Help Us Start An Annual Tradition!

[Invader Zim 315]

Hey All,

Hope this finds everyone well!  So I was very fortunate enough to be an athlete in college, graduated 2 years ago. There is a group of 8 of us that played together and are transitioning over into the golf game! We're split pretty evenly between NYC and Boston, and looking to come together annually for a golf trip, this summer being our first.  So two things:

First) I thought it would be fun to document the process of pulling this thing together as a bunch of 24-25 year old amateurs

Second) We would love ANY AND ALL recommendations for where we go on this first trip

I'm probably the biggest golf nerd in the group and know course architecture and the best resorts well across the US.  However, it's important to keep in mind we're young and none of us come from much; we're looking to do this thing on a NLU "Strapped" type budget.  Not really, but we can't do Bandon, for example.

So again, we'd love to bring you guys along for the ride here.  To get started, any big recommendations, particularly eastern half of the United States?  My first little shortlist (subject to change) is Northern Michigan and Myrtle/Hilton Head. We'll probably try to make it happen in June or July.  Appreciate everything and excited to try and get this tradition off the ground.

[Ben_Howell34]

On 1/13/2023 at 11:59 AM, Invader Zim 315 said:

Hey All,

Hope this finds everyone well!  So I was very fortunate enough to be an athlete in college, graduated 2 years ago. There is a group of 8 of us that played together and are transitioning over into the golf game! We're split pretty evenly between NYC and Boston, and looking to come together annually for a golf trip, this summer being our first.  So two things:

First) I thought it would be fun to document the process of pulling this thing together as a bunch of 24-25 year old amateurs

Second) We would love ANY AND ALL recommendations for where we go on this first trip

I'm probably the biggest golf nerd in the group and know course architecture and the best resorts well across the US.  However, it's important to keep in mind we're young and none of us come from much; we're looking to do this thing on a NLU "Strapped" type budget.  Not really, but we can't do Bandon, for example.

So again, we'd love to bring you guys along for the ride here.  To get started, any big recommendations, particularly eastern half of the United States?  My first little shortlist (subject to change) is Northern Michigan and Myrtle/Hilton Head. We'll probably try to make it happen in June or July.  Appreciate everything and excited to try and get this tradition off the ground.

Sounds like a great idea! As a former college athlete myself, kudos to you guys for working to keeping the friendships alive with your teammates.

 

For the golf, I have not been to Myrtle Beach to golf but have been for work and was not impressed with the town at all. On the other hand, I have been to Hilton Head twice, once for family vacation and once for work. It is a great place in general with some dynamite courses that can range from cheaper to PGA stops (Harbortown). I played Old South in Bluffton (right across the bay) and it was great and not expensive at all. I believe you can play all 3 Harbortown courses with stay for around $1k but can definitely do cheaper than that as well.  The food there is really good as are the beaches and overall vibe. 

 

We do an annual golf trip and might be going there next year, so if you go there let me know how you enjoy it! 

[Tom the Golf Nut]

I have been to to Myrtle Beach on guys trips too many times to count. Our group started doing this in our 20's and we are now in our 60's. There are 90 courses and lots of after golf places to go. There are great stay and play package deals where they throw in free lunch and beer. Sometimes another free afternoon round. North Myrtle is our favored stay area. Also plenty of nice courses. South has many Plantation courses and generally the higher priced courses. Central is the hub of activity. To busy for me but there are some nice courses in central as well.

Hilton Head is generally higher in price. Do your homework and shop the deals. mygolfvacation.com is a rough reference point. Myrtle has quite a few package providers. 

I go at least once a year and have played about 1 /2 the courses. You can also get cheap flights there through Spirit and Allegiant.

Search the forum. There were other posts with guys asking about Myrtle Beach with lots of suggestions.

