How Much Would You Pay to Play #Golf on a Donald Trump Course?

The fifteen most expensive courses to play a round of golf were recently named by Worthly.com. A few layouts were well known as the fillers of endless bucket lists while others were overlooked for more notable names.

An old proverb states, "Something is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it." The question this blog asks is, what is your pay limit to play a round of golf?

Two notables on the big ticket list of golf courses, Pebble Beach and Pinehurst Number 2, $475 and $375 respectively, are the stuff that dreams are made of, according to the some of the greatest golfers in the world.

Jack Nicklaus said of the Monterey Beach gem, “If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach. I’ve loved this course from the first time I saw it. It’s possibly the best in the world.”

As someone who has crossed Pebble Beach golf course off of her own bucket list (Spyglass and Spanish Bay, also on this list), I have to agree...breathtaking...however, I played as a guest. The question is, would I have put my money where my mouth is?

Pinehurst Number 2, the Donald Ross showpiece, may be surrounded by several worthy courses but it is this one which kindles emotion like no other. Tommy Armour once stated about Pinehurst Number 2, "The man who doesn't feel emotionally stirred when he golfs at Pinehurst beneath these clear blue skies and with the pine fragrance in his nostrils is one who should be ruled out of golf for life."

photo courtesy Evan Schiller, Golfshots.com

The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, South Carolina, also made the list and, instead of Pacific Coast views, the spectacular Atlantic Ocean is the featured attraction. For $320 a head, you can play the same course as the top golfers in the world - get onto these spectacular fairways soon as the Ocean Course is slated to host the 2021 PGA Championship.

President-elect Donald Trump's course, Trump National Golf Club in Los Angeles, California (Rancho Palos Verdes), rounded off this list of most expensive rounds of golf at $275 and, with Trump, you get what you pay for, notably a world-class experience.

Although the 2015 PGA Grand Slam of Golf was mutually pulled from this course, I believe it is only a matter of time before this masterpiece takes its place on the list possibilities for a professional golf tournament. Also couldn't hurt to have the President as host of the tournament...or would that be a conflict of interest?

Wonder if Mr. Trump will play golf with President Obama in the near future? Looks like Mr. Obama will have plenty of time off after January 2017!

Take a look at the list and feel free to comment whether or not you have played, or wish to play, any of the golf courses in particular on this expensive list.

Follow Us and Comment on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

Kiawah Island Ocean Course courtesy of Evan Schiller Photography.
The 2017 Golfshots Calendar is now available featuring the most beautiful courses in the world at your fingertips.

Jordan Spieth BobbleHead Giveaway from AT&T Pro-Am and #Golf for Beginners #ATTPROAM #ATTBlogger

What makes Pebble Beach such a magical course for golf fans? Is it our fascination with the splendor of the golf course, with the history and excitement of the upcoming AT&T Pro-Am, or do recollections of emotional responses from players and celebrities have us enamored with the West Coast gem?

February 8-14, 2016 are the official dates of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am (so you don't miss it!) and with it comes all of the revelry fans have come to expect from this engaging "event", from the celebrity hi-jinks of Bill Murray and Larry the Cable Guy to the calm coolness of the current number-one golfer in the world, Jordan Spieth.

Last year, Brandt Snedeker broke the tournament scoring record by three shots (72-hole total of 22-under 265) and this year he is back to defend, and maybe even eclipse, his record but not without a fight from proven winner Phil Mickelson (who has four AT&T Pro-Am wins in his bag) and young guns like Jordan Spieth, Danny Lee and J.B. Holmes. Watch the action this week and take in the scenery - this is one of the best tournaments of the year!

The Jordan Spieth Bobblehead Doll Giveaway!

First, you've got to see this hilarious Jordan Spieth Bobblehead video conceived by AT&T - yes, it's okay to laugh out loud...I did.

After he starred in this video, Jordan Spieth bobblehead paid me a visit and actually helped me polish off this blog so thanks Jordan, although, as you can see by the above video, he kept taking my mind off the post! 

We also got to hang out for a while at my house where Jordan helped me with my guitar chords. Great song choice, don't you agree? 

Our time together ended with a quick round of golf with the foursome below. Yes, it was a day to remember!

