Asian Golf Nation - September 2010

Designed by Jonathan Morrow and Al Tikkanen and like Red Mountain, their other high-profile Phuket golf course, Riverdale Golf Club is destined to become one of the most celebrated Bangkok Golf Courses. Riverdale may not at first glance look the most menacing test of golf you've seen. However, the golfer is in for a surprise.

The landscape includes several large lakes which were dredged to create the hills that surround the golf course and frame most of the holes. Beyond the perimeter though there's not much to look as it is predominantly comprised of factories and small villages. But once you've fired your opening tee-shot at the gently sloping downhill opener, the challenges and considerable charm of these immaculately groomed links will quickly assert themselves. [Read More]

Banyan Resort & Golf, Hua Hin, Thailand, is an exclusive resort designed and built to the highest standards. Set in a beautiful landscaped environment, the resort offers a choice of private pool villas and villas with a Jacuzzi.

The luxurious villas feature stylish Thai decor and furnishings, and modern appliances. Resort facilities include Lemongrass Restaurant & Bar and the Splash Pool Bar & Playground. [Read More]

Golfasian is launching a 4 event amateur golf series for 2011 for golfers from around the world. The events will be marketed and sold via Golfasian's global network of golf tour operator partners.

As a pioneer in the golf tourism industry, Golfasian promotes the Thailand golf product to individual golfers who want the best value-for-money unique golf experiences, with personalized service, privacy and simplicity. Now Golfasian is branching out into the lucrative amateur golf market to address the needs of golfers who want the same level of personalized value-for-money service, but also prefer to tailor their golf travels around a structured and competitive amateur golf event. [Read More]

Best Place For A 'Quiet and Peaceful' Thailand Golf and Beach Holiday?

Hua Hin is the winner here, with Phuket's north and west coasts posting an honorable challenge. Until recently the golf in Hua Hin was mostly 'so-so' quality, though that has changed with some of newer venues which are up to world class standards.

Banyan Golf Club won the "2009 Best New Golf Course in Asia" award, while Black Mountain Golf Club, only 2 years old, was voted as the second best Thailand golf course, just behind Thai Country Club. Both courses are located in the foothills above Hua Hin, which make for spectacular après golf views from the clubhouses overlooking vast and fertile valleys below.

Read more about the Best Place For A 'Quiet and Peaceful' Thailand Golf and Beach Holiday?...

Other golf stories can be found at the Thailand Golf Zone where there are over 450 other original articles dealing exclusively with golf in Asia and golf travel.

I would love to hear about any golf tips that any of you may have developed for getting the maximum enjoyment from your golf trips, and can incorporate some in future articles. Therefore if you have any golf tips or suggestions you would like to share, please let me know by dropping me an email.

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Golf at the best of times is 70 percent mental and 30 percent physical; and in the sand its even easier because you dont even have to hit the ball to get it out !!

Normally there are only two reasons why at times we can't get the ball out of the sand: Once you make contact with the sand you don't follow through, or perhaps you took too much sand that resulted from hitting too far behind the ball.

Most golfers don't swing hard enough in bunkers to let the sand propel the ball out of the trap. Feel like you are pounding the sand and accelerating the club head through the shot to improve your bunker play. When I am teaching students in the bunker I get them to firmly hit the sand and make sure they follow through, this will get the ball out every time assuming the lip of the bunker isnt high.

When you enter the beach, remember these points

1. Get your feet firmly into the sand to give yourself a stable base.
2. Aim about 45* left of the target / pin.
3. Play the ball about middle of your body.
4. Aim about 1- 2 inches behind the ball.
5. Your backswing should follow the line of your body, so you will "cut the ball out of the bunker"
6. When you are following through, get the sense "of throwing the ball out with the sand ". You will do this by burying the club in the sand on the downswing and follow through. This will compress the sand and the ball will be lifted out by the sand.

If you have any other questions regarding golf tips to help you with your game email us at [email protected] and we will reply in upcoming newsletters

For more golf tips visit www.golfthink.com

Golfasian has a full schedule of tradeshows and roadshows during the next few months.

You can find us at the following exhibits:

• September 8-10 - Thailand Travel Mart + (Bangkok)
• November 15 - 18 - International Golf Travel Market 2010 (Valencia)

Arrange an appointment with Mark Siegel, MD of Golfasian, at one of these exhibits.

Golfasian Co., Ltd.

If any reader would like to suggest a topic to be covered or better yet contribute materials, photos, or even commissions an article please contact me by e-mail, I welcome the help.

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