Golf Vacations for the Way You Like to Golf

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

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.