet your needs. Price will obviously play a big part in your golf school of choice so be sure to set a budget before you start looking for a golf school.

There's a lot of competition between the golf schools for your attendance so expect them to cater to you when you call and inquire about their program. Don't be afraid to ask if they have any specials or if they provide seasonal discounts. If the golf school really wants your business then they'll be willing to accommodate your golfing needs.