How To Use Your Mind to Play Winning #Golf

Golfers know that the mind plays an important role in every golf shot taken whether it be playing in a tournament under pressure or during a friendly round with your mates - so why not use the mental game to our advantage?

In his new book, "Own Your Game", Dave Stockton offers stories from his own experience as a major champion winner and coach to complement decision-making advice he gives on everything from attitude to the essentials of strategy.

How would you like to ride eighteen holes with Dave Stockton, learning to acknowledge and improve mental strategy on every hole?

We'll give you a few of golf tips from this short game golf guru 'to get you started in using your mind to ultimately determine how well your going to play', to paraphrase Mr. Stockton in this mental challenge game book.

1. "By developing the ability to control my emotions, stay in my comfort zone and never give up on the course," Mr. Stockton states, "I had a very successful career." Giving up on the golf course early in the round, in my opinion, is a hard task to overcome.

2. "It's not how you hit the shots, it's how you use your mind to picture them." Creative Visualization, says Tiger Woods, is a key to low scoring.

3. "Look for that personal balance between playing it safe and standing over a shot believing you're going to hole it. Every time you put yourself in a better position to hit a scoring shot, you're learning when to push the accelerator."

4. An essential strategy - "To maximize your chances for a good score on a given hole, you have to start seeing each hole as a combination of shots you know you can play." Don't go for shots that you can't make...instead use what you've practiced to get that ball in the hole in the least number of strokes.

5. When playing golf in a business setting, "even if you're on the losing end, ask yourself if it's worth spending a few bucks to be in good with your boss or your client. The answer is almost always yes, Stockton says. "Relax, enjoy yourself and play to the best of your ability." Que sera, sera?

I have definitely gotten a few mental game tips from "Own Your Game" but now I need to translate those words of wisdom from the book to the golf course...a lot harder than it seems!

Dave Stockton Bio:
In "Own Your Game: How to Use Your Mind to Play Winning Golf", renowned tour instructor Dave Stockton draws from his experience as a champion tour player and a revered coach. From Annika Sorenstam to Phil Mickelson to Rory McIlroy, Stockton's approach is the same, that is, "trying doesn't work."

Get in touch with Dave Stockton on Twitter @StocktonGolf, Facebook/StocktonGolf and through his website, StocktonGolf.com.



What types of challenges do you face in your mental golf game? Voice your opinion on this Golf for Beginners blog and on our @Golf4Beginners Twitter page.

Why You Need to Stay at Tiger Woods #Golf Villa and Play Doral

Tiger Woods and Donald Trump have formally cut the ribbon to the new Tiger Woods Villa at Doral Golf Resort. Rory McIlroy wanted to be among the first guests to stay (and play...at this week's WGC Cadillac Championship). Here is why you may or may not want to!

Rory McIlroy may like the room decor at the new Tiger Woods Villa but he doesn't necessarily like his view.  "I can't go to the bathroom without looking at you," McIlroy texted to Woods, bummed out that, no matter where he walks throughout the suite, there are pictures of Tiger in every room.

So far, only exterior pictures are available of the Tiger Woods Villa at Trump Doral but, according to TripAdvisor.com, people who stayed at the TW Golf Villa at Oro Valley rate it "a Tiger Woods hole-in-one."


Trump National Doral Miami

Formally known as the Doral Country Club, the club was purchased by the Trump Organization in 2011. The Club is home to five championship courses, the most famous of which is the Blue Monster, home to the World Golf Championship Cadillac Golf Tournament. This course has been totally redesigned by new owner Donald Trump in an attempt to make the course more challenging and exciting to all golfers. Well, now it is being called by PGA.com writer Doug Ferguson, the "familiar place no one recognizes."

Image of the former Doral course - courtesy of post406

Is this a good thing? Well, if you enjoy watching The Donald's helicopter fly back-and-forth onto a helipad by the 10th hole, I guess you might like the redesign - it's all a typical Trump creation.

New trees, greens, bunkers tees, fresh turfgrass and a huge practice green are among the improvements made by Mr. Trump, to the tune of $200 million...in addition to the $150 million used to purchase the golf property.

In 2009, the Blue Monster course joined the prestigious PGA Tournament Players Club and was renamed as The TPC Blue Monster at Doral.  Donald Trump recently told the PGA that his plans for the par-72 golf course included extending the first hole by 100 yards and turn the 15^th hole into an island green. 

