Golf Information


Ice Golf - Could You Stay Cool When The Heat Is On?


Ice Golf - only the coolest need apply!

Want to try the ultimate golf challenge on a course where you'll have no trouble staying cool over even the most testing putt? You should consider taking up Ice Golf - the most amazing development that the golf world has seen for decades.

Every year thirty six golfers (or lunatics, depending on your viewpoint) gather in Greenland to play in the World Ice Golf championship. This year's event takes place in late March and early April. The course is marked out on the ice of the frozen fjord and you can expect icebergs or the occasional polar bear for company! As the organisers say: "if you've played on the greens of Europe, then you'll find the "whites" of Greenland rather special."

The World Ice Golf Championship was the brainchild of Mr. Arne Neimann, a local resident and hotel proprietor on a small island called Uummannaq, off Greenland's North West coast. He and a friend designed the first course in 1997 and the sport took off from there.

The world championship is played on the ice in years when the conditions make the ice fields safe and predictable. Players compete over two days and play thirty six holes of stroke play. There is a "warm up" tournament the day before although "cool down" might be a more applicable phrase to describe the effect it has on the golfers. In March, when the world championships are held, the average temperature is minus 13.9 degrees Celsius, but temperatures as low as minus 25 can occur. The dry climate and the strong sunshine can make it seem slightly less cold than that - but not by much!

The organisers also try to keep the golf course open and accessible for several weeks each year for other open icegolf tournaments.

The greens are white and the balls are red. The "whites" are defined by a small wall of snow or by a red line on the ice. Players are allowed to use a scraper to smooth the snow on the white in front of their putt - the only time in golf that a player can legitimately improve the line of his putt. The snow and ice conditions underfoot vary from hole to hole and contestants need to wear polar ice gloves, artic boots and countless layers of clothing. Anti-glare sunglasses are also a good idea.

One contestant a few years ago quipped that "the only hole in one I scored was when one leg disappeared through a seal's breathing hole in the ice." There is also a local rule to deal with the unlikely situation of a polar bear interfering with your ball!

The organisers are looking for a new sponsor this year but in previous years the Drambuie liqueur company took the lead. Players and spectators were able to warm themselves by sampling some of the sponsor's finest product. As always however, even that feature has a twist to it. Rather than ice cubes in the drink, the drink was served in "ice cubes" or glasses carved out of ice to be more exact. Trophies were presented from tables carved out of ice and the scorer's tent was to be found in an igloo!

If you get the chance to visit Greenland for a game of ice golf then sieze it with both hands. It'll be the most unique game of your life.

Gary Hill plays most of his golf in Scotland and thinks that winter on the links of East Lothian is more than cold enough for him. Check out his european vacation website for information about more civilised golf and about Ireland golf vacations

Gary also contributes to a medical website on the theme of whiplash injury


MORE RESOURCES:

Deseret News

Five things we learned this week in golf
ESPN
I knew that he would stop mourning his loss at Torrey Pines and the pity party the golf world has been holding for him over the last week. You don't play this game for a living unless you know how to take the good with the bad.
Golf roundup: Kyle Stanley rallies at PhoenixVancouver Sun
Golf roundup: Kyle Stanley rallies from 8 back to win Phoenix OpenDeseret News
Golf: Stanley overhauls fading Levin to win Phoenix OpenGMA News
AZ Central.com -CBSSports.com
all 652 news articles »


USA TODAY

Golf: Paul Lawrie back in world top 50 after second win in Qatar
Scotsman
By MARTIN DEMPSTER PAUL Lawrie may have been a tad embarrassed to hear he'd been likened to Nick Faldo in his prime but the Aberdonian certainly produced a final-day performance the six-time major champion would have been proud of in winning the Qatar ...
Paul Lawrie wins Qatar MastersUSA TODAY
Lawrie holds off Day, Hanson to win Qatar MastersCBSSports.com
Lawrie lays early Ryder Cup markerIrish Independent
Bloomberg
all 263 news articles »


Yahoo! Sports (blog)

