Best golf destination for the money

[Pert1862]

every year a bunch of my buddies and I get together and take a 3-4 day golf trip. Each year we change the location and I'm looking for some suggestions. Our budget is generally 500 a man for lodging and golf (we just pay the replay fee if we want to get around more).

 

Forgot to add that we are in New Jersey and usually drive but flying is cool to because we have the philly airport 15 minutes from us.

 

Thanks for all the help!

 

Pert

[CactusGolf]

Myrtle Beach. Can find a hotel or a rental for a decent price, especially if you split it between a few people.

Greens fees are reasonable as well.

[poppyhillsguy]

Myrtle Beach is the place for you.

http://www.myrtlebeachgolfholiday.com/package-providers/mbgolfcom

[Guia]

St. George Utah.

[Mr22putt]

Yes....Myrtle Beach and St. Georges, Utah....but MB has a better night life, golf shops and restaurants.

[schulzea]

Bend Oregon. Phenomenol golf and can be had for cheap. Check out Sunriver resort, all you can play golf and typically one rd per day on crosswater which is a great track.

[Pert1862]

Looks like MB is a reoccurring theme. lol. I will have to look in to that. Anyone ever gone anywhere in New York or Connecticut?

[Gmen1204]

Check OC Md. a lot of nice courses.

[TKD24]

Kohler. I think for the level and quality of golf and resort, Kohler is one of the best. Put it this way, I'm playing 4 top 50 courses (playing Erin Hills and Bull on top of 3 of the Kohler courses) in the country and staying at a five star resort for about $1300 including caddies, airfare, and car rental.

Edit: oops, didn't see the $500pp budget. Yea, Myrtle is a good option!

[Joebirds55]

Agree on myrtle. Cheap flights too from AC to MB.

[RichieHunt]

Myrtle is really great. I would also recommend the Orlando area. If you're willing to drive a bit (say 1 hour from the city), there is a myriad of quality golf courses you can play and simply get on GolfNow in order to do so for great rates. I would recommend the Fall as a time to play there.




RH

[PGood]

If you're into the "natural" feel of golf courses, check out the Pinehurst area. Lots of packages to be had with some great tracks. Some good restaurants around the area as well.

[DoubleorQuits]

This can vary greatly if you are okay with going off-season and/or shoulder season to destinations.

[sjpaster]

Pert, as a CT resident, I can't think of an area that would be worth the drive and money. Myrtle will be much cheaper and more fun. Also, I'd stay away from the Northeast after the winter we had. And if you are looking in summer, traffic from NJ through CT will be hell!

A great location for the summer could be Michigan.

[Chris_NH]

I think Bandon during the offseason is the best value period. I used to do a Myrtle trip in March or April. 3 years ago, we switched to Bandon and the cost of a 4-day/6-round trip went up about $500 (from $1500-2000 to $2000-2500).

Considering the quality of the courses, I think it's a no-brainer. And for those who might (somewhat correctly) point out that it's somewhat apples-oranges, since Mar/Apr is peak season in the Carolinas and shoulder season in coastal OR, I'll counter with the fact that we've had far less rain in my Bandon trips than in my Myrtle trips.

Look into March - you'll be surprised.

[oldschoolrocker]

MB, or if you want something a bit more low key, Charleston SC. All the Kiawah courses plus others local to the Lowcountry tri-county area.

[BG5]

Easy Northern Michigan....with Arcadia Bluffs, Forest Dunes, Bay Harbor, Kingsley Club, Black Lake and many others its an easy decision.

[CRider]

If you're looking at Myrtle Beach I'd add Hilton Head to your list. Easy drive from Savannah. Lots of courses on and off island. Great rates at many thru Golf Now. I especially enjoy the Sea Pines courses: Heron Point and The Occean Course are very nice though not as inexpensive as those just off island. And you can splurge and play Harbor Town. Lots of good restaurants in all price ranges.

