Let's Build The Perfect Golf Trip...

[Sschaffer24]

Okay guys.

 

This is a slow time of the year for car sales, so naturally I find myself sitting at a desk and staring at a screen for quite awhile until I get to thinking about something.

 

So here's the question, hopefully it can create some great conversation and ideas for the members of MGS.

 

Basically myself and three buddies take a golf trip annually in the late winter/early spring. Living in the beautiful state of PA we don't have the luxury of a year long golf season. So it's always nice to get out of town and into a warmer climate, to have a great experience with three friends and just enjoy some early golf.

 

So far we've done a trip to Myrtle Beach and to Orlando last year. I'm trying to get some ideas together for a realistic destination and want to ask my fellow MGS members for their opinion.

 

So here's the question. Where can four golfers travel to, have great weather, nice accommodations, play four beautiful courses and have some entertainment after the course? Prices can range, but for the golf/hotel/rental car we try and stay between $500 and $650 per golfer. Airfare and spending money/food is obviously extra.

 

What are some ideas guys? Repeating a trip isn't out of the question.

 

So far we had the opportunity to play these courses in Myrtle Beach: Myrtlewood Pine Hills, Myrtle Beach National West Course, Pawley's Plantation and Grande Dunes. We stayed at The Caribbean there.

 

In Orlando we stayed at Lake Buena Vista (not so nice) and were able to play Orange County National Panther Lake & Crooked Cat, Grande Cypress North & South & Bella Colina.

 

Also, one twist. If budget wasn't a concern, what would the dream golf trip be?

 

I'm curious to hear some thoughts both ways!

[fozcycle]

Driving from PA?  Well, I am surprised that you have not yet traveled to the Destin/Ft Walton Beach area........

 

Here is a link for the Top 10 courses around Ft Walton Beach.....

 

http://golftravel.about.com/od/floridagolfnorthwest/ss/Top-10-Golf-Courses-Destin-Fort-Walton-Beach.htm

 

• Windswept Dunes Golf Club, Freeport, Florida
• Kelly Plantation Golf Course, Destin, Florida
• Regatta Bay Golf Course, Destin, Florida
• Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
• Emerald Bay Golf Club,Destin, Florida
• Shalimar Pointe Golf Club, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
• Fort Walton Beach Golf Club, Emerald Coast, Florida
• Seascape Golf Resort, Destin, Florida
• Raven Golf Club, Sandestin, Florida
• Indian Bayou Golf Club, Destin, Florida

 

I am sure you can hook up a deal there.

[fozcycle]

and here are the Top 10 for the Tampa/St Pete area.......(where I live)

 

 

• Bardmoor Golf and Tennis Club, Largo
• Bloomingdale Golfers Club, Valrico
• Eagles Golf Club, Odessa
• Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort
• Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club
• Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club
• Lansbrook Golf Club, Palm Harbor
• Saddlebrook Resort
• The Preserve Golf Club at Tara
• Westchase Golf Club, Tampa

[apprenti23]

Boy that's a tough one... Flights out west to CA or AZ are going to cost ya quite a bit. I'm thinking a trip to San Antonio or Dallas might be nice.

 

Florida and Myrtle are an obvious choice, but if you're looking for something different, I'd head to Texas.

 

Ultimate golf trip is Bandon. Hands down. Never have been, but I'd love to! Other options, especially if it was a summer vacation are Wisconsin and Michigan.

[deejaid]

I grew up in PA as well. 20 years ago 5 of us did that 14 hour drive down to Orlando for Spring Break. We had a friend working at Grand Cypress and got free rounds while we were there. We also crashed on his floor so we didn't pay for much that trip. Great time!

 

Actually, it got better. Did an all-nighter driving back, crashed at our parents houses for a few hours on Saturday, then hopped back in the car for another hour to go celebrate St. Patty's day at the Uniiversity of Scranton with some friends. What a fantastic, hazy week that was!

 

 

 

If you are flying, the West Coast is the way to go. Here in the Bay Area there are tons of great courses and some real deals to be had. Shadow Lakes out in Brentwood is $20 to ride these days. Just unbelievable because that was a $85 a round course when it first opened. You could play TPC Harding Park in San Francisco for $150. Or go down the peninsula to Half Moon Bay and play the links there for $135 a round. Poppy Hills in Livermore is great and can be played for $46 with a cart after lunch.

 

You could play a couple of the cheaper courses and Poppy and Harding park all for under $300. Four rounds of golf including one at a TPC for under $300 would be a pretty good deal.

 

 

Up my way near Napa we have Chardannoy Golf Course and Eagle Vines, both really nice. Hiddenbrooke is right down the road from them in Vallejo and is a great course as well.

 

Wish I was in your shoes. I could use a buddy golf trip away from the kids!

