The Finest Nine-Hole #Golf Course in the U.S.A.?

AndNine-hole golf courses are regaining popularity - here's why you should consider playing nine.

A lack of time is usually the main reason why many golfers play nine holes instead of the regulation eighteen but there is so much more to gain from a nine-hole course.

The Finest Nines, a book written about the best nine-hole golf courses in North America, states its case for the value of a short course.

A "complete" round of golf today is eighteen holes, which is based on The Old Course in St. Andrews; originally this course had twenty-two holes but, if you look back even earlier into Scottish history (as far back as 1562), golfers played twenty-five holes!

In his book, writer Anthony Pioppi states that a nine-hole round of golf is perfectly legitimate and that golfers should embrace nine holes and give the courses in this book validation as a true test of a golfers' skills.

Did you know, according to the USGA, "the First U.S. Open in 1895 was played on a nine-hole course"?

Nine holes are also great for a quick test of skills, an afternoon walk, and that it is totally "legit" and counts towards your handicap!

According to a press release issued by the USGA and the R&A, in 2020, a universal golf handicap system will take effect. "A minimal number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap; a recommendation that the number of scores needed to obtain a new handicap be 54 holes from any combination of 18-hole and 9-hole rounds."

The courses in The Finest Nines were selected for their architecture; strategy and shotmaking, how a golfer makes his way from tee to green and the diversity of the par-3's, 4's and 5's were the determining factors considered.

So, which course did the author hail as the "finest nine-hole course in the country?"

Pick up a copy of the book and find out! Okay, okay, spoiler alert - it's Whitinsville Golf Club in Whitinsville, Massachusetts!

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Why All Golfers Need to Attend Demo Days

Spring is almost upon us which means (for the most part) golfers will be dusting off their clubs and taking to the driving range.

After reconnecting with your driver and irons, you may think that you need new clubs but, before spending an arm and a leg on new golf equipment, consider attending demo days sponsored by manufacturers or your local club...you will learn much about your swing, the newest technology and you may ultimately walk away with the correct clubs for your swing.

Going to a demo day at a golf course or equipment resaler is like entering a candy store - there are so many different clubs to view and all of the reps are standing nearby, tempting you to try before you buy. Demo Day is a cornucopia of golf bags filled with all the irons and drivers you want to test.

Why test new clubs when you believe your clubs will be perfectly fine for another season?

Your clubs could be costing you shots; just because something is familiar to you or you are comfortable with it, doesn't mean it is still good for your game!

Golf swings change, and so does equipment. What might have suited you up until this point may need some tweaking; your driver, for example, which could be ten years old, may no longer offer you proper distance - time for a new Twist Face or Rogue? Also, pay attention to the weight and flex of the shaft another important update due to changes in the speed of your swing.

“Even with all the latest developments and technology in golf, most golfers aren’t using clubs that fit them,” said Dale Ketola, director of instruction and fitting at Grande Dunes Golf Performance Center. “Even if you’ve been fitted before, mechanics can change.  You should be checked every so often to make sure your clubs complement your game.”

...from press release on MBN.com 

And if you are still playing with those beginner golf clubs and have taken your game to the next level, a professional should review your clubs to see if they need to be updated.

Read: How to Tell If You Need New Irons

With reps and pros on hand to answer your questions, Demo Day is a perfect time to reassess what is in your golf bag!

Golf for Beginners has compiled a short list of what you should consider when heading out to Demo Day.

1. Determine what you want to accomplish during the event and how much money you want to spend - it is easy to get lost among the shiny, gleaming, new clubs.

2. Talk to a pro about your game (what is good/bad about it and show him/her your current set of clubs.

3. Test the golf clubs - you may be surprised that hybrids feel more comfortable than long irons or senior-shaft clubs feel better to you than a women's set of golf clubs. Grips and shafts are also important. You may like a bigger grip or a lighter shaft - make sure you have the pro or rep help you through the decision-making process.

Also, don't just buy clubs - use this as a learning experience and make sure you get properly fitted for the clubs before taking anything home.

READ: Should You Replace your Long Irons with Hybrids?

What do you learn most about your swing and clubs when you attend a Demo Day? Let us know in the comments section of this golf blog and follow/tag us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners.