Jordan Spieth bobblehead told me he is waiting to make memories happen for the winner and go to his forever home. 

Here's how this exclusive, Spieth bobblehead can be yours:

Jordan Spieth Bobblehead TWITTER Giveaway:

• Follow @Golf4Beginners and @ATTProAm on Twitter
• Tweet, in a few words, why Jordan Spieth is one of your favorite golfers with the hashtag #SpiethBobbleHead
• Giveaway ends on Sunday February 14, 2016.
• I will choose one response at random from all received on Monday, February 15, 2016.

It's THAT Simple!

The first 8,000 fans at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Golf Tournament on Saturday, Feb. 13 will receive their very own Jordan Spieth bobblehead doll - this is the ONLY way to score a Spieth bobblehead, unless, of course, you enter, and win, our giveaway. According to an article on Golf.com, these Jordan Spieth bobblehead dolls are becoming a hot commodity so be sure to Enter The Jordan Spieth Bobblehead Giveaway.

A few interesting notes about AT&T; this is their 31st year as the title sponsor of the event (AT&T is the second-longest continuous title sponsor on the PGA Tour) and it is the second year in which AT&T is sponsoring Jordan Spieth, from golf bag to caddie towel TO...BOBBLEHEAD!

Learn more about AT&T's affiliation with Jordan Spieth (and other cool sponsorships like Infiniti Red Bull Racing for example), visit ATT.com/Sponsorship. Read about local charities supported and how AT&T is connecting customers and fans to their passions for golf and technology: visit ATTPBGolf.com.

Check out AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Broadcast Schedule:
PGA TOUR LIVE11:00a-6:00p  
GOLF6:30-9:30p  GOLF9:30p-12:30a  GOLF3:00-6:00p  
PGA TOUR RADIO12:00-6:00p
Saturday and Sunday: GOLF -- 1-2:30 p.m., CBS -- 3-6 p.m. ET

This post is in partnership with AT&T. All opinions are my own.

Are You Planning to Watch the #ATTPROAM? Let Us Know Who Your Favorite Golfer is this week on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and @ATTProAm

AT&T Technology Scores a Hole in One at Pebble Beach #golf #ATTProAm

When you hear the name Pebble Beach, what comes to mind? Being one of the fortunate few who have played this renowned golf course, I would immediately say the magnificence of the place, from crashing surf to finely manicured fairways and greens makes memories that will last a lifetime.

For professional golfers like Phil Mickelson who has won the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am a staggering four times, "it’s a special place for me, an emotional place… my grandfather having caddied here… the overall importance of the tournament to the game and how much I love the place." Only Mark O'Meara has more wins at this tournament (five wins).

What makes Pebble Beach so magical?

Some might say the magic lies entirely in the golf course, others might refer to the history and how famous crooner Bing Crosby gave fans a peek into the mystique back in 1947.

Improved visibility and worldwide knowledge of the tournament can be traced to when AT&T became the title sponsor in 1986 and brought the Pro-Am to the masses via television - a very powerful and recognizable brand began broadcasting to hundreds of millions of households worldwide and allowed everyday folks the ability to watch celebrities and amateurs play golf on a storied course.

Today, technological advances through social sharing will bring even more visibility to the AT&T National Pro-Am. A group of golfers, known as the Foursome, will be converging upon Pebble Beach to bring a fan's perspective to the tournament. As an #ATTBlogger, I will be covering the event as well, adding my unique perspective through @Golf4Beginners on Twitter!

The foursome will get to go where very few have gone before - walk the course, go behind-the-scenes at the tournament, basically show fans what it is like to walk the hallowed fairways of Pebble Beach, utilizing the AT&T Network and HTC devices to document their journey and share via their social properties.

Who are the Four? Getting to know the foursome:

Their names may sound familiar if you have a Twitter or Facebook account.

Tim Lang is a former Marine who discovered golf after having his leg amputated from an explosion (we thank you for your service). His passion for the sport has led to speaking engagements, motivation of other disabled veterans and, most importantly, the self-confidence that he lacked after his service. @TimLangGolf

Tiffany Fitzgerald is a pioneer for black women who play golf, starting the organization Black Girls Golf as a way to help black women feel more like insiders in corporate America, gain confidence in themselves and fall in love with the sport of Golf. Keep up to date with Tiffany's experience on Twitter @BlackGirlsGolf and on her Facebook page.

