Jeff Wallach » Lifestyle

The Havana Club at La Quinta: Shave, Smoke, Drink, Like a Man!

Jeff Wallach — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 00:08:47 +0000

I can think of no better or more masculine way of closing out an afternoon following golf than a visit to La Quinta Resort and Club’s Havana

I can think of no better or more masculine way of closing out an afternoon following golf than a visit to La Quinta Resort and Club's Havana Club-- a brilliant concept that combines the simple pleasures of a physical service well delivered with the trash-talking cameraderie of a poker game. After a morning round at La Quinta's Mountain Course yesterday, the Golf Road Warriors headed for the luxe privacy of La Quinta. But rather than ...

Two Bunch Palms

Jeff Wallach — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 06:00:50 +0000

Who needs a massage more than The Golf Road Warriors? And where better to enjoy the quiet, private luxury of a spa and secret springs than Two

Who needs a massage more than The Golf Road Warriors? And where better to enjoy the quiet, private luxury of a spa and secret springs than Two Bunch Palms, in Desert Hot Springs-- reputed fortress hangout of mobster Al Capone back in the 1920s. After a long day full of shooting (on The Classic Club's golf course), I cannot imagine a more relaxing location to hide from the heat. Built in the 1920s, the original construction ...

Tahoe’s Martis Camp: Camp Grows Up (Even if you Haven’t)

Jeff Wallach — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:52:11 +0000

As someone who enjoyed years of fun at summer camp as a kid, the private community of Martis Camp, just a couple of mountain peaks over from Lake

As someone who enjoyed years of fun at summer camp as a kid, the private community of Martis Camp, just a couple of mountain peaks over from Lake Tahoe, is aptly named. This is exactly the camp I would have designed for myself as an adult who has never lost my interest in playing as many sports and games as possible in a single day, with my family and close friends, in a terrifically beautiful ...

Pairings: The Best Cigars for the Right Golf Course

Jeff Wallach — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:11:17 +0000

If you think wine goes well with food, how about the perfect combo of the right cigar with the right golf course? On the recent Golf Road

If you think wine goes well with food, how about the perfect combo of the right cigar with the right golf course? On the recent Golf Road Warriors Scottsdale we were lucky enough to partner with Certifresh Cigars, who package some of the world's best smokes in a way that outsmarts even the laziest humidor owner. The cigars are housed individually or in groups of two or four and sealed with their very own personal ...

Happy Birthday Modern Travel Era

Jeff Wallach — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:59:17 +0000

For me, it’s easier to picture dinosaurs roaming the earth than to imagine that just 25 years ago, even seasoned travelers actually

For me, it's easier to picture dinosaurs roaming the earth than to imagine that just 25 years ago, even seasoned travelers actually lugged wheel-less suitcases through airports. But just as sea-dwelling creatures eventually evolved onto land, so too did luggage develop wheels. Say happy 25th birthday to Travelpro's Rollaboard, the suitcase that marked a Darwinian leap forward for travelers across the planet. It began with Northwest Airlines pilot Robert Plath, who first changed the physical orientation ...

What Golf Road Warriors Want Under the Tree

Jeff Wallach — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 00:48:14 +0000

We suspected the elves were playing the new Callaway Tour I(z) when we saw how long the little guys were off the tee. The balls are pictured here

We suspected the elves were playing the new Callaway Tour I(z) when we saw how long the little guys were off the tee. The balls are pictured here with a few foursomes of our favorite smokes from Certifresh. The elves asked us to tell you that Santa never liked your cookies, anyway. ...

Kessler and the Canary

Jeff Wallach — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 06:16:20 +0000

Here’s what happens when the we let videographer Jamie McWilliams come out from behind the lens . . .

Here's what happens when the we let videographer Jamie McWilliams come out from behind the lens . . . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ7buz5vOsw&feature=channel_video_title ...

Golf Road Warriors Go Off Road

Jeff Wallach — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 05:54:08 +0000

The Golf Road Warriors head off the fairway with Desert Wolf Tours, north of Scottsdale.

The Golf Road Warriors head off the fairway with Desert Wolf Tours, north of Scottsdale. http://youtu.be/n0_jZ2AVRog ...

Golf Road Warrior Discovers New Way of Lighting Certifresh Cigar

Jeff Wallach — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:16:20 +0000

Please don’t tell our wives, but the Golf Road Warriors have been known to smoke a few cigars– daily, that is– in our adventures

Please don't tell our wives, but the Golf Road Warriors have been known to smoke a few cigars-- daily, that is-- in our adventures in the world's best golf destinations. But there have been many occasions on which I went to my little leather cigar case in my golf bag to discover a dry stick that was a shadow of its former self due to having been in the bag since a round played several ...

