Golf Vacations Blog

Important Considerations for Planning Golf Travel

2012-01-24T08:56:00.000-08:00

If you love golfing and travel, chances are that you’ve considered putting them together at some point. The popularity of golf travel suggests that you’re not the only one – golf trips are among the fastest growing categories of vacation packages booked through travel agencies. If you’re considering booking your golf travel through an agency that specializes in golf vacation packages, there are some important questions to ask. The right questions can help you work out the important details that will ensure a memorable and memorable golf travel experience.

Do You Specialize in Golf Travel?

Don’t just choose any travel agency that happens to offer a golf package. Many agencies have people specialized golf vacation planners who know the industry inside out. They’ve built relationships with hotels, golf resorts and golf clubs throughout the country, which gives them an inside track on information and some negotiating mojo to get you the best deals at the courses you want to play. There’s also a good chance that golf travel pros can give you tips based on personal experience because they’re just like you – if you could bop around the country and golf at great courses as part of your job.

What’s the Cancellation Policy?

Don’t just check the cancellation policy for your hotel and travel. If you’re heading for, say, Scotland, golf tee times may have been booked as much as a year in advance and secured with a hefty deposit. It’s important to know the cancellation policy for the courses where you (or your travel agent) have booked tee times so that you know how it will affect you financially.

Can You Add to the Itinerary on a Package?

Many golf travel agents offer a number of golf packages with itineraries that include a specific number of nights, rounds of golf, specific courses and meals. Most agents are more than willing to customize your golf travel package if you want to add an extra night or pick up another round of golf at a particular course. Whenever possible, work those details out with the travel agent in advance, and he can probably get you substantial savings over anything you can arrange for yourself once you arrive at your destination.

Can You Reserve Rental Clubs for Me?

Many golfers prefer to leave their clubs at home and save the $50+ each way that airlines can charge to transport them. Instead, they rent clubs at their destination. If that’s your choice, you may want to reserve your clubs in advance to ensure that they’re available when you’re ready to play. Most golf travel agents will know which courses accept reservations for clubs and any of them can find out for you if you ask.

Those are some of the most common questions that people don’t think of asking when they’re arranging golf trips. You may have other questions. The most important thing to remember is to ask those questions. Your golf travel pro will definitely have heard the question before and probably has the answer on the tip of his tongue.

Essential Tips for Planning Group Golf Vacations

2012-01-23T09:45:00.000-08:00

Are you taking point on planning golf trips for your group this year? Group golf vacations are fast becoming as popular as the quintessential hunting trip with the guys – but the planning for golf vacations is a lot more involved and tricky than heading out into the woods for a weekend with the guys. These tips from golf travel pros can help you plan killer golf trips that everyone in your party will enjoy.

Research is Your Friend

The Internet age has made it easier than ever to get your hands on information about golf courses and clubs outside your local area. Put in the time to read up on the various golf destinations you’re interested in visiting. There are multiple sources from which you can learn, from the club or resort’s own website to the many guides to golf courses available online. And that’s not even counting what you can learn if you pick up the phone and ask questions. The more you know, the easier it will be to plan golf trips that everyone can enjoy.

Get the Timing of Your Golf Trips Right

Scheduling golf trips for yourself is complicated. Scheduling one that includes a foursome is can be a nightmare. The easiest way to coordinate travel, accommodations and tee times is to work with a golf package planner. Before you call the planner, though, you need to communicate with your travel companions to decide what kind of play you’re looking for, whether you want to stay at a resort with on-premises golf or prefer a hotel-and-golf package that lets you play out at many different area courses, and what your general budget is. Your budget can help determine the timing, too. If you schedule your golf vacations in the off-season, for example, you may get discounts that let you play higher caliber courses that would be unaffordable during the season.

Transportation and Directions

One of the most important parts of golf trips is getting there – and getting there in time to make your tee time, or your flight, or your dinner reservations. Getting lost may be an adventure when you’re on your own, but unless you’re with a group that enjoys serendipity as much as you do, you’re likely to end up with a disgruntled and out of sorts foursome who just missed the tee time they’ve been looking forward to for months. Your golf travel agent can arrange your flights and rental cars and all, but it’s up to you to make sure you know how to get where you have to be once you get off the plane. Don’t count on the Google for directions – far too often, you’ll run into a one-way street going the wrong way or an unexpected detour. Call your destination and get directions from the airport or the hotel to make sure you get where you’re going in time to enjoy yourself fully.

Golf vacations for groups can be memorable and a lot of fun. A little bit of planning can ensure that those memories will all be good ones.

Suggestions to Make Your Golf Travel More Fun

2011-12-31T17:38:00.000-08:00

If you’re a golfer, golf travel is intrinsically fun. After all, what could be more fun for the typical golfer than the chance to play golf courses outside your ordinary experience? Thus the very idea of doing something to make your golf holiday more fun may seem a bit unimportant, but these tips to make your packing and travel easier and to help you find your way around some of the most popular golf trip venues in the world can reduce inconveniences and make your golf trip more fun.

Book Your Tee Times at the Same Time You Make Your Reservations – or Earlier

Whether you’re traveling for Scotland golf or heading to Arizona golf courses, the major courses will have tee times booked weeks and even months in advance. It’s nearly as hard to book a tee time at the Old Course at St. Andrews as it is to schedule a personal audience with the Queen. In fact, if you’re hoping to tee off at any world-famous championship course you’re better off booking your flight and hotel reservations after you’ve got your tee times scheduled.

Check With the Airlines About Carrying Your Clubs With You

Every airline has its own rules about golf clubs and equipment as baggage. Some require a hard-shell case. Others will accept a soft-shell golf case but it must have a specific type of tag. The last thing you want is to have your golf clubs left behind at the gate, so check with the airline well before flight time and make sure you comply with their requirements to the letter.

Pack Extra Golf Balls if You’re Heading Overseas

In places like Scotland and Ireland, golf balls can be a bit pricey, so if you have room to pack one extra thing, make it a sleeve of golf balls.

Let a Professional Travel Agent Set Up Your Golf Vacation

Unless you know the area you’re going to visit well, let a travel agent who specializes in golf travel set up your tee times and choose golf courses for you to play. In areas that are well-known for golf, such as Myrtle Beach, there may be dozens of golf courses where you can conceivably tee off. Many golfers never get beyond some of the bigger names because they have the advertising budgets to court the golf critics. That also means that there are dozens of undiscovered gems that might offer exactly the kind of golf experience you enjoy.

If there’s golf travel in your future, take the time to plan ahead and call in help from a pro to help you pick out the best places to show off your best golf profile. You’ll have more fun, honest!

Three Must-Play Courses for Arizona Golf vacations

2011-11-17T18:53:00.001-08:00

Arizona has come into its own as a destination for golf vacations. Its ratio of sunny days and comfortable temperatures make it a natural for outdoor sports, and the growing number of world-class golf courses attract some of the best and most famous golfers in the world. You don’t have to be famous to enjoy golf vacations in Arizona, though. You can plan out an ideal swing through Arizona golf country on your own, or with the help of a travel agent who specializes in golf travel. Either way, make sure that your golf itinerary includes at least a couple of these must-play golf courses in Tucson and Phoenix.

Southern Dunes Golf Club, Maricopa

Located about 25 miles outside of Phoenix, the Southern Dunes Golf Club started life as a private mens’ club, but opened to public play in 2009. Since then, it has made the Golf.com list of best public courses to play in Arizona, and had the singular honor of having its 16th hole nominated and inducted to the Golf Hole Hall of Fame in 2011. Designed by Brian Curley and Lee Schmidt with an assist from golf great Fred Couples, Southern Dunes features an absolutely magnificent landscape and challenging play for golfers of all levels.

ASU Karsten Golf Course

One of the things that makes Arizona golf so special is its youth orientation. Nowhere is that more evident than on the campus of ASU-Karsten, home to one of the strongest collegiate golf programs in the world. In September 2011, Golfweek magazine listed ASU Karsten’s Pete Dye course among the top 30 collegiate golf courses in the U.S. The course is open to the public, and offers special rates for seniors and for Arizona residents, as well as fabulous specials available to anyone who books a tee time at the right time.

Quintero Golf and Country Club

Located just about 25 miles outside of downtown Phoenix, Quintero is one of Arizona’s best-kept secrets. The private members club is now open to all golfers, though you’ll have to call ahead and check availability. Members of the Arizona Golf Association can enjoy the Rees Jones course at a guest rate. For those indulging in golf vacations, the club also accepts guest play when it has tee times available. You can become a “Member for a Day” with a little advance notice, but ifArizona golf vacations are a regular thing for you, you may end up deciding to join the club through one of its innovative membership options.

Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations – Everything You Want

2011-11-14T09:48:00.001-08:00

If you’re looking for the ultimate in golf vacations, you can’t do better than a trip to Myrtle Beach. With more than 100 courses within an easy drive of anywhere on the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach golf vacations offer just about anything an avid golfer could want in his holiday plans.

Golf is a major part of the tourist industry on the Grand Strand in the Carolinas – but don’t mistake that to mean the area is a tourist trap for golfers. Some of the most highly regarded golf courses in the world are located in the Myrtle Beach area – the quality of the golf fuels the tourism, not the other way around. By the same token, you’ll find golf clubs and golf courses of all types and calibers when you decide to spend your next golf holiday on the Grand Strand. Whether you’re a world-class golfer or one who never comes in under par, you’ll find courses where you’re welcome to play – and welcomed with enthusiasm.

Myrtle Beach Golf Package Deals

You have a number of choices when it comes to booking your travel and activities for a Myrtle Beach vacation. One of the easiest ways is to hook up with a travel agency that specializes in golf travel and offers a number of pre-planned golf package deals. The advantages to booking this type of package deal are many – all of your arrangements will be made at once. You won’t have to worry about making hotel reservations or booking your tee times. The travel agent will take care of it all.

On the other hand, you may find yourself locked into playing courses you wouldn’t have otherwise chosen. If you prefer a bit of independence, you can check out any one of the many Myrtle Beach golf websites that offer reviews of local golf courses and allow you to make your own reservations and book your own tee times. And if you’re the spontaneous type, you can always just get into your car and head down the Strand, checking out the golf courses and clubs you find along the way.

If you’re traveling with others who aren’t as enamored of golf as you are, Myrtle Beach offers so many other activities to keep them amused and out of your hair while you’re on the green. Just book your lodgings at a golf resort, arrange your tee times, and leave them free to check out the nearby water and amusement parks, shopping malls and world-class restaurants. When all is said and done, a trip to Myrtle Beach nearly always turns into one of those golf vacations you’ll remember forever.

5 Tips for Planning Golf Trips

2011-09-23T10:36:00.000-07:00

Planning a vacation is never as much fun as when it is a vacation to do something you love to do, but it’s easy to overlook important things if you’re not careful. Planning golf trips is as much about making sure that you have fun as it is making sure that your travel connections work out. Whether you’re planning golf travel on your own or putting together golf vacations for yourself and your buds, these tips will guarantee a great time for all.

Book Your Tee Times When You Book Your Rooms

Golf vacations revolve around golf, so why would you leave course availability to chance? Don’t just assume that you’ll be able to walk in and get right on the course, especially if your golf trip includes playing on one of the top golf courses in the country. Plan ahead. As soon as you have your rooms booked, schedule your tee times at any must-play courses in the area.

Check the Overseeding Schedule for the Courses You Want to Play

Myrtle Beach golf courses and Arizona golf courses typically overseed their courses in the fall, and many have a cart-path policy defining where you can drive or play during the overseeding season. Call ahead to find out if or when your golf game might be affected by course maintenance. It’s no fun having your game ruined by inability to play on the course in optimal condition.

Book Golf Vacations and Packages

Look for package deals when you’re booking golf trips. Choosing a travel agent or a resort that offers packages can save you a lot of money, and make your planning much easier. You can always build on the base package by adding tee times at other golf courses and clubs in the area.

Pick the Right Courses for the Crowd

A golf vacation with your best buds and a golf trip with your family call for very different itineraries. If you’re golf travel includes kids and family, go for venues that offer many other options for entertainment and novice-friendly golf options. Tucson, Arizona golf courses tend to be especially family friendly. If you’re traveling with golf buddies, aim for the high-end courses you’re dying to play.

Be Flexible About Lodging

Resorts and hotels are only one option for lodgings when you book golf vacations. If you’re traveling with a group of four or eight people, you can open up your options – and have a far more comfortable and luxurious stay – by renting a condo or a golf villa. When you split the cost of a four-bedroom condo among four people, you’ll often find that it’s far more affordable than individual hotel rooms.

Golf trips are among the hottest boutique travel trips for today’s vacationer. If you’re planning a golf vacation, plan ahead to make sure that you have the best time possible.

Tips to Help You Enjoy Your Golf Vacations MoreEnjoy

2011-09-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Golf vacations are becoming ever more popular. Golf lovers, who hate to give up the chance to swing a club and associate leisure with time spent communing with nature and the whimsical gods of golf, often plan their holidays around the chance to visit a foreign golf course. There are a number of travel agencies that have sprung up to help golf-loving vacationers arrange golf trips that revolve around the chance to play a particular course, or to fit in a round or two of golf at as many great golf courses as possible. If your upcoming vacation includes golf as a central feature, these tips can help you – and your family – enjoy your golf vacations more.

Check with the Airline About Your Clubs

Obviously, you’ll want to travel with your own clubs – your golf game just won’t be the same without them. If you’re traveling by car, that won’t be an issue, but if you’re heading to a different region or overseas to say, Scotland or Ireland, golf clubs will be part of your baggage.

Every airline has its own requirements about carrying golf clubs as baggage, though most of them are similar. In general, most airlines consider your golf bag – in a soft or hard-sided case – with a set of clubs, golf shoes and a box of golf balls – to be the equivalent of one checked bag. No matter how much you love your golf clubs, you’re not likely to find an airline that will let you take them on the plane with you as carry-on luggage, even if you pay for an extra seat for them. In most cases, the airline will only assume responsibility for keeping your clubs safe if they’re in a hard-sided case tagged with a regular luggage tag, so if you’re planning to take your clubs along on vacation, be sure to make the proper arrangements to get them there. Some ardent golfers, in fact, recommend shipping your golf clubs ahead of you to your hotel to ensure that they arrive at your destination on time and unscathed.

Let Your Travel Agent Book Your Tee Times for You

If your golf travel is taking you to an unfamiliar area, chances are that your plans include playing at a few of the big names in that region. There’s nothing wrong with playing top-rated courses – in fact, it’s one of the biggest reasons people take golf trips – but if you do only that you may miss out on some hidden gems that are only known locally. Travel agents who specialize in booking golf vacations often have connections and insight into the local golf market and may hook you up with a golf experience that will be one of the highlights of your vacation.

Finally, when you’re planning golf vacations, don’t forget that there are other things to do besides golf, especially if you’re taking the family or a spouse along. Take the time to research non-golfing activities to enjoy when there’s no golf to be had.

International Golf Travel TipsTips

2011-08-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

International golf trips have become more and more popular over the past several years. For many travelers to Scotland and Ireland, golf is a big draw. The two countries feature some of the most famous golf courses in the world, making them a natural destination for those who enjoy golf travel. Carting your clubs with you overseas, however, can present some logistical problems. If you’re considering doing some international golf travel, it helps to know how the biggest and most popular airlines will treat your golf clubs and other golfing equipment. These tips and golf travel info for major airlines can help you avoid some of the biggest problems you might encounter.

Clean your golf clubs before you travel. Fertilizer residue on your golf clubs has been known to set off bomb detectors, which is a heck of a way to start off your golf vacation.

Invest in a good quality golf travel bag to ensure that your golf clubs are well-protected during travel.

Avoid baggage fees and other hassles that accompany traveling with your golf clubs by shipping your golf clubs ahead to your destination. It’s not much more expensive to do so, and will ensure that your clubs arrive at your destination instead of being lost in transit.

American Airlines counts one golf bag with up to 14 clubs, 12 golf balls and a pair of golf shoes as the equivalent of one checked bag. If it’s a second checked bag, you’ll incur a $35 second bag fee. The maximum free weight on golf clubs is 70 lbs., and the size is limited to the size of a hard-sided golf case.