[rkj427]

2 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

I have been to to Myrtle Beach on guys trips too many times to count. Our group started doing this in our 20's and we are now in our 60's. There are 90 courses and lots of after golf places to go. There are great stay and play package deals where they throw in free lunch and beer. Sometimes another free afternoon round. North Myrtle is our favored stay area. Also plenty of nice courses. South has many Plantation courses and generally the higher priced courses. Central is the hub of activity. To busy for me but there are some nice courses in central as well.

Hilton Head is generally higher in price. Do your homework and shop the deals. mygolfvacation.com is a rough reference point. Myrtle has quite a few package providers. 

I go at least once a year and have played about 1 /2 the courses. You can also get cheap flights there through Spirit and Allegiant.

Search the forum. There were other posts with guys asking about Myrtle Beach with lots of suggestions.

 

I would agree with Tom here, as I have also been to Myrtle Beach numerous times.

As far as your mention of Michigan courses, seeing how I have lived here my whole life, I can say that your expenses to travel here may be similar to the costs to travel to  Myrtle Beach, but the costs for both places to stay and course fees will be much higher here in Michigan, especially if you plan to go to the "special courses" here in both the northern or western side of  the state. 

As far as trips to the Myrtle Beach area, I too stay in North Myrtle Beach, as you can get to most of the courses within an hour drive even in the months where tourism is highest. Typically, I plan my trips for either in the spring (March-April) or fall (September-October) time periods where both the rates are lower, and the number of tourists has reduced.

Whatever you decide, it is a great thing to do to keep the camaraderie and friendship bonds going! 

  

[Invader Zim 315]

Awesome, appreciate the responses already everybody!  Sounds like Myrtle may be a good first stop!

Also, those were just a few rough ideas for locations.  I'm going to dig through the forum for some other thoughts and ideas, but we're also open to any and all recommendation.

 

Thanks again all

[Kenny B]

Just now, Invader Zim 315 said:

Awesome, appreciate the responses already everybody!  Sounds like Myrtle may be a good first stop!

Also, those were just a few rough ideas for locations.  I'm going to dig through the forum for some other thoughts and ideas, but we're also open to any and all recommendation.

 

Thanks again all

Sounds like a lot of fun!  Curious... How long are you planning to stay?  Is this a week-long trip or a long weekend?  

I played Myrtle a few times; last time was about 8 years ago.  I friend of mine from Albuquerque turned 50 and wanted a golf trip for his birthday.  We had a foursome that stayed and played in Myrtle; 10 courses in 6 days for a cost of less than $1K per person.  I'm sure it's more now but we stayed at Pawleys Plantation and it included breakfast.  The advantage of Myrtle is that you can stay in one place and play a lot of different courses, which not always easy at other locations.  Of all the courses I played in Myrtle, the one I would least likely play again is the TPC Myrtle Beach.

If the trip is shorter than a week, it might be easier and less expensive for a first trip to look closer at places in the Northeast or mid-Atlantic where driving would be a better option.  Many locations have stay and play packages with access to a few courses.  I've found that with a group, it can be fun to play a couple of courses more than once to gain familiarity.  

[Invader Zim 315]

On 1/15/2023 at 11:18 AM, Kenny B said:

Sounds like a lot of fun!  Curious... How long are you planning to stay?  Is this a week-long trip or a long weekend?  

I played Myrtle a few times; last time was about 8 years ago.  I friend of mine from Albuquerque turned 50 and wanted a golf trip for his birthday.  We had a foursome that stayed and played in Myrtle; 10 courses in 6 days for a cost of less than $1K per person.  I'm sure it's more now but we stayed at Pawleys Plantation and it included breakfast.  The advantage of Myrtle is that you can stay in one place and play a lot of different courses, which not always easy at other locations.  Of all the courses I played in Myrtle, the one I would least likely play again is the TPC Myrtle Beach.

If the trip is shorter than a week, it might be easier and less expensive for a first trip to look closer at places in the Northeast or mid-Atlantic where driving would be a better option.  Many locations have stay and play packages with access to a few courses.  I've found that with a group, it can be fun to play a couple of courses more than once to gain familiarity.  

