The Ten Top Golf Resorts for 2010

One of the best things about being a golfer is the opportunity to combine golf with travel.

The problem however is obvious: So many courses, too little time!

So how are you going to choose your next golf vacation experience? Some of my golf buddies first choose the overall vacation destination, be it California or South Carolina, Scotland or Mexico. But if you are as serious about golf as I am, you pickk the golf course first and fit the rest around it!!

To help you locate some really great golf resorts for your next trip, here are the top 10 golf resort courses in the continental United States, according to Golf Week. They range from modern to classic, from East Coast to West Coast and in-between.

1. Pacific Dunes. Located in Bandon, Oregon, the course was designed by Tom Doak in 2001

2. Pebble Beach Golf Links, in Pebble Beach, California, designed by Douglas Grant & Jack Neville, 1919.

3. Whistling Straits, inKohler, Wisconsin, designed by Pete Dye, 1997.

4. Pinehurst No. 2, in Pinehurst, North Carolina, designed by Donald Ross, 1903-1946.

5. Bandon Dunes. In Bandon, Oregon, designed by David McLay Kidd, 1999.

6. Shadow Creek Golf Club. In North Las Vegas, Nevada, designed by Tom Fazio, 1990.

7. Spyglass Hill Golf Club. Pebble Beach, California (note that this makes two in the same locale!), designedby Robert Trent Jones, Sr., in 1966.

8. Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Ocean). In Kiawah Island, South Carolina, designed by Pete Dye (the second one for Dye in this list), in 1991.

9. TPC Sawgrass (Players Stadium) . In Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, designed Pete Dye (the third for him in the list!), 1981.

10. Bandon Trails. In Bandon, Oregon, designed by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw , 2005.

A few things stand out in this list. The first to grab my attention is that Pete Dye has been designing great courses, as there are three of his represented here. Dye, from a family famous for course design, also happens to be married to fellow designer and former amateur champion Alice Dye.

The second is that great courses seem to spawn more great courses, as can be seen in Bandon, Oregon, and the timeless classic, Pebble Beach. What this tells me is that I need to plan longer vacations so I can enjoy multiple courses in one area! Golf is like wine, better if it is not rushed!

I’ve also learned that the best way to plan is to go for a golf package from an experienced golf travel planner, because then someone else takes care of the details, leaving me more time to concentrate on my game and enjoying wherever golf takes me!

Five Must-Ask Questions for Golf Vacation Packages

As with other vacation packages, golf vacation packages can save you a bundle while offering a fabulous trip. And as with other vacations, there are some questions you should be asking you and the agent before you sign on the dotted line so your trip is a dream, not a disaster!

1. Should you use an agent or do it yourself?

The advantage of going with an established booking agent is that they have developed good business relationships with hotels and golf courses, giving them negotiating power. For golf travel that means that they can offer you the best values and discounts that are not open to the individual buyer. The experienced agent can ask you about your preferences and budget and locate several options for you to choose from, including some you’d never find on your own that may turn out to be the memory of a golfer’s lifetime. They can also advise and help you with upgrades and cancellations.

2. What if you (gasp!) have to cancel?

Life has a way of throwing curve balls, and you might have to cancel the trip or the date. So ask in advance what are the financial implications. How much time is needed to cancel without penalty? For a full package, a couple weeks notice might be needed, whereas for simple golfing reservations, 48 hours is often sufficient for cancelling tee times. Read the small print for your

golf packages.

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3. When will your credit card be charged?

Whenever you make a large purchase in advance, it is wise to ask about timing of the charge for the deposit and balance. Some may require just the immediate deposit, others the entire package. For some, the hotel may also require a deposit. For vacation packages, the full fee is usually paid 30 days before departure. Remember to ask if there are any cancellation charges!

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4. Can you “individualize” a vacation package?

Usually, yes—if you do it in advance. While special packages usually contain specific itineraries (number of nights, rounds of golf, meals, etc.), but you may want to add to the package – an extra night or round of golf, perhaps. Just don’t show up at the resort and then surprise the staff with your requests! Let your agent do the talking in advance—and still provide you with a better price than you’ll get solo. If you are looking for a bargain rate for golf travel or for more play time, explain that to your agent as well.

5. 5. Are the clubs included? Probably not! Even so, with the airline surcharges for bags close to or exceeding the cost of daily rentals, you might want to leave yours home. To be on the safe side, you’ll want your agent to make an advanced reservation and negotiate a discount, of course. (Imagine getting to Pebble Beach and not having a club!)

It’s your vacation and your money—spend a little time up front and you’ll spend a lot less time and money. . . and have a lot more fun on your next golfing vacation!