A Golf Vacation Makes the Perfect Gift

Coming up with a creative holiday gift idea is a lot like trying to hit out of a deep sand bunker ... with a driver. Every December you try to think of something unique with which to surprise your spouse, friend or family member, and every year you seem to fall woefully short with the same old tie, perfume or ugly sweater.

If you really want to blow them away this year, step up to the tee box and take a swing at a golf vacation with a big red bow. From the most casual golfer to the most dedicated duffers, everyone can have a great time both on and off the course at many of Let’s Golf’s great golf destinations.

Will you surprise them with be a Gulf ShoresGolf Package? Or a West Virginia Resort? Or send them to Florida to play on a PGA golf tournament site? Or to Tennessee to experience a real mountain golf getaway? Having trouble deciding between the championship golf courses, Cajun cuisine and casino resorts of Southwest Louisiana or the laid back Grand Strand golf locale (also called Myrtle Beach golf lite) of BrunswickIslands of North Carolina, with it's Calabash seafood, beachfront hotels and challenging golf courses? That's a tough one. But don't forget to consider the great value of a Kentucky State Park golf resort or South Carolina's inland golf capital of Santee. And there's more casino action all around Mississippi, with the links in Tunica and the historic golf in Biloxi set to wow them. Or they may have both Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and Harbourtown at SeaPines on Hilton Head Island on their golf getaway bucket list, but they can only visit one at a time, so choose wisely and forget about the endless hours of shopping for that special gift. The perfect present is just a few clicks away at letsgolf.com

7 Reasons to Travel in the Fall

Fall is the hidden gem of golf travel seasons. The air is crisp, the grass is as green as it's going to get, and the rates are lower for most fall season getaways. Here are the 7 reasons you should consider fall for your golf getaway:

1. The weather. Nothing beats the weather this time of year, especially when you get a warmish day without the humidity. It's just absolutely perfect to play golf.

2. Golf courses are less crowded. While golf is supposed to be relaxing for and enjoyable for everyone, it can quickly become tense and annoying on a crowded course when you're waiting on every shot and pushing a six-hour round. Not a worry in the fall months.

3. Pace of play. Similar to less-crowded courses, I guess, but pace of play is huge for a lot of people. In the cooler months, people are more prone to finish quicker - it gets windy and there's less daylight.

4. New golf clubs. Chances are, you can find a lot of deals on golf clubs as the year winds down. Rather than wait until the spring when the prices go up, why not get a set now? Plus the manufacturers are introducing their new equipment this time of year, so you can upgrade to the latest and greatest now.

5. The foliage. Absolutely breathtaking. That's the only way to describe the foliage in the fall in so many destinations

6. Extra roll. As the weather gets cooler, the golf courses firm up. The extra yardage on a well-struck tee shot is nice, but it can present an extra challenge if the greens are firmer..

7.  Less expensive to play.  Here are some fall specials to sample:

Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail has some amazing fall deals including unlimited golf.

The Resort at Glade Springs in Southern West Virginia (pictured below) also boasts an unlimited golf special in November. See their Late Season package.

Golf Santee® off I-95 in South Carolina offers a 3 night/3 day golf package for $221 per person this Fall.

Kentucky State Park Golf Packages start under $100 per person (and that includes a $30 gift card) for one night and one round.

Get 15% off Fall Golf Packages in Gulf Shores-Orange Beach, Alabama

Beat the Heat this Summer

Here are some tips to help you stay cool and enjoy your summer rounds of golf.

1) Stay hydrated. And not just with beer. Water and sports drinks are your friends this time of year

2) Wear loose, light-colored clothing made of moisture wicking material. You'll feel more comfortable, stay cooler and play better.

3) Use sunblock. Much of the newer golf apparel has sunblock technology built in. But on  skin that is exposed, use sunscreen rated SPF 30 or higher.

4) Wear a hat. Baseball caps are good, but a wide brimmed hat is more effective. It's not just about avoiding sunburn, keeping heat off your head helps you maintain your energy.

5) Eat light, but eat well enough to maintain your concentration and energy levels. You don't want to feel heavy and lethargic from a big meal before playing in the hot sun for 4-5 hours.

6) Warm up fully but not aggressively. Hit balls on the range and putt some of the putting green, but don't overexert yourself.  Again, try and maintain your energy level

7) Enjoy the round and dream about that winter golf vacation you can take. Our Let's Golf® Travel Directory can help you decide where to go

Five Reasons a Golf Getaway is the Perfect Gift for Dad

Father’s Day gifts get harder and harder to buy the older you and your dad get. He doesn’t need any more homemade ashtrays, ties, cologne or even golf shirts (sorry NikeGolf, Greg Norman Golf, Cutter & Buck, Under Armour and the like, but it’s mostly true).

