Kuching's Purr-fect Golf Offerings
By Felicia DS Dousi
Situated at the far southwest of Sarawak, what was once the capital of the White Rajahs, home to the famous Brooke’s families, who ruled Sarawak for three generations is now a proud city which prides itself as being one of the most multi-racial city in Malaysia.
The once long British era has in turn vividly tinted a great colonial influence in Kuching’s architectural landscape. One clear example will be the majestic Fort Margarita, situated along Kuching River, fringed by beautiful gardens amidst the hassle and its bustle of the city activities and people.
True to its analogy to the gentle yet coquettish cats, Kuching is a well blend of lush nature and a pinch of colonial feel with unobtrusive modern buildings. While others may question the origin of the name ‘kuching’, travelers need not to worry about what the mesmerizing Kuching has to offer.
For the golfing incline, Kuching features a handful of attractive layouts that may just keep you coming for more.
Kelab Golf Sarawak
Website: www.kgswak.com
A one of Sarawak’s premier golf courses, Kelab Golf Sarawak (KGS) takes its pride as the only 36 holes golf course in Sarawak. It boasts two 18—hole courses, the combination of Matang/Santubong Nines and Siol/Demak Nines.
Kelab Golf Sarawak lives up to reputation as a challenging layout equipped with numerous well-placed obstacles to test every facet of a golfer’s game. One can expect a good mix of hazards – both sandy and watery here.
Considered as the more difficult of the two, the Matang/Santubong combination plays to a distance of 6,394 meters off the black tees with meandering Paspalum fairways and fast Bermuda Tifdwarf greens. This championship layout comes of age when it hosted the Malaysian Amateur Open in May of this year (2009).
The Siol/Demak combo stretches to 6,224 meters off the black tees, with long tree-lined Bermuda fairways capped by sloping and undulating Bermuda Tifdwarf greens, which in turn create a different set of challenges from the former.
Located mere 15 minutes away from Kuching City, another unique feature of the KGS is its pyramid-like Clubhouse that offers a variety of facilities ranging from pro shop, library, a well-equipped gymnasium, squash and tennis courts, an 8-lane Olympic size swimming pool as well as food outlet.
Damai Golf & Country Club
Website: www.damaigolf.com
Located 35 minutes away from the Kuching City, Damai Golf & Country Club is one of the top golf courses in Sarawak. The 6,318-metre, par-72 layout boasts the distinction as the first golf course in the country designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer a.k.a. The King, one of the greatest players in the history of men’s professional golf.
Situated at the right foothill of the magnificent Mount Santubong, the 18-hole course features the Mountain and the Ocean Nines. Set in a magnificent setting, the bravura layout provides an immense oceanic view of the South China Sea with breathtaking mountains as the back drop.
One particular striking hole is the par-three 17th that evokes memories of the great Pebble Beach’s signature hole – the par-three seventh hole. Club selection is imperative on this 154-metre signature hole. Blessed with a superlative backdrop of the rushing waves of the South China Sea, it is easier to enjoy the view than to post a good score here.
Hornbill Golf & Jungle Club
Website: www.borneohighlands.com.my
Launched by the famous Tiger Woods on 18 November 1999 has instantly made Hornbill Golf and Jungle Club a worldwide acclaimed golf course and reputed as one of the unique and most exotic around.
Designed by Neil Crafter to reflect the natural features and contours of the highland plateau, it offers a unique experience of ‘Golfing in the Clouds’, where players get to tee and putt in the mist while surrounded by the lush 1.5 million years old virgin tropical rainforest.
Living up to its fame, the spectacular 18-hole golf course, which spans beautifully over 6,249 meters of the highlands plateau, never fails to give golfers a taste of fresh daunting challenge each time they tackle the greens. One can expect to experience both physical and mental golfing challenges, as the course is rugged by steep slopes due to its topography.
As the focal point of the Borneo Highlands Resort, the Hornbill Golf and Jungle Club’s concept of ‘Golf beyond the Golf Course’ is eminently present in the design of its Clubhouse as well as the facilities provided.
Golf aside, the Hornbill Golf and Jungle Club boasts a string of restaurants, recreational facilities as well as its famous Jungle Spa, where total fun and stress free relaxation are just a step away amidst the unspoiled nature. The location of the club itself also enables it as a base for jungle treks and river adventures lovers.
Source: Where to Play, New Straits Times, August 2009
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Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Shah Alam Pockets of Golfing Haven
Shah Alam's Pockets of Golfing Haven
By Azue Aziz
Shah Alam and its periphery, Subang were once a serene, scenic suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. Through the years, gargantuan developments transformed the area a chaotic, choking, perplexing maze.
Thankfully, pockets of haven have been maintained. Read it how you may, but the clubs listed might evoke warm memories of R&R and proud conquests worthy of bragging rights for some; or otherwise invoke salty expletives from those sore in yet failed attempts to tame notorious courses and infamous hazards.
Glenmarie Golf & Country Club
Website: www.glenmarie.com.my
Golfers will be delighted with the quality of golf on offer at Glenmarie GCC. There are two scenic 18-hole layouts, the Garden Course and the Valley Course (currently in refurbishment), which can easily cater even the most discerning of golfers.
