A Golfing Holiday

Golf Vacations for the Way You Like to Golf

2012-01-24T08:54:00.001-08:00

For those who love golf travel, there are two prime

U.S.

golf destinations – regions that have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to tee times and courses. While there are many places you can golf, few areas boast as many golf clubs, golf resorts and golf courses in a concentrated area as Myrtle Beach and the Phoenix/Scottsdale area in Arizona. And while there are exceptions in both areas, there are large differences between Arizona golf courses and Myrtle Beach golf courses. Choosing a destination for your golf vacations can start with deciding which region offers the kind of golf you most enjoy playing.

Desert Golf in the Southwest

The Phoenix/Scottsdale region in Arizona is home to well over 100 golf courses. The region offers stunning scenery and perfect golf weather year-round. With an average of almost 300 sunny days annually, your golf game will almost never get rained out. Arizona golf is at its best when the rest of the country is in the deep freeze, with temperatures averaging between 60 and 80 F. from mid-September to May.

While it sometimes seems that there are as many exceptions as examples, desert golf courses abound in Arizona – which should come as no surprise, considering the climate. You’ll find lush swaths of fairways laid out through stunning stretches of desert scenery. Links style courses are the norm, and target golfers will be in their glory.

Parklands Golf Courses in the Southeast

The Grand Strand boasts over 110 golf courses in a short strip along the Southeastern coast of the U.S. Like Arizona, the Myrtle Beach area boasts a high average of sunny days annually. The temperature seldom drops below 60 or above 90 F. with the best golfing weather occurring between October and June.

Myrtle Beach golf courses make the most of the lush greenness characteristics of the Southeastern U.S. The typical golf greens in Myrtle Beach are exactly that – green. Parklands golf courses with lush fairways, mature trees and beautiful coastal scenery are the norm. You’ll also find many resort courses designed with wide fairways, short roughs and comfortable play that accommodates all levels of golfers.

There are, of course, exceptions. You’ll find links courses in Myrtle Beach and lush, rolling greens on resort golf courses in Arizona, but in general, you can plan your golf vacations around the kind of golf you most enjoy. A travel agent who specializes in arranging golf travel can help you pinpoint the best courses to play for your favored style in whichever area you choose.

Time to Plan Your 2012 Golf Travel

2012-01-07T19:02:00.000-08:00

As the New Year begins, most people consider how to make next year a better one than last year. That is, after all, the purpose of New Year’s resolutions – to make things better. This year, make those weight loss and fitness resolutions a lot more fun – resolve to schedule more time for golf travel and take more golf trips to help you improve your game and enjoy your favorite sport. Not sure where to go or play? We’ve got some top suggestions for lesser-known Arizona golf courses that any golfer will enjoy.

Why Arizona? The Phoenix-Scottsdale area boasts more than 200 golf courses, many of them well-known, in demand courses at high-end resorts. Famous names like Troon North and Boulders attract golfers from all over the world, but the big name courses aren’t the only game in town. Smaller, lesser-known golf courses benefit from the same conditions that make golfing in Arizona such a pleasure – sunny, dry days and stunning scenery among them. These smaller courses make Arizona golf travel worth the trip even if you don’t stay at the high-end resorts and immerse yourself in luxury.

Saguaro Course at We-Ko-Pa

Scott Miller’s Cholla Course at We-Ko-Pa steals all the attention, but We-Ko-Pa’s other course, the Saguaro, definitely deserves a mention as well. Built in 2005-2006, the course was designed by golf architect team Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, who were tasked with creating a course that was completely different from the older Cholla course. They came up with a traditional style golf green that’s a pleasure to walk and a challenge to play.

Trilogy at Vistancia

Golf Digest awarded a coveted 5-star rating to Trilogy Golf Club at Vistancia, and Golf Arizona senior staff writer Mike Bailey calls it “sneaky good.” The budget-priced golf green rewards you with stunning views, tricky shots and holes that offer golfers a variety of options and decisions that keeps play exciting and fresh. Like the Saguaro, Trilogy isn’t the typical desert target golf course – but it’s not exactly a traditional green either. Its unique configuration and playability contribute to an overall flow that turns an afternoon of golf into a memorable and treasured golf experience.

Ocotillo Golf Resort

Located in Chandler, Arizona, Ocotillo is a 27-hole championship course with three separate 9-hole layouts that you can play in several different 18-hole configurations. Each of the combinations of the Blue, White and Gold courses presents unique challenges – the Blue 9, for example, involves water features at every hole. Rated among Golf World’s Top 50 resorts, Ocotillo carries a 4.5-star rating from Golf Digest.

Arizona golf is like golf nowhere else in the world, and these three lesser-known golf courses definitely rate a place among your list of 2012 golf travel destinations. If you haven’t started planning your golf trips for the year yet, keep in mind that many clubs offer a discount if you book your tee times early, so don’t miss out.

2011-12-31T17:40:00.000-08:00

Has someone you love succumbed to the lure of golf travel this year? Golf trips are among the most popular holiday travel, especially those that take you to warmer, sunnier climes. If your favorite golfer has booked a golf vacation this holiday season, why not add to the festivities by giving him or her a golf-themed holiday gift? If you’re not sure what to get that will be appreciated, here are a few suggestions that will help add to the fun on golf trips and golf vacations.

Golf Passes

Most golfers plan their golf trips around the courses they want to play, but they’ll usually have plenty more time to get in even more rounds on other courses. Once you know their destination, check around for other golf courses and clubs in the area, then check into the availability of a golf pass. In Arizona, golf courses sometimes band together, for example, to offer a golf pass that will grant entry onto the greens of any one of several major courses. Golf passes are relatively inexpensive, and many also offer discounts for playing as well as on items in the pro shop.

Golf Lessons

Help your golfer hone his game before he sets off on his golf vacation with lessons from a local golf pro. Phone up his favorite course to find out the availability of lessons, or check online for other nearby courses where you can schedule classes that concentrate on specific problem areas. What better gift can you give a golfer than shaving a few points off his handicap or helping him overcome that nasty slice?

Golf Equipment

He’s got his favorite clubs, but every golfer has a few pieces of golf equipment on his or her holiday list. If you’re not sure, you can ask directly, or you can call up the pro shop and ask for recommendations for a special golf gift. One possibility – a gift certificate to the pro shop that includes a swing analysis to help them fit him with the very best equipment for his own personal style.

Golf Balls and Other Stocking Stuffers

If the golf travel is taking your golfer overseas, one of the best gifts you can give him is a supply of golf balls. People who often take golf trips to Ireland, Scotland and other popular golf travel destinations always recommend bringing along extra balls – they’re expensive if you have to buy them while you’re there.

Of course, if you’re looking for a really spectacular gift for your favorite golfer, you could go all out and book him or her a golf vacation to his favorite dream destination. If he’s already beat you to it and booked his own golf travel, however, you can get in on the fun with one of these great holiday golf gifts.

2011-12-04T13:07:00.001-08:00

Golf vacations are becoming more and more popular as more and more people learn about the pure enjoyment of addressing a ball and sending it sailing off across the green. If you’re planning golf travel this winter, these tips can help make your golf trip easier and more fun.

Let a Pro do the Planning For You

If you’ve never planned a golf vacation before, it makes sense to take advantage of the expertise of a professional travel agent. There are many travel agents that specialize in putting together golf vacation packages that include everything from lodging to tee time bookings. You can book a golf travel package with a theme, choose golf packages by cost or sit down with a travel agent and have them put together a custom golf package that hits the course that you want to play.

Do Some Research Before You Go

Whether you plan your own golf trip or book a pre-designed golf package, spend some time reading up on the courses you plan to play. Read reviews on the various courses and clubs and learn about the tricks and tips for playing each. It’s also important to know if there are particular rules or restrictions. For example, in Ireland, golf clubs often restrict play to those who have a handicap certificate.

Leave Your Clubs at Home or Ship Them Ahead

If you’re flying to your destination, traveling with your golf clubs can be a hassle. Each of the airlines has specific rules and regulations you’ll have to follow if you want to take your clubs along – and they will take the place of one of your allowed checked bags. You can save the hassle and expense – and the risk that your clubs will end up in Alaska while you’re on the Grand Strand – by renting clubs at your destination, or by shipping your clubs to your hotel ahead of you.

Book Your Tee Times Well in Advance

If you have particular courses that you want to play, call ahead to reserve a tee time. This is especially important if you’re planning to play a well-known club that’s very popular with tourists. Just how far ahead varies – if you want to play the Old Course at St. Andrews next summer, for example, you’re already out of luck – as of October 2011, tee times for March through October 2012 is already fully booked.

Whether you’re traveling on your own or booked a golf travel package with a group through a travel agency, a little research and advance planning will go a long way toward making your trip more enjoyable.

Advice for Ireland Golf Vacations

2011-11-17T18:31:00.001-08:00

Next to Scotland, there are few places on Earth more sacred to avid golfers than Ireland. Some of the most revered golf courses in the world are located on the Emerald Isle, making it a favorite spot for golf vacations. If you’re planning an Ireland golf vacation, these facts and tips may come in handy.

The Best Time for Ireland Golf Courses

While most Irish golf courses, particularly links courses, are open year round, the weather is best from April to October, as are the conditions of the golf courses. Most golf enthusiasts recommend that you plan golf trips to Ireland during those months. The weather is comfortable all year long, but the summer daylight hours can give you a couple of extra rounds of golf in the evening before the sun sets.

Handicap Certificates

Many golf clubs require that non-members present a handicap certificate in order to play on the course. Avoid disappointment by making sure to obtain and pack one before you leave home.

Caddies

Caddies are not employed directly by golf clubs in Ireland, and there’s no guarantee that there will be a caddy available at tee times. Most golf travel guides recommend requesting a caddy in advance so that the golf club can make arrangements if necessary.

Golf Carts

Golf carts, or golf buggies, are rarer on Ireland golf courses than they are in the U.S. Many clubs don’t allow them at all, or limit their use to specific courses. If you want a gold cart, you should ask in advance and request a reservation at the time you book your tee time. Generally, preference is given for golfers that require a golf cart for medical reasons.

Golf Clubs – to Bring Or Not?

If you’re planning to take your own golf clubs, be sure to check with the airline in advance about their baggage policies concerning golf equipment. Many golfers choose to leave their clubs at home and rent them at the golf clubs where they play. Others choose to ship their golf clubs ahead by freight rather than trusting them to baggage handlers. Price out each of your options and decide which works best for you.

What Else to Pack

Whether you choose to take your clubs or leave them at home, there are some other things you’ll definitely want to pack. First – golf balls. Pack a few dozen. You’re likely to lose a few in the roughs, and they tend to be prohibitively expensive overseas. Aside from that, you’ll want rain gear, including waterproof shoes and a few pairs of all weather gloves. In addition, pack a warm jacket or sweater, even in the summer, for cool mornings and evenings.

Golf Travel Accommodations

There are many accommodation options for golf vacations in Ireland, ranging from holiday cottages or condos to luxury 5-star hotels and manor homes. You’ll often get the best deals on

Ireland

golf vacations when you book an entire tour, including accommodations and tee times at several famous golf courses, through a travel agent that specializes in golf travel.

Tips for Planning the Best Golf Travel Vacations

2011-11-10T20:24:00.001-08:00

If you’re an avid golfer, sooner or later you’ll want to combine your vacation with a few rounds of golf on some of the world’s best golf courses. Golf vacations are quickly taking their place among the top vacation destinations and types for vacationers. When planning your dream golf travel vacation, there are many aspects to consider – how long you’ll stay, which courses to include, how much golf you’ll fit in and what other members of your group will do while you’re out on the golf course among them. Careful planning can ensure that everyone in your family – and especially you – enjoy your golf vacations thoroughly. These tips and suggestions can help you plan your golf travel to ensure that you enjoy every moment you spend on your holiday

Where to Go?

Is there one particular course you’re dying to play? On a trip to Scotland, golf enthusiasts often are determined to play a round at the most historic courses in the world, for example. If you plan your golf vacations around playing a particular course, check tee times and availability before booking the rest of your vacation.

For some golfers, the point of a golf holiday is to hit as many excellent golf courses as possible. In that case, choose a destination that puts you in the center of a major golfing region. In Myrtle Beach, golf is a major tourist attraction and you’ll find more than 100 top golf courses within easy driving distance. A trip to Myrtle Beach is a great way to maximize the number of courses you can play.

Golf Tour or On Your Own?

One of the best ways to enjoy golf vacations is to opt for a pre-packaged golf tour put together by a travel agent who specializes in arranging golf vacations. A golf travel agent often knows the best courses, times and places to play, and can help set you up with everything you need to best enjoy your holiday.

On the other hand, arranging your own golf vacations may allow you to play lesser-known but stellar golf courses that aren’t yet on the radar. If you enjoy the fun of discovering unexpected treasures, you may prefer to contact golf courses on your own and make your own arrangements.

Travel Arrangements

If your golf holiday will include airline travel, be sure to check with your airline about transporting your golf clubs and other golf equipment. Every airline has its own rules and regulations about how they count golf bags and equipment as luggage. Checking first will ensure that your clubs travel safely with you.

On the other hand, many golf travel experts advice either shipping your clubs ahead or renting a set at your destination to avoid the hassles and expense of bringing your own along with you. Weigh the advantages and drawbacks of each method and decide whether you’ll take your own clubs or rent when you get there.

Golf travel vacations give you a chance to play iconic courses and enjoy some of the best golf architecture in the world. A little advance planning can ensure that your golf holiday will be a memory to treasure.

Packing Tips for Golf Trips

2011-10-19T09:03:00.000-07:00

If you’re heading out for a golfing vacation for the first time, you may be a little uncertain about the best ways to travel for golf trips. These packing tips can help you figure out what to do with your golfing equipment and what you should pack with you if you’re heading out on your first excursion in golf travel.

Should you take your own golf clubs with you? The answer to the question depends on a number of factors. If you’re traveling by automobile, there’s no reason why not. Simply pack them for travel just as you would to head out to your favorite golf course. If you’re flying, however, there are a number of things to consider. Nearly every airline considers your golf bag as one of your pieces of allowed luggage. Most require that your clubs and bag be packed inside a hard-sided golf case, and won’t guarantee them against damage unless they are packed inside a hard case. You can also include one pair of golf shoes and two sleeves of golf balls in your case to be counted as one piece of checked luggage.

Based on the expense and the possibility of damage to your clubs, many avid golf travel buffs recommend that you leave your own clubs at home and rent what you need when you arrive at your destination. The same doesn’t hold true of golf balls, however. Golf balls can be quite expensive overseas, so if you’re planning golf travel to Europe or Asia, pack a few dozen golf balls for the trip. If you do decide to pack your golf clubs with you, hunt around for a good quality, lightweight golf bag that can double as a field bag.

If your golf trips will take you to the UK, you’ll also want to pack along your handicap certificate. While there are plenty of golf clubs that will let you book a tee time without one, if you want to play the Old Course at Royal Troon, Scotland, golf at St. Andrews or play on many of the other world class golf courses in the UK, you’ll need to present your handicap certificate to prove that you’re worthy of treading the same greens.

Check the dress code on the courses you intend to play and be sure to pack appropriately. Consider choosing wrinkle-free clothing that travels well – you do want to look natty on the golf course, after all. And wherever your golf trips take you, always, always, always pack a good quality, lightweight raincoat because chances are you’ll need it at some point in your trip.

Fabulous Scotland Golf Trips

2011-10-14T17:58:00.000-07:00

Every golfer dreams of someday making the pilgrimage to Scotland, golf’s original home, and playing a round on one of the oldest and most revered golf courses in the world. The Old Course at St. Andrews features large in the fantasies of those who enjoy golf vacations and golf trips, but there are many other Scotland golf destinations that an avid golfer should visit and enjoy. These represent some of the top golf courses in Scotland. Any golf vacation should include a round or two on at least a few of these courses.

