Golf Trip Prices.....

[CDM]

Curious what is the typical prices people are paying for their golf trips? I am not talking the "life time" type trips per se.

 

I realized this summer I really do have two set of friends when it comes to golf:

 

The "Players", ones who are avid golfers and have strong handicaps (some with + handicaps).

 

The "Golfers" who get out and plays maybe once a month and hits balls about 4-5 times a month.

 

Planning the most recent trip I noticed there is a decent price range between what we pay for either group. The players trips seem to run around $350-400 a day average, while the "Golfer" trips run in the $200 range, sometimes a bit less. So double.

 

What do you guys average?

 

(Prices per day include airfare, accommodations, car and golf....food/Entertainment is separate)

 

Edit:

"Wife" trips don't count as the wife and daughter change it all up.... playing golf gives them way to much time to shop.. LOL

[ZMO]

I did a golf outing with buddies in early April ....Palm Springs. We played Shadow Ridge and Eagle Falls and stayed one night at the Fantasy Springs Casino. $110 total each guy for the weekend. There's deals out there if you're not 100% committed to specific courses and places to stay.

[BG5]

Northern Michigan has some of the bat golf in the world and its really cheap. Usually spend about $75 a day on courses ranked in the top 25 in the state

[puttnforthe8]

Did the Wolf Creek area and southern Utah courses for just under $500. It was summer though, so rates are at their lowest. But it was great....ended up getting cloudy skies most days. We ate pretty cheaply the whole trip.

I don't consider my pai gow vice as part of the cost....however, I ended up winning on that trip.

[CDM]

The last trip was to Myrtle Beach and was the GOLFER group. It was 5N/4RD trip. Given it takes pretty much all day to get there from Denver (flight times mainly) you pretty much land, check in, dinner and get ready for the next day. We had 7 of us going.

$290 Airfare ([i]flew into Wilmington Nc and drove the hour or so down...saved close to 200 doing so as it was booked a bit late[/i])
$80 Car
$525 Accommodation/Golf

$895 total. The golf package was normally around $390 but we upgraded all the courses. ([i]Caledonia, Barefoot, Dunes, and Moorland[/i])

The "Players" trip always seems to be around $1600-1800. Typically we stay on site of the course which does cost more. The MB trips your in a condo and have to drive to the courses which to me is not a big deal.

[CDM]

[quote name='BG5' timestamp='1405909044' post='9745611']
Northern Michigan has some of the bat golf in the world and its really cheap. Usually spend about $75 a day on courses ranked in the top 25 in the state
[/quote]

Timely.. as I was discussing Michigan recently. Reading up there is some great tracks in the area. Would Detroit be the place to fly into?

How is the weather in mid September / early October...? [i]Airfare to Detroit (if the right place to fly to yet) is around $220.[/i]

[i]EDIT:[/i]
[i]Just google'd some of the top Michigan courses and Detroit is a long drive to most... most are like 3 hrs plus.... Grand Rapids is closer but still a bit of a drive. [/i]

[duffer987]

^3hrs (using Forest Dunes as the destination) isn't that bad of a drive. Everyone flies in, in the afternoon or evening, get to your destination round midnight, still get 6+hrs sleep and start playing 36 a day

[sabram]

I take a lot of golf trips. In my experience there is no such thing as "typical". On the cheap side I've done small groups in winter to Myrtle Beach for $500 per person total for 4 days (incl share of car, airfare and 2 rounds per day). I've also done Florida in the Fall for about the same cost. On the expensive side, we've done Bandon, Streamsong, Scottsdale, England and Scotland which run between $2,000 and $3,500 ($3,500 was for 9 days 13 rounds at some of the best courses in Fife and East Lothian, incl car, air & lodging.) In my experience, the cost is unrelated to how good or avid the golfers are, but rather by their financial situation, although non-avid golfers don't want long trips or two rounds a day. Playing 2 rounds per day certainly brings down the average cost per round. Airfare varies the cost a lot. e.g. on a Myrtle trip the guys flying from Toronto pay a lot more than the ones flying from NY. Also, single occupancy makes it more expensive than double occupancy. There are awesome trips out there at any budget range, especially if you are flexible on locales, dates and types of lodging.