Continental Airlines will accept one item of golf equipment per passenger, with the item consisting of one golf bag containing one set of clubs, golf balls and one pair of golf shoes. All the items must be in a suitable container, and the golf bag must be covered or encased in a rigid carrying case. The airline is not liable for any damage to golf equipment that is not in a hard-sided case, and you can’t purchase excess valuation for golf equipment that isn’t in a hard-sided case. In addition, if you check a golf bag, you’ll probably have to wait longer for your luggage at the baggage claim.

Delta Air allows you to check one golf bag that weighs up to 50 lbs. and measures no more than 80 inches. If the bag is larger than that, you’ll have to pay an overweight baggage fee. If your golf bag is not inside a hard-sided case, you’ll have to have it packaged in a soft-sided golf travel bag and sign a limited damage release form before you can check it.

Jet Blue will accept golf equipment on all flights at no additional charge as long as your bag is within the size and weight limits. Your golf bag will count as one checked bag. Jet Blue defines one golf item the same as American Airlines.

If you’re taking advantage of golf travel packages to enjoy some Ireland or Scotland golf , these tips should help you prepare your golf equipment for the trip so your golf clubs end up arriving when and where you do, ready to hit the most historic golf greens and links in the world.

Fabulous Underappreciated Courses to Play on Myrtle Beach and Arizona Golf Vacations

2011-08-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

Travel agents who book golf vacations often push their highest value golf trips or advertise golf travel to the best known golf courses and golf clubs. While those clubs and courses deserve their accolades, golfers who are unfamiliar with an area may overlook some of the less-publicized courses that offer stellar playability and other amenities for golfers and their families. If you’re booking some golf travel time this summer, make the time to visit these fabulous but underappreciated courses at some of the most popular venues for golf vacations.

Myrtle Beach Golf: Possum Trot

Myrtle Beach is the East Coast destination for golf vacations for a good reason – there are over 100 courses within a short driving distance of your hotel, no matter where your hotel is. With that many courses to play, it’s understandable that some get more attention than others. Possum Trot, located a bit off the beaten track in North Myrtle Beach, is one of those that tend to fly under the radar. The private golf course offers a well-designed and manicured course that’s hard enough to be challenging and easy enough to be fun for nearly everyone.

What really sets Possum Trot apart, though, is the friendliness of the staff. Golfers – even those who aren’t regular club members – will be pampered and treated like kings. This isn’t the place to go if you’re looking for the patented Myrtle Beach Golf upscale experience, though. The club has been around since the 1960s, and its mission is to make golf accessible to everyone, not just the upper crust elite. If you want a friendly game of golf without all the pretensions, Possum Trot awaits your business.

Arizona Golf: Tucson’s Rio Rico Resort and Country Club

Scottsdale and Phoenix are better known as golf destinations than Tucson, but that just makes this hidden Tucson gem even more spectacular. The Rio Rico Resort and Country Club is located just about 45 minutes south of Tucson, but it might as well be in a different world. In its past, the Rio Rico has hosted qualifiers for the U.S. Open PGA and Seniors tours, as well as the U.S. Amateur qualifying rounds in the 1990s. Today, the most striking feature about the traditional desert layout is its beauty and peace. It’s an ideal getaway for a round of golf on a midwinter afternoon, where temperatures in the 70s provide the perfect weather for golf. Trent Jones considered it one of his classics, and it still provides a challenging golf experience, even for accomplished golfers.

The most memorable golf vacations aren’t always those you’ll spend waiting to tee off on crowded but highly rated courses. Be sure to ask your golf travel agent about underappreciated golf courses to check out on your trip.

Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations

2011-07-19T07:43:00.000-07:00

If you’re a lover of great golf, you already know that Myrtle Beach is a prime spot for golf vacations. With over 100 public and private golf courses on the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach has just about anything and everything a vacationing golfer could ever want. If you’re trying to decide among several different venues that offer golf vacations, take a look at all that Myrtle Beach has to offer.

Myrtle Beach Golf

Golf, golf and more golf – that’s what you’ll find when you book a Myrtle Beach golf trip. Once considered the bargain basement of the golf world, Myrtle Beach has come up in the world. These days, the fabulous golf options on Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand include world class golf courses and luxury resort golf clubs. If you’re looking for variety, you’ll find it on Myrtle Beach. From the fabulous Barefoot Resort Dye Club with its classic styling and pristine greens to the uniquely designed Witch Club, which includes a 1^st and 9^th hole built on islands, you’ll find an incredible variety of public and private golf courses to play.

Dining Out

Man or woman cannot live by golf alone, though it may be tempting to try. Eventually, you have to take a break and fortify yourself with food, if only so you’ll have the energy for the next round. And if you have to eat anyway, you may as well enjoy the fine cuisine of restaurants you’ll find scattered among the Myrtle Beach golf clubs and courses. For a treat in North Myrtle Beach, check out Martini’s, with a delightful piano bar and a filet mignon with shrimp dish that is to die for. If you play the Barefoot Resort’s Dye Club, hit Barefoot Landing and enjoy the experience at Greg Norman’s Australian Grille, where you can partake of the extensive wine list and fine food that has earned the restaurant Wine Spectator’s Excellence in Dining Award year after year.

Other Recreation

While most golfers may not be able to imagine wanting any other form of recreation than Myrtle Beach golf, the Grand Strand does offer many other forms of recreation. Make the kids happy with a trip to a water park. Try Splash! water park, which features a Caribbean Water Playground with slides and sprays, as well as two large swimming pools, two kiddie pools, lazy river and three Jacuzzis. Of course, there’s always the beach and shopping, tennis and sports clubs and many activities available at luxury resorts and clubs.

Myrtle Beach golf vacations offer the best golf and more. If you’re still undecided about your summer and fall golf trips, take a long, hard look at what Myrtle Beach golf has to offer.

Destinations for Golf Travel

2011-07-10T15:55:00.000-07:00

For the true golf lover, the only reason for a vacation is to have time to enjoy all the golf you miss while you’re working, and the only reason to travel is to tee off on golf courses you’ve not had a chance to play before. While there are thousands of golf courses in the world, there are a few regions that are particularly revered for their greens and fairways. If you’re planning golf travel this summer, booking a tour or package deal in one of these famous golf destinations will afford you ample opportunity to play some of the best golf courses in the world.

Myrtle Beach

Located along about 50 miles of the South Carolina Atlantic coast, Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand boasts well over 100 public and private golf courses. The temperate, sunny weather offers great golfing year round, with the sea breeze keeping the fairways and links cool on even the hottest summer days. The courses run the gamut from public courses open to all to private courses located on the grounds of luxury resorts. Highlights include the Barefoot Resort’s Dye Course, designed by famed golf architect, Peter Dye.

Scotland

Golf lovers everywhere pay homage to Scotland as the land where golf was born. The tiny country boasts the oldest courses in the world, including many still in use. Golf travel to Scotland offers a chance for golfers to tee off on the course where the ancient kings of Scotland held their own games and, quite possibly, debated over the rules. If you do make it to Scotland, it’s almost a requirement to at least visit the Old Course at St. Andrews. If you book enough time in advance, you can play a round on the site where the British Open is held every fifth year.

Ireland Golf Travel

Second only to Scotland – and many an Irishman would debate you on that point – the Emerald Isle features some of the most beautiful and historic golf courses in the world. While you’d have to live for years in Ireland to play them all, the country is small enough that you can easily enjoy a round at The Links, on the East coast one day and one at Old Head on the Southwest coast the next. If you’re looking for the ultimate in golf travel, book a golf trip that includes both Scotland golf courses and Ireland golf destinations.

Arizona Golf Trips

Hit the Southwest for some of the most amazing golf to be found on the North American continent. Arizona features three separate and very distinct golf travel destinations for your golfing pleasure. Tucson is laid back, but takes its golf seriously. The Phoenix-Scottsdale area is more traditional and features many golf resorts from which to choose. Sedona, Arizona is the latest of the up-and-coming golf travel destinations in the state. Every Sedona course was designed by a well-known golf architect, and the golf resorts offer the ultimate in luxury.

For more information about golf travel to Ireland, Scotland, Arizona or Myrtle Beach, be sure to check with your travel agent for available tours and trips.

Tips for Planning the Best Golf Vacations

2011-06-19T09:53:00.000-07:00

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.

Tips for Planning Golf Vacations

2011-06-07T09:07:00.000-07:00

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.

Top Arizona Golf Trips Live Up to the Reputation

2011-05-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

Even veterans with dozens of golf trips under the belt would be hard-pressed to come up with a better handful of courses to play than the six top Arizona golf courses that made Golf Magazine’s “Top 100 Courses You Can Play” list. Each of the Scottsdale area greens and golf clubs has its own charms, and each would be worth a visit on its own. The thing that elevates the list to must-visit golf trips status is that these six Top 100 placeholders are within easy driving distance of each other. You can easily get in a game on each of these six courses in just one or two golf trips.

Two Troon North courses are regulars on Golf Magazine’s list, having made it up there for the last ten years. Troon’s Pinnacle course takes top billing for Arizona golf courses, with a number 21 showing in the top 100 list. Its sister course, Monument, also placed in the top 50, coming as #45.

Scottsdale’s We-Ko_Pa Golf Club is the other Arizona golf facility with two courses in the top 100. The Cholla course, designed by Scott Miller ranked #35, while the newer Saguaro course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, came in at #44. Both courses are on Native American land and have generated some serious buzz.

The final two Arizona golf courses in the Top 100 list are the Talon Course at the Grayhawk Golf club and The Boulder Club’s South Course. Coming in at numbers 87 and 90 respectively, both courses were built in the 1990s.

Scottsdale may be home to the best courses to visit on Arizona golf trips, but Tucson is fast catching up. If you’re a fan of more natural golf courses and a laid-back social scene, you might enjoy Tucson, Arizona golf vacations more. Among the top courses to play in the Tucson area are the two courses at Loew’s Ventana Canyon, designed by course architect Tom Fazio and favorites of such celebrity golfers as Chevy Chase, Clint Eastwood and former President George Bush.

Arizona is fast becoming one of the top golf vacations destinations in the country, with the Scottsdale area racking up more top golf courses than any other region in the nation. The Tucson area has a number of up and coming new courses that are, for the moment, best kept secrets. If you’re planning golf tips this summer, Arizona is an absolute must for your list.

Celebrity Match In June Is Best of Myrtle Beach Golf Trips

2011-05-09T08:19:00.000-07:00

If you’re planning on taking a few golf trips this summer, start your June off right with a trip to Myrtle Beach for the first annual Myrtle Beach Celebrity Golf Classic to be held June 10-11 at Barefoot Resort’s Dye Club. The golf classic is being hosted by Gus Williams, former NBA champion, for the benefit of the American Cancer Society. Williams’ sister died of cancer at age 40.

Williams has drawn some big celebrity names to participate in the match, including Julius Erving, Sam Jones of the Boston Celtics, pro football’s Lynn Swan and Richard Dent, and baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan. Other celebrities who’ll be teeing off for the golf classic include Darryl Strawberry, Junior Bridgeman, Andre Reed and sportscaster Kathleen Sullivan.

If you’re looking for a unique slant to your golf vacation, this is your chance. For $500, you can enter the scramble tournament as a single player. If you want to enter an entire team, it will cost you $2,000. Each team will be joined by one of the celebrity golfers, but the day starts well before the tee-off time. For the participants, the event will start with a celebrity and sponsor party at Greg Norman’s Australian Grille, with lots of fun and festivities, including a silent auction. The tournament tees off at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, and it will be followed by an awards banquet and silent auction. After the banquet, all participants will attend a Saturday night concert at House of Blues. The artists are unannounced as yet, but the organizers are going after a big act for the evening.

All proceeds from the weekend will benefit the American Cancer Society, so you can get in your golfing and a big dose of feeling good about yourself. And if the lure of golfing with the celebs while doing good isn’t quite enough for you, keep in mind that you’ll be teeing off at the Barefoot Resort’s Dye Club, one of the most challenging and renowned golf courses on the Grand Strand. Designed by architect Peter Dye, it features five different kinds of grass and some of the best golfing to be found in all of Myrtle Beach. Whether you’ve headed off on dozens of golf trips or this is your first golf vacation, the price tag on this one delivers full value. For more information, contact a travel agency that specializes in booking golf travel.

Tips For Getting the Most From Travel Vacations to Scotland

2011-04-14T07:20:00.000-07:00

Is there a better place for golf vacations than Scotland, the birthplace of golf? Aside from the historic courses, Scotland offers some of the most beautiful scenery, championship golf and a cultural experience like none other. If you’ve determined that this year is the year you golf Scotland, these tips from insiders will help you make the most of your golf trips.

Research and Build an Itinerary

Scotland may be small, but it’s the epitome of good things that come in small packages. The tiny country manages to pack more golf goodies into its square mileage than any other country. Your best bet is to look at a map, choose an area and then hit the Web to check out reviews of golf courses in that area. Build your itinerary around the courses that have the best reviews or the ones that you find most intriguing.

Insider tip: Spend a few days in Ayrshire and play Royal Troon Golf Club, Turnberry Rest and Prestwick Golf Club.

Some of the Best Golf Courses Are Local Secrets

So many of the Scottish golf courses were established in the 1800s, when no one considered such things as where to park the 20,000 or so cars for the fans that show up to British Open and other championship matches. Many of them are gems that are at the top of the list for tour operators, who rank courses by how much their clients enjoy the course. Look for out of the way courses, or contact a travel agent who specializes in golf vacations to find the best places to tee off.

Insider tip: Play Western Gailles. Not only is it rated in the Top 100 Courses in Scotland, the Club is an experience in and of itself. You’ll be treated like a king from the moment you step through the door to the moment you pack up your clubs and drive off. And after all, isn’t that how it should be when you’re engaging in the sport of kings?

Observe Local Etiquette

You’ll be considered a boorish outsider if you violate many of the rules of golf etiquette that are custom in Scotland golf. You’ll get better service and have far more fun if you take the time to get to know what’s expected of golfers in Scotland.

Insider tip: Never wear your hat indoors. Always call ahead to book a tee time and never walk in unannounced. Keep your practice swings to a minimum and if you’re holding up the group behind you, allow them to play through.

And the best insider golf vacations tip of all is that if you suspect that this will be your only chance to golf in Scotland in this lifetime, splurge and pay for a guaranteed tee time at the Old Course. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any golfer.

Must-Play Courses for Arizona Golf Trips

2011-04-06T08:44:00.000-07:00

Arizona is one of the country’s best areas for golfing, thanks to 320+ days of sunshine a year. The state features two main areas that are ideal for golf trips—the Phoenix-Scottsdale area, with a variety of classic courses, and the Tucson area, which has a younger, less stodgy feel. Tucson is famed for its youthful golf enthusiasts; Phoenix for its championship courses. If your Arizona vacation includes plan to hit the links for some exercise, there are a few courses that you can’t afford to pass up.

Troon North Golf Club

The semi-private Troon North Club is located in Scottsdale, close to the world-famous Four Seasons Resort. It’s a classic desert golf course design, with plenty of play on the two 18-hole courses. The Monument course, designed by Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish, takes its name from the large boulder that stands in the middle of the par-5 third hole. The course offers tricky approaches and stretches of dry desert wash to keep things interesting. The second course, the Pinnacle, features elevation changes and obstacles with spectacular views of Pinnacle Peak and the surrounding desert. Troon makes Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses to Play in America list every year, so be sure you put it on your list of must-play Arizona golf courses.

Ventana Canyon Golf Club

In the Tucson area, the two golf courses at the Ventana Canyon Golf Club make Golf Magazine’s Top 100 Courses in Arizona list at number eight. The two resort courses are desert courses requiring you to play target golf style. The bent grass greens make putting a challenge, thanks to their undulations. The Mountain Course features elevation changes and elevated tees. The Canyon course demands tight play and strong focus. Designed by Tom Fazio and Andy Banfield, the Canyon opened in 1988.

