Another Golf Trip Question

[seaton0024]

I’m starting to plan a golf trip for 12-16 guys for next spring. This past year we went Callaway Gardens. We really liked the setup of having two courses, cottages to stay in, and food on site. Only downside was the courses were in so-so condition but hopefully that might change now that the company that owns Dollywood just bought them.. Just curious if you guys knew anything comparable to it with a similar set up? Thought maybe Myrtle? This doesn’t have to be limited to the Southeast, just starting here. Open to any ideas.

[david.c.w]

Budget?  Where is everyone's base camp?  Flying OK?

 

 

[Abh159]

Multiple courses, on-site accommodations, and food describes dozens if a hundred golf destinations throughout the US. Like @david.c.w said, you'll need to be a bit more specific if you want good recommendations. 

 

- Budget restrictions?

 

- Does it have to be within driving distance or are people wiling to fly? If flying, how close to an airport do you need to be?

 

- What do you mean by spring? Are we talking early-March or late-May? That could make a huge difference in where you're able to go. 

 

- What type of "vibe" are we going for here? Are you all serious golfers looking for fun but challenging courses, or is this more of a chill in the carts and drink beer with the boys type of trip?

[seaton0024]

1. Typically we stay 4 nights. Have some cheap guys so preferably under $1k per person for golf/lodging. 

2. Most of the group is from the Nashville area. 

3. Wouldn't want a more than an hour drive from an airport.

4. Would prefer to stay in the south for the ones that did want to drive, but open for other options.

5. Usually try to take the trip between first of May to middle of June at the latest, just according to schedules.

6. This group is more of a laid back, chill, beer group. Golf is central part of the trip but we do not have to have elite/challenging courses.

7. Previous years we have done RTJ Shoals, Chatt area/Sweetens, Destin multiple times(KP, Regatta, Indian Bayou), Callaway Gardens.

[Abh159]

21 minutes ago, seaton0024 said:

1. Typically we stay 4 nights. Have some cheap guys so preferably under $1k per person for golf/lodging. 

2. Most of the group is from the Nashville area. 

3. Wouldn't want a more than an hour drive from an airport.

4. Would prefer to stay in the south for the ones that did want to drive, but open for other options.

5. Usually try to take the trip between first of May to middle of June at the latest, just according to schedules.

6. This group is more of a laid back, chill, beer group. Golf is central part of the trip but we do not have to have elite/challenging courses.

7. Previous years we have done RTJ Shoals, Chatt area/Sweetens, Destin multiple times(KP, Regatta, Indian Bayou), Callaway Gardens.

 

 

Budget is probably going to be your biggest challenge, and will pretty much eliminate a lot of the nicer places (Pinehurst, Sea Island, Streamsong, Kiawah, and etc.). I doubt the "cheap guys" would be willing to pay $500+ for airfare to go anywhere that isn't driving distance so I'd eliminate anything else that isn't in the Southeast. Unfortunately, you've pretty much been to all of what I would consider the more affordable golf areas already.

 

You could maybe do a different RTJ site like Birmingham or Prattville? You mentioned Myrtle Beach and I guess that could work, but you'd most likely have to stick to mid-range courses and cram a bunch of guys into an Airbnb to really make it work with that budget.

 

Aside from those, you could look at Mossy Oak / Old Wavery in MS. They have everything you want (36 holes, on site cottages, and dining options), but lodging alone for 4 nights is going to be around $1,000 a person. Once you add in green fees you're looking at closer to $2,000+ once you also factor in food/drink.

[me05501]

I'm part of a group of similar size that makes similar trips in the Southeast. Here's what we've experienced. 

• We've used Bertram Realty to book a few trips to Crossville/Fairfield Glade. The accommodations and price point have always been great. There are 7-8 courses that you can specify and among those 2-3 are ones you'd probably look forward to playing again. A few of them are less interesting but still very playable and a couple are utter crap. When you have a good competition going you can overlook a course that's maybe a bit short and tight, and that's the main issue with the lesser courses there. 
   
• Bertram also books packages in the Tellico Village area south of Knoxville. The accommodations are probably similar but the courses are much better (three at Tellico Village plus Tennessee National and Rarity Bay). 
   
• Goose Pond Colony near Huntsville has two courses with cabins for overnight stays. One of the courses is either closed now or closing soon for new greens so that's one to avoid until both courses are back online. RTJ Hampton Cove is pretty close from there so that adds another course to your trip. RTJ Silver Lakes is also relatively close. 
   
