The British Golf Monthly magazine has published their list of the 20 best golf courses in Europe based on the votes of senior staff, contributors and some well travelled members of their senior reader panel and there are four Spanish courses mentioned and two of those are located on the "Costa del Golf". The winner is the Club de Golf Valderrama in San Roque, province of Cádiz and fifth place was attributed to the Sotogrande Golf Club in the same province.
Valderrama is a 6356 metres par 71 course with no hole of less than championship quality, but it can be fully enjoyed by players of all handicaps, thanks to the genius of Robert Trent Jones, Senior, whom many consider the leading golf architect of his day.
The owners and the architect shared a common aim: to create a course that would present a test of golf to the everyday golfer and the first-class player alike, and would bring out the best golf that is in him.Valderrama has since risen in the Golf World rankings to become the No.1 golf course in mainland Europe, a position proudly held since 1989.
No championship course in modern times has so swiftly achieved such recognition. As early as 1988, Valderrama began to host the newly-launched Volvo Masters, the flagship tournament of the PGA European Tour, and continued to do so until 1996.In 1997 the Club hosted the 32nd Ryder Cup, won by Europe in a most thrilling finish. Valderrama remains today the only club ever to have hosted golf's pinnacle event outside its traditional homelands, USA and Britain.
Next, in 1999 and 2000, Valderrama went on to host the first two editions of the World Golf Championships - American Express Championship, which were won by Tiger Woods and Mike Weir respectively.The tone for the Ryder Cup event was set by Severiano Ballesteros, the Europe captain, when he walked the course with John Paramor, the chief tournament director. 'I found everything perfect,' he said. 'It's impossible to imagine a golf course in better condition.Valderrama is a private Members' club, but a limited number of starting times are offered for visitors most days of the year.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, August 24, 2009
Costa del Sol - Costa del Golf
You might have heard the slogan invented by the Spanish tourist office : Costa del Sol - Costa del Golf.
This reflects very nicely the large number of golf courses on the Southern coast of Andalucia in Spain, where we can find over 60 golf courses on a stretch of about 70 miles, so on average there is a possibility to play a round of golf for every mile along that coast.
One of those courses is Valderama, a championship course developed by the famous Spanish player Seve Ballesteros. This course is links course with a number of greens along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Come and visit us here in sunny Andalucia, where you find Moorish heritage mixed with modern Spanish life style.
This reflects very nicely the large number of golf courses on the Southern coast of Andalucia in Spain, where we can find over 60 golf courses on a stretch of about 70 miles, so on average there is a possibility to play a round of golf for every mile along that coast.
One of those courses is Valderama, a championship course developed by the famous Spanish player Seve Ballesteros. This course is links course with a number of greens along the shores of the Mediterranean Sea.
Come and visit us here in sunny Andalucia, where you find Moorish heritage mixed with modern Spanish life style.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
New Internet Golf Store Opened
Yesterday a new internet golf store opened its doors to the public.
It is called Simply Golf Carts and offers a variety of very interesting pages, ranging from the latest news about out favorite sport, a video clip libary to choose from, to auction information and, of course, a full choice of golf equipment and golf accessories including golf carts and caddies.
Why not have a look at it now: Simply click on Simply Golf Carts and have some fun.
It is called Simply Golf Carts and offers a variety of very interesting pages, ranging from the latest news about out favorite sport, a video clip libary to choose from, to auction information and, of course, a full choice of golf equipment and golf accessories including golf carts and caddies.
Why not have a look at it now: Simply click on Simply Golf Carts and have some fun.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Looking for a cheap golf cart?
Getting a good deal is important, but there's a lot to consider beyond price.
Finding cheap golf carts is easier today than ever before. You can find vehicles either online or off line. Classified ads are a great way to find local sellers. But finding those discounted golf carts is just the beginning. WE look at some of the issues to consider when it comes to buying used vehicles.
It may sound counter-intuitive but many people end up buying something that they ultimately do not like simply because the price was right. Now, this is not always a problem. Many golfers simply want reliable transportation and they do not really care what it looks like. As long as the vehicle is serviceable and running, they are happy. Then there are those folks who buy cheap golf carts and within weeks or months wish they had not. Perhaps what they really wanted was a battery-powered unit but they, instead, bought a gasoline-powered vehicle. Maybe the color of the paint does not really suit them, or the seating arrangement is not what they really wanted or needed.
You should try to avoid buyer's remorse whenever you can, and one way to do that when it comes to buying a discounted golf vehicle is to be patient. Make a short list of what features you really want in the vehicle that you will eventually buy and try to stick to that list as you shop around. You will be happier in the long run.
Why is This Vehicle So Cheap?
This is an excellent question to ask yourself before you put your money down. In many cases, the owner may simply want to buy a new vehicle and is selling this one simply to get rid of it. In other cases, the owner may have had one problem after another with this vehicle and is trying to unload it on anyone foolish enough to buy it. You have to be careful when buying cheap golf carts because the last thing you want is to find yourself paying repair bills right after you buy the thing. You can certainly ask a seller why he is selling at a discount, but be smart about this and remember people do not always tell the truth.
