A Canadian Rockies golf vacation could very well be the most memorable holiday you’ll ever take! The Canadian Rockies truly are one of the top natural wonders of the world, internationally renowned for the stunning scenery, the sparkling clean air, and the quiet of unspoiled wilderness. This is as close as it gets to paradise on earth.
Snow-gilded mountain peaks, gem-like lakes, lush green river valleys and wide blue western skies are almost scenery clichés, but on your Canadian Rockies golf vacation this is reality. Golfers from around the world come to just stand and stare at one of nature’s crowning achievements. The fact that you’ll be playing golf in such a fabulous setting is just the icing on the cake. Of course, the numerous world-class golf courses in the area take full advantage of their gorgeous settings.
Verdant fairways weave themselves around glacier-fed streams and towering stands of evergreens, and often the greens themselves are back-dropped by achingly beautiful vistas. If there is a heaven, surely it must look like this! In such circumstances, it can be very difficult to concentrate on your golf game.
There are a wide variety of golf courses to choose from, all of them fabulous in their own unique way. Stanley Thompson, Canada’s master golf architect, designed the Fairmont Banff Springs Golf Course in 1928. He sensitively incorporated the natural scenic splendour into his design. The course winds along beside the pristine wilderness of the Bow River overlooked by the snow-capped peaks of Sulphur Mountain and Mount Rundle. This amazing course will both challenge and delight you.
SCOREGolf Magazine rates the Jasper Park Lodge Golf Club as the #1 Best Golf Resort in Canada with good reason. Designed in the 1920’s by Stanley Thompson, few golf courses in the world can match the rugged majesty of this national treasure. The design features wide fairways carved through thick forest, dramatic bunkering and holes aligned with distant mountain vistas. It presents a cunning blend of beautiful landscapes and challenging terrain.
Of course, a Canadian Rockies golf vacation would be incomplete without luxurious accommodations, fine dining, unique shopping experiences and pampering spas. Fortunately, resorts like Banff and Jasper in the Canadian Rockies have been offering these amenities for well over a century, all in a unique manner. Hedonistic luxury in the heart of spectacular unspoiled wilderness is now a Canadian Rockies tradition.
About the author
Copyright 2007 – Golf Canada’s West. Author K. Gordon Schultz is President of the http://www.GolfCanadasWest.com K. Gordon Schultz is president of Canmore Golf & Curling Club and the founder of Golf Canada’s West – Customized Golf Vacations. His company offers customized golf vacations packages to Alberta and British Columbia being the Western Canada’s leading golf vacation specialist. Toll free 877 323 3633, or visit http://www.GolfCanadasWest.com
Have you ever considered a golf school vacation as a way of combining your vacation with a means of improving your game?
Has your game been letting you down lately, or have you finished the season on a bit of a low, feeling a bit down with your rising scores and reducing length? How about a winter vacation down south while your own club is closed for the winter?
Some courses are open all year round, especially the desert courses in Nevada and Arizona. A vacation in Scottsdale or Phoenix might be an ideal way for you to get some of these bad habits sorted out, or have your swing properly analyzed and corrected, before the spring comes around again. Just imaging the look on your foursome’s faces as you hammer that ball 300 yards down the fairway, as straight as a die!
There are many golf schools around that can give you a week’s coaching, and most are equipped with the latest video imaging techniques with biometric swing analysis that can diagnose exactly where you are going wrong. The right coaching can resolve your swing problem and add yards to your length. You can spend all winter hacking balls down a driving range without improving your game one iota if you don’t know exactly what your problem is. What you need is a professional golf coach to give your game a check over and find out what parts of your game need improved.
That takes professional equipment, and slow motion video replay of your swing can detect what is wrong with your swing mechanics. You might also need some specialized fitness training. Sometimes all this is needed to get your game back to where it should be is some proper golf-specific strength and stretching training. It’s no good just pumping iron in gym because that won’t help your golf game. You need to exercise all the muscles you use when swinging a golf club, and that involves specialized exercises.
You have several options in golf school vacations. You and your golf buddies can take a week in Vegas, getting your golf problems sorted out in the day, and enjoying some time on the tables at night. Or even take in a show or two. There are some excellent golf schools in and around Las Vegas that also offer accommodation in of the Vegas hotels. You have Bird schools and Butch Harmon among lots of others, each offering great five star accommodation.
How about fitting in some winter sports and heading off to the David Leadbetter Academy in Vail, Colorado – more popular than Aspen, but there are also golf schools in Aspen if you prefer. Mix your golf coaching with some skiing or snowboarding. However, if you like it hot, try one of the desert courses in Arizona. That might be a unique experience for you, especially if you get your swing sorted out as part of the deal.
