New Product Pictures (Thanks To My Golf Spy)

 New product coming down the line, not out, but spy pictures have surfaced and some pretty interesting new clubs coming out soon. Special thanks to the Guys at My Golf Spy for break them first on the net!

http://www.mygolfspy.com/
Titleist Brand Ambassador Jimmy Walker is one player who couldn't wait for the 910 fairway metals and hybrids. Having gamed his Titleist 910D3 9.5 prototype driver for several weeks now, Walker immediately put a 910F 13.5 and a 910H 18.0 in his bag after arriving at The Barclays. On Saturday, Rickie Fowler used his new 910F 13.5 fairway metal to hit a 274-yard second shot at the 594-yard, par-5 17th hole to 5 feet. Fowler sank the putt, recording one of only three eagles made during the week at No. 17.


Seven other Titleist Brand Ambassadors put the 910 fairway metals and hybrids in their bags this week: Adam Scott (910F 15.0), Jason Dufner (910F 15.0), Bill Haas (910F 13.5), Marc Leishman (910F 13.5), Troy Matteson (910F 13.5), Michael Sim (910F 13.5, 910H 18.0), D.J. Trahan (910F 17.0) and Nick Watney (910F 15.0)

The New Nike Mach Speed Black Driver:

The new Cobra 2011 S3 Driver:

NEW! Titleist VG3 Irons

One of the MyGolfSpy’s vigilant long lens spies has managed to send us in a photo of the new Titleist VG3 Irons which we hear are scheduled for release in September for the Japan market.
Previous shots back in January of the Titleist VG3 Driver gave you a peak into a whole new thought process in regards to design at Titleist.  This was an entirely new concept that Titleist Japan & Titleist US worked together on to create. They wanted to appeal not only to the higher swing speed golfers but also the average club head speed as well.  They did this by creating a Variable Gravity and CG position for different lofts…that is where it gets its name VG which stands for “Variable Gravity”.
Unfortunately up to this point I have not heard if a similar technology will be included in the new Titleist VG3 Irons. We do know though that they will be forged.  We will update you with more info and new photos as soon as we get them.

Are You In Myrtle Beach For The Only Amateur "Major" In The World?

World Amateur Handicap Championship to pack Myrtle Beach area

Tournament for amateurs to lure 3,000 players

By Jake Spring - jspring@thesunnews.com

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Thousands of golfers have descended on Myrtle Beach for this week's Golf.com World Amateur Handicap Championship, an event that will tie up dozens of courses and give the summer tourism season a final boost before Labor Day.

Players are guaranteed four tournament rounds today through Thursday before the championship round that ends the event on Friday. Tournament director Dave Macpherson spoke to The Sun News about when courses will be busy, how those who aren't registered can enjoy the event and what the tournament means for the Grand Strand economy.

Question | How many golfers are you expecting this year? How does that compare to previous years?

Photos by Randall Hill rhill@thesunnews.com - Margie Slaybaugh of Gettysburg, Pa., watches her putt on the third hole on the Southcreek course during a practice round at The Myrtle Beach National on Saturday afternoon in Myrtle Beach. This is the ninth year she and her husband, Charles, have competed in the World Amateur Handicap Championship.

CLICK FOR MORE PHOTOS

• Database of golfers in World Amateur Handicap Championship in Myrtle Beach area
• Follow Jake Spring on Twitter and get the latest tourism news

Similar stories:

• Bob Bestler | World Am plan: Play and win
• Golf column: Strand stands out on Golfweek's best list
• Area golf column: Opportunities for juniors abundant on Strand
• Alan Blondin on Golf: Sluggish economy forces Senior Open to move
• Sluggish economy forces Senior Open to move

Answer | We're expecting 3,100 on the button, which is about 2 percent growth over last year. Of that 3,100, we've seen 12 percent growth in what will be first-time players to the event; 757 of the players are first-time players...

These are people that typically would be spectating at a PGA Tour event. This is their chance to kind of play. A lot of them refer to it as their major, the regular golfers' major...

