Spring Break Golf Destination Suggestions?

[Unforgiven93]

I'm going on my last college spring break trip in about 3 weeks with my dad.  It is going to be solely a golf trip, and I'm looking for suggestions on where to go! We will be driving from central Indiana... Looking for pretty nice, but not super expensive, places to go within driving range (15ish hours? Obviously less is better, but we need to get somewhere warm). 

 

[mdaugherty24]

Pinehurst meets all your criteria!!!!

[DaveP043]

1 hour ago, mdaugherty24 said:

Pinehurst meets all your criteria!!!!

+1.  

I also like Pinehurst, you can choose lodging and golf courses to match most budgets.  However, things do get pretty well booked up for the Spring, so you might want to get moving pretty quickly.  I can highly recommend Talamore Golf Resort, primarily because I own a condo there.  (http://talamoregolfresort.com/golf-package/).They offer condos, and can book all of your golf for you.  There are many other options in the area, ranging from relatively budget motels up to the Pinehurst Resort itself.  If you need any help in making choices, feel free to contact me.

Another area that I believe fits your criteria is the RTJ Golf Trail in Alabama.  I've never been there, so I can't offer any advice, but I've read lots of people who say its a great choice.

[jsgolfer]

1 hour ago, DaveP043 said:

+1.  

I also like Pinehurst, you can choose lodging and golf courses to match most budgets.  However, things do get pretty well booked up for the Spring, so you might want to get moving pretty quickly.  I can highly recommend Talamore Golf Resort, primarily because I own a condo there.  (http://talamoregolfresort.com/golf-package/).They offer condos, and can book all of your golf for you.  There are many other options in the area, ranging from relatively budget motels up to the Pinehurst Resort itself.  If you need any help in making choices, feel free to contact me.

Another area that I believe fits your criteria is the RTJ Golf Trail in Alabama.  I've never been there, so I can't offer any advice, but I've read lots of people who say its a great choice.

+1 

I also love Pinehurst.  Great place to play golf.  I didn't get to play Talamore but played Mid South which was a great place to play.  I believe, and Dave will correct me if I'm wrong, that it is the sister course to Talamore.  

I too have heard great things about the RTJ trail in Alabama.    

[iacas]

Pinehurst might not be all that warm in three weeks.

Never mind, seems okay:

http://www.accuweather.com/en/us/pinehurst-nc/28374/march-weather/339840

[Unforgiven93]

Thanks everybody!  Checking out Pinehurst and the RTJ trail in Alabama now.  Which of the Pinehurst courses would you recommend the most? 

[DaveP043]

My favorites in the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area are:

At Pinehurst itself, #2, #4, #8, and #9.  I'm not sure how many of these you can play if you're not staying in a Pinehurst Resort property.

Outside of the Pinehurst courses, my favorites are MidSouth and Talamore (my condo makes me a member at these, I prefer MidSouth), MidPines and Pine Needles (Donald Ross designed, MidPines is probably my favorite in the entire area), Southern Pines (a bargain for a Ross course), and the Pinewild courses.  Just over a half-hour drive is Tobacco Road, a Mike Strantz design that's either loved or hated.  I really enjoy it.  Dormie Club is Crenshaw and Core design, some great holes.

I hope that's enough for a good start.  Let me know if I can help with anything else.

[saevel25]

4 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

My favorites in the Pinehurst/Southern Pines area are:

I hope that's enough for a good start.  Let me know if I can help with anything else.

 

I'll be playing Longleaf, Mid South, Mid Pines, Talamore and Southern Pines

If I had to rank them it would be, 

1. Mid Pines
2. Mid South
3. Talamore
4. Southern Pines
5. Longleaf
 

Pinehurst is an awesome golf destination even without playing on the Pinehurst resort. 

[DaveP043]

10 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

I'll be playing Longleaf, Mid South, Mid Pines, Talamore and Southern Pines

If I had to rank them it would be, 

1. Mid Pines
2. Mid South
3. Talamore
4. Southern Pines
5. Longleaf
 

Pinehurst is an awesome golf destination even without playing on the Pinehurst resort. 

I'd rank these 5 in exactly the same order.  I've played Longleaf only once.

Matt, when are you going to be there?  If you like, I can recommend a few pretty good places to eat and drink.

Edited February 23, 2016 by DaveP043

[saevel25]

2 minutes ago, DaveP043 said:

I'd rank these 5 in exactly the same order.  I've played Longleaf only once, and really wouldn't recommend it for most people.

Matt, when are you going to be there?  If you like, I can recommend a few pretty good places to eat and drink.

April 16th till the 21st. 

We play Longleaf first as a warm up place. It's not horrible. It wasn't in the greatest of shape two years ago. Not sure how it is now. The top 3 there are very good courses. Mid Pines is just fantastic to play. 

[mdaugherty24]

My Favorite Pinehurst Top 10

1. Dormie Club

2. Pinehurst Resort #2,8,7,6,4,9

3. Pine Needles

4. Mid Pines

5. Pinewild

6. Mid South

7. Southern Pines CC (Elks)

8. Legacy

9. Anderson Creek

10. Seven Lakes CC

[DaveP043]

12 minutes ago, saevel25 said:

April 16th till the 21st. 

We play Longleaf first as a warm up place. It's not horrible. It wasn't in the greatest of shape two years ago. Not sure how it is now. The top 3 there are very good courses. Mid Pines is just fantastic to play. 

Yeah, I think they've struggled with finances and ownership changes.  I'm sure you'll enjoy it, and all the rest too.  Like I said, if you're interested in some dining and drinking suggestions outside of the big-box franchises on 15-501, let me know.  I bet @mdaugherty24 can add some too.