Golf-South.net, your link to the Traveling Golfer.

by Anita Draycott

My golf game was in a severe slump. The symptoms: a soaring score, a dwindling drive and plentiful putts.

I needed a swing doctor. Fortunately, there was a space in the Golfari Clinics at Pine Needles Lodge in North Carolina. I headed south for a fix with Peggy Kirk Bell, who both Golf Magazine and Golf Digest have named as one of America's top teachers.

I checked in and joined my 50 Golfari sisters for lunch. While we were gobbling up blueberry cobbler, Pine Needles' director of instruction, Pat McGowan welcomed us and introduced his "lovely mother-in-law who still hits it pure at age 87."

Peggy Kirk Bell is a living legend in golf circles. She's one of the founding members of the LPGA, winner of numerous amateur and professional tournaments, North Carolina Sports Hall of Famer and author. Today, with her new titanium hip, she's still banging buckets of balls and mentoring.

Home on the Range

After lunch, we set out to the practice range to have our swings evaluated and videotaped. My fellow students were a diverse group, from a college student who could hit it a mile to an 80-year old rookie. Doctors, vice-presidents, housewives and a nun were all here striving for a better score. Likewise, the team of instructors ranged from Peggy and some of her octogenarian cronies to some whippersnappers in their 30s.

"I pick teachers who are so dedicated they'd rather teach than eat," says Peggy. "Some people learn best by feel; others prefer drills and learning devices. Whatever your learning style, chances are good that with this wide range of talent and personalities, at least a few will hit your spot."

Each morning after buffet breakfast, the group headed up to the practice center for what we called the "Peggy and Pat" show during which they emphasized such fundamentals as judging distance and the importance of tempo, rhythm and follow through. Both were paragons in demonstrating the difference between effortless power and powerless effort. Then off we'd to go our designated stations to try to master the mechanics of the chip, pitch, putt and full swing. In the afternoons we divided into foursomes and played a scramble format on the impeccable Pine Needles course, designed by Donald Ross.

Psyched Down and Up

By Wednesday, my brain and body were suffering from message overload. It seemed that the only thing I didn't need to change was my blood type. Obviously, I wasn't alone. After a poolside barbecue, instructor Annette Thompson gave the most bang-on motivational talk I've ever heard.

"I bet you're all feeling like garbage," she began. "We've gone in, stirred it up and it stinks. Hands up everyone with more than 20 things to work on." A unanimous show of hands.
"Golfers are controlling perfectionists who make a science of feeling bad about themselves," she continued. "That's the problem because the only thing you have control over is what you're wearing and how to tee it up. Realize that you are a work in progress and be kind to yourselves."

She warned that we mustn't expect miracles and that it takes time for the brain to make those muscles behave. With that, this "work in progress" and her group headed to the bar.

Golfari at Pine Needles

Mid Pines

Pinehurst #2

Sure enough, my performance on Thursday improved. I decided to clear my brain of the clutter, concentrate on only two swing thoughts and file the rest.

Prom Night

By Thursday's gala dinner and awards ceremony we were all in a partying mood. Peggy and Pat presented prizes for everything from oldest (81) and youngest (25) to best team scores. Then the DJ cranked up the music and we let loose. The Bell clan was out in full force with grandkids, parents and "Ma Bell" dancing up a storm.

Friday morning was spent getting one-on-one help for whatever part of our game we chose for a final fix.

After a comfort-food lunch of Southern fried chicken, grits, black-eyed peas and Ma Bell's favourite banana pudding, we traded phone numbers and addresses. Golf immersion was over.

I tossed my clubs into the trunk and drove north remembering Annette's parting words, "We've stuffed your suitcase with chocolates. Eat them when you're ready."

On the Green
Golfaris at Pine Needles (see side bar for contact details) run throughout the year and include Ladies Only, Beginners, Adult and Youth groups. Prices start at about $1795 U.S. per person.

Designer Row
Dubbed "the home of American golf," the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area boasts 720 golf holes, 165 miles of fairways and about 2,900 bunkers. Here are a few you might want to take a swing at:

- Pinehurst Number 2, built by Donald Ross in 1907 and described by him as "the fairest test of golf I have ever designed," the course has been rated one of the greatest in the world.

- Tobacco Road, formerly a tobacco plantation and sand quarry may be the quirkiest course you'll ever play. There are no out-of-bounds. From the back Ripper tees, the slope rating is 150—the highest in North Carolina—so don't get hung up on your score.

- Mid Pines, sister resort to Pine Needles, is another vintage Donald Ross gem with a tight layout that hasn't changed since it was built in 1921.

Golfaris at Pine Needles
800-747-7272

CLICK HERE to visit
their website.

Tourist information:
Contact the Village of Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen Area Convention & Visitors' Bureau at 800-346-5362

CLICK HERE to visit
their website.