St Andrews

The Old Course is venerated above all other courses in the world, and as would be expected, it’s booked well in advance. If you want to take your turn teeing off at the course where golf was born, be sure to book your tee time well before you go. In fact, you may even want to hold off on setting the particulars for your golf vacation so that you can plan it around your booking at the Old Course.

Gleneagles Golf Resort

Host of the Ryder Cup matches in 2014, Gleneagles Golf Resort features three championship courses that offer challenging play and stunning scenery. You can choose to play The Kings, The Queens or the Wee Course, which is a nine hole course. Whichever you choose, the experience will be unforgettable.

Turnberry Resort

Located on the southwestern coast of Scotland, the course at the Turnberry Resort offers stunning views of the Sleeping Warrior – better known as the Isle of Arran. The Turnberry Course is links golf at its most challenging and the area offers a number of other courses you can play while you’re in the area. It’s a very popular spot for luxury golf vacations, and you can expect to find luxurious lodgings, world class dining and some of the best golf to be had anywhere in the world.

Solway Links Golf Course

If your golfing trip includes your entire family, or you want a break from the intensity of playing the high challenge of courses like Turnberry, stop in at Solway Links, located between Dumfries and Galloway in the southwest Lakes District. The pay for play course is informal, inexpensive and designed to be fun for the entire family.

Royal Troon

Founded in 1878, Royal Troon is one of the oldest and best-known courses in all of Scotland, and its reputation has made it a choice destination for golf trips and golf vacations. The majestic course is located just four miles from Prestwick Airport, making it easy to reach, but it’s not so easy to play. You’ll need to book your tee time well in advance, and present a certificate of handicap in order to play on either of their challenging courses.

If you’re hoping to golf the Old Courses at Royal Troon or St. Andrews, now is the time to start planning your 2012 golf vacations. Make your plans early and you’ll be sure to enjoy the best of Scotland golf.

Golf Travel Tips for Family and Friends of Golfers

2011-10-09T19:22:00.000-07:00

Are you tired of being a golf widow or widower? Does your spouse or partner go off on golf trips and leave you behind? You’re not alone by a long shot. Golf travel is one of the fastest growing specialty segments of the travel and vacation industry. You don’t have to stay behind when your guy or gal heads off on golf vacations, though. Today’s hottest golf travel destinations feature lots of other activities to keep you and your family happy even if you never set foot on the golf course. These tips can help you enjoy golf vacations as much as your golfing companion.

Choose golf vacations in areas that offer a lot of other activities on and off the golf course. In Myrtle Beach, golf may be the main draw but there are many other activities to choose from. You can spend the days on the beach, visit water parks or head out for a day of shopping, then join up with your golfing buddy for dinners in world class restaurants and nights at comedy clubs or on the dance floor.

Two words – golf resort. Nearly every major golf destination in the country and overseas features full-scale resorts built around a golf course – or more than one. You’ll get luxury accommodations, access to the spa facilities and lots of other resort activities. Your golfer will get to hit the links on some of the best golf courses in the country.

Explore the city and surrounding countryside. Golf courses are located in some of the most beautiful lands in the country. If you’re artistic, take along a sketchbook and pencil and try your hand at sketching. You’ll find yourself growing a true appreciation for the old saying that golf is a beautiful walk through God’s beautiful country.

Extract a promise of one golf-free day to do something together – and plan it out. Take the time to investigate other things to do and make reservations or set up your plans in advance. You’ll find activities that range from scuba diving to para-sailing or shopping to museum tours, all within easy range of the golf courses that are the centerpiece of your trip.

Learn to golf. Nearly every golf travel destination will have golf pros at courses who specialize in beginner lessons to groom new users and introduce them to the game. Who knows? Maybe future golf trips will feature the two of you playing together.

Myrtle Beach Golf Trips Offer Fun for Everyone

2011-10-07T17:32:00.000-07:00

As the cold gloom of a northern winter closes in, the golfer’s imagination can’t help but turn to golf trips in warmer, sunnier climes. While there are many sunny places you can go to golf, none of them offer quite the same appeal and array of benefits that you’ll find at Myrtle Beach. Golf is more than a pleasant recreation in Myrtle Beach – it’s a way of life and the life’s blood of the entire region.

Back in the bad old days, Myrtle Beach was known as the bargain basement of golf trips. The 60-mile long Grand Strand that runs from North Carolina to South Carolina is home to over 100 golf courses, many of them in operation for decades. The pleasant, year-round weather and the stunning scenery has made the Grand Strand and Myrtle Beach one of the most popular destinations for golf travel, which has given rise to many other tourist attractions to keep your entire family entertained.

Golf Travel and Hotels

Some of the most popular golf destinations around Myrtle Beach are full-scale golf resorts built around one or more world-class golf courses. Legends Golf & Resort, for instance, offers access to five beautiful golf courses, all of them designed by a world-renowned architect of golf courses, while Barefoot Resort and Golf features four award-winning golf courses designed by, respectively, Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. At either golf resort, you can book a golf package vacation that includes playing one, two or more of the courses.

Of course, you don’t have to stay at a golf resort to enjoy a round of golf on a Myrtle Beach golf course. There are many golf courses and golf clubs that aren’t affiliated with the big resorts – and you can nearly always book a tee time on the resort courses even if you’re not staying at the hotel.

Beyond Golf – Activities for Your Family

For those golfers who are traveling with families who have other interests, Myrtle Beach offers a little something for everyone. You’ll find shopping malls and retail outlets, discount outlets for many major manufacturers and boutiques for everything from clothing to glassware. Take a day off from the links to head out to the beach or a water park with the kids, or take them to one of the many mini-golf and amusement park choices that dot the entire coast.

Don’t let the winter doldrums get your down. Myrtle Beach is always open, with sunshine and lots of golfing activities to keep your golf trips on track to fun.

Golf Travel Trends

2011-09-14T09:38:00.000-07:00

Golf travel has always been one of the quiet mainstays of the travel and tourism industries – it’s one of the reasons that so many 4-star resorts feature stunning golf courses, or are built close to the most famous golf courses in the country. Golfers are in a league of their own when it comes to vacations among sports lovers. Baseball lovers may travel to see the Baseball Hall of Fame, but most fans know they don’t have a prayer of playing a sandlot game at Fenway or Wrigley Stadium. Golf travel, on the other hand, underscores the equalizing force that is the game of golf. In most cases, if you can afford the greens fee, you can play the same courses that the golf pros play. Most baseball fans will never face the Green Monster, but any golfer knows that someday he absolutely can play the Amen Corner at Augusta National or take his chances against the elements and the architecture of the Old Course at St. Andrews.

Playing famous golf courses is just one of the best known trends in golf travel. Every golfer has his own personal bucket list of holes he wants to play or courses he wants to tee off on, and every golf magazine and website in the country is built around stoking the fantasy of playing the great courses. Each year, the most famous golf publications publish their list of the best 100 golf courses in the country and in the world. Basing golf vacations around playing those famous courses is one way to plan your summer.

Other golfers prefer to put their golf travel time toward discovering little known hidden gems, those golf courses that are best known to local players and seldom make it into the national golfing magazines. Some of them might be famous for a particularly treacherous hole, or for the amazing hospitality of the staff, or the beauty of the surroundings. For those golfers, golf trips might involve parking the family at a hotel in an area surrounded by golf courses and clubs, and heading out to find out where the locals go to play.

While many traveling golfers head out to the Grand Strand or to Arizona to enjoy two of the best and most populous golfing venues in the U.S., others look for a more historic vacation. Golf vacations to Ireland, golf trips to Scotland, and golf travel that encompasses both countries that contributed so much to the history of the glorious game.

Whether you want to play the most famed courses in this country, the most historic courses in the Old Country or the quiet, hidden gems that have yet to be discovered, golf travel is one of the hottest trends in travel today. Pick your courses, pack your clubs and head on out to enjoy a round of golf on the courses you’ve always dreamed of playing.

Tips for Great Irish Golf Trips

2011-09-06T12:58:00.000-07:00

Ireland is second only to Scotland as the home to great and historic golf courses, and it’s become more and more popular as an international destination for golf trips and golf travel. If you’ve been thinking about taking a golf vacation with stops at the most historic Ireland golf courses, there’s never been a better time. These tips from veterans of golf travel can help you plan an Irish golf vacation you’ll thoroughly enjoy.

Double Check Rate’s at Ireland Golf Venues and Courses

The economic crisis has hit everyone hard, and that includes some of the best golf clubs and courses in Ireland. If you’ve been dreaming about playing the great Irish golf courses but thought the prices were out of range, now is the time to look again. You’ll find that the golf and the accommodations have come tumbling down from their prices just a few years ago, and you may just be able to afford a few rounds of golf at courses you’d considered far out of reach.

Take Advantage of Golf Packages and Spas Near the Airports

There are a number of luxury golf resorts and spas within easy driving distance from the airports, and it’s worth the investment to take full advantage of one of them. Book a stay for a night or two, and check in directly from your flight. You can clean up, relax and sink into the luxury, then head out for an early morning or late afternoon round of golf to get yourself in the mood for the rest of your trip. If you book in mid-week, you can usually take advantage of weekday discounts, making a luxury stay a real bargain.

Book a Driver Along with Your Car Hire

If you’re traveling from the States – especially if it’s your first golf trip to Ireland – driving will be a challenge. While you can save money by hiring a car and doing your own driving, booking a coach and driver can be worth the extra you’ll pay for it. If you’re traveling with a group, it could be even more cost effective. Booking a driver eliminates the uncertainty of driving on the “wrong” side of the road, especially in areas where the roads are already twisting, windy and dangerous. It also means that you can set aside any concerns about driving and enjoy an extra pint or two at the pub to celebrate your game.

Enjoy the Smaller Lodging Places

Luxury is lovely, but don’t overlook some of the smaller guest houses and B&B’s that dot the Irish countryside. The hospitality is second to none, and your host may have his own golf tips to share with you about the local courses.

If you’re planning a golf vacation to Ireland anytime soon, take the time to get quotes on golf travel and golf trips to Ireland from a number of travel agencies. The prices are competitive, and you’ll be sure to get booked into courses you never would have found on your own.

How to Choose the Best Golf Travel Deals

2011-08-10T10:30:00.000-07:00

Golf travel has become one of the most popular types of destination vacations. Many travel agents specialize in putting together and booking trips to areas of the country or other countries that are famous for their golf courses. Like any activity that becomes very popular, there are always a few scammers who take advantage of golfers willing to put up big dollars for golf trips that allow them to play golf courses they’ve seen on television or read about in a golfing magazine. Here are things to be watchful for when you book your next golf travel vacation.

Always ask for an itemized list of charges when you book your golf vacations, especially if you’re booking a package deal. Ask your travel agent if the price you’re paying includes greens fees and court surcharges, and if there will be other charges.

Be aware that some golf courses may require you to rent a cart. Many of the best courses don’t allow non-members to walk the green and require them to rent a cart instead.

Don’t book golf travel trips blind – that is, without knowing what’s going on in the area at the time you’ll be visiting. Check the local calendar to see what other events might be happening in the town or cities you’ll be staying in. Among other things, knowing what’s going on in town will help you schedule other activities around your golf games.

If your package deal includes golf and not just lodging in an area that gives you access to the golf courses you want to play, be sure to check the ratings and reviews on the courses where you’re booked to play. After all, what fun is golf travel if you end up playing on poorly ranked courses?

Choose a golf travel deal at an all-inclusive resort with a great reputation for golf. Many of the areas most famous for golf feature resorts built around golf courses, courses where anyone who is registered at the resort can play. Whether you book at a Myrtle Beach golf resort or an Arizona golf resort, you’re sure to get your rounds in if the golf course is part of the resort.

Whether your golf travel takes you to the East Coast or the West Coast, or even across the Atlantic to visit famous Scotland golf landmarks, always check the details of your arrangements to be sure that you’re getting what you think you’re getting. After all, your golf trip should provide you with nothing but happy memories.

Tips for Planning Golf Trips with Your Family

2011-08-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Destination vacations have been a major part of the travel industry for as long as there have been family vacations, but activity vacations are a growing trend within the genre. Golf trips are among the most popular types of vacations focused specifically on enjoying a particular activity. Among the most popular destinations for golf trips and golf vacations are Myrtle Beach, golf capital of the East Coast, and Arizona, which features some of the best desert golf courses in the world. If you’re planning to make golfing a major part of your family vacation, it’s important to choose a destination that offers other activities your entire family will enjoy. These golf trips tips can help you ensure that your whole family has fun – which translates to more happy time on the golf course for you.

Choose From Countless All-Inclusive Golf Vacations

Many Arizona golf destinations feature all inclusive resorts with access to onsite and offsite golf courses. Your trip will usually include the cost of greens fees for at least one round of golf at the resort golf course, and may include even more great golfing. While you’re off on the greens, your family can take advantage of water parks and pools, spa activities, activities geared for kids, and entertainment arranged by the resort.

Plan Afternoon Activities for the Kids

Contact the local Chamber of Commerce or check online for nearby fun activities for your kids, and plan a full slate of enjoyable things for their afternoons. Enjoy a morning of golf on your own while your kids take advantage of the hotel pool or game room, then join them for day trips to local attractions in the afternoons. Many Myrtle Beach golf destinations are within easy driving distance of marine museums, water parks and amusement parks where your kids can cut loose and have fun.

Add a Round of Mini Golf to Your Plans

Get your kids in on the fun of golf. If you hit up Tucson, Arizona golf courses, you’ll find that many of them are extremely kid-friendly. In fact, Tucson is one of the centers of the youth golf movement, with some of the best young golfers in the country. If your little ones are too little, or not interested in a game of real golf, most will still love getting in a round of mini golf with dad and mom. You’ll find mini golf centers and entertainment centers all up and down the coast, especially clustered around Myrtle Beach golf courses.

Don’t forget to take the rest of the family into consideration when planning golf trips. The more fun they have while you’re on the golf course, the more likely they are to look forward to future golf vacations.

Choosing the Best Golf Trips

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Golf trips are becoming increasingly popular for holiday travel. Many travel agencies now offer grand tours of golfing areas, vacations at golf resorts and other golf-related vacations to their clients. If you’re sifting through golf vacations and trying to find the best deals, you’ll find there’s an embarrassment of riches. You don’t have to resort to happenstance in making a choice among the many golf trips available through your travel agent or online. These tips for choosing the best golf vacations can help.

List Your Must-Play Courses

If you dream of teeing off at Augusta, home of the Masters, you’re not going to manage it with an Arizona golf vacation. Start by listing the golf courses you’d love to play and work from there. A web search will help you find travel agencies that book golf trips in the surrounding area and may even be able to set you up with a tee time to your favorite courses as part of your package.

Draw a Circle on the Map

Start with your must-play courses as a center and draw a circle on the map to narrow down your choices of other local clubs. You could confine your golf vacation to one course, but why would you if you can play at a different club every day of your vacation? Of course, you’ll find far more in some areas of the country than in others. For example, South Carolina’s Grand Strand is home to well over 100 private and public golf courses. You can take in several when you plan a Myrtle Beach golf vacation.

Set Your Budget

Decide how much you can spend for your golf trip to help set your sights on a realistic goal. Of course, for some folks money is no option, but if you’re not one of them, you’ll find lots of great bargains on golf trips by shopping online. You can reduce the price somewhat by arranging your own travel, or by choosing golf vacations that are closer to home. If you’ve got a broader budget, consider Ireland golf trips and Scotland golf vacations for a never-to-be-forgotten trip for any golf lover.

