Disney's Winter Summerland Miniature Golf

We recently took a trip to DisneyWorld...you know the place where you freely open your wallet and say with the biggest smile you have: "Take more please!" Because you've just realized that your 4 year-old daughter actually is a princess while dancing and flirting with thee Cinderella...

The last part of our journey took us to their miniature golf course Winter Summerland. It is told that Santa, his wife and the elves moved to Orlando for a vacation spot. Wanting a minature golf course, Santa was undecided as to what to model his course after until he heard about Blizzard Beach water park. Then his inspiration became an unbelievable 36 hole course, split between summer Christmas themes, and winter Christmas themes. The following is a collection of photos from our incredible journey through a family-fun golf course.

...yeah, that's right....I was low score for the day and scored a certificate and collector golf ball!

Thanks for reading. Keep it in the short-grass,

JFB

Golf Vacations with GolfTours.com

If you have kids, then you’ve probably done the family vacation to Disney World or Disneyland, and you might have taken a few trips to visit grandma and grandpa while trying to convince yourself that it was a “vacation.” But when was the last time you took a vacation that you really wanted to take? That’s right; we are talking about an ultimate golf vacation at some of the finest courses around the world. It used to be that you either had to spend hours of your time trying to make all the arrangements yourself, or pay a hefty markup for a travel agent to do it even if he or she had virtually no experience in setting up golf travel packages. But now with a company like GolfTours.com, you can get an expertly-planned golf package at a price that might be lower than you think.

When it comes to international golf vacations, there are literally hundreds of different options. Let’s start with the “Big Three” obvious ones: an Ireland golf vacation, a Scotland golf trip or an England golf travel package. You just can’t go wrong with any of those places, where the game of golf was invented and then developed over the centuries. You can play iconic courses like The Old Course at St. Andrews, Muirfield Golf Course, Carnoustie, The Old Course at Royal Troon, The K Club’s Palmer Course, Celtic Manor or Royal St. George’s among others. Just imagine how jealous your friends and colleagues will be when you tell them you are taking a St. Andrews golf vacation or that you just booked a Celtic Manor golf travel package.

If you’ve already done some golfing in the United Kingdom or just want to try something different, then you might consider a Valderrama golf vacation as part of a golf tour of Spain and Portugal. Or if you really want to rack up the frequent flier miles, you can reserve a South Africa golf travel package that includes courses like The Links at Fancourt and Royal Johannesburg.

If you don’t want to have to rummage through your desk to find that passport, you can also book plenty of great golf travel packages in the United States, like a Pebble Beach golf vacation including rounds at Spyglass Hill and the Links at Spanish Bay, or a Pinehurst golf trip or Bandon Dunes golf travel package. And if you want to spend some time on the beach when you are not on the links, then check out a Hawaii golf vacation with a couple rounds at the Plantation Course of Kapalua Resort. If it’s going to be your vacation, the choice of courses should be up to you.

Hot dogs..apple pie...and golf!

Family Golf Month Encourages Families to Hit the Links and Have Fun in July

PGA/LPGA Professionals nationwide offer free and affordable programs to families

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. – Summer is a season to celebrate the family and Play Golf America encourages everyone to hit the course during Family Golf Month for a healthy and affordable way to spend quality-time together. Family Golf Month promotes golf as a fun, family recreation by providing structured, yet casual, opportunities for families to learn the game. Throughout the month of July, PGA and LPGA Professionals at participating facilities nationwide offer reduced or no cost activities for golfers of all ages and skill levels. To find programs in your area, visit www.PlayGolfAmerica.com.

“Summer is a great time to get involved in the game of golf, because there are so many programs that focus on the benefits that golf has for everyone – from kids to grandparents,” said PGA of America President Allen Wronowski. “With so many Family Golf Month events during July and throughout the summer, the game is more accessible and affordable than ever.”