The better way to approach this question is to bring along a trained or experienced mechanic. Let this individual do a quick inspection of the vehicle and base your decision to buy on what he or she tells you.
When you are considering the purchase of a discounted golf cart keep in mind that you should try to get everything you need. This might include the trailer and hitch, battery charger, windshield and top, along with any other items you need to fully enjoy the vehicle. If the vehicle does not come with a trailer, you can expect to pay several hundred dollars more in order to get one. These added costs can really add up fast, so make sure you get everything you need when you make the purchase.
Finding cheap golf carts is easier today than ever before. You can find vehicles either online or off line. Classified ads are a great way to find local sellers. But finding those discounted golf carts is just the beginning. WE look at some of the issues to consider when it comes to buying used vehicles.
It may sound counter-intuitive but many people end up buying something that they ultimately do not like simply because the price was right. Now, this is not always a problem. Many golfers simply want reliable transportation and they do not really care what it looks like. As long as the vehicle is serviceable and running, they are happy. Then there are those folks who buy cheap golf carts and within weeks or months wish they had not. Perhaps what they really wanted was a battery-powered unit but they, instead, bought a gasoline-powered vehicle. Maybe the color of the paint does not really suit them, or the seating arrangement is not what they really wanted or needed.
You should try to avoid buyer's remorse whenever you can, and one way to do that when it comes to buying a discounted golf vehicle is to be patient. Make a short list of what features you really want in the vehicle that you will eventually buy and try to stick to that list as you shop around. You will be happier in the long run.
Why is This Vehicle So Cheap?
This is an excellent question to ask yourself before you put your money down. In many cases, the owner may simply want to buy a new vehicle and is selling this one simply to get rid of it. In other cases, the owner may have had one problem after another with this vehicle and is trying to unload it on anyone foolish enough to buy it. You have to be careful when buying cheap golf carts because the last thing you want is to find yourself paying repair bills right after you buy the thing. You can certainly ask a seller why he is selling at a discount, but be smart about this and remember people do not always tell the truth.
The better way to approach this question is to bring along a trained or experienced mechanic. Let this individual do a quick inspection of the vehicle and base your decision to buy on what he or she tells you.
When you are considering the purchase of a discounted golf cart keep in mind that you should try to get everything you need. This might include the trailer and hitch, battery charger, windshield and top, along with any other items you need to fully enjoy the vehicle. If the vehicle does not come with a trailer, you can expect to pay several hundred dollars more in order to get one. These added costs can really add up fast, so make sure you get everything you need when you make the purchase.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Interesting Facts on Golf Carts
A bit of History
Electric golf carts have been used since at least 1951. Merle Williams of Long Beach, California was an early innovator of the electric golf cart. He started with knowledge gained from production of electric cars due to World War II gasoline rationing. In 1951 his Marketeer Company began production of an electric golf car. Two additional companies began production of electric golf carts in 1954: LEKTRO and E-Z-GO. CUSHMAN began production in 1955, CLUB CAR in 1958, TAYLOR-DUNN in 1961, and HARLEY-DAVIDSON in 1963. In 1971 the gasoline powered golfcart began production and soon after became a huge hit in a small town in Florida called The Villages.
Golf Cart Communities
Electric golf carts have been used since at least 1951. Merle Williams of Long Beach, California was an early innovator of the electric golf cart. He started with knowledge gained from production of electric cars due to World War II gasoline rationing. In 1951 his Marketeer Company began production of an electric golf car. Two additional companies began production of electric golf carts in 1954: LEKTRO and E-Z-GO. CUSHMAN began production in 1955, CLUB CAR in 1958, TAYLOR-DUNN in 1961, and HARLEY-DAVIDSON in 1963. In 1971 the gasoline powered golfcart began production and soon after became a huge hit in a small town in Florida called The Villages.
Golf Cart Communities
There are a number of communities already nationwide where golf carts are used as an environment friendly means of transportation for every day tasks. Here a few of the better known ones:
Peach Tree City, Georgia has many miles of golf cart paths that link the city together. Golf cart travel is used by a great majority of the community, especially among high school students. McIntosh High School even has a student golf cart parking lot on campus.
On Santa Catalina Island, California, the use of motor vehicles on the island is mostly restricted. This is due to the fact that, by law, there is a limit on the number of registered cars allowed onto the island, therefore most residents, and visitors alike, move around the main city of Avalon, primarily in their golf carts.
The upper-class community of Bald Head Island, North Carolina, does not allow motor vehicles on the island (except for trams running to and from the ferry port and island-owned maintenance vehicles), so residents use modified electric golf carts instead.
The Villages, Florida, a retirement community of more than 70,000 people, has an extensive golf cart trail system (estimated at around 100 miles (160 km)) and also allow golf carts on many streets. It is the most popular form of transportation in this community.
A few famous places outside the U.S. where golf carts are used every day are spread over the whole globe. On Hamilton Island, Queensland, Australia, where mainland vehicles are prohibited, golf carts are the main form of transport.
