Golf Vacation Destinations

By Larry Denton

Does your ideal vacation include spending hours hitting a little white ball into a hole hundreds of yards away? For many people golf is the ultimate in relaxation and even a dream vacation. Many individuals and, indeed, entire families are taking golf
vacations which include visiting some of the premier golf courses around the U.S. or even signing up for a week of professional lessons given by former or current golf pros.

Granted, golf is not for everyone and dragging your entire family on a vacation that only you enjoy might not be the best idea. However, a number of golf courses and golf clubs now offer family packages that allow you to enjoy the course while your family explores other local culture, history, sporting, and entertainment options. Many such packages will even offer the ability to plan parallel vacations so that your family can join up with another local tour group while you enjoy the greens.


So where do people go when wanting to get in some serious golfing? Major cities such as Dallas and Chicago host a number of PGA golf courses that offer an exciting, challenging experience that will challenge your skills and teach you a few new tricks. There are ever getaways in the Caribbean and Hawaii for those who want to enjoy a bit of the exotic while they play the back nine.

Some daring adventurers may find that the best golf (and a good vacation for the rest of the family) takes them overseas to England, Scotland, Germany and Ireland which are home to a number of world-renowned golf courses on which to play. While these options can be considerably more expensive than domestic vacations, they can be worth it when it comes to the experience and the culture you enjoy by visiting a foreign land.

Many golf courses are resorts in themselves offering lodging and other entertainment options. Some, such as Disney properties, include both golfing and other vacation opportunities combined into one property so that the whole family has something to do right on site.

So what does it take to get your golf vacation planned? For the most part all it takes is a destination to get the ball rolling. The PGA provides a number of recommended sites and facilities that you can visit on their website. Or you can just simply find your own course and make your own vacation. Sometimes the best vacations are those that aren't planned out by a travel agency, but one you put together yourself.

So pack up the golf clubs (yes you can take them on the plane) and get out your best golf hat. A golfing vacation is going to be a challenge that you will enjoy!

additional links
Playa Azul, Cozumel
Atlantis Paradise Island, Bahamas
JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort Spa and Golf
Gaylor Texan Resort and Convention Center, Dallas
Four Seasons Resort and Club, Dallas
CityWest Hotel and Golf Resort, Dublin, Ireland
Hyatt Hacienda Del Mar, San Juan, Puerto Rico
JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes, Orlando
La Meridien Nirwana Golf & Spa Resort, Bali, Indonesia
Ocean Blue Golf and Beach Resort, Punta Cana, Dominican Republic