Bermuda Partners with Premier Golf to Offer Centralized Tee Time

The Bermuda Department of Tourism is making it easier for golfers to play some of its courses by partnering with Bermuda Premier Golf to offer a new centralized tee time system. Bermuda Premier Golf's online system at www.bermudapremiergolf.com allows the potential golfer to select the golf course, tee times, number of players and pay securely online with either Visa, Mastercard or American Express. Each participant receives a tee time voucher by email which is encoded with a unique barcode to eliminate fraud. Each tee time voucher is presented to the golf course on the day of play. Golfers can use the system to have their tee times booked in advance to ensure they can play the courses they want when they want. Golfers can...

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Princeville’s Prince Golf Course in Hawaii Reopens

Princeville’s Prince Golf Course, will reopen on March 1, 2012 — an adjustment from the previously announced December date — after the completion of some additional refurbishments to the course and clubhouse. The Prince, ranked as one of the Top 100 courses in the United States, is located in Kauai, Hawaii and has been closed since January for this extensive facelift. “We are excited about the refined improvements to the entire facility, which will elevate the golf experience for our guests,” says Mark Scheibach, vice president of golf development for Heritage Links. Renovation includes installing putting greens with SeaDwarf Seashore Paspalum turf and sub-surface material to meet modern USGA specifications; remodeling of bunkers...

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The World’s 5 Most Unbelievable Golf Courses: 4 Locations to Add to Your Bucket List (and 1 to Avoid!)

Golf is a game steeped in tradition, rules and etiquette. The well-mannered golfer knows to be aware of his shadow, repair his ball marks and keep quiet on his playing partner’s backswing. Even during huge tournaments the crowds are stunningly quiet, showing respect for the players and the time honored game itself. But throughout the world there are golf courses that push the edge. They challenge the limits of skills and patience. They are so unusual that Ripley himself may not believe they exist. Here’s our list of 5 golf courses so unusual, so odd, you may not believe they exist: 1. Nullarbor Links There are only 1,500 golf courses in all of Australia. Go figure that one would be over 800 miles long and still be a par 72....

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More Ideas for a Golf Vacation in Orlando

There are a couple of dozen of fine golf courses and resorts within 15 miles of the Orlando city center, more than 150 within a 45-minute drive. Accommodations are plentiful and varied, from the grand golf resorts, such as the Ritz-Carlton Orlando Grande Lakes, to the Omni Orlando at Championsgate to budget and mid-range hotels. Orlando is, perhaps, the quintessential Florida golf vacation hotspot. For a complete run-down of the golf vacation opportunities in Orlando, please check out my extensive listings of Three and Four Day Golf Vacation Idea...

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The Wintergreen Resort in Central VA - Golf The Year Round

The Wintergreen Resort is set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. It's one of those spectacular mountain resorts one almost always associates with all the great outdoor sports, including golf. We also tend to think that the golf courses in these mountain resorts shut down during the winter months. Not so at Wiintergreen; golf is available the year round. In fact, Wintergreen may just be the quintessential retreat, for pleasure seekers and for corporate getaways. Would you like to know more? Here's a full review of all that's on offer at the Wintergreen Resor...

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January is a Great Time to Visit Destin and Fort Walton Beach

January is a great time to visit Destin and Fort Walton Beach, Florida. If you follow me at all, you know I love that place, and I love its golf courses. If you're planning a golf vacation, you should definately consider visiting Destin and Fort Walton Beach. The Emerald Coast, of which Destin and Fort Walton Beach are a major part, offers the complete vacation experience: plenty of good hotels and even a couple of grand resorts; endless miles of white sandy beaches; fresh seafood, of course, and lots of places to eat it; and there's lots to see and do, including deep sea fishing or just loafing around and working on the tan; ladies, you'll love the outlet mall, it's huge, and all the big names are represented (sorry guys). If you're planning...

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Time to Head for the Bahamas

The Bahamas are one of my two favorite vacation destinations on the U.S. side of the ocean. That being so, it's almost time for my semi-annual visit. I'll be heading first to Nassau and Paradise Island, then on to Freeport, and then who knows where, perhaps Eluethera or even remote Mayaguana; I'll do a little fishing, play a little golf, eat a little fresh seafood (maybe a lot of fresh seafood), some conch salad, and drink a rum punch, or two, or maybe more; it just doesn't get any better than that. Take it from me, this is one outing I look forward to all year long; it never gets old (I've been writing travel guide books about the Bahamas for more than 20 years). If I were a wealthy guy, I would be living there. Unfortunately,...

