Affordable Winter Golf Getaway

[aggie182]

I am turning 40 this year and the wife promised me a Vegas Vacation for my 40th birthday, totally unrelated to golf.  With Covid, she's not wanting the up late, gambling, drinking, etc., etc., etc., Vegas trip.  We've been tossing around the idea of going somewhere for golf, and she'd either ride along or drop me at the course and hang out at the hotel or go shopping while I play, then we'll go out and whatnot in the evenings.  She doesn't play golf.

 

I'd like to play some nice courses and something that's different than what I can play here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.  I'd like reasonable temps but understand that's a crapshoot.  I'd need accommodations to be nice enough for the wife to comfortably hang out solo during the day.  She doesn't need spa etc., just something safe and decent enough to hang out and read a book.  Beyond that is a plus.  We'll rent/have a car but it would be nice to "stay and play" if possible.

 

I have looked at a few things but need to do more looking.  I figured I'd reach out here to see if anyone had suggestions that could shorten the research curve.  I am  looking at 4 nights with 3 rounds of golf and the trip will fall between 12/19/20 and 1/3/21, but we can't be gone over Christmas day.

 

Orlando or Miami - They seem to fit the golf and accommodations bill nicely, but they're $$$$.

Phoenix/Scottsdale - Golf seems a bit cheaper than the stuff in Orlando/Miami, but still $$$.

Vegas - Cheapest flights and accommodations, and golf seems reasonable, but this may be a hard sell.  Could be cooler/colder too.  I am currently leaning Vegas and could likely convince the wife.

A wild card is Memphis/Tunica - She's been wanting to go to Graceland and it interests me too.  There's casinos, food, the blues, etc., but I am worried it won't feel like the trip I want it to be.  I have seen a few courses that interest me in the Memphis/Tunica area, but it will involve more driving since we'd likely stay down in Tunica and one of the courses I'd want to play is north of Memphis.  A plus is that we can actually drive there (+/- 9 hours) so no flying with clubs, airports, etc.  We could also stay in Memphis a few nights and Tunica a few nights.

New Orleans Area - Lots to do outside of golf and we love New Orleans, but how's the golf?

 

A few things I crossed off the list - I looked at some stuff on the Gulf Coast, outside of New Orleans, from Louisiana through the Florida Panhandle and it didn't really interest me.  I grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast and travelled most of the Gulf Coast from Texas through Florida.  I am afraid that won't feel like a destination.  I looked a bit at the RTJ trail, but it doesn't fit what I am looking for right now. 

[Argonne69]

Palm Springs? Plenty to do off the golf course.

 

Tucson tends to be cheaper than Phoenix/Scottsdale.

 

 

[aggie182]

21 minutes ago, Argonne69 said:

Palm Springs? Plenty to do off the golf course.

 

Tucson tends to be cheaper than Phoenix/Scottsdale.

 

 

 

Awesome, thanks for the suggestions, will check them out.

[Bonneville85308]

If you want a casino/golf destination, I'd rather do Biloxi than Tunica. Better golf in general, but you could stay at Beau Rivage, which is a better casino/hotel than anything in Tunica, and play Fallen Oak. Several other excellent courses in the area as well.

 

I've been to the strip in Vegas twice this year (most recently a couple of weeks ago) and the crowd/vibe is just...let's say...different than it used to be pre-2020. I didn't like it and won't be back for awhile. Also didn't help that a lot of the table games I wanted to play either weren't open or only open with very limited hours. Additionally, just about all of the shows and many of the better restaurants are currently closed.

[aggie182]

23 minutes ago, Bonneville85308 said:

If you want a casino/golf destination, I'd rather do Biloxi than Tunica. Better golf in general, but you could stay at Beau Rivage, which is a better casino/hotel than anything in Tunica, and play Fallen Oak. Several other excellent courses in the area as well.

 

I've been to the strip in Vegas twice this year (most recently a couple of weeks ago) and the crowd/vibe is just...let's say...different than it used to be pre-2020. I didn't like it and won't be back for awhile. Also didn't help that a lot of the table games I wanted to play either weren't open or only open with very limited hours. Additionally, just about all of the shows and many of the better restaurants are currently closed.

 

Thanks!  The Vegas vibe is one of the reasons the wife doesn't want to go, in addition to sitting next to people at table games, etc. for extended periods of time.

 

I will give Biloxi a closer look.  Any idea what the fees are for Fallen Oak?  I am a red and green chip kind of gambler, so it's doubtful my play would cover it.

[Bonneville85308]

4 minutes ago, aggie182 said:

 

Thanks!  The Vegas vibe is one of the reasons the wife doesn't want to go, in addition to sitting next to people at table games, etc. for extended periods of time.