In his design, course architect Max Wexler played on the characteristics of the land to create two visually appealing par-72 layouts that are both a treat to the eyes and a threat to your golfing skills.
Wexler’s trademarks of extensive interconnecting lakes, waterfalls, fountains and bridges predominate on both courses. The water hazards not only stun and intimidate, but also offer high rewards to players with precision, accuracy and good clubbing.
At 6,432 metres off the black tees, the Garden, sculpted on gently rolling hills, is regarded as the championship course. The Valley, at 6,325 metres is a tad shorter but somewhat more challenging with its dramatic plunging downhill holes, some severely sloping uphill holes, doglegs and blind holes.
When the first nine reopens for play end of this month (May 2009), regulars are bound to notice changes to the Valley course, where upgrading work by Ted Parslow, commenced on June 16 last year.
At the cost of RM13 million, all 18 holes have been redone, with three of the front nines and five out back having been realigned. Several bunkers have been added and reshaped, and the landscape tweaked to add to the challenge.
While it will take a few more months for the Valley to be fully opened, extensive renovations to the Clubhouse costing RM7 million, which began in September 2008, were recently completed.
At the heart of the Clubhouse, the Golf Centre’s refurbishment emphasizes on member’s convenience, where the reception counter is now located indoor, in air-conditioned comfort.
Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah
Website: www.kgsaas.com.my
Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah or affectionately known as Kampung SAAS is perhaps the first golf club in the world to offer night golfing facilities in 1993. Since then, the idea of nocturnal golf has become popular in the country as shown by the number of clubs offering the facilities now.
Known locally as KGSAAS, this 27-hole parkland layout was designed by five-time Open Champion, Peter Thomson. The constantly undulating layout features three nine-hole loops (President, Sultan and Alam Shah), each of which ventures away from the clubhouse, before climbing back to it.
KGSAAS, with Thomson’s trademark pot bunkers, rolling fairways and medium-to-large elevated greens in abundant, is challenging without being overly difficult to the social golfers.
Perhaps the most memorable hole is the par-five, second hole of the Sultan Nine dubbed the Dragon hole. From the slightly elevated tee, it plays onto a narrow fairway, with the second shot requiring a carry over a creek, before climbing to an elevated and massively undulating green.
Kota Permai Golf & Country Club
Website: www.kotapermai.com.my
Kota Permai Golf & Country Club may be one of the later golf institutions to open for play in the Klang Valley but within that short span it has already been established as one of the more popular courses with golfers of all levels.
A joint development of Hicom and Gamuda, Kota Permai is ideally located within the eye-pleasing new township of Kota Kemuning in Shah Alam, just 12 minutes away from Petaling Jaya and half an hour from Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Kota Permai was designed by Ross Watson, the golf architect from Down Under, who together with Graham Marsh co-designed The Vines in Perth.
Since it was open for play in early 1998, Kota Permai has hosted a plethora of corporate and loyalty events but it was the hosting of the Volvo Masters followed by the Volvo Masters of Asia that firmly established Kota Permai as a major player in the regional golf map. The layout further enhanced its championship pedigree when it hosted the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2008.
Monterez Golf & Country Club
Website: www.monterez-golf.com
Perhaps it is the calming influence of the surrounding greenery serving as a welcome respite away from the maddening life of city development just outside the fences of the area. Or may be the Mayan-inspired architectural and landscaping themes are simply working wonders to the battered souls.
Some will say Monterez is a perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle of city life away from the fast track of a rat race life, just the place to relax and rejuvenate. For most, it’s a perfect layout where they can nurture their swings without taking too much of a beating from the Auld game.
Well, that is Monterez – both accommodating to the seekers of creature comforts as well as birdie and eagle hunters armed with dimpled white balls.
Encompassing an area of 123 acres of rolling terrain punctured by a number of lakes and waterways, the 18-hole, par 71 payout, at 5,699 metres off the blue tees, is not long by any means. However, its lack in length is very much offset by the creativity of the design that calls for apt course management.
Seri Selangor Golf Club
Website: www.seriselangor.com.my
Having cleared the perpetually maddening traffic mess outside, arriving at Kelab Seri Selangor (KGSS) is akin to returning to your kampung (village) home – rustic, comfortingly familiar and fuss-free.
Led by senior golf executive Wan Intan Doora and helmed by General Manager Hairul Hisham Mohd Zaini, the staff run like clockwork in handling the daily operations of the country’s first bona fide public golf course.
Since its official launching in 1998, not much change has been done to the façade, but its meandering layout, designed by Ross Watson, has gone through several upgrading, with the last being in 2005.
Patrons, both golfing buffs and non-golfers alike will find Kelab Golf Seri Selangor fully equipped to cater to all their human needs and creature comforts.
Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara
Website: www.krtu.com.my
All apprehension of having to enter the TUDM Subang base past stoic and armed MPs dissipated when Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara’s (KRTU) Operations Manager, Tengku Abdul Rahim gallantly offered to escort this writer towards the Clubhouse on his trusty steed – a handsome Gold Wing cruiser motorbike, no less. This meant doing away with the tedious drill of civilians having to alight from their parked vehicles, surrender their MyKads for registration and repeating the process to retrieve it upon exit.
To a clueless first-timer to the Club, an escort was a welcome necessity. The journey was pleasant, along avenues lined with smartly pruned trees, past the Parade square and across a skinny bridge, which my escort niftily zipped on. Blocks of flats clustered in an area to the left, each emblazoned with major hotel chain logos would invoke chuckles in anyone –turns out they were, aptly, the base’s bachelor quarters.
The rustic Clubhouse itself is perched on a hillock, overlooking a breathtaking vista. But this non-golfer’s mind boggled – how on earth could anyone manoeuvre such a rugged terrain, let alone a golfer on a mission? Tengku Rahim just shrugged off my query, and wickedly replied, “if anybody can play well at KRTU, they can practically do so anywhere.”
This does not appear to be a deterrent – they average 4,500 starters per month, with the majority being civilians. To those who have conquered Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara’s ominous course; “Tabik (salute), to you!”
Kelab Golf Negara Subang
Website: www.subanggolf.com
The Grand Dame of Subang still stands quietly imposing. A befitting accolade to describe Kelab Golf Negara Subang (KGNS) or Subang Golf Club, the brainchild of the nation’s first Prime Minister, YAM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj.
Cruising up the driveway towards the Clubhouse, one is soothingly enveloped in a serenity that only the established, pioneer clubs exude. Magnificent ancient trees with their lush foliage and gnarled trunks stand guard, buffering all within the premise from a maddening mayhem of literally being ‘wrapped’ by busy highways.
Its hollowed halls of aged timber, worn smooth through the years hold many memories, a keeper of untold tales.
Impressively mature, the KGNS Championship Putra Course comprising the Agong nine and Tunku nine; and the Kelana Course and its Sultan nine and Tun nine pose a formidable challenge to players. Kelab Golf Negara Subang also boasts a multi-tiered 42-bay turfed driving range for golfers to hone their skills.
Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia
Website: www.krpm.com.my
It has been said there are two types of golfers – those who attain satisfaction in taking on challenging courses no matter the outcome; and “resort golfers” who breeze through straight-forward layouts just for bragging rights and the flattery of triumphs. To the latter, be forewarned, Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia (KPPRM) is no walk in the park.
Into its 22nd year of operations, KPRM has now come of age. A decade ago, its first and second nines were shorter. Now, due to the luxury of ample aprons, the tee-boxes and fairways have been pulled back; the greens, spiffy.
And what of the perilous ponds? They’re still there, nicely spruced up, lying in wait for the inevitable stray shots. At KPRM, it is not just a matter of going the distance – sound course management is what counts. Long shots come to naught when dodgy ball placements come into play, undoing aims to clear a challenging course and pesky hazards.
As if to pacify, but nonetheless sounding unapologetic for the impending torment golfers choose to endure when playing the Kelab Rahman Putra course, General Manager Lt. Col. (R) Chua Hong Kong cheerily proclaimed that the Club’s vantage location – no more than 16 minutes from major highways and less than seven from any direction – is an excellent reason to drop-by the Clubhouse for a mug of frothing teh tarek, if not for the game….
Source: "Where to Play", New Straits Time, May 2009
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By Azue Aziz
Shah Alam and its periphery, Subang were once a serene, scenic suburbs of Kuala Lumpur. Through the years, gargantuan developments transformed the area a chaotic, choking, perplexing maze.
Thankfully, pockets of haven have been maintained. Read it how you may, but the clubs listed might evoke warm memories of R&R and proud conquests worthy of bragging rights for some; or otherwise invoke salty expletives from those sore in yet failed attempts to tame notorious courses and infamous hazards.
Glenmarie Golf & Country Club
Website: www.glenmarie.com.my
Golfers will be delighted with the quality of golf on offer at Glenmarie GCC. There are two scenic 18-hole layouts, the Garden Course and the Valley Course (currently in refurbishment), which can easily cater even the most discerning of golfers.
In his design, course architect Max Wexler played on the characteristics of the land to create two visually appealing par-72 layouts that are both a treat to the eyes and a threat to your golfing skills.
Wexler’s trademarks of extensive interconnecting lakes, waterfalls, fountains and bridges predominate on both courses. The water hazards not only stun and intimidate, but also offer high rewards to players with precision, accuracy and good clubbing.
At 6,432 metres off the black tees, the Garden, sculpted on gently rolling hills, is regarded as the championship course. The Valley, at 6,325 metres is a tad shorter but somewhat more challenging with its dramatic plunging downhill holes, some severely sloping uphill holes, doglegs and blind holes.
When the first nine reopens for play end of this month (May 2009), regulars are bound to notice changes to the Valley course, where upgrading work by Ted Parslow, commenced on June 16 last year.
