The National Golf Foundation reported that total rounds of golf played in the United States in 2020 were up by almost 14% over 2019 – setting a record for annual increases since 2012’s 5.7% surge.
With travel opening up, now is the best time to plan a well-deserved golf getaway. Here a re few destinations you might consider.
The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota (Sarasota, FL)
A luxury landmark on Florida’s central Gulf coast, The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota is conveniently located near the city center overlooking Sarasota Bay, just minutes from premier arts venues, nature sanctuaries, distinctive shopping, fishing, watersports, and the award-wining Ritz-Carlton Golf Club.
Located on 315 acres of lush, tropical landscape, this playable Tom Fazio designed 18-hole championship and award-winning course is magnificently sculpted to reflect the natural beauty of its environment. It features abundant elevation changes and picturesque lakes throughout, which is unique to a Sarasota golf course. The par-72 course resides an easy drive away from the resort at Lakewood Ranch and is an exclusive facility available only to resort guests and members of The Ritz-Carlton Members Club. With six sets of tees, from championship lengths of 7,417 yards to forward tees of 5,175 yards, golfers of all skill levels can play the course at a length that will challenge them.
Available to guests is:
- The innovative Caddie Concierge program, where a personal caddie is trained to anticipate your every need – providing professional course strategy and design information, as well as chilled, rum-and-lime-soaked oshibori towels, fresh-cut Florida citrus fruit, and preferred refreshments throughout the game.
- A full-service Grand Clubhouse with The Golf Club Grille and Bar, attendant-serviced gentlemen’s and ladies’ locker rooms, and golf shop.
- The Kids Play & Learn Program, which provides complimentary rentals & lessons with paying adult.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Kiawah Island, South Carolina)
South Carolina has more than 370 courses, which represents the most golf holes per capita in the United States! And one of the best known areas for golfing is, Kiawah Island, a barrier island 25 miles south of Charleston and is primarily a private beach and golf community. Named for the native Kiawah Indians, the island was developed into an upscale resort community that’s home to Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Here, a select group of private homes and resort villas provides travelers with the conveniences of home as well as the exemplary services and luxurious amenities of an award-winning resort. Guests renting villas and homes from the Resort receive exclusive benefits such as preferred access to recreational facilities, special rates, complimentary transportation and charging privileges. In addition to these carefully selected accommodations, your choice of lodging includes The Sanctuary at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, a magnificent oceanfront luxury hotel and spa and recipient of the prestigious Forbes Five Star Award.
- Kiawah Island Golf Resort has been the site of some of the most memorable tournaments in professional golf history – including the dramatic 1991 Ryder Cup, the 1997 and 2003 World Cups, the 2005 PGA Professional National Championship, the 2007 Senior PGA Championship, the prestigious 2012 PGA Championship, and most recently the 2021 PGA Championship. Offering five world-class golf courses designed by Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Gary Player and Clyde Johnston, Kiawah Island Golf Resort uses the Island’s unspoiled setting of rolling sand dunes, expansive saltwater marshes and tranquil maritime forests, to create a unique expression of golf’s varied challenges and rewards.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort (South Walton, Florida)
A 2,400-acre premier destination resort community located in Northwest Florida, founded in 1973 and a member of South Walton’s 16 beach communities. The area offers the most desirable year-round sand, surf and golf vacation experience in the Southeast. Sandestin offers visitors 72 holes of award-winning golf on four championship courses, including the Raven Golf Club, Burnt Pine Golf Club, The Links Golf Club and Baytowne Golf Club. All four of Sandestin’s courses were designed by world-renowned course architects. In fact, Sandestin is the only resort community with courses designed by both Jones brothers – Rees Jones (Burnt Pine) and Robert Trent Jones Jr. (Raven). Both The Links Golf Club and Baytowne Golf Club were designed by Tom Jackson. With this is mind, it is no surprise that the area has attracted high-profile events and competitions, including the Champions Tour and NCAA National Championships. Sandestin also provides guests of all ages and skill levels with instruction, courtesy of the Sandestin Golf Academy.
- Sandestin’s Golf Community: Unlike a hotel, the resort community has a collection of over 1,250 rentals, which includes studios to 4-bedroom units, condos, homes, villas, penthouses, and luxury rentals, giving buyers an enticing array of options, many of which are near golf clubs. Realtors have seen an extreme interest from buyers in Sandestin’s golf communities, especially within the past few months, as golf homes are becoming permanent residents. For those who are just visiting the area for a long golfing weekend, you also have four resort areas to choose from including Beachside, Bayside, Lakeside and the Village stretching from our postcard-perfect beach to tranquil Choctawhatchee Bay.