[Armypilot84]

Best bang for your buck is Myrtle all day long. You won't find a better selection of golf anywhere in the world. Pretty good night life scene also, although if your group is into Gentleman's Clubs you may not find a lot left down there soon. The Conservative Christian groups couldn't shut them down by force, so they created some sort of sneaky tax that is forcing most of them to shut their doors.

[ryanmn4]

Feels weird to say because I live there, but Virginia Beach may be an option. Not terribly expensive, weather is good, and some really great courses within a half hour radius.

Although the ocean isn't as sexy as SC or NC, and there's an overabundance of military (I are one, so I can say that), it can still be a great golf vacation for fairly cheap and a easy drive from NJ down the Deleware/MD/VA eastern shore.

Some good ones to check out:
Virginia Beach National (Pete Dye - former TPC of VB)
Heron Ridge (VB - Fred Couples course)
Riverfront (Suffolk)
Sleepy Hole (Suffolk - used to host LPGA event)
Bay Creek (across the 17-mile Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, two courses, a Nicklaus and a Palmer, both great)
Cahoon Plantation (Chesapeake)
Cypress Creek (Smithfield)
Bide-A-Wie (Portsmouth - a Curtis Strange redesign)

You're less than an hour drive south of Willamsburg, which has some great options:
Kingsmill Resort (River and Plantation courses - River hosts an LPGA event)
Golden Horseshoe (Gold and Green courses)
Ford's Colony (three great courses)
Colonial Heritage

You're less than an hour north of some great courses on the way down to the NC Outer Banks:
Kilmarlic
The Carolina Club
The Pointe
Albemarle Plantation
Scotch Hall

[tsecor]

MB is boring to me. I say go further up the North east coast to Vermont or maine. the Stratton area has some nice courses an dthe nightlife is slammin.....I live in NY and although I like MB, I love playing in the mountains.

Pinehurst is the bomb too

[left hand low]

Glade springs in West Virginia is worth a look. It's not close to much, but 3 really good courses at a great price. One course out there hosts the Monday qualifier for the Greenbrier PGA event.

[gooner64]

If you don't mind the heat..100+ in the daytime,but with LOW humidity,try Palm Springs..I go every June..The green fees are CHEAP...PGA WEST..TPC Stadium for $49.00..Cheaper if you play it as a replay..The best deal we,ve had was at Cimarron..(decent warm-up course)..18-hole with cart $9.00..Yep 9..
Lodgings are cheap os its the Low season...The food is good and the beer/cider is cold..
What more do you want...You could get it all 3/4 night hotel..5 or 6 rounds including replays..and all you food and drink for $500.00..

[bcawley01]

I'm not exactly impartial, but Cleveland is a cool sleeper destination. A long drive sure, but great golf can be had for <$70. Many great courses in the area and downtown is reemerging.

[rkrech]

I personally would avoid Myrtle Beach. Course conditions were not very good. Barefoot courses are by far the worst conditions I have ever played. Mold on all the greens. I was there for 7 days. Rained every day. It's a blue hair town. Not sure of the night life everyone talks about. I actually found it hard to get a dinner after 8. Excluding fast food.


I second the Palm Springs recommendation. Mid summer is pretty damn hot. But exceptional courses for cheap. Lots of pools and nice restaurants.

Scottsdale is great too if you want some night life but may break the budget depending on the time of the year.

Mesquite is fun if you like the casino aspect for the evenings.


Please come back and post where you ended up.

[Schoolboy]

Best bang for your buck might be in Michigan. Great golf courses everywhere with good value. I've taken road trips to Lansing, MI (Hawk Hollow, Eagle Eye, Timber Ridge); Oscoda, MI (Red Hawk, Lakewood Shores - Blackshire, Lakewood Shores - Serradella, Lakewood Shores - Gailes); Ludington, MI on the western coast (Hemlock, Arcadia Bluffs). Arcadia Bluffs to this day is still my favourite golf course.

[oregongolf]

Bandon during the off season.

Our last trip in February worked out to $650 per person for 4 days 3 nights, 4 rounds (plus one round at the preserve), all bets, and food. Couple that with all the no cost amenities at the resort and there is more than enough value.