At the cost of RM13 million, all 18 holes have been redone, with three of the front nines and five out back having been realigned. Several bunkers have been added and reshaped, and the landscape tweaked to add to the challenge.
While it will take a few more months for the Valley to be fully opened, extensive renovations to the Clubhouse costing RM7 million, which began in September 2008, were recently completed.
At the heart of the Clubhouse, the Golf Centre’s refurbishment emphasizes on member’s convenience, where the reception counter is now located indoor, in air-conditioned comfort.
Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah
Website: www.kgsaas.com.my
Kelab Golf Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah or affectionately known as Kampung SAAS is perhaps the first golf club in the world to offer night golfing facilities in 1993. Since then, the idea of nocturnal golf has become popular in the country as shown by the number of clubs offering the facilities now.
Known locally as KGSAAS, this 27-hole parkland layout was designed by five-time Open Champion, Peter Thomson. The constantly undulating layout features three nine-hole loops (President, Sultan and Alam Shah), each of which ventures away from the clubhouse, before climbing back to it.
KGSAAS, with Thomson’s trademark pot bunkers, rolling fairways and medium-to-large elevated greens in abundant, is challenging without being overly difficult to the social golfers.
Perhaps the most memorable hole is the par-five, second hole of the Sultan Nine dubbed the Dragon hole. From the slightly elevated tee, it plays onto a narrow fairway, with the second shot requiring a carry over a creek, before climbing to an elevated and massively undulating green.
Kota Permai Golf & Country Club
Website: www.kotapermai.com.my
Kota Permai Golf & Country Club may be one of the later golf institutions to open for play in the Klang Valley but within that short span it has already been established as one of the more popular courses with golfers of all levels.
A joint development of Hicom and Gamuda, Kota Permai is ideally located within the eye-pleasing new township of Kota Kemuning in Shah Alam, just 12 minutes away from Petaling Jaya and half an hour from Kuala Lumpur city centre.
Kota Permai was designed by Ross Watson, the golf architect from Down Under, who together with Graham Marsh co-designed The Vines in Perth.
Since it was open for play in early 1998, Kota Permai has hosted a plethora of corporate and loyalty events but it was the hosting of the Volvo Masters followed by the Volvo Masters of Asia that firmly established Kota Permai as a major player in the regional golf map. The layout further enhanced its championship pedigree when it hosted the Maybank Malaysian Open in 2008.
Monterez Golf & Country Club
Website: www.monterez-golf.com
Perhaps it is the calming influence of the surrounding greenery serving as a welcome respite away from the maddening life of city development just outside the fences of the area. Or may be the Mayan-inspired architectural and landscaping themes are simply working wonders to the battered souls.
Some will say Monterez is a perfect hideaway from the hustle and bustle of city life away from the fast track of a rat race life, just the place to relax and rejuvenate. For most, it’s a perfect layout where they can nurture their swings without taking too much of a beating from the Auld game.
Well, that is Monterez – both accommodating to the seekers of creature comforts as well as birdie and eagle hunters armed with dimpled white balls.
Encompassing an area of 123 acres of rolling terrain punctured by a number of lakes and waterways, the 18-hole, par 71 payout, at 5,699 metres off the blue tees, is not long by any means. However, its lack in length is very much offset by the creativity of the design that calls for apt course management.
Seri Selangor Golf Club
Website: www.seriselangor.com.my
Having cleared the perpetually maddening traffic mess outside, arriving at Kelab Seri Selangor (KGSS) is akin to returning to your kampung (village) home – rustic, comfortingly familiar and fuss-free.
Led by senior golf executive Wan Intan Doora and helmed by General Manager Hairul Hisham Mohd Zaini, the staff run like clockwork in handling the daily operations of the country’s first bona fide public golf course.
Since its official launching in 1998, not much change has been done to the façade, but its meandering layout, designed by Ross Watson, has gone through several upgrading, with the last being in 2005.
Patrons, both golfing buffs and non-golfers alike will find Kelab Golf Seri Selangor fully equipped to cater to all their human needs and creature comforts.
Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara
Website: www.krtu.com.my
All apprehension of having to enter the TUDM Subang base past stoic and armed MPs dissipated when Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara’s (KRTU) Operations Manager, Tengku Abdul Rahim gallantly offered to escort this writer towards the Clubhouse on his trusty steed – a handsome Gold Wing cruiser motorbike, no less. This meant doing away with the tedious drill of civilians having to alight from their parked vehicles, surrender their MyKads for registration and repeating the process to retrieve it upon exit.
To a clueless first-timer to the Club, an escort was a welcome necessity. The journey was pleasant, along avenues lined with smartly pruned trees, past the Parade square and across a skinny bridge, which my escort niftily zipped on. Blocks of flats clustered in an area to the left, each emblazoned with major hotel chain logos would invoke chuckles in anyone –turns out they were, aptly, the base’s bachelor quarters.
The rustic Clubhouse itself is perched on a hillock, overlooking a breathtaking vista. But this non-golfer’s mind boggled – how on earth could anyone manoeuvre such a rugged terrain, let alone a golfer on a mission? Tengku Rahim just shrugged off my query, and wickedly replied, “if anybody can play well at KRTU, they can practically do so anywhere.”