If you have the family with you, Florida or the Carolina Grand Strand will keep the kids happy, while you and your partner get some coaching, or perhaps he or she wants to take advantage of the beach or fit in some shopping. Myrtle Beach is fabulous for both.
Whatever you choose, whether it is a full two week vacation with continuous coaching, or just a weekend away for some professional swing analysis, make sure you know what you want, and set your self a budget. The best golf schools have one on one coaching, or last two pupils per teacher. Some run to four or more, but you get what you pay for. Check out the golf course, and try to negotiate some free rounds after the coaching.
If you can arrange to get your coaching off-season, it might be a lot less expensive, and the resorts are usually a lot cheaper then too. Never accept the price offered, but ask what discounts are available. You can often get something knocked off the price. Make sure that the vacation suits everybody and you know exactly what you are getting. There is nothing worse than your partner and children hanging around all day with nothing to do, stuck in a poor golf resort with nothing around for miles.
Whatever you choose, it is going to be worth it as you step up to that first tee after the winter break, pull out your driver and know that you are going to amaze your buddies with your new form. They will be green with envy at that 30 yards you have improved by – and all without a hint of that slice that was plaguing you all last season.
This is the last of 3 articles on the top 25 golf vacations in the States.
17. Destin
The Jewel of the Emerald Coast is the name that is given to Destin because it has water that is emerald blue in colors and lovely white sandy beaches. It was once a tiny fishing village but now it has become a well-known destination for golf, tennis and beaches. There are four excellent golf courses in the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort and they are The Raven, The Links, Burnt Pine and Baytowne. You can consider staying at Days Inn or Emerald towers.
18. Dallas- Fort Worth
Here you will find golf courses that are private, semi-private and public. It is a place where you can expect finest golf courses. Apart from golf courses there are public parks and lakes, museums and different other types of entertainment. You can stay at the Crowne Plaza Suites Arlington.
19. Columbus in Ohio
There are more that 80 public golf courses and 35 private courses in Columbus. According to the Golf Digest in the year 1993, EagleSticks Championship 18 holes course was the top public golf course in Ohio. When in Columbus you can stay at Hyatt Regency, Crowne Plaza Hotel or Hampton Inn and Suites.
20. Colorado Springs
Apart from the Seven Falls, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Garden of Gods, Colorado Springs is also famous for its golf courses. It does not have many golf courses but still, it’s the quality that counts and not the quantity. The scenery in Colorado Springs is excellent and the beauty is there is natural and not artificial. You can stay at The Broadmoor Hotel or Sheraton Colorado Springs Hotel.
21. Coeur d’Alene
It is a town which is considered as the promising location for golf courses. Accommodation at any of the four well-known and excellent resorts would be worth it: Coeur d’Alene Resort, Stoneridge in Blanchard, Hidden Lakes in Sandpoint and Highlands in neighboring Post Falls. The magnificent Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course has been built near the lake, creek and hills. There are lovely lowers, fairways and greenery here. It is one great place to relax too.
22. Chicago Suburbs
On the suburbs of Chicago there are more than a hundred and ten golf courses. There are also a huge number of championship courses that have 36 or more holes. After playing golf there are other forms of entertainment as the city of Chicago has a huge number of entertainments. The Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites or Hilton Garden Inn are places to stay in if you happen to be on a golf vacation in Chicago.
23. Austin
Apart from being the Live Music Capital of the world, Austin is also one great place to go for a golf vacation. You will find four excellent award winning courses in Austin at the Bartin Creek Golf Resort. These courses are the traditional Crenshar Cliffside, the lovely Palmer lakeside, the latest Fazio Canyons and the high-ranking Fazio Foothills. As for the accommodation, you can stay at Omni Hotel, the Driskill Hotel or the Intercontinental Stephen F Austin Hotel.
24. Augusta
This is one town that will give golfers the feel of pro golf legends and pro golf. Here there are public as well as private golf courses. You can stay at the Marriot Augusta Hotel, Ramada inn and Convention Center or Country Inn and Suites.
25. Atlanta
You will find a huge number of excellent golf courses in Atlanta. Apart from golf there are water parks, theme parks and various historical places.
If you love golf, a golf vacation might be something that you like to do on a regular basis. For the avid golfer, the thought of going on a golf vacation where you do nothing but golf is the idea of heaven. Here are a few things to consider before you take your next golf vacation.
