Golf is a sport different to all others. It has certain rules and basic golf etiquette to which all players and spectators are expected to adhere and a style of play that requires such behaviour. Spectators and, indeed, players go to major tournaments with the expectation that some world class golf is going to be played, but if there is constant disregard for golf rules and etiquette then concentration is likely to diminish and the quality of play will subsequently take a nosedive.

Spectators obviously have to pay for access to such major events and they’re not exactly cheap, so it makes you wonder why some do insist on disrupting play. The majority of spectators are, of course, eager to see great golf, so they are respectful to the situation and to the players to have the best chance at seeing just that. Hollering and whooping does not go down well with the event organisers, the players and other golf-mad spectators, so it simply tarnishes the collective experience.

The very nature of golf is that the sport that people have paid to watch hinges on one single shot at any one time, which means that complete concentration and, therefore, complete silence are required. Shouting and screaming during celebration is allowed, of course, when a great shot has been witnessed, but anything but complete silence from the crowd until the club strikes the ball is unacceptable.

This is exactly what makes the sport of golf so unique. If you compare it to football, for instance, you see a stark contrast in the appropriateness of crowd noise such as chanting, booing, cheering and jeering. It is openly encouraged in sports like football to enhance the atmosphere of a game; in fact, it is completely acceptable to try to put a player off while the game is in progress. In golf, however, such behaviour is frowned upon, which means that everybody is competing on the same level and under the same conditions. This essentially means that concentration and the quality of golf are, we all hope, at a maximum at all times. The fact that excessive crowd noise at golf tournaments is forbidden means that we all give ourselves the best chance at getting a sizeable chunk of good golf for the money we paid for the tickets.

Golfers from around the globe associate America with some of the world’s most inviting fairways and prestigious resorts and the state of Florida, with in excess of 1,400 golf courses, typifies this. The Marriott Doral Golf Resort and Spa, located just west of Miami, is a current favourite. With five championship golf courses on site, Doral represents a diverse challenge to suit golfers of all skill levels. Those brave enough to take on the TPC Blue Monster Golf Course, Doral’s flagship course and host to the Cadillac World Golf Championship, will walk in the footsteps of such players as Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Greg Norman.

Further up the coast towards Jacksonville is the resort of Sawgrass Golf Resort. Host to the Players Championship and boasting an unforgettable history on the PGA Tour, it has been a firm favourite with FlyforGolf.com clients since its inclusion in 2008. Eight championship golf courses are available to hotel residents but it is The Tournament Players Course that attracts the attention. The par 3 17th hole with its island green is arguably the most recognisable hole in world golf and one that every golfing enthusiast should tackle during their career. It is a joy talking to clients about the trials and tribulations of their tee shots to the 17th and the resort as a whole is one to be savoured.

Heading further still up the coast towards Charlottesville and into the state of South Carolina is Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Who could forget the infamous 1991 Ryder Cup matches, or the ‘war on the shore’ as it was later referred to. Golf is just one of the many activities that can be enjoyed at Kiawah making it perfect for families and golfing groups alike.

In short, the USA has never been so accessible from Ireland and regular flights to the likes of Miami and Orlando airports are common place leaving a short transfer to the resorts. Combine this with year round sunshine, excellent customer service and of course some fantastic packages from FlyforGolf.com, and the USA really has become a first class golfing destination for Irish golfers.

Augusta sits atop every golfers list of ‘courses to play before I die’. Unfortunately that is truly the stuff of dreams as Augusta is arguably the most exclusive golf club in the world…even past champions like Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woodsare required to play with a member if they return to exercise their lifetime honorary membership! Nothing is impossible though, and there are a few tricks of the trade that may get you a round on the most famous course in the world. These tips and tricks won’t guarantee success in your quest to play on the hallowed turf of Augusta but you can’t win the raffle unless you buy a ticket!

1 ) Get down to the range and stay there…until you are ready to win a top amateur events that will earn you an invite…or ready to break into the world’s top 50 players! Not likely we know but don’t worry because we also have more realistic methods to put into use!

2 ) Join the club! Don’t hold your breath though because membership is by invite only and it seems you have to be a real mover and shaker to get involved with the social circle that makes up the Augusta National membership. Members include the likes of Bill Gates! Oh and on a rather old fashioned note…ladies need not apply…sorry girls!

3 ) Befriend a member. If you don’t happen to hang out with the likes of Warren Buffett perhaps you have done business or have made the acquaintance with another member who you could persuade to invite you to play…again unlikely but never say never!

4 ) Get a job working for the visiting or local media who cover the US Masters. Every year 32 of the visiting members of the media are drawn from a hat and given the once in a lifetime chance to play the course. Don’t bank on this being a regular way of playing the course though…if your name is drawn from the hat that will be the last time you will be entered! Local media members are more fortunate and often get an annual crack at Augusta National. Having said that the visiting media play the course on the Monday following the tournament when the course is in peak condition! Perhaps then if you have the credentials, the best thing to do would be to work for the visiting media and then quit and emigrate to the States to get a job in the local media!

5 ) Volunteer to assist with the running of the tournament. It takes a great deal of effort from willing volunteers to make the Masters tournament the spectacle it is and the club recognises the effort their volunteers put in. Volunteers can enter their names to play the course before it closes in May and have a choice of three days to enter their names for. Supposedly there is a lengthy waiting list for a volunteer’s job so I wouldn’t hold your breath but it wouldn’t hurt to apply!

6 ) If you are looking for a career change you may be able to secure yourself annual golf on the course by training to become a caddie at the club. A company called CaddieMaster is responsible for training and supplying caddies for the club…as with all things Augusta this isn’t as easy as it sounds. With a tough application process and high levels of screening you will really have to know your stuff!

7 ) Secure a job in a local bar such as Somewhere in Augusta and ensure you top up the glass of any patron donning a green jacket! If you manage to coerce someone into promising a free round in this way make sure you get it in writing!

8 ) Join Augusta Country Club. This course is right next door to the Augusta National and can be seen from the 12th and 13th holes. Only fourballs are allowed to play Augusta and if someone is mad enough not to turn up to play, Augusta National has been known to call over to Augusta Country Club and see if there’s somebody hanging around that might want to nip over and complete a fourball with their more illustrious neighbours!

9 ) On a similar note…Rae’s Creek runs across the front of the 12th green at Augusta National. It also winds its way into the neighbouring Augusta Country Club where it provides protection to the 8th green there…Snorkel? Check. Flippers? Check….

10 ) Buddy up to a past champion…Apparently Gary Player is a stand up guy and loves doing these sorts of favours. So just track him down and convince him that you are ready to set the golf world alight if you get the chance to play Augusta National. Simple really.

Now that you are armed with our amazing tips and tricks for getting a game at every golfers dream course what are you waiting for?

For information on our US Masters packages click here