The finest golf resorts in the United States, Europe, Mexico and the Caribbean can be your choice for your next vacation. Make it a train-and-play golf vacation! There are lots of package deals available to give your journey a lot of break from your routine. A golf holiday will be a practical experience to improve your golf game, enjoy a practically peaceful and luxurious setting, and tour a different state or a different country! This planning guide will point you to some of the world's best rated golf resorts.
Whether you eventually book for yourself or through an experienced golf travel expert, start your research online where you can find premium golf courses and travel bargains. Rates, resort facilities and golf course details are available. But look ahead for packages that include airfare, hotel accommodation and green fees to get your best price. Typical packaged golf resort vacations will include most of these features:
- Airfare
- Resort Accommodation
- Tea Times confirmed
- Prepaid green fee
- Shared cart for 18 holes
- equipment Rental
- Golf lesson
- Typical restaurant food
- Course transfer
- Airport transfer
- All taxes and service fees
Golf courses are planned in a beautiful environment, where you can take views of the seaside or lush green vegetation, and you can combine golf with other resort facilities to provide a well-rounded holiday.
For example, try one of the many glamorous Club Med Golf Resorts with the most unforgettable, beautiful fairs, inviting locations around the world. Club Med offers the best equipment for all levels and deals including golf lessons! Its locations include Cancun, Mexico, as well as Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. Other places span the world: Turks and Caicos, Mauritius, Portugal, France, Italy, Brazil, Thailand, Morocco, Egypt, Senegal, and the United States - Sandpiper Bay, Florida.
Scotland has some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world and around 100 resorts among more than 500 golf courses across the country, known as "Golf Hotels". The best known are Turnberry, Gleneagles and The Old Course Hotel St. Andrews. Each of these has spas, leisure facilities, excellent restaurants, and "golf tuition" packages for all levels.
There are many golf resorts in spectacular coastal locations in Mexico. There are golf resorts in Cancun, Acapulco, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos. In addition, Mexico has its own championship Baja version of California's famous "Pebble Beach" golf resort, called Bajmar, just a few hours' drive from San Diego in Ensenada.
For the United States, check online for some suggested golf resorts such as leading magazines GolflinkWho publishes Top 100 United States Golf Courses. The issue ranks among the more than 21,000 public and private golf courses around the country. However, within that one hundred courses, you want to discover resorts with package programs and golf lessons. Among the top hundred, you'll find that the main holiday-destination states with golf resorts are in Arizona, California, Florida, Nevada, South Carolina, and Texas. Let's review these states in their best places:
- In sunny, always temperate Florida, Club Med's Sandpiper Bay Golf Academy has 2-day and 3-day golf courses available. The academy covers all aspects of the game, such as chipping, putting, bunkers, pitching and lob shots, full swing with iron and wood. A video analyzing your swing is provided, as well as an optional video comparing your swing to a pro player. In addition, there are regional golf resorts in and around Miami for year-round vacations. Each resort offers on-site facilities and services, both on the course and away from major Miami attractions such as South Miami and Miami Metro Station. Here you will have many options during a golf holiday.
- Arizona has a climate that is suitable for many months of the year and Scottsdale has about 200 golf courses, many with a beautiful backdrop of the Sonoran Desert. It is a golf destination with golf schools and pro shops. Here, many resorts offer high quality accommodation and championship golf courses. Most golf resorts offer packages where hotel guests can get a discount on green fees. In addition, Sedona, Arizona, offers many golf resorts with a mild year-round climate and spectacular red-rock scenic views.
- In California, Pebble Beach is known as a small coastal golf destination in beautiful Monterrey County. It is home to the premier Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach Lodge and the iconic Inn in the Spanish Bay. Every year, golfers rub shoulders with golf professionals and experience their finest nature on the magnificent golf course set by the leading golf course designers. The golf layout and harmony of the majestic coast are awesome!
- Another golfer's paradise is conveniently located along the South Atlantic coast in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. It combines natural beauty and world class golf on a barrier island 12 miles long and five miles wide. Niklas, Palmer and other golf legends have often played these championship courses. The first course opened at Sea Pines in 1961, now there are excellent courses at Emerald Link and Bluffton in Harbor Town, as the Hilton Head area became a major golf center. It is famous for its maritime forests with spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, beautiful swamps and abundant wildlife. The temperate climate and year-round sunshine make Hilton Head Island an ideal place to T-T.
- Las Vegas, Nevada, is quietly emerging as one of the fastest growing golf destinations in the United States and amidst the glamor of its casinos. The city's sprawling convention center and innumerable hotel rooms make it a natural haven for large-scale golf events. With plenty of sunshine and mild temperatures throughout the year, and plenty to do after a full day of playing golf from gambling to watching entertaining shows, this golf destination will continue to grow.
- CNN ranked Austin, Texas the No. 1 city for golf in its 2010 Golf.com website. Created by Texas Hill Country, Austin's golf courses are among the best in the United States. The area is highlighted by Wolfdancer Golf Club named No. 56 GolfweekTop 100 Resort Golf Courses in 2009. In addition to being a great contemporary music city, and home to many celebrities, Austin offers golfers great barbecue, an idyllic, year-round climate and luxury accommodations.
Your best package deal will be at all-inclusive resorts, where aerial flights, accommodation, meals and golf activities are rolled out at one price. On the other hand, consider traditional hotels and resorts in suggested locations. With a little online planning, one of the best golf resorts in the world can be your affordable choice. Enjoy exploring the area while improving your golf game and providing a delightful, well-rounded holiday for your family and loved ones!
(c) 2012 Elizabeth McMillian