Nearly 2,100 facilities are registered to host Family Golf Month events, including Family Golf Clinics and Play Days, Kids Play Free, PGA Family Course, Bring Your Kids to the Range, Take Your Daughter to the Course Week (July 4-10) and special junior rates, as well as a variety of other events and activities which can be found at PlayGolfAmerica.com. In addition, many facilities offer affordable programs – some even complimentary – for the entire family. Family Golf Month events are also being hosted on military golf courses as part of The PGA of America’s long-standing relationship with and support of the United States military.

“Golf provides children with life lessons of discipline, honesty, camaraderie, sportsmanship and etiquette, and families can really capitalize on these benefits during Family Golf Month,” added Wronowski. “Kids today are spending more time in front of computers and televisions, but Family Golf Month activities provide a great reason to get them out in the fresh air spending uninterrupted time with family.”

For more information on Play Golf America and any of the family or junior golf programs, consumers can visit PlayGolfAmerica.com. The site allows users to find and register at participating facilities in their area by searching their city or zip code.

Celebrating its 95th year, The PGA of America has maintained a twofold mission of its founders: to establish and elevate the standards of the profession and to grow interest and participation in the game of golf. By establishing and elevating the standards of the golf profession through world-class education, career services, marketing and research programs, The PGA enables its professionals to maximize their performance in their respective career paths and showcases them as experts in the game and in a multi-billion dollar golf industry. By creating and delivering dramatic world-class championships and exciting and enjoyable promotions that are viewed as the best of their class in the golf industry, The PGA of America elevates the public's interest in the game, the desire to play more golf, and ensures accessibility to the game for everyone, everywhere. The PGA of America brand represents the very best in golf.

Play Golf America!

Suzy Whaley’s Family and Junior Golf Tips

Suzy Whaley, a PGA and LPGA Professional, is one of the nation’s most acclaimed golf instructors and public speakers. She was elected to The PGA of America Board of Directors to represent the Connecticut, New England and Northeastern New York PGA Sections – the first woman to do so from her District. She is also a member of the PGA of America's National Instruction and National Diversity committees.  In 2002, Whaley was the first woman in 58 years to qualify and participate in a PGA Tour event (the 2003 Greater Hartford Open), following the legendary Babe Zaharias.  In 2005, she became the first woman to qualify for the PGA Professional National Championship, finishing tied for 64th. Her many teaching accolades include being chosen among the top teachers in Connecticut by Golf Digest, a Top Five female teacher designation by Golf Digest, nominated for GOLF Magazine's top 100-teacher list, is an LPGA Teacher of the Year and a two- time PGA Teacher of the Year honoree in the Connecticut PGA Section.

Below are some various categories with tips from Whaley on reasons to play golf as a family and how to get your family and children started in golf.

Reasons to Play Golf as a Family and Why Golf is a Great Sport for Children:

• It provides uninterrupted family time outdoors and is also a great way to spend quality time with your family (and friends!).
• It is great exercise in a beautiful setting. Studies show that walking the golf course reduces levels of bad cholesterol, burns calories, prevents heart disease, and helps oxygenate the body and improve posture.
• Golf helps children learn how to focus and teaches great life lessons - respect, integrity, sportsmanship, camaraderie and problem solving.  It is also a great business tool for networking for when they get older.
• Golf is a game for a lifetime and can enjoyed by the young and old.  How many other sports can a parent, child and grandparent participate in together?
• Golf is a non-contact sport and does not require athletic prowess
• Many golf facilities offer discounted junior rates, making it an affordable family activity.
• It’s fun!

Ways to Get your Family Started in Golf:

• Visit PlayGolfAmerica.com to find family programs in your area.
• Contact your local PGA of America Section at PGA.com for a list PGA Professionals in your area.
• Contact your local Parks and Recreation Departments for family programs.
• Visit your local public golf facility and gather information on its programs.
• Enroll your children in the “Golf in Schools” program if they are offered in your area.

How to Get your Kids Started in Golf:

• Encourage your children to hit balls with you at the driving range.
• Visit PlayGolfAmerica.com for children and family programs in your area.
• Contact your local PGA of America Section at PGA.com for a list PGA Professionals in your area.
• Contact your local Parks and Recreation Departments for children and family programs.
• Make golf a family activity.
• Watch or attend a golf tournament together.

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