So, after the hoopla of the WGC Championship has ended, vacationers who want to play the new and improved Doral and book the Tiger Woods Villa can fly to Miami, Florida to partake in a little winter sun. Playing fees range from $190-$450, depending on the season and which course you choose to play.

Trump Doral easy to get to?

London - Miami

·         The average flight time from London to Miami is 8 hours 30 minutes

·         The cheapest flights can be found in March, whereas the most expensive are in July

·         The Trump National Doral MiamiResort is close to Miami International airport

Don't just go for the golf - enjoying the Miami climate makes this vacation destination a winner!

Being named the Sunshine State, you can assume that Florida receives an impressive amount of sunshine during the year and enjoys a warm climate. However the weather does vary from north to south Florida - during the summer months the south can get exceptionally humid and almost uncomfortably warm, and the north tends to be milder but still hot.

During the summer months of June-August temperatures tend the reach around 30-35 degrees Celsius, which can be uncomfortable to play 18 holes. Try making Florida an off-season destination, November-May - temperatures can dip as low as 17 degrees Celsius but also climb to 25 degrees Celsius.

Thanks to Maria Bain who contributed to the Doral portion of this golf blog. Bain is a freelance travel blogger, writing on a number of topics including luxury travel, golf travel and photography. 


Have you played golf at the new and improved Trump National Doral Blue Monster? Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on our Golf for Beginners blog.

Golf Guide to Teeing Off in Florida - Guest Blog

America is renowned as a hot-spot for golfers, and the most popular place for those packing their putters for a sporting holiday is Florida. Home to over 1,000 courses, the Sunshine State has the highest concentration of golf courses than any other place in America, making it a haven for those looking to play a few holes outside of the usual holiday season.

Image of a Florida golf course postcard - courtesy of Boston Public Library

However with so many options at your disposal, how do you narrow down where you should place your tee? This guide written by Maria Bain should not only help you plan your dream holiday but also make sure that you get the best game out of your visit as possible.

Top locations for playing golf in Florida

Tibuŕon Golf Club

Based in the picturesque area of Naples, the Tibuŕon Golf Club is home to two courses both designed by former world number one and golfing legend Greg Norman. Despite not being located by the ocean or featuring dunes, the golf courses are highly revered and are said to play as well as any other traditional links course.

Image courtesy of Tibuŕon Golf Club

The 18-hole Gold course was opened in 1998, and spans 7,288 yards and holds a par of 72. The more recent Black course was opened in 2001, which is made with a similar design to the Gold course but presents a slightly more challenging game to players. The black course also as a par of 72 but is slightly shorter than the Gold at 7,005 yards.

Both courses attract PGA professionals for the Franklin Templeton Shootout each December for a 3 day, 54-hole event that raises money for charity.

These challenging courses are not open to just pros – guests can play at the greens too for teeing fees that range from $75-$190, depending on the season. Golf clubs and shoes are also available for hire from the club.

TPC at Sawgrass

In the Ponte Vedra area of Florida resides arguably one of the most famous golf clubs in North America – the Tournament Players Club (TPC) at Sawgrass. This club is home to the PGA headquarters as well as the Stadium Course which is renowned by golfers across the world, and has even been regularly featured during the Tiger Woods PGA Tour series of video games.

Image of the TPC at Sawgrass clubhouse and course - courtesy of Phillip Larson

The 72 par Stadium Course (first opened in 1982) is home to one of the toughest shots in golf, the 17^th hole known as the Island Green which consists of only a 78ft long green surrounded completely by water (save for a small path leading up to it). This is known as one of the trickiest shots in golf and it is estimated that over 100,000 balls are retrieved from the water each year thanks to missed shots by professionals and tourists alike.

The club is also home to the Dye’s Valley Course that opened in 1987 – this course mirrors the standard of excellence found on the more famous Stadium Course but offers a calmer experience for the golfer looking for a quieter game that moves at a steadier pace than what may be available at the busier course.

Holiday packages are available for the tourist looking to make the trip to Florida for an unparalleled golfing break, starting at $324 per night per person that includes games of golf, accommodation and access to limited equipment.

