Fat Guy Golf Monthly

December 2010

This is just a spot to highlight a few pages on the site every month, based on such whims as where I've been playing lately, good seasonal destinations, where the Tour's playing, and other favorites.

Fat Guy's Kiawah Island, SC Golf Weekend

Kiawah is pure in its genteel Low Country Southern charms.  It's also perfectly landscaped, with a postcard view from nearly any spot on the island. It's like a 26-mile Tommy Bahama ad.  Somebody put a lot of thought, hard work, and cash into making it look like God did it all.  The result is a perfect balance between nature and ultra-upscale, to the point that it makes Hilton Head look more like Myrtle Beach.  Kiawah is a posh Must-Getaway spot for the upper crust set, although your average middle class family of 4 will struggle with prices and inheritance envy, so I've included a few ways to make Kiawah more affordable to us huddled masses.

Palm Springs was the winter home of Frank Sinatra.  For a taste of throwback Rat Pack style, here's a golf weekend how Sinatra would have done it.  You can even stay at his old house (if you're liquid).

Jimmy Buffet's Parrothead Carribean Golf Trail

  Royal St. Kitts GC

When I stumbled on a couple great articles about Jimmy Buffet's favorite Carribean haunts, I smelled a good theme for a golf trip.  I don't think Jimmy's a golfer, but everybody has character flaws.  I've just filled in the holes on where to play near some of his favorite Caribbean spots.

Guy Movie Golf Weekend- The Getaway

I don't know how high this flick ranks on most guys' movie radar, but something about The Getaway struck an old school chord with Fat Guy.  Something about the gritty locations, noir dialogue, Michael Madsen's best bad-guy performance ever, both James Woods and David Morse at their creepy-best, two Kim Basinger nude scenes, and all the shoot-'em-up sequences.  Maybe it was the chemistry between Basinger and Alec Baldwin, who were happily married when it was filmed.  Maybe it was because Kim's turn as Carol McCoy was probably her last major role where she could still pull off 'hot' without the word 'cougar' being attached, and Alec's Doc McCoy was the last role where he could still pull off 'vaguely in-shape tough guy'.  I even thought Jennifer Tilly looked hot in this movie, despite her annoying voice and hysterical screaming.  Staying with the gritty theme of the film locales, this golf trip takes us to the four corners of Arizona.

Tour Spotlight- The tour's kinda on vacation this time of year, so head for the site of an even bigger pressure-cooker:  Q School.  This year's Q School is hosted by Orange County National in Orlando, FL.

  Orange County National, Crooked Cat Course, #9

Fat Guy's Course Of The Month- Torrey Pines GC, South Course, San Diego, CA

I'll skip the accolades, you've seen it on TV on the Tour, and during the U.S. Open duel for the ages between Tiger and Rocco.  Yes, it's a muni, but it's hard to call it a good value at $183-$219 out-of-towner greens fees plus $43 for advance tee times, even if it is a seaside U.S. Open venue in the best weather city in the country. Still, it's not often you get to play a course of this pedigree, so if there's a little room in your Christmas budget, this is the best course you can play this time of year.

Fat Guy's Link Of The Month- Here in the Northeast, this time of year marks the beginning of hibernation season.  Distract yourself from your already-building golf jones and start on that winter layer with Guy Fieri's Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives on Food Network.  I dig Guy's style (especially that Camaro SS).  It's also a great source of cheap, good places to grub during your golf travels.

"Yeah, Honey, I'm just gonna run out to the golf expo for a couple hours and see if I can find a new putter for cheap..."

  Oh, I think I just found the putter of my dreams...