Ultimate Guide to Fall Golf Trips: Best Courses and Tips

More than 34 million people played golf last year, including 24.3 million who played on a course and another 9.9 million who participated in off-course activities like simulators, Topgolf, or driving ranges. Women represented about 23 percent of on-course golfers, according to data from the National Golf Foundation. Professionals like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have become well-known sports celebrities who have attracted new players to the game.

The Intersection of Golf and Travel

Golf and travel go hand in hand, with a scenic or storied course often providing the impetus for a trip to a faraway destination. A bucket list item for many golfers is a round at St. Andrews in Scotland where golf began, while others might choose resorts featuring ocean views, forested fairways, and après golf luxuries that enhance the overall experience. Furthermore, some golf enthusiasts travel to unique vacation spots to play on a new course while also focusing on improving their skills. Notable learning facilities include The Kingdom at Reynolds Lake Oconee’s Kingdom of Golf and the Hualalai Golf Hale at the Four Seasons Resort Hualalai on Hawaii’s Big Island.

Navigating Health Guidelines with Golf

Amid ongoing health concerns, golf remains an ideal sport for social distancing. Many golfers enjoy playing alone, either walking the course or riding in a golf cart. With some minor adjustments, players can still enjoy a round while adhering to health guidelines. For instance, touch points like bunker rakes and flagsticks should be avoided, and modifications to holes help minimize contact when retrieving golf balls. Most courses now enforce one golfer per golf cart—unless the other individual is from the same household—making it quite accommodating. Additionally, being active outdoors in expansive, open spaces is a significant benefit.

Changes in Professional Tournaments

Professional tournaments have also evolved. Following the cancellation of the March PGA TOUR Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, many events have been postponed and are now played without spectators, a substantial modification driven by COVID-19. The season-long competition for the Wyndham Rewards Top 10 concluded recently at Sedgefield Country Club in North Carolina. The U.S. Open, which usually takes place in June, is rescheduled for September at Winged Foot Golf Club in Mamaroneck, New York. One highly anticipated event is The Masters, traditionally an April spectacle full of golfing tradition, which will now occur in mid-November in Augusta, Georgia. Each of these events would have made for exciting destinations for golf travel as they have in past years.

Planning an Ideal Golf Road Trip

Within and around every major city, golfers have an abundance of courses to choose from for their golf vacation. Simply pack your clubs in the car and hit the road for unmatched convenience. Membership at a country club or exorbitant greens fees are not necessary. In fact, 76 percent of U.S. golf facilities are open to the public, with many charging under $50 per round, according to the National Golf Foundation. Here are some excellent suggestions for a memorable golf vacation, with countless others available to fit your budget, skills, and interests:

• Massanutten Resort in Massanutten, Virginia, features two 18-hole courses, tree-lined fairways, and over 6,000 acres of picturesque mountain landscapes.
• Seaview, a Dolce Hotel in Galloway, New Jersey, is nestled in 670 acres of secluded woodlands with two 18-hole courses and a fun nine-hole putting course for added enjoyment.
• Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale, Missouri, boasts a variety of golf offerings, including a Jack Nicklaus signature par 3 course and Payne’s Valley designed by Tiger Woods.
• Casino del Sol in Tucson, Arizona, showcases Sewailo, set in the stunning Sonoran Desert landscape amidst lakes and streams, surrounded by mountains.
• Pronghorn Resort in Bend, Oregon, features two breathtaking courses with views of the Cascade Mountains, canyon vistas, and ancient lava formations.
• Monarch Beach Resort in Dana Point, California, presents a Scottish links-style course set along the stunning Pacific Ocean.
• The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, nestled in the picturesque Cheyenne Mountain foothills, offers two courses amidst mountain vistas and tree-lined fairways.
• Sea Island Resort on Georgia’s coast features three scenic courses and an appealing 18-hole putting course designed by Pro David Love III.
• Pebble Beach on California’s renowned Monterey Peninsula, a must-visit for many golfers, offers a selection of accommodations and access to several legendary courses.