• Our most recent 24-man trip was to Springdale at Cold Mountain, about an hour south of Asheville, NC. Everyone LOVED that place. There are only 18 holes there but no one complained about playing 4 rounds over three days. They have a restaurant on site and a variety of cabins and duplexes to rent. Once you're on site you tend to stay there because it's in the middle of nowhere. Management went out of the way to make us all feel like family even though we probably kept everyone on the property up way too late at night. Very affordable too, definitely under your budget. 
   
• I agree about Callaway Gardens and hope it'll improve under the new ownership. We did a couples trip there during COVID and played both courses. One was good, one was below average, and we ran into all kinds of hackers and sixsomes and other annoying situations out there. It can be a great property with the right management and hopefully it will be. 

[vandyfan]

I have heard good things about the courses at Dancing Rabbit in Philadelphia, MS. Not a terrible drive from Nashville and less than an hour from Jackson, MS. 

[Abh159]

3 minutes ago, vandyfan said:

I have heard good things about the courses at Dancing Rabbit in Philadelphia, MS. Not a terrible drive from Nashville and less than an hour from Jackson, MS. 

 

As someone who has played those courses dozens of times I can vouch that they are enjoyable and usually in pretty good shape, but I would never recommend anyone use DR as a golf trip destination. It's more of a drive there, play 36 holes, and then drive somewhere else type of place. 

 

If you do go, you'll want to stay at the casino (it's the only decent hotel within 75 miles), you'll want to eat at the casino (it's the only decent food within 75 miles), and you'll want to gamble at the casino (it's the only decent form of entertainment within 75 miles).

 

BTW these aren't "vegas style" casinos. You won't get high rollers and night clubs. Instead it will be retired people wheeling around oxygen tanks spending their social security checks on slot machines 😉. 

 

 

[kenoli22]

Did Reynolds Plantation a few years ago.  Multiple courses, nice cottages, good food.  Don't recall what we paid though, but knowing me it was affordable.

[j.b.newton]

What about Pursell Farms in Sylacauga?  Only 1 course, but lots of other stuff to do on property.  Plus you are halfway between Birmingham and Auburn for the RTJ or other courses in those areas...

[vandyfan]

On 7/20/2022 at 1:19 PM, j.b.newton said:

What about Pursell Farms in Sylacauga?

 

I LOVE Pursell Farms but did they significantly ramp up their greens fees? I feel like it used to be around $125 to play 18 out there and I looked this week and it is now $263? I mean, I love this golf course but that is STEEP. For reference, that is more expensive than Sand Valley and equal to Bandon Dunes. Let's slow down a little there, PF....

 

 

[smashdn]

All across northern Alabama.  If you didn't mind splitting (or you could certainly stay in one spot too) you could do Florence/Muscle Shoals (two courses at RTJ Shoals) and then slide over to Huntsville (RTJ Hampton Cove).  Not that there are only the RTJ courses at either place but you could "anchor" your trip around both or either of those.

[Chillidipper1]

On 7/20/2022 at 9:51 AM, seaton0024 said:

1. Typically we stay 4 nights. Have some cheap guys so preferably under $1k per person for golf/lodging. 

2. Most of the group is from the Nashville area. 

3. Wouldn't want a more than an hour drive from an airport.

4. Would prefer to stay in the south for the ones that did want to drive, but open for other options.

5. Usually try to take the trip between first of May to middle of June at the latest, just according to schedules.

6. This group is more of a laid back, chill, beer group. Golf is central part of the trip but we do not have to have elite/challenging courses.

7. Previous years we have done RTJ Shoals, Chatt area/Sweetens, Destin multiple times(KP, Regatta, Indian Bayou), Callaway Gardens.

I am not much help for staying in the south, but I do run a 32 man trip. Our group is spread out over MI, WI, IL, IN, MN, & TN. I can't recommend northern Michigan more. The airport is close to Treetopos, Boyne, Shanty Creek, etc. and all of those stay under the budget restrictions. My goal for my group is always to keep it under 1,000 before additional spending. Just a tip, if you do it closer to the solstice it helps with getting some recovery after hammering drinks until 3 am and trying to play 36 holes a day. How was Chatt/Sweetens (hopefully Sewanee)? I play Sweetens 5-7 times a year and have played Sewanee once. Where else did you play Brainerd in the city or private clubs? If you are setting up games/need a scoring format let me know I'd be more than happy to share.

[seaton0024]

This was early was early on in our yearly trips. We played SC, Harrison Bay, and another random local course that I can’t remember. Would for sure like to play Sewanee now though though.

 

Would love to hear from you on scoring and games for large groups too. Shoot me a PM if you don’t mind. 
 

@Chillidipper1