Comparison Shop for Golf Trips

Once you’ve decided which courses you want to play, you get to the fun part – comparison shopping. You’ll find many sites online that specialize in golf trips. Make the rounds and look for golf travel sites that offer the combination of courses you want to play at the price you can afford.

Arizona Golf Vacations to Enjoy

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Beautiful Arizona offers an incredible bounty to the golfer. With over 300 sunny days a year and average winter temperatures of about 70 degrees, the state is home to over 300 public and private golf courses that run the gamut from public greens open to anyone to golf resorts built around stunning courses designed by some of the best golf architects in the world. There are three basic Arizona golf destinations. If golf vacations interest you and you’re planning golf travel this coming year, Arizona golf courses are waiting for you.

Tucson, Arizona, Golf Experience

Tucson covers nearly 500 square miles of varied, diverse land, making it a perfect spot for casual golf crowd. The city, located at the north end of the Sonoran Desert, boasts about 350 sunny days a year. The warm temperatures and varied landscapes provide a mind-boggling variety of golf experiences for those on golf vacations. The casual atmosphere of the small Southwestern city spills over onto its golfing community. Tucson is the most welcoming city in the country for youth golfers, family golf and novice golfers. If it’s your first golf trip, Tucson is definitely worth the visit. It will be the first of many golf vacations to come.

Scottsdale, Arizona, Golf Clubs

The Phoenix – Scottsdale area of Arizona is one of the truly elite golf destinations in the world. Home to some of the wealthiest and most discerning people in the world, Phoenix has attracted the crème de la crème in course designer. Scottsdale,Arizona golf resorts offer incredible golfing, stunning scenery and the kind of luxury that you’d expect to find at high-end luxury resorts. Of course, there’s more to Scottsdale than golf courses. If you can tear yourself away from the rolling greens and sand traps, you’ll find world class restaurants featuring international cuisine, stunning scenery, water-skiing and hang gliding, shopping destinations and luxury spas. It’s the ideal spot for golf vacations for the serious golfer and family.

Sedona, Arizona, Golf Courses

Scottsdale may offer luxury golf courses and Tucson may cater to the more casual golfer, but Sedona provides the most dramatic and elite golf courses in a state famed for its golf courses. When the temperature in Scottsdale and Phoenix is hitting the triple digits, Sedona’s golf courses offer respite from the typical Arizona heat thanks to the mountain breezes. Sedona is home to more resort golf clubs than any other area in the state. Each of the stunning courses was designed by A-list course architects, and most are connected to resorts that were built for the purpose of serving the golfers attracted by the beauty and playability of the courses. While most of the resort courses are private, many of them offer public access to their links to give you plenty of opportunity to fill your golf card for the weekend or a few weeks.

If you’re looking for the ultimate in golf vacations, enlist the help of a travel agent experienced in booking golf travel and golf tours.

Planning Golf Trips for Your Family

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Vanity and specialty vacations have always been popular, but none are quite as popular in recent years as golf trips – vacations that center around hitting some of the best links in the country. If you enjoy golfing and are considering a vacation where you intend to enjoy a round or five of excellent golf, these tips for planning golf trips can help you put together a vacation that you and your entire family will enjoy.

Enjoy Myrtle Beach Golf

In Myrtle Beach, golf is second nature. With nearly 120 golf courses along the Grand Strand, you’ll have a huge choice of excellent greens on which you can tee off. You can easily golf a different course each day, and take advantage of champion courses designed by some of the best golf course architects in the country. While you’re out enjoying the golf links, your wife and kids – assuming they’re not golfers themselves – won’t be stuck sitting around the hotel room. Myrtle Beach offers so many other attractions that you’ll be hard pressed to fit them all into one short, or very long, vacation. There’s shopping, water parks, amusement parks and, of course, some of the most stunning and scenic beaches of the Atlantic Coast.

Hit the Links in Arizona

Arizona golf courses are definitely coming into their own. With several golf courses making the grade in Golf magazine’s 100 Best Courses to Play, the Phoenix/Scottsdale area features desert golf at its best. Sunshine, dry weather and stunning scenery all add up to golf trips that can’t be equaled anywhere else in the nation. But unlike Myrtle Beach, Scottsdale and Phoenix didn’t develop around golf, so there are even more attractions to amuse your family while you’re out enjoying your swinging lifestyle. If, on the other hand, your family also loves to golf, you should definitely include a swing through Tucson on your golf vacation. Though it’s a relative newcomer to the ranks of the top golfing trips in the country, Tucson has already made a name for itself as a family-friendly golf area. Look into all-inclusive resort vacations that include Arizona golf in the amenities.

Overseas Golf Trips

If your golf trips take you overseas, you can’t miss out on Ireland and Scotland, golf capitals of the Old World. The Emerald Isle and Scotland, the land where golf got its start, feature the oldest and most famous golf courses in the entire world. Even newcomers to the game of golf can’t escape the thrill of standing on the Old Course at St. Andrews, site of some of the most famous games ever played.

If you’re considering a golfing vacation this summer, your best bet may be to work through a travel agent or website that specializes in putting together golf trips, and taking advantage of their connections and expertise to get the best deals on golf trips and golf vacations.

Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations Let You Enjoy the Scenery

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Most golfers don’t golf for the scenery, but when you’re in Myrtle Beach, you can’t help but enjoy the view. Golf vacations in Myrtle Beach offer a few major advantages you won’t find anywhere else like the 110 plus golf courses to choose from, gorgeous weather and a culture built around golf add up to create a golfer’s paradise. It’s hard to find an unattractive course, but there are some jewels that are true standouts, even when you compare them to other Grand Strand courses. If your golf vacations are taking you to Myrtle Beach this year, be sure to check out these stunning courses where the scenery is almost as good as the golf.

Rivers Edge, an Arnold Palmer Signature course, is easily one of the most beautiful courses you’ll ever play. Six of the holes play out to the bluffs overlooking grassy marshlands and the Shalotte River. It’s not just a pretty face, either. Developed in 1999, Rivers Edge was named to Golf Magazine’s “Top New Courses You Can Play” in 2000 and in “The Best Courses Near You” in both 2008 and 2010.

Winyah Bay, touted as the course where nature meets golf vacations, is another of the most beautiful – and most underrated – golf courses on the Grand Strand. Located in Georgetown, South Carolina, the course opened in 1955, making it one of the oldest courses on the Grand Strand. In 1998, Winyah Bay got a major facelift and an additional nine holes, making it one of the newest 18-hole courses in the Myrtle Beach area. The course overlooks Winyah Bay, affording stunning views from most of the holes, and the topography makes the play interesting. After your game, relax on the antebellum verandah and enjoy the view with one of the club’s signature drinks.

Glen Dornoch, designed by Clyde Johnston, plays along the Intracoastal Waterway. The course meanders among centuries old oaks and over the marshes. Many of the holes feature spectacular views of the waterway, and the course features some surprise changes in elevation to keep the play interesting. It’s one of the four courses that make up The Glens Golf Group, and easily the prettiest of the group.

The Dunes Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1948, takes anybody’s prize as the most spectacular golf course on the Grand Strand. It’s biggest claim to fame is that it’s the only Grand Strand course that’s built along the Atlantic Ocean. While the others flirt with the waterways and inland marshes, only the Dunes is actually right on the ocean, and the stunning views alone are worth the green fees.

If you’re planning one or more golf vacations this year, make sure you get one of these gorgeous courses on your list.

Things to Do on Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations Besides Play Golf

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Myrtle Beach golf vacations have a lot more to offer than access to more than 100 of the best golf courses in the country. Let’s face it – as much as you might love it, you can’t spend 24 hours a day on the green. If you’re planning a golf trip to Myrtle Beach, you’re just going to have to suck it up and check out some of the other wonderful things you can do on golf trips to Myrtle Beach.

All the Sand Is Not In the Sand Traps

Yes, Myrtle Beach features gorgeous beaches, so plan a day to get acquainted with sand that isn’t there to make your golf game more challenging. Myrtle Beach is part of South Carolina’s Grand Strand, with 60 miles of white sand beaches and sparkling blue water. Plan in some family time with a visit to a water park – if you’ve got an adventure ride fan in your travel group, be sure to check out the Swamp Fox at Family Kingdom Amusement Park, one of the few remaining wooden roller coasters in the country.

Watch the Pelicans Hit Something Bigger Than a Golf Ball

Myrtle Beach is home to a High Class A team in baseball’s minor leagues. If you’re planning golf trips between April and September, check out the Myrtle Beach Pelicans’ schedule to see if they’ve got a game on. Enjoy an evening game, complete with hot dogs and beer, and get in early enough to rest up for an early tee time in the morning. You’ll find that the ticket prices are very reasonable, especially if you compare them to major league ballparks.

Swing Something Besides A Golf Club

When Irving Mills wrote “It Don’t Mean a Thing If It Ain’t Got That Swing,” he wasn’t talking about your 9 iron. Get into the swing of things with some of the country’s top recording and performing acts at one of Myrtle Beach’s top musical clubs. Check out House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach to see who’s swinging the place during your golf vacation, and book tickets for a show that will be almost as memorable as your morning at the Dye Club.

Laugh at a Joke That’s Funnier Than Your Slice

After a brutal day of golf on some of the most challenging courses on the Grand Strand, get out for an evening of tension relief. The Comedy Cabana is only one of the many clubs in Myrtle Beach that feature stand-up comedy, but it may be one of the best. If you’re lucky, your golf trips will coincide with a visit by a national headliner, but even the locals will knock some of that tension out of your stance and loosen you up for a better set in the morning.

In addition, Myrtle Beach features incredible restaurants for your dining pleasure, two huge outlet malls to tickle your shopping bone and hot dance clubs where you can work out the kinks after a day on the course. If you need more ideas, talk to a travel agent who specializes in Myrtle Beach golf vacations and learn more about the wonderful non-golf things you can do on your golf trip.

5 Reasons for Golf Travel to Scotland

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Ah, Scotland! The land of heather and hardship, the only land in the world where someone could be bored enough to invent a game where you hit a ball into a hole in the ground. One wonders if the Scottish kings, when they were busy devising the rules for such Scottish games as golf and caber toss, ever imagined that their humble sport would someday become one of the most popular and lucrative sports in the entire world, and that someday, tens of thousands of people annually would visit Scotland for golf vacations that are part pilgrimage and part pleasure. If you’re one of those who’d love to visit famous Scots courses but need to justify your choice of golf vacations to a spouse or traveling group, here are five reasons why you should make Scotland the site of your next golf trip.

Playing Golf in Scotland is Like Coming Home.

Yes, the game was invented here, and its governing body resides right here in Scotland. If for no other reason than that, you need to play a round or two of golf in the place where golf was born.

Scots Welcome Visitors With Open Arms

Nearly all Scottish golf courses welcome visitors, even the private clubs who generally accept members only. Hang about at the pub in town and there’s a good chance you’ll get an invite from a member. If that fails, ring up the club and ask. Most times you can get a tee time as a guest on even a private course.

If Variety is the Spice of Life, Scotland Is the Queen of Spicy Golf.

Scotland easily has enough golf courses for a dozen golf vacations, let alone one. Whether you prefer a quite nine-hole or a world class championship course, you’re bound to find all the variety you can imagine on a visit to a Scotland golf club.

St. Andrews, the Old Course, Gleneagle

The country is home to some of the oldest and most historic golf courses in the world. You’ve watched the golf pros play on the big money courses, and so can you, as long as you book your tee time in advance and pay your money for your booking.

Links Courses

There are few courses as stunningly beautiful or as wickedly challenging as the links style courses along the Scottish coasts. If you love links courses, you have to play Scotland. If you’ve never played a links course, you have to come to Scotland for a proper introduction.

There are dozens of other reasons to visit Scotland on golf trips, each of them played by hundreds if not thousands of other golfers. If you need still more reasons, contact a travel agency that specializes in golf holiday travels to book a very special golf tour for yourself.

Tips for Ireland Golf Vacations

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Golf vacations allow you to combine your time off with a chance to play some of the best and most famous courses in the world. Next to Scotland, no country has a deeper history or connection to the game of golf than Ireland. Golf travel in Ireland combines magical landscapes, the best championship and local courses and a feeling that you’re golfing in one of the most historic regions of the world.

It’s been said that golf is a good excuse for a walk, and if that’s all you’re looking for on your vacation, Ireland provides it in full measure. The Irish links are situated on some of the most beautiful land in the world. From courses located on the rugged Northern Coast to links style greens that inhabit the misty inner reaches of the Emerald Isle, every Irish golf course provides stunning views and vistas. You may find yourself teeing off with your back to the prevailing sea winds one day and trying to concentrate on a putt surrounded by eerie mists and ancient trees the next.

If, on the other hand, the game of golf is all about the skills, Ireland golf won’t disappoint. The greens and links of the Emerald Isle are some of the trickiest in the world—they had to be to fit into the rights of way on which the original public golf courses were built. Many of the courses feature narrow, bent greens that require you bring your top skills to the game to play anywhere close to par on each hole.

If neither the skills nor the scenery are enough to bring you to Ireland for the golf, then the hospitality surely will. The golf clubs in the Emerald Isle are reputed to be among the most hospitable in the world. From the smallest village to the grand cities, Irish golfers are always ready to raise a pint with you while they regale you with tales of the country’s golfing past. If you think that fishermen’s tales of the one that got away were entertaining, it’s only because you’ve never heard an Irish golfer tell the tale of the hole-in-one that almost wasn’t.

If you’re convinced that you’ll find the luck of the Irish on an Irish golf course, these tips may help you enjoy your vacation all the more.

If you play the links courses, be prepared to walk. Most links courses do not allow buggies. Some may allow you to pull a golf cart, and the more luxurious will provide a caddy to carry your clubs.

Prepare yourself for the wind if you play seaside links. No matter which direction you’re playing in, the wind always seems to be in your face. It may not be a manly thing, but be sure to pack along moisturizer to diminish the chapping and windburn. No one can have fun when their face is smarting and burning.

If you’re considering Irish golf vacations, contact a tour operator who specializes in organizing tours of the Irish links. They’re in the know about the best deals and best courses to play on the greenest little island on earth.

Where to Play on Golf Vacations at Myrtle Beach

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Golf vacations offer you the chance to play courses you’d normally not see. But choosing the courses you’d most enjoy can be tricky, especially if you’re visiting an area such as Myrtle Beach, which is famed for its golfing venues. With well over 100 golf courses within a few hours driving range from nearly any hotel, the avid golfer is confronted with an embarrassment of riches. The worst of it is that no matter which Myrtle Beach golf courses you choose, you’ll always find yourself wondering if other greens would have been more of a challenge or offered a better experience. If you’re not sure where to tee off when you head for Myrtle Beach, some guidance from local experts can help.

The Avocet Course at Wild Wing Plantation

Voted South Carolina’s 2002-2003 Golf Course of the Year by the South Carolina Golf Course Owners Association, The Avocet Course brings golfers back to play year after year. Designed by Jeff Brauer and Larry Nelson, the course features a uniquely designed ninth—a double fairway bisected by grass and sand pot bunkers. It’s only one of the unique features of the course, which also includes a three-tiered green shared between the 6^th and the 17^th holes. For family golf trips, The Avocet Course at Wild Wing lets kids play free with a paid adult every day.

Thistle Golf Club

Opened in 1991, Thistle Golf Club is regularly regarded as one of the best places to play on the Grand Strand. It features generous fairways, large greens and stellar service from a staff that truly seems to enjoy their work. The special services and amenities include bag tags, yardage book and complementary range balls. The par 72 27-hole golf course has been included in “Golf For Women” magazine’s Top 100 Fairways in America, and was granted 4 stars from Golf Digest.

