Plan Your Next Golf Vacation in the Tampa Bay Area

If you're a golfer who's planning a vacation focused on your favorite pastime, it can be difficult to decide where to go. After all, there are outstanding courses all over the United States - the particularly famous ones at Pebble Beach or Augusta may come to mind - but when you want the whole package of beautiful weather, excellent courses, and top-notch hospitality, Tampa Bay is the place to turn. Located in the middle of Florida's west coast, in close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the area enjoys gorgeous summers and lovely, mild winters that are sure to please. After all, what could be a better alternative to slogging through a dreary gray winter in the Northeast or Midwest than playing a few holes in the Florida sunshine?

If you plan to fly into town, you won't need to go far to make tee time because the Westchase Golf Club is right around the corner. Not only does the club provide GPS on every golf cart, but they keep the course very well maintained so the fairways are always challenging and the greens are always smooth. On the other hand, if you plan to stay or visit in North Tampa or anywhere near the University of South Florida, you may want to visit the Pebble Creek Golf Club, which sports an 18-hole, 71-par course that has recently undergone a massive $2 million upgrade and has new sand bunkers to challenge every golfer.

If you would rather stay at a resort that offers golfing onsite, you can always look to Saddlebrook, with its 800 rooms and suites. Saddlebrook is located 30 miles north of Tampa, in Wesley Chapel away from the bustle of the Tampa metropolitan area. The resort offers two golf courses for your enjoyment, both of which were designed by PGA legend Arnold Palmer. You can also utilize the 3.5-acre driving range and browse through the well-stocked Pro Shop, in addition to taking in all of the resort's other amenities.

Although all of these courses offer excellent opportunities for golfing fun, the crown jewel of Florida's golfing options is the Innisbrook Resort. Located in beautiful Clearwater, this golf resort has been recently renovated and is well known for hosting an annual PGA championship. The Innisbrook Resort has four courses to choose from, all of which were designed by architect Lawrence Packard, including the highly rated Copperhead course. One of the other courses, the Island, offers the opportunity to take on a unique layout with more than 70 feet of elevation changes - a true treat in the usually flat Florida landscape.

Tampa Bay's collection of courses isn't only challenging, but even allows you to experience a bit of the natural environment, with cypress, pine, and oak trees lining the fairways, as well as the occasional glimpse of Florida wildlife. Of course, if you're looking for other activities after you finish the 18th hole, you can visit one of the many local parks or beaches to witness more of the area's natural beauty. You can go for a swim, take a short fishing trip, or hike a nature trail to rejuvenate the mind and make the most of your time in Tampa Bay.

Beyond the palm-lined icons of the PGA Tour, Florida golf offers a surprising array of styles and scenes. Here are five of the state's finest overlooked resorts, ...

Popular Vegetarian Resorts in Mahableshwar

Mahableshwar is a popular hill station, located in Satara district of Maharashtra, about 120 km from Pune. It is a scenic destination, nestled between the Sahyadri Mountains and the Western Ghats. It is most frequented by tourists from Mumbai and Pune, offering a much needed break from the hectic city life. Situated at a height of 4,718 feet, the climate in Mahableshwar is pleasant most of the times during the year, only becoming colder in the winters.

Except monsoon, any time of the year is suitable to visit Mahableshwar. Though the flora and fauna is at its peak with lush, green forests and hills, the heavy rains can hamper the experience. Some sightseeing spots worth visiting in Mahableshwar are The Sunset Point, Arthur's Seat, Lodwick Point, Connaught Peak, Venna Lake and the Lingmala Falls. One must also not forget to visit the strawberry gardens and the historical Pratapgarh Fort, which is at a distance of 25 km from Mahableshwar.

Owing to the vast number of tourists visiting the hill station, many hotels and resorts have come up in Mahableshwar in recent times. On popular demand, some of them have a purely vegetarian kitchen. Some of the popular ones are:

Hotel Lake View 

Hotel Lake View is a cottage resort about 1 KM from the main market area. Located not very far from the lake, this hotel consists of a cluster of cottages spread over a total area of 3 acres. Surrounding the cottages are trees and lush, green lawns. It has a pure vegetarian kitchen. It also has a state-of-the-art swimming pool, said to be one of the best in Mahableshwar. Rates range from Rs. 12,000 to Rs. 18,000 per couple for two nights. A Jacuzzi and the option of indoor games are some of the extra attributes.