So why not create a resort golf experience for him? Here are the five top reasons to take your dad on a golf vacation:

1)    You give him what he really needs: a break from day-to-day responsibilities

2)    A golf package is a concrete way to show your dad that you are really grateful for him and his role in your life.

3)    You get to spend really quality one-on-one time with him doing what you both love… playing golf courses you’ve never played; trying out that new golf club you got him for his birthday; or just catching up in a relaxing, non-hurried way

4)    Not only will you show him you care and get to visit, but you’ll also create lasting memories in the process… and maybe even start a new tradition in your family. 

5)    The fifth and bonus reason is that your mom will also get a gift when you squire your dad away to a golf resort… either she will love the downtime by herself or she’ll negotiate her own getaway. Whether it’s a beach golf vacation or girlfriend’s spa getaway, she makes out like a bandit.

At LetsGolf.com, you can research and choose just the right golf vacation destination for you and your dad. Our resorts include (but are not limited to) Auburn-Opelika Marriott at Grand National on the RTJ Golf Trail for the best inAlabama golf; Sea Trail Golf Resort in Sunset Beach, for a North Carolina golftrip; Lakeview Resort or The Resort at Glade Springs for your choice of a West Virginia golf resort; Kiva Dunes Golf & Beach Resort in Gulf Shores, for a golf beach vacation; Kentucky State Park Resorts for a laid back Kentucky golf getaway; L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles for a fun-filled Louisiana golf trip; Hollywood Casino Resort and the Arnold Palmer Bridges Golf Club in Bay St. Louis for a Mississippi golf experience; or Santee Cooper Resort in the heart of South Carolina golf country.

You can call the resort directly or book tee times online and make your lodging reservation directly.   

And for a bonus gift, you can even get your dad one more golf shirt in the pro shop with the resort logo on it for a great souvenir.

Online Tee Times Are So Convenient

I have been in the golf marketing business for over twenty years now. Back then, most golf courses didn't even have a fax machine, much less internet connectivity. All business was conducted over the phone, as it was with so many travel and service businesses. But then more and more reservation business, such as airline tickets, hotel bookings and restaurant reservations, began to take place over the world wide web, but still golf courses persisted in staying low tech. It's understandable really. The golfer calling by phone to book a tee time wanted to ask about the course conditioning and what the weather was going to be like.

But, finally with easy access to weather online and course's updating their maintenance schedules and course conditions on their web sites, golfers have finally embraced Online Tee Times.

These online tee sheets are directly tied to the course's inventory, so you know exactly when you'll play immediately. Plus, this is where you can find the individual golf course's best rates and special offers.

Many of the Let's Golf destinations offer the convenience of online tee times. We've collected them all in one place for even more ease of booking. But it's up to you to decide where you want to stay and play...

Will it be a Gulf Shores Golf Package? Or a West Virginia All Inclusive Resort? Or Florida to play on a PGA golf tournament site? Or Tennessee's Golf Capital? Having trouble deciding between the championship golf courses, Cajun cuisine and casino resorts of Southwest Louisiana or the laid back Grand Strand golf locale (also called Myrtle Beach golf lite) of Brunswick Islands of North Carolina, with it’s Calabash seafood, beachfront hotels and challenging golf courses? That’s a tough one. But don’t forget to consider the great value of a Kentucky State Park golf resort or South Carolina’s inland golf capital of Santee. And there’s more casino action all around Mississippi, with the links in Tunica and the historic golf in Biloxi calling your name. Or you may have both Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and Harbourtown at Sea Pines in South Carolina's Lowcountry on your golf getaway bucket list, but you can only visit one at a time. But that's not a problem, the other locale's will all be waiting when you get to them.

To visit our Online Tee Times page, click the graphic below!!

The Masters® 101

So you want to go to the big show in Augusta one day. Here are some random tips to do just that...

First, create an account at Masters.com and then check your email from late summer to early fall for registration dates for the lottery ticketing system for the 2016 tournament.

When you get the link to the form, always check all three practice round days for your best chances. Of course, Wednesday is the best day because of the Par 3 tournament, but any day you get to walk along the famed course is great... and plan to do that... forget about the players, walk all 18 holes in order. It's amazing!

If you don't get selected in the official lottery, have no fear, there are a couple of other ways to get into the tournament. First, ticket brokers sell them. Practice rounds go for $300-$500 each and tournament days range from $1,500-$2,500 each. Second, if you stand outside the gates after about 1pm any day, with the exception of Sunday, of course, patrons who are leaving the grounds can be persuaded to sell or give you their badge for the rest of the day. It depends who you run into for this. If it's someone who is there for the first time, they likely won't give up their ticket, since it's a great memento. If it's someone who got their ticket from a friend and has been many times, they'll take $50 for it. And if it's someone who's had tickets for years, they are likely to walk right past you, since they won't risk having their tickets taken away.

