Sunday, June 19, 2011

Tips for Planning the Best Golf Vacations

Golf vacations afford you the opportunity to play courses outside your usual range, from the classics of Scotland golf and the Old Course at St. Andrews to the best and brightest new Arizona golf courses. If you’re the one planning the golf travel, though, getting everything together and set up so that everyone enjoys the vacation can be tricky. There are many factors to consider when planning golf vacations, whether for yourself or for a group.

In fact, the first thing to consider is who is in your traveling party and their expectations of the holiday. If you’re going on your own, you don’t have to consider anyone’s desires and needs but your own. If you’re going with your family, you’ll need to make allowances to make sure that they enjoy their trip as much as you do yours. If, on the other hand, you’re traveling with your favorite foursome, you can pull out all the stops and plan the golf vacation to end all golf vacations.

Budget is a major factor, of course. There are golf trips to fit most budgets, though you may have to do some shopping around to find deep discounts that include golf courses that you want to play. If your budget allows for it, many of the best resorts have onsite golf courses – or, to put a finer point on it, many of the best resorts are built around some of the finest golf courses in the country. A full golf resort package can be pricey, but more than worth the expense.

Are there golf courses that are on your must-play list? If so, plan your vacation around them. Tee times at some of the best and most popular golf courses in the nation are at a premium, so book your tee times at those courses first, then plan your travel and accommodations around them. If your interest is more in playing a variety of courses, consider vacationing in an area where golf is king, such as Myrtle Beach, which features over 100 courses within driving distance of just about any hotel or motel you’re book.

If you’re traveling with others whose interest in golf isn’t quite as passionate as yours, choose a destination that offers plenty of other activities to keep them busy while you’re out on the green. Both Myrtle Beach and Arizona golf courses are surrounded by other activities – shopping, swimming, hiking and nights on the town – to ensure that you’ll have plenty of free time to golf instead of having to entertain your traveling companions.

No matter what type of golf vacations you plan, you’ll find it much easier to do with the assistance of a professional travel agency that specializes in planning golf travel. If you want the fun without the work, contact a golf travel specialist for info on the best golf packages and holidays available.





Tuesday, June 7, 2011

Tips for Planning Golf Vacations

It’s every golfer’s dream – a couple of weeks with nothing to do but tee off at a dozen different golf courses. It’s even better if you can hit the greens at some of the best golf clubs in the country. Golf vacations are becoming more and more popular as golf becomes a family sport. It’s not just dad on the golf course anymore – mom and the kids are often pretty darn good golfers in their own right. If you’ve been looking at golf packages and golf vacations as options for your summer travel this year, these tips from golf and travel pros can help you plan a trip that you’ll never forget.

Choose an Area Known for Golf Vacations

Every state and major city has a few well-known golf clubs and golf courses, but in most places, you’ll have to travel quite a bit to get from one to the next. There are a few areas, though, that are literally packed with outstanding golf courses. Folks who decide on Myrtle Beach golf trips, for example, have their choice of dozens of world class golf venues all within easy driving distance. The Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach is a 100-mile stretch that features no less than 115 golf courses, many of them major destinations on the golf circuit. If you’d rather head out west, skip the crowds in California and hit the Arizona golf courses. Arizona features two major venues for golf vacations – the Phoenix/Scottsdale area and the Tucson area. Each of them boats numerous world class golf courses and their own distinct flavor.

Don’t Count on Booking Tee Times at the Last Minute

The best golf courses in Myrtle Beach and Arizona often have tee times booked weeks in advance, especially for holidays and big weekends. If you have your heart set on golfing a particular course or dream of conquering a famous hole, book your tee time there as far in advance as the club allows. Otherwise, you may be destined for disappointment.

Enjoy Family-Friendly GolfPackages in Tucson

No town in the country has as good a reputation for family-friendly golf as Tucson. The Arizona golf destination has become a mini-mecca for some of the best youth golfers in the nation. Most of the golf courses in the Tucson area happily welcome families with children old enough to swing a club. The atmosphere is more laid-back and comfortable, making it an ideal destination for the family that golfs together.

Golf vacations can be enjoyable, but the planning can be a bear. If you’re considering taking the family on a trip that will feature golf this summer, consider letting a professional travel agency do the planning for you. You’ll reap the benefits without having to do the work.