First, it’s always good to go on vacation with people who share your love of golf. Most often a golf vacation turns into a buddy trip, but there’s really nothing wrong with that. But make sure that you pick a destination that everyone can agree on. Take a vote if you must, but be sure everyone wants to go to the same place and that everyone can afford it.
You will also want to take into consideration everyone’s playing abilities when you plan a golf vacation. Someone with a 3 handicap will enjoy a challenging course while a person with a 13 handicap will likely just get frustrated and mad on the same course.
As a general rule when planning a golf vacation, you should consider the courses first and the accommodations next. Resorts, especially those with quality golf courses, are expensive. But all in all, if golf is a main purpose or highlight of your trip, decide where you want to play first, and then decide on accommodations. You can take a golf vacation where you stay at a hotel to gain access to a course and then move to a less expensive hotel later. It’s an inconvenience to have to repack and move during the trip, but can be well worth it in order to play top courses while not spending the entire vacation at posh resort prices.
Even if you are staying at a resort hotel which gives you access to its courses, find out how far ahead of your arrival date you can book tee times. All courses have specific rules for when they will make tee times, which you should take note of and follow carefully.
Some courses even have specific times you must call to reserve your time (e.g., between 7 and 9 a.m. on the Thursday eight days before the weekend you wish to play), though most guidelines are usually more general (e.g., a week before you wish to play or up to sixty days ahead).
You should book as far as ahead as possible, especially for high demand courses. Even as a resort guest, if the course is popular, you may be out of luck if you wait until a few days before arrival or check-in time to get a tee time
Once you’ve embarked on your golf vacation and are ready to play the courses you’ve chosen, don’t just jump right in with the excitement that we know you feel. You must take time to get a feel for the course and stretch properly. Arrive at the course well before your tee time to avoid feeling rushed and look around. Check out the scorecard to see the layout of the course and perhaps talk to the course pro to see if he or she has any advice for you.
A golf vacation is a great way for the golfer to enjoy some of the best courses our country has to offer. So plan carefully and then get out there and have some fun.
About the Author
Ian Botham runs his own online sports goods mail order business as well as several sports related websites. Check out these great Golf Guide tips and techniques as well as these great Golf Vacation articles and resources. http://www.TheUltimateGuideToGolf.com
If you love golf, a golf vacation might be something that you like to do on a regular basis. For the avid golfer, the thought of going on a golf vacation where you do nothing but golf is the idea of heaven. Here are a few things to consider before you take your next golf vacation.
First, it’s always good to go on vacation with people who share your love of golf. Most often a golf vacation turns into a buddy trip, but there’s really nothing wrong with that. But make sure that you pick a destination that everyone can agree on. Take a vote if you must, but be sure everyone wants to go to the same place and that everyone can afford it.
You will also want to take into consideration everyone’s playing abilities when you plan a golf vacation. Someone with a 3 handicap will enjoy a challenging course while a person with a 13 handicap will likely just get frustrated and mad on the same course.
As a general rule when planning a golf vacation, you should consider the courses first and the accommodations next. Resorts, especially those with quality golf courses, are expensive. But all in all, if golf is a main purpose or highlight of your trip, decide where you want to play first, and then decide on accommodations. You can take a golf vacation where you stay at a hotel to gain access to a course and then move to a less expensive hotel later. It’s an inconvenience to have to repack and move during the trip, but can be well worth it in order to play top courses while not spending the entire vacation at posh resort prices.
Even if you are staying at a resort hotel which gives you access to its courses, find out how far ahead of your arrival date you can book tee times. All courses have specific rules for when they will make tee times, which you should take note of and follow carefully.
Some courses even have specific times you must call to reserve your time (e.g., between 7 and 9 a.m. on the Thursday eight days before the weekend you wish to play), though most guidelines are usually more general (e.g., a week before you wish to play or up to sixty days ahead).
You should book as far as ahead as possible, especially for high demand courses. Even as a resort guest, if the course is popular, you may be out of luck if you wait until a few days before arrival or check-in time to get a tee time
Once you’ve embarked on your golf vacation and are ready to play the courses you’ve chosen, don’t just jump right in with the excitement that we know you feel. You must take time to get a feel for the course and stretch properly. Arrive at the course well before your tee time to avoid feeling rushed and look around. Check out the scorecard to see the layout of the course and perhaps talk to the course pro to see if he or she has any advice for you.
A golf vacation is a great way for the golfer to enjoy some of the best courses our country has to offer. So plan carefully and then get out there and have some fun.
By Ian Botham
Ian Botham runs his own online sports goods mail order business as well as several sports related websites. http://www.TheUltimateGuideToGolf.com
