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My husband loves playing golf and I am myself am pretty decent at the sport. So it was a given that we would be playing a few rounds in Orlando. We had a chance to sample a number of golf courses first-hand and got a personal appreciation of the great number and variety of golf courses in the Orlando area.

I had a chance to talk with Mike Jamison from Golf Orlando to get a better overview of the extensive golf facilities that the Orlando area has to offer.

1. Orlando is not only the world's No. 1 vacation destination, but it is also called "Golf's Ultimate Theme Park". Please tell us more about that.

Isnt it interesting how sometimes the most obvious answer to a tough question is sitting right before your eyes, yet it takes you days, months, even years to see it?

Officials of the marketing co-op GolfOrlando realized that recently when they finally nailed the perfect marketing tag line for their 25-course organization.

For years the group had wrestled with various themes that might set Orlando apart from its competition in the golf destination wars. Then one day a member asked a question What is Orlando known for?

The obvious answer? Theme parks. Orlando is the worlds No. 1 vacation destination, and the incredible collection of theme parks plays the leading role.

It was at that moment that the perfect theme line crystallized GolfOrlando Golfs Ultimate Theme Park.

It is a nice fit not only because of the foundation of Orlandos vacation pitch theme parks - but also because it reflects the incredible diversity of the Central Florida golf landscape. Golf in Orlando provides its own type of outdoor adventure.

2. Please tell us about the types of golf courses that are available in the Orlando area.

Looking for a taste of the U.K.? How about royal St. Cloud, where every hole transfers you to the fabled courses of the British Isles, and where the 2004 and 2005 British Junior Amateur was conducted? Try a couple of very popular Ron Garl designs for a Scottish touch. Eagle Creek, located near the Orlando International Airport, offers open, rolling fairways, large, undulating greens and those dangerous revetted bunkers that dot the landscape in Scotland. Eagle Creek was recently ranked among the top 10 new courses of the decade in Florida by Golf travel & Leisure, and is the first par 73 course in Orlando and the first to use Mini Verde greens.

On the north side of Orlando is Timacuan Golf & Country Club, ranked as high as No. 14 in Florida by one statewide publication. Its front side offers up a true taste of Scotland, while the back 9 takes on a more Carolinas low Country feel. Hole 2, a long water-dominated par 4, was recently named the 2nd most difficult hole in Central Florida by an area publication. Timacuan is a locals favorite.

A very similar routing by Arnold Palmer awaits you on the south side of town. The Legends at Orange Lake opened in 1998 and features a Scottish style front nine (The Links) and a tree-lined back nine (The Pines). The feature holes are the 610-yard 4th on the Links nine and the 432-yard 13th, called the Island Oak.

In need of drama? How about Diamond Players Club in Clermont, where the elevation changes are so spectacular that the track is often referred to as Floridas mountain course. Youll need to buckle up when tackling Mystic Dunes green complexes. They offer up slopes that drop as much as 10 feet, and you might find an elephants trunk poking out of a few serious mounds. Also, several of the fairways feature whiskey barrel bunkers as guideposts. This Gary Koch-designed course personifies the word adventure, as does Highlands Reserve, a roller coaster-like golf experience with elevation changes of 120 feet and dramatic scenery. Further south on Highway 27 is Steve Smyers Southern Dunes, another course that features elevation change uncommon in Central Florida. Combined with the abundance and creativity of the bunkering, it is easy to understand while Southern Dunes is ranked among the To 100 Modern Day Courses by Golfweek.

Excitement? Falcons Fire by Rees Jones has a couple of thrillers, especially its cape hole, the par 4 13th. This one dares you to bite off more than you can chew, and while it is tempting to rip a big tee shot toward the green, the money play is to safely land your ball into the slender fairway utilizing a more forgiving angle and a fairway wood.

If you are a traditionalist, the options are boundless. Shingle Creek is the newest of the traditional Florida layouts, bordered by dense oaks and pines in a backdrop along historic Shingle Creek. Location is another benefit as it rests near the major tourist areas. Harmony is a Johnny Miller design that falls into this category. Its strength lies in the greens complexes that feature angular bunkering creating a variety of challenging pin placements. Ridgewood Lakes provides a beautiful cruise through the hardwoods off Highway 27, and tops off the journey with an awesome finishing hole.