Editor's note: The Honda Classic will take place this week at the PGA National Resort and Spa’s Champion Golf Course, considered by many to be one of the most difficult and finest of Florida's testers on Tour. Many of the top names will be in attendance - golf betting previews currently have Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods neck-and-neck as both top-ten and as winners.

Guest blog bio:

Maria Bain is a freelance travel blogger, she writes on a number of topics including luxury travel, golf travel and photography. 

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners - which Florida Golf Courses do you play?

The #Golf Personality Conundrum - What Type of Golfer Are YOU?

Whether you are new to the game of golf or whether you have been playing for years, there is one thing about the game you’re sure to pick up on early – the different types of characters on the course.

Golf is known for the eccentric, the stag dos, the serious players, even the corporate part-timers. To this end, there is a new Golf Quiz making the rounds which tells people what type of golfer they are most like. It has been produced in the hope of discovering which type of character is the most common.

How does the quiz work?

The creators of the quiz, Golfplan Insurance, have put together nine different scenarios that are likely to occur on the course. These have been based on personal anecdotes and conversations with golfers. There are some great scenarios, like the time when the ball stops less than an inch from the hole or when the heavens open. For those of the more seasoned variety, it will present a nice trip down nostalgia avenue as memories of past games when certain scenarios happened, come back to life.

For each scenario there are four possible solutions. They range from the comical to the serious to the absurd – but they are all true of golfers. These are used to determine the kind of character taking the quiz.

Here is one of my favorite golf questions in the quiz.

You're ready to tee off on the first hole. The weather is good-little wind, but there is a bunker two-hundred yards away. There are people watching (gulp). What do YOU do?

My answer?  Play it safe, of course, but I'll bet there are those golfers out there reading this blog that would choose answer "C" (you'll have to take the quiz to find out). As you can see, I have taken the quiz. Stick around until the end of this blog to find our what type of golfer the quiz says I am!

In creating the profiles, research was undertaken to establish a number of different personalities on the course. These were then grouped together and given an overarching profile identity.

There are four different possible identities but we won’t reveal them and take the fun out of taking the quiz.

The creators hope that there will be a strong enough response to ascertain an idea of the most common golfing personality. While the quiz isn't meant to be anything scientific, it is a great bit of fun.

Okay, the moment you have been waiting for! What type of golfer is Stacy Solomon from Golf for Beginners? The COA, but you might have guessed that already - take the quiz and let us know what golf personality YOU are!

Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and LIKE us on Facebook.

When the Weather gets Tough, the Tough play ColdFusion Golf

It is rumored that Arnold Palmer once said that watching golf on TV was about as much fun as watching paint dry.  I am sorry Mr. Palmer, but I have to disagree with that.  Being a junkie for golf on the course, on TV and online, I just can’t get enough of it!

Which is why I was delighted to see someone find a way to make the game more enjoyable even when Mother Nature thinks it’s time to hibernate our clubs. 

Let’s face it, there’s nothing worse than playing with cold balls.  And there’s nothing fun about freezing one’s butts off while trying to keep our precious Pro V1s warm enough to perform the way a $5 golf ball should.

But the problem is that all the major brands are manufactured for an optimum temperature of ~ 80 degrees F.  When those balls getcold, they’re less resilient and don’t compress as they should off the club face. 

Frank Thomas, former USGA director shared in his book, “Dear Frank...: Answers to 100 of Your Golf Equipment Questions that for every 10 degree drop in temperature, golfers can lose up to 2.5 yards of distance.   That yardage really adds up when the mercury takes a dip.

Enter ColdFusion Golf.  They have just launched the first cold weather golf ball that is designed to perform better the frostier it gets.

Apparently the ColdFusion Golf ball uses a custom core that retains its elasticity even when frozen.  The softer core also makes the ball more responsive off the club face and gives golfers better feel for every club in their bag, even the putter.

Teaching professional Randy Davis of Fairways and Greens Golf School in Cary, NC tested them out and gives them high praise.

“As a retired PGA Touring Pro and year round golfer, I understand why my normal ball doesn’t perform its best in colder weather. And when it loses compression and feel, it makes my rounds less enjoyable,” shared Davis. 

“I’m very particular about how my ball spins and feels off my wedges and putter and the ColdFusion is especially great with these shots. That’s why I recommend the ColdFusion cold weather golf ball to my students who play in cooler climates.”

