LPGA Golf Clinics for Women: Women-Friendly Courses

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Quick Links to Top 10
1	NC - Pine Needles
2	AZ - The Boulders
3	GA - Sea Island Golf Club
4	WV - The Greenbriar
5	GA - Reynold's Plantation
6	FL - LPGA International
7	VA - Kingsmill Resort
8	CA - La Quinta Resort*
9	SC - Kiawah Island Resort
10	FL - Grand Cypress Resort

*Clinic here on April 2, 2009!

Judy's Picks

Judy Carls is
an LPGA Class A Teaching Pro also serving on the LPGA Golf Clinics for Women staff.

She's had the good fortune to play many of the top 50 and offers her insight:

#1: Pine Needles is owned by Peggy Kirk Bell. Nice resort and very women-friendly.

#2: The Boulders is fantastic!

#8: LaQuinta is woman friendly...a mountain course and a very neat, old resort with lot of history.

#14: Keystone Ranch in Colorado...love the views, but you best be ready for high altitudes.

#15: Sunriver in Oregon... wonderful course and resort!

#17: Pinehurst...all of the courses at Pinehurst are nice but more difficult and not for beginner.

#19: Pebble Beach... if one can afford the $495 green fee I recommend it! I have played it several times and you can't beat the views and the history of this golf course.

#20: Desert Willow...I'm a resident member and play both courses often. Both are fantastic!

#21: Half Moon Bay...beautiful, but it can be a bit on the foggy, cool side.

#23: Challenge at Manele... terrific, but very expensive. On Lanai, Hawaii. You have to take a ferry over and then bus up to the course.

#28: Indian Canyons in Palm Springs...we had our college tournaments here! Very woman friendly, Head Professional is an LPGA Member. Course was redesigned with help from LPGA Tour Hall of Famer Amy Alcott.

#30: Wailea on Maui... let's face it, all the courses in Hawaii are fantastic!

#33: Monarch Beach... nice, but there are better courses in Southern CA for the money.

#34: Lake Las Vegas, Reflection... a little pricey!

#19 Pebble Beach in Focus
Sally Dodge, an LPGA pro, was the first female golf professional to be hired by Pebble Beach.
She's been teaching at the course for over 25 years and has played it countless times. Here's what she has to say about Pebble being ranked in the Top 50 Women-Friendly courses:
Q: Pebble Beach ranks #19 on the top 50 women-friendly courses in the U.S. (as rated by Golf for Women/Golf Digest). Why do you think your golf course achieved such a high rating? Pebble Beach has always welcomed women golfers and gives them excellent customer service. The course yardage from the front tees (5,198) gives them more enjoyable golfing experiences. They also have access to a female professional for golf instruction. Q: What reactions do you get from your female golfers after they play the course? Most women are surprised that it is not as difficult as they thought due to shorter yardage, but that doesn�t take away from the challenge of the golf course. They are very impressed by the beautiful scenery and the excellent condition of the golf course. Q: What is the most popular comment from first time golfers at Pebble Beach after the round?�The course record is safe,� is a common remark after they finish a round. Q: What do you say to golfers who've never played the course - what is the most compelling reason in your mind to come play it? I tell them that playing golf at Pebble Beach Golf Links is a �once in a lifetime� experience and is one of the few famous U.S. Open tournament courses that is available to the public. Q: Describe the signature hole - what makes it so distinctive? I would say the 18^th hole is the signature hole at Pebble Beach. As you approach the green, thoughts of previous great tournaments and famous golfers come to mind and you can imagine yourself in the footsteps of these famous golfers. You also have a unique gallery watching from the bay along the left side of the fairway (Sea Otters and Sea Lions). Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. What has been your most memorable shot at Pebble Beach and why you personally enjoy playing this course. I am the first female golf professional ever hired at Pebble Beach Golf Links in 1976 and I have been here for 32 years. I am an LPGA Master Professional and was just named Top 50 Teacher in the U.S. by my LPGA peers which is an honor I am very proud of. I am on the teaching staff here at Pebble Beach and am a long-time teacher at LPGA Golf Clinics for Women. I don�t play Pebble as much as I used to, but I can say I have probably play almost 100 rounds here. My most memorable shot was a hole-in-one on our 5^th hole. I happened to be hosting Susan Reed, the former Editor-in-Chief of Golf for Women Magazine, during that round. She was writing an article about Pebble Beach. I personally enjoy playing Pebble Beach because of it�s beauty and challenging holes. It is my favorite course. And Pebble Beach will be the site of the 2014 USGA Women�s Open Championship! I am very excited about this.

