Solo trip over Thanksgiving, any suggestions?

[Karch]

Hey all,

 

I'm a relatively newly (2 years) divorced dad and looking to avoid families celebrating Thanksgiving with a solo golf trip.

 

I am in SoCal, did a trip to Cabo two years ago, it was ok...I was separated and, well, it did the job.

 

Last year I was dating an avid golfer (she plays 5x a week) and it was Covid, so we stayed local and played.

 

I am thinking maybe Cancun, as my first choice, Club Med Turks and Caicos, is booked up.  Club Med was first choice because adult-only, all inclusive, golf course included. 

I am open to other areas, I've never been to the Caribbean.  Been to Hawaii a few times, I just don't want to rent a car due to all the hassles with that right now, and Hawaii tends to be mostly families and newlyweds.

 

Cancun advantage is a direct flight.  I could go to Scottsdale area but there's a greater chance of families, less single ladies, etc.  

 

The issue I have with Cancun is I've never been there so don't have a clue on where to stay, or play.  While I would love a great course, it doesn't have to be great if the other stuff makes up for it.  I rather not shell out $250+ a round plus all the other hotel and the like if the golf is mediocre.

 

Anyway, any suggestions?  Bandon I think it too, shall we say, weather climactic...I don't mind some wind, but 30 mph and 40F is not what a SoCal guy is up for...lol, unless it's St. Andrews in June.

 

Thanks.

Edited August 2, 2021 by Karch

[Ryan3773]

“Relatively divorced”you say?

 

I would suggest Alabama then…

[Karch]

LOL...Let me fix that...meant to say relatively newly divorced.  

[ND2005]

What are you looking for? 

 

A Cancun vacation where you can enjoy some beach time and nightlife, with a side of golf? 

 

Or a true golf vacation? Not gonna find a lot of single ladies at Bandon or Streamsong for example. 

 

Answers/recommendations will depend on what you are seeking in a trip.

 

 

[JLaws_2929]

uhhh Vegas?

[Abh159]

Like @ND2005 said, the recommendations will be dependent on what you are looking for.

 

Are you wanting a golf trip or to go somewhere you'll encounter a bunch of single women? The two don't usually coincide...

[ArtMBgolf]

Is Scottsdale too close?  

[Karch]

I guess I should say that I prefer less a true golf vacation and more of a Cancun (or similar) vacation with some decent golf.

 

I tried to book Bandon for August but they were booked up, for a different trip.

 

I think the ideal would be a moderately upscale all-inclusive that includes a good golf course.

 

I contacted a travel agent I used before but then he started to include a mini-golf in one of the conversations, I told him that's like telling a tennis player that there's ping pong on site...it's fine, but has nothing to do with my passion or hobby.

[philsRHman]

It might be beyond the budget but Cap Cana in Dominican Republic could do the trick. Even if you don’t stay there, you could find an all inclusive and zip around for golf. Cap Cana is one of the most memorable rounds of golf of my life, but also expensive, so I doubt it’s a daily play. 
 

If Mexico, Cancun might not have as many options as Riviera Maya, which is the opposite direction from the same airport. We found that Cancun is too young, crazy and super commercial (if you want Hooters and Margaritaville, and Ruby Tuesday, etc, they’re all in Cancun). Riviera Maya has more of the upscale golf spots, based on my experience. 
 

Given what you’re looking for, Cancun’s downtown would be a lot more anonymous, impersonal, free-wheeling, but maybe more complicated to close the deal than a self contained resort. But the cling factor could work against you the rest of the trip if you’re at the same pools, bars, etc. 

 

I like the idea of Vegas. Super underrated as a golf destination. Set aside a day and drive up to Wolf Creek if you’ve never been there. Mind blowing. 

[Serenity Now]

Go to Bandon. If you want to go on vacation, go somewhere warm but if you want to go on a perfect solo golf trip, go to Bandon and you will make it your go to solo place. Bandon in November is St Andrews in June

[Karch]

Would love to go to Bandon, preferably before October, but they told me they are sold out. 
 

thank you. 

