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Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Does golf make your vacation?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My husband recently realized that the beautiful beach locale we have chosen for our family vacation is at least a two-hour ferry ride from the nearest 18-hole golf course. Apparently, there’s a fine line between finding a secluded, natural getaway and being exiled from all things great and good in this world - and it’s directly related to William’s ability to hit the links.
While I’m sure he will enjoy our unspoiled beach holiday, I suspect that tee times will play a much more prominent role in future vacation decisions. That’s fine with me. I like golf, even though I tee off from the junior tees and my best shot is my slice. (But it’s a work of art… really.)
For true golfers, the travel industry offers William’s dream getaway - specialized golf vacations. Whether you just want to play as many holes as humanly possible or you’re looking for instruction to improve your game, the southeast offers a wealth of golf getaway opportunities.
Most resorts will offer golf packages at various times throughout the year, and many traditional southern vacation destinations are packed chockablock with beautiful golf courses. Think Hilton Head Island, for instance. Several southern states are also home to golf schools that put together vacation packages for those who want to come home a better player than when they left.
Or you could drive west for a golfing tour of Alabama via the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. The Trail links eleven different sites from Mobile to Muscle Shoals and everywhere in between. It gives duffers and aficionados alike the chance to play 468 holes of golf over 26 courses. Along the way are resorts and hotels where you can bed down before you tee off the next day. Greens fees vary by location and time of year, but they tend to range between $43 and $64 for the original courses and $80 and $125 for the three additional courses.
Budget minded golfers can similarly golf their way through Georgia as they enjoy the eight courses within our state parks system at very reasonable rates.
For more information, check out these sites from the AJC, the Travel Channel and Travel South USA for additional golf trip ideas.
If it’s all about the golf for you, let us know what you think. When you’re building your holiday around one specific activity, it’s nice to base your decisions on the recommendations of those who have gone before you. So… have you taken a golf vacation or do you plan to take one? What are your favorite golf courses, resorts or schools? Was it better it just pick a place you like and try to work in golf around it, or did you have better luck using a travel agent to book your golf getaway? What kind of golf packages should you look out for … or avoid?
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