What Exactly is a "Women-Friendly" Golf Course?
Top 50 Golf Courses for Women Will Give You a Clue
Golf magazines routinely come out with lists of everything from the top 10 snacks to enjoy on the course to the Who's Who on the lesson tee. One of the most relevant lists to our angle on the game is "The Top 50 Most Women-Friendly Courses in America." After all, we're encouraging women by the thousands each year to take up golf; they should enjoy more than a few welcoming places to go tee it up. There are nearly 20,000 golf courses in the United States. As you might suspect, most of them still need a woman's touch, but listed below are your best bets (as a woman) for an awesome golf experience.

How do we know? We're taking Golf for Women's word for it considering their official criteria: a GFW Top 50 Course must have at least one set of tees fewer than 5,300 yards, and should have at least two under 6,000. A minimum of two tees must be rated for women. The course should also have few forced carries from the forward tees, be in top condition, and present a women friendly environment. A women friendly environment includes unpretentious setting, traditional design, and the ability to compliment players of all levels.

We also like a good pro shop and big lockers. Maybe that's another list. For now, here are 50 women-friendly courses you should definitely check out...

	#1. Pine Needles, Southern Pines, North Carolina Donald Ross�s affection for North Carolina�s sand hills is well-documented; the area reminded him of his Scottish homeland. Impeccable course conditioning and attentive service; a truly memorable golf experience.
	#2. The Boulders Resort, Carefree, Arizona Beautiful weather, stunning views, and challenging rounds make The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa a golf experience to be remembered. Hole #5 features a green shaded by a dramatic rock outcropping and unmatched views of the surrounding desert.
	#3. Sea Island Golf Club, St. Simon's Island, Georgia Situated on the southern tip of St. Simons, this true Oceanside links course places a premium on careful shot selection, recovery, and putting. Offering Sea Island�s most demanding layout, Seaside has hosted multiple USGA events.
	#4. The Greenbriar, White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia The course features generous fairways and challenging, undulating greens. Every hole has an obvious and well-defined strategy that allows for either a very challenging approach to the green, or one that has less risk, and a higher chance of success.
	#5. Reynold's Plantation, Greensboro, Georgia This dramatic, challenging and playable layout has captured the attention of the golfing industry, hosting highly-visible tournaments like the 2007 PGA Cup, the 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl Alma Mater, and serving as the future site of the 2008 PGA Professional National championships.
	#6. LPGA International, Daytona Beach, Florida Strategic mounding, numerous expanses of sand bunkers, natural marsh areas, beautiful lakes and undulating greens. While extremely playable for all skill levels, the ingenious and inventive player is rewarded with multiple options on nearly every shot.
	#7. Kingsmill Resort & Club, Williamsburg, Virginia The Plantation Course is an Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay design that challenges players of all skill levels. The 6,432-yard, par-72 course favors accurate iron play and good putting. Fairway landing areas are generous...greens are large and provide inviting targets for approach shots.
	#8. La Quinta Resort & Club, La Quinta, California The Mountain Course is famous for its unique design and visually stunning setting. This golfer's paradise is literally carved into the Santa Rosa Mountains, demanding accurate, strategic play with the ultimate in breathtaking views. LPGA Golf Clinics for Women featured here on April 2, 2009!
	#9. Kiawah Island Golf, Kiawah Island, South Carolina Fazio used a superb natural canvas to create a masterpiece in playability and variety. Features four large, natural lakes, fingers of saltwater marsh, and dense maritime forests of live oaks, pines, palmettos and magnolias.