[asommers14]

I tend to travel during off seasons and it saves me a lot of money.

[CDM]

[quote name='sabram' timestamp='1405940324' post='9747213']
I take a lot of golf trips. In my experience there is no such thing as "typical". On the cheap side I've done small groups in winter to Myrtle Beach for $500 per person total for 4 days (incl share of car, airfare and 2 rounds per day). I've also done Florida in the Fall for about the same cost. On the expensive side, we've done Bandon, Streamsong, Scottsdale, England and Scotland which run between $2,000 and $3,500 ($3,500 was for 9 days 13 rounds at some of the best courses in Fife and East Lothian, incl car, air & lodging.) [size=5][b][i]In my experience, the cost is unrelated to how good or avid the golfers are, but rather by their financial situation, although non-avid golfers don't want long trips or two rounds a day[/i][/b]. [/size]Playing 2 rounds per day certainly brings down the average cost per round. Airfare varies the cost a lot. e.g. on a Myrtle trip the guys flying from Toronto pay a lot more than the ones flying from NY. Also, single occupancy makes it more expensive than double occupancy. There are awesome trips out there at any budget range, especially if you are flexible on locales, dates and types of lodging.
[/quote]

Maybe I need new friends

Sadly not so with my rotation of friends.. Almost everyone of us has been blessed in life by hard work and do decent financially. The funny part is the ones who do the best are the ones who complain about the prices the most. Standard answer...."[i]I am a bogey range golfer and its not going to help me to play a better courses...typically harder and make me shoot higher scores[/i]"

What I have figured out planning this years late summer/early fall trip is if we have "entertainment"..... Casino's, Nightclubs, Gentlemen's Club's...etc the "Golfer" is very happy. [i](Typically cost more too than a avid golfer trip in the end...)[/i]

Personally I could care less on some of those entertainment options. My two main focuses are Course and Food. Than I go with accommodations and drive... to me there is nothing better than a couple of rounds on a great track and sitting back for an excellent meal and drink after to BS about round.

[BG5]

[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1405914362' post='9746191']
[quote name='BG5' timestamp='1405909044' post='9745611']
Northern Michigan has some of the bat golf in the world and its really cheap. Usually spend about $75 a day on courses ranked in the top 25 in the state
[/quote]

Timely.. as I was discussing Michigan recently. Reading up there is some great tracks in the area. Would Detroit be the place to fly into?

How is the weather in mid September / early October...? [i]Airfare to Detroit (if the right place to fly to yet) is around $220.[/i]

[i]EDIT:[/i]
[i]Just google'd some of the top Michigan courses and Detroit is a long drive to most... most are like 3 hrs plus.... Grand Rapids is closer but still a bit of a drive.

[/i]
[/quote]

Grand Rapids would prob be better maybe even Traverse City but that's only if you got extra cash. Detroit is cheap and easy and a 3 hour drive isn't terrible. PM me if you make the trip and I can help you with any questions you have.

[puttnforthe8]

[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1405992909' post='9754547']
[quote name='sabram' timestamp='1405940324' post='9747213']
I take a lot of golf trips. In my experience there is no such thing as "typical". On the cheap side I've done small groups in winter to Myrtle Beach for $500 per person total for 4 days (incl share of car, airfare and 2 rounds per day). I've also done Florida in the Fall for about the same cost. On the expensive side, we've done Bandon, Streamsong, Scottsdale, England and Scotland which run between $2,000 and $3,500 ($3,500 was for 9 days 13 rounds at some of the best courses in Fife and East Lothian, incl car, air & lodging.) [size=5][b][i]In my experience, the cost is unrelated to how good or avid the golfers are, but rather by their financial situation, although non-avid golfers don't want long trips or two rounds a day[/i][/b]. [/size]Playing 2 rounds per day certainly brings down the average cost per round. Airfare varies the cost a lot. e.g. on a Myrtle trip the guys flying from Toronto pay a lot more than the ones flying from NY. Also, single occupancy makes it more expensive than double occupancy. There are awesome trips out there at any budget range, especially if you are flexible on locales, dates and types of lodging.
[/quote]