We've got 48 states represented, everybody except for the Dakotas, and I think we're up to about 14 countries internationally. And we'll have 14 people that will be playing this year for the 27th time; they've been to every single World Am.

Q. | What does this mean for the Grand Strand economy?

A. | Numbers-wise it's about a $10 million economic impact on the beach, based on everything that goes on for the entire week, between hotels, restaurants, golf. On the media side, it consistently pulls national media coverage, especially on the golf side with things like Golf Channel and golf magazines. Particularly this year, with Sports Illustrated Golf Group as the title sponsor, they're basically covering the event via all of their outlets: Golf.com, Golf Magazine, SI Golf Plus, which is about 14 million golfers across the globe. So, more so this year than ever, the media coverage that the event and Myrtle Beach will receive is going to be about as strong as it's been in the entire history of the event. It's about 20,000 room nights [that] will be booked during the week because some players make it a two-week vacation, most make it at least seven to 10 nights.

Q. | Which courses will be used? How will this affect those not in the tournament who want to golf?

A. | We'll use 34 different courses each day, and we'll use 59 total for the week at one point or another. Some courses host all days, some host one. Obviously, the availability of golf for those not participating in the tournament is certainly there, it's just not as readily available because so many courses are already being used.
There is certainly golf to be had. So if you're just here as a vacationer or you're a local, you can still find somewhere to play. It's just the pickings are a little bit slimmer, especially in the morning, because all the rounds are either an 8:30 a.m. or 9:30 a.m. shotgun start. So most of the courses, they're full till about 2 p.m. or 3 p.m. After 3 o'clock you can play pretty much anywhere you'd like.

Q. | Registration for the tournament has closed. Can the public attend any of the events?

A. | The (19th hole at the Myrtle Beach) convention center, that's a private party for just players and guests only. Now if they happen to know someone playing in the event and want to attend as a guest of a player, I suppose they could do that. But as far as actually being able to purchase tickets, that they would not be able to do.

Spectating certainly is welcomed. At most courses, they would be asked to walk and spectate and stay on the cart paths, but the courses do let them go out and spectate if they'd like. Certainly on the last day, which is the championship round held on Friday the 3rd of September, is being held this year at TPC Myrtle Beach, and of all days, that's the one day we do get some spectators.

Contact JAKE SPRING at 626-0310.

Interview With The Boz From Vision Golf Balls

Thanks for Taking time for the interview “The Boz” and telling people about your company and very exciting new Vision golf product.

Can you please let us know who “The Boz from Oz” is and where are you from?

Hi JB,   thanks for taking the time to ask about things. “The Boz from Oz” is really two people as it relates to my father Bill and me, Wayne Bosley; my Dad has been in the industry for a while and is well known as The Boz. We are currently based in Sydney, New South Wales over in Oz.

Tell us a little bit about what you started in the Golf Business?

 Bozgolf has an elite pedigree in the Australian golf ball industry. The Bosley family has been in the golf business in Australia for nearly 50 years. My father was, a talented amateur golfer, started working with PGF in 1960 and was with them for 20 years. In 1980, he acquired the Australian agency for Acushnet, the owners of Titleist/Footjoy and the Pinnacle brands, and set about introducing, promoting and distributing their products in Australia.  According to Dominic Wall, author of Golf Excellence, it would be an understatement to say that my father is a legend in Australian golf. 

Our family has always played elite golf so it was natural that I began to play golf at a very early age. We were always around touring professionals and golf designers from the major brands so of course this progressed when I was old enough to start working during holidays with Dad.

The family business really got going in late 1980 and together we successfully oversaw the introduction and expansion of the Acushnet brands here in Australia.

Tell us how you started your company and what is its mission statement?

By the year 2000, Acushnet had acquired Cobra and were interested in re-aligning their international distribution partnerships. Consequently, the landscape of the Titleist distribution in Australia shifted and by 2004, the Bosley family decided the time was right to explore new opportunities. That is when discussions started about a partnership to develop and market a new HiViz glowing golf ball with the Fantom Golf Company, a Korean chemical company with experience in plastics, adhesives and rubbers.

