There is nothing like taking your first golf vacation. Everyone dreams of playing great golf courses like the Olympic Golf Club in San Francisco , Baltusrol in New Jersey, which has hosted multiple U.S. Opens, or of course Augusta, the Georgia home of the Masters. However, all of these are private clubs and if you get an opportunity to play one of them, it will cost significant dollars. But there are many great courses out there that are not expensive, including some classics that are less than $75 per round.
Step 1: Play a round at Bethpage Black. This public course hosted the U.S. Open in 2002 and is one of the most challenging courses in the United States. Bethpage State Golf Course in Farmingdale, New York, is considered one of the finest layouts anywhere. It was built by noted designer A.W. Tillinghast in 1936 and is a great test of a golfer's ability. If a golfer can survive the legendary "Black" course with his love of the game intact, he will never lose his desire to play.
Step 2: Get out to San Diego to play Torrey Pines. Perhaps one of the 2 or 3 most picturesque courses in the continental United States, Torrey Pines is beautiful and difficult. It is also open to the public. You don't have pay a membership fee or exorbitant hotel prices to play on the course. Golfers can schedule a tee time by making calling the automated reservation system at (877) 581-7171, which lets you book a tee time 8 to 90 days in advance.
Step 3: Perhaps the best bargain in the golfing world is a trip to Farmington, New Mexico, to play the legendary Pinon Hills Golf Course. Built by Ken Dye in 1989, this is a beautifully designed course that leaves players speechless because of its beauty and design. The only thing better than the look and feel of the course is the price. A round of golf for non-residents is $33 during the week and $38 on weekends.
Step 4: Go online and find discount golf vacations. There are a number of websites such as Golfzoo.com that can help you find air fare, lodging, greens fees and lessons for your golf vacations. They will help you find them at discounted prices as well.
Tips
The further you plan your golf trip in advance, the more likely you are to get a good deal. If you are a last-minute planner, you are better off taking a driving vacation and going to the top-rated public courses in the areas where you will be traveling.
Resources
- — Discount travel golf website