[GolfSpy Barbajo]

Great topic!

 

Always looking for interesting places to go for golf trips that are off the beaten path.  Depending on how early spring arrives, or if you want to do late spring golf in Colorado gets very high marks!  Seems most cities have very good and very reasonably priced munies, and the destination courses are awesome -- love playing Fossil Trace or Red Rocks.  And the altitude makes you feel young again...

 

Agree with the Bay Area recommendation, as well -- TPC Harding Park is one of the most fun courses I've ever played.  San Diego is great, too -- Maderas is great, and Torrey Pines is worth every penny.  

 

When it this epic trip taking place?  Will there be room for a Minnesotan (or possibly, by that time, a New Hampshirite?)

[apprenti23]

Don't you guys think Cal or AZ are out of his $500 budget (excluding airfare/food/etc) I know I sure do.

[deejaid]

Well, the op will have to be cost conscience and stretch, 4 to a room at a Motel 6 and the cheapest rental car they can get, but if you are doing a golf trip with buddies you can't skimp,on the golf.

 

Sschaffer, No matter where you go, play at least one really nice course. One that you'll really remember years from now. Like my trip 20 years ago, the sleeping arrangements were the least of our worries. We played some good courses, and partied every night.

 

 

The Bay Area's got the courses and the nightlife.

[PlaidJacket]

Sschaffer24 you look like the kind of guy that enjoys life. And golf. I highly recommend the Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas. They have great package deals and the golf is outstanding-first class. I've played there and wouldn't steer you wrong. Entertainment off the course you say? Austin has it man. Great music and events, great food, and loaded with gorgeous friendly women. The married men in your group can look and enjoy the scenery. Spring in the Texas Hill Country is perfect. It's not hot and humid at that time. Think about it.

 

http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/austin-barton-creek/golf

[Sschaffer24]

I'm loving the feedback so far!

 

There are so many options! Haha. The plan is probably to fly wherever we go. $500 is a rough starting point. I'm good with a range of $500 to say $700 or so for the golf/hotel/car and have airfare/food/spending money extra.

 

And Barbajo there is always room for more! I'd love to get some guys from MGS together! As long as I can do it in multiples of 4, I'm in on whatever number!

 

I'm open to literally anywhere. I just want to get out, see the world and make memories. Oh and golf as well. Haha.

 

And yeah the quality of the courses is extremely important to me. I never seem to remember the lesser quality courses that I play. The ones that stand out are the high end ones.

 

Anyone here have some memorable trips they want to share? I'd love to hear!

[GolfSpy Tim]

Following this thread.

I think CA is a "rough" option because everyone thinks of the really big name courses - but what people don't know is we have a TON of great golf at crazy low prices for what it is. - but... might require a bit of driving around.

 

$500 is REALLY limiting though for hotel, car and golf.

I started researching for myself and you could hit Napa and get some stay and play at Silverado and then play one or two courses just outside the area, but you'd be pushing more $750+

I personally would probably look into Az, or Texas - which has me thinking for next year.

That all said... I do think we should start planning an MGS trip.. I'd be glad to help head up the planning and setting things into motion!

[DaveP043]

You've certainly just scratched the surface of the Myrtle Beach area, there are dozens of really good courses, and pretty good nightlife.  I'm really partial to Pinehurst, I have a condo there and go down two or three times a year.  Pinehurst has some fabulous courses, good places to eat and drink, but substantially fewer nightlife options than Myrtle Beach.  Your time frame, late winter/early spring is a bit iffy for Pinehurst, but it CAN be just perfect by March.  If you're interested, I'd be glad to provide a few golf course recommendations,  my favorite restaurants, and some options for lodging, including Talamore, where my condo is.

[apprenti23]

My sister has a condo in Scottsdale - I'd be down for an MGS AZ trip!

[Sschaffer24]

The $500 budget was just because in the two trips I have listed they ran me on average right a round $600 a piece for golf/hotel and car.

 

The myrtle beach trip I had some friends drive down so it was less expensive, but the Orlando trip was all included. The hotel could have been better, it wasn't terrible but not spectacular, but the courses were beautiful!

 

I would love to get a MGS trip up and running! I'd happily do something like that instead of doing my own thing in the winter time like we are talking about. It would be a truly awesome experience!

 

My dad has always said that the San Diego area has some fantastic courses for fantastic prices. I'd love to see that city as well. I've been to Oakland (huge Raiders fan, damn steelers) but that's all in California.

[Sschaffer24]

And Dave id love some ideas as well. Like I said in my first post, I'm literally open for anywhere!

