May is National Golf Month — which means now is a good time to start planning that golf vacation you’ve been dreaming about. RedWeek can get you to some of the very best golf-centric destinations in the country. Check out a few options below.
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach Golf Courses: Myrtle Beach is home to more than 90 world-class golf courses designed by legendary names like Robert Trent Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Arnold Palmer. In terms of scenic beauty, you can’t beat Tidewater Golf Club, which is set atop a peninsula overlooking the Atlantic. Or spend an unforgettable day at Dunes Golf and Beach Club, a Trent Jones signature course that includes the infamously difficult Waterloo Hole. As its name implies, it’s been the downfall of some of the greats!
The Destination: When you’re not on Myrtle Beach’s fairways, you’ll be able to explore several incredible beaches, enjoy authentic South Carolina seafood (including amazingly fresh seafood), and an array of on-the-water adventures. Check out RedWeek’s Myrtle Beach travel guide for inspiration.
Where To Stay: Located in the exclusive Grande Dunes master-planned community, Marriott’s OceanWatch Villas offers luxurious accommodations in a lush setting just steps from a stretch of pristine beach.
Kauai, Hawaii
Kauai Golf Courses: Golfing in paradise! The Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed Princeville Makai Golf Course on Kauai is often named the top golf course in Hawaii, thanks to sweeping views from 300 feet above the ocean. Over on the island’s South Shore, Poipu Golf Course is similarly stunning with 18 championship holes framed by mountain panoramas and plateaus. Don’t get distracted by the Hawaiian monk seals and humpback whales frolicking nearby.
The Destination: Known as the Garden Island, Kauai is renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty, from lush tropical rainforests to shimmering waterfalls to craggy cliffs. For pure Hawaiian splendor, spend some time on Poipu Beach Park, one of the destination’s greatest sandy spots.
Where To Stay: Just moments away from Poipu Beach Park, Marriott’s Waiohai Beach Club features sumptuous two-bedroom / two-bath villas, two outdoor pools, and authentic Hawaiian eats at The Kiawe Grill.
Vail, Colorado
Vail Golf Courses: The Rocky Mountains provide a spectacular backdrop to some truly fantastic golf experiences in Vail. Another Robert Trent Jones, Jr. masterpiece, Beaver Creek Golf Club is beloved for its challenging fairways and often dazzling scenery. With impeccably manicured terrain, EagleVail Golf Club offers 18 holes full of tricky hazards, water features, and long, sloping fairways.
The Destination: Vail and nearby Beaver Creek are known the world over as a winter snow sports destination, but its best-kept secret is that spring, summer, and fall are just as exciting. Explore miles and miles of beautiful hiking and biking trails, enjoy a charming Alpine-style village, and indulge in some classic Rocky Mountain cuisine. Check out RedWeek’s Vail and Beaver Creek travel guide for more inspiration.
Where To Stay: For a little luxury in the mountains, the Ritz-Carlton Club, Vail delivers. With an on-site state-of-the-art spa, a huge, heated pool, and spacious accommodations, it’s ideal for post-golf relaxation.
Orlando, Florida
Orlando Golf Courses: Disney World isn’t just about Mickey. It’s also one of the U.S.’s best golf destinations, with a host of Arnold Palmer-designed courses spread throughout the Orlando entertainment resort complex. Lake Buena Vista is a delight from start to finish, with canals and lighthouses complementing a classic country club-style course. The Palm, meanwhile, offers bunkers, sand traps and hazards that will provide a challenge for even the most seasoned golfer.
The Destination: Disney World and all of its associated theme park adventures are Orlando’s main attractions, but Orlando has more to offer travelers. Park Avenue is home to chic shops and boutiques and Blue Springs State Park is a great place to spot one of Florida’s most wonderful inhabitants — the gentle manatee. Discover what to do in Orlando beyond Disney.
Where To Stay: RedWeek offers Disney Vacation Club resorts at reduced by-owner rates, which provide more flexibility and lower prices than anywhere else. Start planning your next magical vacation now.
Scottsdale, Arizona
Scottsdale Golf Courses: A year-round golf vacation destination, the Scottsdale area boasts more than 300 courses, offering a wealth of Sonoran Desert links experiences. The award-winning We-Ko-Pa Golf Club is often put at the top of the heap by such aficionados as Golf Digest and Golfweek, thanks in part to its uncommercially developed surroundings. No condos here to obstruct your sweeping views! Troon North Golf Club is another popular Scottsdale golf option, with two 18-hole courses that wind through ravines and foothills with the stunning Pinnacle Peak in the background.
The Destination: Bordered by Phoenix to the west and the McDowell Mountains, Scottsdale is a family favorite with all kinds of activities. Go for a hot air balloon high above the desert, discover unbound creativity at the Scottsdale Museum of Art, or go on a spree in downtown’s couture shops.
Where To Stay: The Westin Kierland Villas offer an excellent Scottsdale timeshare resort experience, with ten acres of laid back luxury, plus its very own 27-hole golf course.
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