Golf Travel - Where do you play?

[Chicagoland Nick]

How many of you get out on the road a few times a year to play golf? I've found that in the last few years, I play almost as much golf away as I do at home. [Unfortunately, I haven't played much at home the last two years, there's always some crisis which needs my attention!]

I average 10 rounds a year on the road. In 2005, I played four rounds in Phoenix, three rounds in Ontario, two rounds in north-Central Indiana along US 31, and three rounds north of Orlando. One of my favorite places to golf is in the Okanagan region of eastern British Columbia, but the airfare from Chicago is prohibitive. Another favorite is eastern Iowa, because the courses are very affordable and rarely crowded, the local food is great, and they have low-budget casinos with which to amuse myself in the evenings. :)

[golfin' girl]

Barry and I are heading out to Myrtle Beach, SC as we try to do at least once a year. We have already selected our courses.

Probably during Labor Day weekend we'll head out to Virginia Beach and play a few rounds.

[flap]

The Mrs and I go to Myrtle twice a year and either Tampa or SanDiego for our third trip.We have a building plot on the Hummingbird course at Wild Wing Plantation in Myrtle which we will be retireing to in 2 years.In Myrtle we like beside Wild Wing,Heritage,Tru Blue,Carolina national,Tigers Eye,Crow Creek,The Dunes,Pearl East,Thistle.In Sandiego we play Red Hawk and Steele Canyon.Tampa we like Bardmore and of course World Woods.

[Rafcin]

North Myrtle Beach - Barefoot Resort, pretty much once a month for a long weekend during winter (if weather there is reasonable).

[golfin' girl]

We're playing Meadowlands in Calabash NC, Tidewater (The Pebble Beach of the East) and Myrtlewood Palmetto (one of my favorites) this year.

[Rafcin]

...Tidewater (The Pebble Beach of the East) ...

I'd not compare it to P.B., however it is very nice. The same time is one of the toughest in MB area with the constant winds off the ocean. IMHO it's No.2 in Myrtle Beach ( right after Caledonia ).

[ragontona]

Buddy and I are actually going down to Myrtle next month (his first time). Budget's kinda tight, so we're doing two courses -- Waterway Hills and Myrtle Beach National West Course. I've been reading that they're pretty vanilla, but I'm wondering how they're conditioned? Anyone been to either of those courses lately?

[Rafcin]

not lately, but whole of MB has a great winter - so the condition should be tip-top on any course... Waterway Hills is cool, the gondola ride to the first tee is an experience What's getting old is (if I remember correctly) 6 holes along the waterway - it will get you mentally other than that - it's a pretty course, I enjoyed it. The National ? All I remember are the waste bunkers all over (there are actually no cart paths, waste bunkers are used instead), elevated greens... Very nice course. I'm sure you'll have fun...

[ragontona]

not lately, but whole of MB has a great winter - so the condition should be tip-top on any course... Waterway Hills is cool, the gondola ride to the first tee is an experience

I'm looking forward to Waterway Hills... it'd be my first RTJ course (even though it's not really one of his classic designs).

[flap]

Hey Golf Girl New course on Long Island called Friars Head has the claim of P.B. of the east.Cost 750,000 to join.Not a marker except Tee markers on whole course caddies only over looks long island sound.

[georgep]

I played MB National (Southcreek) and Waterway Hills in November. MBN is generally in pretty good shape. Southcreek and the West course are the 'B' tracks to the King's North, but they are still a lot of fun to play. Waterway Hills was maybe not quite as manicured, but it's a cool layout just the same. And the gondola ride will get your heart beating (it's showing its age).

I make it to Myrtle about once a year. My favorites in the area so far are Caledonia, World Tour, Tiger's Eye, Crow Creek, and Tradition. I haven't played Tidewater or True Blue, but they are on my wish list. Of course, each year we probably have the most fun of the week on a little, lighted executive course. Some times you don't need perfect greens and fairways.

We also try to golf in at least one new state every year, but that doesn't always work out.

[golfin' girl]

Waterway Hills is a nice excursion. The course is well-maintained.

Only the MBN West Course was available when I went several years back so I took the tee times. Although the fairways are cushy and the course well maintained, I heard that it was nothing like the MBN North course.

I still scored well there and had a great time. Come to think of it, I have never had a bad experience in Myrtle Beach.

[ragontona]

Only the MBN West Course was available when I went several years back so I took the tee times. Although the fairways are cushy and the course well maintained, I heard that it was nothing like the MBN North course.

Yeah, I hear King's North is the premium choice of the three MBN courses. But the West Course was running a special on their website -- we were able to book 1:30 pm tee times for $49 in the middle of March. Can't beat that!

[flap]

While you are there make sure you buy the Sun News newspaper,They have great deals and coupons for a lot of the courses.While your at MBN go next door to Wild Wing,There are 4 great courses there and you can usually get on in the afternoon reasonably.

[flap]

Hey Golfin Girl if you like Tidewater try Rivers Edge just up in N.C. maybe 30 min north of north myrtle,A A.Palmer course set around the intercoastal waterway.But bring plenty of balls.Slope of 150 from tips!!!