Is it crazy to fly south in January for golf?

[flopdarock]

definately not crazy... but for that amt of money... id look somewhere else and get more golf for the same amt of money

[senorchipotle]

As usual, the collective knowledge of this forum is amazing. I was planning on going to Dallas (my girlfriend has friends there that she wants to visit), but I might have to reconsider. The weather recently hasn't been good, and there seems to be a decent chance it won't be good in January. Then again, 45-50 degrees isn't terrible as long as it's sunny.

shoot man, you never know what the weather will be like here in dallas. you could get 62* and sunny with no wind, or you could get 31* with ice on the ground. i was planning on playing last week until it started snowing. but if you do come and need a partner or a course recommendation, send me a message. and no, nothing is too much to spend on golf. hell, there are plenty people who don't bat an eye at dropping 350 on a green fee. at least you're getting a mini-vacation for your money.

[wmiller]

As much as we DON'T need any more visitors this time of year, I can't remain silent whilst a fellow golfer suffers.

I enjoy mostly sunny days with temps in the low-mid 60s this time of year (yea, I wear a jacket...) and have everything from the cheap(er) munis to the outrageous tourist-trap venues like my fav, Omni Tucson National. Last Sunday was the exception: high 50s and I actually wore long pants for the first time in I-can't-remember-when.

We are usually 5 degrees or so warmer than Phoenix/Scottsdale this time of year, and they get more rain up there. Not sure how much more it'd be to Tucson, AZ. Then there's Dove Mountain where they (PGA) hold the yearly match play in the spring, but I definitely can't afford that place

Miami would be warmer but I think we have better golf.

[Hitman]

I flew to Orlando from Indy on Sunday before Thanksgiving to spend a week with the family. My round trip flight on Air Tran was $170.00, that included picking the seat I wanted down and back, cost to check golf bag was $30.00 round trip ,I had a carry on bag with all my golf shirts and clothes in it, and the 2 rounds I played 1 at Royal St Cloud, the other at Kiossimee Golf course cost me $ 52.50 for both rounds. Granted I didn't have to rent a room or car but that was the best $252.50 I have spent on golf in a long time, because I neede the break from work. Now in Jan. in Florida the golf rates go way up for non-residents but but I belive you could find a good deal just about any where in Florida for 2-3 days with room and golf. I hope to get back down over the winter and would like to play at The World Golf Hall of Fame, and see the Hall of Fame also. Good Luck

[mad max]

have you not seen the southwest airline commericals?? lol, "why should your bags pay to fly in the bottom of the plane, wher its dark and cold, no peanuts or nothin" haha your bags fly free.

That's what I was implying. I recently went on a golf trip to Las Vegas and while I could have gotten a cheaper flight I would have to pay a baggage fee for my clubs at the very least, more if I checked my personal bag and from what I have heard some airlines charge for oversized fees for golf clubs. I find it is always a good practice to find out what additional charges might apply.

Recently I have always carried my personal luggage, this trip I didn't and it was a much better experience for me, I just had my iphone for reading and entertainment. I didn't have to lug my bags into the bathroom and all around the airport. Given the choice now I will always check my bags unless I am carrying something irreplaceable or I am going someplace where I won't be able to replace the things I need. As to the O.p.'s question I don't think you have to play every second you are on your trip. I might be in the minority here but I find playing 36 holes in a day takes some of the fun out of the game. If you have a good round and feel good by all means play another but if you justify the trip by saying you will get to play 72 holes out of it and didn't play well it would not be as enjoyable as it could be if your expectations were just enjoy some nice weather and play a little golf in the middle of winter.

[The Road Dog]

Florida is the place to go for the winter. Plenty of courses around Orlando and you should drive it's less than a day each way. Find a hotel in the center of a circle with the courses you want to play and go for it. Better if you have friends or relatives here and at crowded as it is getting now who doesn't?

[flap]

I am booking my Florida trip for January 5 nights 8 rounds of golf 730.00 for Hotel and golf.Airfare 99.00 each way figure 900.00 all told per person.We play all nice courses 18 then 36 36 36 18 then back home.Tampa side includes World Woods and lake Jovita good tracks.

[glebert]

You are only crazy if you fly NORTH in January for golf.

[Golfaway]

Forget about Texas. Pump in some more cash and a week or so and come to Egypt. We have some fabulous courses around the country, and I don't need to talk about the weather. Last year we were having a Christmas Scramble match in late December, and the prizes for the first 3 places were big baskets of candy and chocolate. We were concerned the chocolate would melt in the sun by the time the prizes were awarded. Enough said.

[Chubbs]

Flying from NYC (La Guardia), and if you aren't deadset on going to Texas, then check out Spirit Airlines. They have a limited amount of places they go, but they fly up and down the east coast (all the way down to Florida – Tampa/Orlando/Miami – and Puerto Rico). I flew from NYC to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for CHEAP once (sat behind Philip Seymour Hoffman too, hah). I just priced a flight on their site from NYC to Myrtle Beach over MLK Weekend in January, and round trip was on $138. South Carolina has some killer courses, and you might even be able to find a golf + room deal with some of the area golf resorts, especially in the winter.

