The appeal of golf is not limited to the game itself. A major part of it is the majestic, sprawling courses that belong to some of the most beautiful swaths of green land in the world. Few things in life can be compared to spending a day at a golf resort, enjoying the game, and the many additional amenities these places often offer up.
Plenty of coastal towns in the United States and abroad live off of the influx of golf tourists who flock over there to enjoy the sunshine combined with a healthy dose of gentlemanly competition. States like South Carolina or Florida are home to some of the best golf courses around, most of which are available to book at a moment’s notice.
You don’t need to be a professional player to enjoy the sport to its fullest. In the era of the internet, obtaining quality equipment at a fraction of its original price shouldn’t be a problem, either. In fact, the best budget golf clubs aren’t too far behind some of the higher-priced ones. If you’re not out to shell out a fortune on the weekend at one of the luxury courses, many places put together special golf packages to lure people in with additional benefits included in the cost.
Regardless of your skill level, you’re guaranteed to have a great time at one of the magical golf courses listed below!
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, US
As far as budget golf vacations go, Myrtle Beach is the place to be this summer. Not only are there dozens of golf courses, but the vast majority of them have put together an attractive golf package, which keeps the prices competitive and lets customers take their pick of beach golf resorts and free goodies they’re entitled to upon arrival.
Each package varies, and their contents often depend on the type of accommodation you’ve chosen. If you book a 3 bedroom apartment or one of the more luxurious golf villas, you may be treated to a free lunch or a steak dinner. Solo travelers or couples who opted for less sophisticated sleeping arrangements should still expect a nice little gift, such as 2 free beers or a discount on golf carts that can accommodate up to 4 golfers.
Los Cabos, Mexico
Ah, Cabo. The perfect place to visit when you’ve promised your family a trip abroad, but you don’t want to deal with the inconveniences that traveling to a foreign country often entails. Los Cabos is home to one of the most famous luxury golf courses in the world — One&Only Palmilla. Staying there may be an unforgettable experience, but you need to keep in mind that a weekend golf package for a couple will cost you over $2000.
Palmilla isn’t the only resort golf that’s played in Cabo. Places like Cabo del Sol and plenty of others are also looking to accommodate enthusiasts, and even though they don’t offer the same kind of luxuries as the One&Only, once you get out on one of the courses, you won’t be able to see the difference.
St Andrews, Scotland
As far as “magical” places go, St Andrews could easily claim the top spot. Located in Eastern Scotland, the Old Course is famous for being the first golf course in the world. On top of that, it is open to the public, which means that booking tee time over there is no easy feat. The reservations are ballot based, with slots being drawn months in advance, so you need to be quite lucky in order to play over there.
Don’t get discouraged, though. Scotland has many other beautiful golf courses to offer, such as the Trump Turnberry. If its association with the current president doesn’t bother you, there are few better courses in all of the United Kingdom. Due to its *commercial* nature, you may count on some sweet golf packages with your reservation.
Poggio Dei Medici Golf Resort, Italy
Stay and play golf resorts are plentiful in Italy, but not a lot of them can compete with Poggio del Medici. With world-class amenities and a renowned SPA, this place cannot be overlooked by any golfer planning a European excursion. Even if you’re not a fan of the so-called “resort golf”, you should seriously consider dropping your principles with that one.
If you book off-season, you may count on golf packages that will make your stay all the more pleasant. Even if it turns out all they can offer is a free lunch, only a madman would scoff at that. It’s Italy, after all.
Literally the Entire Coastline of Florida
Even though Disney World and elderly homes come to most people’s minds whenever someone mentions Florida (as well as some pretty bizarre news stories), the state has its fair share of quality beach golf resorts for every budget. Contrary to what Donald Trump might tell you, Mar-a-Lago isn’t the only place to enjoy your time off work in the company of golf clubs and your best buddies.
Due to the sheer amount of competition when it comes to golf in Florida, you’re almost guaranteed a golf package of 2 free beers and a steak dinner at most courses, if you travel as a couple. Groups of 4 golfers of more may count on more freebies that encompass their entire stay. Myrtle Beach aside, Florida is a no-brainer if you want to enjoy a fun golfing vacation on a budget.
Maciej Grzymkowski – an avid traveler with a particular affinity for Southeast Asia. Some of my favorite sports include trekking, football, and golf. I’m a strong believer in outdoor gyms, as I think everybody should have full, uninhibited access to basic exercise equipment.