Dan McLaughlin can be said to be the average golfer...but not really. Not many golfers work as hard as Dan on their games - he has spent 10,000 hours on learning the sport, documenting his journey every step of the way. "The Dan Plan" proves that hard work and persistence makes you a better player and that it's the journey, not the end result that pays dividends. Go inside the ropes with Dan @TheDanPlan on Twitter and on his Facebook page.

Katie Horsford is definitely not your average 17-year-old but, at one time, was just like any kid who was trying to find her way in the world. After taking up golf and realizing she was good at the game...very, very good at the game, she became an inspiration for other teens and offers guidance through The First Tee Program. Katie will be providing her commentary from the unique perspective of a teenager using her Twitter account @KTHorsford and on Instagram.


AT&T will be providing updates on @ATTProAm and via the #ATTProAm hashtag and the Foursome will carry the ball on social media. I will be following along and engaging with members of the Foursome throughout the week on Golf4Beginners and via Stacy Solomon-Golf4Beginners on Google Plus so join in the conversation at #ATTProAm, ask questions and enjoy the Pebble Beach experience!

The AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am will be played February 9-15, 2015 on Pebble Beach as well as two additional courses to round out the on-course excitement; Spyglass Hill rated one of the top twenty publinks in the country via Golf Digest and Monterey Peninsula Country Club Shore Course.

To get an inside look at their journeys, make sure to follow the hashtag, #ATTProAm and via their Twitter handles:

@TimLangGolf
@BlackGirlsGolf
@TheDanPlan
@KTHorsford

This post is in partnership with AT&T. All opinions are my own.

Phil Mickelson mentally superior to Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach

As Phil Mickelson walked up to the eighteenth green alongside of Tiger Woods on Pebble Beach golf course on Sunday, it was easy to see who was in control of his emotions and more "inspired" by his circumstances and who was going through the motions, allowing his mental game to weaken with every missed shot.


Did Phil's ear-to-ear grin striding down the fairway belie an air of smugness? Mickelson could have shown a bit of haughtiness, chin high, blowing off Tiger as a mere afterthought. Lefty has “beaten” Woods straight up the last five times they have been paired together in the final round of golf events and the once ferocious Tiger hardly had any bite in his game.

No, that is simply not Phil. Instead, Mickelson remained gracious and maintained, “I don't believe anybody has benefited more from what he's done (Woods) for the game than myself.”

Not only did he handily win the ATT, Mickelson did so with a score of 64 and with Woods stumbling on a final three-footer. Phil’s expression when Tiger missed the putt? He looked a bit downhearted, like he really wanted Woods to succeed. Phil wants to beat Tiger with Woods at his best, not during his lowest moments.

Perhaps Phil needs to offer Tiger insights into his current mental strategy for staying in the game as the same malady seems to be affecting Woods on those short putts. "I've been a little bit lazy mentally," Mickelson said, "so it was a real effort for me to stay focused on every single shot and to not let my mind slip or wander or be lazy."

That being said, I would like to eat my words <chomp, chomp> from a blog I wrote a few weeks ago in which I considered that Phil Mickelson may be washed up (both physically and mentally) for the PGA Tour. Although I still believe that Mickelson is entering into “comfortable” events, it’s certainly not wrong to do so and will probably even increase his resolve and confidence in events. Also, his physical ailments didn't appear to bother him. Enbrel for his psoriatric arthritis must be working...

I heartily congratulate Mickelson on his 40^th victory (now ninth in all-time wins) on the PGA Tour and wish him the best of luck this week at the Northern Trust Open, an event he won in 1991 as an amateur (Telecom Open) and back to back again during the 2008/2009 seasons. I am rooting for Lefty in my weekly Twitter fantasy pool. Last week, my choice of Tiger Woods to win the ATT did not turn out favorably but I think I’m making the right choice this week. I will still be cheering on Tiger Woods too (no, I am not hedging my bet...)

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and friend on Facebook.

Posted via email from stacysolomon's posterous