Tips For Golf Vacations

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

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

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

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

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

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

 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!