Ronald Piper asked:


If you’re a fan of golf and are looking to get away from it all, then you can’t do much better than golf vacations. On a golf vacations you can combine your love for golf with a relaxing and enjoyable time. Whether you are an avid golf fan or just a casual player, using a golf holiday to relax and brush up on your game could be just what you need. Although you might think these sorts of holidays are expensive, there are in fact golf vacations to suit every budget. From budget breaks to high-end hotel and resort packages, there is something for everyone. So, if you want to relax, get away and hit the greens as well, then here are some tips about choosing golf vacations.

Picking a dedicated resort

One of the best ways to play golf on holiday is to go to a dedicated golfing resort. These places are specifically built with the golfing game in mind, and generally the holiday package will include access to the golf course and other golfing facilities. You can relax in a beautiful resort and enjoy as much golf as you want. These resorts definitely have some of the best facilities around as they are designed for golfers. However, the courses are often fairly similar at resorts, and you will probably pay more for these packages than a regular holiday.

Create your own golf vacations

Creating your own golf vacations is another great way to combine golf and holiday time. You book a regular hotel or apartment and then combine this with golfing facilities in the area. This will give you more of an opportunity to do other things apart from golf, especially if there are others with you who don’t want to play golf all the time. You will have more freedom in terms of locations, and you can even book your holiday so as to be near some of the top golf courses in the world. Although not as focused on golf as a dedicated golfing resort, this option is good for those who want a holiday as well as play some golf.

Look at the course

Before you book any holiday that involves golf, make sure you check out the golf courses on offer. Whether these are local courses or the course on the resort, make sure that you are booking a holiday that caters to your golfing needs. For example, if you want a challenging course then make sure the course you pick is not a basic golf course. Also, remember not to sacrifice accommodation facilities for golf facilities. You want a nice balance between holiday, relaxation and golf. If you do this, then you will find the best golf vacations for your needs.

Jeremy

Michael P asked:


I’m going on a family/friends golf vacation in which we go for 4 days. Usually we have 8, 12 or 16 guys. In the past we have played 2 man and 4 man scrambles, team match play, etc. This year is different because we only have 7 guys who have committed to going.

Does anyone have suggestions for any golf games for 7 players?

Lorraine

Jim Johnson asked:


Lots of golfers like to play golf on their vacation, and for many it’s practically the sole function of the vacation itself. The good news is that there are plenty of great golf packages and vacations to choose from that will fit almost any budget. But before booking your next golf package, here are a few tips to help make sure that you get the most out of your golf vacation.
It may be tempting to arrange a golf package that lets you play in some of the same courses that the pros play every year, but before you rush out and make your reservations, consider how well your skill level at the game will match the golf course where you would be playing. In other words, if a golf course is a challenge for a pro to play on, how much more difficult do you think it’s going to be for the average golfer, or maybe even a beginner?
It’s always nice to be able to say that you have played this course or that course, but isn’t it more important to have fun when you’re on your vacation? And if the golf course is so difficult that it is way over your head, how much fun are you really going to have while playing the game? These are good questions to ask yourself before you make your travel plans.
An idea that could produce a nice compromise is to schedule a golf vacation in an area where there is a wide variety of golf courses available. This will allow you to choose the type of course that you wish to play on a daily basis, instead of just locking you into one very difficult course for the whole extent of your golf vacation. There are actually several places across the country that have this kind of variety of golf courses available including Myrtle Beach, Orlando FL, and Phoenix AZ. Doing a little online research can usually help you line up the courses that you would like to play on during your visit.
If you decide to schedule your golf vacation for the off-season in a particular area, be fully prepared before you go. There is a good reason why a particular time of the year is considered off-season for that golf course. Most of the time it has to do with the weather during that time of year. So, although you can save a lot of money on off-season golf packages, just be aware of the possible drawbacks and plan accordingly. This may call for you to take with you appropriate clothing for the season in order to be comfortable. This can mean heavier clothing in the cooler climates, or very light clothing in the hot climates such as Florida. And you may also want to be sure that there are other attractions and points of interest in the area to make your vacation fun even if the weather prevents you from playing as much golf as you had planned.
Another very important consideration for those who do not travel alone, or who may have others along on the trip who do not play golf, is to be sure that wherever your golf destination is, there are plenty of other activities in that area to make the trip enjoyable even for those who are not golfers. If you’re taking your family along on a golf vacation, this will become extremely important. You want to be sure that there are enough points of interest in the area to cover all the age groups represented in your family. Remember, your vacation will not be very fun if everybody else is miserable.
Many people look forward to golf vacations for months in advance, as they are a great way to relax and enjoy yourself at the same time. And practicing some of the steps mentioned in this article can help ensure that your golf package vacation will be a success.