So, let's say you have found a fairly legal way to get a ticket, plan to get their early (gates open at 7:30am) and stay all day (gates usually close at 6:30pm). If it's a practice round day, bring your camera along, but not on tournament days. AND LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE/PAGER IN YOUR HOTEL ROOM OF CAR...THEY ARE STRICTLY FORBIDDEN.

Okay, on to the fun stuff...

Take advantage of the great prices on food and drinks. Homemade pimento cheese and egg salad sandwiches are a MUST TRY (trust me...and for $1.50 each, it's worth the risk of my being wrong). Beer in a souvenir plastic cup is just $3.00... yes, that's a 3, not an 8.

And although, the concessions at The Masters® are amazingly cheap, the merchandise is just the opposite. I've heard that people spend an average of $600 in the massive "souvenir" shop. That seems over the top to me, but I can see how it happens... especially if it's your one and only time at the big event. The few times I have been there, I deliberately selected one clothing item (for around $100) and then got sucked into a few $20 tchotchkes at the checkout line.

I mentioned earlier that you should walk the entire course. Once you've done that (or save that for last), the three best spots to sit for a while are Amen Corner (where the 11th green, the whole of 12, and the tee shot on 13 are visible); in the grandstands along the tee box to the Par 3 16th hole (the skipping hole during practice rounds); and around the 18th green (duh!).

Planning your trip to Augusta in early April should start well in advance. Hotels sell out quickly, but if you are interested in playing golf during the trip, plan to stay about 95 miles away in Clemson, SC or Santee, SC. Both offer great golf courses and convenient hotels and are easy drives to Augusta for your day of wonder.

Here's hoping you get lucky in the Masters® lottery next year, but for now, you can watch all the action this week online here.

Time-deprived? Play 9 holes or a Short Course.

We all would love to be able to spend 4-5 hours a couple of times each week on a golf course, but with work demands, family commitments, and the need for sleep, it's not easy to break away to play golf. So, why not just play 9 holes at your regular golf course or sample the Executive or Par 3 golf course nearby? There's no rule that you have to play 18 holes each and every time you hit the links.

Many of the golf courses in the Let's Golf® stable of destinations have multiple 9 hole courses that can be played alone or together to accommodate a time crunch. In the Brunswick Islands of North Carolina, both Brunswick Plantation and Sandpiper Bay fit that bill. They offer three distinctly different 9 hole courses, each with its own challenges and personality. On the Coast of Alabama, Peninsula Golf & Tennis Club in Gulf Shores and TimberCreek Golf Club in Daphne encourage golfers to spend a couple of hours testing their skills on one of their three 9 hole tracts. And for one more example, in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, Shipyard Golf Club on Hilton Head Island has three nines with four sets of tees each to accommodate all levels of play. Plus, most 18 hole golf courses have 9 hole rates, which helps your golf travel budget as well.

Lots of people scoff at the notion of a Par 3 or Short Course, but there's certainly a time and place for them in our busy society. Remember, the only way to get better is to play more golf, so if your approach game needs tweaking, a Short Course is just the thing. And nowhere is the concept of the Short Course implemented more thoroughly than in Alabama. When golfers think of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, they think how tough the championship golf courses can be, and in fact, that was part of the design philosophy - to create challenging enough layouts so that when a golfer makes a tremendous shot or cards a great score, they will remember it more sweetly. But another philosophy of making the game more accessible for beginners and those without the luxury of time for a full round, came to bear with the inclusion of a 9 or 18 hole Short Course at all of the original RTJ Golf Trail locations. But these aren't your grand-daddy's par 3 pitch and putt courses. The Short Courses on the RTJ Golf Trail in Alabama will demand the best of your short game. In fact, Golf Digest ranks Short Courses and two on the list of "America's Top Nine Public Short Courses" are on the Trail (pictured below).

 The Short Course at RTJ Golf Trail at Cambrian Ridge, Greenville, AL

 

  The Short Course at RTJ Golf Trail at Highland Oaks, Dothan, AL

So in planning your next golf vacation, think about getting in some extra practice in a short amount of time on your local Par 3 or 8 hole course. And plan to include them in your golf package to maximize your time and your budget.

Golf and Mardi Gras... Let the Good Times Roll

It's Carnival season and it's a great time to let your ball roll on our smooth greens down south. Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras Day) is actually February 17, but the festive season lasts more than a month. Parties and parades take place beginning after Epiphany (or Kings' Day) in early January. We feature two great destinations with mild winters where you can play challenging golf courses, eat great local seafood from the Gulf of Mexico and experience Mardi Gras.