Fantom gave me the confidence and support to start testing my own concepts and designs which lead to the establishment of my VISION Project that would concentrate on developing a true High Performance Game Improvement balls looking to make the game more enjoyable and exciting for both existing and new players of all ages. 

 I believe the ball you play has an enormous effect on the way you play , your enjoyment of the game and your overall development as a player and as a person. 

Play better golf and you will be a happier person I have no doubts about that. J

How is the state of golf in your country?

We had recognized that, although the golf ball market is saturated with too many brands and models  the majority of golfers are amateurs whacking away at above single figure marks. We decided to develop a new ball type tailored specifically to the needs of the average golfer and apply their industry expertise and connections to growing their new brand in the highly competitive golf ball market.

Golf in general terms is going ok here in Oz but the economy is still very tough.

How is it different from the US and Europe Markets, especially for bringing a new product to the market?

The traditional golf ball marketing methodology utilizes a leadership program. It is a pyramid of influence that requires getting the better players and coaches using and endorsing the products. Having produced a ball targeted at the average handicap golfer, we required a different marketing strategy. We decided to get people using the balls and then get feedback directly from the public on the ball’s performance. We founded a Test Pilot Program in Australia that is continuing today and supply test balls to many amateur players to trial and supply feedback on performance to me to help with my future designs.

Give us a brief overview of what sets your golf balls and other products apart from other companies:

Our ongoing Test Pilot research work with club players here in Australia and overseas with regard to our UV Yellow colour has found that they all love it. The other major winner has been the Ezy 2 See Big Number format that is gaining supporters everyday because it makes it so much easier to see and identify balls when in play. Our high tech game improvement models are surprising new player's every day.

Can you go into specifics for each golf ball your making? (What market they are targeting, what price range, what balls, if any, do they compare to, and their physical break down)

I am not a big fan of telling players what ball will suit them through specs and as such I am happier to allow players the opportunity to buy a TP pack to trail the various balls that allows them to find the ball that suits their total dynamics.

Basically I have two current performance types,

The 2011 Gel X Series – X-pert or Xtra Shot Control  -                                                                                                    X3 Bright White and Gold Pearl  / X3UV – UV Green-Yellow

The 2011 Gel V Series – Velocity / Long Straight – The UV – Super Bright UV Yellow /  The Gel – Bright Clear White / Arctic – Bright White with Gold Pearl effect and the Pinky with the Tru Blue later this year.

You are about to lock yourself into a battle with the huge OEM Golf Companies for a share of the golf b all market, what is your plan?

The world golf ball market is not like the club market where there is a multitude of competition, In the ball market there are so few players, it is almost like a cartel and it is very difficult to compete with that sort of muscle. We really are in a David and Goliath situation. 

We are not new comers to the golf industry with a heritage that runs deep with our products being thoroughly tested and used by club players. We are talking to our ball users on a regular basis and this relationship gives them confidence in what we are doing and where we are heading with our ball designs. 

 Are there any Tour Players currently testing your products?

The marketing of equipment as used by Touring Pro's confuses the average player as to what products they should be using to both enjoy and improve their game so we are taking a much more personnel approach around the world and it is working. Having said that the Australian Woman’s Team coach is currently playing my designs by choice.

What phase of testing are you in, and who is testing for you?

Moving on to my next phase of development being a Tour Vision designed for the better golfer that is looking for a better visibility design.

What sets your company and your products apart from all the other brands in the market currently?

Our UV ball is the best introductory ball ever. It trains new golfers to watch the ball and makes it easier for them to follow it in flight and see where it finishes. This speeds up play and gives both new and existing players the confidence to improve and build on their golfing experience. 

Where do you see yourself and your company in 5 years?

I hope to have sales in a number of International markets but in a more boutique format like Scotty Cameron had done with his putters prior to Titleist taking him on under their umbrella as I want to have Vision players that know who The Boz is and can  always make contact with him in regards to their game.

Where do you see the game of golf in 5 years?

We see a great opportunity for golf to develop as a genuine family game with more 9 hole or genuine Pitch and Putt courses being made available. This will enable new and regular players that are increasingly time poor to play without rushing, and enjoy a better game of golf.

