Ottawa Golf Blog

Rickie Fowler was wearing some Puma Faas Lite Mesh Golf Shoes on Tour back in January now we can wear the lightest shoes in golf. At only 6.5 ounces these golf sneakers are sure to be popular with the minimalist crowd. 



Full Press Release
PUMA Golf Debuts the Lightest Shoe in Golf, the Faas Lite Mesh

I pretty much wear shorts golfing all the time so why not let the pros shed their pants for some shorts. Ashworth Golf has put together a brilliant video of a few players from their stable of paid golfers that just want to wear shorts for some awesome reasons. Check out the results they are fabulous. Retief Goosen and Johnson Wagner steal the show. Sign the petition now!(for fun you can win some cool Ashworth stuff if you live in the USA).

Pictures That Will Help Your Golf Game

Consultant, coach, author, and course designer Nick Bradley is a frequent contributor to Golf Digest, Golf World, Golf International, and Golf Monthly. Bradley has worked with some of the world’s top golfers, including Ryder and Walker Cup players, and winners on the European Tour and British Open. A London native, he now resides in North Carolina. 

Got a email from Score Golf this morning and the headlines were as follows: HORSCHEL'S MAIDEN WIN; DRUG TESTING; AND 500 YARD DRIVES

So of course I have to click on the link to the 500 Yard Drive even though we all know it's the short game we should be practicing, right?

I know the cart path helps ole Louis out but it's still cool to watch. Louis Oosthuizen hits a colossal 500 yard drive with the help of a nearby cart path during the second round of the Ballantine's Championship in Korea. .

 

Well I've never seen an episode of Duck Dynasty but you know what I kinda dig these guys. They obviously like golf and think the world of Bubba Watson. They like to have fun plus they got great beards and great golf threads.Check out some pics from GolfWRX.com from this week's tour stop, the Zurich Classic of New Orleans Pro-Am at TPC Louisiana.

Bubba got to play with brothers Willie and Jase Robertson and Duck Commander empire associate Justin Martin.








The Guys from Duck Dynasty on Morning Drive before their Pro-Am tee time at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans.

The Barefoot Resort and Golf Club facility in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina  is a spectacular golfing mecca boasting 4 spectacular championship courses designed by Pete Dye, Tom Fazio, Davis Love and Greg Norman.  While vacationing in the Grand Strand area I had the chance to golf at the "Love Course". What a treat, as Davis Love III really knew what he was doing when he designed this traditional style golf course with so much South Carolina charm. Nice generous landing areas and Bermuda grass greens stretching more than 7,000 yards this course is fun for all levels of golfers just be sure you play off the right set of tees. I played off the whites and shot a respectable 93 my buddies who don't play a lot of golf played from the whites as well and had a great time. The tips play to 7047 yards with a slope of 139, while alternate sets play to distances and slopes measuring 6542 yards/133 slope, 6055 yards/126 slope for men and 127 for women, 5643 yards/121 slope and 5336 yards with a slope of 124 for ladies hitting from the forward tees.

We arrived at Barefoot Resort, I though somewhat early but I had made an error with our tee time. So we ended up being late. The staff was great and they fit us in nicely.  The Norman, Fazio and Love courses are all serviced by the same charming clubhouse. The day we played there was a definite buzz all around the clubhouse with golfers everywhere. I can imagine it's always like this, compliments to the staff as I was impressed with their attitude and customer service with us arriving late for our tee time.

We ended up teeing off the 10th hole which I had no problem with, after all I was in the area on vacation and to golf. So off we went on the 10th hole.



























It was almost good we ended up teeing off on the back 9 at the Love Course as the 10th and 11th holes are very straight forward holes that were good warm up holes for our group as we had no time to warm up.  The par-4 10th plays only 321 yd. from the White tees so with a nice draw here it can set up a fairly easy approach into this green just beware of the waster bunker. Can be very penalizing for some. The 11th a short par at 109 yd. with the right club can set up a birdie chance just be weary of the small green.

Number #13 was one of my favorite holes at Barefoot Resort. It's both scenic and challenging even though at 447 yd. it's a relatively short par 5. From the tee you have to decide to either take your drive down the right side where you might run out of fairway and wind up in water or down the left side which makes the hole longer. For most golfers you'll be laying up. With your second shot just make sure you avoid the trouble on the right side, lots of bunkers and water. The green is smallish and contoured so par is a good score on this hole.




