How Flubs from PGA Tour Golfers Teach the Rest of Us

Although professional golfers are the best in the world to watch for quality shot-making, they are still human and hit their fair share of flubs, wayward drives, and shanks. How can we use their errors and recoveries to improve our golf game?

From Rickie Fowler blowing a one-shot lead at the Waste Management Phoenix Open to Ian Poulter's shank into the stands, pro golfers' blown opportunities remind you that they're human. Watch how a pro golfer maintains his/her composure under pressure and shakes off blunders to better your round.

Take, for instance, Rickie Fowler's current state of affairs - he is now establishing notoriety as a golfer who "can't always get it done on Sundays." Does he agonize over each shot? When interviewed after his fourth messy round, Fowler looked at the positives of his game.  I "was in a decent position with a few to play and just had a couple — really didn't make bad swings."

Of course, Rickie also mentioned his putting woes using one of the "best clubs in his bag" but that is par for the course ..."I know I'm a good putter, I putted well all week," confirmed Fowler.

Learn from these three famous Ben Hogan quotes; you can then understand the mind of a professional golfer and be a better player in the long run:

"This is a game of misses. The guy who misses the best is going to win."

"A good round of golf is if you can hit about three shots that turn out exactly as you planned them."

"The most important shot in golf is the next one."

Golf is not an easy sport - a positive attitude combined with determination, solid planning and practice will help you to not only improve but to elevate your game.

READ: 3 Steps to Achieving Your Golf Resolutions

Do you watch the pros and what do you learn from them? Leave your comments on our golf blog and be sure to follow us on Twitter @Golf4Beginners for more golf tips!

Outstanding Golf Club Memberships in the Austin, TX Area

If you are a golf enthusiast in the Austin, TX area, you might be asking yourself, "Are there any great golf club memberships near me?" The answer is yes. The Austin area has a number of outstanding golf clubs that feature beautiful courses and local golf tournaments.

Teravista Golf Club and Avery Ranch Golf Club 

One of the Austin area's finest golf clubs is the Teravista Golf Club located at 4333 Teravista Club Drive in Round Rock. This club has an 18-hole course with a total length of 7,200 yards. It has been rated a Beginner Friendly Course by the National Golf Course Owners Association. The club features a large practice facility, and it is home to the J.L. Lewis Golf Academy.

When you become a member of the Teravista Golf Club, you also receive membership at the Avery Ranch Golf Club located at 10500 Avery Club Drive in Austin. The Avery Ranch Club course was designed by an associate of Jack Nicklaus. This is considered a difficult course to play even for more experienced golfers.

Membership in these two clubs allows you to play rounds seven days a week. Members are allowed to use the club's full facilities for activities and events. Both clubs are also open for tournaments held by business and private organizations.

Falconhead Golf Club

Another well-regarded Austin golf club is the Falconhead Golf Club at 15201 Falconhead Drive in Austin. This course has the look of a course one would see on the PGA Tour as it was designed by professionals from the PGA Tour Design Center.

A local golf tournament called the Ergon Masters is hosted at the club every year in April during the time of the Master's Tournament on the PGA Men's Tour. It is popular throughout the local golfing community.

There are several membership levels at Falconhead, but there are really three basic memberships. The Classic Membership allows members to play each day and book 10 days in advance. There is also the Weekday Membership that excludes play on the weekends. The Range Play Plus Membership lets golfers play after 12pm.

River Place Country Club

Located at 4207 River Place Boulevard in Austin is the River Place Country Club. This is a par 71 course that was designed by PGA Tour winner Tom Kite. The course has a rolling design that is a challenge to any golfer.

Signature members of this club are entitled to unlimited golf. The club also has tennis and swimming facilities that all members may use. Members may also use the club's facilities for meetings and events.

Morris Williams Golf Club

Morris Williams is not a membership club. It is open to anyone who wants to play. It does host a number of local tournaments for Austin area golfers. They host the Spring Championship in March and the Austin Senior Championship in September.

This course opened in 1964 and was designed by Leon Howard. It is located at 3851 Morris Road in Austin.

These are just a few of the many private golf clubs in the Austin area. Austin has many places for golf enthusiasts to enjoy a round with friends, family, and colleagues.

The Texas Hill Country Is Home To Some Impressive Golf Courses

Austin, Texas is a great city for golf lovers. This is due to its vast flat landscapes, allowing for spacious greens, as well as year-round favorable weather conditions that make it possible to golf during every season.

