The Usefulness of the Internet

Years ago, before any of us had ever heard of the internet, I remember one of my school teachers saying how one day we would be able to do pretty much everything on a computer: go shopping, do research, communicate with other people. I also remember thinking how futuristic it all sounded—and feeling apprehensive at the thought of our lives being so reliant on a computer.

Yet here I sit today, my life on the internet. As uneasy as I may have felt at one time about an online existence, it’s hard to feel too bad about it when I’ve just booked a Gulf Shores golf vacation package with just a few strokes of the keyboard.

The Gulf Shores Golf Association’s website just makes it so easy. First, the site offers an interactive planner that lets you click through to find information on golf courses, lodging, dining, and maps. If you’re interested in a golf package, the website has a sample package rates page—a list of several accommodations and their golf package rates—as well as a page where you can get a customized quote on a golf vacation package based on your specific needs. If you’ve already booked your vacation and are just looking for a place to play golf, you can click on the golf-only tee times link on the homepage, which allows you to search for available tee times according to golf course, day, time of day, and number of golfers.

Now, with the help of my computer, I get to enjoy several rounds of golf on the Gulf—out in the real world.

Golf Variety

One thing that is absolutely necessary in my life is variety. In all facets of my life, from what I eat to what socks I wear, I like to have options to choose from. And my golf vacations are no exception.

This need for variety makes Gulf Shores & Orange Beach a perfect location. Not only are there nine signature golf courses to choose from—each offering its own unique combination of challenge and scenic landscaping—but the accommodations and package options provide plenty of appealing choices and a range of prices. Customizing a golf package to fit individual needs is cinch.

And there are some excellent rates right now. If you visit the sample package rates under “Stay” on the Golf Gulf Shores website, you’ll see some of the rates currently available. There’s still time to get rates as low as $61 per person, per night. It’s a great time of year for a golf vacation!

Another Sweepstakes!

Here’s how I see myself this spring: living it up in a Gulf-front condo and playing golf at some of my favorite golf courses in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach while sporting some new fancy shirts, new shorts, new Air Zoom shoes, a new set of clubs and a new bag.

No, I’m not going on a shopping spree. I’m planning—or hoping—to win the latest Gulf Shores Golf Association sweepstakes. All you have to do to enter is book a golf vacation (minimum two-night stay) for sometime between March 1st and May 8th, 2011. The golf package must be booked no later than February 28th. The winner will be randomly selected on March 4th.

In addition to the items listed above, the winner also gets a hat, belt, glove, two pairs of socks, and a dozen Nike Tour One balls. The new set of clubs includes one VR Tour Driver, one VR Fairway Wood, one VR Hybrid, one set of eight VR Pro Cavity Steel Shaft Irons, two VR-V Rev Wedges, and one Method Putter.

More information is available on the GSGA website.

Physical Activity

One main reason I enjoy golf is I love being outside. I would much rather sit staring at the sky from my back porch than sit staring at the television in my living room. And more than either of these, I would prefer to be doing something active while outside (although staring at the sky is often a relaxing alternative).

This is what makes the Alabama Gulf Coast ideal for people like myself. Not only is the golf excellent—you can hardly beat nine scenic, challenging signature golf courses—but the opportunities for outdoor activities abound. Swimming in the Gulf, walking the beach, and hiking/biking a nature trail supplement a golf vacation nicely. Fishing is another popular option that also works well during a group golf trip—hit the greens one day and fish the Gulf the next.

I also enjoy staying at a condo or hotel with amenities like pools and tennis courts, and there are plenty of these types of accommodations in the area. Visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website to learn more about area lodging options.

Championship Tees

The year is coming to an end and yet another is beginning. This always gets me thinking about starting fresh, changing for the better, goals and accomplishments, etc. This can (and does) apply to many aspects of my day-to-day life, but being golf-obsessed as I am, I’m once again putting much emphasis on golf goals for the New Year.

I was looking at the course lengths of some of my favorite golf courses in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Kiva Dunes appears to be the longest, with 7,092 yards from the gold tees. Timber Creek, Peninsula Golf & Racquet, and Cotton Creek at Craft Farms are also over 7,000 yards from the championship tees.

I know I’ve never played this distance before. I did manage to work my way to the blue tees a couple times this year—the next step up would be the championship/gold/black tees (depending on where you play). So that’s my goal for 2011: play a 7,000-plus-yard course from the big tee boxes. (And maybe next year I’ll add “with a good score” to that goal.)

Here’s to golf in 2011!

Several Reasons to Visit

This time of year, many places are simply too cold for golf. For the avid golfer, the return of tolerable temperatures can seem like an eternity. This is just one of many reasons to visit Alabama’s Gulf Coast for a fall/winter golf getaway.

Though obviously cooler than spring and summer, the weather is still mild and very tolerable for golf. The Gulf Shores and Orange Beach area is a perfect location for golfers looking for a reprieve from the season’s chilly temperatures. Not only will they be greeted with comfortable temperatures, they’ll also have their choice of nine signature golf courses.

And with the arrival of the holiday season, a trip to the Gulf could make a nice gift for a spouse or other loved one. A wide array of accommodations—from hotels to luxurious condominiums—plus excellent dining and other activities make it an ideal vacation spot, golf or no golf. Visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association for more information on area golf and other information.

Take the Day Off and Play Golf

You could treat November 15th just like any other Monday—wake up early, rush around getting ready and make your way in to work. Or you could take a vacation day and participate in the Fall Celebrity Songwriters Golf Tournament at the Lost Key Golf Club in Perdido Key, Florida.

Be there for 11 a.m. and enjoy a gourmet lunch, then head over to the tees at noon to start the four-man scramble. Taking a vacation day for this tournament may well be worth it if you hit a hole in one, as you might win a 2011 Jetta (donated by Pete Moore) or $5,000 cash (sponsored by Vann Milheim of Edward Jones)—not to mention the bragging rights that go along with actually hitting a hole in one!

The cost is $75 per person or $300 per four-person group, which covers lunch, cart, range balls, free drink holes, and prizes. Visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website (in the news & events section under “Explore”) for more information.