Golf Trip/Package

[winfreyjm]

All,

I'm looking to take a golf vacation this summer with some buddies and wanted to see if anyone here had any good recommendations. Looking to staying 3 nights and play at least 4 courses. Would like to keep it less than $2,000 and in the Southeastern United States. Any assistance would be appreciated.
 

Tobacco Road, Streamsong, Myrtle Beach have been discussed thus far.

[puttnforthe8]

Pinehurst is generally one of the better options.  

[jvincent]

Pinehurst is a good option, but it will be hot as balls.

 

My other suggestion would be the RTJ trail. Depending on your preference use either Grand National (Auburn, 2 courses) or Capitol Hill (Prattville, 3 courses) as your base and spend one day at the other facility. Also likely to be hot as balls in the summer.

[ND2005]

3 nights, 4 courses, less than 2K pp will make most of the big nameplaces (Pinehurst, Streamsong) out of reach. I'd also agree that much beyond May places in the SE, especially florida, are unpleasantly hot for most folks. 

 

I think RTJ is a good suggestion. 

 

Myrtle has a ton of options and more budget friendly. Hilton Head too as long as you aren't staying on Sea Pines/set on playing Harbour Town (which is overrated anyways IMO)

 

Could also consider some not "resort/package" options like Chattanooga area and travel to some of the courses in the semi-vicinity:

-Mclemore is 45 minutes and has been offering a ton of deals lately

-Do a Sweetens Cove day

 

[Abh159]

It would help to know the travel plans. Are you driving or flying, do you have to rent a car, do you need a resort that offers transportation, and etc? Knowing that info would help people offer up better suggestions.  

 

That being said... RTJ is probably your best option for the budget you have like the prior two posters have said. I'd suggest you go out to FarmLinks one day as well (about halfway between Birmingham and Montgomery). It will be more expensive than the trail courses but it's worth it if you're in the area. 

 

Myrtle might be within budget if you eliminate the really nice courses. I think the Pinehurst/Tobacco Road area would be stretching it. 

[tmvander]

For that price and those amount of days you could easily fly somewhere where it will be less hot.  Look upper midwest.  Depending where you stay and play you can easily play 36 in a day when it is light out until 9 or later.

 

Outside of places like Whistling Straights 2k is more than enough for most places even factoring in flights.

[ArtMBgolf]

Streamsong in FL will be hottest in the summer.  
All of the destinations should have lower prices in Summer. 
I don't see why RTJ would be any cooler than Pinehurst or MB. 
 
Whichever of those locations you pick, ask about green aeration.   
 
In Myrtle Beach, beach hotels are expensive in the summer, but 
condos off the beach, at courses like Legends don't increase much, if 
at all.    Golf rates are low in the summer.  You can pick and choose
rates to meet your budget.  IE, In the summer Spring $200 courses 
are $100.    

[Mde103]

On 1/14/2021 at 7:56 AM, ND2005 said:

3 nights, 4 courses, less than 2K pp will make most of the big nameplaces (Pinehurst, Streamsong) out of reach. I'd also agree that much beyond May places in the SE, especially florida, are unpleasantly hot for most folks. 

 

I think RTJ is a good suggestion. 

 

Myrtle has a ton of options and more budget friendly. Hilton Head too as long as you aren't staying on Sea Pines/set on playing Harbour Town (which is overrated anyways IMO)

 

Could also consider some not "resort/package" options like Chattanooga area and travel to some of the courses in the semi-vicinity:

-Mclemore is 45 minutes and has been offering a ton of deals lately

-Do a Sweetens Cove day

 

You should be able to get under $2k with Pinehurst’s summer deal depending on how much is spent traveling there, drinks, etc.  The deal was for 3 nights and 4 rounds with breakfast and dinner. It cost about $1200 when we went. You could also do Mid Pines/Pine Needles and Tobacco Road instead of the resort. 
 

I think Chattanooga is also a great suggestion though. I’ve only played Sweetens, but it’s a great value. 

[me05501]

Not a bad idea to come here to Chattanooga.

 

McLemore stay-and-play would give you a good "home course" to work from. Maybe play two rounds there, and do some easy drives for other options. https://www.themclemore.com/

Sweeten's Cove would be one obvious option for one day.

 

A bit further up the road you have the Course at Sewanee, a Gil Hanse 9-holer with multiple tees for added interest the second time around. http://www.thecourseatsewanee.com/

 

Black Creek Club is a great Brian Silva design on the same side of town as McLemore. It's private but easy to get on if your pro calls or if you know anyone with Club Corp connections. I love that course. https://blackcreekclub.com/Home

 

If you can stand one day of scruffier but easier golf, there's Dogwood Hills. It's on the mountain opposite McLemore, same interstate exit, probably a 30-minute drive. It isn't fancy but I always have a good time playing there. https://www.dogwoodhillsgolfresortandgardens.com/

 

That's a lot of good golf without too much driving around. 