How about a stroll though nature? Stonegate Golf Club, designed by Ron Garl, rests upon 3,300 acres of pristine wetlands, woodlands and 100-year-old oak hammocks, and places the emphasis on the short game. Mike Dashers North Shore looks as if it should be located deep in the country as it sits comfortably amidst lush surroundings, yet it is conveniently located seven miles from Orlando International Airport. Diamondback, a Joe Lee design located in Haines City, was carved from 240 acres of virgin forest and offers dramatically rolling fairways bordered by dense trees, pristine natural wetlands, and well-positioned water hazards.

If convenience is important, MetroWest could be the perfect choice, as it is located near Universal Studios and the International Drive tourist section. It is a Robert Trent Jones Jr. masterpiece that features wide fairways and challenging approach shots. Nearby just off International Drive next to Sea World is Grande Pines, a recently renovated Smyers design that features a number of outstanding risk/reward holes. Celebration Golf Club, located near walt Disney World, was designed by father Robert Trent Jones Sr. and son Robert Trent Jones Jr. and places emphasis on approach shots.

Is notoriety important to you? ChampionGates two courses play host annually to the Office Depot Father/Son classic, a favorite among dozens of PGA and Senior PGA Tour players. Orange County National has twice hosted the PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals on its two tracks, Panther Lake and Crooked Cat, They offer diverse tests that are good enough to challenge and determine tomorrows professional stars.

Some folks enjoy walking out their hotel door straight to the first tee. Orlando offers several choices for stay-and-play buffs, including Hawks Landing. Attached to the spectacular Marriott World Center, Hawks Landing recently underwent a complete renovation by Robert Cupp. It has water on 15 of the 18 holes and it features its own version of Amen Corner holes 12, 13 and 14.

That small taste gives you an idea of the diversity available through GolfOrlando, truly Golfs Ultimate Theme Park.

3. Please inform us about the golf practice facilities and the teaching professionals that are available in the Orlando area.

Some of the game's most respected teachers - David Leadbetter, Mike Bender, Rina Ritson, Bill Madonna, Brad Brewer and Fred Griffin to name a few - do their magic in Central Florida.

Orlando is home to some of the nation's finest practice facilities. The Faldo Institute and Orange County National offer more than just practice tees and greens. The landing areas on their driving ranges resemble true targets and hazards that are found on courses. Tremendous short-game practice areas help better players fine-tune that key part of their games. But the crowning jewel in Orlando are the courses. From top to bottom, Orlando offers the best quality golf of any destination in the world. Nearly every exit off I-4 leads directly to a memorable golf experience, regardless of which side of Orlando you are on.

4. Some of the Orlando area golf courses have achieved top ratings from various golf publications. Please tell us more about that.

Orange County National, host of the 2003 & 2005 PGA TOUR Q-School Finals, was the recipient of Golf Digest's 4 1/2 Stars for 2000 to 2005. Southern Dunes is rated among the top 100 contemporary courses in America by Golfweek. Orange County National's Panther Lake is rated 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest. Award-winning Southern Dunes was voted "Top 100 courses in America" by Golfweek 1997 - 2001. Celebration Golf Club was rated 4 1/2 stars and in the top three in Central Florida for service and in the top two for course conditioning by Golf Digest's "Best Places to play" 2004 - 2005.

Diamondback Golf Club was recently awarded four stars by Golf Digest's "Places To play". Victoria Hills Golf Cub open end in 2002, and was recently named by Golf Magazine as a "Top 10 You Can play." royal St. Cloud Golf links was rated in the Top 5 Most Underrated Golf Courses in the Orlando area and hosted the 2004 and 2005 British Junior Amateur. Eagle Creek Golf Club was recently named among the Top 10 New Courses since 2000 by travel & Leisure Magazine.

5. What major golfing events are held in the Orlando area?

The region hosts its share of major competitions two PGA Tour stops annually (the Bay Hill Invitational in March, hosted by Arnold Palmer; and the Disney classic at walt Disney World in October), one LPGA Tour tournament, the PGA Tour Qualifying School Finals, the Buick Scramble National Finals, The Office Depot Father/Son, and a variety of mini tours. A

6. Please tell us about some of the famous golf architects that have put their mark on Orlando golf courses.

The groups 25 layouts boast the names of a majority of the worlds leading architects Tom Fazio, Rees and Robert Trent Jones, Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Ron Garl, Steve Smyers.