Maybe I need new friends

Sadly not so with my rotation of friends.. Almost everyone of us has been blessed in life by hard work and do decent financially. The funny part is the ones who do the best are the ones who complain about the prices the most. Standard answer...."[i]I am a bogey range golfer and its not going to help me to play a better courses...typically harder and make me shoot higher scores[/i]"

What I have figured out planning this years late summer/early fall trip is if we have "entertainment"..... Casino's, Nightclubs, Gentlemen's Club's...etc the "Golfer" is very happy. [i](Typically cost more too than a avid golfer trip in the end...)[/i]

Personally I could care less on some of those entertainment options. My two main focuses are Course and Food. Than I go with accommodations and drive... to me there is nothing better than a couple of rounds on a great track and sitting back for an excellent meal and drink after to BS about round.
[/quote]

I really think you should consider the WolfCreek/St George trip then....Honestly, it was such great value. Plus the versatility to modify as needed is there. From Denver, you [i]could [/i]drive...if you wanted to.

[CDM]

[quote name='puttnforthe8' timestamp='1406000924' post='9755509']
[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1405992909' post='9754547']
[quote name='sabram' timestamp='1405940324' post='9747213']
I take a lot of golf trips. In my experience there is no such thing as "typical". On the cheap side I've done small groups in winter to Myrtle Beach for $500 per person total for 4 days (incl share of car, airfare and 2 rounds per day). I've also done Florida in the Fall for about the same cost. On the expensive side, we've done Bandon, Streamsong, Scottsdale, England and Scotland which run between $2,000 and $3,500 ($3,500 was for 9 days 13 rounds at some of the best courses in Fife and East Lothian, incl car, air & lodging.) [size=5][b][i]In my experience, the cost is unrelated to how good or avid the golfers are, but rather by their financial situation, although non-avid golfers don't want long trips or two rounds a day[/i][/b]. [/size]Playing 2 rounds per day certainly brings down the average cost per round. Airfare varies the cost a lot. e.g. on a Myrtle trip the guys flying from Toronto pay a lot more than the ones flying from NY. Also, single occupancy makes it more expensive than double occupancy. There are awesome trips out there at any budget range, especially if you are flexible on locales, dates and types of lodging.
[/quote]

Maybe I need new friends

Sadly not so with my rotation of friends.. Almost everyone of us has been blessed in life by hard work and do decent financially. The funny part is the ones who do the best are the ones who complain about the prices the most. Standard answer...."[i]I am a bogey range golfer and its not going to help me to play a better courses...typically harder and make me shoot higher scores[/i]"

What I have figured out planning this years late summer/early fall trip is if we have "entertainment"..... Casino's, Nightclubs, Gentlemen's Club's...etc the "Golfer" is very happy. [i](Typically cost more too than a avid golfer trip in the end...)[/i]

Personally I could care less on some of those entertainment options. My two main focuses are Course and Food. Than I go with accommodations and drive... to me there is nothing better than a couple of rounds on a great track and sitting back for an excellent meal and drink after to BS about round.
[/quote]

I really think you should consider the WolfCreek/St George trip then....Honestly, it was such great value. Plus the versatility to modify as needed is there. From Denver, you [i]could [/i]drive...if you wanted to.
[/quote]

Sorry should have mentioned we have done that a few times. Wolfcreek is one of my favorite courses. Visually it is awesome. We have done that trip a few times and yes every time is with the non avid golfer group.