On the tropical islands of Belize golf carts are a major form of road transport and can also be rented by tourists. Discovery Bay, Hong Kong, does not allow public vehicles it has a total of 520 personal Golf carts not including the ones in the Golf Club or in the Marina Club.
Injuries
Along with the rising popularity of golf carts, the number of golf cart-related injuries has increased significantly over the last decade. A study conducted by researchers in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at the Nationwide Children's Hospital found that the number of golf cart-related injuries rose 132% during the 17-year study period. According to the study, published in the July 2008 issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, there were an estimated 148,000 golf cart-related injuries between 1990 and 2006, ranging from an estimated 5,770 cases in 1990 to approximately 13,411 cases in 2006. More than 30% of golf cart-related injuries involved children under the age of 16.
Here is a video on how to wreck your golf cart:
Monday, July 6, 2009
Golf carts on interstate highways?
This may not be about the exact golf cart you are using now on the golf course, but there is a "green" future ahead of us...
If you trust the television images, it appears that soon we will all drive cars the size of golf carts because of Obama’s new fuel standards. Newscast after newscast illustrated the new 35.5 CAFÉ (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) standard with a two-seater microcar. In some cases the image was juxtaposed with a threatening-looking SUV, usually black — Darth Vader on his way to crush the rebellion.
The message? Be afraid. Be very afraid. And to be honest, I was. My first thought? There is no way my kids are getting in a microcar.
Since then, however, I’ve looked into safety and small cars. True, small cars can be unsafe – but not necessarily.
Greencar.com offers an informative article by Kellen Schefter http://www.greencar.com/articles/smart-car-offers-drivers-new-high-mpg-option-top-crash-rating.php. Shefter describes crash tests by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety on Daimler AG’s 2008 smart fortwo. It is not as destructible as the golf cart it resembles. On the contrary, the smart fortwo earned the institute’s best ratings for front and side crash protection. For rear crashes, it was rated acceptable.
Schefter explains the technology behind the car’s crashworthiness. The smart fortwo is built to distribute the impact of a crash over its entire body; the rear-mounted engine breaks away and slides underneath the car if it is hit from behind, “absorbing energy and reducing the rebound inherent in such a stiff structure.” And the car has a short wheelbase so that in a side collision, it is more likely to hit an energy-absorbing axle.
In any case, we may not need small cars to meet fuel efficiency standards, according to the Rocky Mountain Institute. But the cars will need to be light. Lack of vehicle weight is typically linked to poor crash performance. RMI says, however, that light weight, like small size, need not mean danger on the road. The organization plans to issue a study in July that illustrates how big cars made out of light materials can have “crash safety comparable to, or better than, that of a similarly sized heavy vehicle,” according to a paper RMI recently posted on its website. Safety depends on good engineering. Because the engines need not be so big in the light car, “the crumple zone” can be larger, creating greater safety, RMI says. http://www.rmi.org/sitepages/pid603.php.
Still, the biggest challenge for the car industry may not be one of engineering, but psychology. Can marketing efforts overcome what Schefter calls the “bigger-is-better intuition” of the safety-minded American car buyer? As I think about my kids in a microcar, I realize that I’ll be a good test case.
And for the time being I shall not use my golf cart on the highways yet...
What is a golf cart?
According to wikipedia a golf cart or golf buggy (officially referred to as a golf car according to ANSI standard z130.1, since "carts" are not self-propelled). is a small vehicle designed originally to carry two golfers and their golf clubs around a golf course with less effort than the traditional method of walking.
Golf cars come in a wide range of formats and are more generally used to convey small numbers of passengers short distances at speeds less than 15 mph (24 km/h) per ANSI Standard z130.1 as originally manufactured. They are generally around 4 feet (1.2 m) wide × 8 feet (2.4 m) long × 6 feet (1.8 m) high and weigh 900 pounds (410 kg) to 1,000 pounds (450 kg). Most are powered by 4-stroke engines.
The price of a golf car can range anywhere from $3,000 - $15,000 per car, depending on several factors. These factors may include whether or not a fleet of cars is being purchased for a golf course or a country club, for example, and whether or not the cars are new or used. Other factors may include options such as equipment requirements, and how many people the car is meant to transport. With the rise in popularity of golf carts, many golf clubs or country clubs offer storage and energy options to golf cart owners. This has led to the modification of golf carts to suit use at the particular golf course. Typical modification includes windshields, ball cleaners, cooler trays, upgraded motor or speed controller (to increase speed and/or torque), and lift kits.
Originally golf cars were electrically powered, but in time gasoline-powered variants started to occur. Electric golf cars were the first mass-produced electric vehicles for private consumer use. This variety is now used in many communities where their lack of pollutants, lack of noise, and safety for pedestrians and other cars (due to slow speeds) are beneficial. When purpose-built for general transportation these are called Neighborhood Electric Vehicles (NEVs), but with various operating limitations such as top speed and heavy regulation on which type of streets these types of cars are permitted to be used. These may resemble the golf cars shown above, although some are now being made with all–weather car–like bodies.
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