If you are a narcotic golfer than the attached video of the back yard of Short Game Guru Dave Pelz from the “Million Dollar Rooms Series” is going to make you drool. We are not talking about driving range nets and chipping baskets here. We are talking a real scale full-featured short game practice facility with accurate replicas of some of the most iconic green complexes in golf.

In his yard you can play pitches, chips, flops, sand shots, three-wood chips, bladed sand irons….the works. Best part is that the surfaces play and respond like the real deal…..and he does not have to mow one blade of grass.

If you had this outside your sliding doors you too could be a contender!

Million Dollar Rooms Series

Dave Pelz’s Backyard

January, 2012

After watching this video of 21 month old Two Gloves Kopinskis you will understand why those Blue Blazers are banning anchored putting.  The game would be dominated by young whippersnappers like this and there are not enough diaper changing stations at your typical tour stop to handle them.

Owen has spirited his own method-right anchored with a left-hand-low-claw grip.  As you can see no yippin’ in this putting stroke and apparently he has the pitching game to go with it.  He needs a little work on the signature fist pump………but as they say………. baby steps…baby steps….

WLS-TV Chicago

January, 2013

“No Cup Is Safe” as Rory and Tiger kick off their new Nike relationship……well we kind of knew that about Tiger already…

January 2013

The Pelican Hill resort was designed in the grand 16th Century Palladiam architectural style of Northern Italy.  Grand is the operating phrase since everything is presented on a scale that dwarfs the imagination.

Tall Roman columns, long arched hallways, oversized urns with huge landscaping features, and airy cathedral ceilings everywhere.  It is big, bigger, and bigger still wherever you look.  The 70-inch flat screen TV in the Coliseum Sports Bar feels right at home.

This place has it all-superb accommodations, fine dining, full spa, and two seaside Tom Fazio creations with vistas that will blow your mind.  Shown below are images of the resort delights and the Ocean North Course.

In spite of the scale, the resort is run as a first class experience in a low key manner that makes your comfort a priority without any pomp and circumstance.   A  comfortable and delightful place to build massive amounts of points on your Amex Card.

First impression-front entrance creates an architectural statement.

Even the valet station at the informal restaurant is imposing.

Chill at tranquility basin, the endless pool that overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

High end destination weddings use this Roman Chupah…quite charming.

Recreation includes all the European favorites….even Bocce.

The most expensive cart bridge in history traverses from the clubhouse to the first tee.

Split fairway….pick your poison on the hardest four par on the course.

A bit of Pine Valley on the approach to #9.

Dramatic uphill meets the horizon at the par 4 14th.

Postcard 17th has it all-strategic bunkering, imposing wetlands, and a promontory green setting overlooking a Pacific backdrop.

Approach looks like a blimp shot of the closing hole

(Click to read the full course review of Pelican Hill Ocean North)

(Click to read Postcard From Pelican Hill Ocean South)

January, 2013

Pelican Hill Resort in Newport Beach is a first class destination for the discriminating golfer. The hotel, dining, golf, spa, and other facilities will tax your Platinum Card to the fullest but it is well worth the fare. Routed on the steep hills of Newport Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean they have two Tom Fazio creations to wow your senses and challenge all your golfing skills.  The Ocean South is shown below.

The Mish, Long Ball, and The Birthday Girl in the prep area.

Built on abrupt elevation changes with sprawling ocean vistas you will may trouble concentrating on the task at hand.

These foothills have deep gorges that make for challenging carries and breathtaking views.

The environmental areas are off limits to golfers because of the critters and S’s.

Rock outcroppings provide unique accents and homes for the Titleist collecting trolls.

Tranquility defined traversing Walden Pond off the 8th tee.

Stunning look of par three #12 against the coastal horizon.

Followed by the par three #13-a canvas of sand, trees, sea, and sky to behold.

View of the rocky cliffs and surf a short stroll off the back of #13.

Dramatic sunset behind the 16th is a jaw dropping treat for the late twilight tee times.

(Click to read the full course review of Pelican Hill Ocean South)

(Click to read Postcard From Pelican Hill Ocean North)

December, 2012

Check out this Global Golf Post video of tag team putting at the Golf Academy of America in Apopka, Florida.

Note that 2 of 6 are left hand low and not a single belly putter or claw grip among them….is this significant?

(Click here to see the Six-Putt Global Golf Post video)

Global Golf Post

November, 2012

Every summer The Keepers, our men’s group from Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Maryland, runs a mentoring outing at our place with the kids from the First Tee Program of Montgomery County.  The adults are flabbergasted every year by the golf maturity and enthusiasm of the kids, ages 8 to 15 years old, a testimony to the principles they learn through the First Tee Program.

The day entails some professional attention on the range, a short game competition, food, and seven holes of golf on our South Course.  At the end of the day The Keepers get as much out of this event as the kids-it is smiles and memories all around.

(photos courtesy of Rita Mhley)

It starts with organization.

And direction.

Some professional attention.

Mentor oversight.

Houston we have lift-off.

Maybe a bit of Marius Filmalter putting instruction.

Enthusiasm and support.

It is about the line.

And the stroke.

Kid’s got style.

Rapt attention.

Now that is a throwback look.

Some lemon refreshment.

Heading for home.

Lest we forget they are kids!

August, 2012