Saj Resort 

It is located about 2 km from Mahableshwar's Venna Lake. It is spread over 5 acres, offering spectacular views of the hill station. It has all the required amenities for recreation like swimming pool, children's park, spa and massage facilities and a small discotheque. It also has gardens and lawns to host banquet dinners and wedding parties. The food is strictly vegetarian. It has a café' and a restaurant specializing in serving Gujarati and Rajasthani fare.

Hotel Pratap heritage 

This is a heritage hotel located on valley view road, in close proximity to the main market area. It has a total of 30 rooms, with an overnight capacity of 125 people. The in-house restaurant serves pure vegetarian fare. Along with all the basic amenities of a good hotel, it also offers sight-seeing facility. Like other major hotels, it also has a swimming pool. Rates are pretty reasonable. The hotel also arranges for cars on rent.

What Makes Myrtle Beach So Popular for Golfers?

It is no surprise that Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular golf destinations in the world. Located in sunny, coastal South Carolina, this community contains the nation's leading golf courses, is home to many annual tournaments and events, and boasts mild, enjoyable weather pretty much year round. With so much to offer, it is no wonder that so many professionals, enthusiasts and tournaments flock to this region to savor all of the golf goodness the city has to offer.

The region lends itself to great courses, beautiful scenery, and ideal golf weather year round. Not only is it a major region of golfers, it also draws all kinds of tourism year round. Myrtle Beach is located on an extensive stretch of beautiful, pristine beaches in South Caroline and boasts a warm subtropical climate which keeps weather pleasant in for playing golf most of the year. This makes the area a hot spot for both vacationers and lovers of the game.

In addition to great year round weather, Myrtle Beach is also popular for golfers because it is home to some of the nation's best courses. In addition to top courses, there are also a wide variety of courses on all different skill levels for golfers to choose from. One such course is the International Club of Myrtle Beach. Designed by William Byrd in 2000, this par 72 double tee course has smooth rolling slopes and features a tree lined magnificent course with great views. This is just one of the highly sought after professionally designed courses Myrtle Beach has to offer. In fact, there are dozens of great courses from fun to challenging, public, private, etc. There are so many different options that each golfer is able to find what they are looking for in a course.

With a long list of courses and outstanding weather, one can understand why there are so many annual tournaments in the area and year round golfing events. A variety of tournaments and events are held in Myrtle Beach annually with participants from all over the world in attendance. There are tournaments for every level of golfer and events happening at all times throughout the year. It is clear to see why this is a popular golf destination. Abundant, beautiful weather, great courses, year round events, pristine coastal views and scenery all lend themselves to this Southern Carolina city being the golfing destination for among golfers all over the world.

Family Friendly Hotels by Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach

Myrtle Beach is a coastal community located in South Carolina and is one of the top golf vacation destinations in the world. If you are planning a golf getaway and want to include the whole family, you can find lots of family friendly hotels with a variety of options for your whole family. There are no shortages of great lodging and tons of fun amenities for you and your family to enjoy while staying in Myrtle Beach.

One of the top rated golf side villas which you'll find is perfect for the whole family is the Barefoot Villas. It overlooks a scenic golf course and feature several great amenities. This resort features 2 bedroom 2 bath units which are big enough for the whole family to enjoy and have their own space. These units also have full kitchens and washers and dryers. Families above all appreciate being able to do laundry and eat in privacy with small children. There is a shuttle to the beach cabana, pools, a cook-out area, tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, and access to four championship golf courses all in the area. This is a great resort for the family to be able to have fun and relax, but still be centrally located right in the golf action.

Another option for golf side lodging is the Grand Villas at World Tour. This resort features one, two, three and four bedroom condominiums which is great for families of all sizes. Each unit also features a gourmet kitchen and great views of the golf course with scenic surroundings. This is a full service resort so you get the privacy of a condominium but the amenities that a full resort offers. Your family will be able to relax in privacy but still benefit from having a resort style experience, and all surrounded by a beautiful golf course.

