Destination Course recommendations for a Newbie Golfer

[SJTM]

Like many, I have returned to golf after 25 years due to Covid.  With time on my hands, I have managed to get my Index down to 24.5.  At 67, I do not hit long, so 6,000 yards is really my maximum course length to hope to play a decent round. Living in Massachusetts, I plan to pick a destination this winter to visit for an extended stay (3-6 weeks) where I can find a variety of courses to play that will be memorable but not too challenging for my skills.  Hoping folks on this forum can suggest locations in the USA that would have a good selection of courses in a 50-75 mile radius that fit my criteria.

 

Thanks in advance.

[krtgolfing]

Monterey Peninsula.

[jvincent]

@SJTM Most people will suggest Florida but I'll second @krtgolfing's suggestion for Monterey.

 

Most people hear Monterey and immediately think "Pebble Beach". The reality is that there are a LOT of other options out there that are much more affordable.

 

Even better, if you get an NCGA membership you will get discounts at a lot of the courses.

 

[SJTM]

Need to do some research on Monterey.  I lived just north of there near Half Moon Bay in the 70's but did not golf then.  My son lives in Menlo Park area so could kill two birds with one stone.

 

Saw a couple of threads on the RTJ trail in Alabama.  Trying to find a website that may give a comprehensive way to organize a trip in this region - almost too many options from what I can see.

 

[jvincent]

RTJ Trail could be fairly cold depending on when you go. If you do go there just go to the RTJ site and plug in what you want, their trip planners are pretty good. You'd probably want to stick to the more southern courses.

 

As far as Monterey, check out all the courses between Santa Cruz and the town of Monterey. An NCGA membership gets discounts at Poppy Hills, Bayonet and Black Horse, and probably others as well.

[Chanceman]

Scottsdale is very good with a huge variety of golf courses and a reliable climate. 

[ArtMBgolf]

The warmer the winter, the higher the rates, especially if a resort area.   
 
Resorts with water hazards are going to have some challenging holes.  
If not in a tournament, make up your own drop area.   
 
Don't be afraid to play the SR tees.   Even the hard courses have forgiving 
distance from the SR tees.    

[CCTxGolf]

Texas Hill country. Great Public options from San Antonio to Austin and everywhere in between. Reasonable cost of living as well considering at the six week point I would sort of consider that living there. I mean not eating at the Overpriced resort Restaurants every night.

[Tim_Gavrich]

On 11/21/2020 at 12:53 PM, SJTM said:

Like many, I have returned to golf after 25 years due to Covid.  With time on my hands, I have managed to get my Index down to 24.5.  At 67, I do not hit long, so 6,000 yards is really my maximum course length to hope to play a decent round. Living in Massachusetts, I plan to pick a destination this winter to visit for an extended stay (3-6 weeks) where I can find a variety of courses to play that will be memorable but not too challenging for my skills.  Hoping folks on this forum can suggest locations in the USA that would have a good selection of courses in a 50-75 mile radius that fit my criteria.

 

Thanks in advance.

Myrtle Beach is a pretty good choice , though you might catch some chilly days there. My favorite not-so-tough/not-so-long courses include Caledonia, Litchfield, River Club, Myrtle Beach National-West, Legends-Heathland, Pine Lakes and Beachwood.

 

The farther south you go from there, the better the weather guarantee gets, from Charleston (their Muni reopens soon and I hear it's going to be pretty special) to Hilton Head to Sea Island to Jacksonville to Daytona and further south, etc., you get the idea.

 

Do you want to play a different course every day during your golf sabbatical, or are you content to get to know a couple of them really well? If the former, you could look at some smaller towns with good golf like Santee, SC, or Brooksville, FL.

 

What's your budget per round? As you go farther south and the weather improves, green fees rise in a hurry and courses get more crowded.

 

If you wanted to hang out in Orlando, you'd have all kinds of options. One course that sounds like it would fit you very well is the Winter Park 9. It's quite short but every hole is fun and it's a well-loved spot.

 

Over in the Daytona Beach, one "big course" that I enjoy very much that is not too long or difficult is Riviera CC. It has a great group of Snowbird regulars who enjoy playing it over and over. Even though it's public, it's very much their home course for several months out of the year. It's walkable, too, which is rare in FL.

 

Just some food for thought.

[SJTM]

Thanks for the detailed suggestions.  I will be doing some research over the holiday.  Plans are pretty fluid right now.  I was supposed to retire last spring but covid changed those plans.  My business actually took off after the first month or so.  I have people in place to take over but the last few months have been as busy as we have ever been.

 

With kids grown I have the time and resources to go for as long as the trip is interesting.  As I have recently returned to golf, new course styles / terrain and regional culture is what I want focus on.  But I want to make sure the experience is satisfying as well.  I played a couple of courses in my area that were totally designed as what I call "target golf"  with most holes having very long carries to small landing areas and no real safe route to the hole.  If you had not played the course before, even a competent golfer would struggle to score well.  While these type of courses may provide some great bragging rights they are not my cup of tea.  I once read a book about Jack N who said his design philosophy was to always create two routes to the hole - a safer route and one that offers rewards to the risk taker,

 

So far this forum has come up with several great suggestions.  Thanks to all.  I plan to spend some time on Golf Advisor reading up on courses in these regions as well as researching other attractions in the area for those off days.  Likely to have some follow up questions after I learn more about these options.

[Fairway14]

Maui.

[mallrat]

Palm Springs/Desert area. VRBO’s are very reasonable and quite abundant. More courses than you could hope to play and in every price range. Very easy to get around the city but not crowded enough that you have to worry about traffic