Thinking about next year's golf trip

[Chris_NH]

The only balm for post-golf-trip blues is to begin planning next year's trip.

 

Having done Bandon twice now (and previously doing Myrtle Beach several times, northern Michigan once) I'm torn between a third trip to Bandon next year or trying something else.

 

Pinehurst is appealing but, I must admit that I'm put off a bit by the price. The other two I'm looking at are Kiawah or Kohler. I'm NOT looking international at this point. And Pebble (rightly or wrongly, not sure since I haven't been there) just feels like an overpriced Bandon to me.

 

So the three (in order) I'm considering now are: Kohler, Kiawah and Pinehurst.

 

Thoughts about those, or obvious ones I'm not considering?

[aked]

Pinehurst winter rates are reasonable and early November weather is usually quite nice.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='aked' timestamp='1395623957' post='8935035']
Pinehurst winter rates are reasonable and early November weather is usually quite nice.
[/quote]

True about the cost - but the weather can be virtually unplayable in the winter. I might look into November, though - thanks

[lumberman2462]

Sea Island. Expensive.....worth it.

[Swingem]

Every time we're playing through cold, wet & windy at Bandon, we start talking about going to Mesquite NV one of these years. Been doing that for ten years.....

[cdnrockies]

Haha! My exact thinking after getting back too.

Trying to round up some buddies that haven't been to Bandon for next year.

Kohler is something that should be experienced. Not sure if the wives travel too, but if so, Kohler is the best choice. It is the only golf destination that my wife actively wants to return to.

Even without the wives it is a great golf destination. Besides the courses at Kohler, Erin Hills is close, as is the Bull at Pinehurst Farms (highly rated, but I wasn't a huge fan). At the resort itself, the American Club is outstanding. For the more budget conscious, the Inn at Woodlake was awesome and didn't break the bank. Food is outstanding at the Immigrant Room. Brunch was amazing. The spa was top 5 in the US when we were there.

Only downside is the shortened season leaves less opportunity for travel.

Good luck with your decision!

[midweston]

If you are looking for a budget trip with some scenic courses and scenery, Branson Mo has some good stuff.

[lefty-golfer]

[quote name='Chris_NH' timestamp='1395491781' post='8924369']
The only balm for post-golf-trip blues is to begin planning next year's trip.

Having done Bandon twice now (and previously doing Myrtle Beach several times, northern Michigan once) I'm torn between a third trip to Bandon next year or trying something else.

Pinehurst is appealing but, I must admit that I'm put off a bit by the price. The other two I'm looking at are Kiawah or Kohler. I'm NOT looking international at this point. And Pebble (rightly or wrongly, not sure since I haven't been there) just feels like an overpriced Bandon to me.

So the three (in order) I'm considering now are: Kohler, Kiawah and Pinehurst.

Thoughts about those, or obvious ones I'm not considering?
[/quote]

I have been to Pinehurst or the Sandhills region in general 2 twice and i am leaving for a 3rd trip next week. I have been to Kiawah Island once.

In my opinion Kiawah is a go once, play the Ocean course and then i am kinda done with it place. I didn't think any of the other 4 courses were anything to get excited over. Nice don't get me wrong they really are nice but eh been there done that.

Pinehurst is not cheap but I love the area, i actually will be looking at real eastate next week while i am there. The golf is top notch 2,4,6,8 are all awesome - the odd numbers are not bad either!! if you want to keep the price down there are many other great courses in the area, Pine Needles, Mid pines, Tobacco road, mid south, Dormie club and more. my group this year didn't want to spend the pinehurst nut so we are playing all of the other clubs i referenced, some of them twice for a total of 8 round in 4 days, got a condo - 1500 per man plus travel. I don't know what you want to spend but that in my opinion is well worth the cost.

[johnnylongball]

I've been to all three resorts. I cast my vote for Kohler. Besides the courses at the resort, there are several other nice ones in the area.

We have stopped at Erin Hills after flying into Milwaukee before driving up to Kohler. We like joke around and call that our warm up round - on a US Open course.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='cdnrockies' timestamp='1395679053' post='8939147']
Haha! My exact thinking after getting back too.

Trying to round up some buddies that haven't been to Bandon for next year.

Kohler is something that should be experienced. Not sure if the wives travel too, but if so, Kohler is the best choice. It is the only golf destination that my wife actively wants to return to.

Even without the wives it is a great golf destination. Besides the courses at Kohler, Erin Hills is close, as is the Bull at Pinehurst Farms (highly rated, but I wasn't a huge fan). At the resort itself, the American Club is outstanding. For the more budget conscious, the Inn at Woodlake was awesome and didn't break the bank. Food is outstanding at the Immigrant Room. Brunch was amazing. The spa was top 5 in the US when we were there.

Only downside is the shortened season leaves less opportunity for travel.

Good luck with your decision!
[/quote]

Thank you. We should know in a couple of days, but my daughter's first choice at this point is a college in Chicago. If that comes to pass, then a couple of trips over the next four years with my wife to Kohler is a done deal, so I'll probably save Kohler for spouse travel, now that I've given it some more thought.

[Chris_NH]

[quote name='johnnylongball' timestamp='1395782447' post='8949697']
I've been to all three resorts. I cast my vote for Kohler. Besides the courses at the resort, there are several other nice ones in the area.

We have stopped at Erin Hills after flying into Milwaukee before driving up to Kohler. [b]We like joke around and call that our warm up round - on a US Open course.[/b]
[/quote]

Great line! :-)