Mobile, Alabama boasts the oldest annual Carnival celebration in the United States, having started in 1703. This was fifteen years before the city of New Orleans was even founded. For weeks, the streets of downtown Mobile are filled with the sights and sounds of live marching bands, brilliant-colored floats and of course the crowds of parade goers. And although Mardi Gras only comes along once each year, it's always tee time in Mobile! Named by Golf Digest as one of the top ten golf value destinations in America, Mobile offers more than 375 holes of golf with 54 of those located at the famed Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail at Magnolia Grove. Get the list of Mobile golf courses here. And golf packages to this coastal Alabama golf destination are available at many of Mobile's unique hotels.

The best part about celebrating Mardi Gras in Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana is the laid back atmosphere. There is a genuine warmth along with a jubilant spirit which is what the Cajuns there call the "joie de vivre" or the "joy of living." In Lake Charles, you can experience lavish costumes and the big city pageantry of Mardi Gras along with a family-friendly feel. And the golf is spectacular too. With four casino resorts and six championship golf courses, two of which are affiliated with a casino, plus February temps in the 60s, Southwest Louisiana should be on any golf destination list.

But combining Mardi Gras with your annual golf trip puts you on a whole new level. You'll enjoy a unique and festive time, delectable bounty from the Gulf of Mexico, and golfing in shorts in February on well-kept and challenging golf courses. Either one of these great golf vacation and Mardi Gras destinations will provide your golf group with an experience like no other. So, laissez le bons temps roulez and head down to Mobile or Lake Charles, because it's Carnival Time, Y'all!

Listen here...

Top 5 Reasons to Plan a Golf Getaway Right Now

Right about now you are itching to try that new putter you got during the holidays, but your local golf courses are closed for the season. Sure, you could go to a practice facility, but it's just not the same. Plus, all those guys and gals you spend summer weekends with are holed up just like you are and darn it, you miss 'em. Here are just a few reasons one of you needs to buck up and start planning a trip...

1.     Enjoy different types of layouts and topography from your home golf course(s).

2.     Get together with your golfing buddies or spend QT with your golf-loving spouse

3.     Enjoy specially priced golf packages at Let’sGolf® locales

4.     Indulge in local cuisines and unique entertainment

5.     Temporarily suspend winter in any of our great Southeastern golf destinations

WANT THIS?

(anywhere north)

OR THIS?

(Palmetto Dunes, Hilton Head Island, SC, courtesy of SC LowCountry Tourism Commission)

So, what are you waiting for? Stay in the know about great golf getaway deals by registering to get our e-newsletter here or follow us on twitter here.

Get Out of the Cold at a Golf Show

I grew up in the South. I learned to play golf at a local club when I was 10 and really took to the game. I only had time to play during summer break, but I could have played year 'round.  We, in the South, don’t really have to travel to play golf during the year, but we choose to, in order to experience a variety of layouts, topography and even weather. This is not so for our golfing brethren in the Midwest, Northeast and Canada. Their golf courses are closed anywhere from three to six months out of the year, so they either give up their favorite pastime during the colder months, or they trek south. And that’s where Let’s Golf® comes in. We represent many exciting golf destinations in most southeastern states. Our goal is to keep you informed about any golf package promotions, new course openings, up-and-coming hotspots and even provide advice on ways to ease the burden of travel. 

You can stay informed through this blog or any of our social media avenues, or if you are lucky enough to live in or near a city that will host a Consumer Golf Show in the next few months, come visit us in the Let’s Golf® Travel Network booth and we’ll personally answer your questions and give you recommendations.

Plus, if you are looking for a great deal on golf clubs, golf balls, and other accessories, it’s the place to find bargains on last year’s close-outs and be able to test this year’s hottest new products. And lots of local pros and even celebrities, such as David Leadbetter, are on hand to teach you how to play the game better. If nothing else, a golf show is a great time to get together with your summer playing buddies and be around your favorite sport. And this time of year, where else can you respectably drink a cold beer at 10am on a Saturday?

The golf shows at which we will be exhibiting are...

Jan. 16-18: Cincinnati, OH                                               

Jan. 23-25: Columbus, OH                                                                                               

Feb 6-8: Chantilly, VA (Greater DC)                                                                       

Feb. 13-15: Philadelphia, PA                       

Feb 20-22: Cleveland, OH                                                                                   

Feb. 27-Mar. 1: Louisville, KY

Mar. 6-8: Novi, MI (Greater Detroit)

Mar. 13-15: Monroeville, PA (Greater Pittsburgh)

Visit our golf travel web site for specific show locations and hours. We look forward to seeing you there.