There are so many more options for lodging near golf courses for your family's Myrtle Beach golf getaway. You can be right in the heart of all of the golf action but still have a great resort that is fun for the whole family. In fact, you can find just about anything you are looking for no matter the size of your family, your budget or your golfing preferences. Make your stay in Myrtle Beach a family vacation to remember by selecting one of the many great golf side accommodations this golfing capital has to offer your family.

Factors to Think Through When Choosing a Resort

There are different resorts in the city that cater for different people with different needs. If you look around, you are likely to get a resort that appeals to your personal need. To make your search easy, you can consider getting in touch with a travel professional to help you determine the most important issues to you. For instance, if you or one of your family members or friends is handicapped, you may need to consider handicapped accessible resorts. If you are on medication, you may need to find a resort that offers refrigeration to store your medications. A careful consideration of the location will translate into a great vacation for you and everyone else involved. The main important factors to think through when choosing the resort include:

· Budget

Taking into consideration the prevailing economic condition, one of the most important items to consider when choosing weekend getaways is your budget. It is advisable to determine how much you can spend comfortably. Some of the things to consider include the cost of getting the family to the location, the amount of lodging you will need and the amount of money you will need for meals and other activities. If you are planning to fly to the location, determine the fees of the baggage likely to be charged by the airline. If you will be driving to the vacation destination, consider the vehicles maintenance costs for the trip. There are different resorts that offer different price ranges. This difference in price is revealed in the food quality, condition of the hotel rooms, appearance of the location and entertainment.

· Location

It is important to consider where the vacation destination is. Furthermore, consider any change of planes and how long the flight or drive will take to the destination. This will obviously have a bearing on your budget and the amount of time you get to spend at the vacationing site. If you prefer to be in a remote area, far from the distractions and stress of city life you may choose a resort away from the city. However, if you prefer nightlife and shopping you may consider a resort in the city.

· Length of stay

When determining the vacation site it is important to consider the amount of time you are considering spending your vacation. Determine the time required to travel to and fro to the destination. Therefore, if you are considering a weekend getaway, it may not be a good idea to travel 2 thousand miles away. Choose a farther destination for longer outings and a closer location for shorter trips.

· Activities available

When choosing a vacationing site for your family it is important to consider the activities available in the site. The main reason for choosing a vacation for the family is to find time to relax and to reconnect together. Select a location that offers many interesting activities that you can do together. However, you must be careful to avoid too many activities that leave everyone worn out. As you consider the activities it is important to consider the hobbies and interests of everybody.

· Age appropriateness

Some vacation destinations are not recommended for children. For example if you have an infant, a theme park may not be the best destination. It is important to find out whether the destination has adequate facilities such as cribs and bedding. If you are bottle feeding, you need to choose a room with a refrigerator to store formula. It is equally important to find out whether evening babysitting is available.

Travel Tips For Myrtle Beach Golf

A golf getaway in beautiful Myrtle Beach is a great place to plan an enjoyable vacation. Located in coastal South Carolina, this golfing capital boasts ideal golfing weather year round and is home to some of the world's best courses. In addition to golf, the city lends itself to tourism year round with its beautiful scenery, extensive beaches and family friendly attractions. With a wide variety of activity, it is no wonder professional golfers, tournaments, and vacationers flock to the area. However perfect it may be, having a few key tips beforehand is crucial for maximizing the ultimate Myrtle Beach golf experience.

Golfing 

It is no secret that Myrtle Beach is home to some of the world's top courses. Many are designed by professional golfers and well known course designers like Willard Byrd, for example. However, amateur golfers and beginners need not be intimidated, as there are plenty of courses for every level of golfer. One great example of a scenic, professionally designed course is the River's Edge. Set in an expansive, beautiful spread, River's Edge offers full river side views and tons marsh grasses along the course. In fact, it highly ranked with 4.5 stars, is award winning, and was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer! The best part is, this is just one of the many great, professionally designed options the area has to offer.

Lodging 

Being that Myrtle Beach is a vacation destination means it is home to a wide variety of lodging. There are many options within close range to the heart of the golfing action. From resorts with lazy rivers, to private villas, there is something for everyone in Myrtle Beach, and a lot of family friendly options, too. Of course many golfers want to be on the beach itself! The Springmaid Beach Resort is a prime example of classic beach side lodging. Located right on the beach with nearly 500 ocean view rooms, 6 pools, and a multitude of amenities, this resort is truly a gem. Of course there are other options too, and even a few secluded options off the beaten path - a little something for everyone.

