GOLF

Baganais, Lacanau

Created in 1988, the Baganais 9-hole golf course belongs to the municipality of Lacanau which has entrusted the management of it to the UCPA. An 18-hole mini golf course integrated into the Baganais golf course completes the golfing offer since 2014. There is a clubhouse with a proshop where you will have access to a wide choice drinks, but also to several activities set up by the golf management and by the UCPA instructors.

Golf de Pinsolle, Port d’Albret

Golf de Pinsolle is located on the Landes coast, in an idyllic setting nestled between pine trees and the ocean. The course is made up of 9 holes which will delight both beginners and experienced golfers, due to its diversity and technicality.

Mogador Golf Club, Essaouira

This fantastic golf course, designed by Gary Player, is one of the best and most beautiful in Morocco. The sea breeze keeps you cool in the warm summer months making it a pleasant place to play most of the year round. Numerous holes played towards the Atlantic Ocean are links in style, however, once you play back towards the resort there are numerous woodland holes that require a strategic approach in order to score well. The layout offers a number of technical challenges which will test every golfers ability from a novice to a professional.

Tamarin Golf Estate, Tamarin

Here you will be able to play on the championship 18-hole, par 72 course designed by architect Rodney Wright. The course combines technical challenges with sweeping views over the stunning Rempart Mountain and Tamarin Bay, both unforgettable backdrops. Each hole offers five different teeing options, catering for all levels of golfers: Professional, Championship, Club, Senior/Ladies Championship and Ladies tees.

There are 5 different types in a typical golf bag. This will give you a good idea of the form and function of each type of golf club:

Woods: Historically made from wood, modern woods are now made from different metals. Woods are used for hitting those big shots off the tee and hoping for long distances down the fairway. They have the longest shaft and largest heads of all club types for maximum ball speed and distance. There are actually two types of woods, the fairway wood is used for fairway shots, while a driver is used for hitting the ball from the tee.

Irons: You’d perhaps think that these clubs were made of iron, but they are usually made from steel. These clubs are used to hit the ball from the fairway towards the green. There are many variations of irons and are numbered from 1 to 9, with shafts getting progressively shorter, loft angles higher and club heads heavier.

Hybrids: Hybrids are a cross between the woods and irons. Initially used to get out from the rough, including from beneath bushes, trees and other obstacles around fairway and the green, many golfers today also use the hybrids for fairway shots.

Wedges: The wedges are used for shorter approach shots on to the green, for chips and pitches around green, and for playing out of sand bunkers. There are many variations of wedges; pitching wedge, sand wedge, gap wedge, lob wedge and ultra lob wedge. Each is designed to be used in specific situations. Sand wedge, for instance, is used to get the ball out of sand bunkers. All of these sorts of golf clubs are used for short shots requiring high accuracy and precision.

Every golf course is different, however, these guidelines will give you a good idea of what to pack in your luggage. 

Trousers: Smart casual trousers such as chinos are acceptable on golf courses, but no denim jeans. On hot days, most golf clubs allow shorts, but like trousers these need to be smart casual in style. It’s always wise to check with the centre or the golf club  before you travel to see what is and is not acceptable to wear on the golf course as a lot of places have very different rules.

Shoes: Most golf courses say that you have to wear golf shoes. If you have your own golf shoes with spikes, they should be plastic rather than metal, as many clubs are not keen on the damage that the metal spikes cause to the course. There was a time when most golf courses disapproved of trainers, but most clubs will accept them.

Tops: A polo top or short-sleeved shirt is recommended. On cooler days, a sweater over the shirt is always a great golfing look. A waterproof top is always recommended to bring with you just in case of any rain or wind.

As a beginner you will work on your swing, using irons with confidence or learning how to get out of a bunker or tricky obstacle such as a tree. You will work on skills that will help you develop the perfect putt and fine tune your skills in varying weather conditions such as strong wind. Your instructors will help you work towards your goals and progress can be made quickly if you are determined.

Skills taught throughout the week:

• Learn how to hold the club 

• Standing position

• How to swing

• How to swing the ball correctly to hit the ball where you want

• Learning to make short shots

• Learn how to putt

As an intermediate, you are beginning to make consistently good contact with the ball. You're starting to get more distance with all your clubs and hitting more greens. You still need help around the greens but now you know how to use the different types of wedges to your benefit. You realize that your short game is where you can take a lot of strokes off your score. Your drives are still inconsistent. Your distance could be better but accuracy may still be more of a problem.

Skills taught throughout the week 

• Have a consistent pre shot routine

• Getting to know which club to use for which shot 

• Learning how far you hit with each club

• Getting to grips more with your short game 

• Focus on putting improvement

You want to make sure you are making the right decisions in selecting the right club to use when. You want to make sure you know your swings and can fix swing faults on the course. You want to be able to strategize and get the most out of your rounds. As an advanced player, you should have played on a variety of golf courses, taken lessons and spent many hours at the driving range.  

Skills taught throughout the week

• Personal known weakness’ are focused on

• Ensuring you have the right equipment for your level

• Alignment

• Posture

• Steady head throughout swing