Warrior Pose: Yoga for Golf Road Warriors

Jeff Wallach — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 05:16:10 +0000

At the Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort, former LPGA TOUR professional Dodie Mazzuca will stretch your golf boundaries– literally– in a

At the Four Seasons Scottsdale Resort, former LPGA TOUR professional Dodie Mazzuca will stretch your golf boundaries-- literally-- in a class that combines traditional yoga poses, sports stretches, and deep breathing in a calm, focused, and encouraging effort to improve your range of motion for the golf swing. I took the class this afternoon with fellow Golf Road Warrior Tom Bedell, who grunted his way through the poses in a way that led me to ...

Packing for Golf Road Warriors: More is More.

Jeff Wallach — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 00:25:49 +0000

As a professional travel writer I’m supposed to be cat-like in my stealthiness, moving through the world with nothing bigger than a Ziplock

As a professional travel writer I'm supposed to be cat-like in my stealthiness, moving through the world with nothing bigger than a Ziplock bag to hold a week's worth of clothing, toiletries, electronics, reading material, and enough Ibuprofen to numb a pack horse. But the fact is-- as I've learned from my many trips to Bandon Dunes for warrior-like golf outings-- that the guy who's most prepared for a trip, usually performs best on the ...

Callaways in the Kitchen

Jeff Wallach — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 20:21:09 +0000

I have been told that these don’t belong here . . .

I have been told that these don't belong here . . . ...

How I Would Spend $10,000 on Golf . . .

Jeff Wallach — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 23:46:32 +0000

One word: Scottsdale. Which the Robb Report once called the best place to live in the US for golf. I’ll fly business class and begin my trip

One word: Scottsdale. Which the Robb Report once called the best place to live in the US for golf. I’ll fly business class and begin my trip with a warm-up round on the Kierland Golf Club just because it’s fun, then make my way to a Kiva suite (outdoor shower, fireplace, plunge pool) at the Four Seasons Resort, where I’ll walk the two terrific Troon North courses at least twice or until I’m out of golf ...

Packing for Golf Road Warriors: Ireland

Jeff Wallach — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:56:20 +0000

Four guys on a golf trip means at least four giant suitcases (though you can count on someone bringing even more stuff), four golf travel

Four guys on a golf trip means at least four giant suitcases (though you can count on someone bringing even more stuff), four golf travel bags, and four carry-ons with laptops, cameras, noise-cancellation headphones (crucial for car rides when you've tired of your friends' witty banter and opinions on driving directions), snacks, and more. And if you're traveling with broadcaster Peter Kessler there'll also be at least one box of Cohibas to account for and ...

Kevin Na’s Sweet Sixteen

Jeff Wallach — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 15:51:24 +0000

How does a PGA TOUR player take a 16 on a hole? Easy. He misses the putt for 15. How can you not love Kevin Na, who carded enough strokes for an

How does a PGA TOUR player take a 16 on a hole? Easy. He misses the putt for 15. How can you not love Kevin Na, who carded enough strokes for an entire foursome on one hole-- including calling a penalty on himself for the ball hitting his own leg? See video of the new superstar of golf and my personal hero. How many dead would there be if Tiger had been in those woods? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWTXoNzuk8c ...

70-year-old Whiskey to Aid Japanese Relief Efforts

Jeff Wallach — Thu, 24 Mar 2011 07:01:27 +0000

My new best friend David Urquhart, a managing partner in Scottish whisky purveyor Gordon and MacPhail, has asked me to let readers know that to

My new best friend David Urquhart, a managing partner in Scottish whisky purveyor Gordon and MacPhail, has asked me to let readers know that to show its support for the people of Japan-- whom they've been working with for more than three decades-- the company is donating bottle #1 of its new Generations Glenlivet 70 Years Old whisky to a special charity auction to raise money for the relief effort. All funds raised will be ...

Travel Tip #1: Act Like a Local

Jeff Wallach — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 17:45:10 +0000

Act like a local. If you’re in a country where the men cover their legs at all times, put on a pair of pants and leave the shorts in your

Act like a local. If you’re in a country where the men cover their legs at all times, put on a pair of pants and leave the shorts in your suitcase. Buy a pair of shoes in a local store—and not the local Nike store. Trade the Frappuccino for a mango lassi. Remove your hat in the clubhouse and when you shake hands after a match. Take an afternoon siesta rather than rolling your eyes ...