Number #14 is a tough par 4 similar to #13 only the trouble here is on the left side. Tough for those who overdraw or hook the ball on occasion. Again your second shot is into a large elevated tiered  green. Good luck with this one.

The #15 hole is a straight away slightly uphill par 3 just be careful with the wind here as if it's into your face make sure you club up. Managed a par on this hole, again be careful of the undulations of the green here.


No. 16 is another one of those fun holes,  a little risk reward here again with a split fairway. Be sure and be right of the large bunker obstacle in the middle of the fairway. If your accurate with your drive you'll set yourself up for a birdie opportunity.  If your on the left side your just setting yourself up for a blind second shot.

Managed a par on the 17th but this is tough par 4 playing at 389 yd. from the white tees. Hit your shot between bunkers then be prepared for a elevated green with bunkers everywhere plus false-fronted green. I'm not sure how I managed par here but sometimes it pays to be lucky.

 Off to the 18th a 534 yd. par 5. Quite a large landing area but I played a draw around the corner where it opens up even more. With water down the left side of the hole on your approach most won't go for it in two. It's better to play a wedge into this hole. Play for the middle of the green and sign for your par. Tough hole!



From 18 we headed over to the first tee where a short little par 4 lay. Hit your tee ball between the bunkers and your good to go for this green. A definite birdie opportunity.



Number two is a shortish dogleg par. We real weary of this green it's crowned with lots of trouble scattered near. Not a long par 5 but can be really hard if not played smart.

Hole #3 is a 144yd. par 3 that played into the wind the day we played with water down the right side this hole is visually intimating and the narrow long green doesn't help with the visual as well. Be happy with a par here.

Holes #4 & #6 Barefoot Resort - Love Course
These two holes are just plain fun, scenic and full of history. I've never played a hole on a golf course where the backdrops are old plantation ruins but that's what you get when you play these holes. Bring your iPhone because if your like me you'll be taking lot of photos. Below are just a few samples. They are recreated ruins but it's still very cool. Hole #4 is an uphill par and at about 265 yd. from the white tees your definitely hitting driver on this hole for a possible eagle of birdie putt. Just a real fun, scenic hole.



Hole #6 is a beautiful par 4 at 340 yd. This hole plays tough especially with the wind. With trouble down both the left and right sides, beware bunkers can easily gobble up your ball. Your second shot with a good drive will leave you with a wedge in but remember bunkers surround the green as well. Two great holes that you'll remember big time!




On the 7th hole Davis Love decided to lay some bunkers down just to visually intimate the golfer on his/her tee shot. If you can keep it right of the two bunkers your second i played in to a tough green with lots of slopes.

The 8th hole is the only hole I kind of go this is is a terrible layout as your tee shot is blind. Which is something most golfers don't like. Once you get around the corner at least you get to see this pretty yet difficult par 5. Your shot into the green has to be precise as there's marsh/water in the front with an undulating green as your target. Tough hole!

We ended up finishing on Barefoot's long par 3 9th hole. A real tough hole into the wind, it plays 187 yards from the white tees with most trying to chip in for par. Great way to end the day of golf. My buddy even had a birdie putt. (although he missed)



Conclusion
Barefoot's Love Course was a real treat to play. Great March conditions but who doesn't like playing golf when there's snow on the ground back in Canada. I liked the fact Davis Love likes wide fairways for your drives but he decided to add just a few bunkers (71 soft sand bunkers including sand waste areas) and water hazards to penalize any wayward shot. All skills of golfers will have fun on this golf course

The greens can poise a problem for some golfers just play smart. With a plethora of greenside bunkers with a great mix of crowned, tiered and undulating greens. Skilled and not so skilled golfers will have plenty of memorable holes at the Love Course at Barefoot Resort.

My favorite holes had to be #4 and #6 with the recreated plantation ruins. The highlight of my Grand Strand Golf Experience. A must play for anyone in the area. Greens fees range from $105-$185 depending on the time of year but can be discounted more as well what day and time you play as well. Let me know your thoughts?

Tell me you weren't praying for Australian Adam Scott to win the Masters. That's one sweet swingin' Aussie, congrats Adam and Australia on your first green jacket.