This does not appear to be a deterrent – they average 4,500 starters per month, with the majority being civilians. To those who have conquered Kelab Rekreasi Tentera Udara’s ominous course; “Tabik (salute), to you!”
Kelab Golf Negara Subang
Website: www.subanggolf.com
The Grand Dame of Subang still stands quietly imposing. A befitting accolade to describe Kelab Golf Negara Subang (KGNS) or Subang Golf Club, the brainchild of the nation’s first Prime Minister, YAM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj.
Cruising up the driveway towards the Clubhouse, one is soothingly enveloped in a serenity that only the established, pioneer clubs exude. Magnificent ancient trees with their lush foliage and gnarled trunks stand guard, buffering all within the premise from a maddening mayhem of literally being ‘wrapped’ by busy highways.
Its hollowed halls of aged timber, worn smooth through the years hold many memories, a keeper of untold tales.
Impressively mature, the KGNS Championship Putra Course comprising the Agong nine and Tunku nine; and the Kelana Course and its Sultan nine and Tun nine pose a formidable challenge to players. Kelab Golf Negara Subang also boasts a multi-tiered 42-bay turfed driving range for golfers to hone their skills.
Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia
Website: www.krpm.com.my
It has been said there are two types of golfers – those who attain satisfaction in taking on challenging courses no matter the outcome; and “resort golfers” who breeze through straight-forward layouts just for bragging rights and the flattery of triumphs. To the latter, be forewarned, Kelab Rahman Putra Malaysia (KPPRM) is no walk in the park.
Into its 22nd year of operations, KPRM has now come of age. A decade ago, its first and second nines were shorter. Now, due to the luxury of ample aprons, the tee-boxes and fairways have been pulled back; the greens, spiffy.
And what of the perilous ponds? They’re still there, nicely spruced up, lying in wait for the inevitable stray shots. At KPRM, it is not just a matter of going the distance – sound course management is what counts. Long shots come to naught when dodgy ball placements come into play, undoing aims to clear a challenging course and pesky hazards.
As if to pacify, but nonetheless sounding unapologetic for the impending torment golfers choose to endure when playing the Kelab Rahman Putra course, General Manager Lt. Col. (R) Chua Hong Kong cheerily proclaimed that the Club’s vantage location – no more than 16 minutes from major highways and less than seven from any direction – is an excellent reason to drop-by the Clubhouse for a mug of frothing teh tarek, if not for the game….
Source: "Where to Play", New Straits Time, May 2009
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Saturday, April 4, 2009
When Najib and Abdullah Badawi Play Golf
Najib, the Golfer, Has His Own Style
They say golf can mirror an individual's character. Both newly appointed Prime Minister Datuk Mohd Najib Tun Razak and his predecessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi play the game.
I have had the opportunity to play a round with Abdullah and have also had a close at Najib's performance on the golf courses several times.
Both the gentlement share some similarities in the way they approach the game. They both know golf well enough and have kept themselves abreast with the latest in the sport.
Both are careful players who constantly seek views of their caddies before taking every shot but Abdullah somehow struck me as a more risk-averse golfer than Najib that when we played, he would almost always opt for the percentage shots rather than attack the course.
From the several times I have seen him in action, Najib seemed a more attacking player among the two and has lesser aversion towards taking a bit of risk to go for the rewards.
I have seen Najib blasting out of fairway sand traps trying to go for a par-4 hole in regulation many times when any percentage player like Abdullah would reach for the wedge, get out of the bunker and try to make the green in three.
But the new Prime Minister is far from being a reckless golfer. I seldom see him smile on the golf course, an indication that he takes the game seriously, and stays focused throughout.
Abdullah on the hand is more relaxed that when we played, it was more of a friendly game. He chatted and commented on shots made by everyone in the flight.
True to his nature of being a consensus-seeker, Abdullah constantly consults his caddy. In that, I saw some similarities between the two gentlemen since Najib is also known to do likewise.
But from what I have seen between the two, Abdullah perhaps spends a bit more time engaging his caddy, especially on the putting surface.
Being at the hottest place on the golf course, I was burning every time we waited for Abdullah to read the greens.
But whatever excess time he spent on consulting his caddy, Abdullah made good with his sharpness in putting.
When we played, he sank a 25 foot putt to save par on the challenging 17th hole at the Saujana Bunga Raya Course after spending much time reading the green.
Najib, I heard, is equally sharp although from what I have seen, he plays at a faster pace than Abdullah.
Dressing-wise, save perhaps for the fact that if both are professional golfers, they already qualify to play the Seniors Tour, they can measure up with Colombian ace and fashionable golfer, Camillo Villegas, any time.
Abdullah stepped down from the premiership yesterday and Najib is now Prime Minister. Naturally, every Malaysian wonders what it would be like having Najib as Prime Minister.
If it is true like they say, that golf is a mirror to one's character, there should be some similarities between the two in how they manage the country.
But after having a round with Abdullah and watching Najib on the course several times, I am more inclined to believe that there will be more differences.
