The “Wall of Death” and 5 Other Must-See Features on Courses Outside the U.S.
When golf architect Brian Curley was pitching ownership about his vision for the fourth course at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Thailand, he stressed the need for something unique and exciting to stand out. The result: The Wall of Death. To the right of the green at the par-five 15th hole at Siam’s Rolling Hills […]
Top 10 Courses: Japan
The 2020 Tokyo Olympic course, Kasumigaseki East, ranks third on our Top 10 list of courses in Japan behind a pair of Hugh Alison designs that are likened to Augusta National and Pebble Beach, respectively. 1. Hirono, Hirono The Augusta National of Japan, this 1932 design by Hugh Alison weaves strategically among woodlands, ravines, lakes, […]
One Course to Play for the Rest of Your Life
While many of us are stuck at home, we’ve had plenty of time to daydream about the places we’d like to travel and the golf courses we’d like to play once again, or for the first time. I’ve spent a lot of time refreshing social media, too, and have seen an interesting topic being floated […]
Golf Simulators Rapidly Rising in Popularity
Cody Miller was one of the first two employees hired globally by TrackMan to help grow its simulator business nearly seven years ago. The company, synonymous with the orange square briefcase carrying its digital radar system, was starting to break into the simulator market and had some projections for where the market was going. “It’s […]
My Courses: Greg Norman
From Australia to Hilton Head, Greg Norman has played courses all over the world. The Shark gives us his answers in this edition of “My Courses.” MY FAVORITE COURSE: The Composite Course at Royal Melbourne—one of the most natural courses in the world. Alister MacKenzie didn’t move any dirt. The flow of the course, the […]
George Gankas: Challenging the Myths of Golf Instruction
The driving range at Westlake Golf Course outside Los Angeles isn’t where you’d expect to find golf’s hottest swing instructor. Artificial-turf mats and striped range balls greet golfers, not plush grass and Pro V1s. Numbered signs serve as targets and golfers come dressed in everything from jeans and sneakers to swimsuits and flip-flops. Tucking your […]
An At-Home Survival Guide for Golfers
Years ago, after my wife, newborn son, and I moved to Cousins Island, Maine from New York City, I got my first real taste of life without golf. I knew that being a new father would cut down on my rounds. But as I watched the Masters that first spring in Maine and noted out […]
Alternatives to the Two-Person Golf Cart
When the coronavirus hit in the U.S., GolfBoard President Jeff Dowell’s first thought was, “Uh oh, this could be ugly,” as he watched existing orders for his company’s single-rider boards cancelled or put on hold. A month later, many others in the industry had what he calls an “A-ha moment.” When one-rider-per-cart mandates […]
Dream Nine: Par Fours
The par four. Routinely benign, sometimes repetitive, yet often unforgettable. More than any length on the golf course, it’s the par fours which will likely make or break your round. Let’s face it: A birdie on a par four is just a bit more rewarding, isn’t it? With that in mind, the premise is simple: […]
5 of the Best Golf and Skiing Areas
Mountains have something magical about them. The unique rock facings. The way their look changes with the sun bouncing off them in the morning or late afternoon. And the fact that my ball usually flies much further while playing mountain golf doesn’t hurt, either. In some locations, depending on the time of the season, you […]