Best stay and play options for a budget golfer??

[-GoldenHawk-]

Hey all! I live in Iowa and would like to spoil myself this year sometime with a golf trip somewhere. I'm pretty tight with money and probably wouldn't be able to do something until July/August/September, but wanted to see what was out there. If anyone has any places that they were super pleased with, let me know!

 

The plan is just for me right now, but I might try and find a buddy.

[fore_life]

Sycuan outside of San Diego has a stay n play for $200/night, unlimited golf. 54 holes on site(18 are executive)

[j.b.newton]

How far are you looking to travel? and does the budget include flight or are you driving. I think these may be very helpful to know...

[-GoldenHawk-]

How far are you looking to travel? and does the budget include flight or are you driving. I think these may be very helpful to know...

 

I would be open to flying. Probably wouldn't pay more than 350 for a round trip flight, I know that's tough. Driving would be doable within 6-8 hours maybe.

[One_Putt_Blunder]

Phoenix can be done very inexpensively in summer. Depending on where you are in Iowa 110 with 15% humidity probably beats the heck out of 90-90% Although you may be better off taking advantage of summer hotel rates and sourcing better priced tee times on your own vs the markup for resort rate etc.

 

Options

Wekopa great courses, downside is location is very far out of the central part of town.

Troon Four Seasons can still be pricey and they'll prob gouge you on golf.

Westin Kierland, good hotel mediocre golf

Camelback Inn, One good course(Ambiente) one just OK course(Padre)

Mountain Shadows resort also partners with Camelback and they have a really awesome par 3 course.

Dont know what it is called but the hotel with the Whirlwind courses.

Boulders-prob the most expensive option.

 

Really the possibilities are endless around here

[dikaia22]

Sand Valley in Wisconsin

Sand Valley Golf Resort

 

 

or

 

Sand Hills in Nebraska

 

 

Either would depend on what part of Iowa you are in but both are bucket list courses and driving to them could save you some $$ vs flying.

[-GoldenHawk-]

Sand Valley in Wisconsin

Sand Valley Golf Resort

 

 

or

 

Sand Hills in Nebraska

 

 

Either would depend on what part of Iowa you are in but both are bucket list courses and driving to them could save you some $$ vs flying.

 

Great, thanks! I love Wisco, I'll check it out.

[Stetson]

Prairie Club in Nebraska could be a solid choice as it is drivable and has 42 holes on site (I believe it is an 8 hope Par 3, apologies if inaccurate)

[j.b.newton]

The RTJ Trail in Alabama is a good choice and typically budget friendly...

[-GoldenHawk-]

The RTJ Trail in Alabama is a good choice and typically budget friendly...

 

Looks to be good deals at great courses. Does the "trail special" when I look up tee times mean that's the price if you have the trail card??

[HuskerFlyer]

Prairie Club in Nebraska could be a solid choice as it is drivable and has 42 holes on site (I believe it is an 8 hope Par 3, apologies if inaccurate)

 

Par 3 is a horse course Bunch of greens and tees. Honors picks the next shot. Its alot of fun. 2nd on Prairie club.

[umassgolfer]

Don't sleep on Lake Geneva area. I was looking at doing a trip out there a few years ago and I don't remember what the prices were but both Geneva National and Grand Geneva resorts had stay and play packages that looked good. I've never played those courses though so maybe someone else can chime in on them...

[games]

Sand Valley in Wisconsin

Sand Valley Golf Resort

 

 

or

 

Sand Hills in Nebraska

 

 

Either would depend on what part of Iowa you are in but both are bucket list courses and driving to them could save you some $$ vs flying.

 

Great, thanks! I love Wisco, I'll check it out.

 

If you want great value golf in Wisconsin, I would hang out in the quad formed by Wisconsin Dells, Nekoosa, Stevens Point and Green Lake.

 

Right now, Nekoosa is big because of Sand Valley. But one mile away is an older 36-hole complex called Lake Arrowhead which is very nice.

Some fine courses around the Dells. I really enjoyed Northern Bay at Castle Rock, an 18-hole course with 6-8 replica holes which are well done (including #17 at TPC).

In Stevens Point, you have Sentry World, which will be pricy but just underwent renovation, For a bit less, Stevens Point Country Club is decent.

In Green Lake, you'll find Lawsonia. Gets rave reviews from the Chicago crowd here, but I'm not as much a fan. But, their 36-hole special on the Links and Woodlands is like stealing.