7. What about affordable golf in Orlando?

8. Who are some of the famous golf professionals who have made the Orlando area their home?

Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Annika Sorenstam, Sergio Garcia, Se Ri Pak, Arnold Palmer, Jim Thorpe, Chris Di Marco, Mark O'Meara, Scott Hoch, Nick Faldo, John Cook, Stuart Appleby, Charles Howell III and dozens of others have planted their roots in Central Florida. There is a reason for that, beyond tax implications.

9. In addition to golf, what else does the Orlando area have to offer?

Lets face it no region in the country does adventure as well and with as much diversity as Orlando, the worlds No. 1 vacation destination. Theme parks, theme parks and more theme parks. walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World, Kennedy Space Center and others have created the face that smiles upon the vacationing world from Central Florida.

The nightlife and restaurants rival those of any other region in the country. Tourists gather at various pockets around Orlando Universal City Walk, Pleasure Island and International Drive among them. But if you want a feel for how the locals entertain themselves, take a trip to Winter Park Village on the north side of town, where terrific restaurants and clubs will fill your tummy and your night.

10. What about the weather year-round? What about getting to Orlando?

The weather is conducive to golf year-round. Average high daytime temperatures range from 72 in January to 89 in July. Golf can be played and practiced 365 days a year, many of those days featuring clear blue skies, lazy breezes and cool, comfortable nights.

Another significant reason is the ease of travel. Orlando International Airport welcomes direct flights from most major airports around this country and the world. And it is quite simple to drive to Orlando from in or out of state, thanks to a well-planned series of major highways.

11. What accommodation options do golfers have in Orlando?

12. Please tell us a bit more about the golf vacation packages that are offered in Orlando.

13. Some key golf organizations make Orlando their home, please tell us more about that.

The one and only television network devoted 100% to the sport - The Golf Channel - is based in Orlando. Golfweek, a leading trade publication, moved to Orlando about 11 years ago. Meadowbrook Golf, one of the largest golf course management companies, is located here, as is the industry's leading golf travel company, Golfpac. The industry's only media/ business networking organization, the International Network of Golf, is also based in Orlando.

Thank you, Mike, for providing a great practical overview of Orlando as a first-rate golf destination.

This entire article including photos is located at http://www.travelandtransitions.com/stories_photos/orlando_golf.htm

Susanne Pacher is the publisher of http://www.travelandtransitions.com, a web portal for unconventional travel & cross-cultural connections. Check out our brand new http://www.travelandtransitions.com/ebooks.html FREE ebooks about travel.

A list of xbox 360 racing games contains such familiar names like Need for speed, nascar, Grand Theft Auto or Forza motorsport but also names that you wouldnt expect to see among these powerful racing games, like the Simpsons Hit & Run. A well deserved top place among all xbox 360 racing games is reserved for Need for speed Most Wanted. As you might expect the game is still all about solid racing but it has added options of car customization and the thrilling police chases keep you on the edge of your seat through the whole race.

Another must for xbox 360 racing games collectors is Burnout Revenge, well improved from the other games in the Burnout series it is certainly among the best racing games created recently. The speed and the thrill of the race remain unparalleled and the easy maneuvering makes it a favorite with all players.

An internet search for www racing games will also reveal an exceptional off road experience among xbox 360 racing games: the MX vs. ATV Unleashed. This unique racer brings monster trucks, trophy trucks and motorcycles together on one race track and adds a few airplanes and helicopters above for a racing experience that will dazzle any player at first try.

The Double Pack from Grand Theft Auto containing vice City and Grand Theft Auto III puts driving back in the drivers seat. Its not the most realistic among xbox 360 racing games but you can simply grab and drive anything from cars and motorcycles to boats, airplanes and helicopters.

