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By Mira Friedlander

If the name Byron Nelson means nothing to you, you’re not a golfer. But that’s okay, because golfer or not, the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Dallas is a rather special destination.

First of all, like Four Seasons properties the world over, it is a sensational place to sleep.

If that sounds weird, consider this: what is it that most refreshes you after a day’s work or play?

That’s the question this hotel chain took up seriously and their mattresses are like no other.

Whether you take a kip at their exquisite, high-tech New York property (where they initially had a  problem gauging how many room service staff they needed because guests are loathe to leave either bed or the magnificent rooms), or snuggle down in over-sized villa rooms in Dallas, these specially made and quilted mattresses by Sealy provide an unparalleled balance of firmness and comfort.

Once up and about, golf is only one of the Dallas Four Seasons’ major attractions. The spa is the other. Unlike many resorts that feature either a golf course or a spa, here both are onsite. Four pools, several whirlpools, a staff of 30 therapists and a fully-equipped sports club make for a first-rate treatment center.

I combined the two on a sunny long weekend. An early morning American Airlines flight landed me at the Dallas airport in three hours and a quick shuttle (US$9) got me to the resort in time for lunch. Afterward, a massage and a facial eased out big-city tensions.

The next morning, Mike Abbott, the school’s golf director, took me in hand. A quick swing analysis (recorded on video with corrections for future reference) led to a full day’s instructions, including nine holes to finish off the day. What I came away with was better posture, a more controlled and fuller swing and a sense of having experienced the best.

Abbott, considered one of the nations top instructors,  and his staff, are a low-pressure team, providing easy-to-follow tips and stressing the fun of the game. Both amateurs and pros from across the country seek out Abbott’s skills, though the school caters primarily to corporations and executives wishing to combine meetings with improving their game. Solo players can take advantage of help from instructors who walk up and down the driving range.

According to Four Season management, the Tournament Players Course has been cited by several PGA Tour Players as offering the best playing conditions on the entire pro golf circuit.  (Maybe that explains why casual golfers like me gasp as one par 4 after another stretches out at a long 350+ yards.) The signature hole is number 14, a par 4 among the toughest 100 on the entire PGA Tour. Aside from the accurate Tee shot it demands, a mature tree guards the green.

After a full day driving balls, pitching, chipping and then playing, I had muscles aching in places I didn’t know muscles existed. So early the next day it was off to the spa and into the capable hands of Stephani, who massaged the stiff sinews and then recommended a Marine Complex Wrap. In this relaxing hour-long session, the therapeutic powers of seaweed and essential oils are called upon to detoxify and refresh the body.

The spa is an oasis of tranquility in which pure selfishness is the order of the day. Fresh fruit and cool spring water stand by, racks of fresh towels await and on arriving a soft robe, socks and a locker key are handed out. A central rest area with couches surrounds the steam room, sauna, a cool water splash pool and a whirlpool. Room service will bring food in if requested.

And food, of course, is also always part of a Four Seasons experience. Room service here is what fine dining is all about and if you’re settled into a luxuriously appointed villa with a balcony overlooking the course, there’s no need to tear yourself away to the restaurants; especially as meals arrive hot and attractively served on fully set tables.

The attraction of Dallas over Florida as a cold weather destination is that this gateway to the west eschews humidity, so while it may not be as hot in November through January, the sun is willing and the air dry.

The Four Seasons Resort and Club is in upscale, Los Colinas, a planned urban community that is both attractive and safe. Scenery is perhaps not one of the Club’s major attractions; peacefulness and a slow pace is. A short drive takes you to the Dallas Stadium, a slightly longer one to downtown Dallas.

So who is Byron Nelson? Well, he’s one of golf’s legends and his peers the world over consider his straight, controlled swing the model for today’s techniques. It is that swing which Mike Abbott and his team are aiming for when working with their students.

As for me, I still don’t cock my wrists properly, my arms remain too close to my body and I tend to flex my knees too much. But now I know what to do about it. Wish me luck.

courtesy of Four Seasons Hotel

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