Golfing Packages 

When it comes to golfing getaways, there are many websites that specialize in bundling golf vacations into packages. These include a wide variety of options such as golf outings, golf and lodging deals, family friendly deals, etc. The beneficial thing about this is that all of the details are taken care of by experts in the field. This saves vacationers time and money and the hassle of doing it themselves. In addition, professional vacation planners select the best courses and hotels based on client's needs. It's a win-win situation and a great way to book a total golf experience.

Will A Beachside Villa Be The Right Option For Your Holiday?

If you are planning your holidays to a beach-side villa for the upcoming summer season, then you first need to consider whether it will be the right option for you or not. Beach-side villas are very costly and their maintenance is also very bulky. If you have a low-budget, then you might not be able to handle living in a villa. It is therefore very crucial that before making a final decision, you figure out whether you will be able to afford a villa or not. Below are some characteristic features of a beach-side villa and you must consider them before making any move.

Costly 

A regular villa might not be very costly but beach-side villas are. They are costly because of the facilities they provide to the people who move in and therefore you need to make sure whether you can afford one or not. People often book a holiday villa online and end up paying more than the agreed price on papers. That is not something that you should be facing too. You got to be practical here.

Maintenance intensive 

Villas ask for a lot of maintenance and for living in one of them, you should be having the money to handle those expenses. During the summertime, beach-side villas trap a lot of heat and therefore you will be provided with a passage ventilation facility that will keep the insides cool enough for you to live. This particular facility is the costliest among others as it cools down the place by cutting down excess heat.

Old fashioned facilities 

If you are used to modern-day equipments for cooking your food or for washing your clothes, then you might not get all these facilities in a villa. All available facilities will be old-fashioned and might not suit your taste.

Temperate atmosphere 

Cities normally have the right kind of atmosphere as they are situated far off from the oceans. But on a beach-side villa, you will have to face temperate atmosphere since the originated winds and clouds strike the beach first. If you are not used to that kind of atmosphere, then you better stay away otherwise it will get sick in a day or two.

So these are some characteristic features of a beach-side villa. A villa is not something that you should take lightly. Before you make any decision, you must research thoroughly about rental villas and beach-side villas so that you can pick the most suitable one for your holidays. Holiday planning should be done on the basis of your affordability as things will happen only if you have money in your pockets. Make sure that you don't take advices from anyone as it will confuse you for the available options. If you need someone to talk to, then you must get in touch with a professional expert as he/she would be able to guide you better. If you want to know more about these villas, then you can also take help from the internet facility as it will give all the answers you need.

Are You Booking an Irish Golf Tour for 2015/2016?

If you have been given the god awful job to organize the boys or girls golf tour Ireland or wherever else for 2015/2016! You must read my following points, because I would like to share with you a few of my thoughts that will help you plan a great golf trip for everyone to enjoy. I am going to outline a couple of the crucial aspects that will ensure you won't make a complete disaster of the task at hand. In this piece I will be focusing on helping you with building a great Irish Golf Tour.

Create a check list... If you do nothing else, just create a check list. Detail; golf courses, transportations, accommodation, the great places to eat at every stop, great shopping, what sights to see, research Irish sporting events and whatever else you think the group would like to do?

You must obtain the groups consensus for which golf courses they would really like to play? But be realistic and trust me; the idea of playing Waterville and Royal Portrush in the same trip sounds great, but there a lot of travelling between those golf courses and you will lose too much time travelling, when you could be playing golf.

Before you nail down where you would like to play golf; I typically segment Ireland into four golfing destinations, however the areas can overlap depending on the courses you would like to play.

Southwest golf links courses: Ballybunion GC, Doonbeg GC, Dooks GC, Lahinch GC, Old Head Golf Links, Tralee GC & Waterville Golf Links.

Southwest parkland golf courses: Cork Golf Club, Adare Golf Club (at the Manor House) & Killeen at Killarney Golf & Fishing Club.

Dublin Golf links (Baltray, European Club, The Island, Portmarnock G.C, Portmarnock Links & Royal Dublin) 

North & West Golf Links: both courses at Ballyliffin, Carne, Donegal, Enniscrone, Narin & Portnoo, Northwest, Portsalon, both courses at Rossapenna, Rosses Point. (Please note; that there is a lot of travelling to get from place to place around the West and North West of Ireland).

