This Week at TravelGolf.com: May 23, 2007

The art of the lay-up: It worked for Zach Johnson at the Masters, so why reject it?

I may or may not speak for thousands, maybe millions, of other male hackers like myself when I proclaim the lay-up to be the province of weak, aged and slightly feminine golfers.

At the same time, I understand this position is both foolish and counter-productive.

The art of the lay-up is one of golf's most controversial strategies. It was on full display this past weekend at the AT&T Classic, when Ryuji Imada disdained it and went for the green in two on the par-5 playoff hole, despite a relatively short drive, bad lie and big water in front of him. He missed and his hopes for his first PGA Tour win sank with his golf ball.

Admit it, you secretly cheered Imada, maybe even admired him. It may or may not have been the right play, but he went for it.

It's one of the reasons so many people have a love/hate relationship with Phil Mickelson. Lefty is always, it seems, going for the heroic shot, forget the percentages.

Yet, the percentages are probably with the more conservative shot. Zach Johnson, beneficiary of Imada's mistake at the AT&T Classic, used the lay-up masterfully to win The Masters. I haven't heard anyone question his manhood.

At a much lower level, there is nothing quite as satisfying as reaching a par-5 in two for the weekend warrior. Even from the middle tees, you reach a par-5 in two, you're strutting around like a peacock.

To me, to my probable discredit, the most enjoyable thing about golf is smacking the hell out of the ball. Like most mid-handicappers, I treat my short game as something to be endured, cursed and most of all, left alone to wither. Hand me my 3-wood and back off.

The other day, as an experiment, I decided to employ a tactic I seldom consider: course management. As part of this, I laid up on par-5s, even when the green was within realistic reach. Scorecard: one-under on the three-shotters.

True, it helped me shoot one of my better rounds. But when I walked off the 18th green, I had an uncontrollable urge to put on a pink, ballerina outfit with matching shoes and handbag.

As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.

The Biltmore: Trying to unearth
a Donald Ross gem in South Florida

With no beach, you won't see hunks and honeys frolicking in the surf at the historic Biltmore hotel in Miami. But for golfers that's no big deal. "The ocean is overrated," Head Professional Jason Epstein said. "We've got a Donald Ross golf course." Biltmore management has spent some $1.5 million thus far on bringing this South Florida gem back to life. The goal, Epstein says, is to get "back to the tradition and spirit of Ross."

Review: PGA National Resort's Haig Course

Desert Willow's Mountain View brings
mellow good times to Palm Springs

Located in Palm Desert, Calif., Mountain View is the easy golf course at the Desert Willow Golf Resort - and there's nothing wrong with that. Sometimes the average duffer needs a round that's more pleasurable than punishing, a course that offers a nice rhythm for casual conversation. Mountain View is all that and more. One of the most playable golf courses in the area, its wide, spacious fairways are a great place to relax and enjoy a fun round of desert golf.

Also: Santa Clarita course offers private-club-quality, daily-fee rates

Gallagher's Canyon C.C. looms
over Okanagan golf/wine scene

Gallagher's Canyon Golf & Country Club in Kelowna, B.C., is one of those rare blends of scenic and playable holes. The course has a little of everything, including several holes you won't soon forget. And with the clocks in its clubhouse set to Augusta National, Pebble Beach and St. Andrews, it's also a place with a reverence for golf history - and, more importantly, for golfers. It's a definite 'must play' in the golf-rich Okanagan area of British Columbia.

Also: Whistler offers superb golfing in a fantastic setting