Sheraton Maui Resort

Sheraton Maui Resort, Island of Maui
Unlimited Golf Package, MAUI-
Golf enthusiasts have the best of both worlds at Sheraton Maui Resort with a stunning beachfront location at historic Black Rock and golf in our backyard at Kaanapali Golf Course. With rates starting at $410, single and $500, double per night in stunning partial ocean view accommodations, golf enthusiasts will enjoy one round of confirmed golf at Kaanapali Golf Courses' North or South Course, and unlimited golf on either course based upon availability on the same day. More information

The Prince Course, Kauai

Princeville Resort, Island of Kauai -
Unlimited Golf Package, KAUAI
In collaboration with nature, Robert Trent Jones, Jr. has fashioned 45 of the most beautiful, tropical holes of golf in the world. Play on nestled green bluffs that skirt Kauai's mountains and the shimmering Pacific Ocean with stunning views everywhere you look. Enjoy unlimited play on either the Makai Course or the number one rated course in the state of Hawaii: The Prince Course. If you come to paradise, you must include a stay in Princeville Resort.
Rates start at $575 per night. Book this package by calling Starwood Central Reservations toll free 1-866-500-8313. Ask for rate code "ULGOLF."
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“Challenge at Manele”
course, Lanai

The Lodge at Koele & Manele Bay Hotel, Island of Lanai
Play Through Package, LANAI-
Two luxurious hotels to choose from and 36 holes of the most spectacular golf in Hawaii. Tee off from lava cliffs hundreds of feet above the crashing surf on Jack Nicklaus' spectacular “Challenge at Manele” course, or play into a mountain ravine from 250 feet above the fairway on the Greg Norman masterpiece called the "Experience at Koele." The Challenge offers a thrilling target-style game amid miles of unspoiled natural surroundings while no other links course in Hawaii, perhaps even the world, offers such an incredible combination of upland terrain, inspired landscape architecture, as the Challenge. Rates start at $579 per night. The Play through Package includes unlimited golf on both the Challenge at Manele and the Experience at Koele with a free shared cart.
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Visit http://www.starwood.com/hawaii

Designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr.

Golf Digest has named The Prince Course the Number One golf course in the State of Hawaii. It is also included in their prestigious list of "America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses." The Prince is one of Hawaii's most challenging golf courses, with a USGA course rating of 75.3 and a 145 slope. But fear not. Five different tees on each hole allow you to set your own challenge. Named after Prince Albert, the only son of King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, The Prince is Robert Trent Jones, Jr.'s masterpiece. Looking as if it had emerged full-blown from nature, it chugs uphill, jumps ravines and careens downhill like a roller-coaster.

Adjoining it is one of the most magnificent golf and clubhouse facilities in the world, the 60,000 square foot Princeville Golf Club. Here, golfers can enjoy the amenities of the Princeville Health Club & Spa and the Princeville Restaurant & Bar. The Golf Club also features full banquet facilities — including two meeting rooms — The Alii Room with capacity of 260 pax and the Lehua Room (25-30 pax capacity).

> click here for Prince Course rates

How To Build Your Confidence
What can you do to build confidence? Here are some quick tips:
- Approach each putt believing you'll make it. But if you don't, be realistic: remind yourself that even the best players in the world only make about 50% of six foot putts.
- Even if you feel that you need to be aware of what you're doing wrong, don't lose sight of what you're doing right. After each shot, go over what went well. Say things to yourself like, "Contact was solid," or "My tempo was good," or "I planned that shot well."
- Keep a daily diary of the positive aspects of your game. Review the diary weekly, and visually recall what you did well.
- Become more aware of the conditions under which you achieve optimal performance. Be especially attuned to your state of mind: e.g., do you play better when you're energized or when you're relaxed? The more you understand about yourself as a player, the easier you'll find it to create confidence-building experiences for yourself.

Stop Errant Shots
The key to hitting low, crisp chip shots is keeping your left wrist (if you are a right hand golfer) straight. Most errant shots occur because the left wrist bends at impact. It should remain straight. By keeping your left wrist solid, the ball will stay on the target line, and you'll find the ball rolling towards the pin. You do not have to scoop the ball on a chip shot. Think of it as an extremely long putt.

How to Make Those Bunker Shots
When you are in a greenside bunker, and you need to get out the most common mistake made is taking a half swing, and not following through.
Try this: Pretend the ball is lying on a pancake, or sprinkler head. You want to aim FOR THE FRONT EDGE of the 'pancake' that the ball is lying on. DO NOT stop your swing upon contact. FOLLOW THROUGH to get the ball out.
By hitting the sand first, and hitting through the ball, you will not 'skull' it. The ball will pop up gently, with the sand, and roll right into the cup (ok, but it will be much closer). Do you watch pro's, or other good golfers? Wonder why they 'take so much sand' with them? Now you know! Remember, don't hit the ball, hit the front edge of the pancake, and follow through. Let your backswing determine the distance you need to go, not your follow through! And always count to one one thousand before you lift your head. That will insure that you KEEP YOUR HEAD DOWN.

Elisa Gaudet & Pete Dye

Designer fairways lend themselves nicely to fairway fashions. If golf course designers were fashion designers Pete Dye would be the Gucci of golf. The average person can try to wear the clothes, you don’t have to be a super model, but they are definitely a bit edgy, not the mainstream. Similarly you do not have to be a PGA Tour player to play the Whistling Straights course but Dye makes it a bit edgy, progressive in its design and pushes the limits. This year Pete Dye was the honored recipient of the PGA Distinguished Service Award.

Every tournament has a gallery unique to its surroundings. On course fashion differs from location to location.

The PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin was no exception. Although known for the famous cheese heads, none were spotted on course. However, spectator Nate Lauber stood out in the gallery wearing a self creation, a hat with a giant foam tiger on top. When he finally caught the attention of his idol, Tiger Woods, all Tiger had to say was “Only in Wisconsin, I thought I had seen it all”. I would be remiss if I did not mention the pants Ian Poulter wore at the PGA Championship. His pants were adorned with the American flag creating yet another fashion sensation following up on the Union Jack trousers worn at the British Open. Designers are not only creating fashion for the golfer they are taking their fashions directly to them. One to keep a look out for is Formenti, a very upscale fashion forward Italian line that is finding its way into the golf shops of private clubs, www.formenti.us. Another Italian, Walter Genuin, designer of hand made golf shoes seems to be showing up more and more on the fairways proving fashion and function do mix.

Elisa Gaudet has written numerous golf articles, given speeches, appeared on radio and TV and worked in the golf industry for a number of years before founding Executive Golf International. For more information write to elisa@onthelip.com and go to www.execgolfintl.com. or www.onthelip.com