For golf vacations, careful planning a must
When Eric Baldwin needs a break from his job as director of the Deutsche Bank Championship, the local PGA Tour stop that wraps up tomorrow in Norton, what does he do?
Naturally, the 35-year-old grabs his clubs and hits the golf course. But not just any 18 holes will do.
Having played more than 50 courses worldwide, a tour that has taken him from sunny Hawaii to windswept Ireland and from the mountains of western Canada to the sandy beaches of the Bahamas, Baldwin is a big fan of golf vacations.
``There are so many great courses out there," he says. ``The opportunities are almost endless."
There are approximately 32,000 golf courses worldwide, with 17,000 in the United States alone, according to Mintel International Group, a Chicago market research firm that estimates the global golf tourism business is worth $17.5 billion.
``The beauty of golf [vacations] is being able to showcase where you've been," Baldwin says. ``Golfers love to tell their friends all about the courses they've played."
The first task, says Baldwin, is to select a destination. With championship-quality courses located across the United States and abroad, it's not easy. Baldwin is hard-wired into the world of professional golf, but he says he still gets his best tips about vacation spots by talking to fellow golfers and by scouring the Internet for information.
Sites he recommends: Golf.com, Travel and Leisure Golf magazine (www.travelandleisure.com/tlgolf), and Links magazine (www.linksmagazine.com).
``Word of mouth is the most important source of information in the golf industry," he says. ``It transcends everything."
Baldwin spent part of his honeymoon golfing on the Hawaiian island of Lanai. He also took a memorable vacation to Ireland, where he traveled down the southwest coast, playing famous courses like Old Head and Ballybunion.
Weather should also play a role in your decision.
``I suggest hugging the coasts during the summer months," Baldwin says. ``Sea Island in Georgia and Kiawah Island in South Carolina are really nice in the summer. Florida and Arizona tend to be better for the perimeter months of the fall and spring."
Next, you have to select where you want to stay and which courses you want to play. Many golfers, Baldwin says, prefer the convenience of all-inclusive resorts, which often have one or more courses on the property and offer packages that include accommodations, meals, and golf for a single flat fee.
A good example is Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina, which features eight courses, including Pinehurst No. 2, site of the 1999 and 2005 US Open Championships.
``For families, that can be the best option because you can walk to dinner, walk to the pool or beach, and play a round of golf, and never be too far away from each other," Baldwin says.
If you plan to take a series of day trips to different courses, Baldwin suggests staying in a central location to reduce travel time. When rounds can take as long as five hours, you don't want to waste your day driving, he says.
When it comes to packing for a golf trip, Baldwin has two simple rules: Bring a good travel bag for your clubs, preferably one with wheels, and pack light.
``There's no need to bring every club you own," he says. ``Extra stuff just becomes an extra burden. The purpose is to have fun and enjoy your vacation and your golf."