Fun pubs and restaurants nearby Green Lake and a few hotels and B&Bs. If you choose to stay closer to Point, consider staying in Plover, which is home to Mikey's Pub and O'So Brewing and several small chain hotels.

 

Another fun spot for value golf in Wisconsin is Minocqua area with Northwoods in Rhinelander, Timber Ridge in Minocqua, St. Germain and Eagle River.

[Luke.Sutton]

Your home club? Nothing is cheaper than a “stay-cation”

[-GoldenHawk-]

Your home club? Nothing is cheaper than a "stay-cation"

 

I suppose, but I wanna spread the wings!

[vallygolf]

IMO no brainer, drive to sand valley WI. Use the cash saved on flights to play at a top resort. The other benefit is that it is atypical golf for the midwest, so you are getting a different experience that is only roughly 5 hrs away. Driving your own car saves so much money you can spend more on golf.

[-GoldenHawk-]

IMO no brainer, drive to sand valley WI. Use the cash saved on flights to play at a top resort. The other benefit is that it is atypical golf for the midwest, so you are getting a different experience that is only roughly 5 hrs away. Driving your own car saves so much money you can spend more on golf.

 

I'm actually learning towards this. Would I be better off staying in a VRBO/Air B&B or staying on site?

[vallygolf]

You will have to check out some bookings to find out which is right for you. In my experience Air B&B is less expensive and I can do my own food for less (budget). But staying on property is usually a better experience overall, just more expensive. As a single at times there are no small Air B&B close so it can be a problem. I also find tee time access is always improved when you stay on site. Be sure to hit up Lawsonia GC as well (it is just over an hour from sand valley), and if the budget allows on the drive home pass by Erin Hills. That my friend is a "spread your wings" "spoil yourself" golf trip.

[-GoldenHawk-]

You will have to check out some bookings to find out which is right for you. In my experience Air B&B is less expensive and I can do my own food for less (budget). But staying on property is usually a better experience overall, just more expensive. As a single at times there are no small Air B&B close so it can be a problem. I also find tee time access is always improved when you stay on site. Be sure to hit up Lawsonia GC as well (it is just over an hour from sand valley), and if the budget allows on the drive home pass by Erin Hills. That my friend is a "spread your wings" "spoil yourself" golf trip.

 

Love it, this will definitely be on the list. Now if I could just save the stupid amount of money I have to pay for health care for one more month and put it towards a golf trip..... I wish COBRA on no one. So, SO awful.

[j.b.newton]

The RTJ Trail in Alabama is a good choice and typically budget friendly...

 

Looks to be good deals at great courses. Does the "trail special" when I look up tee times mean that's the price if you have the trail card??

 

Technically, key word, you have to live 100 miles from any of the trail locations to get a trail card. Technically......... Lets just say I moved way outside of that 100 mile radius and had no trouble purchasing a trail card each year.

[-GoldenHawk-]

The RTJ Trail in Alabama is a good choice and typically budget friendly...

 

Looks to be good deals at great courses. Does the "trail special" when I look up tee times mean that's the price if you have the trail card??

 

Technically, key word, you have to live 100 miles from any of the trail locations to get a trail card. Technically......... Lets just say I moved way outside of that 100 mile radius and had no trouble purchasing a trail card each year.

 

Good to know. Too bad I'm over a 10 hour drive away.

[hlca]

If you really want to be frugal, you can always camp or RV as you drive around from course to course...

[j.b.newton]

The RTJ Trail in Alabama is a good choice and typically budget friendly...

 

Looks to be good deals at great courses. Does the "trail special" when I look up tee times mean that's the price if you have the trail card??

 

Technically, key word, you have to live 100 miles from any of the trail locations to get a trail card. Technically......... Lets just say I moved way outside of that 100 mile radius and had no trouble purchasing a trail card each year.

 

Good to know. Too bad I'm over a 10 hour drive away.

 

I was about 8 hrs away and know some guys in CA that have trail cards for the 1 time per year they come....

[cbole22]

Sand Valley in Wisconsin

Sand Valley Golf Resort

 

 

or

 

Sand Hills in Nebraska

 

 

Either would depend on what part of Iowa you are in but both are bucket list courses and driving to them could save you some $$ vs flying.

 

Great, thanks! I love Wisco, I'll check it out.