Northern Ireland Golf Links: Ardglass, both courses at Royal County Down, both courses at Royal Portrush, Castlerock & Port Stewart.

If you like a sample of a couple of the Irish golf tour segments, I suggest to try to mix up the South West & Dublin and or the North West and the Northern courses. But please be advised; keep travelling from place to place down to the minimum. There is nothing worse than trying to fit too much into a 4 day, 5 day or a 7 day Irish Golf Tour.

The trick here is to ensure that you spend as little time travelling in a bus or hire car (by the way don't drive, Irish roads can be challenging) and spend all your time playing golf. Or invest the time exploring the area that you are located in. I am sure you will meet more people from socialising in the local pubs and maybe you might decide to pack up the clubs for the day and go fishing! I can assure you that you will find all the cool places to enjoy nice evening meals with good entertainment; maybe even enjoy a few pints with the caddies and catch some of the great traditional Irish music.

Before you book anything, make sure you're satisfied with the financial commitment from everyone within the group. For example, if you use your credit details to secure 12 golfers in Ballybunion, you will be charged upfront for the total bill and you don't want to be left with an extra fee that brother Tom says "oh no, I forgot, it's my kids birthday that week and I can't go!"

Arrange comfortable chauffeured transportation and may I suggest, where possible avoid driving cars or vans. I typically advise my clients to avoid the mess with cheap rentals, because there can be a lack of good customer services and it is only chaos should you be unfortunate where the car or van breaks down somewhere in the middle of nowhere. I have seen to many disasters and I can always hear an echo of those famous last words "ooooh, I should have listened."

If this is your first Irish Golf Tour; book guest houses & bed and breakfasts. This is the best way to meet Ireland. You will meet and talk to people like never before in your life, spending time with people is fun! Try it and I promise you that you will thank me after. Or at least spend one night in a B&B.

If you feel the work load is too much for you to do, please give me a call and I will create a great golf trip for all to enjoy. There are a lot of great fun things to do in Ireland besides playing golf and I can take care of that plan for the non-golfing ladies and gents. You can leave that job up the average golf tour operator, but I will suggest to you a wider range of things to do and places to see.

Tips on Finding the Best Golf Courses to Visit During Vacation

If you like to hit the links, you can find amazing places to play all over the world. You can plan an entire vacation around your game, or you can just plan to fit in a few holes while you are visiting a new place. Whatever kind of trip you are planning, you will need to identify the best golf courses so you can get the most out of your experience while you are there.

Here are a few tips on how you can find the best greens when you are traveling away from home:

Learn about Course Characteristics

All golf courses are designed a bit differently. Sure, the end result is to get the ball in the hole, but you may have to make it over hilly terrain, deal with huge sandbars, or manage other obstacles along the way. Some places are designed for a more professional skill set, while others are created with amateurs in mind. They may offer the full 18 holes, or they may only offer nine. Make sure you know exactly what to expect from the green before you sign up for a game. You'll be operating on limited time, and you don't want to waste any of it on an unsatisfying game.

Look for Places Open to the Public

Some of the very best golf courses in the world are not open to the public. You usually must have a membership to the country club or to the greens themselves. If you are just visiting, you aren't likely to invest in a membership. Make sure you find out whether the course is open to the public before you put it on your list. You don't want to wait until you're turned away at the door to find out that you aren't going to be able to play there.

Find Out about Greens Fees

Even if the golf courses you choose are open to the public, they will still charge you fees for the privilege of playing. You may also be required to pay additional fees for required items. Some places will provide a discount at certain times of the week or certain times of the day -- usually the least busy days and times. If you want to play somewhere that charges high fees, you can still make it fit your budget by planning your game during one of these discounted times. Add in caddy fees and other charges you may face.

Playing a round of golf is a great way to relax, helping you to enjoy your vacation even more. Going to new golf courses on your vacation can help you enjoy a little variety in your game. Make sure that you research potential places to play before you make your agenda to ensure that they will meet your needs and fit your budget. These tips can help you identify the right places to play so that you have a game and a vacation to remember.