Source: Mustapha Kamal, New Straits Times, Saturday, April 4, 2009
They say golf can mirror an individual's character. Both newly appointed Prime Minister Datuk Mohd Najib Tun Razak and his predecessor, Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi play the game.
I have had the opportunity to play a round with Abdullah and have also had a close at Najib's performance on the golf courses several times.
Both the gentlement share some similarities in the way they approach the game. They both know golf well enough and have kept themselves abreast with the latest in the sport.
Both are careful players who constantly seek views of their caddies before taking every shot but Abdullah somehow struck me as a more risk-averse golfer than Najib that when we played, he would almost always opt for the percentage shots rather than attack the course.
From the several times I have seen him in action, Najib seemed a more attacking player among the two and has lesser aversion towards taking a bit of risk to go for the rewards.
I have seen Najib blasting out of fairway sand traps trying to go for a par-4 hole in regulation many times when any percentage player like Abdullah would reach for the wedge, get out of the bunker and try to make the green in three.
But the new Prime Minister is far from being a reckless golfer. I seldom see him smile on the golf course, an indication that he takes the game seriously, and stays focused throughout.
Abdullah on the hand is more relaxed that when we played, it was more of a friendly game. He chatted and commented on shots made by everyone in the flight.
True to his nature of being a consensus-seeker, Abdullah constantly consults his caddy. In that, I saw some similarities between the two gentlemen since Najib is also known to do likewise.
But from what I have seen between the two, Abdullah perhaps spends a bit more time engaging his caddy, especially on the putting surface.
Being at the hottest place on the golf course, I was burning every time we waited for Abdullah to read the greens.
But whatever excess time he spent on consulting his caddy, Abdullah made good with his sharpness in putting.
When we played, he sank a 25 foot putt to save par on the challenging 17th hole at the Saujana Bunga Raya Course after spending much time reading the green.
Najib, I heard, is equally sharp although from what I have seen, he plays at a faster pace than Abdullah.
Dressing-wise, save perhaps for the fact that if both are professional golfers, they already qualify to play the Seniors Tour, they can measure up with Colombian ace and fashionable golfer, Camillo Villegas, any time.
Abdullah stepped down from the premiership yesterday and Najib is now Prime Minister. Naturally, every Malaysian wonders what it would be like having Najib as Prime Minister.
If it is true like they say, that golf is a mirror to one's character, there should be some similarities between the two in how they manage the country.
But after having a round with Abdullah and watching Najib on the course several times, I am more inclined to believe that there will be more differences.
Source: Mustapha Kamal, New Straits Times, Saturday, April 4, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Golf Swing Instructions
All the golf beginners are eager to learn and apply the golf swing instructions they find out during special classes, from magazines or the Internet. You may have watched professional players and wondered about the golf swing instructions that lie behind their training. We should begin by saying that most people who start learning golf often share the wrong impression that the arms are fundamental in this game. To a certain extent they are right, but as you are to find out, golf swing instructions require that the body and the arms create the move together.
If you’ve seen some “professional” player hit the ball by a very quick move of the arms, that will not be the person to take as a model. Golf swing instructions are clear about the coordination of feet, legs, trunk and finally, shoulder movement. This is the correct and only order to practice your swing. The first part of the golf swing instructions should mention that if you move the body slowly, you will actually hit the ball better, and it will go a lot farther. If you just slow down, you can better control the club centre, send the ball faster with less effort. This is a golf swing instruction worth remembering.
These golf swing instructions show you how to begin practice. Keep the club at waist height and let the body be the one to swing the club head. See how that feels! If you move your body weight from one leg to the other, the club will swing faster. This golf swing instruction should make you understand the speed principle of a basic golf move. Then, don’t simply think you’re going to hit the ball, since this will cause the arms to move faster. The golf swing instruction here is to shift the body weight and thus imprint force to the move.
It takes time and practice to actually follow the golf swing instructions your trainer may show you; remember this is a sport, so, training is everything. If you make an effort just to understand the logical principle of the golf swing instructions, you’ll be one step closer to more powerful, yet effortless moves. You may find it useful to have a look at a professional site such as www.ultimategolftips.com providing even more insight. Even if you choose to go on learning other golf tricks besides the swing ones, don’t forget that the latter are basic, you’ll always need them to do the rest.
If you’ve seen some “professional” player hit the ball by a very quick move of the arms, that will not be the person to take as a model. Golf swing instructions are clear about the coordination of feet, legs, trunk and finally, shoulder movement. This is the correct and only order to practice your swing. The first part of the golf swing instructions should mention that if you move the body slowly, you will actually hit the ball better, and it will go a lot farther. If you just slow down, you can better control the club centre, send the ball faster with less effort. This is a golf swing instruction worth remembering.
These golf swing instructions show you how to begin practice. Keep the club at waist height and let the body be the one to swing the club head. See how that feels! If you move your body weight from one leg to the other, the club will swing faster. This golf swing instruction should make you understand the speed principle of a basic golf move. Then, don’t simply think you’re going to hit the ball, since this will cause the arms to move faster. The golf swing instruction here is to shift the body weight and thus imprint force to the move.
