Winter Golf Trips to Arizona and Nevada

Well, now that our November Special at The Doral is over (we do still have several clients headed there for Thanksgiving Weekend) it's time to think about your winter golf getaway.

Prices for this winter are very reasonable given the soft economy, so if you're going this year this is the time to contact your travel agency... or hopefully, my golf travel agency.

Some of the "best buys" this year are in and around Las Vegas (including Mesquite, NV) and the San Diego area. And for the umteenth year, our Gold Canyon, Arizona package is a fabulous bargain... scroll down a few posts for more on that.

My blog readers get Free Advice! Whether you ever book a trip with my agency, I'm okay with sharing our knowledge. Just send your questions to dick@golf-vacation.com.

One final - totally unrelated - note: I know many of you share my "love" (HaHa) for United Airlines. You need to watch this from You Tube!

A musician named Dave Carroll recently had difficulty with United Airlines. United apparently damaged his treasured Taylor guitar ($3500) during a flight. Dave spent over 9 months trying to get United to pay for damages caused by baggage handlers to his custom Taylor guitar. During his final exchange with the United Customer Relations Manager, he stated that he was left with no choice other than to create a music video for youtube exposing their lack of cooperation. The Manager responded : "Good luck with that one, pal". So he posted a retaliatory video on youtube. The video has since received over 5.5 million hits. United Airlines contacted the musician and attempted settlement in exchange for pulling the video. Naturally his response was: "Good luck with that one, pal".

Taylor Guitars sent the musician 2 new custom guitars in appreciation for the product recognition from the video that has lead to a sharp increase in orders. Here's the video.

Cheers,

Dick

Last Call for our November Special at The Doral

After a miserable October, it is a gorgeous 62 degree day here in Minne-snow-polis. But don't be fooled... Midwest golf is about over.

Don't condemn your clubs to the basement quite yet... we still have availability for our Doral Special - including Thanksgiving weekend. See my previous post for more on this "deal"!

Dick

This is it, snowbirds.. time for The Doral

I just played my last round of the season at our lake place in Northern Minnesota... hard to swing a club with seven layers of clothes on!!! Then, I got home and watched the end of the Patriots-Titans game in a fierce New England snow storm... you know, that 59-0 nail-biter!

Even though there's some chance of nice October golf in the Twin Cities, it's definitely time to get the Club Glove out!

As I mentioned in the last post, the November Special at The Doral is the absolute best value anywhere. You can "stay & play" for about the price of the golf alone! We have some golf clients who book this every year!

I have many more ideas for anyone that wishes to email me at dick@golf-vacation.com (copy & paste)

Cheers,

Dick

Great Golf Deals Abound in Florida and Nevada

Okay Snowbirds... the end is near! That means it's about time to send the clubs to the basement - or NOT!

With the prices for travel - including golf travel - at the lowest point in many years, why not plan a November Golf Trip? Those of you that know me understand that my taste exceeds my budget! EG: "Champagne taste; Beer budget"! Well, not exactly a beer budget, but I do qualify as an expert on getting the most bang for my buck!

So, here are a few thoughts on Autumn Bargains:

Las Vegas - Hotels & Courses have lowered their rates making this typically pricy destination cost-efficient. There are additional ways to hold your costs down a little if you know the ropes. For example, one of my favorite area tracks is the TPC Canyons where the weekday fee is currently $225. But, just a quarter of a mile away is The Badlands Golf Club which costs 'just' $150. So, how nice is The Badlands? It's a Troon Golf facility. Need I say any more? Another overpriced course, in my humble opinion, is Bear's Best. It is one of the finest tracks around but you are paying a lot for the novelty. I can refer you to a half dozen area courses that are its equal at greens fees that are $50 to $75 lower.

Mesquite: Just up I-15 about 75 miles from Las Vegas, the greens fees for top-ranked courses are half that of Las Vegas. If you're looking for world-class nightlife, stay with Vegas. But if you want World-Class golf with nice accommodations and decent dining & nightlife, check this out!

The Doral: The absolute best value anywhere is the November Special where you can "stay & play" for about the price of the golf alone! No Tricks; No kidding!

I have many more ideas for anyone that wishes to email me at dick@golf-vacation.com (Copy & Paste)

Cheers,

Dick

Gold Canyon, Arizona: The Value Gets Better & Better!

Those of you know that follow this blog regularly know that I "heart" the Gold Canyon Golf Resort which is in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains just east of Phoenix. It is perhaps the absolute best dollar value of any package we sell at Gateway Golf Vacations!

Despite the fact that I totally imploded last time I was there, it is still my favorite golf venue if you leave out Hawaii and Cabo San Lucas! Of course the difference is $$$$$$! If cost is no object, I'm at one of those two destinations in heartbeat! But, of course price IS crucial - especially these days. So, here's my take... If given the chance to play Troon North or Gold Canyon's Dinosaur Mountain course in The Valley of the Sun on someone else's dime, I might go with Troon. I say "might" because, having played both, I would put them on an absolute par.