Dunes Golf and Beach Club

Find out why the Dunes Club is one of the top-rated courses in the country. The Dunes is the only golf course to be rated #1 Myrtle Beach golf course by both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine, as well as garnering honors from Golfweek and U.S. Golf. The Dunes at Myrtle Beach frequently hosts pro tours, and access is limited, but if you can book a tee time, it’s worth it to play the course that includes America’s 4^th Best Par 5 Hole, as rated by Golf Digest.

Where to Find the Best Golf Trips

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If your clubs go with you everywhere, why not couple your vacation time with a chance to tee off on some of the best golf courses in the world? Golfing vacations and golf trips have grown in popularity until they’re among the most popular types of combination vacation packages available through travel agents. If you’ve never considered taking a golf tour before, take a look at vacation packages on offer in one or more of these areas in the U.S. and the British Isles.

Myrtle Beach Golf Trips

Myrtle Beach boasts more golf courses in a small area than almost any other region in the country. Located on the southeastern coast of the U.S., Myrtle Beach golf courses include public greens, private golf courses and luxury resorts with attached golf courses. Depending on your tastes, you could book a week at a resort and spend every day on their championship course, choose a hotel as home base and travel to any one of a dozen courses within easy driving range, or travel up and down the coast, spending each night in a different hotel and each day on a different course. The choice is yours, and the golfing is superb.

Arizona Golf Vacations

Arizona has two main golfing areas—one in the Phoenix metro region and one around Tucson. The weather is indescribable. Arizona boasts more sunny, golfing days than almost any other state in the union, and the scenery is unforgettable. You’ll find a range of luxury resorts in and around Phoenix, many of them catering to other interests along with golfing and quite a few of them offering family golfing packages so that the kids and spouse can join in the fun on their level. Tucson offers a less reverent take on the sport of kings. It abounds with quirky courses and unusual fairways that will give your jaded golfing tastes a bit of a jolt. Tucson is also the best place for a family golf vacation if the golfers in your family are on the younger side as it boasts some of the youngest golf champions in the world, and most courses are very welcoming to younger golfers.

Ireland Golf Vacations

Ireland is second only to Scotland in the number of venerable, traditional golf courses. A golf trip to Ireland gives you the opportunity to play on some of the oldest and most famous golf courses in the world. You can settle into one region of the Emerald Isle and play it in depth, or travel throughout Eire to play on a wide range of links from the classic to the ultra modern.

When you’re planning your vacation this year, do a bit of research on golf vacations and book a delightful week or two on the golf course as part of your getaway time.

Top Greens to Play on Your Golf Vacations to Ireland

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While Scotland may hold the claim to fame of being the birthplace of golf, Ireland runs a close second. For most golfers, a trip to Ireland is akin to a holy pilgrimage. You could spend months traveling through the Emerald Isle and hitting some of the most famous links in history. If you’re booking golf trips to Ireland this summer, make sure that you manage to book tee times for at least one of these Ireland golf greens.

Kilkenny Golf Club

Founded in 1896, the Kilkenny Golf Club is a mature parkland course set in the middle of Ireland. It’s a challenging course with narrow, tree-lined fairways that require a delicate touch and a high degree of accuracy. Other nearby greens include Mount Juliet (11 miles), Carlow (24 miles), Mount Wolseley (34 miles), Tramore (38 miles) and Wexford (48 miles).

Donfagahy Golf Club

Donfagahy isn’t the most difficult green on the Emerald Isle, but it may be one of the most beautiful. Located on the northern coast, the 105-year-old course was laid out by 5 time British Open winner Harry Vardon. The scenery is breathtaking and the course offers enough challenge for all but the most expert golfers.

Portsalon Golf Club

In County Donegal, not far from Donfagahy, you’ll find one of Ireland’s best kept golfing secret—a true find that should be included on any Ireland golf vacation. Originally designed in 1891 and redesigned in 2001, the challenging 7,120 yard course offers some of the most stunning scenery of any golf course in the land of Eire. The gorgeous vistas include three views of Ballymastocker Bay, with many of the holes played through the dunes alongside the Atlantic Ocean.

Old Head Golf Links

At the other end of the Isle, and the other end of time, Old Head may be one of the most challenging links in the world. Set on a diamond-shaped peninsula that juts out into the ocean, you’ll be playing most of the course into the brisk Atlantic wind. Established in 1997, the Old Head Links at Kinsale present stunning vistas along ocean cliffs that make the trip worthwhile.

Mullingar Golf Club

No Ireland golf trip would be complete without playing the 18 holes at the Mullingar Golf Club. Designed in 1894 by Scottish golf legend James Braid, the mature parkland course is generally acknowledged to be one of Ireland’s best parkland courses.

Family-Friendly Golf Trips

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Golf trips have always been popular among adults who enjoy golfing, but parents who want to bring kids along to high-profile golf vacation destinations have often found the choices rather slim. Many golf resorts frown on packing the kids along – it interferes with the serious golfer’s game. Luckily, not all golf destinations are that short-sighted – after all, kids who learn to love golf young become lifelong golfing aficionados. If you’re vacationing with your kids – or, for that matter, bringing your grandkids along – take a look at some of the family-friendly accommodations in some of the hottest golf destinations in the country.

Arizona Golf Family Destination

Scottsdale, Arizona is famous for its casual but highly competitive golf courses. With more than 174 public and private courses concentrated in the greater Scottsdale/Phoenix area, there are plenty of choices, and the 329 plus sunny days each year don’t hurt the golf dynamic. But the icing on the cake when it comes to family is that Scottsdale is well-known for its high number of junior golfers. When golf is that much a part of the fabric of everyday life, it’s only natural that the kids get to play, too.

Because Scottsdale is such a hot golfing destination—as well as a popular family vacation destination—many of the best hotels and lodges offer amenities that cater to both parts of the equation. Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak, for example, has its own golf staff dedicated to making life easier and more fun for golfers. If that means scheduling tee times around your kids’ naps, they can manage it. If it requires getting a babysitter for your younger ones, that can be arranged, too. If your kids want to tee up, there are places to book a tee time with them, and if they’re bored with golfing, they can chill out in the resorts water park, complete with rafts and slides, or go drop a few tokens into the pinball machines in the arcade.

Pointe Hilton isn’t alone in making golf trips friendlier to parents who want to take their kids along with them. Similar family-oriented packages exist for Myrtle Beach golf packages, as well as for international destinations. Imagine your kids’ “My Summer Vacation” after a Scotland golf vacation or an Ireland golfing trip.

No matter where you’re planning to spend your vacation, you’ll find family-friendly golf trips and packages designed to make sure that you and your family have the best time possible.

The Top Golf Travel Destinations

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For the golf enthusiast, nothing is quite as satisfying as hitting the links on some of the top-rated courses in the world. The world’s top golf travel destinations include greens located in diverse destinations from Ireland to Arizona, and the best destinations feature multiple courses where you can tee off.

It’s no surprise that Scotland golf vacations are popular – playing a round at St. Andrews Old Course is the Holy Grail for nearly anyone who’s ever picked up a club. A trip to Scotland offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play the oldest course in the world, but the Old Course can only accommodate so many golfers. For those who don’t make the tee list at the Old Course, St. Andrews offers a number of other greens, including a second Open Championship course, the Carnoustie, within an hour’s drive of the Old Course.

Ireland is another popular golf destination, with former President Bill Clinton naming the Irish Ballybunion as his favorite golf course in the world. If you’re considering an Ireland golf vacation, be sure to make room in your schedule for a round at Lahinch Golf Club, with a well-deserved reputation for its quirky design. If you prefer a modern course and the luxury of a full-scale resort, you can’t go wrong with Killeen Castle, the country’s newest luxury resort golf club.

Of course, you don’t have to leave the country to enjoy fabulous golf on a stellar location. A Myrtle Beach golf vacation offers the opportunity to play on some of the best-known greens in the world. Located at the northern end of the Grand Strand, Myrtle Beach has earned the nickname “supermarket of golf” for its enormous variety of courses. With over 100 golf courses – 10 of them named in Golf Digest’s top 100 courses – in a 70-mile stretch, Myrtle Beach is one of the top golf destinations in the world.

In the southwest, Scottsdale and Tucson, Arizona take top marks with international golfers. The Scottsdale/Phoenix area boasts more than 150 premier golf courses, including the Grayhawk Golf Club and SunRidge Canyon, along with luxury resorts and amenities to please the entire family.

Whether your golfing dreams take you to the oldest courses in the world or the most luxurious of modern greens, there are travel agents who specialize in planning golf travel packages for their clients. Take advantage of the expertise of a golf travel agent to ensure that your golfing vacation is everything you’ve always imagined.

Do you love Golf? Consider Golf Packages for Your Next Vacation

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Are you wondering how to spend your next summer vacation? Maybe you are considering lounging by the beach in Fiji, or exploring the beautiful Great Barrier Reef in Australia? All great ideas, but if you love golf, having you considered combining your love for the sport with a holiday and exploring the great value for money golf packages offered by many resorts and golfing associations in many countries throughout the world?

Scotland, Ireland, the World is a Tee!

Perhaps your family would like to visit the British Isles this summer. Did you know that there are wonderful golfing venues in Scotland, Ireland and throughout the United Kingdom that would please not only your family, but provide you with the golfing experience of a life time?

Imagine it! Scotland the birth place of golf and therefore one of the most popular golfing destinations, and home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. With Scotland golf packages to suit every budget, from personalized tours to luxury tours, you can’t go wrong in sampling the delights of this beautiful country. Whether you are travelling alone or travelling with family, your itinerary can please everyone. (And do watch out for the Loch Nest Monster while you are vacationing)

Leprechauns are thought to have pots of gold with them, and the Irish golf courses are considered by many to be a golfing treasure chest of some of the finest golf course gems in the world. With such a fantastic recommendation, a trip to the Green Isle when on your summer golfing vacation makes great sense.

Golfing Packages Make Planning Simple

Golfing Packages are becomingly increasingly popular among golfing sports fans around the world. Accommodation, green fees and food costs are all included together with a planned itinerary. Online golfing associations who are experts in arranging all the details of a perfect package deal to almost any location in the world, are readily available to offer advice and assistance in planning the details of your trip.

Research and Choose Carefully

Before you book one of the hundreds of golf packages available, don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and do lots of reading. Enjoy researching the fantastic options available and then go do it. Book your vacation and enjoy an experience of a lifetime confident your every desire is catered for.

Golfing Packages in Arizona... An Enthusiasts Dream Destination

2010-12-26T11:19:00.001-08:00

Ask any golfing enthusiast about their ideal holiday and they would probably tell you it would be to visit a golfing resort and take advantage of complete golfing packages on offer at most resorts. They would probably suggest that among the best in the world are those in the state of Arizona

Why Arizona?

Arizona is one of the south western states of the USA. Arguably best known as the home of the Grand Canyon, Arizona has been nicknamed “The Grand Canyon State”. Arizona is a desert state with a magnificent rocky desert landscape. It is known for its hot summers and mild winters. Combining golf vacations with such magnificent geographical features ensures an unforgettable golfing experience.

The Landscape Experience

A decision to combine a holiday and a golf trip to Arizona won’t disappoint those who choose to visit the state. Arizona has over 400 golf courses located throughout the country. Whether the choice is made to visit a golf course in the alpine country or on a desert style fairway, there will be an option to satisfy every budget and preference.

The Climate Experience

Arizona’s unique climate enables visitors to enjoy the golfing experience all year round. Even in the coldest months between November and February the average temperature is a mild 60 degrees Fahrenheit. During the hot summer months the temperature may exceed 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Choosing a Package Holiday

Most people who head to Arizona for a golfing holiday experience take advantage of one of the golfing package holidays available throughout the State. They provide cost effective accommodations and golfing options that cater to everyone. There are a variety of fairways to choose from, some of which are listed on the PGA internationals listings. These may be more expensive than some of the lesser known courses, but all offer year round deals, which are very popular with visitors. These deals may include extra free days and the opportunity to play free of charge at other resorts.

The Complete Arizona Holiday Experience

Purchasing a comprehensive holiday package which combines a holiday and the opportunity to play Arizona golf at some of the most beautiful fairways in the world promises an unforgettable holiday experience. Unique weather conditions and some excellent deals offered by the golfing resorts all year round, provides incentive for golfers to return to Arizona regularly.

Finding The Perfect Golf Packages

2010-12-12T21:40:00.001-08:00

Are you passionate about golf or know someone who is? Golf is a great sport because it’s something you can do on your own or make into a sociable occasion. It can be played in most weather and any day up until sundown. If you’re thinking about looking into golf packages, here are some things that you should think about when planning.

What Do You Need To Consider?

The most basic considerations are much the same as for any holiday; Where should I go? When is the best time of year? How long should I say? What will be the cost? You may also need to think about the rest of your party. If it’s a pure golf addicts' trip then there’s no need to make allowances for non-players who will need to be entertained while the golfers are golfing.

One of your biggest decisions will be whether or not to organize your own trip—including booking the courses and arranging the green fees—or to take advantage of one of the many integrated golf packages that are now on offer through regular high street travel companies or through dedicated service providers. The advantage of the latter is that they are mostly online and include photographs and reviews of the courses and trips available.

Where Should You Stay?

Golf is played all over the world and virtually every country can now offer you a wonderful variety of golf courses to choose from. And if you’re looking for a wide variety of attractions beyond the golf course, one place you might consider is the British Isles.

Golf in Scotland offers the experience of courses in unrivalled settings - green glens, deep, grey lochs wind-blown links on rugged coastlines and of course, the home of golf itself at St Andrews. Golf Scotland offers the sport to suit all budgets. For instance, you can stay in humble but cozy and welcoming bed and breakfast houses or in the opulence of the Gleneagles Hotel and its world class course.

If the weather of the Highlands isn’t your thing, then consider the regimented and well groomed courses set in the gentler countryside of England and Wales where courses are differentiated more by their design than their location.

If links golf is your passion, then Ireland should be your destination as there are more links courses there per head than anywhere else in the world as well as plenty of excellent parkland courses. Golf Ireland offers superb value for money for excellent scenic and picturesque courses in a country famous for its welcoming its visitors with wide open arms.

Myrtle Beach: Ultimate Family Golf Getaway

2010-11-30T20:59:00.001-08:00

Looking for a really great family golf travel idea? It’s not too early to start thinking about great spring and summer opportunities . . . mull them over during the holidays and then get those reservations confirmed! (Tip:

Travel insurance is a good idea to in case you have to change them.)

What could be better for family ties than combining adult golf with mini-golf for the kids? For family fun, golf, and mini-golf, you can’t beat coastal South Carolina. Just head to Myrtle Beach, especially to the area known as the Grand Strand. Your kids will be thrilled at the sandcastles, ice cream, and fun.

A jaunt down U.S. 17 will have them hanging out the windows betting to stop at gargantuan mini-golf courses with pirate ships and mythical creatures. TheHawaiian Rumble, home of the pro mini golf master’s tournament, features a volcano that gushes steam and flames though the five courses at Captain Hook’s generally rates higher with visitors. You can choose from Jurassic, safari, and other themes that will delight the kids.

Of course there is more than golf in Myrtle Beach. There’s the beach of course, and other family attractions such as Ripley’s Aquarium, where you can get close up and personal with stingrays and sharks, and Brookgreen Gardens, with its trails, gator tours, and regional zoo.

After you’ve thrilled them with mini-golf, why not introduce them to real golf. In Myrtle Beach you’ll find great golf schools, including ones that will take parents and children. The Classic Swing, for example, has been repeatedly recommended by Golf Magazine for its excellent instruction.

If you can fit some time in for grown-up golf, the choices are too numerous to mention, and range from highly ranked public courses to award-winning landscaped layouts. Traditional folks love the Legends at Heathland, for a taste of Scotland, while others discover the challenge of several great courses rolled into one at the World Tour Golf Links.

