Golf Destinations

Cychl82

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Sep 10, 2009
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Long story short,

My wife gave me the green light to plan a golf trip for my 40th next summer. I’d like to go somewhere outside of the Midwest for 3-4 days but I haven’t really golfed in other states. Anybody have a recommendation that isn’t ridiculously expensive? I’d like to play several super nice courses and have things to see/do when we aren’t playing. Not too worried about price—-I plan to donate all of my plasma for the next year :)
There are a ton of great courses in the Denver area that I would recommend honestly. The scenery and the courses plus its a short flight if you're in the midwest is my recommendation 100%
 

ZJohnson

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Mar 27, 2006
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On the road...
Super underrated and not too expensive is the Brainerd Lakes area in Minnesota. You have tour level quality courses all within 30 min of each other. Classic at Madden's, Cragun's(brand new Tom Lehman course opened this year), Deacon's Lodge(Both Palmer courses) Pines at Grand View Lodge and many other solid tracks. Also there are a few really solid short courses as well. Not to mention the lakes up there are amazing.

Others:

Dirty Myrtle
PHX/Scottsdale
Vegas
Bandon
Sand Valley
Gaylord/Bayshore, MI
Arcadia Bluffs, MI
Kohler, WI
Streamsong
Big Cedar Lodge
Turning Stone, NY
St. George, UT
Daufuskie Island, SC
 

cyclonespiker33

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Jan 19, 2011
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IMO, Bandon is far and away the best option if you can get on. Not a ton of other things to do in town, but the golf is the best in the US, and the coast/beaches are gorgeous.

Three honorable mentions for me would be Pinehurst (if you can get in), Monterey, CA (Pebble, Spanish Bay, Spyglass, etc), and San Diego (both Torrey courses, Coronado, Aviara, Maderas).
I've been seeing stuff this year about Bandon not being in good shape. See below, especially some of the pictures from recent in the comments.

 

cyinne

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Sep 4, 2009
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O-town, Iowa
Long story short,

My wife gave me the green light to plan a golf trip for my 40th next summer. I’d like to go somewhere outside of the Midwest for 3-4 days but I haven’t really golfed in other states. Anybody have a recommendation that isn’t ridiculously expensive? I’d like to play several super nice courses and have things to see/do when we aren’t playing. Not too worried about price—-I plan to donate all of my plasma for the next year :)
Just follow Golf Trip on instagram- lots of cool places- great ideas.

 

GMackey32

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Nov 2, 2009
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Big Cedar Lodge is fun. I’m currently down at Sandestin Golf and Resort where they have 4 award winning courses on property.

Brandon Dunes, Pebble, and Myrtle Beach are all must go’s that I still need to go to.
 

CyState85

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May 8, 2019
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So Bandon is #1 on my list. Thank you all for suggestions.

My questions about Bandon—-should I play with a caddy and if so, what’s an appropriate tip? Should I stay on site or just get an Airbnb? Did you fly into Portland or another airport?
 

tm3308

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Jun 13, 2010
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Even though it's still the midwest, I'd pitch making a stop in central Wisconsin. Sand Valley/Mammoth Dunes near Nekoosa are very nice, and SentryWorld in Stevens Point is outstanding (I got to play a round there a couple months before they hosted last year's US Senior Open and was blown away). If you were staying in Point, you're within an hour or so of Lawsonia, too. And if you wanted to give your wallet a break, there are a couple of reasonably priced public courses in the area that are decent and can be fun challenges.

If you're into hiking/biking and such, there are lots of trails around Point. Plus a couple of breweries (Point and Oso). You'd be maybe an hour from Appleton, so if you're a baseball fan, you can catch a Timber Rattlers (Brewers high-A affiliate) game.
 
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cycopath25

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Sep 8, 2006
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(307)
I golfed 2 great courses last week. Fairmont Banff (1st 2 pics) and Coeur d'Alene, ID (2nd 2 pics)
 

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CyGuy5

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Dec 4, 2013
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Kansas City
This will definitely come off as a humble brag, but I was in Scotland last week for the Open and played a ton of golf on both coasts of the country. Would highly, highly recommend the trip to anyone considering it. Didn’t get to play the big one (Old Course), but I don’t think you even need to play there to make a trip worth it, there’s so many good and storied courses anywhere you go.
 

CyState85

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This will definitely come off as a humble brag, but I was in Scotland last week for the Open and played a ton of golf on both coasts of the country. Would highly, highly recommend the trip to anyone considering it. Didn’t get to play the big one (Old Course), but I don’t think you even need to play there to make a trip worth it, there’s so many good and storied courses anywhere you go.
What courses did you play?
 

Clonefan32

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Nov 19, 2008
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What courses did you play?

For anyone playing Scotland, I can't recommend Tom Coyne's "A Course Called Scotland" highly enough. He has a similar one for Ireland, as well as the US. He does a great job reviewing courses and getting to the core of what we all really look for in a great golf course.
 

DesertClone1

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Queen Creek, AZ
Obviously Phoenix area is amazing, but i am also biased (I live out here)

I will throw in Georgia as well, went out in 2019 with my godfather, and there are SO MANY courses out there that are amazing, and at a relatively decent price. I played stone mountain (both courses) and one other course that the name is slipping me. Remember, it's the bible belt, so you can't partake in alcohol on Sundays until 11 or 12.
 
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