[eagle2838]

3 hours ago, Serenity Now said:

Go to Bandon. If you want to go on vacation, go somewhere warm but if you want to go on a perfect solo golf trip, go to Bandon and you will make it your go to solo place. Bandon in November is St Andrews in June

 

Perhaps not helpful for OP given various constraints mentioned (although I think Thanksgiving weather there would be fine!) but I will reiterate that Bandon is an absolutely phenomenal place for a solo golf trip. Plenty of groups you can semi-integrate into, and you can totally do your own thing if that's what you want, too. I do not particularly like solo travel, and I cannot wait to go back to Bandon solo again. 

[philsRHman]

4 hours ago, Serenity Now said:

Go to Bandon. If you want to go on vacation, go somewhere warm but if you want to go on a perfect solo golf trip, go to Bandon and you will make it your go to solo place. Bandon in November is St Andrews in June

 

56 minutes ago, eagle2838 said:

 

Perhaps not helpful for OP given various constraints mentioned (although I think Thanksgiving weather there would be fine!) but I will reiterate that Bandon is an absolutely phenomenal place for a solo golf trip. Plenty of groups you can semi-integrate into, and you can totally do your own thing if that's what you want, too. I do not particularly like solo travel, and I cannot wait to go back to Bandon solo again. 

Guys, he’s trying to score with a lady when not playing golf. I can’t imagine a place that’s less likely than Bandon. 

[noahwein]

Go to Vegas.

 

Weather will be great.

 

Super cheap rental cars. Super cheap nice hotel rooms on the strip. 

Plenty of nice courses to choose from.

Play at Coyote Springs course one day. 
 

After a couple days drive to Mesquite, play Wolf Creek, then continue on to ST GEORGE UTAH. Play Sand Hollow one of the most incredible golf courses in the world.

 

Spend a day in Zion National park if you are so inclined.

 

[vallygolf]

Mayakoba,   Stay at the fairmont (all inclusive option) and play El Cameleon a few times.

[CCTxGolf]

Southern Spain is your place. Golf is crap in the Caribbean and eastern Mexico. No girls at a real golf resort.

[Karch]

Thank you all.  I’m thinking I can’t have it all in one trip, plus with Covid surging and airlines canceling and delaying flights, I think I might just stay home or drive to Palm Springs or LV.  
 

Much appreciate your comments. 

[mci711]

2 hours ago, Karch said:

Thank you all.  I’m thinking I can’t have it all in one trip, plus with Covid surging and airlines canceling and delaying flights, I think I might just stay home or drive to Palm Springs or LV.  
 

Much appreciate your comments. 

 

I think a bunch of people hit it on the head. If I was single, looking for warm weather, fun night life and decent golf the answer, domestically at least, is Vegas.

[smashdn]

Puerto Rico, Miami or Key West.  Golf is very secondary (or non-existent for KW).  The entertainment would be top-notch however.  Getting down to KW is not the easiest though.

[Saltydawg15]

Not much golf in the keys, let alone key west. 
 

I recommend Vegas.

[Karch]

Thank you.  I don't intend to go to Florida at this time.

[Karch]

On a side note, I did just book Pasatiempo for the first Friday of September, looking to add TPC Harding Park, and maybe Black Horse or Bayonet.

[me05501]

Vegas, solo, over Thanksgiving, sounds kinda depressing to me. 

[mci711]

1 minute ago, me05501 said:

Vegas, solo, over Thanksgiving, sounds kinda depressing to me. 

 

Cool man 👍. Guy is trying to get away from the BS in his life and wants night life and golf. Doubt he cares what you think of his plan to get away. 

[me05501]

2 minutes ago, mci711 said:

 

Cool man 👍. Guy is trying to get away from the BS in his life and wants night life and golf. Doubt he cares what you think of his plan to get away. 

 

Sorry. Based on the thread title and request for "any suggestions" I thought he might want both pro and con opinions. We all appreciate you policing the thread.