Myrtle Beach: Ultimate Family Golf Getaway

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

 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

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

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

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

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

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!