NOT FOUND: golf buddy.jpgAs we slosh through this part of our rainy winter, a season when getting in nine holes of golf, let alone eighteen, is a tremendous joy, let’s take a look at some of the things we can do in this “down time”-- we can practice, practice and practice some more. That works for a while but I do think my wife is tired of me asking her to clear my line as I putt across the family room floor. Between practice sessions you can find some time to plan a golf excursion. There are some great golf trips for buddies that require advance planning as well as some local day trips that can be just as fun.
First of all, what constitutes a buddy trip? This would be a trip where a group of people plan to take a trip to a selected area of the country, based on golf as the central focus. The group can be all male, all female or groups with spouses; that is your choice. The trip can be as short as a day trip or an extravagant two week trek to Scotland with a goal to play all across the country. You can make it a tournament-style trip or just have fun and play as many courses as you can in a particular area. The greatest part is that you go with people you enjoy spending time with to play golf.
Buddy trips are a wonderful way to have both a great time and get some great deals. The only issue with this type of trip is in the details and the details are what make a trip marginal or fantastic. The first and most important decision needed, above and beyond anything else, is who is going to be the lead person on the trip. It will not work with more than one person heading up your group. Trust me; it can turn into a disaster.
At the outset, the lead person should welcome opinions from the rest of the travel team and do their best to make these opinions gel together. These are the types of questions that need to be asked with a deadline for response:
How much golf does the group want to play during the time frame of the trip?
How much money do you want to spend on golf?
Do you want to walk or take a cart on the courses?
If you want to walk, do you want a caddy?
Do you prefer to stay local or take road trips within the context of your trip?
Do you prefer to travel by taxi, van or bus?
Are you allergic to any type of food?
How much are you budgeting for the trip (exclusive of airfare)?
Once you get your fellow golfers responses, start building your trip. You shouldn’t ask for any more input while you are constructing the trip. You are the benevolent dictator who is now responsible for eight people’s happiness, including your own. We want this to be a positive and memorable experience for all. If you do the work early, you can enjoy the trip while you are there. Remember, you can’t please everyone and no one should be allowed to ruin the trip for the rest of the group.
Here are some great places to look if you are planning a far away trip within the USA: Bandon Dunes, Bandon, OR- Currently holds three of the top 50 courses in the US (rated by both Golf Digest and Golf Magazine) in Bandon Dunes, Pacific Dunes and Bandon Trails and has a fourth course, Old Macdonald, opening in April. They have accommodations on site and depending on the time you travel the rates can be very inexpensive. This is a golf Mecca and the courses are not easy. You are playing golf the “old school” way; no carts. Caddies are available and the winds can gust up to 50 mph. It is truly one of the most beautiful spots to play golf.
Monterey Peninsula, Monterey, CA- This is another golf Mecca. There are at least sixteen golf courses that I can think of in the Monterey Bay area! They range from the ultra private, Cypress Point, to the great public course, Pacific Grove. You also have the pricey Pebble Beach and Spyglass as well as the ultra affordable, if you join the Northern CA Golf Association, Poppy Hills ($45 a round!). There is also everything in between.
A Closer to Home option for a day trip is Auburn, CA. That’s right, I said Auburn, CA. There are six very nice courses in Auburn including The Ridge, Dark Horse, Winchester, Auburn Valley, Lake of the Pines and Black Oak (a tough 9-hole course). This is a great stay at home excursion that allows you to take three days of playing a 36 holes/day package. You will definitely be more than satisfied with the choices that are available.
Take some time and plan a trip or mini-trip and get out and enjoy the wonderful golf courses that are in and around Sacramento as well as out of the area. Remember, golf can keep you fit and give you time to catch up with friends when we are all so busy with life.