Practice in your house during the winter

 

The winter has rolled into Myrtle Beach like a lion. I have to say, we were pretty lucky all through November and December, but now it is just cold!!! We have stopped going to the range to practice due to the winter winds and low temperatures, but that doesn’t mean my family and I stopped practicing! I went to Martin’s Golf Super Center and found a $32.00 pitching net, a little grass hitting mat and a bag of wiffle balls and have set them up in our bedroom room. My family and I practice our short game for hours and it will prove beneficial in the early months of spring when we get back on the course! I predict that we are going to shave off a lot of shots around the green and boy, does it beat the boredom of having to stay inside!!! I like the pitching nets because you can fold them up and get them out of the way when you are finished playing. You can also buy a putting practice set to practice your putting on. I use the carpet in our house and mainly work on moving around instead of sitting in front of the TV or playing board games.

 

Have fun out there beating the winter chills!

 

Philippe Bureau

PGA Golf Professional

Cape Fear National, a new golf course in the area is opening. Located in Brunswick County North Carolina, this Tim Cate designed course equals his previous golf courses (Tiger’s Eye, Thistle and Leopard’s Chase) and is another masterful scope of work.

            I would describe Tim’s design as visually impressive. His use of bunkering, water features, wetlands and native landscaped beds appeals to my eye. The landscape beds are on the outlaying areas of the hole, but if you hit your ball in one these beds, you will most likely see it for the last time! Numerous water features are placed to catch errant shots. Many of the water features are out of play, but you will notice them and it tends to add pressure to your shot. The bunkers which surround the green are pronounced and deep. They are well placed adding a dramatic back drop to the green.

            As any Tim Cate designed golf course, the layout is straight in front of you. It is easier to approach the green from one side of the fairway as opposed to the other side, but most greens have a run up alley. Like the recent Cate golf courses, if you are not hitting your drives straight, remember to bring lots of balls. You may need them. It is also the challenge from the tee that makes Cape Fear National so interesting. The fairways are very generous, but once you leave them, it becomes penal. The fairways are bermuda grass and the greens are bent grass. I Think Cape Fear National will prove to be one of the favorites in the Myrtle Beach area for years to come.