Likely just an extended weekend - either Thursday or Friday to Saturday.  

 

Myrtle seems quite doable - another we've begun to take a peak at is Turning Stone in Upstate NY which is closer as you mentioned.

 

If anyone sees this that has played up there, would love some insight into the Champions Package and the experience!

[Stuka44]

On 1/13/2023 at 12:59 PM, Invader Zim 315 said:

Hey All,

Hope this finds everyone well!  So I was very fortunate enough to be an athlete in college, graduated 2 years ago. There is a group of 8 of us that played together and are transitioning over into the golf game! We're split pretty evenly between NYC and Boston, and looking to come together annually for a golf trip, this summer being our first.  So two things:

Since you indicated you are doing it in the summer, and only for a 2-3 day, one place in your state would be Holiday Valley Ski Resort, yes they have a golf course.  It is very picturesque , very nice course.  You can stay in the main lodge, or they have a smaller lodge at the bottom of the hill with indoor/outdoor pool, that is open in the cold weather(FYI).  Or their are numerous small condos right there to be rented in the summer which can sleep up to 8 or so, or less.  Lastly the small town of Ellicottville is within walking distance of the condos.  It's about a mile. There are many restaurants, and bars, and places for dinner and breakfast.  The place is PACKED in the winter time!!!  FYI I went on trip with 12 guys there in Sept. about 3 years ago.  2 condo's 6 guys each, 4 rounds  of golf..1 Friday, 2 Saturday, 1 Sunday Morning($340 per), then drive home... Shorter drive only about 2.5 hours for me in NE Ohio.  If you want to depart your own state, then N. Myrtle is a good deal.  Note that it is cheapest in summer time because it is hot!!!  (But you guys are young so no problem with that!)

Edited January 17, 2023 by stuka44

[DaveP043]

Myrtle Beach is one of the best "budget" golf destinations, lots of golf, lots of pricing options, lots of different styles of lodging, and lots of "nightlife".  Slightly closer for you guys is Pinehurst, again lots of great golf, both at the Pinehurst Resort and at the neighboring facilities.  The biggest difference, a lot less nightlife in Pinehurst.  A lot closer to you is the Ocean City, MD area.  Some really good golf, lots of nightlife, but in the summer it might be a bit difficult with all the beach tourism.  Away from the crowds you could look at Penn National, 36 holes near Fayetteville PA.  There's a Jack Nicklaus course and a casino at Rocky Gap, in western Maryland.  We could come up with lots more, you guys might want to order your priorities:

Golf, style, fame, difficulty

Lodging, VRBO house, hotel, resort-style apartment

Dining and nightlife, including "adult" entertainment

Casino gambling

 

[richk9holes]

Since you mentioned summer, I'll give a nod to my home and throw out the NJ shore as a suggestion. From Colts Neck to Cream Ridge has an assortment of any golf course you might want in an area approximately 30 miles west from the Ocean.

[GolfSpy SAM]

Love this post!! So jealous you already have a squad to start these traditions instead of waiting until your 40's like me (mostly jealous you're still in your 20's ya jerk )

If you don't want everybody to have to fly, check out Long Island. TONS of incredible courses (Cherry Creek Golf Links (which is one of two courses on the same site, the other is a woodland course that I've not played) - https://www.cherrycreeklinks.com/ is one of the best, hardest, most fun courses I've ever played) - none are more than an hour's drive, and you can probably AirBnB a BEAUTIFUL place for not much per person. 

The courses may not be particularly cheap, I think I paid about $100/18 with a cart, but after a birdie on the par-6 600-yard 18th (yep, a par-6), I was ready to play another 18. 

And that's ONE course. Had I stayed longer than a weekend (and had a kid and in-laws to appease), I couldn've played 6 courses in 3 days, easy. 

Good luck! And fwiw, Myrtle is high on my golf-trip list. So many choices!