[Lefty-Golfer]

Flying from NYC (La Guardia), and if you aren't deadset on going to Texas, then check out Spirit Airlines. They have a limited amount of places they go, but they fly up and down the east coast (all the way down to Florida – Tampa/Orlando/Miami – and Puerto Rico). I flew from NYC to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina for CHEAP once (sat behind Philip Seymour Hoffman too, hah). I just priced a flight on their site from NYC to Myrtle Beach over MLK Weekend in January, and round trip was on $138.

if you go to Myrtle Beach you must play Caladonia...it is a rule of ours. We go every April and play lots of courses but EVERY trip includes a round at Caladonia. i would actually recomend you play it twice. The rebuy for 18 is a great deal and the lunch menu is good. other good ones to consider in the area (minutes away).

True Blue Heritage Founders

[catfell]

I would also second looking at Spirit Air if you're coming from NYC.

I think they also fly down to the Dominican Republic.

Myrtle is great, but the temperature can be surprisingly cold and frost delays can happen.

If you were hoping to play in shorts, go further South.

That being said, I really do like Myrtle Beach because of the quantity of good courses. And I don't mind playing in 40 degree weather (in NYC).

Now go forth and scratch that itch.

[golfaddiction]

Thanks I'll check out Spirit Air. The Texas thing might not work out anyway.

[PhilsRHman]

I'd second the suggestion to check the low-cost carriers like Spirit and AirTran. There are a few that don't show up on expedia, orbitz, etc.

Also, as someone who has been in Myrtle Beach and Las Vegas in early March, I can attest that it's no fun to expect temps in the 70s and get them in the low 40s. I also just spent a week in Orlando and it barely broke 70 and was barely 40 at my 7 a.m. tee times. At that rate, might as well just wait until the cold breaks for a week in the Northeast and head to Atlantic City for 2 days where you can drive down and the courses will be in good shape.

It seems like there have to be better ways to spend $700 on golf. For that you can probably get a week in a Punta Cana all-inclusive with some sort of golf deal. There are some great airfare deals down there, too. But if it's just a quick trip, I'd agree with everyone, find someplace that's guaranteed to be warm, don't waste time on flights with connections, and make sure to book a round on the day you leave. You can replay that 18 the entire flight home.

[golfaddiction]

I'd second the suggestion to check the low-cost carriers like Spirit and AirTran. There are a few that don't show up on expedia, orbitz, etc.

Awesome - There are tickets for $59 dollars each way in January from NY to Ft. Lauderdale. And I'm sure my grandmother will gladly put me up for a few nights

[PhilsRHman]

Awesome. You might even be able to bum a ride to the course and save some dough on the rental car. Plus, you can feel like you're 14 again, waiting by the bag drop for Grandma to come pick you up! Haha, I just had this happen on my last trip. Definitely weird to call my mom for a ride back to the hotel!

My last few vacations, instead of deciding where I wanted to go, I started by figuring out the cheapest flights first. Especially for golf, hell, you can land anywhere and find enough golf to entertain you for a couple days.

[jmanbooyaa]

This thread is a bit old but didn't want to start another one. NEED real advice from those in the know.

My trip to South Carolina was postponed a few days due to the snow storm. Here is the issue, I was going to drive but now that it was postponed it got me thinking about the trip more. I have never flown with clubs before and therefore do not own a carrying case. So here is a multi part question for you guys. Any help or advice is much appreciated. Thanks

I was able to find airfare for under $220 including bag/clubs.

It is less than 2 hr flight

Need to get a car to take to and from airport around $120 most likely.

No transportation needed to or from airport in SC

No room needed my father lives 10 minutes from Myrtle Beach airport

If I drive it would take over 13 hours

Gas would cost roughly $180 round trip

Oil change $40

Tolls $100 round trip just a guess. Used to live in Wilmington NC and have not done this trip in about 10 years.

BACK PAIN from the drive guaranteed

Okay so there are the basics my questions are this. 1. Should I fly or drive? 2. What is a decent but NOT too expensive golf club carrying case 3. Do your clubs get damaged? 4. Just to be greedy on this thread what are some decent courses to play in and around Myrtle Beach. My father has not played in over 10 years and just wants to because I do. So he will only golf with me 1 or 2 times. I would like to go at least 3 times while down there at a fairly intermediate course(s). Thanks

[Deryck Griffith]

Originally Posted by golfaddiction

I haven't played in a month and I'm dreading the 4 months before it gets warm enough in NY to play again. I priced out a 2 day, 3 night trip to Texas in January:

$230 airfare

$200 for 3 nights in a hotel

$100 car rental

$70 travel case for my clubs (I had wanted one of these anyway)

$100 for 2 greens fees

Is $700 too much to spend for 2 days of golf? Is there any way I can do this cheaper? This wouldn't replace my spring/summer trip I usually do with my friends, but that trip is about 50/50 golf/vacation with friends, whereas this is 100% golf.

As a suggestion, if you are willing to go to Florida take a look at Orange County National.  Their package rates include lodging at the course and golf .

http://www.ocngolf.com/index.php/rates-4