You’ll find lodging to fit all family budgets, from economy to luxury. A good golf trip planner can help you find the golf package that meets your needs, from the kids to the adults.

Who knows? By spending quality time with the family this way, you might even turn some of those little putters into great golfing buddies for more serious

golf vacations.

Gift Books for Golfers: The Wonderful World of Golf

2010-11-23T18:21:00.000-08:00

As the holiday season nears, what can you give the golfer on your list. When golf trips are not in your shopping budget, consider a great book on golf travel around the world. When golfers aren't playing golf, they love watching it and reading about it!

Here are some books to stir the imagination of the golfing enthusiasts you know. List prices are noted, but you can find some significant discounts. Check out your local bookstores as well as Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Powell's for gorgeous coffee table golf books that even non-golfers would be tempted to leaf through.

THE TRADITIONAL GOLFER. For the more traditional golfer, the one who loves a bit of history, who thinks that links courses are the real golf, we recommend these:

The Spirit of St. Andrews by Alister MacKenzie and Robert Tyre Jones, Jr. (Foreword)

Hardcover, 29.95

True Links by George Peper and Malcolm Campbell Hardcover, 40.00

Another Journey through the Links by David Worley and Peter Thomson

Hardcover, 65.00

THE VANGUARD GOLFER. Is your golfer the cutting-edge type, always looking for what is new or exciting, imagining what the "best course ever" might look like? Try these:

Dream Golf: The Making of Bandon Dunes, Revised and Expanded by Stephen Goodwin. Hardcover, 24.95

Golf's Dream 18s: Fantasy Courses Comprised of Over 300 Holes from Around the World by David Barrett

THE ADVENTURE GOLFER. Perhaps your golf fanatic is dreaming of swinging clubs in all 50 states or on distant shores--if so, these could get him or her planning the next 10 years of golf vacations!

Planet Golf USA: The Definitive Reference to Great Golf Courses in America by Darius Oliver (Author) and Ben Crenshaw (Foreword)

Hardcover, 60.00

Planet Golf: The Definitive Reference to Great Golf Courses Outside the United States of America by Darius Oliver (Author) and David Scaletti (Photographer)

60.00, hardcover

World Atlas of Golf: The Greatest Courses and How They Are Played by Mark Rowlinson (Editor)

Hardcover, 39.95

Who knows? Even if you are not a golfer, taking time to look at some of these classy, well photographed and expertly written golf books could change your mind--and you'll be asking Santa for your own set of clubs and planning your own golf trips!

From Ryder Cup Watcher to Wales Golf Vacationer

2010-10-11T11:29:00.001-07:00

The breathtaking finish of the 2010 Ryder Cup was matched only by the scenery of this very special course.

After being glued to the TV (or telly, as you will) to watch this nearly century old rivalry, I came away with renewed admiration for US Open Champ,

Graeme McDowell, who led his European team to victory on the last day with an absolutely unforgettable putt.

I also came away with a new fascination for the host country. I am definitely moving

Wales onto the “must do” list of golf trips. The Twenty Ten Course just blew me away with those “risk-and-reward” dilemmas that makes the game as great for us amateurs as it is for the pros.

It is the first course to be built specifically for the Ryder Cup, with a par of 71 and 7,493 yards off the back tees. Punctuated by water hazards and six signature holes, the course offers a both a links-like feel with some long rough and greenside swales.

Of course this is only one of the courses to be tackled at the Celtic Manor Resort. Colin Montgomerie, the European captain, designed one which is named in his honor as well. A living golf legend, Monty shows his traditionalism in design, adding deep pot bunkers to give a links feel. Panoramic views abound, as do dramatic tee shots and downhill shots.

The Roman Road course rounds out the world-class offerings at Celtic Manor. Golf Monthly named it the top inland course in Wales as soon as it opened, which tells you something about the level of design and management that can be expected.

Luxury accommodations can also be expected, including two spas with all the trimmings, from spa treatments and plunge pools to the latest in fitness equipment with instructors on hand. While working on your putting, why not work on your image as well at the award-winning salon?

There’s no doubt that the Ryder Cup spotlight has changed Wales tourism. Now that the championship crowds have died down, golf vacations without the hubub will be the rule there. With castles, beaches, mountains, and of course the rolling countryside, Wales offers great opportunities for exploration.

That’s one of the great things about the game, eh? Golf gives us a chance to enjoy the sport as well as virtual or actual golf trips

to some of the most beautiful spots in the world. And from what I saw during the Ryder Cup, Wales definitely is one of them!

Golf and Snorkel Year Round in the Sunny Bahamas

2010-10-09T14:52:00.000-07:00

As autumn leaves swirl, it’s time to plan golf vacations where the sun shines all year round. Just 55 miles of the east coast of Florida lies a golfer’s paradise: the Bahamas. With an average winter temperature of 70 degrees, the skies are nearly always blue, the grass is always green, including on the golf courses.

While there are 700 spectacular islands in the Bahama chain, the major golf attraction is on Grand Bahama Island, which beacons to golfers from all around the world. Great golfing can be found in Freeport, the “second city” in Bahamas, after Nassau. This island city was transformed just 50 years ago from swampland to international resort by a wealthy Virginia lumberman.

The result is a unique blend of cosmopolitan world-class resorts, historical charm, and tropical easy going manners. In addition to fabulous golfing, visitors stream to Grand Bahama Island to enjoy water sports on endless beaches with emerald green waters.

The best way to see the variety of marine life is up close and personal by snorkeling and diving, of course. You can take a short catamaran ride to a shallow coral reef and feed tropical fish right out of your hand! Tropical gardens and quaint fishing villages make island touring fun—and a photographic delight.

Freeport boasts two championship golf courses, both integrated into the luxury resort, Our Lucaya, considered number one in the Bahamas by LINKS magazine and named one of the top 100 golf resorts by The Golfer. The Our Lucayan Course, designed by Dick Wilson, is a lush, tree-lined course with tropical greens and doglegs that will get you to hone your swing. The Robert Trent Jones, Jr. sculpted the Reef Course which opened in 2000.

When golfing a la Freeport, it is easy to transform golf packages into something-for-everyone vacations, from spas to casinos, water sports to shopping and dining. The 7.5 acres of soft sand beaches offer a different kind of sand trap for the dedicated golfer, as does hopping island nightlife. You are likely to be tempted.

Finally Freeport offers the opportunity to combine golfing travel with weddings and honeymoons. Why not get married right there on the beach--and enjoy a round of golf in the afternoon? Of course this is best advised for golfing couples!

Heartland Golfing: The Prairie Club Experience

2010-09-23T15:26:00.001-07:00

What has inspired so many golfers to "head for the hills" in what used to be called “fly-over country?”

Is it the waves of grassy sand dunes that roll across the landscape until stopped by the stark buttes that defy the “flat as a pancake” stereotype of the Great Plains?

Could it be the the fascination with tree-lined holes dangling right on the rim of the awesome Snake River Canyon?

Or is it the chance to experience glorious granite sculptures of Mount Rushmore and the rugged beauty of the pinnacles, buttes and grasslands of the Badlands?

Might it be the chance for one of the most amazing golf vacations ever, set in a rolling seascape of prairieland that appears to have been sculpted by nature to be the perfect site for golf?

All those factors allowed one of America’s newest hot golf spots, The Prairie Club, to open last May with 186 members and book 1,500 room-nights in its first few months. A semi-private club, it ranks right up there among golf trips for those seeking a golf-focused venue. Based on the successful Bandon Dunes model, golfers take an incredible journey from the airport to the site through some of America’s most spectacular scenery before arriving at the Prairie Club in Valentine, Nebraska. The development, spearheaded by Tom Shock, features three very different courses and ample lodging

The Dunes Course beckons the links style golfer with its stark and canvas-worthy panoramas that eventually culminate in the magnificent greens more akin to a tropical atoll than limiting and erroneous cornfield stereotypes of the Great Plains. In reflecting on the place, Tom Lehmans, who designed the course with Chris Brands, quotes Old Tom Morris: “The Almighty had golf in his eye when he made this place.”

On the Graham Marsh-designed Pines Course, golf becomes a silent reverie as you meander along pines and the canyon rim. Enjoy the warm sun and views of the canyon which blocks the wind that sweeps across the plains. Refresh yourself with a long drink from the Ogallala aquifer—the world’s largest—and end the last hole right in front of the inviting clubhouse.

For a short challenge, get your golfing buddies and head over to the Horse Course, a 10-hole course with undulating greens and breath-taking blowouts. Gil Hanse designed this tee-less course which lets the winner of the previous hole select the stance, lie, and shot for the next one, to maximize creativity and fun.

The Prairie Club Lodge and additional cabins along the Snake River canyon offer comfortable but not pretentious lodging. Enjoy fabulous Nebraska beef as well as regional specialties such as buffalo and quail along with a perfect setting for talking golf into the wee hours under a starry sky.

For fantastic golf vacations where golfing meets nature head-on, where you will want your camera as well as your clubs, head for the plains and bluffs and enjoy the Prairie Club in its inaugural year or as soon as you can fit it in your itinerary.

The Year Round Golfing Paradise: Hawaii

2010-09-09T19:33:00.001-07:00

For golf holidays year round, Hawaii offers a true paradise. From diverse golf courses to unspoiled beauty, Hawaii is a dream vacation for golfers and even their non-golfing partners or families.

For me, the perfect venue is the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu. First of all, it is the only real full-service luxury resort on the famous North Shore. Where else will you find five miles of pristine beaches, 12 miles of ocean trails, and, of course, two great golf courses?

An Idyllic Family or Couples Retreat

A family-friendly resort for golf travel, kids of all ages will have a blast in the Keiki (Kids) Turtle Club. The club introduces children to Hawaiian culture through arts and crafts, beach activities, and games. If you want your children to put away those video games, just mention the reef walks and night sand crab hunts!

Want to mix romance with your golfing? Bring your sweetheart and get married or celebrate that special anniversary. You’ll find all the services you need, from fresh flower leis to bridal gown pressing and musicians. Request to have your bed sprinkled with rose petals or the room decorated with orchids.

More than Just Golf

At Turtle Bay, the options are all there. You can choose a helicopter ride and get the birds’ eye perspective of the tropical, lush beauty of the island. Or experience it up close and personal by with a guided eco-tour by kayak. If you haven’t tried surfing, this would be the ideal place to learn. For a peaceful afternoon, take a stroll along the beach or among the swaying palms and ironwood trees. Tennis and horseback riding add to the ways to experience this fantastic place. When it comes to golf resorts, this one is ideal.

You won’t want to miss the unique shopping for taking home Hawaiian treasures, from clothing to jewelry, to Polynesian handicrafts. And when you really want to relax, the full service spa awaits you.

Oceanside Golfing at Turtle Bay

“The Palmer course is the best course on Oahu,” asserts NBC golf expert Mark Rolfing. That might explain why it was the site of the legendary PGA Tour Champion’s Tour Turtle Bay Championship through 2008 and is now the site of the LPGA tour.

Designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay, this unusual 18-hole course surrounds the lovely Punaho'olapa Marsh. It offers a blend of challenge and spectacular beauty for golfers of all abilities. The 17^th hole, clearly the signature hole, is situated just 100 feet from the Pacific Ocean, with nine craggy bunkers surrounding the landing area and extending clear up to the green. Turtle Bay.

Turtle Bay also boasts the only Hawaiian course designed by George Fazio. It formerly hosted the LPGA Tour’s Hawaiian Open and the first Senior Skins Game with golf legends Arnold Palmer, Chi Chi Rodriguez, Gary Player and Sam Sneed. You’ll find the course has “generous fairways, deep bunkers and immaculately sculpted greens,” as your Turtle Bay hosts would say.

When planning one of your next golf packages, consider the Aloha state and enjoy a bit of paradise!

The Most Extreme Golf Hole in the World

2010-08-15T11:26:00.001-07:00

Are you ready to take the challenge of the world's most talked about and unique golf hole in the world? Then on your next golf trip, visit Par 3, the Extreme 19th Hole at the Legend Golf and Safari Resort in South Africa's Limpopo Province. The resort took top spot for the 2010 Travel Award as Africa’s Leading Golf Resort and was named Africa's Leading Sports Resort.

Situated on the bulwark Hanglip Mountain and accessible only by helicopter, the hole is 430 meters above the green below, making it the longest Par 3 in the world. It takes about 20 seconds for the ball to drop to the green, which has the shape and contours of Africa itself.

Even those who might pass on the 19^th hole will find something exciting about the first 18: every single one was designed by a different internationally golfing legend! This is the only course in the world that can say that. Its wide fairways and USGA-standard greens seamlessly incorporate holes designed by such golfing luminaries as Trevor Immelman (former US Masters Champion), Padraig Harrington (two-time Open Champion and US PGA champion), Vijay Singh, Sergio Garcia, and Justin Rose, among others.

Meanwhile the innovative Tribute Course comprises 10 holes, each one from a different existing famous venue, from the 10th at Pine Valley and the 11th from the St. Andrews Old Course to the 12^th “Golden Bell” at Augusta and the 6^th at Royal Melbourne.

When you are contemplating luxurious golf vacations, this definitely fits the bill. The lodgings and attractions complement the fabulous golf. You can opt for the boutique hotel or one of the luxury resort villages, wander through its world class botanical gardens, indulge in the Wellness Centre with its fountain of youth and African spa treatments.

Set in the 22,000 hectare Entabeni Safari Conservancy, the resort boasts no fewer than five eco-systems, with breathtaking scenery and diverse wildlife, all just two hours’ drive from Johannesburg’s international airport.

Even if you don’t want to plunk down roughly US$200 for the 19th hole (which includes the copter ride and DVD of your shot), you are sure to have one of your most memorable golf vacations ever here. You might want to practice your swing first--if you get a hole-in-one on the 19th, you win a million dollars! Imagine the golf trips you could take with that!

Glamor and Golfing in Vegas

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

One of the great things about golfing is that you can let it be the gateway to so many other adventures! Your golf travel can take you around the world, from seascapes to mountain panoramas, from near-wilderness to the most hip places on the planet.

If you want to swing more than your clubs, the really hip place for your golf vacation is Las Vegas. Just a dusty frontier town a century ago, Las Vegas continues to amaze visitors with ever more things to do. Transformed from the old “Sin City” to “The Entertainment Capital of the World,” Las Vegas offers something for everyone, including families, couples, groups, and more!

Gambling and Fun. Gambling made Vegas famous, and the ever-more luxurious establishments lure not just gamblers but big-name headliners for entertainment, including the breathtaking Cirque de Soleil, museums, and more. Choose from any of the dramatic or more modest casinos for slots, black jack, and other games of chance.

Shopping. If you are lucky at the tables, you can go wild at the three casino arcades. The Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian, where you can browse in a faux St. Mark’s Square or take a ride on a gondola. Go back in history architecturally at the Roman-inspired Forum shops at Caesar’s Palace. Watch the high-rollers as you check out the designer shoes and fashions, glittering jewelry, and other high-ticket items.

Nightlife. The great thing about golfing vacations in Vegas is that you still have plenty of time to enjoy the world-famous nightlife. For a memorable stroll along “the Strip,” start at what Frommer’s calls “the world's largest sound-and-light show.” Begin at Luxor, meander past the faux Eiffel Tower and Coliseum and marvel at the erupting volcano at The Mirage. If you are still game, finish with a view of overhead acrobats at Circus Circus.

Fine Dining. Las Vegas now claims international fame for its award-winning restaurants (over a dozen with Michelin stars) and celebrity chefs. At the MGM Grand, savor French delicacies under crystal chandeliers at Joel Robuchon’s, which boasts three stars. Buffets are standard casino fare, but Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas will satisfy the more demanding diners.