What’s the craziest thing that has happened to you or your company since starting out?

Crows in Australia like UV Yellow golf balls and as such take them from the course in certain parts of Oz while they are in play, it has been really frustrating to have an Ezy2See / Ezy2Find story almost wrecked by the loss of balls to these big black birds.

Do you have a specific marketing campaign in place or is there another plan?

I am working more on an international viral information strategy at this time from that I will see what approaches will work best to find my new players.

Of course, as with any interview, we have to ask who your dream foursome is:

 Jack Nicklaus / Tiger Woods / John Daly

Anything else you would like to add about yourself, your company or your testers?

I strongly believe "The ball you play makes all the difference to how you play!" Fitting golf balls to players and giving them simple straight forward practical Information in a language they can understand is one of the most important ways to improve their overall game.

Thank you very much for your time, and as many pictures you can include would truly help!

John Barry

The Golfer’s Trip

http://thegolferstrip.blogspot.com/

Golf Tip of the Week: The Slide Chip

Short Game Golf Tips - Chipping Tips, Practice Tips

Today's message starts your series of drills covering the area of chipping and pitching and focuses on a technique called the Under Reach Technique which was invented by short game expert Paul Runyan. I had never heard of this before and asked a pro at my local course whether he knew of it. He said that it is a drill that he uses all the time to help higher handicappers get some consistency in their chipping. So I asked him to show me how it worked. It only cost me a couple of beers, well maybe four or five. It really is a simple and effective way of stopping you duff those short little chip shots which most of us either hit fat or thin.
This drill is entitled......
The Under Reach Technique by Paul Runyon

Regardless of ability , we all have good days and bad days when it comes to hitting greens in regulation. On the bad days, it's important that you have the method and means to get up and down with some regularity; otherwise, your scores will be much higher than you'd like.
A Pro I asked about the drill said:

This is where a strong mental thought should be used. In getting up and down, the getting up part is the most important. If you can chip the ball ON THE GREEN and relatively close, you won't have to worry about making those tough 20 to 30 footers. Unfortunately, most high handicap players short games aren't up to snuff (well mine certainly wasn't). If there's one mistake that I made on a regular basis that caused me and my overall score the most damage, it was hitting the chip fat and not even Getting Up. I've learned this great technique to ensure that you never hit a short shot short again (well most of the time), and you can use it too.

This method is a method which was used by short-game master Paul Runyan, he called this technique "under-reaching the ball." It's quite interesting and easy to apply in the short game.

The biggest problem amateur golfers like me and you have when it comes to the short game is chunked shots. To help prevent fat chips, try the under-reach technique. Begin by assuming your address position, with your arms hanging to their natural length. Choke down on the club about an inch (i go even shorter, about two inches), and hover the club just off the ground as you get ready to execute the shot. The combination of choking the grip and hovering the club will help you guard against hitting the shot fat. When you finally make a swing, simply concentrate on contacting the bottom half of the ball.

How to set up for the Under Reach

Start with the posture. With the ball positioned in the middle of your stance, assume your normal setup and allow your arms to fall downward in front of you as far as they can. Allow gravity to stretch them fully. Then, take your standard grip on the club. As you grip the club, allow the sole to rest gently on the ground. Now, grip down on the club approximately one inch. If you choke down appropriately, the clubhead should hover just above the grass. (Try this out on the carpet at home, it will give you the right visual of how the club will hover off of the ground)This is the under-reach to which Paul Runyan referred. With the club just above ground level, the leading edge of the club is now located at the bottom of the golf ball.

Note: The longer the grass from which you're playing, the more effective this technique becomes. In long grass, the ball will often sit up, making it easy to slide the clubhead underneath the ball. By hovering the club, you'll ensure crisper, squarer contact.

Why does it Work?

For you to get the ball up in the air, the leading edge of the club must pass under the equator (the middle of the ball). In this new address position, the leading edge of the club is well below the middle of the ball, making a square strike easier to attain. The only way to hit the shot fat is by changing your posture as you swing the club. If you remain in the same posture you established at address and maintain your spine angle, you'll strike the ball squarely every time and Not Leave it Short.