Kimberly

Suzane Gray asked:


If you have worked hard, earned some time off and need a vacation to reenergize yourself then a Bahamas Golf Vacation is the best way to regain your sanity. Golf is a very popular game in Bahamas so they offer exotic vacation with excitement of golf. This great combination doubles your enjoyment as it relaxes both your mind and body. The beautiful islands offer vacations for every budget. Even those with little to spare can make their way to the beautiful land of golf and beaches by finding a Bahamas golf vacation.

Along with golf, Bahamas golf vacation also offers you wide variety of activities such as swimming with the dolphins, thrilling water sports, deep sea fishing and some of the best beaches in the world. You will get all luxuries and facilities that make a vacation complete and enjoyable. The Bahamas golf vacation package will take you to the islands considered one of the most beautiful in the Bahamas with high cliff, densely-forested foothills, deserted exotic sand beaches and green golf grounds. In addition to Bahamas golf vacation rentals, the Internet also offers many website deals in organizing vacations. Bahamas golf vacation often have last-minute vacation deals that offer spontaneous golf lovers a lower-price airline ticket so that they may not miss a chance to visit the land of golf and exotic pink and white beaches.

An even better vacation in the Bahamas option would be to select a cheap Bahamas golf vacation package. You can enjoy not only the affordable airfare with this package but also exciting golf along with the finest hotel accommodations and additional facilities. Unless you have had prior experience with a vacation in the Bahamas, the assistance from a travel agent or Bahamas golf Vacation organizer would help to get rid of many of the unknown burdens by booking everything yourself. They can also provide insight into some of the more popular attractions so that you may not miss a single moment to grab the view this beautiful island.

Plan your vacations to Bahamas with Bahamas golf vacation packages and enjoy your vacation to the fullest without putting an extra burden on your pocket. Now you don’t need to be hard pressed to beat the amenities found with a golf vacation in the Bahamas because Bahamas golf vacation packages offer you a wide range of facility to make your vacations memorable with golf. If you are planning to leave immediately or planning a vacation month in advance it is always a good idea to purchase golf vacation package on-season so that your vacation may not spoil because of bad climate. The Bahamas is no longer a vacation destination only for the well-to-do now it’s in the reach of every person who wants the full utilization of their hard earned money and precious time. Thanks to Bahamas golf vacation operators who provide cheap deals to suit any budget.

A vacation in Bahamas could be just the thing to ease your hectic life. So take a break….. Enjoy a golf vacation in Bahamas: A tropical paradise, and ease your hectic life.

Geraldine

Randall Ulbricht asked:


It’s just like the hamburger commercial; Have it your own way! Your annual golf outing deserves to be the best possible vacation. Make it your own way. Forget “the package” and design your own special, personalized group get away.
In my last article, I gave an overview of how you can put together a terrific group golf vacation. In this article, I will go into much more detail concerning the organization and preparation. I have been setting up the ideal gathering for our group for 18 years. There are refinements every year and we think we have arrived at the optimum outing.
You will be driving this bus, so get the ball rolling. Do a little research and pick a location. This location should have plenty of vacation rental homes and a good selection of golf courses. You do not want to play the same course every day. You should be able to do most or all of your research online to find out about rental house and golf course specifics, including costs.
Get the word out to the troops. I like to send out a humorous email to introduce the event and then follow up with more emails and phone calls. I recommend you send out an email to everyone you think might be remotely interested about five months in advance. Some will not be able to make it due to family, work, interest, etc. You should hope to wind up with a group size around eight. Anywhere from six to twelve is great. Five people is the worst group size due to tee times. More than twelve is too hard to organize or find lodging in the same house.
Pick out a window of time. We usually grab the last week in February to get the northern gents out of the snow and still stay in the low rate season for the southern golf courses. As an example of an introductory email, you could send something like this:
“It has come to my attention via the minions who surround me and perform my every whim that there may be those among you desiring driving sleet, incomprehensible wind chill, unplayable lies, unreachable par 3’s, impossible odds, foot-wedging opponents, gross bending of the USGA rules, hairy greens, thick frost, lightening fast down-hillers, moguls, knee deep rough, more sand and water than water front property, Velcro removal during back swings, exploding coughs during precision chips, un-winnable stroke spreads complete with unyielding stroke givers and takers, 179-degree dog legs, and brutal rangers in leather and chains.
If this is the type of outing you’ve been dreaming about, keep dreaming. I can’t make it happen. But picture this:
-A luxurious house with a separate bed for everyone.-18 to 36 holes of golf per day on pristine courses.-A gourmet meal every night.-All the comforts, food and drink of home.-Evening entertainment.-Sensational camaraderie.
I am looking at an arrival date of (date) and departure date of (date). We will be gathering in (city, state). For a group of eight of us, and assuming we average 27 holes per day, your cost should be around $XXX for the housing, food, drink, golf and rental cars. (Note: Our cost per man for food and drink for seven days was $160 in 2005.) Please reply before (date) by answering:
What is the percentage chance you can come for these dates?What is the percentage chance you could make other dates?What dates would you prefer?Other recommendations:”
You have now set the stage. For those you don’t hear back from, get on the phone and hash it out. Through all of your responses, you will come up with the consensus of length of vacation and dates through give and take.
Over the next four months you will be:-Getting firm commitments from your group members-Arriving at a firmer consensus on golf venue-Receiving food and drink orders to allow you to make the shopping list-Reserving the vacation house and rental cars-Getting tee times
I like to periodically whet everyone’s appetite and keep the excitement level up. Setting up a website especially for your group is a great way to do this. I stripped down the one I use and put an example up at Sample Site for your review. It is just a little thing I whipped up using MS Publisher. An easier way for you to do this would be to get a free Blog set up for this purpose. I recommend blogger dot com.
Over the years, we have realized two key things about lodging. The first is that it makes a huge difference in camaraderie when the whole group stays under the same roof. The second is the value in everyone having a separate bed (you know how guys are). The only way to achieve this is to pick a location where there are a bunch of rental homes in order for you to pick one that allows this. (Plug for Isle of Palms, SC: you can find what you need there.)
It may not seem to you like time is of the essence, but work schedules, vacation allotments, spousal plans, ticket costs, and your preparation needs demand that you DO get this ball rolling. Once you have sent your introductory email and done your phone calling, several of your planned guests will have trouble pulling the trigger. Work with them as you can, but I have found that you will need your firm group established two months ahead of time (give or take one guy or so.) A fine point for you: Ask for a nominal deposit from each of the troops. Over time, I know that the cost of our vacation, outside of airfare, will be around $900. In one of my follow up emails, I simply ask the players to send around half of that to me. It emphasizes commitment.
In selecting the location of your rental home, consider the driving time to the golf courses you will be playing. We have found that twenty minutes travel time is great, thirty minutes is OK, but forty minutes is too long. The longer drives are certainly bearable, but if you are planning a winter vacation, you will have to have a fairly early tee time in the morning to allow lunch and another 18 in the afternoon. After telling tales late into the evening, beating the sun to the course, heading home and preparing the feast, it gets to be a long day.
This takes us to the minus-two-months time frame.
In Part Three of this series, we will get into getting great golf rates, shopping lists, and easy administration.

Cathy

IC asked:


Golf is a very relaxing pastime and sport which is said to be practiced mostly by wealthy people however, this is a common misconception because just about everyone can take a break from their daily routine in order to enjoy a passion for this sport, along with a beautiful landscaping work which is usually done on golf courses.

People who are interested in golf vacations are interested in having a fun time while they are able to relax and sharpen their golf playing skills or even learn more about this great pastime. When someone thinks about a golf vacation and they usually think of the price factor because these activities have a fame of being expensive however, this is yet another misconception because there are several packages available which can meet any budget, so whether you want a modest accommodation or a luxury room at a five-star hotel, it could all be arranged.

As you may know, a proper vacation always starts with good planning this is why before you embark on your golf vacation it is recommended for you to grab a brochure or any other type of information available to you which shows the characteristics of all the golf courses available, these could be stand-alone courses or they could be part of a resort.

Besides making a look at the golf course you should also consider the level of difficulty each golf course offers, there are golf courses which are designed specifically for beginners, if this is the level of difficulty you want then you should make sure to disclose this information to your travel agent if you’re using one. Often times people who go on golf vacations discover that they get the best value by booking a room at a specific hotel which offers a golf course, this is because such hotels bundle from charges and golf course entertainment in the total price billed to the guest.

If you choose to stay at a golf resort you will find that such establishments will offer great value because they have built their entire facilities with golf as a major attraction, since these establishments are mostly focused towards sports and health they will also provide facilities such as spas which are always great to help you relax during a vacation. The atmosphere found at this hotels and resorts is very adequate for people who want to spend their vacation time in the place where they are able to relax and have some fun.

Debra

golfingguy asked:


Will my golf vacation in April be in Jeopardy?

