A Good Time to Plan a Golf Getaway
Author: Mike | Category: Golf Travel
The winter is quickly approaching and I have been pondering how to extend the golf season if the weather turns cold and nasty prematurely up north in Sayreville, New Jersey where I reside. My favorite golf and vacation destination on the east coast is Myrtle Beach so why not schedule a quick getaway there? There are more expensive and exotic locations to play but you cannot beat the value for your dollar for pure golf and family fun. Also, the flight is only an hour and fifteen minutes in the air so you don’t waste a majority of your trip crammed in a seat on an airplane. I have better ways to spend my free time, like on the links which is my favorite place to be.
Being that as it may, my significant other and I are planning an early December trip. No frills, just a long weekend down south and hopefully the weather will cooperate. We have planned prior trips to Myrtle Beach as early as mid to late November and hit some pretty severe temperatures for the middle south, 40’s in the morning and mid fifties in the afternoon and windy to boot. Not exactly what one would expect when the temperature up north at home was about the same. But that is not the norm for Myrtle Beach where the weather generally, even into early December, ranges from the high 50’s to the mid 70’s or above at that time of year if you hit it right. In a few weeks we’ll be packing our clubs and golf gear and crossing our fingers that the weather will be in our favor for both travel safety reasons including little or no delays and to have a more enjoyable time while playing golf upon our arrival. I have in the past and will still play golf in severe weather and low temperatures but my significant other cringes at the thought of 40 degrees or less. I sort of understand now that I’m a bit older and the weather affects me more than in my younger days. The temperature usually isn’t the main problem, it’s the wind that accompanies the cold at that time of the year which magnifies the conditions ten fold. Needless to say, we will be packing a variety of clothing to address any conditions we may encounter on our arrival on the Grand Strand, as the strip of beach running north to south and centered on Myrtle Beach is so fondly called. Cold, Schmold – no matter what we may find upon our arrival we will enjoy the experience just the same as we both love the game and playing golf in our eventual retirement location of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
We have booked two of the nicer and more reasonably priced golf venues, Heritage, located on the South Strand and Blackmoor, a Gary Player design and one of our favorite layouts to play when we visit Myrtle Beach. We will be staying at Legends Resort, which is centrally located off Route 501, in a two bedroom unit that includes an efficiency kitchen with a coffee maker so we can enjoy our early morning caffeine fix. The airline is Spirit, who offered some very reasonable rates, but not as reasonable as they first appeared after all the additional fees are tallied. The price quoted starts out at around $100 for both of us round trip, which is a terrific price so we said, “Great, let’s book it” but once the additional fees get added the price more than doubles which is the kicker but still reasonble even though not as advertised. After golf we have our favorite places to visit and restaurants to dine at. Broadway at the Beach and Barefoot Landing are two of our favorite spots for shopping and gifts and Greg Norman’s Australian Grill restaurant located at Barefoot landing is a must stop for us to dine at since we tried it about four or five years ago. The food is usually high quality and very well prepared and although the price is a bit on the high side, the ambiance and setting in both the inside and outside restaurant dining area is worth the additional cost. In the spring and summer months we try to schedule our meal just before sunset so we can relax in the outside dining area adjacent the intercoastal waterway, watch the boaters, jet skiers and fisherman all enjoying their day while we await the setting of the sun after an enjoyable day of golf. After a leisurely meal we head back to the room, put on some relaxing music or watch TV as we plan our next days itinerary. On this coming visit at the beginning of December, Myrtle Beach will be decorated for the holiday season which will make it that much more enjoyable an experience. Cathi and I both enjoy this time of year and we will be sure to take in a few holiday shows during our getaway weekend. I wish you all could join us and if you are planning a trip and need any ideas or information about where to stay and play while at the Beach feel free to e-mail me at mikedeagle@optonline.net and I will reply with my best suggestions for you and your family to have a great time. Happy Golfing to All!
For more golf info and travel tips visit http://www.guideforbeginninggolfers.com and check out my new book for beginning golfers, titled Golf “Fore Ever” as noted on my site.