So if you’re feeling frost bitten by lost yardages because your balls feel more like rocks and rockets when the chill hits the fairways, why not give ColdFusion Golf a try?  In fact, why not play alternate shot with your standard ball and a ColdFusion Golf ball and see if you notice a difference.  Then tell me what you think.

But remember what they recommend… For optimal performance, chill’em before you drill’em down the fairway!

Do you play golf in cold weather...even with a bit of frost on the fairway? Voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on our Facebook page.

Top Five #Golf Break Destinations for 2014 - Guest Blog

Guest Golf Blog by David Wilkinson - bio below:

European golf had a great 2013 with Adam Scott victorious in a playoff over Angel Cabrera at The Masters Tournament and Justin Rose winning his first major championship in the form of the U.S. Open.

With the sport more popular than ever, thousands of people are flocking to specialized golf break holidays all around the world to take advantage of the beautifully manicured vistas and tough tests of the European links.

With that in mind, I have compiled a list of 2014’s top five golf break destinations. These five destinations are places that I believe offer that little bit extra to the travelling golfer and can suit all tastes and competitive levels.

Northern France

Le Touquet Golf Course

A long time favorite with experienced golfers, Northern France boasts a number of top class golf courses. Le Touquet, Hardelot, Arras and Saint Omar are highly regarded as some the world’s greatest golf tests.

A big advantage for this region as a golf destination is the option of using the Euro Tunnel. Not only does this make the trip a lot cheaper for individuals travelling from Europe, but it also allows the freedom to bring as much golf equipment as one could possibly need.

Mix this with the amazing nightlife, beaches and world famous food of the northern coastline and you will be hard-pressed to find a better location.

St Andrews and Fife, Scotland

St Andrews Old Course

Seen as the spiritual home of golf, St Andrews is home to a number of world class golf courses. The list includes St Andrews Old Course, Kingsbarns and the lesser known Crail and Lundin.

Beautiful landscapes and a number of popular local attractions all help with St Andrews' undeniable charm.

Now home to a number of stunning hotels and Michelin-rated restaurants, it’s easy to see why St Andrews is one of the world’s leading golf break resorts.

Dublin, Ireland

There are few locations with better hospitality than Ireland making this location even more appealing to the travelling golfer. 

With pubs around every corner, the midlands region on the east coast of Ireland, which encompasses the capital city Dublin, has a number of world class courses, the likes of which include the 2006 Ryder cup host The K Club, Royal Dublin Golf Club and Portmarnock Golf Club.

The K Club

All within a short drive from the city center, these courses are helping pave the way for Ireland to emerge as a strong contender for holiday set golfers everywhere.

New Zealand

Cape Kidnappers

A country that is often overlooked as a golfing destination this sporting nation is finally standing on its own as a world class leader.

Golf is one of the most popular sports in the country, with more courses per capita in the world. With three of the country’s courses featuring in Golf Digest's “100 Best Courses Outside of the U.S.”, New Zealand is proving that it is a force to be reckoned with in the golfing world.

Courses such as Cape Kidnappers, which made number ten on the list offer seaside golf at its best. If you enjoy a strong breeze then why not try Kauri Cliffs. Voted number thirty on Golf Digest's ranking, this course offers fifteen holes with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean.

South Wales

The Vale Resort

With the eyes of the golfing world firmly set on South Wales in 2010 thanks to the Ryder Cup, Wales has gone from strength to strength as a firm favorite for golfers across Europe and the rest of the world, with fabulous courses just outside the capital Cardiff, the likes of which include the Celtic Manor and the Vale Resort. 

Visitors will be overwhelmed with the depth and beauty of these courses. Growing ever more popular in the country there is now over eighteen courses within a short drive from Cardiff.

From the city life of Cardiff, Swansea and Newport to the sandy bays of the Gower, the peaks of Brecon Beacons and the lush countryside of the Pembrokeshire National Park, South Wales is an ideal golf break destination.


David Wilkinson Bio:

A Digital Marketing Executive based in South Wales, David often writes about sports and other leisure activities and is a keen amateur golfer.

Is your favorite golf break destination listed here? If not, feel free to add it to our Golf for Beginners comment area below!

Also, voice your opinion on Twitter @Golf4Beginners and on our Faceboook page.