How To Book a Tee Time at The Old Course St. Andrews

Guaranteed Old Course Tee Time | St Andrews

Guaranteed Tee times can be secured by purchasing Old Course related packages from various hotels or golf tour operator. Most of these packages include a minimum of three nights at a hotel in St. Andrews, including three rounds of golf including one guaranteed Old Course tee time, lunch and dinner. There is a premium associated with these guaranteed times and this is not cheap, but please book well in advance to secure your tee times.

St Andrews | Ballot | Lottery

Another option open to visiting golfers is to apply for a time through the Ballot (or lottery) which is drawn each day. This is the best way to secure a good value tee time but offers no guarantee of success and therefore is often not considered ideal for overseas visitors planning in advance. However, if you want to take your chances in the draw the local B&B's or hotels can make the application on your behalf. You can ballot for 2 - 4 golfers at a time.

Single Golfer

If you are a single golfer; may I suggest to you that you should approach the starter on the day you wish to play and let him know that you are willing to join in any groups that are not playing in fourballs. He will seek to accommodate you, should a tee time spot become available. Or if you want, why not hang around the first tee box at St. Andrews and you notice two or three golfers going to the tee, ask can you join them?

Golfing in Scotland

The beauty of playing golf in Scotland is that the country is full of the traditions and the Scots national pride from hosting the various British Open Championships down through out the year.

Perhaps you have your own memories of your favourite great golfers of the past or of recent times that have walked the 18th fairway knowing that the trophy will be his! I can remember Nick Faldo's 18 straight pars to win the Open Championship at Muirfield and wow, Sir Nick Faldo was indeed the best player in the world for a time.

If you have played golf in Scotland and perhaps you were lucky enough to have played some of the British Open courses? That is great and you have some fantastic memories. If you have played Carnoustie? Can you remember how much course knowledge was needed? If you played that course again, you would play it differently... I found that Carnoustie was flat in parts but very tricky and the last six holes played very difficult the day I played.

But like everything else in golf, you must play the golf course to experience how the course plays and then imagine yourself in the position of winning the open championship!

Hitting the Links in VenturaCountyWest

Choose from five public golf courses with spectacular ocean and mountain views in the cities of VenturaCountyWest--Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura. All are about an hour's drive north from Los Angeles, but feel a million miles away, especially when paired with local pubs and restaurant offerings.

Ventura

Get into town early for a hearty breakfast at Pete's Breakfast House Restaurant, known for its buttermilk pancakes and homemade strawberry jam. Take in a morning round of golf at Olivas Links, an 18-hole championship golf facility designed by Forrest Richardson. Voted the "Best Municipal Golf Course in the Nation" for the last three years by Golf Week, this 6,818-yard course features a rolling links-style layout defined by seaside grasses and natural habitat. You could choose, however, to play at the adjoining course, Buenaventura. At just over 6,000 yards to a par of 70, it emphasizes course management and is a shot maker's delight. With classic 1930s-era shapes and designs, the course is a step back in time. It will be a hard choice to make.

For lunch, relax at the Aqua Beachfront Bar. Located in the Crowne Plaza Hotel, and as the name implies, it's right on the beach. The afternoon is yours to catch some sun on the sand or maybe rent a bike for a ride along the beach bike path. In the evening, go to the Greek at the Harbor for the finest Mediterranean food. Then, catch a standup routine at the Ventura Harbor Comedy Club.

Oxnard

Another early day begins with breakfast at Mrs. Olson's Coffee Hut, about a block from the beach in Oxnard, then to one of two beautiful courses at River Ridge. The Vineyard offers magnificent ocean panoramic views while Victoria Lakes boasts beautiful water features, bent/poa grass greens and Greg Norman hybrid Bermuda tees and fairways.

A perfect side trip after golf is to the Mullin Automotive Museum. It celebrates the Art Deco movement in motoring design and is open two Saturdays a month when you can see award-winning Bugattis, Voisins, Dealges and other French cars from the 1920s to 40s. In the evening, Mexican seafood, homemade tortillas and tasty margaritas are on the menu at Cabo Seafood & Grill.

Camarillo

Camarillo. Choose from one of two terrific courses to finish out your golfing getaway. Sterling Hills in Camarillo is surrounded by lush avocado and citrus groves. This 18-hole championship golf course includes natural features that take advantage of the natural topography. Camarillo Springs is at the base of Conejo Mountain just off the 101 freeway. Designed by Ted Robinson, its views include towering rock formations and gentle natural springs.