The Golfing. Las Vegas is also on a quest to become the golf capital of the world, with over 50 options and more on the way. The contrast between lush fairways and desert panoramas is just part of the beauty. For example, the Painted Desert Golf Course

just north of the strip has become a favorite for those less interested in heroic maneuvers who just want to enjoy good golf in a great atmosphere. Golf Digest has recommended the Las Vegas Golf Club as a “best place to golf,” while the Dye-designed Desert Pines offers lakes and evergreens for a cool golfing experience.

So when you plan your golf vacations and want to add some glitz, go Vegas!

Golfing in Paradise

2010-07-21T15:43:00.000-07:00

Where can you combine golf with horseback riding on a tropical beach, a massage at a full-service spa, a night of passionate flamenco, and fascinating tours of historical buildings and art museums?

Puerto Rico!

Now is a great time to plan your golf travel to this Caribbean island paradise that combines challenging golf with fabulous sightseeing and just plain relaxing with a range of accommodations and exotic cuisines.

TROPICAL GOLFING

As you enjoy the best golfing in the Caribbean, soak in the lush verdant surroundings, winding rivers, bluffs, and spectacular ocean views. Want diversity? You can hone your skills on the 15 island courses designed by such luminaries as Robert Trent Jones Sr., Rees Jones, Tom and George Fazio, and Greg Norman.

At Palmas del Mar, the Flamboyan championship golf course designed by Rees Jones offers me wide fairways, distinctive bunkering, a 23-acre lake, and a notable crosswind on the 8^th hole. The course crosses the Candelero River, skirts the seashore, with rolling greens for memorable golf. For a change of pace, there is the Palm, designed by Gary Player, is known for its lush tropical landscape, water hazards, and panoramic views. The small, elusive greens are interspersed with marshes, jungle, and coconut groves for a totally tropical ambience.

At Rio Mar, you have your choice of the ocean course and the river course. The former, by Tom and George Fazio, is a classic layout, with Atlantic panoramas in the distance and the occasional iguana up close and personal. Greg Norman’s riverside course, ideal for all levels, is framed by vistas of mountain and sea, follows the natural terrain while preserving native vegetation.

DELIGHTS OF OLD SAN JUAN

Most golf packages can include time in San Juan so that you can get to know the culture. Fodor’s recommends planning one to two days to indulge you in the sightseeing and shopping in Old San Juan. Founded in 1521, this designated U.S. National Historic Zone is chock full of carefully preserved and restored examples over 400 examples of 16th- and 17th-century Spanish colonial architecture. More than 400 buildings have been beautifully restored. Bring your camera to capture shots of lacy wrought-iron balconies draped with bright flowers over cobbled streets.

Plan on dressing up a bit in San Juan, as the natives do, when you go out on the town to enjoy the many art galleries, museums, bars, casinos, music venues, and live theater. It’s not a duty-free port, but you will find intriguing local crafts and can often watch the artisans right at work, making small religious figurines, cigars, lace, and Carnival masks. (As Puerto Rico is a territory of the U.S., your dollar works just fine.)

Your biggest concern will be how to fit in all the golf, water sports, touring, and entertainment possible in beautiful San Juan and environs. When you consider all that Puerto Rico has to offer, you’ll want to arrange your golf trips to visit again and again.

Visit Eastern Canada for Cool Golf Vacations

2010-07-05T20:16:00.001-07:00

When summer temperatures soar across much of the United States and Europe, even the most avid golfer loses some enthusiasm for hitting the links. That’s the time to head north for your golf vacations to some of the best golfing on the planet.

From spring through early fall, Canada is the perfect spot for golf trips, with great courses and spectacular scenery in addition to very delightful climates. From the Maritimes to the mountains, individuals, groups, and families will find plenty of activities in addition to great golfing.

PEI: Golfing in the Maritimes

Starting on the East Coast, you have Prince Edward Island, with more than a century of golf history. In fact, readers of Score magazine rated PEI as “Canada’s Best Golf Destination” two years in a row. It has 10 of the top 100 courses in the country, as rated by Globe and Mail, and some of the top courses in North America according to Golf Digest.

Since “the Emerald Isle” is only 120 miles long and 20 miles across, all of these are within a short drive of each other, and include links, river and woodland courses. Highly recommended courses include Brudenell River, by far the most popular, Dundarave, The Links at Crowbush Cove, and Mill River.

PEI is also a very affordable vacation destination, and you’ll find many special golf packages to this maritime setting. You’re never more than 15 minutes from the shore, so plan on some fishing. The island also has great cycling routes and is home to “Anne of Green Gables.”

Quebec: Golfing in the Mountains

If you are up for a challenge, head for Tremblant. Just 90 minutes north of Montreal and about six hours north of Boston, you’ll find one of the most popular golf resorts in Northeastern America. Mt. Tremblant itself is the crown jewel of the Laurentian Mountains. Like Whistler in the west, it has been transformed from a ski resort to an all-year vacation hub given its proximity to Parc du Mont-Tremblant, a huge provincial nature park.

This resort village offers everything, including Quebec’s best golfing, with stunning views of lakes, forest, and mountains, and accommodations and dining from modest to luxurious. Off the course, you can choose from cycling, hiking, and some of the world’s best canoe waters. Let your booking agent help you plan the golf packages that meet your entire vacation needs.

In fact, there is so much to see and do in both of these eastern Canada resorts that you’ll want to return to them again and again for your golf vacations!

Family and Golf Vacations all In One

2010-06-21T18:33:00.001-07:00

With the onset of summer come vacations and family plans as well as the perfect time to hit a few golf balls whether for business or pleasure. Now, you can book the ideal golf vacation and have your personal itinerary planned out for you all before you leave you home. Online you will find over forty perfect golf destinations, more than one hundred hotels and golf resorts as well as over four hundred beautiful and challenging golf courses. Throughout the United States or overseas you can book your ideal golf vacation for business or pleasure with the comfort that only the top golf courses, hotels, golf resorts and other golf destinations are yours to choose from. All the golf destinations have been handpicked after personal experiences by individuals with high standards so you can rest assured that you will receive only the best for your money and your vacation time.

Bring your family to Orlando and while you golf with Mickey Mouse they can run the day away through the streets of Disney or the many other theme parks in the area. After a day on the beautiful golf course in Orlando you can spend the evenings watching the fireworks or enjoying the warm Florida evenings on your private balcony only to begin the day again mapped out in your personal itinerary. Maybe your style leans more toward the cooler climate with less humidity? There are numerous golf packages for you as well. You can hit golf balls in the beautiful deserts of Nevada or along the coastline in South Carolina while still enjoying the challenge of a good golf course. You can venture even further south and enjoy the golf courses of New Mexico or jump on a plane and enjoy the rolling plains of Ireland and the scenery of Scotland. You will even find wonderful golf courses in Arizona and Oregon with five star resorts or hotels to add comfort to your vacation.

A golf vacation is great fun for your entire family when you book your travels through a company that knows firsthand the resorts and golf destinations to offer you. Now you can enjoy a golf game with your family or incorporate work with you family vacation when you take advantage of the wide variety of golf destinations. Put the days of planning your vacation on a beautiful golf resort and let the people at Golf Holidays book your golf get away today with the assistance of an affordable golf package.

Golf Vacations at Their Best

2010-06-16T17:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome summertime! That means it's perfect golfing weather in any location. If you prefer the warmer climates now is your perfect time, however, if you prefer a cooler golf game this is the perfect time for a golf game in the northern part of the map. What better time to schedule a golf vacation with friends or family than now. With the assistance of a knowledgeable customer service rep and only the top of the line golf destinations, you can be sure you will have the golf trip of your life. Not only can you enjoy golfing with co-workers or friends but you will even find golf courses that are located close to family attractions for your vacation with your family. Choose your destination today and take pride in the fact that not only are you headed to an exclusive top of the line golf course but saving money on the trip before you even leave your home.

Whether you are heading to Jacksonville, Florida, or overseas to Ireland, you can be sure you will be impressed with the golf course you choose as well as the surroundings and place you will spend your nights. You can find affordable golf packages that will accommodate your golfing needs as well as your entertainment needs and the best restaurants in the particular areas. Maybe you are planning a employee golf vacation for your whole office but want something out of the ordinary and away from the hustle and bustle of your normal everyday life? Online you will find the perfect quiet office get away but the top notch golf course for the destination you choose. With the advantage of the variety of golf vacation packages you have to choose from your dreams will become a reality and your pocketbook will still love you.

Start booking your golf vacation today rather you are golfing with family, co workers or friends. Customize your golf trip to fit the needs you have for this particular trip rather stateside or overseas. The sky’s the limit when you put your golf booking needs in the hands of professionals who know firsthand the location you will be visiting and the golf course you love. Make your next golf vacations a trip to remember and know that your golf desires are going to be met!

The Ten Top Golf Resorts for 2010

2010-05-17T09:55:00.001-07:00

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

2010-05-13T16:03:00.000-07:00

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.

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!

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!

Avoiding 5 Common Golf Injuries

2010-04-17T20:29:00.000-07:00

The fact that many great golfers are still playing into their 60s and 70s often lulls people into a false sense of security about the game. Golf is not for the infirm, it isn’t a great game for the unfit … and it definitely has potential risks. If you want to make sure that you golf travel doesn’t have any unwanted and unexpected consequences, read these tips on avoiding 5 of the most common golfing injuries.

Avoiding … Back Pain

You don't want to be stuck in your hotel room on a golf vacation. You want to be out there on the putting green, the fairway and right next to the hole (hopefully not in the rough!). Back pain is a common golf injury, and you can avoid it by following a regime of increasing both the strength and flexibility of your back. Ask your local gym instructor which machines to use, and remember to stretch both morning and night.

Avoiding … tennis elbow

Yes, counter-intuitive as it might be, tennis elbow is more common among golfers than golfer's elbow is! Switch to a graphite shaft for your golf club and use low-compression balls to reduce elbow strain. Have a pro look at your grip and swing with you, also.

Avoiding … shoulder pain

You're in Myrtle Beach, with the beautiful sea air on a delicious golf green beckoning and the promise of a delicious dinner that night. But you're frozen on your hotel bed in shoulder agony! Try to keep your swing plane relatively flat, and slow down on your backswing in addition to doing your usual strength and flexibility training.

Avoiding … carpal tunnel

Use larger or softer grips, and reduce your grip pressure on the club handle to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome. General strengthening is also very important.

Avoiding … knee pain

Knee pain could be a result of osteoarthritis or a torn meniscus, each of which require medical intervention. The best advice is to keep up your varied diet and regular exercise to reduce your chance of developing either of these.

4 Top-Reviewed Drivers

2010-04-14T09:39:00.001-07:00

Get a good drive, and the entire hole feels different. Get a good hole in, and you get the confidence boost you need for an awesome game. Get a good game, and you have a GREAT golf vacation!

If you’re looking to really shine on the course on your next golf vacation, you might have thought about upgrading your driver. Today we look at some of the top-reviewed models of drivers currently available, their features and benefits.

Nike Conforming Sasquatch Sumo Squared Driver

The Nike Driver has a name that sounds like some sort of horror movie, and a sound upon hitting the ball that people most often equate with a tin can … but everyone who buys one, loves it. This is an ultra-long driver, and people have credited it with improving consistency in their results, greatly increasing their yardage, and generally being great value. Without the marketing jibberish, here are some of the base technological inclusions that make this a great driver for your next golf vacation:

Square geometry
Multi material construction
Lower, further back center of gravity.

Cleveland Launcher Driver

This driver consistently gets 100%, five star reviews from its users. It features:

An 'improved' center of gravity
Horseshoe weight pad
'Improved' movement of inertia
Ultra-big launch face

Bobby Jones Workshop Edition Driver

It's expensive, just like everything that has the Bobby Jones name on it. If you look around, though, you can find some generous discounts off RRP on this driver, and bag yourself a club that almost everyone feels is a 5 star experience. It has:

Smaller profile, deeper face dimension
Great weight distribution
A design made for mid-high handicap golfers

Cleveland Hibore XLS Draw Driver

If you're not one for technical details, all you need to know about this driver is that people feel that it 'makes their shots go straight'! If you do want the lowdown, though:

Increased movement of inertia over older Cleveland models
Crown plaque and wings for easy setup of shots
Cleveland's largest ever face
Extended hot zone

If you’re going to go to the trouble of golf package, you might as well come back from it feeling like a winner … and if your game has been struggling, a new driver might just turn it round!

Unlimited Golf

2010-03-20T19:32:00.001-07:00

I recently retired after working more than 45 years as an executive accountant. During my career I made some sacrifices in order to be able to retire well. I’m a golfer and I wanted to be able to spend my golden years taking as many golf vacations as I wanted. I was able to do that and have already taken a few mini-trips to various golfing resorts.

I’ve had a Scotland golf vacation planned for over a year in which my wife and I will be taking in May. I have looked forward to this trip for years and am finally getting to see so many of my personal dreams come true. I worked hard to be able to enjoy my retirement and I’m happy to say I am going to see that as a reality.

There are so many resorts that offer golf packages which include room, cart rental, and greens fees. Some of the packages will even include complimentary dinners or breakfast. My wife and I have four major vacations planned for this year, including the trip to Scotland and five major vacations planned for the following year. Every three or four months we are taking off for another new adventure.

A few years before I retired I hired a golf travel agent who specializes in golfing locations around the world. She came up with some wonderful trips for us and got us some of the best deals possible. I am very excited about the many trips we have planned for the US and abroad; these will be some of the best memories of our lives.

While I was still working ten of my buddies from the country club I belong to took a lot of weekend golf trips to locations close enough to easily drive to and spend a couple nights. Those were some fun times and I’ve surprised my buddies with a major golf outing for all of us at a resort. It’s just my way of thanking them for all the great times of golf we’ve had.

Golf is a Way of Life

2010-03-09T12:11:00.001-08:00

My husband and I met in college; he was on the men’s golfing team and I was on the women’s golfing team. We are both still very active in the sport and have come very close to hitting professional status. We’ve been married for five years and don’t have any children so as time permits we often take golf vacations and visit some well known golf courses around the world.

We just got back from Myrtle Beach where we spent a week playing one of the nicest courses in the United States. We are self employed and own several properties which allow us to travel whenever we decide we want to. We have several couples that we travel with who share our enthusiasm for the sport.

This summer we have a Scotland golf vacation planned that will be a dream come true for the both of us. We have always wanted to travel to Scotland and play those legendary courses and we are finally making that dream a reality. We will be spending three weeks abroad and will most likely travel to Ireland to hit a few balls on those courses as well.

Most destinations we pick to travel to are booked as golf packages which get us our room and greens fees for a discounted rate. There are thousands of resorts that offer these types of packages and can save you hundreds of dollars if you book them as we do. I suppose we will always be active in golf and have already began making plans for our retirement home somewhere in Florida where we can golf year around. I’m looking forward to sharing the next fifty or sixty years with my husband as we travel all over the world to try our luck at some of the most famous golf course ever constructed.

2010-02-17T19:57:00.001-08:00

There's nothing with the power to put you down in the dumps quite like arranging an amazing golf holiday … and then messing up every shot you take for five days! If you have a terrible tendency to slice, we have some great tips for clearing up your swing before you leave on a golf vacation. Nothing left to do but enjoy your trip!

Understand the reason for slice

In technical terms, slicing is a clubface problem. The swingpath may be straight, but the face of the club is open, creating a sidespin moving from left to right.

Make sure your feet and shoulders are aligned

This is one of the most crucial tips. Golf stance is one of the fundamentals of having a good game, and it can feel a little uncomfortable at first to stand properly. Make sure the line created between your heel is aligned with the line created between your two shoulders. If it is not, you will almost certainly slice … no matter how hard you concentrate on getting your swing straight. Practice plenty before you leave for your golf vacation, to help make the new stance feel natural.

But I thought my feet and shoulders WERE aligned!