[me05501]

Another good option would be the Gulf Shores/Orange Beach, AL area. Kiva Dunes, Peninsula, Lost Key, Craft Farms. All fun to play.

[mallrat]

I know it’s not the SE but think about Bend, OR and specifically Sunriver. They have an amazing deal and you will generally be in a townhouse kind of thing. It generally runs $119 per person per night with unlimited golf, including 1 round a day on Crosswater which is their signature course and a top 100 course. But they have 3 courses, if you want to drive to Bend, great brew pubs, good restaurants and some fun golf. 
 

Just throwing that out there. 

[CDM]

Not sure of your current location but in the summer you could do Michigan or Wisconsin to avoid the heat.

 

We did Michigan and played Arcadia, Forest Dunes and Kingsley and one other and was well within your budget. Trav City is a good hub location and there are a few other courses in the area you can add,  maybe two even.

 

Wisco you could Sand Valley and just stay off site as the golf rates are the same unlike Bandon, plus you could get Lawsonia Links in if you fly from MIL.

 

Weather would be better from a heat aspect / conditions probably at those two.

 

IF you want SE I would say Pinehurst. I did it the first time in June and yes it was hot/humid but I did not think it was like Florida in the summer.  At 2k you could do all the top courses (might not be resort onces, No.2 and No.4) or maybe, but if you book through Tabacco Road or Talamore you can get on the other best in area and stay well within your budget.

[tmvander]

On 2/15/2021 at 2:25 PM, CDM said:

Not sure of your current location but in the summer you could do Michigan or Wisconsin to avoid the heat.

 

We did Michigan and played Arcadia, Forest Dunes and Kingsley and one other and was well within your budget. Trav City is a good hub location and there are a few other courses in the area you can add,  maybe two even.

 

Wisco you could Sand Valley and just stay off site as the golf rates are the same unlike Bandon, plus you could get Lawsonia Links in if you fly from MIL.

 

Weather would be better from a heat aspect / conditions probably at those two.

 

IF you want SE I would say Pinehurst. I did it the first time in June and yes it was hot/humid but I did not think it was like Florida in the summer.  At 2k you could do all the top courses (might not be resort onces, No.2 and No.4) or maybe, but if you book through Tabacco Road or Talamore you can get on the other best in area and stay well within your budget.

Only problem with Sand Valley and staying offsite is you can't book tee times until 30 days out.  It kind of limits your options especially if you're looking to do 36 in a day.

[mjmorehead]

1) Pinehurst

2) Streamsong

3) Hilton Head (Harbour Town, and several others in the area)

4) Sea Island

 

I would not recommend RTJ Trail if your budget is $2K. If your budget is less than $1K, RTJ is a great option. 

 

[ND2005]

3 hours ago, mjmorehead said:

1) Pinehurst

2) Streamsong

3) Hilton Head (Harbour Town, and several others in the area)

4) Sea Island

 

I would not recommend RTJ Trail if your budget is $2K. If your budget is less than $1K, RTJ is a great option. 

 

 

Sea Island on a 2K budget? Lol. 

[Other Barry]

I have a tripped booked for May with my brother. We're staying in Bluffton, playing Harbour Town, Herron Point, and one "smaller" course... all for well under 2K. 

[smashdn]

On 1/14/2021 at 7:56 AM, ND2005 said:

I think RTJ is a good suggestion. 

-Do a Sweetens Cove day

 

^I like this.

 

This might be more driving than you want to do but stay in Florence, AL (Marriot is good and has a hotel bar) and do both courses at The Shoals.  Hop over to Huntsville and do Hampton Cove.  Then slide to do Sweeten's Cove and Sewanee.  Spend a night in Chat if you are inclined.

[me05501]

The issue with Sweeten's Cove these days is getting on it. They're booked well in advance and reserve other days for corporate outings. Used to be able to just show up! 

[cristphoto]

You might be able to fit the budget playing 3 rounds at Pinehurst but you would have to pick optional cheap lodging.  Every time I've gone to Pinehurst I've stayed on site in mid-spring and got the meal plan too.  Costly but good value if that makes sense.  I thought in the dead of summer the rates dropped a bit for Pinehurst because of the heat.  

 

My take on this is when planning a buddies golf trip try to make it memorable (easy for me to spend your money😁).  A few extra dollars spent is well offset by the great memories.  

[charli]

Summer trip down south doesn’t seem to pleasant. But maybe better for your 2k price range.