Midnight Club has maintained its status as one of the top xbox racing games of our time and with this DUB edition it surprises the player with a lot more cars and countless customization options. As usual, speed is a must in this already legendary racing game. On the funnier side of xbox racing games you find the Simpsons Hit & Run, more of a driving game really. There is no extreme speed, no crime, just many different types of cars to hop in and go for a spin in the city.

nascar 2006 also brings something surprising to the world of xbox 360 racing games, team unity. The 2006 edition called Total Team control has a new feature that permits the player to switch teammates back and forth until he finds the most efficient team available.

It is amazing to realize that you have been using the internet so much that it is now a part of your life. You often feel a sense of frustration during times when you just cannot establish an internet connection. Your day is not quite complete if you have not been able to check your mail, the breaking news and your favorite blog. All the necessary daily activities you do that are part of the internet.

It is now possible for you to access the world Wide Web without having to use any cables and/or wires. This is done through the use of the ingenious wireless internet.

People around the world are using wireless internet for all kinds of purposes. All that it entails is a computer, a radio antenna, and a small satellite dish. This gives you access to the wireless internet. There is no need for wires or a cable connection of any kind.

The wireless internet provides users easy access to the information superhighway without having to wait to be connected to the structure. As long as your personal computer is turned on, access is continuous. You do not have to worry about disconnections, because with wireless internet, there are no cables or wires to disconnect.

wireless internet provides you the capacity and capability to be more flexible. You are not confined, because you can choose to go on line anywhere, anytime you want. Using wireless internet access has changed the world for internet users, and it is one of the greatest technological advancement available.

The last thing most of us think of when squaring up for our tee shot is balance. Without a doubt, this should be the very first thing on our minds. Without proper balance, all the swing fundamentals in the world will never allow you to hit a straight shot consistently.

The next time your standing on the driving range, try this exercise. square up to the ball just like you always do. Pay close attention to the distance you are from the ball. Now, how do you feel. Do you feel like your reaching for the ball or maybe you feel like your a little to close. If you notice either of these things your probably not going to be able to make a true balanced swing. Too far from the ball and your gonna try to reach to hit the ball. This is going to set you up for a nasty little outside-in path and an ugly slice. Too close to it and you'll be too inside-out and tend to hook it.

Step away from the ball, pick a blade of grass on the ground and set up to it. Don't focus too much on hitting the blade of grass. Instead, focus on making your swing on plane and keeping perfect balance through your entire swing. Make sure your not leaning into or away from the blade of grass during your swing. Now, take note of the distance your body is from the path the club actually swept across the grass. You might be surprised how far this path is from the grass blade you set up to. If your swing was balanced, this should be the actual distance you should stand from the ball when you tee up. With a lot of practice, this set up position will become ingrained and you will soon have a balanced, consistent swing that will allow you to drive for show.

Hopefully you have found this article to helpful. For more valuable golf swing tips, please visit my website www.bettergolfswing.org

Larry Moore has spent several years studying proper swing technique and is an avid golfer. He is also the creator and owner of http://www.bettergolfswing.org

There's a desire in the heart of any serious golfer to putt better.

Some of this is because there's a notion out there that good golfers smile at the sternest putting challenge and sink their ball effortlessly. (Completely not right, obviously. Pro golfers are better than us, but they also miss plenty of putts!)

It's also due to the fact that we concentrate when we're putting. I mean, most of us hardly ever condemn ourselves when what we hoped would be a massive drive falls short by four yards. But watch our reaction when we miss the putt by just four inches. The greens are a major part of our memory and focus on a game.

Turn this into a basic training routine, because almost any golfer can improve their putt.

first, secure a level green where you can work on your putt without having to also practice correcting for break and slope at the same time. (This simple reduction of your circumstances down to the one thing you want to focus on is a key to succeeding.) If your club practice green is sometimes unavailable, or you don't always have the time to go there, use your carpet at home.

Then place your putter face square to your line and gently tap the ball into the hole.

If there is one cure-all for putting, this is it.

Practice this. Work at it. Keep making these short putts until you are striking the ball square each time.

Then take the next step. Become virtually 100 percent consistent. Make practice putts until you can get a hole every time.

When you are consistently putting your ball in the hole your confidence will rise. And this will help you out on the golf course next time you are playing for real.

Len McGrane has written widely on Maui golf and Maui golf courses and recommends jackpot golf from http://www.mauijackpotgolf.com