[CDM]

[quote name='BG5' timestamp='1405996485' post='9754979']
[quote name='Chile Dip Master' timestamp='1405914362' post='9746191']
[quote name='BG5' timestamp='1405909044' post='9745611']
Northern Michigan has some of the bat golf in the world and its really cheap. Usually spend about $75 a day on courses ranked in the top 25 in the state
[/quote]

Timely.. as I was discussing Michigan recently. Reading up there is some great tracks in the area. Would Detroit be the place to fly into?

How is the weather in mid September / early October...? [i]Airfare to Detroit (if the right place to fly to yet) is around $220.[/i]

[i]EDIT:[/i]
[i]Just google'd some of the top Michigan courses and Detroit is a long drive to most... most are like 3 hrs plus.... Grand Rapids is closer but still a bit of a drive. [/i]


[/quote]

Grand Rapids would prob be better maybe even Traverse City but that's only if you got extra cash. Detroit is cheap and easy and a 3 hour drive isn't terrible. PM me if you make the trip and I can help you with any questions you have.
[/quote]

Thank you appreciate the offer. We talked about it today and it is on the top of the list right now... oddly one the guys tossed out Cleveland??? That I am going to have to look up....

[fore_life]

Have you guys done ABQ?

[CDM]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1406087808' post='9764351']
Have you guys done ABQ?
[/quote]

If you mean Albuquerque? We did go down and play in Santa Fe a few days for a project, but not in Albuquerque.

[fore_life]

Alberquerque has some great tracks, some that will appeal to the Golfers as well as players

[duffer987]

^This. There isn't an overabundance of choice, but the ones there are top notch... and very well priced compared to other regions.

And as fore_life will tell you - as I got the advice last year - some excellent microbrews too :)

 

[fore_life]

La Cumbre!!!!!

[Arizonalefty59]

If you know what you're doing, golf trips can be very inexpensive. Usually the most expensive part is lodging, you'll save a bunch of $ if you can stay with a friend or relative.

[Gdane]

My group consists of guys w/handicaps in the 10-15 range, and were about to go on our 2nd annual trip to Michigan.

Last year we paid about $450 for 3 nights and 4 rounds of golf in the Mt. Pleasant, MI area.

This year we are paying $390 for 3 nights and 4 rounds of golf in the U.P. of MI.

Obviously driving cuts the price of the trip down quite a bit as opposed to flying.

[fore_life]

[quote name='Arizonalefty59' timestamp='1406128320' post='9767111']
If you know what you're doing, golf trips can be very inexpensive. Usually the most expensive part is lodging, you'll save a bunch of $ if you can stay with a friend or relative.
[/quote]

Part of the fun is staying out late and getting hammered haha

[johnnylongball]

I typically do two trips each year with two different groups. Both groups have been going on for +/- 15 years. The first group is much more budget conscious. We typically stay within reasonable driving range of Nashville. We've played several of the RTJ Trail locations, Crossville, etc. This group focuses much less on the quality of the golf and more on the social and drinking aspects.

The second trip is more expensive and the quality of the golf is the primary focus. We've been to most all of the major destinations over the years: Bandon, Sawgrass, Kiawah, Northern MI, Palm Springs, you name it. The place that we like best is Kohler. Bandon is our 2nd favorite b/c it's so damn hard to get there. This year we've finally decided to bite the bullet and go to Pebble, which will be the most expensive trip we've ever done, and probably ever will do. We don't really care about the quality of the lodging, but we do require a few really nice courses and enjoy a good meal. The cost of this trip is on average 3 or 4 times as much as the other I mentioned when you include airfare, car rental, caddie fees and everything else.