But, since I'm a little short on friends that will "pop" for my greens fees my choice is to pay $260 at Troon North or $140 at Gold Canyon (prime season rates)... okay, let me think about it!

It's all about location! Gold Canyon is such a value because it's in the boonies where land is cheap. But, for the savings, I'll take the 35 to 40 minute drive from the airport! My only hesitation, when advising our golf clients, is that beyond the restaurant and the sports bar at the resort, you need to go a long way back toward the city for any dining and nightlife.

So, about my Gold Canyon Meltdown... playing a big money game (like a buck a hole!) an opposing player - such a friend - got into my head with penalties on quite obscure rules violations. I let it get to me and the grip tightened a little more with each shot.... not only that day but the rest of the trip. Anyone out there who knows the feeling?

Cheers,

Dick

Minnesota Golf - 2009 PGA Championship is Underway!

Summer 2009 in Minnesota has been disappointing for the sun-lovers... lots of cloudy, cool days. But it's been great for golf... didn't break 90 all of July. Now the flat bellies are here for the PGA Championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club. Tiger is renting a home at Bearpath Country Club - about a mile from my home but I haven't been invited over for a beer yet. I wonder if I can engineer a visit from Obama this week... I hear he hosts beer parties frequently.

A friend of mine is course superintendent at Hazeltine and says this has been the easiest year ever for preparing the course for a major - the 4th one here. Lots of rain in the last two weeks after near drought-like conditions all summer.

Well, this is going to be fun! What a field!

More good news from Minnesota: For those who like to come to the Land of 10,000 Lakes for cool Minnesota golf, the greens fees at many of the premier courses are about 20% lower this year because of the economy. Some of the resort courses "up North" have great Stay & Play packages.

Come on Up!

Dick

Here Comes the PGA Championship

For all you folks that joke about Minnesota weather, I'm on my way to the course on a drop dead gorgeous day while the U.S. Open is amidst the third day a rain delays!

What retribution - this place is fabulous in the summer. (We won't discuss Minnesota winters!) We're looking forward to yet another PGA Championship here at Hazeltine National Golf Club later this summer and will guarantee great weather!

For you guys that follow me from the southern States, you really should consider coming up here for some "Cool Summer Golf" in the Brainerd Lakes region or along the shores of Lake Superior! There are some great airfare bargains right now. If you're interested, contact me from my Gateway Golf Vacations web site. I can give you some FREE local knowledge. 

Cheers,

Dick 

Pebble Beach Golf is waiting for you!

There are many "price advantages" to this economy for those who can still "get out there"! One of them is NOT the price of golf at Pebble Beach. BUT, there are define "bargains" out there for Lodging & Golf packages!

Take a look at one. You can play all three of the famed courses and stay at one of the Pebble Beach lodges for around $2,600 per person.

I'll add some "tips" for travelers to this Mecca of Golf later.

Cheers,

Dick

It's Spring! Let the lessons begin

OK, so I'm ready to continue my quest for "a game". Just got word that the teaching pro I've worked with the last two summers isn't returning to Bearpath Country Club. I wonder if I am part of the reason!!!!

Thanks to the Blogger who sent me a hilarious clip on Club-Throwing after reading of my escapade last summer. (The link is at the bottom of this post.) For those who missed it... 

Last weekend in the North Woods, I played The Pines on Saturday and was so-so (to be kind). So Sunday, I spent 31/2 hours at the range and really got it going. I was hitting the target green from every distance from 50 yards to 220 yards. Wow, was I pumped!

So Monday, I returned to The Pines and started off alright but by the 16th fairway I was ready for a shrink. After a great drive, I cold-topped three fairway shots in a row (I was playing by myself and taking extra shots), I went to throw my 4-Iron up the fairway and couldn't even do that right... in 90 degree high humidity, the club stuck to my glove momentarily causing the throw to go 90 degrees to the right - directly into the tops of a stand of river birch in a marsh. A scramble had just ended so I was the only one on that nine except for a foursome that, by now, was at least 4 holes behind me. So into the marsh I waded. With muck up to my shoe tops, I searched the tree tops and scoured the ground without any success. Feeling absolutely stupid, after about 12 minutes I started thinking that it is about time I consider a new set of Mizunos! I was starting my way back to the fairway when I found it laying in knee-high prairie grass. 
Returning to my car, my luck changed - I had not lost my car keys!

This has helped me... and I think it will help you! NEW CLUB-THROWING TECHNIQUE

Cheers,

Dick

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Hi from the Gold Canyon Golf Resort!

The Arizona sun is shining brightly and I just wanted to rub it in! I've been sitting in the Minnesota tundra while various friends have called or emailed from sunny places all winter. My Turn!