Kyle Stanley bounces back from heart-wrenching defeat to win in Phoenix
Yahoo! Sports (blog)
One week after suffering one of the most gut-wrenching defeats in golf history -- blowing a seven-shot lead on Sunday at the Famers Insurance Open -- the 24-year-old had to wonder if he'd ever get over the pain of blowing a tournament that, ...
What they said: Ben CranePGA Tour

all 3 news articles »


The Official Site of Aztec Athletics

Women's Golf In Fifth At Wildcat Invite
CUBuffs.com
23 University of Colorado women's golf team got its spring season underway Sunday as the Buffaloes sit tied for fifth place at the Arizona Wildcat Invitational after shooting a first-round 13-over par 301 here at the par 72, 6321-yard Vistoso Golf Club ...
Aztec Women's Golf 10th After First Round Of 2012The Official Site of Aztec Athletics
French Leads Beavers On Day One At Wildcat InvitationalOSU Beavers
Yada Shoots 75 In Opening Round Of Wildcat InvitationalPortland State Vikings

all 4 news articles »


Golf notebook: Levin shoots 68, has six-stroke lead in Phoenix
Columbus Dispatch
Golf Headlines from AP Former Marysville resident Stephen Gangluff finished second in the PGA Tour final qualifying tournament and was one of 27 golfers to earn exempt status on the tour in 2012. Chris Wilson of Dublin tied for 51st and will be exempt ...

and more »


New York Times

Belly Putter Could Lift Golf-Equipment Sales
New York Times
Martin, a club professional at Deerwood Club in Kingswood, Tex., was among the thousands of PGA pros and golf shop merchandisers at the PGA Merchandise Show here last week, who sought out what many consider will be the hottest product in golf equipment ...
Will belly putters drive equipment sales? Times says yes.GolfDigest.com (blog)

all 2 news articles »


Jamestown Post Journal

Moon Brook Charity Golf tees it up to support WCA Emergency Department
Evening Observer
JAMESTOWN - This past summer, Moon Brook Country Club hosted the annual Moon Brook Charity Golf Classic, a Pro-Am golf tournament featuring the top fifteen golf professionals in Western New York. For the third year in a row, proceeds from the Moon ...
Moon Brook Golf Classic Makes Donation To JNPJamestown Post Journal

all 2 news articles »


Monsters and Critics.com

Tim Tebow Tells Golf Channel: Politics 'Could Be Something In My Future'
ThinkProgress
By Faiz Shakir on Feb 5, 2012 at 11:45 am Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow opened the door to a future in politics during an interview with the Golf Channel's Dave Feherty. β€œIt could be something in my future,” Tebow said.
'Feherty Live' Super Bowl XLVI rewind, reairs Monday Feb. 6 (VIDEO)Monsters and Critics.com
Video: Feherty tackles Tebow, gets lesson from TheismannUSA TODAY
Highlights From 'Feherty Live' in Indianapolis Featuring Tim Tebow, Joe ...Missouri Sports Magazine
Predominantly Orange
all 32 news articles »


Win 24-person golf trip from Treetops at West Michigan Golf Show this week
HollandSentinel.com
Contributed/West Michigan Golf Show Patrons at this year's West Michigan Golf Show in Grand Rapids can look for deals on golf clubs and other equipment, clothing and golf vacations. By Staff reports Want to win free golf for you and 23 friends?

and more »


Yahoo! Sports (blog)

Pat Perez, Johnson Wagner give away $10000 at Scottsdale golf shop
Yahoo! Sports (blog)
By Jonathan Wall By Jonathan Wall | Devil Ball Golf – Sat, Feb 4, 2012 1:28 PM EST You have to hand it to TaylorMade Golf: the golf manufacturer sure knows how to build up the hype for their new products. After running a series of commercials with the ...
After Hot Start to Year, Wagner May Keep MustacheNew York Times
Golf pros giving away $10000 in cashKPHO Phoenix

all 4 news articles »

Google News

home | site map
© 2007