	#10. Grand Cypress Resort, Orlando, Florida A variety of mental and physical stimuli that test accuracy rather than strength and distance. Marked by sharply ledged fairways, tall shaggy mounds, and plateau greens perched above water or sand, this is a demanding, target-style test.
	#11. The Golf Club at Newcastle, Newcastle, Washington The layout of the China Creek course provides the opportunity for many memorable rounds. With captivating views, extensive practice facilities, and amenities throughout the 350-acre complex, Newcastle is an experience that few courses can match.
	#12. Amelia Island Plantation, Amelia Island, Florida The fairways and greens are parallel to the beaches of Amelia Island and meander through a unique coastal maritime hammock. Close proximity to the ocean and the ever changing sea breeze provide exhilarating views and intriguing play.
	#13. Running Y Ranch, Klamath Falls, Oregon Oregon's only golf course designed by Arnold Palmer is a seamless blend of natural beauty and challenging play. This 7,138 yard, award-winning golf course offers five sets of tees on every hole, generous fairways and fast, undulating greens.
	#14. Keystone Golf Ranch, Keystone, Colorado This par-71, Hurdzan-Fry course brings an element of drama to your game. Impressive elevation changes, variable bunkers, water hazards, and five sets of tees on each hole combine to challenge golfers of all abilities.
	#15. Sunriver Resort Meadows Course, Sunriver, Oregon The Meadows Course is acclaimed architect John Fought's latest creation. Meadows features tremendous variety within its 18 holes, seven of which border the meandering Sunriver. Aesthetic grace with dramatic use of directional and fore-bunkers serve up ample challenges for all skill levels.
	#16. The Lodge at Ventana Canyon, Tucson, Arizona The most photographed hole west of the Mississippi, the celebrated Mountain Number 3, at right, plays across 107 yards of cactus and canyons...and the tee offers a breathtaking panorama that stretches for a hundred miles across the Sonoran Desert into Mexico. A classic desert-style, target course featuring many elevated tees.
	#17. Pinehurst Course #8, Pinehurst, North Carolina The greens and tees are close together, making it a pleasure to walk. As the site of the PGA Club Pro Championship in 1997-98, it is a proven championship course that daunts and delights all who play it - a celebration of a century of great golf.
	#18. Ritz Carlton Grande Lakes, Orlando, Florida A Greg Norman-designed, breathtakingly beautiful course enhanced by rare natural elements. Wide fairways, strategically placed hazards, generous landing areas, and subtly contoured greens provide a challenging but fair test of a golfer's abilities.
	#19. Pebble Beach, Pebble Beach, California Pebble Beach Golf Links was ranked the No. 1 Public Course in America by Golf Digest in 2007. Designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant, the course hugs the rugged coastline, providing wide-open vistas, cliffside fairways and sloping greens. It is a delightful challenge for all players.
	#20. Desert Willow Golf Resort, Palm Desert, California The Mountain View course at Desert Willow Golf Resort was designed to be a transition between the more challenging and tournament quality Firecliff course and the traditional course of fence to fence turfgrass, flowers and flowing water. Mountain View shares these characteristics.
	#21. Half Moon Bay, Half Moon Bay, California A true links layout with an authentic Scottish soul, the Ocean's three finishing holes are among the best in course design. Perched on a bluff overlooking an awe-inspiring stretch of the Pacific serves up ocean views on every hole.
	#22. Celebration Golf Club, Celebration, Florida Designed with shot-making strategy in mind, this course demands accurate approach shots and consistent putting. Features strategic hazards, challenging greens, and five sets of tees on every hole, inviting competition for many skill levels.
	#23. The Challenge at Manele, Lanai, Hawaii Carved out of the rugged coast, the Challenge at Manele sprawls across ancient lava fields, with 180-degree ocean panoramas from every hole. A theater of color: red cliffs plunging down to blue sea, green fairways engulfing white sandtraps, and blossoms from fissures in the black lava rock.