Wee-Ko-Pa Cholla Course

Wee-Ko-Pa, on tribal land owned by the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, features two courses – the Cholla and the Sqguaro. The Cholla Course is the older course, opened in 2001 and ranked high on the must-play list almost from the start. The wide-open space features large greens and fairways with little in the way of “civilization” to interrupt the scenery or your golf game. In 2006, We-Ko-Pa added the Saguaro Course, designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore. The Saguaro is designed to be walkable, a rare distinction for desert courses.

If you’re planning golf vacations in the areas of Scottsdale, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, be sure to line up your tee times early so that you don’t miss out on some of the best golfing in the country.

Tips to Help You Plan the Best Golfing Trips

2011-03-17T09:50:00.001-07:00

Golfing vacations are among the most popular sporting holidays, ranking right up there with skiing holidays and scuba trips. Many travel agencies and websites have sprung up to take advantage of golf and the travelers who love it. If you’re considering hitting the links on your next vacation, these tips can help you make sure that you pack the most golfing fun into your vacation trip.

Check the Weather to Make Sure That it Will Support a Golfing Holiday

Unless you’re an all-weather golfer, check the typical weather in the area you want to visit during the time you’ll be there for your golf vacation. Of course, there are some regions where you don’t even have to think about it. In Arizona, golf is a year-round pursuit, thanks to gorgeous sunny weather more than 300 days out of the year. Likewise, Myrtle Beach golf clubs and courses offer beautiful golfing weather year-round. Even Scotland and Ireland, golf destinations for generations, can’t provide the same weather conditions that you’ll find in either of those two domestic golf destinations.

Shop Online to Find the Best Golf Vacations

The popularity of golf tips has birthed an entire mini-industry segment in the travel industry. You’ll find the best prices for golf travel at online sites that feature package deals that include tee times at some of the best golf courses and fairways in the country. Compare prices and features of golfing trips side-by-side to see which offer you the best deals for your vacation.

Read the Reviews

Before you plunk down your hard-earned cash to book a vacation, do some in-depth investigation. Check out golfing discussion forums to find out anything positive or negative about the service or facilities at lodgings included with package tours, and look for information about the tour packager. The last thing you want is for it to arrive at your destination only to find that everything about it has been exaggerated or misrepresented. But doing your research ahead of time will help you head off disappointment and ensure that you’ll enjoy every part of your golfing holiday.

Finally, once you find a tour provider you like and can trust, make a note so that you can return when you’re ready to book moregolf trips—perhaps for a golfing tour to play on the classic courses of Ireland and Scotland.

How to Choose a Golf Vacations Trip

2011-03-11T08:50:00.001-08:00

Golf vacations are growing in popularity as tour operators put together golf tours and golf trips to appeal to consumers. While golf enthusiasts have always planned their travel around famous courses they’d like to play, golf travel has never been as popular as it has in the past few years. With all the golf vacations and golf trips available, how do you choose the best one for you? Here are a few tips.

Choose an area known for its golf courses and greens. Some parts of the country and the world are famous for the quality of their golf greens and clubs. A visit to those areas is nearly guaranteed to give you plenty of opportunities to tee off on some of the best courses in the world. Ireland golf trips and Scotland golf trips include the opportunity to play at literally hundreds of courses, depending on the area of the country and the ability of the tour operator to book you at the best courses.

Domestic golf tours offer excellent value at lower prices. Myrtle Beach was once the bargain basement of golf trips, but that’s changed in recent years. The prices are still excellent, but the general quality of the courses available to play and the numerous resorts that have grown up around them has made Myrtle Beach golf trips among the most desirable in the world. Arizona golf trips offer similar bargains with some of the best and most unusual golf courses and greens in the world. Arizona’s climate practically guarantees great golfing weather, and the luxury resorts give the non-golfers in the family plenty to do while the golfers are out doing what golfers do best.

Research the golf courses in your chosen area. Do some research to get familiar with your golf options and which courses you’d like to play, and any tournaments you’d like to watch and what the courses are like. The more you know about your options, the better equipped you’ll be to choose the best golf vacations for your pleasure.

Talk to several tour operators to compare golf packages. Once you have an idea of which courses you’d like to play, or at least are familiar with the clubs in the area, contact travel agents that offer golf vacations to find out what they can offer. Many include bookings for tee times as part of their golf packages, and special deals and offers for groups traveling together.

Courses to Hit on Southeast Golf Trips

2011-02-15T11:59:00.000-08:00

Planning a golf trip this summer? The Myrtle Beach area has become one of the country’s most popular destinations for golf trips. With well over a hundred golf courses in easy driving distance of nearly any hotel or resort on the Myrtle Beach coast, choosing the courses to play presents the avid golfer with an embarrassment of riches. How do you choose the best links when there are so many available? How about letting some of the world’s best golf experts help you with your choice?

The Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach take top marks in Golf Digest’s Myrtle Super 60 list of top Myrtle Beach golf clubs. Designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1948, the course has been a world class course almost since its inception. While the green has been modified a number of times—most recently in 2003—it remains true to its original spirit and challenge.

Golf Digest ranks the Heritage Club among its 50 Best Public Courses in America and ranks it at No. 13 in South Carolina. The plantation style golf course was built on the site of the True Blue and Midway rice plantations. It features spacious fairways, undulating greens and some of the most gorgeous landscaping in the country. The Myrtle Beach Golf Association ranks it among the Players’ Top 20 and notes that the course had fallen on hard times, but is definitely on the way back up.

The Witch Golf Club, part of the trinity that includes The Wizard and Man o’ War golf clubs, is one of the most unique courses in South Carolina. Created by golf architect Dan Maples, the course opened in 1989. It also ranks among the Players’ Top 20 course at the Myrtle Beach Golf Association, which notes that its dynamic elevation changes and tight fairways make it a challenging course to play. The 1^st and 9^th holes are actually on islands, completely surrounded by wetlands.

Golflink lists Wicked Stick Golf Club among the top five player-friendly golf courses in the Myrtle Beach area. It features a John Daly signature course designed in conjunction with golf architect Clyde Johnstone. It’s not the most challenging course, but the staff is wonderful, and the layout provides enough challenge for experts to have fun without making it frustrating for those with less expertise. Myrtle Beach Golf calls it a great place to have a golf vacation with a group.

Tee Off With Golf Vacations

2011-02-11T12:20:00.001-08:00

Indulging your passion for golf can lead you to some of the most memorable vacations of your life. Golf packages, both domestic and international, often combine your passion for golfing the best greens in the world with other interests and luxuries. A golf package is the ideal vacation for the golf enthusiast who wants to play a variety of courses in a location, or who has to share his vacation with a traveling companion who’d rather be shopping than teeing off. When you choose a golf package as your vacation, your travel agent will take care of all the details, including flights, hotel reservations, car rentals and, in many cases, booking your tee time for you at the best golf courses in the area.

International Golf Packages

Scotland and Ireland boast some of the oldest and best-known golf links in the world, so it’s no surprise that many travel agents and travel sites feature golf trips to regions of the Emerald Isle and the Scottish Highlands. Scotland golf trips may include lodging in a traditional Scottish castle, meals in some of the finest restaurants in the world and golfing on greens that are part of the history of the games, such as the Old Course at St. Andrews or Carnoustie, the oldest greens in the history of golf. Some of the hottest Ireland golf trips for 2011 include packages for the Solheim Cup, the biennial LPGA competition which takes place at Killeen Castle, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland in September of 2011. If you’d rather play than watch, other golf destinations in Ireland feature rounds played at well-known golf clubs, such as the Royal Dublin and the Island Golf Club.

Myrtle Beach Golf Packages

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, once considered a bargain basement golfing destination, has come into its own as one of the best golf regions in the world. Located along the coast of South Carolina, Myrtle Beach boasts more than 100 golf courses—many of them championship courses. The best Myrtle Beach golf vacations include lodging and amenities at one of the many golf resorts located in the area. Indulge your passion for golf along one of the most beautiful seacoasts in the country while taking advantage of the pure luxury afforded by a resort vacation.

Arizona Golf Packages

Arizona features two distinctly different golf destinations – Tucson and the Phoenix/Scottsdale area. The Scottsdale area boasts nearly 200 golf courses, some with traditional layouts and others that feature the stunning Arizona desert landscapes. Tucson has a reputation for being more laid-back and relaxed, and offers courses designed by some of the best-known names in golf.

Whether your tastes run to the home-grown or you prefer a more international flavor, you’ll find golf packages that are designed to challenge and delight you.

The Perfect Golf Vacation Packages

2011-01-16T20:43:00.001-08:00

Planning golf vacations are as time consuming and have as much to consider as any other vacation you plan, if not more. Not only do you need to research and reserve the usual formalities such as how you’re going to get there and where you’re going to stay, but you also have to think about where you’re going to play. Some popular companies offer golf packages that take care of everything for you at one low price.

Golf Travel Locations

The first decision that needs to be made when planning your next golf trips really should start with where you want to go or what course you want to play. Most major US cities have at least one championship golf course—Myrtle Beach, and several Arizona golf courses being among the most popular. However, many international courses are recognized as having some of the best courses to play on and amazing scenery, too. St. Andrews, a Scotland golf course is said to be the birthplace of golf and while you are thinking rolling green hills, Ireland golf courses are some of the most popular in all of Europe. From the crystal clear Caribbean waters to the majestic hills of Spain, choose the location you like best.

Services and Amenities

Once you have decided just where you would like to go, find the resort that offers everything you are looking for. From budget to luxury, included rounds or unlimited golfing, you can find golf packages to fit your desires. Whether you want every detail taken care of and planned before you arrive or you want to live it up a little and have some flexibility, they can create the prefect itinerary for you.

Budget

Most people think you can’t travel on a budget, but that’s simply not true. One of the greatest things about golf packages is there are no hidden fees. You can arrange everything from an arrival transfer from the airport, your tee times and what you’ll have for dinner, all for one low price with no surprises.

There are so many things to consider when getting ready to plan your next golf vacation. From where you want to go and what you’ll spend, to how far away you want to travel. You can choose how long you’ll be away and which types of amenities you want to have when you arrive. The great thing is no matter what you are looking for in your perfect get away there is a package out there that is just right for you.

Dream Golf Vacations

2011-01-10T09:59:00.001-08:00

If you are an old time golfer you remember what traditional golf trips used to be: 1 weekend, 8 guys, sunny spots and planned tee times. Well, there have been some major renovations in golf travel, and you can now get out and see the world, play on some on the best greens, be gone a week, and even bring they family if you want. Nowadays we are lucky to have endless choices in travel companies that cater for every standard of play, budget, location and trip duration.

Golf Packages

Many websites offer amazing golf packages with a wide range of amenities in destinations all over the world. Maybe you have a wish list of courses you want to play – it’s now possible to search the course and get detailed information about different packages available at that course. If destination is more important, then choose the place you want to visit or golf such as Myrtle Beach, and then see what’s available there. If amenities are important you, then you should search for five star accommodations or family friendly resorts. If you plan to bring your spouse, but she doesn’t golf then you’ll want to make sure the location has a spa on the grounds or some shopping close by. You can choose from all-inclusive packages with meals or just the basics, you personalize the package just the way you want it.

Popular Golf Destinations

Getting away from golfing in the sun or flying off to new golfing locations may not attract the golf traditionalist in many that prefer the well known Arizona golf course, but there are some new golf hotspots popping up all over the world. Europe has many popular spots to play like the birthplace and home of golf; Scotland. Golf packages are very popular there. Would you believe that hundreds of thousands of people every year flock to the Ireland golf course Emerald Isle? Other emerging golf destinations are Spain and Portugal, and there are always the famous Mexico and Hawaii courses. Even many Caribbean islands have courses now.

If you love to golf, love to travel, and want to try a new course or even a new style of holiday, a golf vacation is the perfect getaway. From hot sunny beaches to breathtaking scenery you can find the perfect golf packages in destinations all over the globe. No matter what your style or budget is, it’s a great way for you to get the golf trip you have always wanted and take the family on a holiday they never forget.

Tips For Golf Vacations

2011-01-03T12:12:00.001-08:00

As a golfer there is not much that is better than a quiet round with your friends on your favorite golf course on a beautiful morning, but if you live somewhere that gets very cold and wet in winter you might have to go months without a game. One solution to this is to book one or more golf trips somewhere warmer and drier and spend some quality time playing your favorite game. With a dedicated package, you can even book your tee-off times in advance and pay your green fees before you leave. All you need to do is turn up on the day and play.

It doesn’t matter where in the country you go to play golf, maybe you have a special course you have always wanted to play, or maybe you might like to explore this great country and visit somewhere different. You might even have a favorite course that you return to every year with your golf buddies for a game. It doesn’t matter If you are married or have a family, you could try and combine it with a location that they will enjoy visiting too – even if they don’t play golf.

Maybe this year you could play at the “Golf Capital of the World”, the famous Myrtle Beach, home of a number of tournaments including the PGA Tour Superstore World Amateur Handicap Championship held at the National Golf Course every August. The warm winter climate and over 120 other courses in the surrounding South Carolina area are perfect for that golfing break. One year set the record with 4.2million rounds of golf played there in a single year. You could be easily be a part of that number.

You could also consider Arizona golf for your next trip. The climate is great all year round, and there are over 300 golf courses in Arizona just waiting for you to play. The Phoenix/Scottsdale area has recently been named “America’s best place to live for golf”, and it is one of the best places in the country for the serious golfer to play. Just try to avoid hitting your ball too close to all those prickly cacti in the rough.

Wherever you decide you would like to play, there are a number of golf packages available that would suit your needs. When the weather interrupts your regular round of golf and you are miserable because you can’t play, why not have a look and see if there is a trip that would suit you?

The Ultimate Gift Choice for the Golfing Enthusiast

2010-12-26T11:18:00.001-08:00

For the golfing enthusiast, there is no more appreciated birthday or festive season gift than one of the golf packages now available, which combine a holiday destination with the chance to pursue a golfer’s love of their sport.

Golf Package Destinations

Many golf resorts in both the USA and around the world offer packages that usually include accommodations and green fees. Others may offer food and other activities in the total cost of the package. Purchasers may be able to custom plan their package to suit their personal needs and preferences.

Myrtle Beach and Arizona Golf Courses

Typical of many packages available are the ones at Myrtle Beach and Arizona which offer a choice of packages. Each package provides a variation of accommodation choices, choices of greens and the number of rounds of golf that may be played. The cost of each package reflects the contents of the package.

Play Golf all Year

Golfers may be found on greens in deserts as well as freezing weather conditions. The true enthusiast is not inhibited by weather conditions that are not always favorable. With many living stressful busy lives, golf offers both exercise and stress relief for those who play it. Greens all over the world cater to golfers and allow them play their sport all year round. Golf may be one of only a small number of outdoor sports played internationally all year round throughout the world. Seasonal deals are offered by resorts to attract patrons during all seasons and weather conditions.

International Visitors

Due to the increasing popularity of golf packages, many resorts are offering special deals that cater to international travelers and those who want to pursue their love of golf even during the coldest seasons of the year. Some packages provide the convenience of all travel details being arranged by the resort. The purchaser need only to worry about packing their bags and all other details are taken care of by the resort staff.

Popularity of Golf Packages

As more and more people are learning to play golf, golfing packages are becoming a more popular choice for vacations. Providing fun for the entire family, they are an economical choice for a holiday that combines relaxation with outdoor sporting pursuits. Many packages, such as the ones offered by Arizona and Myrtle Beach golf courses may also be an opportunity for international travelers to visit popular tourist destinations while engaging in their favorite pastime.

How To Plan A Personal Golf Tour

2010-12-12T21:38:00.001-08:00

If you’re a serious golfer, then you understand that combining your two favorite things, golf and vacations, is about as good as it gets. And if you’re thinking about taking a golf holiday, then you should take all of the necessary precautions to insure that you have a fantastic tour. There are so many great options to choose from that sometimes it’s tempting to try and squeeze every destination into one trip, but you might have a more successful outcome if you don’t. If you’re in the beginning stages of planning your getaway, here are some tips that will help you plan one of the best golf vacations ever.

Consider The Courses

If you’re planning on taking a group along with you, you’ll need to know in advance everyone’s golf level. It wouldn’t be fair to plan an advanced golf trip on advanced courses, like some of those in Myrtle Beach, if you have beginner or intermediate golfers on the trip. Combat this by taking an inventory of the golfers who plan to accompany you, and then you’ll be able to plan to golf at courses that will fit everyone’s playing level.