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LAST MINUTE 7 DAY CARIBBEAN GOLF CRUISE SPECIAL from Miami US$328 Per Person November 16, 2013 and December 21, 2013

7 Day GolfAhoy Hawaii Golf Cruise only golf cruise sailing to all 4 Hawaiian Islands in 7 days year-round from US$899* New AARP MEMBER SPECIAL receive up to US$250 off select GolfAhoy Hawaii golf cruises, plus receive US$100 onboard credit* New ACTIVE or RETIRED MILITARY SPECIAL from US$699* New KIDS SAIL FREE as 3rd guest in a stateroom* Balcony Staterooms from US$1399* Illustrated fares for Nov 16 – 23, 2013 sailing   PRE-CRUISE HOTEL SPECIAL don’t worry about flight cancellations, delays or severe weather interrupting your Hawaii golf cruise vacation. Look what’s included in our new pre-cruise hotel package for one attractive price with no hidden fees: First class or deluxe accommodations; plus mandatory hotel taxes; fees and service charges; all luggage handling within...

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America's 75 Toughest Golf Courses

What is it about the difficult course that holds so much appeal for many golfers? Is it simply, to borrow George Mallory's overused line about Everest, "because it's there"? Or is there something deeper, maybe even a little darker at work? Do you want to suffer for some reason? Do you "deserve" to be punished? These are questions probably better answered in the company of a professional therapist. But if it's a challenge you're looking for, you've come to the right place. Presenting Golf Digest's list of America's 75 Toughest Golf Courses. Spend some time with our list. Read it, debate it, make plans to play some of these courses if you dare. Just don't come crying to us if they make you feel like quitting the game. 1. The Ocean Course, Kiawah Island, S.C.2. Pine Valley...

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St Andrews Links achieves prestigious GEO Certified™ ecolabel

St Andrews Links has become the first Open Championship venue to achieve the prestigious GEO Certified ecolabel in recognition of its sustainability commitment and achievements. St Andrews Links Trust, which manages the seven courses at the Home of Golf including the Old Course and The Castle Course, has operated a sustainability programme for many years and this approach was described by Mike Wood, the accredited verifier, as being “close to defining an ideal model for sustainable management.” A special plaque was presented to Euan Loudon, Chief Executive of St Andrews Links Trust, by Jonathan Smith, Chief Executive of the Golf Environment Organisation, with George O’Grady, the Chief Executive of The European Tour, and Peter Dawson,...

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Changes to the Old Course Spark Huge Debate

You probably heard about the changes underway at the Old Course at St. Andrews. What you may not have heard is just how big a flap this has created. Outraged at the idea of tinkering (or is it tampering?) with one of golf's most important shrines, Old Course advocates have mobilized. Someone started a "Stop the Changes to the Home of Golf" petition on Change.org. Likewise, there's now a popular, #SavetheOldCourse thread on Twitter. I don't know if anyone has started an "Occupy St. Andrews" movement, but it can't be far away. Here's the debate in a nutshell, and I'd love to get your thoughts on it: With their eyes on the 2015 Open Championship, the R&A and St. Andrews Links Trust want to, "ensure [the Old Course] remains as challenging as ever to the professionals." So,...

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2013 CENTRAL OREGON GOLF TRAIL PLAYER’S CARD

Bend, OR - Now available for purchase at the Central Oregon Visitors Association, the 2013 Central Oregon Golf Trail Players Card is back at an even more amazing value with four additional courses. Due to expected high demand and limited supply, customers are urged to act quickly.  Player’s Card holders get one (1) 50% green fee discount at each of the 19 participating courses. The discount is based on the published green fee at the time of play. Use of the Player’s Card is permitted seven (7) days a week including holidays, but limited to tee times after 12:00 p.m. The card provides potential savings of over $600. A portion of the proceeds from the 2013 Player’s Card benefits the Central Oregon Junior Golf Association (COJGA),...