The courses here are in fabulous condition. The Dinosaur Mountain Course (pictured here) is one of the most exciting tracks anywhere with spectacular elevation changes and dramatic scenery. And the Sidewinder Course is surprisingly terrific... from the clubhouse, it appears to be a mild, parkland-style course but in reality, it is very deserving of it's 4-Star rating. (I would even add that it compares favorably to many 41/2 Star courses I've played.) 

With the economy struggling, the place isn't jam packed. Probably about 80% occupancy but the tee sheets seem to be pretty full - but not crazy-wild. The value here is unbeatable!!! Gateway Golf Vacations has a three night/four round package that is a lower price than you can even get directly from the resort itself... about $650 per person including breakfast daily, club storage, practice facility use, etc. Check this package out! It is the best golf deal in Arizona.

It's tee time... gotta go!

Tiger's Back... and I'm Ready for a Hybrid - Finally!

Do you think the Television Network "suits" are thrilled to have Tiger back? Take a look at the PGA ratings lately for the answer. I've watched a little golf in the last month... more than anything, just to see some green grass!!! Geez, this has been a long winter! And my week in Grand Cayman didn't help all that much. It's like a massage... feels sooooo good while it's happening but the glow wears off in a couple hours. 

I digress.  How many times have you looked at a leader board during Tiger's layoff and wonder if they put the Nationwide Tour stats up by mistake? Good Lord, I've seen leader boards with ONE name that I recognize. Yeah, they're all great golfers, but ya gotta be a purist to appreciate them. I'm really looking forward to the match play with Tiger and the top Europeans in the field this weekend!

And, speaking of purists, I'm one - albeit a high handicap one. I've resisted going the hybrid route until now. But, I've finally seen the light. (Translation: I've finally come to grips with the fact that, to paraphrase a CaddyShack line, I'm not good!)  OK, so I CAN'T hit a 3 Iron. I'm going to break out just one hybrid to replace the 3 & 4 this spring. That damned 190 to 200 yard shot has been killing me.

 There's a certain friend who will laugh hysterically upon reading this. He's been chiding me for 3 years now and would get so irritated at my stubborn resistance. 

Cheers,

Dick

Hello from Grand Cayman

As I was lamenting in my last post, I was only mildly looking forward to my week on Grand Cayman. Sure it was nice to get out of the Minnesota deep-freeze but having just one chance to play a little winter golf, this was not the destination I would have chosen. But our corporate client seems to think they don't need to ask my golf preferences when deciding on the site for their National Sales Meeting.

When their last two Sales Incentive Trips happened to be at Wailea, Maui and Cabo San Lucas (perhaps the two most exciting golf destinations in the world), I might have thought they cared! Oh Well!

As I said in the last post while anticipating this outing, North Sound Club, the only 18-hole regulation course on the island is rather flat and boring - and ridiculously over-priced. Actually, I have been pleasantly surprised (another lesson on the value of keeping expectations low) with the course. It is very well groomed. The fairway turf and the greens are in excellent condition. It clearly shows that someone is making an effort to do the most they can with what little they have.

Water everywhere! Navigating around the wet stuff wasn't too tricky - until the second day when the wind was howling off the ocean. It's a little disconcerting to line up your tee shot directly AT the water hazzard in order to allow the gale to bring it back anywhere dry. The scores were decidedly higher the second day. Round three should be easier!

Well, enough of this since it is unlikely that any of you will ever go to the Cayman Islands for golf. Most of my golf clients are heading off to better pastures throughout this month and next. Still, Grand Cayman is a lovely place for a sun break!

Cheers,

Dick

Good Bye Snow; Hello Surf... if only for a few days!

Now that we have gotten past the holidays it's time to dust off the sticks!

Each year in January, a corporate client holds their Sales Incentive trip giving me a chance to grab the clubs (escorting these groups is not ALL work!) and escape the frozen Minnesota tundra. In a way, it's a cruelty because the 5 or 6 days in the tropical sun goes all-too-quickly then it's back to the frozen swamp. UGH! (One of the more dejecting feelings is to look down to the ground as the plane makes it's final approach into MSP. Nothing but white!)

In the last two Januarys I've told you about the fabulous golf at this company's prior sites - Maui and Las Cabos... indeed, these are two of the most exciting golf destinations in the world!!! Not this year!

Our client chose Grand Cayman for 2009... not exactly an enticing golf mecca. In fact, it sucks! One course on the whole island; and it's flat and boring - and, surprise, overpriced. I know, many of you would love to go anywhere warm and think I should quit bitching. So I'm spoiled!

You can be sure this is not a destination that we recommend to our golf clients at Gateway Express Travel! ... but, I can't stand not taking my clubs anyway. Anything is better than nothing, I guess!

Cheers,

Dick