Plan For Extracurricular Activities

Even the most dedicated golfers need distractions sometimes. Many people who plan for a golf trip forget the importance of other things, such as comfortable accommodations, nearby and good restaurants, interesting shopping, and the occasional event that doesn’t revolve around a golf club. This is particularly important when non-golfing spouses are included in the trip.

Get Help Planning

With all of the course differences, it would be difficult to make the perfect golf travel plans on your own. But the good news is that you don’t have to. There are plenty of professionals who specialize in putting together ideal trips to Myrtle Beach and Arizona golf destinations as well as international destinations where you can play Scotland golf and Ireland golf. The best part of a vacation is the opportunity to relax, right? Why not start before the trip by letting the people with experience help you plan your perfect excursion?

So you see, it is possible to plan the perfect golf trip with a little forethought and planning. Not many people are lucky enough to get to combine their passion and vacation, so make sure that when you do, it’s the best that it can be.

From Winter Holidays to Golf Holidays with Arizona Magic

2010-11-30T20:58:00.001-08:00

If you are a golfer, your favorite color is probably green. So now is the time to plan some golf travel to places where the grass is always emerald, the sky always sunny. As winter golfers know, there’s no place better than where the sun shines over 300 days per year—in Arizona. Here are the three top Arizona golf travel destinations, each with its own distinctive attractions.

Scottsdale: Where They Live to Golf

The Scottsdale area has been named “America’s Best Place to Live for Golf” by golf expert Robb Report. The area boasts nearly 200 courses with layouts that range from traditional green fairways to the regional specialty, the cactus course. Serious golfers know that Arizona courses offer the challenge and quality they expect on golf trips here. Venues range from the Dinosaur Mountain course—the top-rated public facility in the whole country--to the show-stopping design of Superstition Springs.

Scottsdale, set in the heart of the Sonoran Desert, offers indigo skies that will get you out on the course or exploring the pristine desert trails, rivers, and mountains. Enjoy local spas that have incorporated traditional Native American healing rituals for the body and soul.

Sedona: Red Rock Splendor and New Age Mystique

The magic of Sedona, in the above photo, has lured many who find its red mountains and history fascinating. It also has great golf opportunities to match the spas, restaurants, and art galleries for which serve the New Age crowd who come for the healing and creative mystique that make Sedona famous.

For a memorable golf trip head for Sedona's premier golf course, the Oakcreek Country Club. This 18-hole championship golf course, nestled in the majestic Sedona red rocks, was designed by none other than the father-son team of Robert Trent Jones Senior and Junior. Also top-rated is the Hilton Sedona Resort, with an unbeatable combination of jaw-dropping splendor and golfing challenge.

Tucson: Snowbirds and Saguaros

As the second largest city in the state, Tucson is a hub of business and education as well as a resort for snowbirds who join the locals to enjoy the sunshine—which falls more than 340 days per year. From museums to missions, bird watching to horseback riding, there is something for every taste.

The mild climate and outstanding courses make Tucson a favorite for golf vacations. From traditional link courses to the unusual desert courses, you can play the same courses that the PGA pros do. Not to be missed is the Conquistador Course in a park-like setting that surrounds you with natural mesquite and palo verde trees punctuated by desert flora. Also among the many choices is Heritage Highlands, voted one of Golf Digest's Places to Play, with lush greens, varied playing environments, and a topography to challenge every level.

Wherever your golf trips may take you this winter, may you enjoy the greens and many blue skies!

10 Top Gifts for Golfers This Year

2010-11-23T18:22:00.001-08:00

It’s never too early to start shopping for the best gifts for the golfers in your life! Whether it is a friend, a regular member of your foursome, your boss, or your spouse, she or he will always appreciate your thoughtfulness. From golf magnets to golf vacations, there is something for every budget and every taste.

You might need to get very clever about getting preferences for such gifts as golf bags or club memberships, so use your best Sherlock Holmes skills. Of course gift certificates for golf catalogues and golf shops are sure to please as well. From least expensive to most memorable, here's the list for this year:

10. Golf Magnets. Choose from various scenes, $3, for the refrigerator or filing cabinet. Great little stocking stuffers.

9. Funky or Pretty Head covers. Golf club head cover (choose from rose, teddy bear, etc), starting at $15. Consider the personal tastes here!

8. Monogrammed Golf Balls. Starting at $20 a dozen. Good idea to see what brand he or she already prefers.

7. Golf Coffee Table Book. For example, World Atlas of Golf: the Greatest Courses and How They Are Played by Mark Rowlinson (Editor) Hardcover, $40. Fabulous coffee table book to inspire golf travel fantasies!

6. Designer Golf Bag. Check out the lightweight designer bags for her, e.g., the Glove It Geo model, $170. For the gal with good taste.

5. Golf GPS. These devices provide key distances on course and helps lower score. Prices start around $225, so check out the reviews. For the golfer who already has everything.

4. Pro Lessons. A certificate for 6 one-hour lessons with a pro. Price at Torrey Pines in La Jolla, California, home of the 2008 US Open, $665.00. Add lessons to any special golf trip for a real treat.

3. A Personal Caddy. Give caddy services for one year. Varies widely, but gets your golfer out of the cart. Game will improve, and so will waistline. About $50 per round at Brandon Downs.

2. Golf Membership. Imagine the thrill of getting to play all the time at a country or golf club. Price and availability vary widely. Check locally, or for more impact, choose a more exotic local and include travel expenses to enjoy it regularly. If not a membership, how about certificates for rounds of play?

1. Golf Trip to the U.S. Masters, President’s or Ryder Cup. Tickets are scarce, so good luck! Work out the details with an expert in planning golf packages to make it the most memorable golf experience ever.

Give the Gift of Golfing “Down Under” This Winter

2010-10-21T19:36:00.001-07:00

Golf vacations rate among the best gifts you can give the golfer in your life. As the long winter months and gift-giving holidays approach, now is the time to look over the options and make reservations while all the options are still open.

Why not make this a chance to know another country, another continent “Down Under”? In addition to enjoying the golf venues, golf travel a great way to explore geography and culture. Below are suggestions for more memorable golf vacations in Australia and New Zealand (photo left) that you’ll be talking about long after the snow has melted.

Australia: The Great Outdoors Beckons

Imagine yourself on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef, one of Australia’s most spectacular natural gifts, swinging your clubs on Hamilton Island, famous for its perfect weather, pristine beaches, and turquoise waters that will inspire you to partake of the multitude of water and land sports for which Australia is famous.

Not far from Melbourne lies the premier resort of Moonah Links, which bills itself as “the home of Australian golf.” Expertly adapted to the location, it boasts a champion level course and an all-levels course that meanders through the wildly beautiful Moonah woodlands. Off course, you can ride horseback on open beaches, swim with dolphins, and explore the winegrowing.

New Zealand: Cinematic Panoramas and Cultural Heritage

For breathtaking golf travel, there is no place like New Zealand. For example, the course at the award-winning Cape Kidnappers resort is regarded as a “modern marvel,” earning 41^st place in Golf Magazine’s ranking of the world’s top 100 courses. The surrounding Hawke’s Bay region is an outdoors person’s delight, with crystal trout-filled rivers coursing through rugged mountains and hills, ending in the sea.

In addition to challenging golf, New Zealand offers unparalleled opportunities for trekking, trout fishing, hot air ballooning, etc. No wonder so many filmmakers choose it when they need spectacular panoramas, as in Lord of the Rings! For cultural exploration, Maori heritage tours can be arranged.

TIP: Whatever your favorite golfer’s tastes may be, a professional golf trip advisor can help you arrange golf travel it for maximum impact. If this is for a spouse, add in opportunities for you to enjoy these exotic venues as well as some good shared experiences as a couple and watch your relationship blossom anew as you explore new horizons. Instead of being a golf widow(er), you’ll become a golf trip enthusiast!

Enjoy Golf Vacations with the Majors

2010-10-11T11:14:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for truly memorable golf vacations, head for one of the top tournaments and enjoy being a spectator. Even if you are just a “weekend duffer,” you can appreciate the best golf has to offer by watching the top-level players duke it out.

Which Are the Top Tournaments?

As fans know, the most prestigious of all events in men’s golf are known as the “Major” tournaments. These include the Masters, the U.S. Open, the British Open--also referred to as “the” Open Championship--and the PGA Championship. (We’ll look at women’s and senior events in upcoming blog posts.)

These are the tournaments that attract the most publicity. In fact, the most important statistic for top golfers is the number of Majors that he has won. Jack Nicklaus, with 18, is on top, and so far only Tiger Woods shows any promise of breaking it, as he garnered ten Majors titles before his 30^th birthday. Bobby Jones, by the way, is the only golfer to have won the “grand slam,” i.e., winning all four Majors in the same calendar year.

When and Where Are They Held?

The first Major of the year is The Masters, held in April every year at the Augusta National Golf Course in Augusta, Georgia. This is the only one to be held at the same course year in and year out. The others rotate the courses used, which allows you to visit a variety of courses on your golf trips. The U.S. Open is played in June, the British Open in July, and the PGA closes the Masters year in August. Here are the dates and venues for the 2011 Majors:

The Masters 2011: April 7 – 10, Augusta National Golf Club,

The US Open 2011: June 16 -19, Congressional Country Club, Blue Course, Bethesda, Maryland

The Open Championship: July 14 – 17, Royal St George's, Sandwich, Kent, England

PGA Championship: August 11-14, Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia

More Recommendations for Great Golf Trips

Even if you do not attend these prestigious events, most golfers enjoy the chance to play on some of the same courses that the champions have used. When you plan your next golf trip, look into some of the great courses that have hosted Masters tournaments over the year.
Whether you go before during or after a tourney, professional golf vacation planners can offer deals on golf packages that will make you want to pack your clubs and get going!

San Diego: Unbeatable for Year-Round Golf and Fun

2010-09-26T20:04:00.001-07:00

As the second largest city in California and fifth wealthiest in the U.S., nestled on the Pacific coast just north of Mexico, San Diego well deserves its reputation as one of the most beautiful, livable cities in the world. The agreeable year-round temperate weather allows residents and visitors to live outdoors as much as they like. What could be more perfect for great golf vacations any time of year?

With a golf course directory of over 90 courses from which to choose, including the eastern desert courses and the coastal tree-lined and links courses, golfers can return again and again to San Diego for dramatic venues.

For decades, the popular La Costa Golf Resort and Spa (photo at left) has drawn such celebrities and golf legend, including bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Lanny Wadkins, and Tiger Woods. It boats not just one but two stunning PGA championship 18-hole golf courses that will test your shot-making ability. You’ll traverse 400 acres of lush landscapes embroidered with beautiful streams and lakes, all with breath-taking panoramas. Golf Digest and Golf Magazine have listed it among the best places to play. Putting and chipping greens, a state-of the art driving range, and award-winning caddies top make this a must-visit golf resort.

Finally, do you want to extend your golfing years? Then visit the La Costa’s Chopra Center for Well-Being, designed by world-renowned holistic physicians Deepak Chopra and David Simon. Guests discover how to heal their bodies, minds, and spirits while indulging in a soothing, luxurious atmosphere. While there are certainly other fabulous golf courses in the area, such as Torrey Pines in spectacular seaside La Jolla, there is no place quite like La Costa!

And there is no place quite like San Diego for golf trips with friends and family. The recreational and tourist activities are hard to beat, including the world famous Balboa Park. There you’ll find San Diego Zoo, which although almost a century old, is known for its progressive practices. Among the 4,000 animals you’ll find the rare giant panda. Meanwhile, its sister park, the San Diego Wild Animal Park (aka Safari Park) features a journey to Africa tram that passes free-range enclosures with cheetahs, antelopes, lions, giraffes, elephants, zebras, okapis, and more.

Not far from La Costa Resort you’ll find Legoland California, for now the only such theme park outside Europe, based on those familiar primary colored toy bricks, complete with its newly opened water park. Of course for more water adventures, SeaWorld boasts whales and sharks—including a close-up-and-personal thrill ride through the latter.

When you can tear yourself away from the golfing fun and amusement opportunities, check out some of the historic sites, including Mission San Diego and the Serra Museum in Presidio Park for a look into early California history. With well planned golf packages, you might even squeeze in a day trip to Mexico!

When you want your golf vacations to include sea and sun, golf and fun, San Diego should be at the top of your list!

Golfing in the National Parks

2010-09-13T09:42:00.000-07:00

Most people recognize America’s national parks as some of our most valuable national treasures. What might not be so well known is that some of them also offer exciting golf vacations as well. Four national parks boast golf courses, each one a venue with a unique panorama and additional recreational opportunities.

My own recommendation would be to combine a golf trip to these national park courses either with a family vacation centering on getting to know the park, or to plan a golf vacation in which you explore neighboring golf courses as well. Experienced golf vacations planners serve as a great resource in maximizing the golf experience as well other activities. They can also help you find lodging and transportation tailored to your particular needs.

Here are some of the options for combining golf with a national park experience:

Yosemite National Park, California

As a long time visitor to Yosemite, I have often admired the lush greens of the

Yosemite Golf Course

that flanks the meadows as you enter from the South. Across from the historic Wawona Hotel, an impressive former stagecoach stop in early park days, this golf course is actually one of the few organic golf courses in the country. No pesticides are used and only gray water is used for keeping this 9-hole course as green as it was back in 1918 when it opened.

Golfers of all levels will find some challenges in this tranquil setting as well as easy access to the wonders of the nearby sequoia grove and the magnificent Yosemite Valley. Lodging at the rambling Wawona Hotel or the more luxurious

Ahwahnee Hotel

will definitely add to the aura.

Anacostia National Park, District of Columbia

The

Langston Golf Course

, located just five minutes from the Capitol, is an 18-hole course that includes a driving range. Langston bills itself as an inexpensive, accessible option for beginners and experts. After a pleasant round, you will still have plenty of time for the Smithsonian and other historic attractions of the U.S. nation’s capital.

Glacier National Park, Montana

The Glacier Park Lodge Golf, built by the Great Northern Railway in 1927, features the oldest grass greens in the Big Sky state. As it is located entirely within the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, all 9 holes have been named after former tribal chiefs. With panoramic views, undulating greens, wide fairways, this course is only open from late May-September (weather permitting). The historic Glacier Park lodge offers all the modern amenities all year long.

Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado

Your drives will travel farther in the thin air of the three courses located in this national park. Golf while the deer and the elk roam through mountain landscapes over a mile high. At Estes Park, for example, you can choose from a 9-hole executive course or the 18-hole course designed by Dick Phelps (alt. 8420) surrounded by towering jagged peaks.

Don’t worry if your car is stuffed with camping equipment instead of golf clubs. Just rent a set. A professional golf trip planner can help you with those details as well as any lodging or golf travel needs so that you just focus on enjoying our natural heritage and your golf game!

Enjoy the Golf Trip of a Lifetime: The 2011 Masters

2010-08-15T11:47:00.001-07:00

What’s the next best thing to playing great golf? Watching great golf being played!

Where is the best place to do this? The first April in Augusta, Georgia, when we find out whom Phil Mickelson will be putting that treasured green jacket on.

Of course I am talking about the Masters Tournament at the Augusta National Golf Club, which is scheduled for April 4 through 10 in 2011. If you want to witness the best golfing, this absolutely THE place.

And if you want to have the time of your life doing it, go for first class. The Masters Event Executive Package includes an amazing list of opportunities, experiences, and amenities for the golf fanatic. If you want to give the golfer in your life the golf travel experience of a lifetime, it makes a fantastic gift for birthdays or special occasions.

Here’s the short list of what you will enjoy with the Executive Package:

· Eight days and seven nights of luxurious accommodations at the downtown Marriott Augusta Hotel on the Savannah River

· Each day a unique collectable Masters gift will be delivered to your room

· Executive round-trip travel to and from the golf course for the competition

· Daily admission for the entire Masters competition, from Monday through Sunday

· The official daily program for the Masters event

· Daytime Southern hospitality at the elegant Magnolia Manner, including breakfast and luncheon, just 750 yards from the Augusta course.