The only thing that might cause you a problem with this technique is keeping your posture. A good way to ensure that you keep your posture intact is to keep your chin up and stand tall as you execute your swing. This will also better allow your arms to swing freely and stretch out through the shot, so the club can reach the bottom of the golf ball.

Golf Classes Ever Saturday and Wednesday Evening at Bow Creek.

Hello all, This week we will be working on the pitch shot. As usual there will be two classes. 930-11 and 1130-1. The cost is still only $10 per person. Please respond to Rick at pgapro24@yahoo.com to reserve your spot, and state what class you plan to attend. Jamie is out for a while, I know we all wish him a speedy recovery from his back surgery.

The Saturday Group Lesson's is part of the new, acclaimed Tee to Green Series by Jamie Smith. If you haven't taken part in one of the classes yet, come join us, you can start at any point, and doing a class over again is always helpful for all skill levels.

Also, Rick is still conducting the short game class every Wednesday evening at Bow Creek, the class is from 530-7 pm and the cost is $10 per person. Rick's class focuses on the short game around the greens and putting. From chips, to pitches to sand saves to reading greens, every class is different and offers everyone a new take on the most important part of everyone's game, The Short game.

Hope to see you all at the course soon. Rick Bidnick, PGA Professional Cell 757-335-2774

DEAL OF THE DAY FROM ROCK BOTTOM GOLF

DEAL OF THE DAY FROM ROCK BOTTOM GOLF

Manufacturer: Adams Golf Model: IDEA A3 OS Irons SKU: 07ADMIDA3OS Condition: NEW, FACTORY SEALED Makeup/Loft: See Drop-Down Dexterity: Mens Right Handed Left Handed? Click Here! Shaft: Adams A3 OS Graphite/ True Temper Steel Grip: Adams Stock Rubber Length/Lie: Standard/Standard

Consistent smooth feel on every swing… Designed for maximum game improvement, seamlessly integrating six progressively shaped hybrids into one amazing set of irons. Designed for maximum game improvement. The Idea a3OS integrates six progressively shaped hybrids with two cavity-back short irons for consistent results. Take the guesswork out of how to mix hybrids with your irons and experience the new Idea a3 OS built with Boxer Technology. Features: 3, 4 & 5 Boxer Hybrids Designed for maximum forgiveness and performance. Category leading MOI delivers a new standard in distance and accuracy never before achieved in hybrid design. 6, 7 & 8 Hybrids Three iron-like hybrids move the weight low and back for high-launching, easy to hit approach shots from the rough or fairway. Wide sole design helps cut through turf interference allowing for more confident and accurate swings. 9 & PW Cavity-back short irons with a large sweet spot helps deliver pinpoint accuracy and better feel around the greens.

Myrtle Beach National Takes Over Pawley's Plantation Golf Course

Myrtle Beach National takes over Pawleys Plantation

Myrtle Beach National Co. has acquired Pawleys Plantation, giving the largest golf course management/ownership group on the Grand Strand operation of 14 Strand courses, including three 27-hole facilities.

The company also has a marketing arrangement with the TPC of Myrtle Beach.
Jim Woodring, vice president of golf operations and marketing for Myrtle Beach National, predicts the company will stand pat with its holdings for a while. The second largest course management company on the Strand, Burroughs & Chapin Co., owns and/or manages 10 of the Strand's approximately 100 courses.

"This is a good number," Woodring said. "We're very comfortable for the time being. We have plenty on our plate right now."

Pawleys Plantation opened in 1988 and is a challenging Jack Nicklaus-designed layout with Lowcountry features including tidal marsh and large live oak trees.

Myrtle Beach National acquired Pawleys Plantation from original owner Les Morris. It had a contract to purchase the course this past spring and was finally able to finalize the details. The acquisition also includes all the resort amenities and real estate contained on the property.

Myrtle Beach National will maintain the property's dining and convention facilities including three restaurants and more than 10,000 square feet of meeting space highlighted by the Plantation Ballroom. The company will also serve as rental manager for the more than 100 villas at Pawleys Plantation.