Martin Kaymer, Dressed Like Old West Outlaw, Loses in Shootout

Jeff Wallach — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 03:34:16 +0000

If you were to refer to the Match Play Championship, held at Tucson’s Dove Mountain recently, as “a shootout,” then runner-up

If you were to refer to the Match Play Championship, held at Tucson's Dove Mountain recently, as "a shootout," then runner-up Martin Kaymer was dressed for the part. Wearing a "Buff"-- a sort of scarf/facemask combo that could prove as popular with bank robbers as it does with fishermen, mountain bikers, skiers and other outdoorsmen-- Kaymer rode off into the desert sunset with a powerful new fashion statement for golf. Even if he didn't take ...

Golf Story I’d Like To See . . .

Jeff Wallach — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 18:39:27 +0000

Golf Resort Director of Marketing Sets New World Record Trite, AZ: Demonstrating a spirit-numbing lack of imagination, Fairview Resort Director of

Golf Resort Director of Marketing Sets New World Record Trite, AZ: Demonstrating a spirit-numbing lack of imagination, Fairview Resort Director of Marketing Ima Hack smashed all previous records by using the word “breathtaking” thirteen times in a single eight-page brochure for this mediocre desert golf property. Hack employed the tired, aching adjective to describe, among other things, the following: Vistas from the clubhouse The concierge The Porte Cochere A flank steak Upon hearing about her own accomplishment—and not recognizing that it ...

Gordon & MacPhail: Great-Tasting Whisky and Possibly the Best Whisky Tasting Ever

Jeff Wallach — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:39:33 +0000

A couple of weeks before I was to be regaled during a trip to Speyside, Scotland with a private whisky tasting by David Urquhart, a partner

A couple of weeks before I was to be regaled during a trip to Speyside, Scotland with a private whisky tasting by David Urquhart, a partner in the storied firm of Gordon & MacPhail, I received an email from David, asking the year of my birth. Which is when I first began to suspect what kind of event awaited me. In the midst of a golf and whisky foray in the Scottish Highlands (click here for ...

True Links: A Bar Fight and Artful Golf Porn in One Gorgeous Package

Jeff Wallach — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 16:52:16 +0000

Who loves a good argument more than golfers? You’re sitting in a dark pub, post-round, and some guy says Ben Hogan had the best golf swing

Who loves a good argument more than golfers? You're sitting in a dark pub, post-round, and some guy says Ben Hogan had the best golf swing ever, and there'll be five other guys knocking over their Guinness to chime in that it was Sam Snead or Bobby Jones, or Tiger Woods, for chrissakes. And if you get a bunch of golfers started debating about the best courses, well you might as well phone and tell ...

Tell Hotel General Manager You Won’t Be Paying Any Resort Fees

Jeff Wallach — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:57:17 +0000

Let’s say you’re at a coffee shop and you’ve just ordered a double latte. The price on the menu board says $3.95. You know

Let's say you're at a coffee shop and you've just ordered a double latte. The price on the menu board says $3.95. You know there's 6% tax. Then the barista taking your order says, "That'll be $7.50." As you reach into your wallet for a ten-spot you think to ask, "How did we get to $7.50. I thought the price was $3.95?" "That's the cream and sugar and plastic spoon charge," the barista explains. "But I'm not going to ...

The Eagle Has Landed (Actually, It’s A Hawk)

Jeff Wallach — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 01:15:24 +0000

While I did not make any eagles on either the King’s or Queen’s golf courses at Gleneagles Resort, in Scotland, I did encounter a

While I did not make any eagles on either the King's or Queen's golf courses at Gleneagles Resort, in Scotland, I did encounter a golden eagle in the lobby of the luxurious hotel. He'd come to fetch me-- on the arm of his keeper-- for my falconry lesson. For thousands of years, humans have been using birds of prey as a means of getting food. While my new friend Nigel was not able to hunt ...

Marking Your Ball– Literally

Jeff Wallach — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 16:45:54 +0000

Just in case you need another example of golfers’ general lack of imagination (and if you are wearing khakis right now this especially

Just in case you need another example of golfers' general lack of imagination (and if you are wearing khakis right now this especially applies to you), consider the marks most players put on their golf balls to help identify them in case of a tournament mishap: these marks generally run the entire gamut from one dot all the way to two dots. Okay, some players draw a line through the name of the ball, and ...

Non-Conformist Drivers Still Conform to USGA Rules

Jeff Wallach — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 16:11:38 +0000

One time while I was visiting Bandon Dunes resort I went into the bar to meet up with my friends and looked around the room and for the life of me

One time while I was visiting Bandon Dunes resort I went into the bar to meet up with my friends and looked around the room and for the life of me could not tell one group of skinny grey-haired white guys with collared logo shirts and pulled-down golf hats from another. I had to walk from table to table trying to distinguish my pals from every other guy's pals. Even though I had dinner with ...

Sports Drink or Hangover Cure? It Depends on Who’s Drinking It. And When.