· Ballroom galas every evening form April 7 through 11at the Marriot

· PGA Guest Speaker each evening Thursday through Sunday for autographs, pictures, questions.

Naturally you can count on being well taken care of by a dedicated travel staff that will be there to assist guests throughout their stay. Executive guests also enjoy access to open bars, cigar lounge, and game center available throughout the whole event. If you absolutely must work too, it comes with full business and secretarial services.

This most luscious of golf vacations also comes with a corresponding price tag of nearly $12,000 per person. If you can swing it, go for it. Even though the event is several months away, it is not too early to get your reservation in for this limited opportunity.

Whether you go first class or just plain classy, be sure to check with your friendly golf travel planners who can arrange for you to be there and enjoy the excitement of the best golf has to offer.

How To Plan a Great Golf Vacation

2010-08-10T14:32:00.001-07:00

When you want to plan your golf vacations, you have basically three options. Let’s look at the plusses and minuses of each approach. Then you decide! Here are the three options:

· Do it yourself golf trip
· A pre-arranged golf package trip
· A customized golf trip by a golf travel specialist

Do It Yourself

When you value freedom of choice, this option ranks tops. You get to decide where you go, where you stay, how you travel, tee times, and so on. If you want to plan that dream itinerary of playing famous English and Scottish golf courses combined with a tour of historic castles and gardens, you can decide exactly how much time you spend in each locale. This can work very well if you are traveling with a spouse who has “a different agenda” in mind as you can accommodate his or her wishes as well.

My friends John and Mary Ellen assure me that for them half the fun of their golf travel is the planning. It becomes a project for them as a couple, agreeing on an overall itinerary and then investigating the various points of interest using books and internet guides. One takes on finding the best transportation deals and the other looks for charming hotels. (I’ll let you guess who does which!)

For some however, all that planning is more of a hassle and time-eater. If you don’t have the time or inclination to do the groundwork, your trip may be a disappointment. In such case, the next two options might have more appeal.

Package Golf Vacation

If you are willing to trade freedom for convenience, you can select from numerous pre-panned package golf vacations. Not only do you save time by not having to plan, but you are likely to experience significant savings if you choose some of the special offers available.

Tour planners are able to secure discounts for golfing, lodging, and even travel because they have developed a relationship with providers. This also gives you, the customer, a certain peace of mind knowing that your vacation will probably unfurl just as planned as providers also have an incentive to keep that relationship going.

Golf vacation packages can cost as little as a few hundred dollars for a two or three-night stay in a modest place at a less popular course or deliciously self-indulgent for a full week at a luxury hotel at a famous resort. Thus your budget and taste are paramount.

If you take the time to look at specials, you can get more bang for your buck. During off-seasons, you can find some real bargains. For example, at some times of the year, you can play courses on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail for less than a meal at McDonalds.

Your Golf Trip Planner

When you want the freedom to choose when you go, where and when you play, and where you stay, but don’t want to spend all that time looking up the options and booking the details, you can ask a golf travel professional to plan your trip. He or she can do any necessary research and offer you clearly defined options, and all you have to do is pick! What could be easier and more fun?

This way you get some of the advantages of the above options, though of course you will not be getting the discounts from package vacations. You do get to relax knowing that a professional is making sure you will be well taken care of in and off the course.

No matter which route you choose, may your golf vacations be full of challenge, fun, and memory-making moments!

California, Here I Come!

2010-07-22T19:17:00.001-07:00

“I left my heart in San Francisco,” croons Tony Bennett. And indeed, nothing takes my breath away like view of the Golden Gate Bridge stretching from San Francisco to Sausalito over deep blue waters.

The continuing lyrics, “High on a hill, it calls to me,” remind me not only of Twin Peaks, Russian Hill, and Nob Hill, with their legends, but also of the Presidio with its stunning view of the bay and ocean. . . and with the most gorgeous urban golf course I have had the pleasure to know. When you want to combine golf travel with an urban escape, you can’t beat San Francisco for elegance and drama!

Situated in the forested softly sloping hills of the former Spanish and later U.S. fort, the Presidio Golf Course might just be San Francisco’s best kept secret! While it is one of the three oldest continuously operating golf courses west of the Mississippi, it was only opened for public play in 1996 during downsizing operations. The public course is known for its challenging 18-hole, par 72 course as well as for its privileged location. Across the street from the course sits the 1897 Tudor-style clubhouse, definitely one of the most magnificent examples of early clubhouse architecture that I’ve visited in my golf travels.

What makes San Francisco such an allure for golf vacations? Ask anyone who wants to combine golf while traveling with a non-golfing spouse. If you pick a great downtown hotel like the Grand Hyatt, you will be bombarded by shopping and attractions, for example:

· Enjoy world-class shopping at Neiman Marcus, Tiffany’s, Saks Fifth Avenue, William Sonoma, and more right outside the hotel door.

· Be transported a world away by entering the nearby gates of Chinatown.

· Take a ride with a cable car to Ghiradelli Square, Fisherman’s Wharf, and the Old Ferry Building for restaurants and unusual shops.

· Relive history with a tour of Alcatraz or the Old Mission Dolores.

· Stroll (or bike) through Golden Gate Park, and don’t miss the Victorian Conservatory or the De Young Museum (with collections of American, Asian, and African art)

· Have tea at the historic Cliff House and watch the sunset over the Pacific

At night, San Francisco lights up, and romance is heavy as the fog that sometimes rolls in. On a modest budget, consider an intimate romantic dinner just off Union Square at the Café Claude, a little bit of Paris with a little bit of jazz. If money is no object, and you want a truly memorable experience, head for Masa’s (but make your reservation early.)

With great golfing, city attractions, natural wonders, fantastic views, golf vacations to this beautiful peninsula offer memories of a lifetime. You’ll remember them every time you hear Tony Bennett sing his theme song!

The Ultimate in Golfing: Western Canada

2010-07-09T20:20:00.000-07:00

One of the great things about golfing is being out in the open air in beautiful natural surroundings. Combining your golf travel with the opportunity to enjoy a fantastic natural panorama is easy when you head to Canada.

Imagine challenging championship courses combined with vistas of snow-capped mountains. Imagine picture-worthy hazards such as wild elk grazing on the putting green. You’ll find all this and more in British Columbia and Alberta golfing!

Golfing at Whistler, Home of 2010 Winter Olympics

The Whistler Golf Club boasts a course designed by none other than Arnold Palmer, as well as three others. One is right on the grounds of the fabulous Fairmont Chateau, a luxury all-season resort nestled at the base of Blackcomb Mountain. In Whistler you can play on championship designed and award-winning courses while enjoying some of the most spectacular scenery.

There is something for everyone at Whistler, which is still basking in the afterglow of the 2010 Olympics. Off the course, you can hike, fish, canoe by day and enjoy fine dining by evening. Shop ‘til you drop and then indulge in a spa treatment and be ready to enjoy the rest of what this special resort has to offer. A golf vacations specialist can help you plan the trip that fits your budget.

Discover Alberta Golfing

For a breathtaking panorama, you can’t beat the Fairmont Banff Springs experience! Stanley Thompson, Canada’s premier golf course architect, designed the original 18 holes nearly a century ago, winding along the Bow River with a view of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle. An additional 9 hopes were added 20 years ago by Cornish and Robinson for some of the most memorable golf you will ever enjoy.

The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, built in Scottish Baronial style, also knows how to create memorable family vacations, from Magic Castle holidays (with cookies-on-arrival and glow-in-the-dark bowling) to “Girls Just Wanna Golf” holidays. This legendary resort also caters to the romantics with a food and wine festival and more. And of course you’ll want to save some time to enjoy the Canadian Rockies and at the thermal spas in the surrounding Banff National Park.

Take It to the Max

When you want ultimate golfing, head for these great resorts in Alberta and British Columbia. There is a tremendous wealth of family activities, outdoor adventures, and more to compliment your golfing vacation.

To make the most of your time and money, get a professional golf vacations planner to map out your itinerary, complete with tee times and reservations for all the fun you can have while golfing in Canada!

Nothing but the Best for Your Golf Holiday

2010-06-21T20:23:00.001-07:00

You are sitting in your office at work minding your own business and your boss walks in to inform you that you’ve been chosen to plan the company’s annual golf vacation. Wow! Where do you go from here? You love golf and have always loved the annual golf get-aways that your company offers employees but you never dreamed you would be the one planning the golf holiday. All the fun of every employee is resting on your shoulders at this point, but you also have to top last year’s golf resort. Not only do you have to pick the golf course but you have to have the itinerary for the week available to each employee traveling with the company. You know your boss is counting on you to make this company event one to remember.

The good news is that online you can have the assistance of people who have actually visited the golf resorts before posting them on their websites as well as an experienced individual arranging itinerary’s for everyone on the trip. You can shop golf package deals and book your destination rather within the United States or overseas. Try venturing into Florida for some golf in the sun or Alabama where you can enjoy the beaches and golf courses as well as beautiful resorts in the middle of a challenging golf course. Rather you want the eastern coast line for golfing or the Gulf Coast and the variety of golf courses found you can be sure that your only options will be ones that are top of the line. No more second guessing only to discover you booked hotel rooms in a rundown resort and the golf course is our ranked by the local goofy golf.

So, when your boss walks into your office and informs you that you are in charge of booking the golf vacation for the office is excited. You do not have to spend the entire plan ride biting your nails praying that you have booked a golf vacation that is better than your local golf course and an itinerary that will have everyone hoping from one wonderful event to another. Your company golf vacation is guaranteed to be one talked about for the rest of the year. Rather you are booking golf holidays for your family, friends or co workers make sure you know exactly where you are going and what you’re plans are before heading out. Online you will experience a helpful booking process and golf packages for all individuals.

Golf Around the World

2010-06-17T19:36:00.001-07:00

Golf holidays are becoming more popular with the golf resorts that are now available around the world. The problem was that you were guessing on the course or resort you choose or praying that the pictures online or in the travel brochure were the actual pictures and not some picture taken years ago or one that was copied and pasted to their website. Be sure your golf vacation destination is exactly what you expect. You can travel all over the world and have access to only the top of the line golf resorts and courses that have been experienced by real people instead of a phantom person who’s comment is written in the brochure or online blog.

Enjoy the best courses when it comes to parts of the “sunshine state” of Florida with courses and resorts in Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Myrtle Beach, Miami or even the family vacation of all times in Orlando with access to golfing with Mickey Mouse. Perhaps you prefer the cooler climates that the northern states offer. You will find a wonderful selection of affordable golf packages for you and your family or your business associates. Maybe you wish to venture out of the United States; you can choose a breathtaking course and resort in beautiful Spain or Ireland, you may even choose to hit a few golf balls on the courses available in Scotland. The destination is yours to choose and the packages available make every golf vacation affordable and unforgettable.

You can find the best of golf courses and resorts available in the golfing world. Start broadening your golf experience and bring home stories that will leave your friends and co workers wishing they had come along. There is a package for every budget and every climate destination you desire. Stop putting off your golf holiday and start planning the golf game of your life. With the assistance of personal who have experience firsthand your golf destination you are sure to be amazed. Enjoy all the benefits you will have access to when you book your next golf vacation online whether for you and your friends, family or co-workers. Make that impression on your boss or potential business partner when you book a golf vacation at a breathtaking resort and challenging golf course.

Ireland Golf, Guinness, and More

2010-05-27T09:50:00.001-07:00

You can easily imagine the rolling green meadows and parkland boasting over 350 golf courses in a land known as the Emerald Isle. There’s a reason that golfing has shot up to number six on the Lonely Planet’s guide to Ireland’s “must see/do” attractions.

As golfing has been a popular sport in Ireland nearly since its birth in nearby Scotland, Ireland golf has produced several top players in recent years, with players like Padraig Harrington, Paul, McGinley, and Darren Clark. Led by Clarke, they were part of the European team that successfully defended the Ryder cup. A young star to watch is Rory McIlory, who just turned 21, and who has already hit the World’s Top Ten. (Note: He beat out Phil Mickelson by four shots in April 2010 when he won the Quail Hollow Championship on the PGA Tour, shooting a course record 62 on the final day.)

Small wonder that there are so many good golfers as the country is punctuated with links and parkland courses from Northern Ireland to the south of the Republic of Ireland. Some of the most famous golf courses include the very exclusive Royal County Down Golf, Ballybunion, and Portmarnock.

Backspin Golf Magazine, an Irish publication, has started ranking the links and parkland courses separately. This year Mt Juliet, K Club (Palmer), and Adare topped the parkland courses, while Portmarnock, Royal County Down, and Royal Porthrush (Dunluce) headed the links list. Portmarnock has a truly privileged location, curving along a stretch of coastline on the Howth peninsula just 12 miles from downtown Dublin and has hosted twelve Irish Opens. The course has three nines -- Yellow, Red and Blue, with the latter two combined to make up the Championship course.

Even so, there are less well known ones to be savored. Kevin Markham, author of Hooked, in a recent blog describedThe Island Golf Club as “the most fun links on Dublin's shores.” As Markham put it, “Portmarnock and Royal Dublin get the hype and the awards, but there's a dash of adventure and considerably more impressive dunes at The Island.”

When it comes to adventures in Ireland, there’s a lot more than golfing, of course. When you plan your golf vacations, consider some of the other great things to do in this small jewel of an island. How about visiting a castle (and even kissing the legendary stone at Blarney Castle) or ancient abbey? Naturally after some great golf you deserve some Guinness and singing at an authentic Irish pub!

Explore the natural wonders of the Aran Islands or the lonely heath, or stroll on the banks of the Liffey and take in the Dublin architecture. My own favorite Dublin experience is the Abbey Theater, home to great dramas and dramatists. Are you more into the outdoors? For hiking, surfing, sailing, biking, Ireland offers plentiful gorgeous venues.

So get in your golf and Guinness, but don’t forget to see more of Ireland! There are some great golf packages that can put it all together for you. And on the courses, may the luck of the Irish be with you!

Historic Scotland: Home of Golf

2010-05-17T08:55:00.001-07:00

For golf many golfers, the ultimate pilgrimage is to the land that birthed the game, Scotland, in the 1500s. While the country has been a part of the United Kingdom for just over three centuries, it has maintained its own cultural identity—including golf, whisky, poetry, and dialect. What golf trip could be better than one with all that?

Given the historical connection of Scotland with golf, it is no surprise that there are so many outstanding golf courses, with a range of styles. The Scottish dream courses for the golf connoisseur include Troon, Glen Eagles, Turnberry, Muirfield, Loch Lomond, Carnoustie, and of course the historic Old Course at St. Andrews. Even if you cannot get into these exclusive courses, venues for the British Open and the Ryder Cup, you will find many exciting golf options in Scotland. Given that it is practically the national sport (competing with soccer/football for that title), there are also many public and private courses with easy access, especially in the Lowlands

For me, the epitome of a golf vacation to Scotland includes more than golf. Given my Scottish ancestry, the perfect trip also includes nature, history, literature, and single-malt whiskey! Can you ask for more?

Enjoy Unique Landscapes

One of the truly remarkable aspects of golfing in Scotland is the integration of golfing with spectacular and unique terrains. You will find link courses, parkland courses, and heathland courses. Parkland courses are fairways are graced by old stands of trees and natural waterfalls and ponds, some laid out over rolling meadows.

A day at a heathland course with its disctinctive scrubby heather and gorse may make you feel like you are living out a novel by the Bronte sisters (remember Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre from high school lit class?)

Connect with History and Poetry. Now of course for me there is nothing more poetic than a great golf swing. Yet when surrounded by castles and picturesque villages, I love nothing more than to explore the nooks and crannies of the region. For that, the Ayrshire area offers an exceptional experience. Not only do you have 44 golf courses to choose from , but you can also check out the historic castles and visit the home of the beloved poet, Robert Burns (of “Auld Lang Syne”).

History meets modernity in the capital city of Edinburgh, where after a memorable round of golf, one can enjoy some funky cafes and bars by night and tours of castles (including the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots,) and ragged coast by day.attractive countryside. History buffs can head for the remains of Linlithgow Palace, the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.

