Featured Golfer's Guide Golf Courses and Golf Resorts

He didn't grow up feverishly playing golf like many of today's child prodigies, but when George Arthur Crump committed to the game, it became the sole purpose of his existence.

Born in Philadelphia in 1871, Crump spent his formative years across the Delaware in New Jersey, particularly Merchantville and Camden, which is just 14 miles from the product of his obsession - Pine Valley Golf Club, the finest collection of golf holes on the planet. 

Golf Digest recently unveiled its prestigious list of "Best Places to Play" for 2008-09, and three Orlando-area golf clubs earned high marks.

Orange County National, Mystic Dunes and Shingle Creek were all rated as top facilities, with Orange County National and Mystic Dunes each taking home 4.5 star ratings, the highest ranking offered by the publication. 

Many of us have experienced the phenomenon of immediate improvement during a golf lesson with an expert who has easily determined our swing flaws and offered up a quick prescription. A few tweaks to our alignment along with a pair of sensible swing thoughts and we're hitting it long and straight.

But too many times catching lightning in a bottle is short lived and we return to earth saddled with even more frustration and uncertainty about our game. If only we could replay that lesson in our minds and remember the intricacies that made such a stunning turnaround possible.