The Pawleys Plantation course has been rated among the top 25 courses in South Carolina by Golf Magazine, Golf World and the South Carolina Golf Course Ratings Panel.

Pawleys Plantation is also home to the Ritson-Sole Golf School, rated by Golf Magazine in 2008 as one of the Top 25 Golf Schools in America.

Pawleys Plantation has also been judged as one of the top meeting facilities in the Southeast by Convention South magazine.

"It's such a great fit with the other courses we have down there for package programs," Woodring said. "Arguably it's one of the prettiest courses in the area and it gives us both Jack Nicklaus courses in the area, along with Long Bay Club on the north end."

Myrtle Beach National also owns and operates three courses at Myrtle Beach National Golf Club, Aberdeen Country Club, Waterway Hills Golf Club, Long Bay Club, Litchfield Country Club, River Club and Willbrook Plantation. The company has management contracts with Blackmoor Golf Club, Wachesaw Plantation East, Wild Wing Plantation and Tradition Club.

Adams New Hybrid Set (Thanks My Golf Spy)

SNEAK PEEK - Adams IDEA TECH V3 Forged Hybrid Irons
I just finished looking over Adams new V3 Forged Hybrid Irons and I must say, their line is looking pretty sweet! Especially the hybrids! I love the more rounded look of the V3 over their Pro Black model. I don't have much spec info on them, but I will post some stock images.

Resized to 72% (was 1000 x 509) - Click image to enlarge

Resized to 72% (was 1000 x 509) - Click image to enlarge

Jamie & Rick's Golf Clinic This Saturday at Bow Creek

Good morning,

Last week we did our playing lesson and I feel it went well.

This week we will start a new series, beginning at the putting green.

I need to know if you would like to join the 0930-1100 or the 1130-1300 class.

As we are at the beginning, you may have someone you know that would like to get into the action.

This week will be only $10 as we are not on the range.

See ya then

Jamie & Rick, PGA Professionals

Bide-A-Wee's Winter Pass, Golf All You Want

PORTSMOUTH

This one's for you, cold-weather golfers.

The City Council on Tuesday approved the creation of a winter pass for its highly rated Bide-A-Wee course. Officials hope a $300, four-month pass will boost attendance and reduce public subsidies for the course.
Some industry experts are skeptical.

Season passes tend to lower revenue, not increase it, said James J. Keegan, managing principal of Golf Convergence, a Colorado-based consulting company that recently evaluated Virginia Beach's municipal courses. The core golfers who already frequent a course, not new players, typically buy passes, he said.
Andy Giles, the golf pro at Bide-A-Wee, agreed that annual passes can hurt revenue, but he expressed confidence that the winter pass will do well. A competitor drew some of his golfers away last year with the same deal, he said.

"I'm just trying to figure out something to create some interest this winter when things are slow," he said.
It costs $22 for a resident and $27 for a nonresident to play a weekend round in December, January or February at Bide-A-Wee. The new season pass can be used seven days a week from December to March. Carts cost extra.

The council also extended a special rate for active or retired military, senior citizens and city workers to four days a week from two.

A city manager's report said the two changes could increase revenue by $40,000 to $60,000.
That sounded overly optimistic to Mark Lambert, the golf pro at Nansemond River Golf Club in Suffolk. "That's going on a limb, I think " he said.

Bide-A-Wee is a cornerstone in the city's plans to transform the Victory Boulevard corridor. It re opened in 1999 after a costly public renovation that included a redesign by professional golfer Curtis Strange.
Golf Digest now gives it 4.5 out of 5 stars and last August named it Virginia's best municipal course. It sits near the new Tidewater Community College Portsmouth campus, a planned business park and new homes in the partially built New Port neighborhood.

The city is still paying off the roughly $8 million in bonds it sold to pay for infrastructure improvements and renovating the course.

The city subsidized Bide-A-Wee with about $650,000 two years ago and was on pace to spend about $760,000 for the fiscal year that ended June 30, City Controller Lenora Reid said at a finance committee meeting in July.