Jeff Wallach — Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:40:53 +0000

When I was last in Australia there was some hilarity among our hosts about a product called Berocca, which they looked upon as a magic potion

When I was last in Australia there was some hilarity among our hosts about a product called Berocca, which they looked upon as a magic potion combining the best properties of Gatorade, speed, and Viagra. The Aussies partied mercilessly knowing that tomorrow they could reach for the elegantly shaped tin, pull a lozenge of Berocca out, drop it in water, and watch it miraculously alchemize into like six months of prior healthy consumption of vegetables, ...

N9NE is a Ten

Jeff Wallach — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 22:44:42 +0000

It’s tough to get too excited about a steak restaurant in the basement of a hotel that’s not even on the strip in Las Vegas. And while

It's tough to get too excited about a steak restaurant in the basement of a hotel that's not even on the strip in Las Vegas. And while the hostesses at Nine Steakhouse at the Palms are themselves worth the trip, the glitzy eighties look-- purple backlighting, black tables, and sparkly chrome tiles-- worry you that Madonna or Prince or some other even more frightening eighties icon (for example, that crazy girlfriend you had) might come ...

Dustin Johnson and Ricky Fowler Held Up by Journalists

Jeff Wallach — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 17:45:19 +0000

It’s not every day that two of golf’s hottest young guns have to twirl their drivers on the back tee box and wait for a couple of hacks

It's not every day that two of golf's hottest young guns have to twirl their drivers on the back tee box and wait for a couple of hacks to duck hook and slice their drives and eventually get out of the way before bombing their own tee shots into a perfect fairway lined with a burbling creek and sculpted to a perfection so extreme that taking a divot feels a little like spilling coffee on ...

One Question . . .

Jeff Wallach — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 01:58:51 +0000

Does this toilet seat mean that Frank and Helen loved golf– or hated it?

Does this toilet seat mean that Frank and Helen loved golf-- or hated it? ...

Macanudo Maduro

Jeff Wallach — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 18:13:15 +0000

This afternoon I lit up the perky, beautifully polished Macanudo Maduro on the back nine at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (the nines were actually

This afternoon I lit up the perky, beautifully polished Macanudo Maduro on the back nine at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club (the nines were actually reversed so we played the back nine first, so my back nine started with the first hole). I was playing with three members of the same family whom I'd been paired with on this late afternoon round on the perfect summer Saturday. My wife was out of town and so the ...

On the Supernatural Connection Between Scotch and Golf

Jeff Wallach — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:56:18 +0000

Surely it’s more than mere happenstance that the game of golf and the drinkable artwork that is Scotch whisky were both created in the

Surely it’s more than mere happenstance that the game of golf and the drinkable artwork that is Scotch whisky were both created in the gorgeously green, wind-swept, salty-aired duneslands of Scotland. Although the origins of golf are slightly shrouded in mist, many believe the game was invented as early as the 14th century by fishermen returning from beach to village across rolling links. If one fisherman hit a stone with a flat stick, surely his friend ...

A Catan-tonic State

Jeff Wallach — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:46:55 +0000

There’s no question that I’m way too old for this, but since my wife Renee and I have no children (just a talking cat named Mr. Boot),

There's no question that I'm way too old for this, but since my wife Renee and I have no children (just a talking cat named Mr. Boot), we do have a little extra time on our hands--time to read thick novels, work in the garden, write fiction, finish a project around the house, travel, take cooking classes, and pursue about a hundred other interests that most people would kill to have the time for. So ...

En Fuego

Jeff Wallach — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:37:26 +0000

Sure you can smoke a 460cc driver off the tee, but do you know the intricate fundamentals of smoking a good cigar? I’ve had all the golf

Sure you can smoke a 460cc driver off the tee, but do you know the intricate fundamentals of smoking a good cigar? I've had all the golf lessons I could ever want (no, they didn’t help). But for a primer on choosing the best cigar to enjoy between lousy shots I turned to Bill Shindler, manager of downtown Portland, Oregon’s Rich’s Cigar Store, who has been selling smoke for more than 30 years. Shindler is the ...

Spinning Records: Being Best, Being First, or Just Being?

Jeff Wallach — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 19:43:48 +0000

It’s not every day that a fourteen handicap sets a course record, but on a trip to Portugal’s warm, sunny Algarve region, I shot the lowest

It’s not every day that a fourteen handicap sets a course record, but on a trip to Portugal’s warm, sunny Algarve region, I shot the lowest round ever recorded at Jack Nicklaus’s Monte Rei Golf and Country Club. After I holed a twelve-footer for birdie on the eighteenth green, my record held until my playing partner, a young assistant pro, two-putted a few moments later. The record dropped from 89 to 73. It wasn’t exactly Al ...