	#24. Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast, Florida A Jack Nicklaus signature design, the ocean course is home to one of the newest and most successful events on the PGA Champions Tour � The Ginn Championship. Six holes put the players right on the very edge of the Atlantic Ocean. Lauded for its charm and beauty.
	#25. Nemacolin Woodlands, Farmington, Pennsylvania The remarkable Mystic Rock, designed by the legendary Pete Dye, promises golfers a challenge like no other. Mystic Rock is a golf tour de force, punctuated with giant boulders, Sahara-like bunkers, and wickedly undulating greens.
	#26. Rancho Manana Golf Club, Cave Creek, Arizona The par-70, championship layout features dramatic elevation changes, unspoiled desert terrain, abundant wildlife and the rustic charm of the historic dude ranch, which is now part of the resort property. Fair and playable for golfers of all levels.
	#27. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Bandon, Oregon Expansive ocean views are revealed on nearly every hole. The course is routed through an environment of indigenous vegetation. Beyond breathtaking scenery lies the game of golf in its truest form. This is a thinker's course. Mind the wind!
	#28. Indian Canyons Golf Resort, Palm Springs, California An unrivaled golf experience in the Greater Palm Springs Area. The par 72, 6,582 yard championship course has four large lakes which come into play on six of the holes, but the most extraordinary feature are the 5 five par holes.
	#29. Treetops Resort, Gaylord, Michigan Signature features an astonishing combination of holes. Natural vegetation and a variety of hardwoods and pines create a picturesque setting for some of the most demanding holes at Treetops.
	#30. Wailea Golf Club, Wailea, Hawaii The Emerald delights players with its carpet-like fairways, colorful foliage, and numerous vistas of the Pacific Ocean and Mt. Haleakala. Relatively few forced carries and kinder fairways are ideal for players who view golf as enjoyable recreation. Four to six tee boxes on every hole.
	#31. Willbrook Plantation, Pawley's Island, South Carolina Carved from the site of two Carolina plantations, Willbrook Plantation Golf Club is a course that noted architect Dan Maples has often called "One of my best!" The par-5 15th hole, demonstrates the many challenges of the wetlands, waterways and stately oaks used in this great design.
	#32. Monarch Beach Golf Links, Dana Point, California Along the dramatic bluffs of Southern California, master architect, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., has fashioned an intriguing layout in the Scottish links tradition on one of the select few oceanfront golf courses in California. Commanding sweeping views to the sea, an unending variety of play.
	#33. We-Ko-Pa Golf Club, Fort McDowell, Arizona Integrating design elements not commonly found in the desert, the course is built for walking and has more in common with older, more traditional courses where greens are close to tees and the course follows the natural movement of the land. Ranked #1 public access course in Arizona.
	#34. Lake Las Vegas Resort, Henderson, Nevada The 7,261-yard, par-72 award-winning course makes its way through the desert while providing breathtaking views of Lake Las Vegas. Sculpted from the terrain's natural contours with strategic bunkering and pristine greens, the course features three waterfalls and plays around arroyos and water.
	#35. Whistling Straits, Kohler, Wisconsin Just inland from the great lake and interspersed by four meandering streams, the grassland-and-dunes aspect of the Irish Course is a deceivingly tranquil landscape. Both traditional and memorable, the Irish Course is full of unique challenges.
	#36. Turning Point Resort, Verona, New York Designer Rick Smith used the natural landscape to create wooded parkland holes, open pastures that capture the links feel, and beautifully simple low country-style holes. Designed, constructed and maintained to tour standards, Shenandoah offers conditions normally reserved for tour professionals.
	#37. Boyne Highlands, Harbor Springs, Michigan Ranked as one of the "Top 100 Courses You Can Play " by Golf Magazine. Take your shots along wide tree-lined fairways, sculpted bunkers and daunting water hazards. The heather is a masterful combination of challenging shots and beautiful scenery.