The Home of Golf

Just across the Firth of Forth from Edinburgh lies the Kingdom of Fife. There you will find Dunfermline, residence of early Celtic kings, with an historic abbey and Piteencrieff Park—land donated by the town’s most famous emigrant, philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. And here is the Mecca of golf, the world-renowned, magnificent St. Andrews! For full details on courses, events, and more, see the official website for the St. Andrews Links, the oldest and largest golf complex in all of Europe.

If you want the experience of a life time, look into golf packages that will give you the royal golf experience! The most exclusive do require considerable advance reservations, so it’s never too early to plan. At the same time, given the extensive opportunities, it is also never too late to pack your bags and enjoy Scotland and golf!

Famous Female Golfers: Karri Webb

2010-04-26T12:37:00.001-07:00

Golf is one of the more unisex sports available -- one where men and women (and sometimes even husbands and wives!) can comfortably compete against each other, and with practice and a well chosen course for your golf trip, each has an equal chance of winning. Today we start a series looking at the lives and times of some famous female golfers, starting with one that most of us are familiar with -- a current champion, Karri Webb.

Background

Karri Webb was born in Ayr in Queensland, Australia, in 1974, which makes her 36. Ayr is a hot, tropical place and si a very small town, so it is unsurprising that Karri got into an obscure sport (for young females) like golf.

Major Championships plays

Karri's most famous tournaments have been the 2001 LPGA Championship and the 2000 and 2001 US Women's Open. She also played the Women's British Open in 2002, the du Maurier Classic in 1999 and the Kraft Nabisco Championship in 2000 and 2006.

General info

Karri is a member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, and won the Vare Trophy for a low-scoring average in 1997, 1999 and 2000. In 1996, Karri Webb became the first ever player to surpass $1 million in single-season earnings on the LPGA Tour. She was the first rookie to surpass the hallowed $1m mark on LPGA, also.

Currently…

Karri is still playing as hard as ever! In fact, though her win ratios have dropped off significantly, she is playing in as many events now as she was in 1996. So don't think that you are getting to old to take on a golf package vacation … it's never too late to have a go! 2006 was one of her most impressive recent years, with 5 wins out of the 20-odd championships she played. However she regularly still places in the top 10, and she gets a couple of second places per year - enough to keep her going with the career she loves best.

And whether you're at the top of the field or not, wouldn't you love to get paid any amount to play Ireland golf and worldwide golf, all year round, instead of going to work every week?!

4 Top-Reviewed Utility and Hybrid Clubs

2010-04-15T19:49:00.001-07:00

If you're going on a golf trip, chances are you'll be pulling these clubs out of your bag more than any other. Drivers are important for confidence (and also for a bit of mild intimidation on whomever you are playing with!), but utility and hybrid clubs are just great all-rounders. Today we check out the five clubs that get the best reviews.

Cobra 2008 Baffler DWS Utility with Graphite Shaft

Reviewers say this club comes out of the long grass extra well. It has a dual weighting system to enhance moment of inertia, and a centre of gravity so low and deep that if they improve the club anymore, it will be underground! It has a great large face area, and a fastback crown design.

Wilson Fybrid Utility

It's not at the cheaper end of the scale. But if you're willing to let reviews guide your choice of clubs for a golf vacation, it's at the highly, highly desirable end of the scale! These are said to be more comfortable than the Nikes, Ping and Callaway hybrids.. One reviewer says this has effectively replaced his 5W, and his 3, 4 and 5I, and has still had a great experience.

Taylormade Raylor Rescue with Graphite Shaft

If you want to use your Arizona golf vacation to really improve your game, you might as well give yourself a head start with this club. For those who usually slice or push the ball with clubs more than 8I, this will be a key factor in getting your ball to go just where you want it to! If the other clubs aren't cheap, this one won’t ease your budget either … but perhaps you can build the cost into your golf trip!

Nike SQ Sumo Hybrid with Graphite Shaft

Another club that everybody says helps immensely with their consistency. I think there are a lot of golfers out there who blame themselves or their inexperience for an inconsistent game. Obviously a good workman won’t blame his tools for a bad job - however in the case of golf, there are so many stories of games immediately improving by half a dozen shots that you simply can’t ignore the power of the club. The Nike Sumo is on special at various places around the net currently … look around and you should get a nice surprise on the price tag!

Great Golfing from Pebble Beach to the Napa Valley

2010-03-31T09:03:00.001-07:00

"If I had only one more round to play, I would choose to play it at Pebble Beach. I've loved this course from the first time I saw it. It's possibly the best in the world." ~ Jack Nicklaus

I totally agree with Jack Nicklaus! From the panorama of a blue-green sea and wind-swept cypresses, Pebble Beach calls to me every year. As there is so much to do in this part of California, my wife loves to accompany me on these golf vacations, giving us an added bonus for our own relationship.

This time, as we’ve visited the sights of Carmel and Monterey often, on our latest jaunt, we chose to explore the famed Napa wine area. Spring turned out to be an ideal time to visit as the temperatures were moderate and the peak tourist season (May to October) was still a ways off.

There were so many high points that I can only share a few that really stood out on this golf trip:

What would a Napa trip be without winery tours? Sure we stopped at several boutique wineries for tastings throughout our stay, but for a deeper introduction to wine-making, we really got a lot out of our tour at a winery where we followed the grape’s journey from the vineyard to the cellar to the finished wine. I was taken enough by the Fume Blanc to buy a whole case! My wife was snapping away with her camera nonstop as the sheer beauty of the area is incredible.

Great wines mean great dining, and we were lucky to get a reservation for the highly touted restaurant in Yountville. After a day of sight-seeing, we found it very peaceful to settle into the golden sunset haze that infused the dining room as we embarked on a 9-course culinary adventure, each delicious dish carefully paired with a complementary (but alas not complimentary!) wine.

The next day as part of a golf package, I had my day on the links at the Eagle Vines Golf course in American Canyon. Designed by Johnny Miller, it only opened a few years ago with 18 holes and 7,283 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72, and some of the best views you’ll ever have!

Meanwhile my wife let her inner artist out, dabbling in landscape painting with a private lesson at Alla Prima. Her surprisingly good oil rendition of a Napa hillside scene hangs on our wall as a treasured reminder of one of our best golf vacations ever. Maybe next time she’ll make it a painting of a golf course!

Tee Time

2010-03-18T18:34:00.000-07:00

I am a dedicated golfer and although my wife is not, she still enjoys the fact that I make it a part of my routine to go on golf trips at least one weekend out of every month. She gets to vacation by the pool or spa while I get to play golf at some of the best courses there are to choose from.

We’ve taken many wonderful trips over the years and even spent time at some of the most exclusive Scotland golf courses. I’ve played in many amateur tournaments and even came close to professional status at one time but I’d rather just play for the fun of it and not for a paycheck. I get so much enjoyment from getting up early and playing 18 holes of golf before most people have their first cup of coffee in the morning.

I belong to a country club that often sponsors golf trips for the members. We usually go on four trips a year as a group and have played at some of the top courses in the country. It’s always a real honor to play on the same course that the pros play on. I’ve had the privilege of meeting some of the great golfers of our time such as Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, and Phil Mickelson.

Living at Myrtle Beach makes it possible to golf just about all year long on my home course. My wife and I also own a condo in south Florida and often travel there during the winter months when the weather is just a bit too chilly to golf at home. I have to admit I’ve enjoyed every minute that I’ve been able to spend on the golf course; it has been a way of life for me for most of my adult life and am sure I will continue to golf for as long as I’m able to hold a club.

Strengthening Exercises for Golf: Your Core

2010-02-18T19:14:00.001-08:00

There's a reason that the word "core" has both a physical and metaphorical meaning! In bodily terms, your core is made up of your back muscles, inner abdominal muscles and pelvic muscles. In metaphorical terms, something that is at the core lies at the center of everything, and affects everything. This is especially true for your core muscles, and your golf game! If you’re going on a golf vacation, the time to start strengthening your core is now. We'll show you how.

Ab Cruches

If you have never been shown how to do a sit-up properly, you should either watch an instructional DVD, or go to the gym and ask one of the attendants for help before you embark on a full on program of ab crunches. If they aren’t done correctly, you have the potential to ruin your back or your neck … which certainly won’t make your golf holiday worth going on!

Get some professional advice on how to do ab crunches and how many you should do, and then get going on your program!

Lateral pulldowns

You'll need to be at the gym for these, but they are an awesome exercise. You sit on the machine, grasp a long weighted bar above your head, and pull it down behind your head til it touches your shoulders. Great for your shoulders, your back, and your core strength. This exercise is an easy one to team one with pelvic floor lifts - essential for female golfers.

Supermans

Once you hear how to do this exercise, the strange name makes sense! Lie on the floor on your stomach with your arms out in front of you, and lift your feet and hands each around 6-12 inches off the ground. If you use your imagination, you'll look like Superman flying through the air! Concentrate on the contraction of your lower back muscles, and you'll have less chance of injury on your golf vacation.

Long Weekend Golf Holiday Planner: 3 Nights and Days in Miami

2010-02-10T09:55:00.001-08:00

Beautiful Miami - the humidity of the city lays like a blanket over you, shielding you from the horrible temperature fluctuations of the arid areas of the country. Gorgeous beaches, friendly people, and great golf! If you're looking for a quick golf vacation, Miami has plenty to offer. We help you plan a long weekend full of golf and entertainment in the beachside city.

Day 1: Bonaventure West

The West course of Bonaventure was designed by Charles Mahannah, and includes six par three holes - a nice easy way to warm up to your golf vacation! It has a gentle slope of only 118, and though it is only three-star rated, is reasonable all-round.

Afternoon 1: Thriller Miami

Yes, you'll have Michael Jackson playing in your head for the whole tour - but it is worth it! These water tours of Miami are said to be very funny, and great value at only $30 each.

Day 2: Inverarry East

Miami seems to love golf courses with an East and West component, designed in very different styles. Both of the courses here were designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr, and have been the site of PGA and LPGA events. The East course is a little longer, and also a bit tighter than the West course and requires good accuracy.

Afternoon 2: Uhma Spa

After two days of intensive golfing, you probably just want to crash at your hotel! Crash at Uhma Spa today instead - this fully organic, green day spa in South Beach comes highly recommended. Enjoy an organic scrub with the latest beauty technology … great, even for the boys!

Day 3: Heron Bay Golf Club

Give yourself some wonderful memories to take home from your golf holiday- make Heron Bay Golf Club your last long weekend course. The course recently ranked in Golf Magazine's top ten places to play, and is a pro favorite.

Afternoon 3: Miami Seaquarium

The Miami Seaquarium is one of the foremost collections of sea life available anywhere in the US! They have killer whales and dolphins, asa well as the usual sharks, fish and seahorses. You can also interact with the dolphins if you want - amazing!

Long Weekend Golf Holiday Planner: 3 Nights and Days in Pebble Beach

2010-01-19T20:11:00.001-08:00

Jack Nicklaus has said that if he had only one more round of golf left to play, he would do it at Pebble Beach Golf Links, such is his love of the course. This location is one of the few in America with three five-star courses -- one of the only catches is that you must be a guest at one of the Pebble Beach Resorts to play at many of them. At least you won’t be stuck for choice in the accommodation arena! Pebble Beach is mostly known as a golf mecca, but there are plenty of things to do after you've had your fill of chasing a ball around a paddock! We check out the best courses and after golf activities in Pebble Beach for golf vacations.

Day 1: Pasatiempo Golf Course

You are probably itching to get to Pebble Beach Golf Links, Nicklaus's absolute favorite course … but hang onto your hats! Let yourself warm up at Pasatiempo, a four star rated course with a 136 slope. There are certain tee times for public play -- Tiger Woods, Bobby Jones and Ken Venturi have all been known to play here.

Afternoon 1: Monterey Bay Aquarium

Seahorses, jellyfish, ebra sharks and even acorn barnacles can be found here -- get out of the heat and the wind, and enjoy the coolness of undersea life.

Day 2: Spyglass Hill golf course

This Robert Trent Jones Sr golf course is a five star course with a slope of 148. It incorporates two distinctly different sorts of terrain -- a good way to get extra value out of your golf vacation, feeling that you’re playing on two different courses! Strategy is the name of the game here.

Afternoon 2: Big Sur Tours

Travel the local California coast in a luxury car, taking advantage of your host's local knowledge. You get to personalize your own tour, but have all the benefits of a guide.

Day 3: Pebble Beach Golf Links

If you've managed to contain your excitement and save the best for last, you'll be left with a lasting positive impression of Pebble Beach golf holidays from this course. This course regularly plays host to the world's biggest golf events, and is known for both its beauty and challenge. It opened in 1919.

Afternoon 3: Hearst Castle

From the world's best golf course to the world's most expensive house -- marvel at the excesses of William Randolph Hearst in person, touring what was once his castle. And then try to go back to your five star resort without resentment!

Long Weekend Golf Holiday Planner: 3 Nights and Days in Phoenix

2010-01-10T20:41:00.001-08:00

Phoenix was recently named ''America's Best Place to Live for Golfers" in the Robb Report … and with the sunny days, fine weather and lack of wind around, we can understand why! It is also a great place to go to check out what the rest of America has to offer. Today we give you a suggested vacation plan for golf holidays to Phoenix, with a day-by-day guide.

Day 1: Dinosaur Mountain at Gold Canyon Golf Course

Unpack those bags quickly, and get out to Arizona's number one rated public golf course -- just relax long enough to be sure you can take in the beauty at holes 4 and 5! This is a course with gorgeous views and steep elevation changes, a slope of 143 and rating of 4 stars.

Afternoon 1: Phoenix Zoo

The Phoenix Zoo is open every day and costs just a few dollars to get in -- it is home to more than 1,400 animals ffrom around the world. You'll want to brush up on the various species of birds and other wildlife you might see on the course!

Day 2: Kierland Golf Course

Rather than trying to transport a well-behaved tropical course into the unruly desert, this Scott Miller course appreciates the beauty of the desert, and thrives on its colors and flora. The hospitality is fantastic, and if you have chosen to stay in the Scottsdale resort corridor, it is only a short trip away.

Afternoon 2: Phoenix Art Museum

This is home to around 17,000 artworks from around the world, including artists in Asia, Europe,and Laitn America. There is an interactive gallery for children … but even the biggest, oldest and meanest kids have been known to enjoy it!

Day 3: Grayhawk -- Talons Course

Enjoyable and challenging are the keywords for the Grayhawk Talon course, designed by David Graham and Gary Panks. This was in Golf Magazine's 'Top 10 you can play', and has breathtaking views of the McDowell Mountains and Sonoran Desert. Slope of 141, and rating of 4.5 stars.

Afternoon 3: Turf Paradise

If your golf holiday to Phoenix is during the traditional golf season, it is probably also during Turf Paradise's horse racing season. Nothing better than a sprt where you can dress up and not be active for a while … and drink a little champagne. This is a golf vacation, after all!

Golf Trip Tips for Beginners: Your Swing

2009-12-15T11:59:00.001-08:00

It is just about the only action in a game of golf that you make -- and therefore the only part you can improve on! Your swing will be the focus of many sunny, relaxed days if you are a beginner golfer -- but before you can improve it, you need to understand it. If you are going on a golf trip or golf vacation, it's the perfect time to brush up on your technique -- we get you started.

A good golf swing is…

There are several criteria to make a good golf swing -- in general, not singularly. The main criteria of success is how close to the hole you get, obviously! Your golf swing should also:

Be comfortable -- you shouldn't make any movements that might injure you
Be strong -- you should slowly learn how to hit the ball further and further
Be consistent -- you should have a system for ensuring that your swing is the same every time, when you are in the same situation
Be flexible -- if you are in a different situation, you need to be able to adjust your swing accordingly

Practice time

Experts recommend that you hit at least 50 balls twice a week, or two buckets of 50 once a week. If you are going on a golf trip, you'll obviously get much more intensive practice in a shorter amount of time.