It takes time and practice to actually follow the golf swing instructions your trainer may show you; remember this is a sport, so, training is everything. If you make an effort just to understand the logical principle of the golf swing instructions, you’ll be one step closer to more powerful, yet effortless moves. You may find it useful to have a look at a professional site such as www.ultimategolftips.com providing even more insight. Even if you choose to go on learning other golf tricks besides the swing ones, don’t forget that the latter are basic, you’ll always need them to do the rest.
Golf Lessons for Beginners
For anyone who wants to learn the secrets of golf there are lots of lessons for beginners. Special golf schools organize golf lessons for beginners all year round for groups of fifteen to twenty people. Recently it has become a business practice to send members of the staff to golf lessons for beginners in order to achieve some team building goals. Or you may simply take advantage of golf lessons for beginners while on vacation and the hotel where you’re staying offers this facility. This could be a truly unique opportunity for you and there’d be lots of fun.
Who can take advantage of golf lessons for beginners? There are no restrictions for age or gender; on the contrary children are highly encouraged to take up a sport that creates great focus skills. The internet is the most rapid way to learn on the possible offers golf schools provide. You may choose to have golf lessons for beginners with an individual trainer, or you may attend regular classes designed for groups. It is important to mention that it comes much more difficult to start learning golf on your own, whereas golf lessons for beginners provide the basic knowledge necessary for further practice.
Keep in mind that if you want to take golf lessons for beginners as a hobby, you have to take it as some sort of leisure activity. By this I mean that you should make all the efforts necessary without losing the fun part of it, after all this is a sport and a great relaxation opportunity. Golf lessons for beginners vary in price from one school to another; usually classes are more expensive at clubs that target mainly executives for instance. At regular sports centres, the costs are pretty accessible when it comes to golf lessons for beginners.
A site such as www.ultimategolftips.com will give some insight on this sport and will teach you what to expect from golf lessons for beginners. Moving to the next step on your own should not be too difficult afterwards. You may consider the golf lessons for beginners as the first step of individual practice too, as when you master the basics it is a lot easier to move to some more difficult exercises. There are plenty of tips online for those who want to aim at the professional level; yet, it takes patience and a lot of practice. Good luck!
Who can take advantage of golf lessons for beginners? There are no restrictions for age or gender; on the contrary children are highly encouraged to take up a sport that creates great focus skills. The internet is the most rapid way to learn on the possible offers golf schools provide. You may choose to have golf lessons for beginners with an individual trainer, or you may attend regular classes designed for groups. It is important to mention that it comes much more difficult to start learning golf on your own, whereas golf lessons for beginners provide the basic knowledge necessary for further practice.
Keep in mind that if you want to take golf lessons for beginners as a hobby, you have to take it as some sort of leisure activity. By this I mean that you should make all the efforts necessary without losing the fun part of it, after all this is a sport and a great relaxation opportunity. Golf lessons for beginners vary in price from one school to another; usually classes are more expensive at clubs that target mainly executives for instance. At regular sports centres, the costs are pretty accessible when it comes to golf lessons for beginners.
A site such as www.ultimategolftips.com will give some insight on this sport and will teach you what to expect from golf lessons for beginners. Moving to the next step on your own should not be too difficult afterwards. You may consider the golf lessons for beginners as the first step of individual practice too, as when you master the basics it is a lot easier to move to some more difficult exercises. There are plenty of tips online for those who want to aim at the professional level; yet, it takes patience and a lot of practice. Good luck!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Golf Driving Tips
How to set the correct the trajectory for the ball and how to follow it thoroughly are the main questions that golf driving tips need to deal with. The most frequent error golf players make is to hit the ball as hard as they can when performing long distance shots. Golf driving tips are completely against such practices, since it is not in the force of the movement that the success of a hit lies. This comes with the proper body balance and the force gathered in a masterful swing. What golf driving tips could set this mental error straight?
The design of the golf club is a special golf driving tip variable that needs to be taken into consideration as you cannot execute a long shot with no matter what club. Every club is meant to cover a specific distance, and send the ball as far as it is supposed to. The best golf driving tip here is to learn how to coordinate body and club in a common combination in which the club is the arm extension. Thus you really maximize the length the club was designed for. Then, another golf driving tip advises to develop a natural body swing.
In case of a too strong a hit, it is possible to completely blow success off as the swing is tense and inefficient from a physical point of view. This golf driving tip should be remembered every time you practice your swing: the move of the body and arms coordinated creates the perfect shot. Another piece of advice here is to keep yourself in the best health condition possible. Very often golf driving tips don’t work because your muscles are too flabby or weak to support controlled effort; on the other hand, failure is no better for your ego either.
Don’t look only for the golf driving tips meant to improve your swing and hit. Sometimes, as practice proves, the best golf driving tips are those that can correct golfing mistakes. Therefore, try to pay equal attention to the dos and don’ts of golf driving tips in order to really see progress in your evolution. You may even record yourself in various learning stages and compare your present-day game to your last month’s performance to check what kind of progress has been made. Thus you get the real picture of how the golf driving tips work for you and your style.