Sometimes we just can't tell! Use a long ruler, or the aid of a golf teacher or fellow player to help you assess whether your shoulders and feet really are aligned. What feels straight to you, may not necessarily be straight.

Follow through

It can feel unnatural to keep swinging as hard as you can until you can’t go any further, rather than just kitting the ball and letting the club fall back. However, follow through is critical in getting that ball to travel where you want it to! Golf teachers often have a heap of tips to help you make follow through feel natural.

Grip

If your grip is too far to the left, this will cause an open club face and clockwise spin … otherwise known as a slice. If your clubface is square to the target, you should be able to look down and see at least two knuckles of your left hand. If you see two, three or four, your grip is not your problem - your follow through or stance most likely is.

There are a few issues to look at to make sure your slice doesn’t ruin your golf vacation .. plenty of reason to get practicing right now!

Long Weekend Golf Holiday Planner: 3 Nights and Days in Palm Springs

2010-02-09T10:10:00.001-08:00

If you live in California and have an upcoming long weekend, Palm Springs should be your golfing holiday destination of choice! Far enough away to feel like you’re on holidays, but a short enough drive so you don't feel that you're wasting your vacation in driving, Palm Springs hosts courses that presidents, golfing legends, and movie stars play on. Today we help you plan a long weekend in Palm Springs, doing what you love best … golf!

Day 1: Cimarron -- Boulder (Long Course)

Get into the groove of your long weekend golf vacation at one of the areas less expensive golf courses, Cimarron. The course has some very unusual design features, like sod-wall bunkers filled with white crushed marble … and gorgeous emerald fairways.

Afternoon 1: Film Festival!

If you’re in Palm Springs during either January or June, you will have access to one of the region's month long film festivals -- either Shortfest in June, or the International Film Festival in January. The International Festival is pretty big, often showcasing over 200 films from more than 60 countries.

Day 2: Desert Dunes

Most golf course designers would be happy to have ONE of their courses listed in the "Best Public Courses" collection. This was the first course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr to be voted as one of the best public course in California. It has a slope of 142 and is rated 4 stars -- lots of water hazards and fast, sloped greens!

Afternoon 2: Elite Land Tours

These adventures by Hummer into the California desert allow you to explore, without taxing your poor legs too much to play golf tomorrow! Everybody who has been on these tours raves about them -- you can go out to Joshua Tree National Park or San Andreas Fault.

Day 3: GC at Terra Largo (Landmark)

Save the best course for your last day, and take home some beautiful memories of this picturesque course. The course has 36 holes in total, a slope of 137 and a wonderful 4.5 star rating.

Afternoon 3: The Fabulous Palm Springs Follies

You don't hear much of the music of the 40s, 50s and 60s any more … even the 90s is considered retro! You'll hear plenty on this side trip on your golf vacation, though. The Palm Springs Follies features both local performers and international vaudeville acts -- a riotous night out.

Long Weekend Golf Holiday Planner: 3 Nights and Days in Puerto Rico

2010-01-16T20:25:00.001-08:00

Puerto Rico is a great place for a golf holiday -- as an unincorporated self-governing territory of the United States, there are fewer administrative hassles than going for a long holiday to a completely different country. It is an archipelago, so you can see the ocean from just about wherever you are in Puerto Rico, and since it is only a short plane ride away (and there is no time one difference to speak of), it is quite easy to go down for a long weekend. Today we give you a guide to Puerto Rico's best golf and best afternoon activities for golf vacationers.

Day 1: Rio Mar, River Course

In most places, rivers don't really hold a candle to the power and beauty of the ocean. Puerto Rico's Rio Mar River course is a stunning exception! The native foliage has been largely preserved in this Greg Norman designed Caribbean golf course.

Afternoon 1: Le Lo Lai Festival

This show of traditional Puerto Rican dance is free aat two of its locations, and runs on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. It is on at 6pm, 7pm and 8pm at different locations, so don't worry if your game runs late!

Day 2: Palmas Del Mar Palm Course

Designed by Gary Palyer this resort style course is basic but very enjoyable. The path winds through cocunt groves, marshes and thick jungle - a great way to experience the real Puerto Rico while having a great game of golf! If you get through holes 11 to 14, you'll feel that you can get through anything.

Afternoon 2: Heineken Jazzfest

Tito Puente hails from Puerto Rico, and if your are here over May you'll be able to catch this 4 day festival with some of the biggest names in Latin jazz. Let your feet and your body learn about salsa and meringue, as well as swings and follow-throughs!

Day 3: Palmas del mar Flamboyan course

This course was designed by Rees Jones, and is long and challenging for a Puerto Rican course. It circles a 23-acre lake, crosses the Candalero River and climbs hills to the ocean views beyond. Bring your strong, wind-compensating arms!

Afternoon 3: Old San Juan

You've spent a few days checking out the natural beauty of Puerto Rico, now it is time to experience the only walled city in the Caribbean, with its maze of cobbled streets, beautifully painted houses, and the mansions which were targets for pirates.

Golf holidays to Puerto Rico are incredibly rewarding - not to be missed out on!

Golf Holidays With Bobby: All About Robert Trent Jones and His Courses

2010-01-04T21:06:00.000-08:00

He died at the ripe old age of 94, and it has been said that "The sun never sets on a Robert Trent Jones golf course!" No, he didn’t invent some artificial means of keeping the sun in position in the sky … he was simply one of the most prolific golf course designers in recent history. Today we take a selected look at some of Robert Trent Jones, Sr's courses that are best loved by golf professionals and golf holiday-ers alike.

Los Naranjos, Costa del Sol, Spain

One of Robert Trent Jones' trademarks was long runway style tees, which allow easy setup for getting past water hazards. This course also features wide fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and large, undulating greens -- tricky but enjoyable for golf vacationers!

Mid Ocean Club, Bermuda

Golf magaines can’t go past adding this one to the top 50 list, every time they create one. The par-3 16th hole is a favorite of players … including Jack Nicklaus! The PGA Grand Slam has been hosted by Mid Ocean Club several times.

Royal Kaanapali North, Maui

This course first openened in 1962 -- you can find many historic courses the world over that are the creation of Robert Trent Jones. In the foothills of the West Maui mountains, and the terrain of the course varies from sea level to beautiful sea views, and visions of the hotels dotted along the coast and mountains. The slope is 129, and this is rated 4 stars.

Port Royal Golf Club, Bermuda

The Bermudan government thit a winner with this golf club - they are the administrators of this Robert Trent Jones golf course. It is the most heavily played course in Bermuda, and hosts the Bermuda Open Championship every year. The ocean underneath the 16th is littered with little white balls, so if you don't play much, get some accuracy practice in before your golf holiday!

Three Golf Trip Games for Threesomes!

2009-12-14T19:50:00.001-08:00

Had somebody pull out of your golf vacation at the last minute, leaving a gaping hole in your foursome? Never fear -- there are still plenty of games that you can play as a threesome at America's top golf courses. We check out some suggested rule setups for three different threesome games: Niner, Bingo Bango Bongo, and Wolf.

Niner

This game starts off as traditional stroke play -- just hit your own ball until it is in the cup. Then handicaps are awarded -- five points for the person with the lowest net score, three points for the next lowest person, and one for the highest scorer, to make a total of nine points for every hole. Each player will get three points if there is a three way tie; for a winner and a tie for second place, award five, two and two points; for a tie for winner and a last place, award as four, four and one point. Tally the points at the end of the round.

Bingo Bango Bongo

The odd scoring system for Bingo Bango Bongo means that many players get a bit frustrated with it! However, if you’re on your golf vacation for the fun of it (and you wouldn’t really be competing with your friends, would you?), it's a great game. There are three points available per hole, and while the etiquette is standard (in terms of who plays next and who tees first), the scoring is definitely not. The first person on the green gets one point; the person closest to the hole once all players on the green gets one; the person with the longest holed putt (or first in the hole) gets the final point.

Wolf

In this game for threesome golf trips, on player is the wolf and the other two are hunters. The longest of the three drives becomes the wolf and the other two are hunters. When the hole is completed, the score of the wolf will be doubled, and the result compared against the combined score of the hunters. If the wolf wins the hole, he gets two points -- if the hunters win, they get one each. If it is a tie, the round is declared no blood, and scores are carried over to the next hole until somebody wins.

"I Play Heaps But Never Improve!" 3 Most Important Tips for Beating the Plateau

2009-12-03T21:24:00.001-08:00

If you're like many golfers, you hit a time in your progression when you plateau. A typical movement from beginner to pro involves a steep learning curve and rapid improvement when you start getting lessons; a more gradual improvement thereafter which usually evens off after a while. For some people, no matter how much they play, they never quite seem to get past this point. Often they assume it is just their natural best, and never try to get past it. It is after this time that many people give up the game … out of boredom. There is almost always more you can do to improve, though -- today we go through the most critical tips for getting over the hump in your game while on a golf vacation.

Look over the stats

If you just muddle along, you'll never get an accurate picture of exactly where your game is falling down. Make your next golf trip more worthwhile by incorporating a little more math -- play the same course every second day, and take notes about the shots you constantly play less well than you'd like to. This way you can go to a coach with an accurate idea of where you need help.

Get a coach!

The last point makes this obvious -- you need a coach to get past whatever mental or scoring block you have. The human brain is amazing, and can figure out many things by itself … but we are not omniscient! Use your upcoming golf vacation as an excuse to book in some tuition -- the change in scenery often helps encourage solid learning.

Grip, stance and tempo

80% of problems begin with either the grip, your stance or the tempo with which you swing. The internet offers plenty of advice on these issues - use it as a starting point. However, professional instruction really is the gold standard -- they can look at your individual body and see exactly what it is doing … and then correct it to help you play your best game on your next golf vacation.

Top Five Ways to Protect Yourself From Injury on Your Next Golf Vacation

2009-11-02T21:36:00.001-08:00

If you're planning a nice golf vacation in the near future, I'll bet you dollars to doughnuts that you aren’t planning to sustain an injury in the near future! The sad reality is that many golfing injuries are sustained while on vacation, for the simple fact that people are doing things that they're bodies haven’t been conditioned for by their daily life. If you’re planning a golf trip, here are some tips for getting into shape for it, and preventing injury while you’re away.

1. Do medium intensity cardio three times a week, high intensity twice a week

Aside from the encyclopedia of information that is available on how cardiovascular exercise improves our health, it also helps you make sure that you won’t keel over from exhaustion after your first 18 holes! A mix of moderate intensity (where you work at 60-70% of your maximum heart rate) and high intensity (where you work at 80% of your maximum heart rate) cardio programs is best.

2. Do core strengthening exercises

Few games depend as much on having strong core muscles as golf does. Get in the gym and do some lateral pull downs or other back strengthening exercises, and blend these with stomach strengtheners. Pay attention to perfect form in these exercises to ensure that you don’t do yourself injury. Both women and men should focus on keeping a tight pelvic floor through these exercises, also. Maintain the form on yourgolf vacation.

3. Eat plenty of oily fish or take an omega-3 supplement

Omega 3 is essential to the health of many parts of our body, and our joints are one of those. Especially for those of us getting on in years, golf can be hard on the joints -- support them nutritionally

4. Pick up your balls by bending your knees

This is one to watch out for while you are on your golf vacation. If you constantly bend at your spine to pick up your balls, you'll end up sore quickly and with an injury soon after. Bend at the knees when you’re getting your balls out of the hole and tees out of the ground.

5. Have a professional trainer put together a stretching program

That professional could be a golf instructor, or it could be a physical trainer. Either way, have someone create a stretching program tailored to your body (this can be done relatively inexpensively at your local gym), and use it every morning of your golf vacation, after a brisk walk.

Golf Vacations with Kids - How to Get Them Involved

2009-11-02T21:33:00.001-08:00

Just because you've had children doesn’t mean you have to wait until your 60 and they've moved out of home to start improving your swing again. Once your kids are past a certain age, they are ready to come with you on your golf vacations, and start learning the ropes. They'll appreciate having so much time with you, and you'll appreciate getting to work on your game and share something you love with the next generation! Here are some tips to help your kids get their game on for your next golf trip.

Gauging appropriate age

While kids can start learning to play golf from around 3 or 4, you probably won’t want to be taking them on vacations at this age. They can’t even really handle a full afternoon at your local club at this stage of life. They need to eat too frequently, will have to be going to the toilet (awkwardly!) behind bushes, and if the weather's over 85, you can expect sunstroke after a few hours. If you’re taking a specific golf vacation, don’t think about bringing your kids along until they're around nine or ten. At this age they have the strength and concentration to golf with you -- or the presence of mind to hang around the club and find some other kids to play with.

Start out with mini golf

In fact, many clubhouses also have a mini golf course attached to them, for this specific purpose. This can be a good way to start the day on your golf vacation -- have a mini golf round, and then move onto the real thing. Your 10-year-old will have been frustrated by not being able to hit the ball hard -- this is their opportunity!

Give them a helping hand with the scoring

It is an informal method for handicapping yourself -- if you are playing alongside your kids on your golf vacation, let them have two shots to your one. You can effectively just divide their score in half to compare to yours. If they've had little practice or are on the young side, why not give them three? It's a way to level the playing field, let them get ahead a bit and give them a taste for competition.

Combine kids' golf camp with your own golf vacation

The whole family can go away to the same place -- your kids can mingle with other kids at golf camp, while the parents happily play their golf trip rounds in peace during the day! Age appropriate activities for all.

The Best of Desert Golf - Five Courses for Golf Vacations

2009-10-12T12:00:00.001-07:00

Tropical paradises can sure be overrated sometimes! In the warmer months your golf often gets rained out, and you have to cover yourself in insect repellant every day or be eaten alive on the golf course. If you have always been the steadier, hardier sort, then a golf vacation to the desert can hold some surprising gems. From the beautiful courses of Cabo San Jose in Mexico, to Nevada and Arizona's championship offerings, we are looking five of the best golf courses that call the American desert home.

Cabo Del Sol - Desert

This course is designed by the prolific Tom Weiskopf, and is nestled among the six other championship courses in Cabo San Lucas. There are five sets of tees which mean the course varies in length from 5,300 to 7,100 yards, and the design takes advantage of desert landscape features like natural river washes, rolling dunes and startling red sandy bunkers. It is in the desert, but you can see the ocean wherever you look from most holes.

Palmilla

Another of Cabo San Lucas' gorgeous offerings, Palmilla is a Jack-Nicklaus-designed course that was handpicked for its gorgeous scenery by the golf master. For a free and easy golf vacation with just a little bite in your course, Palmilla is a must play. It has a slope of 139.

Omni Tucson - Catalina

Formerly known as the Orange/Gold course, the Omni Tuscon was designed by Robert Bruce Harris and has gorgeous desert mountain views of the middle of Arizona. There are ten sparkling lakes to give the desert setting a bit of refreshment. Why not make your next golf vacation at the standard PGA tour stop in Arizona?

TPC at the Canyons

Vegas is known for slot holes ... but not ordinarily round holes with golf balls in them! The TPC at the Canyons course is a notable exception, designed by Bobby Weed and Raymond Floyd and host to the Senior PGA Touras well as the Invensys Classic. The course flows through canyons and arroyos, and there is nothing but clear blue sky and a comfy dry warmth for most of the year.

The Chase at PGA Golf Club Coyote Springs

Jack Nicklaus has a series of golf courses planned to flow throughout the Coyote Springs community. This course is the first one in the series, and is located between Mesquite and Vegas. It is a par 72, and the forward tees take off around 2,000 yards from the back tees, which set the course at 7,471 yards. There are 11 lakes on the course, so hone your water-avoidance skills on your next golf vacation!

