Five Great U.S. Golf Destinations for Those Seeking a Vacation with a Side of Golf
August 26, 2016
Golf is a multi-billion industry with a significant economic impact on leisure travel, beyond the challenging layouts of rolling greens. Since the 41st Ryder Cup will take place next month, Travel Leaders Associates – America’s top retail travel agency brand – offer five North American destinations with great opportunities for the avid golfer or a recreational player.
While the listed courses have not yet hosted a Ryder Cup, each is in a destination known for great golf, sightseeing, dining or entertainment for all, including families and other travel companions.
Bend, Oregon
Bend, Oregon, with 300 days of sunshine a year, makes a great golf destination, whether you’re traveling with your golf buddies or spouses, said Roy Goree of a Travel Leaders location in Phoenix, Arizona. “A round of golf lends itself to social bonding with friends and competitors. I always preferred to travel with three other people so I had a foursome to play with every day,” said Goree.
In Bend, there are several top-rated courses from which to choose, including many with the backdrop of the Cascade Mountain range. Outdoor buffs come for hiking, rafting or even winter skiing. A popular site is a view of Tumalo Falls in the Deschutes National Forest. “Of course, walking an 18-hole course is great exercise, too, compared to riding in a golf cart, and the views in Bend are spectacular.”
Brasada Canyons in Central Oregon
Jacksonville, Florida
“My top pick in the USA is a trip to the Jacksonville, Florida, area,” said Mari Muscat, a Travel Leaders agent. “The entire area is a golfer’s paradise, with an abundance of top-rated courses. That said, with St. Augustine (America’s oldest city) just a short drive down a beautiful beach road, there are shops and restaurants and activities galore for families and/or couples of all ages. And World Golf Village is a must-see for golfers and non-golfers as well. The golf museum can keep one intrigued for hours and the 18-hole putting course is fun and challenging for all!”
World Golf Village
Lower Peninsula, Michigan
Michigan boasts the ‘most beautiful place in America’ with its Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore along a 35-mile stretch of the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula. It’s a short drive from two ‘bucket list’ golf courses. Arcadia Bluffs in Arcadia, MI, resembles a seaside links course and is #13 on Golf Digest‘s Top 100 list. Also nearby is #23 Forest Dunes in Roscommon, MI, which was designed by British Open Champion, Tom Weiskopf. Both offer world-class golf in amazingly beautiful and challenging settings.
Since golf is a very mental game, being able to relax before and after, where towering sand dunes trail off to the waters of Lake Michigan, should be high on anyone’s list.
Arcadia Bluffs in Arcadia, MI
Maui, Hawaii
“I would go with The Plantation Course at the Kapalua Resort in Maui, because with the views from there looking across to Lanai and Molokai, you forget at times it’s your turn to shoot,” added Michael Byrne, the Travel Leaders agency. “Watching the whales breach in the distance is also awesome. Additionally, Maui has three courses that have hosted PGA-level events, as well as other courses to satisfy any level golfer. I lived on the island for a number of years and know the golf courses are at a level that few others can compare.”
The Plantation Course at the Kapalua Resort in Maui
Greater Minnesota
Although the 2016 Ryder Cup will be in the southwest Minneapolis-St. Paul suburb of Chaska, the entire state has many beautiful courses. Grand View Lodge in the Brainerd Lakes area has the beautiful Pine Golf Course with 27 holes. And Maddens on Gull Lake has the wonderful Classic Course along with the Pine Beach East and Pine Beach West courses. One of the all-time favorite golf courses is Giants Ridge in Biwabik, Minnesota. It is a bit of a drive from the Twin Cities, but is surrounded by outdoor activities.
Classic Course at Madden’s
Additionally, Travel Leaders travel agents are knowledgeable in many of the top golf destinations across the U.S., such as Scottsdale, Arizona; Palm Springs, California; Naples and Palm Beach, Florida and Las Vegas, Nevada. Travel Leaders also has many travel agents specializing in golf vacations around the world. Our experts have the resources and experience to create a customized golf vacation to any destination. When contacting Travel Leaders, refer to vacation code “Golf” for the latest golf travel special.
“Travel Better” with Travel Leaders. To find a qualified agent who matches your criteria visit Travelleaders.com. Or to find the Travel Leaders location nearest you, visit Travelleaders.com or call 800-335-TRIP (8747).