The basics of a good swing

If you golf right handed (which can be different to being right-handed in general life), stand with your left shoulder facing the ball. Other way round for a left-handed golfer.
Your shoulder should be parallel to where you are aiming
Feet should be shoulder-width apart, and you should bend your knees slightly to help your body rotate
Grip-wise, your left hand should be ¼ inch from the top of the club, with your thumb going down its length. The little finger of your right hand should be between your middle and forefinger of your left hand, and the other fingers slotted in between. Right thumb should go down the shaft also.
Hold the club firmly but not tightly -- firm handshake tightness will be fine
Keep your arms loose on the backswing, with your weight on the right side
The apex of your swing should be shoulder height
Watch the center of the ball on the way down
Rotate your hips left (if you are right handed)
Your hips should clear the hitting zone before your hands
Snap your right wrist on impact to get the best distance

Keeping these tips in mind should ensure that your golf trip is a time for improvement, not frustration!

Hybrid Clubs - Should You Bring Them on Your Next Golf Trip?

2009-12-10T11:58:00.000-08:00

Golf is a very simple game -- there really isn’t much room for innovation and improvement in the game itself, only the players within it. There has been one major innovation in recent times, though -- hybrid golf clubs. They are often used in place of the long irons in your set -- the flatter that iron is, the more it is likely to defeat you! Hybrid clubs are used to replace the three and four irons most usually, and some players are even using them in place of the five and six irons. Should you bring them on your next golfing vacation? We explore the ups and downs of hybrid clubs.

What are hybrid clubs?

They combine the features of both wood and iron clubs, hence the name! Basically their design helps ensure that recreational golfers can get the ball in the air more easily, make mishits fewer and farther between, and not quite so dramatic as they might have otherwise been.

Hybrid have a squarer face at the point of impact -- or at least, players are better able to keep them square at impact. One of the downfalls of long irons is that they simply don’t get much practice time, so incorporating the features of a wood (which we are more used to using) in a club used in long iron situations immediately helps improve your game.

However it isn’t only amateurs that can benefit by using hybrid clubs; and using hybrids certainly doesn’t mean that you'll be limiting your game in any way for later on. A significant proportion of golfing professionals touring the world now use hybrid clubs. You can do exactly the same thing by taking hybrids on your next golf vacation!

Improvement on shots hit out of the rough is the biggest benefit of hybrid clubs -- if you're a beginner or intermediate golfer, this will help ensure that several bad games on unfamiliar courses don’t ruin your entire golf holiday. When you use a long iron to hit out of the rough, it takes a lot of skill to overcome the issue of the grass grabbing the face and hosel, meaning that many out-of-the-rough shots are low and short. And generally disappointing! Hybrid clubs are not cheating -- they are simply the way the game is evolving.

I would recommend that you look into bringing hybrid clubs on your next golf trip. Rent a set first and check out the benefits -- you won’t want to go back!

Top Four Beachside Courses for Golf Vacations

2009-11-02T21:37:00.001-08:00

Beachside golf courses are actually quite common -- aside from the bothersome wind factor for your swing, beachside locations lend themselves well to golf course building. The sea breeze helps cool down bodies that are out in the sun all day, there is usually quite a bit of rain to keep the grounds nice without irrigation, and views are superb. Best of all, there are several great beachside courses for golf vacationslocated right in the US. Today we are checking out 4 of our favourites from across the country.

Caledonia Golf & Fish Club

This course in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina was built upon a working rice plantation site. In its inaugural year, it was ranked 5th Best New Public Course in America by Golf Digest, and has been ranked 30th in Golf Magazine's Top 100, and 31st among the best 'Upscale Courses in America'. It is pricier than some other beachside courses, but well worth it. There are centuries old live oak trees and a slope of 132v on this 4 ½ star rated course.

Legends - Heritage Club

Still in Myrtle Beach, the Legends (Heritage Club) is at the other end of the price scale from Caledonia, but not so distant in playability, scenery or service. This was also built on an historic plantation, and has 600 acres of beautifully scented giant magnolias ... divine! Just don’t hit your ball into them too many times. It has a slope rating of 137, and an overall 4 and a half stars.

LPGA International - Legends

Make your way over to Daytona Beach, Florida, and you can enjoy sun, surf and plenty of golf at the LPGA International Legends course. It was designed by Arthur Mills, and just like in South Carolina, giant magnolias and pine trees abound. The clubhouse is Mediterranean style, and there is a gorgeous banquet room after you've worked up an appetite on your golf vacation with all that sea air!

Poppy Hills

This is one of the nicest Pebble Beach, CA courses on which you can play if you aren’t staying at one of the affiliated Pebble Beach resorts. It was designed by Robert Trent Jones, and was the first US course to be owned and operated by an amateur golf association. It isn’t easy on the wallet, nor is it easy on the legs ... but the challenge is extremely rewarding! Make your way from the tree lined greens to the white-sand lined shores in your spare golf vacation time.

Five Hot Tips for Left-Handed Golfers

2009-11-02T21:35:00.001-08:00

If you are planning a golf vacation, and also belong to the 11 percent of people that are left-handed, you may be feeling a little apprehensive! Perhaps your spouse is keen, even though your game isn’t quite what it could be. Perhaps you're hoping that this golf trip will be the jump start that your game needs. Today we give you five hot tips for left handed golfers to pay attention to before you go on your next golf vacation.

1. Get the right clubs.

This is imperative! It sounds odd, but like left-handed guitarists, left-handed golfers often learn to play on right-handed equipment. Guitars and golf clubs are both quite expensive, and the right handed version is more readily accessible and cheaper. However, if you're going on a golf vacation, it is the perfect time to make the switch to proper, left-handed clubs.

2. The Simple Golf Swing by David Nevogt

Grab a copy of this book -- it is a great start and much less expensive than professional instruction (though don’t doubt that all that money is worth it!). He gives his readers a guarantee that they will reduce their score by at least seven strokes, or he'll refund the purchase price of the book. There is a special version of the manual for left handed golfers … despite what many righties think, there is more to learning left-handed than just reversing techniques.

3. Watch some DVDs

Check out some of the following famous golfers for tips on swing and follow through specifically for left handers before your next golf trip:

Nick O'Hern, Australian
Mike Weir, Canadian
Bob Charles, New Zealand
Phil Mickelson, US
Kevin Wentworth, US
Russ Cochran, US

4. Get left-handed golf instruction

Don’t bother with right-handed instructors, unless they have some sort of guarantee or extensive experience teaching left-handers. You could look into doing this in conjunction with taking your golf vacation -- no better excuse to fully focus on your game than having a holiday!

5. Pay most attention to your alignment

The place where most left-handed golfers go wrong is the body alignment. This is very difficult for right handed people to teach to lefties -- it just doesn’t come naturally! Learn the correct body alignment technique, and make perfecting it the focus of your next golf trip.

Golf Vacation Destinations with Awesome Non-Golf Activities

2009-10-12T12:02:00.000-07:00

If you’re planning a golf vacation, you obviously love golf. However, if you’re like most healthy, well-balanced individuals, you don’t eat, sleep and breathe the sport! So today we are looking at some awesome worldwide destinations with well-known activities other than golf for your vacation! We'll check out some top courses in each city to create a perfect golf vacation, but also the other local attractions.

Maui Golf Vacations

Head to Maui for your golf vacation, and you'll not only get access to some very picturesque courses and beautiful weather, you can learn to surf when you aren't teeing off. There are plenty of beginner surfing schools in Maui, and the break is quite gentle. Most surfing schools guarantee you'll stand up the first lesson you take!

Golf wise, you must check out Kapalua Plantation and Wailea - Old Blue Course on your golf trip to Maui.

Las Vegas Golf Vacations

The golf courses aren’t the main reason that most tourists come to Vegas ... so the alternative activities are pretty obvious! Aside from laying down all your money at the craps table, the roulette wheel or on a poker hand, Vegas also has hiking and climbing, skydiving, ballooning, zoos and auto racing to enjoy, among other things.

Check out courses like Desert Pines and Rever at Anthem/Concord to keep it a golf vacation.

Costa del Sol Golf Vacations

For some, there is no better golf vacation destination than Costa Del Sol in Spain. Beautiful weather and stunning clear oceans make scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing and water skiing popular. You can also go on Jeep safari tours when you aren't debating the pros and cons of iron over wood.

Hot courses in Costa del Sol include Los Naranjos, Rio Real, and Valderrama.

Ediburgh Golf Vacations

If music as well as golf is a passion of yours, then take your golf vacation at the time of the Ediburgh Festival, a week-long music event. There are also plenty of theaters, great shopping and heritage buildings and areas to take in.

Edinburgh's finest in terms of golf includes Blairgowrie, Dunbar and Gleneagles, all must-plays on a golf vacation.

High-Ranking Golf Vacations

2009-10-12T11:35:00.001-07:00

If you're travelling hundreds or thousands of miles for a golf vacation, why not make sure you're traveling to the best? Here we look at five of the courses across the globe that have high rankings. It's a great way to ensure a memorable golf trip.

1. Pebble Beach Resorts

Plan your next golf trip to Pebble Beach resorts, which was ranked the No. 1 golf resort in America by Golf Digest magazine in 2008. Jack Nicklaus has said that if he had only one round of golf left to play in his life it would be at Pebble Beach Resorts. The course has hosted the 1972, 1982, 1992 and 2000 U.S. Open Championship tournaments. It was designed by Jack Neville and Douglas Grant,and has been open since 1919. You must be a guest at one of the four Pebble Beach resorts to play on the golf course, so book your golf trip accommodation and pay your green fees at the same time.

2. Gullane No. 1 Course

Quite possibly this is the best golf course in Gullane, and arguably the best in Scotland. There are plenty of undulating holes to create a challenge on this par 71, 6,466 yard course, which has a panoramic view of Edinburgh, Fife and the Forth Bridge.

3. World Woods -- Pine Barrens

Okay, we realize that this course is ranked No. 64 in the world, not No. 1. We wouldn’t have much of a top 5 article if we only looked at the No. 1 club in the world for golf vacations, though! The style of this course is often compared to Pine Valley in New Jersey -- a course which is often considered as the No. 1 course in the entire world. The holes at this course are enjoyable, but certainly a challenge! There are huge elevation changes, stunning pine forest surrounds, and beautifully manicured fairways.

4. Port Royal Golf Club

This club in Bermuda has a host of No. 1's to its name, from golfing publications and websites the world over. It has gorgeous ocean views throughout most of the course, with one of the highlights being a par 3 shot to the green on cliffs overlooking the ocean. Work on your accuracy, then plan your golf vacation!

5. Club Campestre San Jose

This course was designed by one of the world's No. 1 golfers of all time -- Jack Nicklaus's signature enterprises. It uses saltwater-resistant paspalum variety grass, making it easier to maintain in the desert conditions in which it resides. There are a further six championship courses to experience in the Cabo San Lucas area on your golf vacation.

Oahu and Maui -- Hawaii's Best Courses for Golf Vacations

2009-09-24T11:21:00.001-07:00

It sounds like paradise … it's enough to send you into a dreamy doze just thinking about wandering around in the gorgeous Hawaiian climate, lazily hitting a few balls while soaking up the naturally lush grass and palm tree dominated scenery. Aahh! Golf in Hawaii is almost as big as surfing, and the tiny state actually has some gorgeous, world-class golf courses. We look at some of the best courses for golf vacations in Hawaii's two biggest cities, Oahu and Maui.

Oahu Country Club

Alex Bell designed the Oahu country club -- but that probably means little to most of you, considering Alex Bell was of golf-course-designing age in 1906 … when this course opened. It is one of the mainstays of Hawaiian golf, but is also one of the most expensive courses in the country. Grab a golf package here for best value on both accommodation and play. It is quite a short course, only 6,000-odd yards, for a par 71.

Turtle Bay - Fazio

George Fazio's only Hawaiian course is in Oahu, at Turtle Bay. This course hosted the LPGA Tour's Hawaiian open, and the inaugural Senior Skins game was also held here. The bunkers are deep, but the fairways are generous … so if you run into trouble there is nobody to blame but yourself! The slope rating is 122, and users consistently give the course four out of five stars.

The Dunes at Maui Lani

When compared to Oahu's historic offerings, the Dunes at Maui Lani is both much more modern, and much more cost effective than the Oahu Country Club. It was named among Hawaii's best public access course for both 2005 and 2006, and made it into Golf Magazine's Top 100 courses for 2000, publicizing it to millions of golf trip takers. The golf carts have been the only complaint that we could track down about this course, which was designed by Robin Nelson and has a par 72 over 6,800 yards.

Kapalua - Plantation

A little longer than most golf courses, this par 73, 7,200 yard offering designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore is an awesome course … but you probably won’t have a chance to notice that at first. The scenery will take up all of your attention for at least the first ten minutes you are on this course while on golf vacation - it looks exactly like the photos! Views over the bay and pineapple plantations make it stunning, and keep pros like Tiger Woods, David Duval, Ernie Els and Justin Leonard coming back year after year.

Gulfport -- Mississippi's Best Courses for Golf Holidays

2009-09-24T11:18:00.001-07:00

Known for catfish, the magnolia tree, and the Mississippi River, Mississippi has quite a concentration of great, challenging courses for golf travel and golf vacations. Short and very challenging courses are the state specialty when it comes to golf, with courses that have a par 72 at lengths of over 7000 yards in other areas of the U.S., often averaging out at 6,500 or so in Mississippi. We have a detailed look at some of the most highly regarded courses in the state by golf vacationers.

Windance Country Club

This golf course is an 18-holer designed by Mark McCumber, with a rating of 73.1. The par is 72 over quite a short 6,660 yards. There are no major areas of complaint from players, with the price being reasonable, staff being friendly, and the course usually in great shape. There are a huge range of hotels nearby that sometimes offer golf packages, and Windance is one of the closest courses to the center of Gulfport.

The Oaks

Stephen Caplinger and Chris Cole designed the Oaks golf course, and they made it a toughie! It has a par 72 over only 6,880 yards. It is one of the newest golf courses in Gulfport, opening in just 2005. The very same year it won a spot in Golfweek Magazine's list of best public access courses, and the staff have been among the characteristics that have helped keep it among the top courses for golf holidays and golf travel in the country. The practice area is a big benefit for beginners.

Dogwood Hills

One of the mainstays of Gulfport courses for golf holidays since 1991, Dogwood Hills has a par 72 over a tiny 6,000 yards. It was designed by Brent Williams, and has an overall rating of 69.0. It's a little further out from the center of town, but with lovely scenery. As one of the less expensive courses, it is well regarded in its category.

The Grand Bear

Designed by the man himself, Jack Nicklaus, the Grand Bear course in Gulfport is one of the main attractions for couples and singles on golf travel around the country. Players make comments like "the best course I have played in my life!" "I'd highly recommend this course if you are in the area." It has plenty of five star ratings. The quiet is something that a lot of players notice, especially those on golf holidays from the city -- the soundtrack to your tee consists of wind, birds, and nothing else!

Top-of-the-line golf travel

2009-08-14T14:59:00.001-07:00

Booking a vacation can be challenging with all the options available and all the web sites who claim to offer only the best. What about the all important golf holiday for important clients or for a group of friends to resorts you never experienced before? Are you tired of booking golf courses and resorts that promise to be full of adventure, elegant resorts and challenging golf courses only to find out upon arrival that they are nothing like you were led to believe?

Put an end to all that and rely on the company that experiences the locations before offering package deals to you. Experience a site that offers only top quality vacations and takes the annoyance of booking golf holidays out of your life. Offering you stateside golf vacations or golf vacations in other countries, the company will meet all your needs when it comes to your business trip or family vacation. You can enjoy taking care of the majority of your travel needs from reservations to map locations when you rely on the online company that puts a new meaning in golf holidays.

Now you can make the memories you have been dreaming of when it comes to the perfect golf vacation when you book your travel needs with a reliable source that actually experiences the areas before offering them to you and your guest. Working with a company that knows the important of a great golf game and a wonderful golf vacation will keep you returning for all your golf vacationing needs. You will find the location you dream off and prices you can afford when you browse through the numerous packages in areas all around the world. Travel to Arizona, Florida, Spain, New Mexico, Nevada, Ireland and other beautiful as well as exciting places when you book your golf holiday needs with the professionals who make golf happiness a reality. With the wonderful pricing and amazing golf courses offered you are sure to have the experience of a lifetime no matter how many golf holidays you book or where you travel.