Golf Vacations -- Five Challenging Courses

2009-10-08T20:28:00.001-07:00

Being challenged doesn't always feel nice at the time. We're human … we want to win, we want to be the best, and we don’t want to know how far we still have to go before we're perfect! Yet being challenged is how we learn … so today for golf vacationers, we are looking at some of the golf courses worldwide that offer you the best opportunities for learning. From the Dominican Republic to Dunbar and back, here are the best of the hardest.

1. Cocotal -- Dominican Republic

This course for golf vacationers follows the lay of the land, using naturally placed trees and mounds in the midst of rolling terrain. An unceasing wind is what makes the course so challenging -- if you want to learn how to compensate for wind, from every angle, at every speed and on all different terrains, Cocotal is the place to do it!

2. Daytona Beach Golf Course

Aside from having a designer with an awesome name (Slim Deathridge), the Daytona Beach Golf Club also presents several challenges, even for experienced golfers. Dense stands of Florida pines and oaks punctuate the course as well as providing beautiful scenery, and the redesign of the course in 1997 added extra water and more undulations in the territory.

3. St George Golf Club, Utah

This is quite a long golf course, and needs a fair bit of walking mixed with your hits. All that aerobic exercise can be a challenge in itself! Golf-wise, though, there are some par 3's over water, and a peninsula on a par 5 hole to worry about. The peninsula holds both the 9th and 18th hole greens, and where many people on golf vacations will instinctively choose a short-iron here, you really need a club that will give you best accuracy and distance control.

4. Dunbar East Links

If you've come all the way to Scotland on a golf vacation, you may as well see what it can throw at you! The terrain here is coastal, so wind is an enormous factor in play. Different days require completely different tactics.

5. Desert Dunes, California

A day at Desert Dunes certainly isn’t a walk in the park … it is golfing equivalent of boot camp, with grumpy instructors throwing push-ups, mud traps and high walls at you new recruits! A great way to improve your game on a golf vacation is to master the tight fairways, sloped greens and water hazards of this southern California course.

San Antonio -- Texas's Best Golf Courses

2009-09-24T11:15:00.001-07:00

A state that is associated more with sand and oil than lush greens and quiet, relaxing fairways, Texas is a big surprise when it comes to quality of golf courses. The layouts here are consistently recognized as among the best in the country -- here we look at some of the Texas courses for golf vacations and golf trips.

Pecan Valley

Pecan Valley is known all over the country as one of the best course for golf vacations -- a huge percentage of players aren’t actually San Antonio residents. This makes the feel at the club very welcoming for out-of-towners. It is fairly standard in terms of length, challenge and playability, with a par of 71 over a course length of 7,010 yards. The slope rating is 131, and the player ratings note aspects like yardage management and bunker negotiation as areas where the course develops your skills. The many trees and water are designed to test your navigation skills, and patience!

The Republic

This golf club is highly rated by members, but yet to be recognized in any major golf holiday magazines. The course has been called beautiful, and is consistently said to be in great shape, despite being in one of the driest states in the U.S.! There are some difficult holes, and some confidence boosters, and staff at the club are said to have excellent service standards. It has quite a standard length and par, 71 over 7,070 yards.

La Cantera

One of Tom Weiskopf's additions to the Texan landscape is La Cantera, which opened in 1995 to such fanfare that the historic Texas Open came to play at the young upstart club! Golf Magazine and Golf Digest have both recognized La Cantera as among their favorites, listing it as either a top public access course, or a best 'new' course. For golf holiday planners, it also has spectacular views and good proximity to other San Antonio attractions.

Canyon Springs Golf Course

Andrew Peterson is the golf professional at Canyon Springs, one of Golf Magazine's top 100 courses for 2000. It is said to be challenging, beautiful and fast, with huge rough and moderately fast greens some of the stand out features. The Texan scenery can let the club down at times … but the course itself is a dream for people looking for a good golf trip.

Phoenix and Scottsdale -- Arizona's Best Golf Courses

2009-09-24T11:12:00.001-07:00

Despite the fact that Arizona has quite a reputation as a state of stunning but sandy scenery and grass that is more long and tufty, than pristinely manicured, it is actually home to some of the finest golf courses in the country. Arizona golf is an absolute pleasure when you play at one of these courses -- we look at the top five in the state.

The Silverleaf Club

The Silverleaf Club and Arizona golf course was named Golf Digest's top rated Arizona golf course in the 2005-06 awards, and was among the top 100 residential courses in Golfweek in 2005. It was designed by Tom Weiskopf, and took only three years after opening to gain such great recognition in the golf magazines. Par for the course is 72 at this Arizona golf facility, which is 7,267 yards long

Stonecreek

Named for what is memorable about the Arizona landscape, Stonecreek golf course is slightly shorter than Silverleaf, but only 1 point lower on the par, for a total of 71. Reviews of the course are mixed, with some players building it up to be a Troon status course (more on that in a second!), and some being utterly disappointed by all the hype. It was designed by Arthur Hills and has a longer history than many clubs in the area, hosting Arizona golf players since 1979.

Grayhawk

Grayhawk Arizona golf course may be one if the priciest in the state, but it is consistently one of the highest rated. The earlier tee times are quite inexpensive, but the price rises steeply even a few minutes past the earliest tee times. It ranked in Golfweek's top 100 residential courses in both 2000 and 2002, and among the best public access courses in Arizona for 2005. Players note the challenging Fazio layout, the reasied green complexes and wide fairways as well as the fall off on most sides.

Troon North

The Arizona golf course here was also designed by Tom Weiskopf, like Silverleaf, and is quite challenging, with a par of 72 for a total length of 7070 yards. A swag of awards from 2000 ranging up to 2006 has been won by Troon, and member reviews are glowing.

Golf dreams and wonderful vacations

2009-08-10T19:31:00.001-07:00

Have you caught yourself dreaming of the perfect golf vacation but you are not sure where to even begin to look for locations? Perhaps you have a company gathering coming up and you all want to experience golf in locations you've only dreamed about. Maybe you are planning a family vacation and want to spend a day on a golf course that is both challenging as well as breathtaking. With the online assistance of a travel company that specializes in only the best golf resorts and hottest locations, you can find exactly what you are searching for, whether for personal pleasure or business.

Imagine closing a deal with a client while golfing on the beautiful courses in locations such as the Bahamas, the Dominican Republic, Bermuda or Puerto Rico? With the assistance you will find online you can turn the dream into a reality.

Family vacation can take on a whole new meaning when you book your next vacation online and enjoy family fun as well as a day at the golf course. You can choose areas in Florida such as Jacksonville, Daytona Beach, Miami and Ft. Lauderdale, Naples and Ft. Myers, Orlando, Tampa, West Palm Beach and Port St. Lucie.

Maybe the cooler atmosphere is more your style? Well you can enjoy golfing in locations like Canada, North Carolina, South Carolina or even Nevada and enjoy the cooler weather and the beautiful attractions each place has to offer. Maybe you are dreaming of a golf holiday in another country than the United States such as Ireland, Scotland, Spain and even Portugal when you trust you’re booking needs to the company that only offers you the top of the line golf resorts and the information pertaining to the surrounding area you choose.

Enjoy relying on one company for all your golf holiday booking needs when you work side by side with professionals. You now have the options of making your whole family happy with the wide selections in areas that are full of events for your children as well as satisfying the golfing dream you have for your vacation. You will find wonderful packages that fit the golf vacation you are planning rather for one person or a large group of golfers. All the information you need to plan and book your golfing desires are at your fingertips with the assistance of your home computer and a company that does the research for you before offering you top quality golf resorts and their surrounding areas.

Golf holidays at affordable prices

2009-08-03T08:46:00.001-07:00

Have you been dreaming of the golf holiday of a lifetime but not sure where to start or how to choose the best destination with all the golf courses available? Perhaps you are planning a company trip and not sure where to make reservations to impress your boss or important potential clients. There is a choice that includes the top class golf courses and resorts that are available state side or out of the country online. A company that knows the importance of golf holidays and business impressions has taken the time to research the various golf courses and the areas they offer to bring you only the best in golf vacations. For a wonderful price and simplified reservations you can book your stay at the golf course of your dreams all at one stop. Simply log on and view your selections then book your destination and start packing your bags -- it’s that simple.

You can rest assured that the choices before you are only top quality resorts and offer you the events you are looking for on the golf course as well as off the golf course. Whether you are planning a golf holiday or your friends, co-workers or family, you can find exactly what you are searching for with the assistance of your own computer. Finally you can plan your golf trip to the spot you have been dreaming of as well as know the resorts, restaurants and local attractions that your destination offers. You can plan a day on the golf course for yourself while your family enjoys the adventures the area has to offer then join them for a night on the town with the guidance of the professionals online. With the assistance you will find online booking your golf vacation, you can be sure that the whole family has fun and the memories that are made will last a life time, for you as well as the rest of your family.

From this point on never book a reservation to locations you have never seen nor have any information about when it comes to your golf holiday. To ensure you have the event of a lifetime when it comes to your golfing holiday experience rely on the company that offers you only top of the line golf courses and resorts for the experience you deserve. Make your reservations today online and save yourself money as well as ensure yourself the time of your life and the golfing experience you long for in life.

Take the Family on a Great Golf Getaway!

2009-07-25T22:15:00.001-07:00

During the summer months, most people plan to take it least one family vacation someplace exotic or fun. This year, while consider making a family vacation a golf vacation. Even if the entire family doesn't love the game of golf, a golf resort is an excellent place to vacation for everyone. The variety of golf packages are endless and you, and your family, will be able to enjoy a satisfying golf vacation when you experience the golf trips that are waiting on you.

Most golf resorts also offer amenities like shopping, spas, and salons, fine dining, and access to divorce and other local attractions. Your family can enjoy the white beaches and ocean water during the day as well as the many theme parks these wonderful cities have to offer while you enjoy your day or the green with your golfing buddies. The whole family will enjoy the golf vacation you plan when visiting the beautiful beaches Florida offers as well as the day activities followed by the endless night activities.

If your husband or wife would rather have a massage while you're playing 18 holes, consider booking a day of beauty in luxury at your resorts all while you and foursome hit the links.

Spending your family vacation at a beautiful golf resort will be a wonderful way to keep your entire family the fun and enjoyment they desire and a relaxation they deserve. Believe it or not, choosing the right golf resort will offer something for everyone.

Don't waste another summer planning a trip that won't please everyone. This year, consider a golf resort in one of your favorite cities and reap the benefits that five-star luxury has to offer. So, consider taking your entire family on a golf weekend. Even those who don’t golf will find a wide variety of things to enjoy on a golf journey. Why take the family on a golf getaway? Because everyone deserves a vacation.

Gifting Golf on a Budget

2009-07-25T21:30:00.001-07:00

If someone you love happens to enjoy the game of golf, consider sending him or her on a golf weekend this Valentine's Day. There's no better way to show someone just how much you care and just how much you love them than by providing them with an outlet to escape from the stresses of everyday life. Consider sending the person in your life, who enjoys the game of golf and works hard day in and day out, on a relaxing golf weekend. Or better yet, consider taking your whole family on a golf vacation and allow yourself the opportunity to unwind and get back to a time in life when things were less complicated. Some of the more popular golf destinations include the golf resorts in South Carolina. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, offers a wide variety of beautiful golf resorts.

If a golf vacation isn’t in your budget, it may help you to know that one of the most popular golf gifts this season will be golf lessons. Avid golfers are constantly learning. No matter how good a golfer becomes at the game, he or she will always be seeking new ways to improve. For many golfers, the best way to insure new improvement in the sport is to purchase lessons from a golf professional. However, if you're considering giving someone you love golf lessons, you should also ensure that the golf pro who will be conducting the lessons is an adequate teacher, and worth their salt in terms of teaching ability. Unfortunately, there are quite a few pros at golf establishments all over the United States who offer golf lessons, but can't adequately teach golfers how to improve their game.

There are a wide variety of golf resorts, and perfect golf getaways, right here inside the United States. Because each region of the U.S. is so diverse, any location you choose to send a loved one for a golf holiday will provide them with unique courses and challenges they’ve never before experienced in their golf game.

Find the perfect golf package

2009-06-12T14:12:00.001-07:00

If you have been searching for the perfect golf holiday, you will find exactly what you are looking for and more through Golf Holidays Online. Whether you plan to travel to one of the most popular golf resorts in the USA, such as Myrtle Beach and Arizona, or experience Scotland golf or Ireland golf firsthand, through Golf Holidays Online you will be introduced to the hottest locations and best golf vacations you could ever imagine. Whatever you envision for golf travel, prepare to have your expectations exceeded. Golf Holidays Online strives to make all your accommodations and golf packages, including access to the best courses and the most lavish and luxurious accommodations exciting, fun and memorable.

The company is so committed to its clients that whatever questions you have will be plainly answered on the Web site. The site always includes a list of featured specials that the avid golfer or amateur can peruse to find that perfect, one-of-a-kind deal. And if you want to mix golf with a little pampering, you can take advantage of the luxury hotel/golf course packages available.

For those who want to learn all about the rich history of the sport, while taking in some sites and scenes from the world recognized “Home of Golf,” St. Andrews, Scotland has a plethora of opportunities. Not only is St. Andrews home to the country’s oldest university, but it is close to the historic town of Dunfermline, which is the place of noted philanthropist Andrew Carnegie’s birth, as well as the location of the abbey that is the burial place of Robert the Bruce. Dunfermlinewas the home of early Celtic kings.

If manicured, resort-type settings are more your speed, you can find great deals on golf trips to Arizona, including toPhoenix, Scottsdale, Tuscan and Sedona. In fact, Phoenix/Scottsdale has been recognized by Robb Report as “America’s Best Place to Live for Golf.” With close to 200 golf courses that range in complexity from traditional to desert golf settings, you can expect a rich variety of challenging courses and a fun overall experience that you will always remember, and share with others for years to come. And still there are other great golf travel opportunities available through Golf Holiday Online, including to such exotic spots as the Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexico, as well as the regal locales of Canada, Spain and Portugal. You can count on an experience unlike any other. So the only question that remains is, what are you waiting for? Get online and book your ideal golf vacation today.

Enjoying the Perfect Golf Holiday

2009-05-31T19:15:00.001-07:00

If you or someone you know is a golf lover and want to plan the perfect golf getaway, look no further than Golf Holidays. There are countless packages offered that take a person all over the country to some of the most prestigious and outstanding golf courses in the United States and Canada. You do not have to be Tiger Woods or Arnold Palmer to enjoy a challenging and enjoyable game of golf, there are courses designed for any level of expertise, from beginner to novice. The key is to find a golf course you enjoy and to book your vacation now to avoid the high-traffic vacation time during the late summer months when travel is most popular. Picking the best golf package is very simple with all the information you will find at Golf Holidays, there is truly something for everyone.

Perhaps you are looking for a place to tee-off that is off the beaten path or someplace where you can enjoy the golf course as much as the surrounding scenery. You should give some serious thought to the packages offered for golf courses in Canada. There are majestic mountains, beautiful scenery and wildlife that will surround you as you enjoy all the serenity of nature at its very best. Golf packages to Canada are some of the fastest selling packages on the market, if you love golf and nature you definitely need to check out the various options to be had.

Golf Holidays offers more than 40 different golf packages and set among some of the finest golf courses in North America. You can find a selection of more than 100 hotels and golf resorts to choose from and more than 400 breathtaking golf courses. It is very easy to go online to Golf Holidays and find just exactly the type of package you are looking for and at a reasonable price. There are golf packages available to Florida, Arizona, Myrtle Beach and even places like Ireland and Scotland for those who are searching for something totally different.

Pack your bags and shine your shoes -- when you select a golf package from Golf Holidays, you are going to have the time of your life at some of the most enjoyable golfing locations in the world. Even if you cannot find the destination of choice on the website, simply contact the company today and find out how they can make it all happen.