Your Best Golf Swing

Having all your stuff organized in an easy to access way might not give you a better golf game, but overall it should improve the golfer’s attitude. Especially if you travel with your clubs, it’s important to know that your gear is safe and sound, and that you’ve got a place for everything you need.

Travel Golf Bags and Covers

There are so many different makes and features of travel golf bags to choose from, finding one that fits your needs perfectly is not going to be any trouble at all. It doesn’t matter whether you’re just a basic golfer who wants to make sure that their golf clubs are secure or if you are one of those linkster golfers that  just needs room for a cooler in your bag, there are plenty of well made, totally awesome and convenient golf travel bags that you can select from.

Combos: The Easy Way

Combination golf travel bags/ carrier combos can give you the best of both worlds: they’re designed to weigh about the same as a regular bag, and they make for easier travel and less bulk to packYou can order them with wheels which makes it easier to get around the airports, or over to your golf cart. Designs range from sleek metal alloy to padded, reinforced cloth. If you are looking for a piece of luggage that is convenient and multifunctional, then the right choice for you will most definitely be the combo golf travel/carrier bag.

Golf Travel Bag with Cover: Familiarity Breeds Comfort

Some golfers though have their bag set up exactly as they like it and don’t see why they would need to break everything out and repack it all for a trip. In that case, making use of a durable bag cover or case for your gear just make a lot of common sense. These are made so you can simply pack your travel bag inside, button everything down, and you’re ready to go. They make designs that have wheels, as well as unique designs that are designed to save space and feature “hideaway” construction that will make it easier for you to store when you’re not using it.

Consider Your Needs

If you don’t do a lot of traveling, then you probably don’t think that makes a lot of sense to spend money on a high-end golf travel bag or a travel case. Take into consideration though how much money you have invested into your clubs, your shoes, and all your other gear (not to mention the high-priced lessons, know what I mean?), with this in mind you probably don’t want to skimp on the value of protection that you provide for your investment. Take some time to look at all your options, consider how many times you’re going to use the bag, and take it from there.

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By Jim Nettleton

As we continue to examine some of the fine courses in the Tampa Bay region of Florida, we’ll concentrate on two more fine examples, one relatively new and the other a venerable course that’s been around for many years. The relatively new layout is Westchase Golf Club, located just about ten minutes from Tampa International Airport in western Tampa. This 6,710 yard track was designed by Lloyd Clifton and features a beautiful golfing trip through local fauna and flora that you’ll truly enjoy.

Westchase starts you out with a fairly benign hole that measures only 347 from the back. But it’s benign only if you hit it straight. Water lines the first all the way down the right side and guards the green partially from the front and totally from the right and back. An iron off the tee might be a good choice.

Number 2 is a lovely par 5 of 549 yards with water coming into play on the left. The third is one of the most dramatic par 3’s in the region, if not anywhere. It plays 212 from the back down through a chute of trees to a green guarded by water in front. An outstanding and difficult hole.

Moving ahead to number 5 and 6, you’ll get all the par 4 you can handle from this pair. #5 is 426 and #6 is 440. Although water is present on each, it is not, or shouldn’t be, in play. But if you’re playing into the wind, 4 is a very good score, indeed.

The 8th is a superb par 5 that bends right all the way. The second shot must be well placed to get at the green, which is tucked near a stand of woods.

The front 9 finishes with a solid 404 yard par 4 with water on the right. The second shot must carry a waste area. The back 9 begins with a short par 5 at 505 yards, but those able to try for the green in two must be very accurate. Water guards the green very closely.

The 11th is a crackerjack of a par 3, 190 yards over water. The 12th is, to my mind, the most difficult driving hole on the course, requiring a long carry off the tee and an accurate second shot to a difficult green. At 13 we come to another par 5 of 507 yards with water in play all along the left side. 14 is a straightaway par 4 and 15 a very nice par 3 of 160 yards.

The 16th is a very interesting hole requiring an accurately placed tee shot. Big hitters can reach a waste area that juts out into the fairway from the right, making the second shot semi-blind.

Number 17 is a solid par 4 of 402 yards requiring an accurate second shot over water to a tricky green. The finishing hole, which parallels #9, measures 388 yards and requires a second shot over the same waste area that borders the 9th green.

Westchase is, all in all, a tremendously enjoyable golfing experience. The second course we’ll look at today is Pebble Creek Golf Club, located in the northeast area of Tampa, one of the oldest courses in the area. They recently underwent extensive renovations (2006) and have improved the facility greatly. It’s a sporty course featuring a very solid layout that plays 6,436 yards to a par of 71.

The scenic layout begins with a 370 yard par 4 with the second shot over a creek. #2 is a strong 193 yard par 3 that forces you to contend with a big tree on the left. To play #3 well, you’ll need to work the ball left to right off the tee. This 400 par 4 is a solid test. #4 is a 368 yard par 4 which is best played by favoring the left side of the fairway, but water lines the left side, so caution is necessary. A tee shot to the right will block your approach to the green because of woods lining the fairway on that side.

Number 5 requires a tee shot over water and an approach shot over water as well. Number 6 provides respite in the form of a 160 yard par 3. Number 7 is a straightaway par 4 of 372 yards with water on the left. The 8th hole is the first par 5 on the course at 504 yards. There is water on the left, but it shouldn’t come into play. The third shot carries a creek.

The front 9 finishes with a strong, 434 yard par 4 that requires a tee shot down the right to right center to avoid being blocked by trees on the left as the hole bends left. The back 9 gets going with a neat little par 4 of 367 yards. It’s a good birdie opportunity, but you must place your tee shot down the right side to avoid being blocked on your second shot.

On #11 you don’t want to pull your tee shot or it will meet a watery grave. It’s a straightaway par 4 of 385 yards. Number 12 offers a nice par 3 of 168 yards with a tricky green. The 13th hole is a lovely par 5 that sports water protecting the green, making reaching it in 2 difficult.

Number 14 is only 346 yards at par 4, but placing your tee shot is imperative. Number 15 plays 181 yards at par 3 and you must be below the hole on your tee shot. Number 16 is a good birdie chance at 360 yards at par 4. The penultimate hole, #17, is a wonderful par 5, requiring an accurate tee shot. There is water along the left and the driving area is tight.

Number 18 is a fine finishing hole at 394 yards. Pebble Creek runs in front of the green, making an accurate approach a must. Pebble Creek is a fine test and a must play when you’re in the Tampa area. The club has lovely amenities, good dining and a terrific atmosphere.

About The Author

Jim Nettleton is a radio and television professional who is an avid golfer and golf historian. He highly recommends The Simple Golf Swing - http://tinyurl.com/2mmeuxfor those struggling with their game. Visit his golf blog at golf-golf-andmoregolf.blogspot.com/