Saturday, January 16, 2010

Long Weekend Golf Holiday Planner: 3 Nights and Days in Puerto Rico

Puerto Rico is a great place for a golf holiday -- as an unincorporated self-governing territory of the United States, there are fewer administrative hassles than going for a long holiday to a completely different country. It is an archipelago, so you can see the ocean from just about wherever you are in Puerto Rico, and since it is only a short plane ride away (and there is no time one difference to speak of), it is quite easy to go down for a long weekend. Today we give you a guide to Puerto Rico's best golf and best afternoon activities for golf vacationers.
Day 1: Rio Mar, River Course
In most places, rivers don't really hold a candle to the power and beauty of the ocean. Puerto Rico's Rio Mar River course is a stunning exception! The native foliage has been largely preserved in this Greg Norman designed Caribbean golf course.
Afternoon 1: Le Lo Lai Festival
This show of traditional Puerto Rican dance is free aat two of its locations, and runs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is on at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm at different locations, so don't worry if your game runs late!
Day 2: Palmas Del Mar Palm Course
Designed by Gary Palyer this resort style course is basic but very enjoyable. The path winds through cocunt groves, marshes and thick jungle - a great way to experience the real Puerto Rico while having a great game of golf! If you get through holes 11 to 14, you'll feel that you can get through anything.
Afternoon 2: Heineken Jazzfest
Tito Puente hails from Puerto Rico, and if your are here over May you'll be able to catch this 4 day festival with some of the biggest names in Latin jazz. Let your feet and your body learn about salsa and meringue, as well as swings and follow-throughs!
Day 3: Palmas del mar Flamboyan course
This course was designed by Rees Jones, and is long and challenging for a Puerto Rican course. It circles a 23-acre lake, crosses the Candalero River and climbs hills to the ocean views beyond. Bring your strong, wind-compensating arms!
Afternoon 3: Old San Juan
You've spent a few days checking out the natural beauty of Puerto Rico, now it is time to experience the only walled city in the Caribbean, with its maze of cobbled streets, beautifully painted houses, and the mansions which were targets for pirates.
Golf holidays to Puerto Rico are incredibly rewarding - not to be missed out on!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Golf Holidays With Bobby: All About Robert Trent Jones and His Courses

He died at the ripe old age of 94, and it has been said that "The sun never sets on a Robert Trent Jones golf course!" No, he didn’t invent some artificial means of keeping the sun in position in the sky … he was simply one of the most prolific golf course designers in recent history. Today we take a selected look at some of Robert Trent Jones, Sr's courses that are best loved by golf professionals and golf holiday-ers alike.

Los Naranjos, Costa del Sol, Spain
One of Robert Trent Jones' trademarks was long runway style tees, which allow easy setup for getting past water hazards. This course also features wide fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and large, undulating greens -- tricky but enjoyable for golf vacationers!
Mid Ocean Club, Bermuda
Golf magaines can’t go past adding this one to the top 50 list, every time they create one. The par-3 16th hole is a favorite of players … including Jack Nicklaus! The PGA Grand Slam has been hosted by Mid Ocean Club several times.
Royal Kaanapali North, Maui
This course first openened in 1962 -- you can find many historic courses the world over that are the creation of Robert Trent Jones. In the foothills of the West Maui mountains, and the terrain of the course varies from sea level to beautiful sea views, and visions of the hotels dotted along the coast and mountains. The slope is 129, and this is rated 4 stars.
Port Royal Golf Club, Bermuda

The Bermudan government thit a winner with this golf club - they are the administrators of this Robert Trent Jones golf course. It is the most heavily played course in Bermuda, and hosts the Bermuda Open Championship every year. The ocean underneath the 16th is littered with little white balls, so if you don't play much, get some accuracy practice in before your golf holiday!