The city’s golf clubs are home to several local golf tournaments that take place at its several golf courses. There are two golf courses near Austin TX that are the most reputable, namely the Avery Ranch Golf Club and the Teravista Golf Club.

Part of the Avery Ranch residential community located 20 minutes northwest of Austin, the Avery Ranch Golf Club was designed by former Jack Nicklaus designer Andy Raugust. The Club’s history is that the region was once home to Native Americans and robbers that were attracted to it due to its dense oaks, creeks as well as wildlife. The club was carved and blasted out of the rocky ranchlands along Bushy Creek – Raugust had to use dynamite to blast rock out of the landscape for five holes.

Avery Ranch Golf Club is known for two holes on each nine, namely holes 7 and 13, each of which has its own charm. No. 7 requires a carry over a ravine and natural area from an elevated tee box and a precise tee shot if one wants to avoid the bunkers and tress in order to position oneself for the dog left to a green with another gully across the front of it. The hole itself is rather short, offering players with a good position to tackle the shot. From this position, players enjoy the Club’s the spectacular multi-level green as well as the huge rock wall fronting it, the large bunker to the right as well as native cacti to the back.

No. 13 at Avery Ranch has been known as the city’s top par three hole. It is charming, featuring water on the right side, beautiful oaks in to its back as well as a unique ridge of rocks to the right of the hole. It is a reasonable distance and offers a bail out area (in case of a miss), all of which makes it a fun challenge. However, despite all its challenges, the course still manages to remain fair, offering an enjoyable, satisfying as well as scenic game of golf. It is part of the Austin Golf Trail that offers impressive stay & play packages.

The Teravista Golf Club has its own charm, with a reputation for great golf course conditions as well as the best greens in the Austin area.

The Championship 18-hole club is located in the Texas Hill Country, and as such it has impressive views that span over 50 miles. Spreading across 7,200 yards, the yard offers 5 different sets of tees suitable for golfers of all ages and abilities. In addition to the club’s beautiful rolling hills, the Teravista has recently introduced a health-club style membership, namely “The Players Club” that allows its members the convenience of improving their game that suits their schedule. 

Membership perks also include free practice times as well as two rounds of golf per month and weekly clinics on the Club’s state of the art practice area with several hitting, pitching and chipping locations, all designed to enable its members to become the players they have always wanted to be. Also not to miss is Caldwell Café, the Club’s full service restaurant that is open for breakfast, lunch and happy hour that offers a variety of golf inspired menu items. 

When Should Golfers Play It Safe?

Phil Mickelson, one of the most recognizable risk-takers in golf, asked a kid in the stands during the Dell Technologies Championship for advice; should he go for the green or lay-up?

Mickelson needed a 260-yard club to get him safely on the green and the ball was in the rough.

Whether we are beginners or average amateurs, most of us do not have that shot in our bag, so the decision is slightly easier - go for the green in two shots....but which two shots do we take?

Aside from the two-stroke penalty he should have incurred (Rules of Golf), Mickelson decided to go for the green and made the shot.

What does the average amateur or beginner golfer need to assess in order to play it safe or go for the gusto? Here are a few tips to help you determine your next shot in the least number of strokes.

1. Try looking at the hole in reverse order, from green to tee. If there is water right up near the green, you may wish to lay up in front of the green and make an easy pitch shot.

2. Properly place your shot off the tee, so you take the trouble out of play. If there is sand or water on the right-hand side of the fairway, tee off on the right side.

3. Golf ball lying in a thicket of trees? Your best bet is to get the golf ball back into play. Consider where on the fairway you want to position your ball for the next shot onto the green before you take your next shot.

4. Putting: my playing partners in the EWGA used to talk about the "circle of trust"; an imaginary circle within three feet of the hole that golfers should try to aim for when making a long putt. Although you always want to make the putt, you don't want the ball to roll too far from the hole, leaving you a long, trying putt coming back.

5. Don't go for low percentage shots. Think you won't make it over the water? Are you standing in the trees with no easy way out? Is your ball buried in the sand? Think safe and you won't be sorry!

Share your thoughts on when is the best time to play it safe or go for it on this golf blog and tag us with your response on Twitter @Golf4Beginners!

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