	#38. PGA Golf Club Dye Course, Port St. Lucie, Florida The first PGA-owned-and-operated public golf facility, boasts award-winning courses designed by two of the finest course designers in the world, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. Nationally rated, PGA Golf Club features three 18-hole courses and the first PGA Learning Center.
	#39. Hermitage Golf Club, Old Hickory, Tennessee The new President's Reserve, designed by architect Denis Griffiths trails through 300 acres of natural Tennessee wetlands and along the banks of the beautiful Cumberland River. Playing up to 7200 yards, The President's Reserve can offer any golfer as much challenge as one might desire.
	#40. Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin, Texas Signature golf course is an astonishingly beautiful design masterpiece by Tom Fazio. The architectural layout features dramatic cliff-lined fairways, natural limestone caves, waterfalls, and superb TiffEagle Bermuda greens; 18 holes of pure pleasure with no lack of challenge.
	#41. Snowmass Club, Snowmass Village, Colorado Award-winning architect Jim Engh's unique design pays tribute to the rugged heritage of ranching families that rooted here over the last century. Features an undulating landscape with seven different grasses including bent greens, blue grass fairways and native Colorado mix, creating a one-of-a-kind "Irish links course with mountain flair."
	#42. Province Lake Golf Club, Parsonsfield, Maine What you will find at Province Lake is a beautiful blend of the best of classic golf with outstanding modern design. The traditional front nine was built in 1918; combined with the new back nine it is a wonderful playing experience for today's golfers. Spectacular views of the lake, and occasionally you'll spot the wildlife that make their home in the area.
	#43. The Westin La Cantera, San Antonio, Texas The 7,001-yard par-72 features five sets of tees on each hole to accommodate all skill levels. Six holes with breathtaking views of San Antonio, including many natural water features, swift running streams, magnificent live oak trees, limestone rock outcroppings and 75 dramatic, white sand bunkers.
	#44. Black Lake Golf Club, Onaway, Michigan Black Lake Golf Course is designed to provide a challenging experience for golfers at all levels of skill, with five or more sets of tee markers on nearly every hole, playing length from 5,058 to 7,030 yards.
	#45. Southwood Golf Club, Talahassee, Florida SouthWood Golf Club, an extraordinary place created by The St. Joe Company is located in the heart of SouthWood, a 3,300-acre master planned community and one of the most celebrated layouts in Florida. Named a Top 35 New Courses in America by Golf Magazine.
	#46. Purgatory Golf Club, Noblesville, Indiana There are a minimum of six tees on each hole. When played from the front tees at only 4,562 yards, Purgatory is one of the shortest courses in Indiana. When played from the back tees at over 7,700 yards, Purgatory is the longest golf course in Indiana.
	#47. Golf Course at Glen Mills, Glen Mills, Pennsylvania Glen Mills Schools is the oldest existing residential facility in the country for troubled youths. The Golf Course is dedicated to providing a realistic, true to life vocational training facility for our students in turf management and golf house operations.
	#48. Redlands Mesa, Grand Junction, Colorado Positioned beneath the slopes of jagged buttes south of Grand Junction, Colorado, in the shadow of the towering pink and red sandstone face of the Colorado National Monument...like playing golf along the bottom of the Grand Canyon...
	#49. World Golf Village, St. Augustine, Florida The King and Bear at the World Golf Village is the only course collaboration between golf�s greatest legends Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. These great rivals have united to create a challenging layout with sweeping par 5�s lined with crushed coquina stone and signature par 3�s.
	#50. Okemo Valley Golf Club, Ludlow, Vermont Par 70 that features bent grass greens, tees and fairways with multiple tee areas on each hole ensuring playability and challenge for all ability levels. Rolling hills, moderate elevation changes and wide fairways.

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Photos by Rick Sharp & Kay Bagwell