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Gulf Shores Golf Association Launches New Tee Time Reservation System

(GULF SHORES, Ala.) – Gulf Shores Golf Association – a collection of nine popular, acclaimed courses located within 45 minutes of each other on Alabama’s Gulf Coast – has introduced a new Facebook tee time booking app. The app can be found at the Golf Gulf Shores Facebook page and allows golfers to select tee dates, times and price range. Tee times can also be made on the Golf Gulf Shores website, which features an updated, easily accessible interface, and on the mobile website version at m.golf.gulfshores.com, which features clickable sections for Play, Stay, Dine, Maps, Custom Quote and E-newsletter Signup. In addition, the nine destination partner courses now offer a mobile-enabled booking system from their individual websites. “With...

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Legacy Golf Club

The 18-hole Legacy course plays 7,233 yards from the longest tees for a par of 72. The course rating is 74.9 and it has a slope rating of 136. Designed by Arthur Hills, the Legacy golf course opened in 1990. Read the full review of the Legacy Golf Club Las Vega...

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Badlands Golf Club

The Badlands Golf Club course was designed by Johnny Miller, with some help from PGA golf legend, Chi Chi Rodriguez. It’s a beautiful golf course set among some of Nevada’s most amazing desert scenery. It offers an exciting day out for everyone from the novice golfer to the low handicap player. The Badlands Golf Club is also home to one of David Leadbetter’s Golf Academies. Read the full review of the Badlands Golf Clu...

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Arroyo Golf Club

The Arroyo Golf Club is nestled between the spectacular landscapes of Red Rock Canyon, one of Las Vegas' most famous natural landmarks, and panoramic views of the Las Vegas cityscape. The Arroyo Golf Club course is a blend of innovative design, great natural beauty, stratigic bunkering, dramatic water features and the stark contrast of lush emerald greens against the blinding desert terrain and mountain backdrop. Read the full review of the Arroyo Golf Cours...

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Aliante Golf Club Course, Las Vegas

The Aliante Golf Club Course plays a testy 7,022 yards from the back tees, and is highlighted by often tortuous bunkering, and trees not considered indigenous to the desert, including pear and purple locust. The bunkers have been strategically placed bunkers to compliment the rocky arroyo that comes into play on 14 of the 18 holes. Read the full review of the Aliente Golf Club Course, Las Vega...

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Sea Island is nirvana

It’s one of the top golf resorts in the world yet many have not heard of it, Vic Robbie explores the luxurious American hideaway that is Sea Island FINGERS of gold spread out across the 10th fairway at sunset and a piper in full Highland dress silhouetted by the ocean piped out the remains of the day while children gambolled around him.  Inside The Lodge in the convivial ambience of the Oak Room guests recounted their day’s exploits in a buzz of conversation fuelled by bartenders pouring generous measures from an extensive Scotch whisky menu.  As soon as we entered the grounds of the old cotton plantation with its impressive Avenue of Oaks, it was like stepping back in time helped by The Lodge’s exposed beams, hardwood...

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Ireland's top ten must-play courses

Ireland always has been a leading golfing destination but following the exploits of major winners, Harrington, McDowell, McIlroy and Clarke, it's attracting even more attention. Vic Robbie selects ten of the best SCOTLAND may be the Home of Golf but now Ireland is very much the Home of Champions. It is remarkable that Northern Ireland with a population of only 1.5 million has produced three different winners in the last six majors - Graeme McDowell (2010 US Open), Rory McIlroy (2011 US Open), and this year the 'old man' of the triumvirate at 42, Darren Clarke, adding The Open Championship to the haul. And don't forget, the Republic's Padraig Harrington won a treble of majors (the 2007 and 2008 Open titles and the 2008 US PGA Championship). What's...

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Golf’s Grand on the Strand

Myrtle Beach is a paradise for golfers where their every whim is catered for. Vic Robbie checks out why this area of South Carolina is often called the seaside capital of golf AS we rode into town there were signs everywhere ‘Welcome, all you shaggers’ which might have been disconcerting for those unacquainted with the American dance that is almost as addictive as golf itself. We had arrived in the middle of the Shagging Festival that attracts more than 70,000 shaggers to the South Carolina town of Myrtle Beach. But shag is not the main four-letter word here – golf rules in this town. You can’t get away from it. If ever there was a destination that caters to a golfer’s every whim it’s the Grand Strand, which stretches 70 miles from...

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