 

If you want great value golf in Wisconsin, I would hang out in the quad formed by Wisconsin Dells, Nekoosa, Stevens Point and Green Lake.

 

Right now, Nekoosa is big because of Sand Valley. But one mile away is an older 36-hole complex called Lake Arrowhead which is very nice.

Some fine courses around the Dells. I really enjoyed Northern Bay at Castle Rock, an 18-hole course with 6-8 replica holes which are well done (including #17 at TPC).

In Stevens Point, you have Sentry World, which will be pricy but just underwent renovation, For a bit less, Stevens Point Country Club is decent.

In Green Lake, you'll find Lawsonia. Gets rave reviews from the Chicago crowd here, but I'm not as much a fan. But, their 36-hole special on the Links and Woodlands is like stealing.

Fun pubs and restaurants nearby Green Lake and a few hotels and B&Bs. If you choose to stay closer to Point, consider staying in Plover, which is home to Mikey's Pub and O'So Brewing and several small chain hotels.

 

Another fun spot for value golf in Wisconsin is Minocqua area with Northwoods in Rhinelander, Timber Ridge in Minocqua, St. Germain and Eagle River.

Northwood's in Rhinelander is one of my favorite, but bring a lot of balls. Eagle River is another great course and St Germain also has an executive course. Plus when you get done golfing there is great fishing up there.

[runningdog]

Donald Ross course at French lick. Pretty decent prices for stay and play there...unlimited golf on that course. And if you do well at the casino at the hotel, then ante up and go play the Dye course (unlimited too, but like $350 plus caddie).

[ckates7]

Don’t sleep on Minnesota either. Wilderness at Fortune Bay, Deacons Lodge, Giants Ridge all fantastic stops and very afforable

[Ryan3773]

I’m not sure if this is out of your price range (it generally is for me!), but whistling straits has a stay and play package for 3 nights and you play all 4 courses. In the off-season it can get as cheap as 900 dollars.

[CDM]

How far are you looking to travel? and does the budget include flight or are you driving. I think these may be very helpful to know...

 

I would be open to flying. Probably wouldn't pay more than 350 for a round trip flight, I know that's tough. Driving would be doable within 6-8 hours maybe.

 

A lot of excellent options listed. Based on your dates and since I do't see it I would toss out Pinehurst NC. Depending on flight options of course you fly into Raleigh Durham which is only an hour away OR to Charlotte which is 1hr-45mins away. Ton of excellent tracks and can catch some excellent summer values. Alot of people say you can get some excellent deals too on Golfnow during the summer.

 

I know in the summer months there are excellent package deals. The one that comes to mind is a 2 night - 3 rounds through Tobacco road for 269.00 (Tobacco Road/Dormie Club/Whispering Pines) They others too a bit more and some even less in price. I would bet as a single the price would be more though based on the room.

 

EDIT: Link provided below.

 

https://tobaccoroadt...l.com/packages/

[-GoldenHawk-]

How far are you looking to travel? and does the budget include flight or are you driving. I think these may be very helpful to know...

 

I would be open to flying. Probably wouldn't pay more than 350 for a round trip flight, I know that's tough. Driving would be doable within 6-8 hours maybe.

 

A lot of excellent options listed. Based on your dates and since I do't see it I would toss out Pinehurst NC. Depending on flight options of course you fly into Raleigh Durham which is only an hour away OR to Charlotte which is 1hr-45mins away. Ton of excellent tracks and can catch some excellent summer values. Alot of people say you can get some excellent deals too on Golfnow during the summer.

 

I know in the summer months there are excellent package deals. The one that comes to mind is a 2 night - 3 rounds through Tobacco road for 269.00 (Tobacco Road/Dormie Club/Whispering Pines) They others too a bit more and some even less in price. I would bet as a single the price would be more though based on the room.

 

EDIT: Link provided below.

 

https://tobaccoroadt...l.com/packages/

 

Sweet deals! I could even turn that into a 4-6 day trip and do other things in the Carolinas. (I love fishing)

 

Anyone have any other similar sites that offer package deals??

[OregonHack]

Fly to Phoenix. Stay in Scottsdale. Not necessarily as "Stay and Play," but many good options within a 15 minute drive. Scottsdale is nice and cheap in summer. You can stay at many of the nice resorts for less than $100 a night. Decent hotels under $75 a night. Places like Papago are solid and reasonable in the summer.