Golf Resorts Woo Women to the Greens

Ashley Brooker, 15, practices her golf swing on the driving range Aug. 10, 2006, in Pinehurst, N.C. On the course for the fourth time in as many days, the teenager from nearby Southern Pines is part of a surge in female interest in golf during the recent years. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome) (Gerry Broome - AP)

At Pinehurst, a sprawling 144-hole golf resort in central North Carolina, instructors created a daylong course that aims to get beginners _ both men and women _ whacking balls before they learn the ins and outs of the game.

"Sometimes the clinics for new golfers, they just go on forever," said Eric Alpenfels, the resort's director of golf instruction. "The first two weeks you sit in a room and learn about etiquette, regulations and technique, and maybe putt the third week. For me, I would be falling on sharp sticks if I could."

Though designed for either sex, the classes have attracted far more women than men so far, Alpenfels said _ all but two of this year's 40 students were women.

Kelly McCall was a top golfer on the University of North Carolina's women's team before her 1997 graduation. Now, she's a lead instructor at Pinehurst.

McCall takes students out to the driving range in the morning and provides a few tips on how to stand and hold a golf club, then says "hit the ball." No lectures on rules. No etiquette lessons.

"They want to hit the ball, and in a very short period of time we show them they can play golf," McCall said.

Students are videotaped and their swings analyzed using computer software that can place a student's image next to their favorite professional golfer for a side-by-side comparison. Then more hitting, some more tips, and students play a few holes.

When Barbara Thompson took the class in June, she was taken aback at the idea of going right out onto the course.

"I think for most of us it was very intimidating, but making us go out and play really proved to us it was something we could do."

The Raleigh resident became interested in the game when she visited Pinehurst for business last year during the men's U.S. Open. Now, she visits the driving range or plays a round at least once a week _ and recently bought her first set of clubs.

"I know that golf is a great networking tool," she said. "I wanted to meet other women and get the chance to network, but it's also fun."

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If You Go:

DISCOVER GOLF PROGRAM: One-day class for beginners, both men and women, $125 including club rental, instruction, lunch and golf play with instructor; Oct. 11 and 21, and Nov. 8, Pinehurst (N.C.) Golf Resort, 800-487-4653.

GOLF PACKAGES GEARED TO WOMEN:

_Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah Island, S.C., http://www.kiawahgolf.com or 800-654-2924. "Pampered Putters," which mixes a round of golf and spa treatments, runs $1,838 for two-night package, double occupancy. March 9-11, 2007 weekend program for female golfers of all levels, organized with Golf for Women magazine, is $1,390 for two nights, single occupancy, and $1,127 for two nights, double occupancy.

_The Boulders, Scottsdale, Ariz., http://www.theboulders.com or 866-397-6520. Golf and spa packages, plus golf-specific stretching and conditioning classes for resort guests at the onsite Golden Door Spa for $10 a class. Lodging rates begin at $349.

_Litchfield Beach & Golf Resort, Pawleys Island, S.C., http://www.litchfieldbeach.com/golf_events.cfm or 800-845-1897. "Girls Love to Golf" three-day package, Oct. 12-15, $699 per golfer, double occupancy. Includes instruction, box lunch, receptions.