Whether it is business or pleasure you should receive the golf vacation you desire at a price you can afford. With the use of your computer you can book your golfing needs today and start packing tomorrow for the golf experience of a lifetime. Take advantage of the assistance of a company that offers you only the best when it comes to golf courses, resorts and a variety of locations to choose. Make your golfing dreams a reality and experience golf in the way you thought only available to golf pros.

Combine Vacation and Golfing

2009-08-05T20:48:00.001-07:00

What if you had a way to please your family as well as yourself when it came to the yearly family vacation? What if you were able to combine your golfing hobby and your family fun time into one affordable vacation? Perhaps you and your friends are ready for adventure on the golfing green on foreign soil? Are you ready to venture outside of your normal golf game and experience the time of your life at exclusive resorts that are not only adventures and challenging but affordable? Well, sit back and book your reservations for the golf holiday of your lifetime.

For affordable prices and fun for the whole family can enjoy golfing during the day, or your family can enjoy the sights while you play, then put an end to the day in the surrounding areas. With expert advice you can plan the vacation or business trip you have been searching for when it comes to golf and adventure.

You can take advantage of numerous golf courses as well as the resorts that accompany them when you rely on the options that are brought to you by individuals who know how important golf is to you. Whether you are planning a golf vacation for you and a group of friends, your co-workers, important potential clients or just a family vacation, you can rely on the resources you have access to online. Enjoying booking your travel needs at one convenient location and find prices that will amaze you whether you travel stateside or out of the country.

Enjoying browsing through places that offer beautiful country along a spacious yet adventurous golf course or sandy beaches where you can enjoy the warm weather and a day full of golf. No matter what you choose you will find a wonderful selection of hotels, resorts and golf courses that will fit exactly what you have been searching for in a golf holiday. Say good bye to the every weekend routine of your local golf course and say hello to travel, adventure and fun.

You will have the access of an itinerary that will come in handy when it comes time to keeping you on schedule as well as suggestions to wonderful restaurants and local attractions that will keep you busy in between golf games. The decision is yours when it comes to location and the variety of options will amaze you as well as the price of the different packages that will leave you breathless. Travel abroad and enjoy the golf game of your life and make the memories that will last you forever when you book your golf holiday through the professionals that know how important a golf holiday is to you.

Don't Let the Good Golfing Weather Pass You By

2009-07-28T14:38:00.001-07:00

Summer is winding down, and if you don’t hurry, you may not have the opportunity to spend much time on the golf course. With fall approaching, now is the perfect time to book, and visit your favorite golf resort. Planning a trip to any one of the many fabulous golf resorts will be a wonderful way not only to enjoy the summer weather, but also to hone your golf skills and improve your golf game, all while playing on a course that is both challenging and beautiful.

The beauty of golf resorts, and golf getaways, is that golfers can incorporate the invigorating experience of a vacation with the improvement of their golf game. De-stressing from the pressures of daily life at a luxurious golf resort is a wonderful way to recharge your internal batteries -- not to mention an excellent way to improve your golf game and perfect your golfing skills.

No matter where you go, there is a golf resort with your name on it. Consider visiting a local golf resort if your budget won’t allow for a big trip. Otherwise, consider some of the beautiful golf courses on the United States coast. If time and money allow, you may find joy in visiting an overseas golf resort. Imagine the excitement of playing golf on a famous course in Scotland (the birthplace of the game)!

One great golf vacation idea would be to plan an overseas exciting golf adventure with your existing foursome. Or consider a guys-only weekenf (or a girls-only weekend, for that matter) to one of the nation’s premier golf clubs. Not only will you enjoy playing on some of the nation's most luxurious courses, you’ll also enjoy fine dining and fine lodging, nightlife, and all the other things that a vacation to luxurious resort has to offer.

Don’t let summer pass you by before you plan an exciting and fun golf adventure. Remember, once the winter months hit, you may lose the opportunity to play as often as you’d like. So before you pack your clubs away in the garage or in your storage shed, get out there and put them to good use at a beautiful golf resort!

Time for a Golf Vacation

2009-07-25T21:32:00.001-07:00

If you're an avid golfer, chances are you’ve spent much of your time trying to find newer and better courses to play. It’s true that playing any golf course will help improve a golfer’s skills, and it’s also very true that golf is a proven enjoyable pastime; however, discovering new and exciting golf courses can be a fun adventure.

People who golf regularly throughout their lifetime usually find exploring new places to play is as addictive as the game of golf itself. The problem is, there are usually a select few golf courses within the golfer's local area. One of the most popular and most efficient ways to explore new golf courses is to go on a golf vacation.

Golf holidays and golf vacations to popular golf resorts are great ways to expand your golf horizon and experience new, beautiful, and challenging courses. If you or someone you love into is the game of golf, consider sending him or her a fabulous golf getaway. Golf vacations need not be expensive. Finding the right travel agent or right organizer to plan your golf outing will save you lots of money.

Consider sending your golfer on a trip within the United States or even overseas! Golf vacations can range from a short weekend to a month at a time depending upon your desires and your finances. As we’ve said before, be smart, and plan ahead for spending your money wisely. Maintaining an enjoyable lifestyle during an economic downturn is as simple as planning ahead and smart when it comes to funds.

With all the things our nation will face in the year of 2009, your summer vacation will be the perfect time to indulge while you concentrate on improving your future and discovering new ways to enjoy your life and spend more time doing the things you love with the people you love. So, don't let living in a small town prevent you from experiencing all the best golf has to offer. You'll be thrilled with the opportunities and you'll enjoy all the fun a fabulous golf vacation has to offer.

Scotland was amazing

2009-06-15T20:58:00.000-07:00

My wife—who is an even bigger golf nut than me—and I just got back from a golf vacation to Scotland. We took two weeks and saw the Northern and Western parts of the country. We booked our golf vacation through Golf Holidays. The site was highly recommended to us by one of Beth’s friends, and I am so glad that we investigated the packages available on this site.

During our first week in the Northern portion, we played amazing rounds of golf at the Royal Dornoch on an absolutely gorgeous and regal course. I can’t even begin to tell you what a wonderful time we had. The scenery was breathtaking and we relished the time to catch up with each other and just enjoy each other’s company. The greens were beautifully manicured and maintained and the sites from the course were spectacular. Everyone we saw at the course was friendly and the employees were courteous and very helpful with the questions we had. We stayed at the Eagle Hotel, which was only about a half mile from the golf course, so we did not need to drive. The hotel reminded us of a pub. It reminded Beth and me of our college semester abroad in London, which is where we met. The hotel’s owners, Paul and Irene, made sure that all our needs and wants were met. We have such praise for the couple that we plan to go back.

We spent our second week in the Western part of Scotland and stayed at the Parkstone Hotel. This hotel, too, was wonderful and so reasonably priced. The bed was very comfortable and the room itself was immaculate. The service was exceptional. The accommodations were excellent and it was very close to both the Preswick Golf Club and the St. Nicholas Golf Club. Beth and I had a fabulous time playing both courses. Nothing compares to playing on courses that date back to the 1800s.

We had such a great time in Scotland that leaving to return home was difficult. Our biggest dilemma for our next trip through Golf Holidays is this; are we going to try new places to stay and play, or are we going to go back to the ones we have already been to? Next year when we book our next vacation, it will be through Golf Holidays. We are sure of that. We just need to decide where to go. There really are so many choices.

The Perfect Golf Holidays to Make Retirement Fun

2009-06-05T13:55:00.000-07:00

I had always loved to play golf; ever since I was young I followed the professional golf players, watched the masters and tried to emulate my favorite players. I have always dreamed of playing golf on the professional circuit, but since I am nowhere near as good as the pros, I will have to settle for a lovely golf vacation and just live out my fantasies at some of the top golf destinations in the country. I plan to take travel to Myrtle Beach in South Carolina and play golf at Arcadian Shores, Azalea Sands, Beachwood, Carolina National, Eaglenest, Glen Dornoch, Legends-Heritage Club, Meadowlands, Possum Trot, River Oaks and Waterway Hills just to name a few. I found the perfect golf travelpackages through Golf Holidays and the prices were fantastic.

I am also planning on enjoying some golf in Scotland as well, within the next year or two. I plan on touring around and enjoying the best and most challenging golf courses in the world. I haven’t treated myself to a vacation like this in years and I am truly looking forward to it. In Scotland, I plan to visit such golf courses as Dundonald, Glasgow Gailes, Kilmarnock Barassie, Machrie, Machrihanish, Prestwick, Royal Toon-Old, Royal Troon-Portland, Shiskine, the Turnberry courses and Western Gailes, just to name a few. I am so excited to finally have the opportunity to pursue my passion for golf and plan to take several golf vacations over the next few years and the company I will book with every time is Golf Holidays.

My next stop would have to be an Ireland golf holiday. Some of the top golf courses in Ireland are just waiting for me to discover them. When I am visiting Ireland I plan to tee off at places like County Louth, Druids Glen, Druids Heath, Island Golf Club, Faithlegg, the K-club Palmer, Smurfit, Links Portmarnock, Portmarnock, Royal Dublin, Rosslare, Seapoint, the European Club and many other top golfing venues in the country. I have a feeling I will be taking several more golf trips as long as I can find the best packages available at Golf Holidays, I plan to travel and enjoy my retirement.

I also plan to take some golf trips around the United States, Golf Holidays offers packages to California, Arizona, the Carribean, Canada, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Mexico, Mississippi, North Carolina, Nevada, Oregon, and international locations like Portugal and Spain.

Come Golf with Us

2009-05-15T19:12:00.001-07:00

The weather has started to warm up and the winter snow is quickly disappearing in the cold regions of Canada and the United States. So now it’s time to say good bye to the southern golf destinations we frequented during our winter golf trips. The beautiful rich lush grass that covers the fairways in the northern states cannot be compared to any other place in the world. The rolling hills and flowing streams and rivers are a sign that spring has sprung. Of course we all may be going overseas or maybe we are staying in the south year round now and we want that opportunity to enjoy championship golf the way the pros do.

We have a golf holiday for over 400 different courses in the United States and overseas. We also have over 100 hotels and resorts to house you while you are on your golf holiday. Those spring and summer vacations are in the near future and why not plan now? Maybe you are thinking that the whole family may not want to play golf for a holiday. Well, just because you come and enjoy your golf holiday it does not mean you cannot enjoy the surrounding areas and take in the awesome cultures at different locations. How about a golf holiday on Prince Edward Island in Canada? Maybe your spouse would like to take in a few hours at the beach or at the local shopping areas while you shoot your first 18 in the morning. Then in the heat of the day you both can enjoy a great lunch and relax at the spa or the beach while the temperature climbs. Then as the sun is setting you can once again get another 18 holes in as the temperature falls to the mid to low 70s.

We are the home of the best golf destinations in the world; we want you to have the vacation of a lifetime. No matter if you are a novice golfer who can take advantage from some lessons at some of our prime course locations or if you are nipping at the heels of Tiger, we can make the right golf holiday for you and your family. If you love golf and hate the high prices associated with the course fees then come see us because we know how to help you during this hard economic time and we want you to get the most for your money. Come visit us and schedule your next trip today for a great rate and a trip of a lifetime.

Reserve your Golf Holiday Today

2009-05-06T13:08:00.001-07:00

Are you dreaming of the perfect golf holiday but have experienced less-than-perfect golf holidays in the past? Perhaps you have a loved one to shop for and have no idea what gift to give them, or maybe a boss that you and fellow employees want to show your appreciation to for a birthday or special event. You can rely on the company that has been meeting the golf holiday needs of individuals for years and will continue to meet the golf holiday needs of avid golfers for years to come. With only the best golf courses and golf resorts to offer you, you will find that purchasing your next golf holiday or golf holiday gift surprise will be one full of adventure and complete satisfaction.

When booking your golf holiday reservations online, you can choose from an endless amount of locations within the United States, or you can venture across the border or overseas to beautiful and breathtaking golf resorts and courses. You can choose from packages for a small party to packages for a larger golfing group and the prices include your hotel stay as well as the golf course reservations. It doesn’t matter if you are enjoying a family golf holiday get-away or scheduling a corporate golf holiday to complete business in a casual and relaxed atmosphere, or just planning a golf holiday for a group of close friends. you will find the perfect destination with the best golf courses. Challenge yourself and your golf buddies to a variety of different golf courses and know that you will be impressed with each hole when you rely on the company that knows how important a great golf holiday is to the avid golfer.

You will be sure to see a smile on the special golfer in your life when you present them with a golf holiday vacation away from all the stress and commotion that their daily life throws at them on a regular basis. Now your whole family can enjoy family vacations when you book your get away through a company that takes the pride and time in offering you only the best of golf courses that fit your entire family’s vacation desires. Whether you want to hit golf balls along the beautiful coastline that the South has to offer or you want to experience the breathtaking mountains or active life that some of the cities have to offer, you can be sure to arrive at the golf holiday destination that everyone can enjoy. Book your golf holiday today with the company that wants you to experience golf holiday’s as they should be experienced.

Find the Perfect Golf Resort

2009-04-21T20:31:00.000-07:00

For a golfing fan, no matter what skill level they have, a vacation at a golf resort can be like a dream come true. And with so many golf resorts out there, and each one offering a variety of amenities and packages, a trip to a golf resort can be a wonderful vacation for the whole family. But there are decisions to be made, like what golf resort would offer the best trip? Here are some simple tips that will make choosing the right golf resort simple and easy.

Will the whole family be traveling? If so, you may then wish to choose a golf resort that has something to offer everyone. A fun golf vacationwill quickly become tedious if the rest of the family has nothing to do. So, look for resorts that offer playgrounds for children, or nearby by attractions and shopping locales for the family. By choosing the right resort, you and your family will have an excellent experience. Also, you will need to decide if you want to stick with a resort in the country or actually choose an international one. If you go with a golf resort in another country, you will want to make sure all of your travelling documents are in order well before the week of the trip.

When will you be traveling? One good pointer is to choose a travel time in the off season. Though this may not be feasible, an off-peak travel time equals valuable money savings. Golf resorts offer packages at higher discounts during the off-season. And, there will be the added plus of fewer people travelling also, offering more seclusion and less crowding.

How will you be traveling? If you will be reaching your destination by plane, you will need to make the decision whether or not to bring your own golf clubs. If you are absolutely set on carrying your own equipment, be sure to check with the airline guidelines about rules and regulations. You will have to pay an extra baggage fee for the equipment, so keep that in mind when budgeting your trip. If you will be travelling by car, then the choice gets a little easier, but don’t crowd out the whole family with tons of equipment!

A golf resort can be an excellent vacation spot, not just for the golfer, but for the whole family if the right one is chosen. And, with just a little thinking ahead, the whole vacation can be a fun and exciting adventure.

Planning Your Golf Holiday

2009-04-20T10:57:00.001-07:00

If you are a golfer, you know that there's nothing like the thought of playing a new golf course. If you're an avid player who loves to pack up your clubs and play a few rounds while on vacation, then you've most likely tried several new courses. Your excitement can quickly turn to disappointment when the course doesn't meet your high expectations.

There are so many companies that specialize in arranging golf holidays whether you're looking for a short golf holiday or you want to take a long golf vacation to play some of the world's best golf courses, you need to find a website that provides you with plenty of information on the best courses for your golf holiday. There are many online sites that can provide you with a wealth of information and tools to help you in planning your golf holiday.

Many sites give golf course ratings, but very few can say that the website's staff have visited almost all of the courses listed. Same as with restaurant guides and travel guides, the best online golf holiday websites are those that use the same criteria across the site.

You want to look for a rating scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being a basic course and 5 being the best of the courses. Other than that, there should be a rate of which courses rank highest within their rating.

The website should give you information about the course, like whether it is set by the sea and the sand, above cliffs, open parkland, a wooded parkland, a mixed parkland, heath land, or even desert. Good websites will give you detailed information about walking the course. It should tell you, if the course is flat, if it has hills to climb, or if a golf cart is needed.

If you're planning a golf holiday, you are going to want to stay in a great hotel near the course, or see about stay and play packages. A good site will provide you with some of the top hotels in the area you are visiting.

Needless to say, a good online golf website will also offer the ability to search top golf courses, as well as other golf sites, like golf-related news and events using this kind of website will help you find great golf courses and ensure your golf holiday is filled with excitement.