[CFreddie]

Me and group of college friends have been doing an annual golf trip for a couple years now, so our destinations have been mostly focused in the SE (although that will change in a couple years with Bandon).  Here are some options we've been considering for future trips, along with past locations:
- RTJ Trail (Alabama) - courses are affordable, but could be harder to get to from NE

- Mississippi (Mossy Oak / Old Waverly - outside of Starkville) - remote, but was a HUGE fan of MO

- Pinehurst - obviously

- NC (outside of Pinehurst) - Pines course (Southern / Mid / Needles) and Tobacco Road

- Myrtle Beach

- Destin

[Ben_Howell34]

On 4/16/2023 at 4:35 PM, CFreddie said:

Me and group of college friends have been doing an annual golf trip for a couple years now, so our destinations have been mostly focused in the SE (although that will change in a couple years with Bandon).  Here are some options we've been considering for future trips, along with past locations:
- RTJ Trail (Alabama) - courses are affordable, but could be harder to get to from NE

- Mississippi (Mossy Oak / Old Waverly - outside of Starkville) - remote, but was a HUGE fan of MO

- Pinehurst - obviously

- NC (outside of Pinehurst) - Pines course (Southern / Mid / Needles) and Tobacco Road

- Myrtle Beach

- Destin

I am with you on all of these. Destin is decent but overpriced in my opinion for what you get generally. Old Waverly is one of my favorite courses I have ever played and the facilities are awesome. Have not been to MB or NC but want to go to NC badly. 
 

If you ever come back to Bama go check out Pursell Farms. Not cheap but is a very unique and awesome course. Also in the middle of nowhere ha. 

[Invader Zim 315]

Kind of crazy I started this in January, and here we are 4 months later, but looks like this trip is starting to come together. Turns out it is hard planning a trip for 8 young professionals (any advice moving forward I would love to hear it!)

 

We decided on Turning Stone in Upstate New York in September.  Will provide some insights into pricing, the courses, and whatnot because we still need to finalize, but I'm excited.  First boys golf trip!

https://www.turningstone.com/golf/atunyote

 

Late response to you all but thank you @GolfSpy SAM @CFreddie @Ben_Howell34 for these recommendations last month.  Seeing as I fully anticipate to be the point man on these annual trips moving forward (I know my friends too well and it will be me) I've compiled a master list and these are all absolutely on it.

Edited May 5, 2023 by Invader Zim 315

[Invader Zim 315]

Being all guys from the Northeast (living in NYC, Boston, and Pittsburgh) we decided to just "dip our toes in" and do a trip that was drivable for everyone this first year.  Plus, flights aren't cheap anywhere you go these days.

As an added plus, I'm from Upstate and we will stop by my parents house Thursday night for dinner and some pints.  Really excited for this one and to share the experience with the forum 

[Ben_Howell34]

2 hours ago, Invader Zim 315 said:

Kind of crazy I started this in January, and here we are 4 months later, but looks like this trip is starting to come together. Turns out it is hard planning a trip for 8 young professionals (any advice moving forward I would love to hear it!)

 

We decided on Turning Stone in Upstate New York in September.  Will provide some insights into pricing, the courses, and whatnot because we still need to finalize, but I'm excited.  First boys golf trip!

https://www.turningstone.com/golf/atunyote

 

Late response to you all but thank you @GolfSpy SAM @CFreddie @Ben_Howell34 for these recommendations last month.  Seeing as I fully anticipate to be the point man on these annual trips moving forward (I know my friends too well and it will be me) I've compiled a master list and these are all absolutely on it.

Man that place looks pure!!!

 

Yeah, I am that guy in our group. It’s fun, but it can be work too. But easily worth it. 
 

It is fun to see how the trip evolves every year and develops. You learn each trip what works and what doesn’t. One thing we did was basically say “cheap trip” odd years and “bigger trip” even years and it’s made it fun and affordable. 
 

Have fun!