Before heading home, top off your weekend with a "blarney burger" and one of 14 beers on tap at Brendan's Irish Pub in Camarillo. A relatively new restaurant, it's owned and operated by two Irishman who have created a setting comparable to the best pubs in Ireland.

3 Reasons To Visit Bandon Oregon Golf Resorts

Experience the best resort vacations that Oregon has to offer. Bandon Oregon is home to some of the best golf resorts and vacation spots on the planet. Their breath taking views, golf resorts, and people are awesome and welcoming to new comers who have never experience the best that Oregon has to offer. You won't believe the amenities that some of these resorts have to offer. If you are planning on visiting Oregon or just want to find an awesome golf resort to visit, Bandon Oregon should be the first spot on your list.

Reason # 1. The Spectacular Views

Bandon Oregon has some of the best and most beautiful views in all of the United States. The hills seem to stretch for miles and the water front views are spectacular. If you have never been to Bandon Oregon, you have got to make it one of the stops on your bucket list. Also, almost every room of the resorts has a view of the ocean & breath taking landscapes. You can expect the same kind of treatment that you would expect at a 4 or 5 star resort but with the caring nature and kindliness of the Southern States.

Reason # 2. The Golf Resort & Amenities

If you love golf, you are going to love Bandon Oregon's Golf Resorts. They have numerous golf resorts all over Bandon to choose from. My suggestion is to do research online to find the best one that suits the kind of amenities you are looking for. No other golf course in America has the same kind of terrain and amenities as Bandon Oregon. Most resorts have cigar humidors, Egyptian cotton sheets, hot shaving cream, hair dryers, curling irons and much more. Also, there are top shelf bars that are located on almost every property.

Reason # 3. The People & Culture

You can either come as a group or on a private retreat. Groups are a lot more fun because you get to experience all that Bandon has to offer with your closest friends, business associates, or family. They have room for everyone and all different ages are welcomed. There might be other guests at the resorts too that you can have conversations with, play golf with, or maybe just have a drink together. If you are looking for places to add to your bucket list, Bandon Oregon should definitely be one of those places on your list.

Top 5 Golf Courses in Queenstown, New Zealand

Queenstown is known as the most scenic city in New Zealand, enriched with year-round attractions and activities to suit all ages and budgets. It's expansive open spaces, diverse terrains and stunning natural beauty has made it the perfect place for world-class golf courses. There are so many to choose from, so I have narrowed down the top 5 golf courses in Queenstown.

Arrowtown Golf Club in Arrowtown

Holes: 18 | Par: 70 | Length: 5286m

The breathtaking mountain views and diverse course make it a truly unique experience. Much like Queenstown itself Arrowtown Golf course is a year-round destination. This renowned golf course is a must visit attraction for every golf enthusiast who visits Queenstown.

Queenstown Golf Club

Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Length: Men: 6103m Women: 5145m

Situated in the arena Remarkable Mountains enjoying unforgettable mountain views and sights of the glistening waters of Lake Wakatipu. It's captivating beauty is only surpassed by its intriguing course and customer service, including golf pros to help you perfect your game. Even though its open every day of the week, its in high demand so making a reservation is highly recommended.

The course is situated in the arena of the Remarkable Mountains (view our location) and offers a unique opportunity to play on what is internationally regarded as one of the more picturesque golf courses in the world.

Millbrook Golf Course in Arrowtown

Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Length: Black: 6412m Blue: 6147m White: 5719m Red: 4908m

This 18 hole, par 71-championship course has scenic views of the Remarkables Mountain Range. You can tee off in five different positions to accommodate every level of playing expertise. It's high altitude (of over 390 meters) truly make it a unique experience. Designed by the renowned Sir Bob Charles and upgraded by Greg Turner the course creates a world-class dramatic terrain, suitable for every golfer.

The Hills Golf Course Queenstown

Holes: 18 | Par: 72 | Length: Men: 6113m - 6596m Women: 5200m

This captivating 18 hole golf course is set over 101 hectares (250 acres) in Arrowtown. Accented by several ponds, waterways, towering native trees and wetlands. This championship course will challenge even the most seasoned players while keeping it entertaining for beginners.