[CDM]

[i][quote name='johnnylongball' timestamp='1406149478' post='9770065']
I typically do two trips each year with two different groups. Both groups have been going on for +/- 15 years. The first group is much more budget conscious. We typically stay within reasonable driving range of Nashville. We've played several of the RTJ Trail locations, Crossville, etc. This group focuses much less on the quality of the golf and more on the social and drinking aspects.

The second trip is more expensive and the quality of the golf is the primary focus. We've been to most all of the major destinations over the years: Bandon, Sawgrass, Kiawah, Northern MI, Palm Springs, you name it. The place that we like best is Kohler. Bandon is our 2nd favorite b/c it's so damn hard to get there. This year we've finally decided to bite the bullet and go to Pebble, which will be the most expensive trip we've ever done, and probably ever will do. We don't really care about the quality of the lodging, but we do require a few really nice courses and enjoy a good meal. The cost of this trip is on average 3 or 4 times as much as the other I mentioned when you include airfare, car rental, caddie fees and everything else.
[/quote][/i]

Sounds like your groups are just like mine. Enjoy Pebble, as our AVID golfer group has discussed that one will come...not sure when but it will.

[CDM]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1406146192' post='9769615']
[quote name='Arizonalefty59' timestamp='1406128320' post='9767111']
If you know what you're doing, golf trips can be very inexpensive. Usually the most expensive part is lodging, you'll save a bunch of $ if you can stay with a friend or relative.
[/quote]

Part of the fun is staying out late and getting hammered haha
[/quote]

HAHAHA oooooo so true with casual golfer group. I am pretty sure they spend 2-3 times more on the entertainment Vs the actual golf most the time.

[Seattle_Maslow]

[quote name='fore_life' timestamp='1406092668' post='9764753']
Alberquerque has some great tracks, some that will appeal to the Golfers as well as players
[/quote]

This is a great suggestion. I wonder why more people don't consider ABQ. The food is great and cheap, the weather is almost always great and there are 5-6 solid and cheap courses.

[ssf301]

johnnylongball - Your second trip sounds exactly like my group.....so much so I had to re-read it to make sure you weren't part of my group. We've been doing it for 20 years now and are basically knocking off the published "top 25 golf destinations" lists that Golf Digest and various other publications come up with. We play 36 a day and golf is the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th top priority. After that it's a good meal in the evening. Kohler has also been our favorite trip and Bandon is also 2nd. With Bandon, too hard to get to and since we play 36 day, walking, even with caddies for multiple days gets tough. We've not bitten the bullet on Monterey/Pebble yet but it is on the list. I am thinking we will do it for our 25th year trip. Please make sure you post what you think about it in relation to Kohler/Bandon when you get back.

[johnnylongball]

[quote name='ssf301' timestamp='1406314058' post='9784925']
johnnylongball - Your second trip sounds exactly like my group.....so much so I had to re-read it to make sure you weren't part of my group. We've been doing it for 20 years now and are basically knocking off the published "top 25 golf destinations" lists that Golf Digest and various other publications come up with. We play 36 a day and golf is the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th top priority. After that it's a good meal in the evening. Kohler has also been our favorite trip and Bandon is also 2nd. With Bandon, too hard to get to and since we play 36 day, walking, even with caddies for multiple days gets tough. We've not bitten the bullet on Monterey/Pebble yet but it is on the list. I am thinking we will do it for our 25th year trip. Please make sure you post what you think about it in relation to Kohler/Bandon when you get back.
[/quote]

That's funny. Will be glad to share my thoughts on Pebble. I'm always happy to share my two-bit opinion.

I can already tell you one thing that is going to irritate me about going to Monterey is the fact that we can't play the best course in the area, which is the focus of our trips.

[duffer987]

^Sure but can you get on Pine Valley, National Golf Links, or Seminole?

[johnnylongball]

[quote name='duffer987' timestamp='1406318161' post='9785483']
^Sure but can you get on Pine Valley, National Golf Links, or Seminole?
[/quote]

Not sure. Haven't tried yet.