 

I will give Biloxi a closer look.  Any idea what the fees are for Fallen Oak?  I am a red and green chip kind of gambler, so it's doubtful my play would cover it.

 

Note that in the casinos in Vegas right now, the table games like blackjack, baccarat, carny poker games, etc. generally have plastic dividers between the dealers and the players, between the players, plus mask wearing is required at all times and many table seats are removed or closed off. Every other slot machine is often turned off as well.  I don't know whether Tunica or Biloxi are following those standards.

 

At the time I played Fallen Oak in fall 2017,  I paid $150 with a casino players card, and the concierge desk in the hotel made the tee time, you couldn't call the course and do it. You do need to stay at Beau Rivage to play it though. It was worth it for one time but not something I'd do multiple times in one trip. If that's too steep, there are other very good courses like Grand Bear that you can play for under $100. There are even some perfectly acceptable lower end courses for under $50.

[Slippin_Jimmy]

I would second Argonne69's recommendation of Tucson.  Big fan.  Weather should be good at that time, maybe a little cool but still great for golf.  Starr Pass or Ventana Canyon would fit the bill for "stay & play".  Those resorts are on the pricier side for Tucson but I'm guessing you could probably get a pretty nice rate given the current travel situation.

 

Good luck wherever you go and Happy 40th!

[puttnforthe8]

13 minutes ago, Slippin_Jimmy said:

I would second Argonne69's recommendation of Tucson.  Big fan.  Weather should be good at that time, maybe a little cool but still great for golf.  Starr Pass or Ventana Canyon would fit the bill for "stay & play".  Those resorts are on the pricier side for Tucson but I'm guessing you could probably get a pretty nice rate given the current travel situation.

 

Good luck wherever you go and Happy 40th!

3rd for Tucson - The casino del Sol, where Sewailo golf course is, has some great deals going on.  There is plenty to do from Tucson:  Bisbee(ghost town), Tombstone(enough said), Sabino Canyon, Wine tasting, Dowtown Tucson (7-8 microbreweries in 2 sqmi), Desert Museum, Hiking, and plenty more.

 

Golf will be top notch around that time and lower rates than Phoenix for sure.  Sewailo, for example, will be sub $100 for one of the best courses in AZ.  

[Argonne69]

Biloxi is a good choice. Grand Bear is a great course. Weather could be iffy though. 

 

Sewailo is a sweet course. I played it back in early March. The bunkering is world class. 

[Phreddy]

I like Tucson a lot as an alternative to the more pricey Phoenix/Scottsdale.  St. Georges Utah has some very good golf at reasonable price points.  It is a bit of a hidden gem among golf destination spots.

[Bonneville85308]

Tucson hotel rates in December are quite a bit cheaper than they were last year, and they were already way cheaper than Phoenix/Scottsdale back then. I just booked some rooms for business purposes at Holiday Inn type places around Tucson in December for under $100/night straight off the hotel websites. I can't speak for any of the resorts though.

[Argonne69]

11 minutes ago, Phreddy said:

I like Tucson a lot as an alternative to the more pricey Phoenix/Scottsdale.  St. Georges Utah has some very good golf at reasonable price points.  It is a bit of a hidden gem among golf destination spots.

 

Like the gulf coast, Mesquite and St George's weather can be dicey over the winter months. Are there casinos in St Georges? I know there are several in Mesquite. 

[aggie182]

Casinos would be nice, but not a must.  It would be fun to degen it up a bit in the evenings, but not necessary.  It will be nice to just get away kid-free for several nights, play decent golf courses, and hang out with the wife.

 

When I get done working today, I have a bunch to look at.  

[sabram]

I like Tucson, but Biloxi area has a good number of reasonably priced (and under-appreciated) courses less expensive than Fallen Oak. The Preserve, Shell Landing and Grand Bear are all worth playing.

Fallen Oak Photo tour

Shell Landing Photo Tour

The Preserve Photo Tour

Grand Bear Photo Tour

 

Edited October 28, 2020 by sabram

[Argonne69]

1 hour ago, sabram said:

I like Tucson, but Biloxi area has a good number of reasonably priced (and under-appreciated) courses less expensive than Fallen Oak. The Preserve, Shell Landing and Grand Bear are all worth playing.

Fallen Oak Photo tour

Shell Landing Photo Tour

The Preserve Photo Tour

Grand Bear Photo Tour

 

 

Agreed. I played Shell Landing, The Preserve, and Grand Bear on a December '15 trip, along with Windance and Bridges (Louisiana). All were excellent courses. I was being cheap, and didn't want to spring for the hotel/casino at Fallen Oak given that I was playing two rounds a day on a short trip, and wouldn't get the full benefit of the casino/hotel. Fallen Oak definitely looks like a must play.