Marie

Holy Cow asked:


Giving up golf? How does anyone take this moron seriously?
http://us.lrd.yahoo.com/_ylt=Ag0ZFtlJK5k4kfvW8znZ2pQazJV4/SIG=1241lc3a6/**http%3A//cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/ynews%3Fch=7684298%26cl=7801295

The vacation president:
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=George_W._Bush:_The_War_President_is_Missing_in_Action#August_2007

Floyd

Mike Pedersen asked:


If you are stuck for a vacation this year why not try one of the many Hilton Head golf vacations on offer, at the southern end of South Carolina. Combine a great climate with a marvelous golfing and seaside vacation that nobody in your family will gripe about.

Who can gripe about the otters, bobcats and mink? Or just off-island, the dolphins and loggerhead turtles? Your family will love you for this vacation so much that you will be able to golf all day without so much as a murmur of complaint…well, perhaps! I can’t see why not, though. The shopping is fine and the entertainment is great. The kids will be happy with the beaches to play on and there are also miniature golf courses for them to learn on.

Golf Schools and Bowling Alleys - Something for Everyone

Can your partner play golf? If not, there are lots of golf schools here you can take him or her to visit and get a few lessons. There is plenty for everybody to do and almost three hundred places to eat! There are bowling alleys, a huge tennis complex and water sports to die for. If anybody complains about there being ‘nothing to do’ on Hilton Head Island, they are nuts!

The courses themselves are great and have been designed by the best. Davis Love III, Arnold Palmer and the Golden Bear himself all designed courses here. Being on an island, they are mainly links courses, and offer you a different challenge to that of an inland golf course. It’s less target golf and more a knowledge of conditions, wind and bounce, though it’s still a lot of fun and provides valuable experience. You will love it, believe me!

You Must Play the Harbor Town Links Course

Hilton Head Harbor Town Golf Links is the most famous of the courses, with its trademark red and white lighthouse designed specifically for the eighteenth hole. Its 18th hole has been featured in Golf Magazine, and it is a course that every visitor to Hilton Head than can hold a club must play. There’s no excuse and there is a lot for the other family members to be getting on with while the golfers enjoy their round.

If you have had golfing holidays in the past that you have enjoyed, but your family has not been too enamored with due to the lack of facilities for the non-golfers among them, then you must try this island. Hilton Head golf vacations have a lot to offer everybody, whether they play golf or not. Give yourself and your family a treat this summer.

Allison

Dave Pipitone asked:


When you know what questions to ask about golf vacation packages, making arrangements are much easier. One specific destination to investigate is a Las Vegas vacation. When you start planning your Las Vegas golf vacation package, there are a number of details that you need to consider. This article will review several frequently asked questions you can ask to help you tee it up with confidence that you are getting the best vacation experience that you can.

What is your cancellation policy for this package, either lodging or tee-times?
When you are arranging a package at one of the Las Vegas golf resorts, ask the booking agent what happens when you cancel. Many agents need a week or two week notice. If you book just golf, expect that you will need to provide 48 hours notice to cancel tee times.

When does your credit card get charged for your lodging and golf?
This is important to make sure you have enough balance to cover your golf vacation package. Many booking agents do expect a deposit when you book the package. The deposit may be as great as 100%. Others agents may charge less, but almost every one of them requires full payment before your scheduled travel. Make sure to get the details about the deposit and any charges for cancellations.

Why use a booking agent when you can make your own arrangements?
The best agencies have been in business for many years and have developed friendships with Las Vegas hotels and golf courses. This gives the agent negotiating power. They have the ability to ask for and get the best values and pricing available which is a break for you. Also, agencies have Golf Vacation Planners who know the lodging and courses. They can find the destinations and the best marketplace values for what you want. This can save you you hundreds of dollars per person.

How do you process upgrades, changes or cancellations?
Always treat your booking agency as your travel provider. You will receive information and pricing on upgrades and they will handle any required changes or cancellations to your reservation.

How do you handle changing the exact itinerary for “special” vacation packages?
Booking agencies offer “Specials” from time to time with discounted prices. If you like most of what is included in the Special, but want a few options, talk to the booking agent. Many times, the agent can tweak the “Special” and still give you substantial savings. Remember to ask for exactly what you want.

Can the agency arrange lower cost afternoon twilight rates, reserve 36 holes in a day or reserve rental golf clubs?
Because of their relationship with golf course staff, a booking agency can help you get twilight and re-play rates when available. For many Las Vegas golf resorts, most courses take advanced reservations to rent golf clubs at $30.00 -$45.00 a day. A non-playing partner can ride along in your golf cart for $15 to $25, depending on the course.

When you ask the right questions, you know what to look for in golf vacation packages and take the risk out of your Las Vegas vacation.

Zachary