Olaf just read a post in the Asian Golf Monthly. And it reads:

THAILAND – 1st CHOICE ASIAN DESTINATION FOR GOLFERS

• Best Golf Destination in Asia – Thailand
• Best Clubhouse in Asia – Thai Country Club
• Best New Course in Asia – Amata Spring Country Club

Being a Malaysian golfer and golfed in Thailand, I am not at all surprised that Thailand has been voted tops. But what about Malaysian Golf Courses. What I can say is Malaysian courses are designed and maintained at a level I believe, is on par or even sometimes better than the ones we find in Thailand. But why is everyone voting in Thailand. Here are some of the reason why:

Olaf just read the news and it was reported that a 102-year old lady golfer by the name of Elsie McLean just recorded a hole in one. I wonder how many of us golfers have ever hit a hole in one. Even witnessing a hole in one is no small feat. According to the press, Elsie thought she might have lost her ball on the par-3, 100-yard fourth hole and her playing partners found the ball in the cup. She was attempting to hit the green with a driver! Shows you how healthy the game of golf is.

It fails to amaze me the number of golfers who rarely understands the difference in playing the different sets of tee boxes. I believe a brief (if not long) explanation of these different colors is really important.

White tee - means entry level. It means you have just graduated from the driving range. For handicap 18 and above!

Advantages: Playing from this tee box shows your level of competence in actually hitting the ball. Builds great confidence on your long game, short game and loads of balls. The purpose of playing from this tee box is not to send in your score card for double figures for every odd hole or so!!!

Olaf, Chubbs, Lawrie and Simon were having a round of golf. Chubbs teed off first and found the fairway as did Lawrie. Olaf teed off next and saw the ball suspiciously near the OB stake. Simon then teed off. Upon approaching the fairway, everyone’s ball was lying on the fairway with the exception of Olaf. With a bit of luck, the ball had stayed in bounds.

Before attempting the shot, he called “fore.” But to his surprise, all three of them remained directly ahead of him on the fairway. So Olaf shouted again “fore” and still all three of them stood there.

Olaf just had a great golf experience. Did you know that you can golf over a weekend for just RM45.00 (USD 12)? The package is inclusive of buggy, meal voucher worth RM10 (USD 3.50) and a bottle of mineral water. I can’t see anybody or anywhere beating this price the world over. Not even Thailand can beat this. The place is in Kuala Kubu Bharu located about 45km from the grand city of Kuala Lumpur. I welcome anyone who can beat this price the world over. I can show you some pics in my next posting but can you imagine this. Of course you can’t expect bay hill extravagance but for a golfer, it’s a steal. No discount card, no club affiliation and no booking in advance. Just walk straight in! What a bargain! See if you can top this!!!

Ever heard of a fella called J.B. Holmes? Apparently, for the past two years. This “bomber” who has one of the most awkward swings on the PGA tour can “smite” and I mean literally smite the ball further than 85% of the golfing population can reach in two (stand aside J. Daly). Irregardless of whether it is downhill of wind assisted, I can’t honestly believe that this can be happening! I carry a handicap of 16 and although I can quite smite the ball myself (about close to 300 yards) on my best drive, I can’t believe that anyone could be able to conjure up a strike with that sort of distance and accuracy. A lot has been spoken on the new balls and equipment but in my best estimate, it can only help that much. The new drivers and balls have put a lot of golf courses to shame.

I recently had a very frustating day playing in a public course in Malaysia. I can’t expect everyone to feel the same but share your thoughts with me. The story goes…..

One fine evening in Kuala Lumpur (or rather Petaling Jaya), I was expecting to play a round of night golf with a two friends. Having learnt my previous lesson of not calling in advance to book the advance flight, we had to settle for only 9 holes. Reason being if there were insufficient flights (5 in total), the course reserves the right to turn away any flights for night golf. In which, if I may mention we couldn’t finish because the damned flight in front was too slow and upon the 7th hole we had to play in total darkness. (Please be informed that no night golf means no lights. If you can’t finish, too bad!)