Those amounts include debt service payments and are lower than what the city had budgeted for the expense, said Betty Burrell, the city's chief financial officer.

The debt payments are running less than $400,000 a year, with the last one scheduled for 2026, she said.
Giles said the payments have made it extremely difficult to break even at the course.
Many golf courses are struggling. In 2009, just 7 percent of those in the United States produced a profit, according to consulting firm Global Golf Advisers.

Keegan, the consultant from Golf Convergence, gave his opinion on season passes without analyzing Bide-A-Wee or any other numbers in Portsmouth. He credited the city with trying to make things work.
"They're to be congratulated for being proactive."

Who Will Tame The Beast Known As Whistling Straits?

 

 

The subject of golf in Wisconsin is enjoying quite a run of electronic ink. The fact that the PGA Championship comes to Whistling Straits this week will only mean the streak continues.  

Last fall I caught the Straits course on a few days when the wind off Lake Michigan wasn't a factor. According to weather.com, wind won't be much of a factor for the final major of 2010 this week (a high of 10 mph). I said it then, and I still believe it now, the Straits (176-yard third hole pictured above) is my favorite of Pete Dye's cranky creations.

Designed by Pete Dye, Whistling Straits emulates the great old seaside links courses of the British Isles, invoking an image of the game founded more than 400 years ago. The Straits Course is open with rugged and windswept terrain. A more mature course than one would expect, golfers encounter huge sandy areas, deep pot bunkers,grass-topped dunes, big and undulating greens and majestic views of Lake Michigan from each of its 18 holes. The dramatic par-3 17th, the course's unofficial signature hole, features a green precariously perched over water and sand. Whistling Straits also features:

• Two miles of uninterrupted shoreline on Lake Michigan
• Eight holes hugging the Lake Michigan shoreline
• Bluffs and massive sand dune areas
• Natural fescue fairways
• A flock of Scottish Blackface sheep call the course home
• Elevation change on the course (hole 15) is approximately 80 feet
• The Straits Course is a walking course; walking distance for 18 holes is approximately five miles
• Three stone bridges at holes 9, 10 and 18

Straits Course

The Straits Course is the flagship course at Whistling Straits. It has a length of 7,514 yards and a par of 72. It hosted the 86th PGA Championship which Vijay Singh was the winner in August 2004, and was host to the 2007 U.S. Senior Open. In January 2005, the Straits Course was announced as the site for the PGA Championships in 2010 and 2015, as well as the 2020 Ryder Cup.

The Straits Course replicates the ancient seaside links courses of the United Kingdom and Ireland. Nestled along a two-mile (3 km) stretch of Lake Michigan, the course features vast rolling greens, deep pot bunkers, grass-topped dunes and winds that sweep in off the lake. At 7,514 yards, it is the second longest course to host a major.^{[citation needed]}

The seventeenth named "Pinched Nerve", the unofficial signature hole, is the most difficult par-3 on the course. At 223 yards, with towering sand dunes and the lake to the left leaves golfers with no option but to go straight for the green.

The course also features two miles (3 km) of shoreline on Lake Michigan, eight holes hugging the lake, a flock of Scottish Blackface sheep, elevation changes of approximately 80 feet (24 m) and three stone bridges at holes 9, 10 and 18.

Although the Straits Course duplicates British and Irish links layouts, its original state was not linksland. Before the course was built, the property was a more or less featureless abandoned airfield called Camp Haven (1949-1959) ^[1], with a stream running through the middle. Its one saving grace, from a golf standpoint, was its two miles (3.2 km) of lake frontage. Kohler Company CEO Herbert Kohler signed up Dye as course architect, giving him a basically unlimited budget.^{[citation needed]} During construction, the original landscape of the Straits Course alone was covered with about 800,000 cubic yards (610,000 m³) of dirt and sand. Until recently, the amount of earth moved would have been considered extreme for a golf course, but this amount has been dwarfed by that required by several other courses, most notably Shadow Creek in Las Vegas, where 25 million cubic yards (19.1 million m³) of earth were moved.