Golfing Holiday 2013 – Advice!!

There are some great courses over here in the UK, but why take a risk getting wet, even our summers can be awful, this year in particular. I went to La Manga in Spain earlier this year, there are three great courses there and the weather is pretty well guaranteed, check out their website or look at some of the videos posted on youtube.

Let us know where you end up!

Portugal is also good, especially around Villamoura - they have a tour event on the Victoria course late in the European season.

The Old Course is a fantastic test, San Lorenzo is spectacular, Monte Rei (Sp?) is supposed to be fantastic not played there though.

I went to La Manga a couple of years ago, it was a little tired, past its late 80's best - all the EPL teams head to Dubai now!

La Cala is a fantastic if quiet resort, 3 really good tests of golf all on your doorstep, not too far from Torrequbrada which is sensational.

For an "out there" choice Bulgaria has 3 super courses on the Black Sea coast near Varna, Thracian Cliffs is unbelievably spectular - I put a few pics on the Courses forum a few months back. It is hosting the Matchplay event on the European Tour next year.

With any holiday booking the golf up front considerably cheapens the price especially in Spain & Portugal.

English weather...... anytime between late Apil and end of September could be fantastic - alternatively it could be grim. The Lancashire coast from Liverpool up to Blackpool especially around Southport has a stupid number of world class links courses - Lytham & Birkdale obviously but also S&A, Hillside, Formby, West Lancs etc etc etc

Hi Mate, just thought I’d throw a few suggestions at Ya.

Pending on when you elect to travel, and the length of time you intend to spend,

there are many great options to consider.

If you are interested in playing in Ireland or Scotland, then yes, July/August would be appropriate. I can speak from my experience going to Ireland, it was the greatest golf trip I have ever had. Yes, you can expect to possible play in cooler temps and the possibilities of rain showers are potentially great. But, the experience is a lifelong remembrance.

You could possible attend both the Open and the Senior Open during this time frame.

Ireland has many great courses which to play. Travel around the isle is relatively a hop, skip and a jump to many courses. The Irish are great people; expect to enjoy a few pints with many of the locals in the pubs. Accommodations are abundant with many of the Bed & Breakfast Inns, Manors or Castles. You will need to book tee times at the popular courses a year in advance!

China? Maybe consider this great hidden Gem. Mission Hills Golf Club in southern China's Guangdong Province. Mission Hills is the world's largest -- and bringing in top-shelf talent – catch the HSBC event. They boasted the strongest field ever assembled in Asia.

Dubai?  Incredible, the fastest growing city in the world! Extraordinary structures and achievements, built without any cost considerations. Golf may have its limitations, haven’t honestly explored the possibilities. Attending the Dubai Classic would certainly be worth the time.

Hawaii? Maui, truly paradise. Catch the Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, and then jump over to Honolulu for the Sony Open. Golf is not too shabby on the Isles. There are many great courses to consider.

Then there’s the O’l – “U S of A”  

I traveled many years in the desert Southwest during January / February, visiting friends and playing golf. One year, I attended the Bob Hope Classic, Buick Open at Torrey Pines, then the Phoenix Open. The dessert is truly the Golfing Mecca of the World. Want to add an “Exclamation Point” to your trip. Spend your last two days of the vacation in the city of lost wages – Las Vegas!!!

Of course the spring time always brings joy to everyone’s hearts and it’s Master Time!!!

Tickets are difficult to obtain, but probably available through many travel agents.

Travel the South during your visit and play the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, or the Bobby Jones Courses.

What an Itinerary, think I’ll go pack a few bags myself.

Club Rat

Thailand's the place. Lots of golf interest and courses to play. Northern T'land tops during November to early April, then the weather changes to v v hot. Southern and coastal golf good all year, though can be tropical, of course.  Things to do at night too, everywhere.  Unless high end , T'land won't break the budget. 

I was in Maui at Kapalua in September, it was spectacular! I played two rounds, one at Kapalua, and one at Ka'anapali, I was there for my honeymoon so I was happy to get to play two but the hardest thing was trying to focus on the shots because the scenery, i.e. ocean views, were amazing (although I am from Ontario, Canada not Australia so Oceans views are probably harder to come by for me).

There are so many good places here in the USA. Pebble Beach area, Phoenix area, Pinehurst NC, Myrtle Beach, the entire state of Florida etc..You really could pick any of those and not go wrong. Good golf, good beer and good people. Las Vegas is great also.

Try looking here, stunning layout in an area where weather is usually great ! 

http://www.golfwolfcreek.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=863&page=48604

PGA tour caliber course. 

Joekelly is right, Thailand is wonderful. Played there is 2001 with a friend from the U.K. and then again last March. We booked a package which included 3 rounds in Vietnam and 6 in Thailand (Pattaya and Bangkok). We then played 3 more in Bangkok area and I stopped off in Japan for one round (expensive). Thailand courses are beautiful and reasonably priced. Hotels are cheap and food is wonderful and very inexpensive. Cannot wait to go back again.