[MGoBlue100]

Lots of great ideas so far.  Awesome (almost) off-season topic, BTW!!  I've personally been to the Naples / Ft Myers area several times, and recommend it highly.  However, depending on the time of year, it can be PRICEY.  I saw a recommendation of Austin, but personally I'd go just a bit farther South and play in San Antonio.  Lots of great tracks, and if you were interested you could stay & play at any of a number of resorts.  Not sure of the budget numbers in TX, but the city & courses are spectacular!  Also, you could always try and get a VRBO (Vacation Rental By Owner).  I've had great success with those as well.

 

As for a dream trip?  Ireland!  Trying to figure a trip out as we speak.  It's a long term goal, but you've got to dream!

[Sschaffer24]

Oh man.... Ireland. I'd love to play there. Someday!

[Kenny B]

I've always wanted to play the RTJ Golf Trail.

[Sschaffer24]

How many courses are there in the RTJ Trail? I've heard and thought of playing there before, but didn't get it researched as much as I'd like.

[fozcycle]

I can get you and 3 others into a four bedroom house with pool in a golf course community.   With two courses to play from for $250.   This will get uou unlimited golf for 4 days . You can use the other $250 for gas and food.

 

Where?   Why Kissimmee, FL

[evershady]

Twin Cities Golf has a deal for the the PGA show 6 nights 3 days unlimited golf and 3 day checking out the PGA. their deal is $789 plus flight. This is pre-set courses that may not interest you,  but you guys could probably find a similar deal. I think hitting up the PGA would be fun and still get some golfing in. 

[fozcycle]

Twin Cities Golf has a deal for the the PGA show 6 nights 3 days unlimited golf and 3 day checking out the PGA. their deal is $789 plus flight. This is pre-set courses that may not interest you,  but you guys could probably find a similar deal. I think hitting up the PGA would be fun and still get some golfing in. 

 

 

I went to the PGA Show for 3 years......always a lot of fun......

[Sschaffer24]

I've been talking to the guys about going to the PGA Show. I think that would be an awesome experience! But for some reason they don't seem to be too interested. Maybe we could get a group from MGS together for the show and some golf?

[Kenny B]

How many courses are there in the RTJ Trail? I've heard and thought of playing there before, but didn't get it researched as much as I'd like.

 

11 sites 26 courses.  I don't have any experience with any of them but packages are available on their website.   http://www.rtjgolf.com

[Sschaffer24]

That looks pretty awesome! I am curious as to what structuring something like that would be like. Seems like a lot of travel between places though which is the only downside.

 

Looks awesome though!

[jaxbeachpackerfan]

I'd go back to my old haunts in Wisconsin.  Fly into Milwaukee in mid-September, call a couple of old partners who are members of the Milwaukee Country Club (always high in the top 100 courses and Manual de la Torre's club) and play a round there.  Then drive an hour up I-43 and set up camp in the American Club in Kohler.  Play the two Blackwolf Run courses, Whistling Straits and the Irish Course.  Play the nearby Bull.   Take a 40 minute drive and play Erin Hills, future site of the US Open.  Then, because I've planned the dates right, we'll drive up to Green Bay to see the Packers play in their second home game of the season at Lambeau Field (I have a partial Packer Season Ticket package).  Then fly back to sunny Florida.

[fozcycle]

I'd go back to my old haunts in Wisconsin.  Fly into Milwaukee in mid-September, call a couple of old partners who are members of the Milwaukee Country Club (always high in the top 100 courses and Manual de la Torre's club) and play a round there.  Then drive an hour up I-43 and set up camp in the American Club in Kohler.  Play the two Blackwolf Run courses, Whistling Straits and the Irish Course.  Play the nearby Bull.   Take a 40 minute drive and play Erin Hills, future site of the US Open.  Then, because I've planned the dates right, we'll drive up to Green Bay to see the Packers play in their second home game of the season at Lambeau Field (I have a partial Packer Season Ticket package).  Then fly back to sunny Florida.

 

All for under $500?

[jaxbeachpackerfan]

All for under $500?

Oh, must have missed that part of it.  At least it would be under $500 a round at most of them.

 

Wait, just went back and read the OP.  He also suggested a budget no factor trip.  So this is that.

[Kenny B]

That looks pretty awesome! I am curious as to what structuring something like that would be like. Seems like a lot of travel between places though which is the only downside.

 

Looks awesome though!

 

Unless I had unlimited time and my own car, I wouldn't try to do them all.  I would pick a location that has multiple courses nearby.  I think there are several that are only a short drive and others that are within an hour or so.  Leave the others for another trip.

[Sschaffer24]

Jax,

 

You had me drooling while reading your suggestion! Haha. Man, that would be cool. The packers game would be awesome. Even though I'm a Raiders fan seeing Lambeau would be pretty awesome.

 

That being said, I would be fine with changing the recommendations to say $500 for the golf and I can handle the hotel/rental car separately.

 

We need to get a MGS trip scheduled!