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The design of the golf club is a special golf driving tip variable that needs to be taken into consideration as you cannot execute a long shot with no matter what club. Every club is meant to cover a specific distance, and send the ball as far as it is supposed to. The best golf driving tip here is to learn how to coordinate body and club in a common combination in which the club is the arm extension. Thus you really maximize the length the club was designed for. Then, another golf driving tip advises to develop a natural body swing.
In case of a too strong a hit, it is possible to completely blow success off as the swing is tense and inefficient from a physical point of view. This golf driving tip should be remembered every time you practice your swing: the move of the body and arms coordinated creates the perfect shot. Another piece of advice here is to keep yourself in the best health condition possible. Very often golf driving tips don’t work because your muscles are too flabby or weak to support controlled effort; on the other hand, failure is no better for your ego either.
Don’t look only for the golf driving tips meant to improve your swing and hit. Sometimes, as practice proves, the best golf driving tips are those that can correct golfing mistakes. Therefore, try to pay equal attention to the dos and don’ts of golf driving tips in order to really see progress in your evolution. You may even record yourself in various learning stages and compare your present-day game to your last month’s performance to check what kind of progress has been made. Thus you get the real picture of how the golf driving tips work for you and your style.
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Sunday, August 17, 2008
Golf: Miss Conception About Shaft Flex
Most golfers believe they know what flex they require. They are led to believe that there is a universal flex rating, being: S - for stiff-flex, R - for Regular-flex, A - for amateur or senior-flex.
But unfortunately all the companies flex ratings are not universal and perform differently. Did you know one company’s stiff could be another company’s regular flex, or even as soft as ladies’ flex. This is very confusing, isn’t it?
A competent club fitter can solve your problem with the use of a frequency machine.
Firstly, the club fitter will perform an assessment on your set of clubs with the use of a frequency machine. The frequency machine gives a digital read-out of the oscillation patterns of each individual shaft of your set. And the whole set will be plotted onto a graph to show you the flex of every shaft in your set.
Most golfers have inconsistent flexes throughout their set as shown in the diagram.
Flex Rating Chart
2.5 = Ladies flex
3.5 = Senior flex
4.5 = Regular flex
5.5 = Firm flex
6.5 = Stiff flex
Once your clubs have been tested, the club-maker will then measure your clubhead speed, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rates and then observe your swing mechanics to look for things like your tempo, how much force you use to start the down swing and where in the downswing you release your wrist cock.
He will then ask you some questions regarding how high or low you want to see your ball fly and other performance queries you may have, to determine what you want to achieve that could be associated with the shafts performance.
He will then be able to narrow down what shaft flex and shaft design is required for your clubhead speed and playing characteristic.
Retail golf stores will tell you they offer the service, but put it this way, can you general practitioner (doctor) perform brain surgery or does he send you to a specialist.
Unless you work with a professional club-maker to make you shaft selection, you will have a lot of trial-and-error buying new clubs changing shafts and wasting a lot of money.
Any questions please write in to Nathan@jinggolf.com. The letter of the month will receive a free set of Lamkin regrip’s
Source: Nathan Hauser, StarGolf, Sunday, August 10, 2008
How to Become Professional Blogger
But unfortunately all the companies flex ratings are not universal and perform differently. Did you know one company’s stiff could be another company’s regular flex, or even as soft as ladies’ flex. This is very confusing, isn’t it?
A competent club fitter can solve your problem with the use of a frequency machine.
Firstly, the club fitter will perform an assessment on your set of clubs with the use of a frequency machine. The frequency machine gives a digital read-out of the oscillation patterns of each individual shaft of your set. And the whole set will be plotted onto a graph to show you the flex of every shaft in your set.
Most golfers have inconsistent flexes throughout their set as shown in the diagram.
Flex Rating Chart
2.5 = Ladies flex
3.5 = Senior flex
4.5 = Regular flex
5.5 = Firm flex
6.5 = Stiff flex
Once your clubs have been tested, the club-maker will then measure your clubhead speed, ball speed, ball launch angle, ball spin rates and then observe your swing mechanics to look for things like your tempo, how much force you use to start the down swing and where in the downswing you release your wrist cock.
He will then ask you some questions regarding how high or low you want to see your ball fly and other performance queries you may have, to determine what you want to achieve that could be associated with the shafts performance.
He will then be able to narrow down what shaft flex and shaft design is required for your clubhead speed and playing characteristic.
Retail golf stores will tell you they offer the service, but put it this way, can you general practitioner (doctor) perform brain surgery or does he send you to a specialist.
Unless you work with a professional club-maker to make you shaft selection, you will have a lot of trial-and-error buying new clubs changing shafts and wasting a lot of money.
Any questions please write in to Nathan@jinggolf.com. The letter of the month will receive a free set of Lamkin regrip’s
Source: Nathan Hauser, StarGolf, Sunday, August 10, 2008
How to Become Professional Blogger
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