First Golf trip

[pmowen]

on the CHEAP

Hi everyone. I've been a lurker here for a while, but haven't posted much (maybe this is my first?). I started playing golf a few years ago and have gotten down to a 10 handicap. Each year the addiction grows, and now, in Boston, it's cold and the golf season is over, but I'm still dying to play! I'm thinking of taking a golf vacation this winter but I'll have to do it very cheaply. I'm not picky about room/board. I'm even willing to camp. I have one friend who may go with me if I can find a way to do it cheaply enough. I'd like to play as much as I can while I'm there (36/day for a few days). Ideally I'd like to go in January and stay 3 nights for 18/36/36/18. Does anyone have recommendations on where to go? I'm thinking mid to late January. If possible, I'd like to keep all the expenses under $500/person (including gas, food, lodging, greens fees, cart fees etc.) but still play decent courses. Thanks in advance for any help/ideas.

[OK_Golf]

I was about to make a "smart alleck" remark like "let me know when you find this place, I'd love to go", but if you go "off the beaten path" for winter golf. I mean go to places aren't winter golf mecca's (like Phoenix or Florida) you could make it relatively cheap, $500 may be pushing it and your travel is likely to dwarf the golf price at those rates, so start asking yourself whey spend $500 to play "decent" course, when I could pay $600 and play a much nicer course.

My first thought was going to be Dallas, but you're rolling the dice with weather. If the weather's good, there are plenty of "decent" public access courses to be played for a good price, even ones close to DFW airport. There's a chance you have cold or ice if you get a bad week.

So then my second thought is Houston. The weather shouldn't be a problem and likely similar number of quality public courses (though I don't know this first hand, like I do with Dallas). You might have to get lucky on flights to stay near $500, but who knows.

The third thought is Alabama RTJ trail. Prices are in your budget I think, don't know the logistics from Bean-town, though.

Best of luck feeding the beast (golf addiction, I mean).

[Par Fore]

I play in Mesquite, Nevada for three days every January, we do it for around $300.00 but I'm close enough to drive, you would have to fly into Vegas. The weather is no always great but we have always been able to play.

[danattherock]

$500 per person?

Go down to the cape. While from NC, my wife and I have been on Nantucket for 4 years. We get over to the cape and play golf. Many courses are open all winter. Seems Pine Hills (two nice courses) in Plymouth is open till Jan 1st. Many courses on the cape to include Hyannis Golf Club, Dennis Pines, and many others. All open year round. Would be a 1-2 hour drive south for you. Rooms at the Holiday Inn in Hyannis are about $80/night this time of year. Many course are in the $40-60 range (18 holes with carts). For $500 per person for a guy from Boston, this sounds like the obvious choice. Flying over Friday myself to do the same.


-Dan

[CHEFMIZ]

Another option for you could be Ocean City, MD. Realistically, the weather could be pretty cold but you should not have any snow to contend with and with it being the off season you could stay somewhere for pretty cheap and get winter rates to boot. Check online for packages, and PM me if you have any questions about the courses.

[pmowen]

Thanks everyone for your input. The cape is too cold for me right now, but I admire your courage Dan! It's actually supposed to snow in Dennis on Sunday :-(. Maybe I'll try the RTJ or Mesquite. I'll be sure and post a report if I go anywhere.

BTW, I'm watching the Chevron right now. Got to love Rory's swing!

[sabram]

If you are flexible in where you play, you can do it within your budget by making last minute tee times on some of the tee time sites like golf now, golf hub and others. I'd suggest the Orlando area but not the courses near Disney which will be very expensive.

I'd check out Deltona, DeBary, Sugarloaf, Victoria Hills, Timacuan, Rolling Hills, Palisades, Harmony, Sanctuary Ridge and Royal St Cloud. You should be able to find tee times at most or all of these that can keep you within your budget. These are all above average courses,a nd a few including Deltona, Sugarloaf, Victoria Hills and Timacuan are among the better layouts in the Orlando area.

Here are links to photos of some of the suggested courses:
[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/575701091uZEiEn"]Deltona[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/571413921rhiYig"]Sugarloaf[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/575689710uPxJwx"]DeBary[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/571957362SUhpLp"]Victoria Hills[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/575705176nLzlDJ"]Timacuan[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/575893144xJJQhS"]Rolling Hills[/url]

[url="http://sports.webshots.com/album/575690894CjzSVw"]Harmony[/url]

[FATC1TY]

St. Simon Island, GA

Plenty of courses in the area. Most can be expensive, but with the "winter" rates, they will knock them down a bit. Within 25 miles there are several nice marsh/ocean courses that won't break the bank. Obviously, you won't be playing Sea Island, or Frederica Club, but there are several out there that at the high end are $80-100 a round, and plenty in the $50 range.

The area isn't a hotbed for tourists this time of year, because it does get slightly chilly, but with no unusual weather, you could expect like 40-55 degrees, and some wind. Plenty to do, cheap rooms off the island in Brunswick, and easy to jump on the interstate.

[FATC1TY]

BTW, the RTJ Golf trail is pretty neat too.. They have package deals for rooms AT the courses, and if you plan it right, you could stay at one, play it, drive a short drive and play another and go back and do it over again. Jump around from place to place and get an easy 4-5 different courses in... Really reasonable rates too.

Expect same weather, chances of rain/ice, but for the most part.. mid 30's to high 50's.

[leftturn7m]

Myrtle Beach, SC is a pretty good place to play. The weather's a toss-up as to if you get 30's or 50's.