The New Zealand Open will be held in The Hills from the 12 - 15 March 2015.

Jacks Point Golf Course Queenstown

18 Hole | Par 72 | Length: Men: 5806m - 6388m Women: 4980m - 5806m

This modern new course enjoys top quality playing surfaces and challenging courses. It's dramatic lake and mountain views are the perfect backdrop for a relaxing day on the turf. This distinguished golf course is at its best during the warmer seasons (Oct - May).

From Beginner to Experienced: Tips For Choosing the Right Golf Course

Golf courses are not just for experts, or the rich and famous; golf is a fun, competitive sport that can be played by anyone. In most metro areas, you have several options for the type of place you play, difficulty, and even how many holes.

Public courses are open to everyone. You don't have to be a member to play, although you will have to pay the green fee for the day. Most public facilities will recommend a reservation for your tee time, especially if it is a busy time of year. You may get lucky and be able to just walk on if it's not too busy.

Private facilities, on the other hand, are only available to members and their guests. They may require reservations in order to make sure their members don't have to wait unnecessarily. Usually there are other benefits, such as a lounge area, instructors, tennis courts, pool among other amenities.

Some private facilities are also available to the public, so you could say they are, "semi-private." Many small-town clubs are set up this way, as are resorts in high tourist areas. They will reserve certain tee times for members and guests, and allow other times for the public. Usually the public will pay a higher green fee than members.

You may have thought that all golf courses had 18-holes. They have 9-holes that compose the front, and 9-holes in the back. While 18-holes are certainly the size of the majority of golf courses, there are other choices in some areas.

- 9-holes: A small town may not have a full size green. In this case, if you want to play a full round, you would just go through the holes twice. The difficulty and length of the course are usually much the same as a full size, just in less overall area.

- Executive: This type only has 9-holes, but they are less difficult than regulated facilities, so they don't take as long to play through. This means it may be ideal for someone who doesn't have an entire morning or afternoon to play.

- Par 3: This is a 9-hole course that only has par 3-holes. Because it's not as difficult, it's a good choice for beginners. It's also great if you just want to get in a quick game.

The length of the holes and the objects around them, as well as the par value determines the difficulty of the course. Most 18-hole facilities have a combination of par 3, 4 and 5 holes. For example, the Executive course has only a few par 4 and 5-holes, which is why it does not take as long to play. If you're just starting, choose a place with as many par 3-holes as possible.

Bandon Dunes Golf - A Golfer's Dream!

Introduction

Bandon Dunes Golf course is a beautifully scenic, true links course that offers the absolute best of the golf experience at one resort. From the amazing scenery, year-round availability, the great lodging options, restaurants, and the huge practice center and putting course, Bandon Dunes is a complete experience for a golfing vacation that will not be soon forgotten or easily topped. After spending a week in the area - on and off the course - there are three things that clearly stood out which made Bandon Dunes Golf the golfer's dream.

The Golf

Bandon Dunes comes complete with five complete courses, all of which combine the natural beauty of the Oregon coastline and rugged hills in order to make for rounds that are a truly enjoyable experience. Beyond the game itself, which can range from the easier, to the most challenging style of play, one of the greatest difficulties is keeping your eye on the ball rather than the breathtaking scenery. Ocean vistas, pristine dunes, natural canyons and vegetation add a new level of enjoyment not available in more than a handful of courses around the world.

The Lodging

While staying in Bandon, Oregon, there are a variety of restful and natural places available to stay at. The local establishments are situated for golf groups, providing privacy, luxury and a comfortable atmospheres specifically designed with the golfer in mind. At many of the establishments, the rooms reflect the natural beauty of the Oregon coast and nearby golf courses. Everything there seems perfectly crafted to accent and cap off a day at the Bandon Dunes.

The Town

As a golfer, the Bandon Dunes Resort is the primary draw, but once the 18th hole is settled, and the phenomenal sunset has been observed, you can relax with your friends and a drink around the fire pit at one of the local inns or hotels, or visit the seaside town. Bandon, Oregon is a charming and quaint place located about 90 miles away from Interstate 5. Birding, crabbing, surfing, and other activities are available if you still have strength left after your swing, but there are plenty of evening spots for enjoying dinner, drinks, or even dancing to while away the nighttime hours.