 

[sabram]

3 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

Fallen Oak definitely looks like a must play.

 

Argonne - Fallen Oak is a very nice course and I'm glad I played it, but dollar for dollar. my choice would be to play the others again and skip a replay on Fallen Oak on my next visit.

[BirdieRoll]

Hilton Head/Bluffton/Savannah. You can fly either in to Savannah or right on to the island depending on your carrier.

 

Lots of nice rentals are available, right on the beach. Coligny Beach area is close to shopping, restaurants, bars, etc.

 

[Bonneville85308]

6 hours ago, Argonne69 said:

 

Agreed. I played Shell Landing, The Preserve, and Grand Bear on a December '15 trip, along with Windance and Bridges (Louisiana). All were excellent courses. I was being cheap, and didn't want to spring for the hotel/casino at Fallen Oak given that I was playing two rounds a day on a short trip, and wouldn't get the full benefit of the casino/hotel. Fallen Oak definitely looks like a must play.

 

In the spirit of your Phoenix-area tour of the lower-end courses, you would have liked my visit to Sunkist CC (public) in Biloxi. I paid $29 for 18 holes on a weekday morning and played in about 2 hours solo since the place was empty, decided to do another 18, played that in about 2.5 hours with a cool local for another $20, decided to do another 9 and the guy in the shop said no charge. 45 holes of golf in less than 6 hours for $49. Decent enough layout in good condition with friendly folks.

 

There is another "value" course in Gulfport called Great Southern that supposedly has some Donald Ross bones and is one of the oldest in MS, I wanted to play it but didn't have time.

Edited October 29, 2020 by Bonneville85308

[CT007]

I’d vote Scottsdale    Great courses, weather fantastic, casinos if want, hiking, spa’s, normally I’d say food too, but dont know current restrictions there 

 

been there several times for golf trips   2nd only to Pinehurst IMO

[th6252]

nvm.

Edited October 30, 2020 by th6252

[nlinneman20]

On 10/28/2020 at 9:42 AM, Bonneville85308 said:

If you want a casino/golf destination, I'd rather do Biloxi than Tunica. Better golf in general, but you could stay at Beau Rivage, which is a better casino/hotel than anything in Tunica, and play Fallen Oak. Several other excellent courses in the area as well.

 

I've been to the strip in Vegas twice this year (most recently a couple of weeks ago) and the crowd/vibe is just...let's say...different than it used to be pre-2020. I didn't like it and won't be back for awhile. Also didn't help that a lot of the table games I wanted to play either weren't open or only open with very limited hours. Additionally, just about all of the shows and many of the better restaurants are currently closed.

 

That's my main reason for not wanting to go to Vegas, if I am traveling from STL there, spending all that money on gambling, food and drink I want the 'vegas vibe'.

 

Not shut down nightclubs (I dont go to them but its nice seeing the party going on), bars half full, places shutting down at 11pm, masks on the dealers etc.

 

Brother and Sister just got back from there and asked me to go and I passed.

 

Now if I could drive there, not have to pay airfare, get a comped hotel, etc.  I'd probably go.

[deadsolid...shank]

If you go to Tucson you can also make the relatively short drive to Maricopa and play Southern Dunes. 
 

And if you go to Saint George, you can also make another short drive to Mesquite and play Wolf Creek. 

[Phireside]

My only advice here is to not consider New Orleans if golf is a priority. Winter weather can also be unpredictable. I'm there every year for Christmas and always lug my clubs because no matter the weather it will be better than where I'm coming from. I've played in shorts, and I've played under numerous layers. And other than English Turn, I wouldn't say there is another course worth going out of your way for.

[aggie182]

Thanks again for all of the info.  Currently leaning Biloxi.  Vegas still in the mix and Tucson is as well, but likely a longer shot.  We have a free room at the middle tier MGM properties in Vegas but unfortunately not Beau Rivage  With no flying, I don't mind paying for a room somewhere in Biloxi.

[Miker20890]

On 11/2/2020 at 9:46 PM, aggie182 said:

Thanks again for all of the info.  Currently leaning Biloxi.  Vegas still in the mix and Tucson is as well, but likely a longer shot.  We have a free room at the middle tier MGM properties in Vegas but unfortunately not Beau Rivage  With no flying, I don't mind paying for a room somewhere in Biloxi.

What did you end up deciding? Considering a winter/early spring trip this year.