Recommendations - Solo golf trip

[MaxBuck]

[quote name='TML' timestamp='1424379160' post='10986879']
Palm Springs is good for golf, but you are surrounded by retirees moving at the pace of a turtle and there's not much there for someone on their own.
[/quote]That's hardly the case, but to be fair there's a lot more to do if you're gay (which I'm not) than if you're straight. But even for straight guys there are plenty of places to have fun off the course. A few good brewpubs, great restaurants, great hiking trails, etc. No strip clubs that I know about, though - but none of those in Bandon, either.

I love going to the desert with my wife and family, but I'd still find plenty to do there if I were on my own.

[slgman]

Have you thought about Jamaica? Lots of great golf in the Montego Bay area and from Philly direct flights are easy. After golf there are lots of options. Get to know the caddies and you will be all set...

[Saluki91]

Farm Links came to mind first... You could do the Porshe driving school as well. Then I saw your post re. Being an Alabama native and Auburn grad. Farm Links wouldn't necessarily be as special for you as it would be for a Philly native.

I will throw another vote in for Bandon.

Or... Fly east. Bermuda? Ireland? Scotland?

[Reidman]

[quote name='spud3' timestamp='1424367512' post='10985635']
St. George/Mesquite?
[/quote]

Nice call right here. Golf is top notch, weather and course conditions never an issue. Even some gambling in Mesquite when the sun is not out.

Have not done this trip since they built Sand Hollow and Coyote Springs...but those 2 adds make this a must-trip for you.

[jewofgolf]

Related to this thread, besides Bandon (I plan to go January 2016), what's the best place to go if literally all you care about is golf and you want to keep rounds under $150?

I don't drink often, I'm very picky with food (often pack food or go grocery shopping on vacations)....I do like hiking/outdoors but as stated just the golf experience...and walking is a must. I was very sad when Aviara made me ride this past fall.

Thanks!

[CDM]

Are you still planning going in the fall? Bandon would be first on my list also if it was strictly based on golf....but I agree it would be tough if you want to use Points/Rewards. I suggest the following:

[b]Bend or Portland: [/b]
Great golf and points/rewards could be used. A lot of excellent courses in the area(s) I would skip Chambers as I have played it and is excellent but have gotten WAY to proud of it ....for out of state players with tax and some other fee it close to 280+ for a round.
[b]Mesquite / St George[/b]:
Great golf, a bit slow unless you gamble. Wolf Creek is visually impressive.
[b]Seattle:[/b]
A lot of golf and you could use points/rewards easy in Seattle. It is a nice City but depending on the time you plan to go ...RAIN... so plan accordingly.
[b]Whistling Straights:[/b]
Good destination and golf. Plus points and rewards can be used because you can stay off site unlike Brandon.

[mwmgolfx]

Actually, Chambers has increased its rate starting in May to $299+14% tax. That's just too much for a great course with sometime marginal conditions and often temporary greens. I love the course but as you say, they are way way too proud of the course. Its not worth that.

But it does have some other exceptional courses for minimal rates. Gold Mountain(olympic) just outside of Bremerton is very very good. Lots of major events here. The Home Course near Tacoma is pretty decent. Druid's glen and Kayak Point are fairly cheap and not bad plays. I like Whitehorse just across the sound from Seattle. Since the redo its plays tough but very very fair and has greatly improved its facilities. Lots like Salish Cliffs.

Personally I have a serious problem with Washington National and would not recommend it. Its really not that tough and management has a serious ADA issue. And its wet often.

And these are just a few of the courses. including some just over Snowqualmie pass.

Weather can be rainy but often in September/August is pretty decent weather and sometimes it can be raining in Seattle and dry on the Olympic pennisula or north or south of the city. But remember it takes a week to rain in Seattle. Not often gushers, but steady misty type rain.

[3mulligans]

More info about Mesquite/St George please. Guessing Vegas is the closest airport?
I have known about Wolf Creek. Would love to play there. Just looked at Sand Hollow and Coyote Springs. They look awesome.

[WaltonW]

Never thought about taking a solo golf trip until reading this thread

For those who've done this, how easy/difficult is it to book a tee time as a single at places like Bandon, Kohler, Pebble?

Or, is it strictly a walk-on type deal?

[cbbaron]

[quote name='WaltonW' timestamp='1424748400' post='11015565']
Never thought about taking a solo golf trip until reading this thread

For those who've done this, how easy/difficult is it to book a tee time as a single at places like Bandon, Kohler, Pebble?

Or, is it strictly a walk-on type deal?
[/quote]Have had no problems in Scottsdale or Myrtle 95 percent of the time can make a tee time in advance

[NDSwim]

Had no problem at Kohler and Erin Hills.

[dannytmc]

IMO, if I'm going to Bandon, or Kohler or any epic golf destination, it would be with a buddy or group. Those are trips where you talk, eat and sleep golf 24/7.

Solo, I'm going to mix it up. No better place for solo distraction other than Vegas. Eat where I want, sleep when I want, Rhino when I want...

[spud3]

Bandon is easy as a solo. You just call the resort and make sure they have a room for your dates, then they hook you up with tee times right then. As a single, you can be more flexible with which courses you play on which days. I've never had a problem getting on any of the courses, or with switching it up once I got there.

[spud3]

[quote name='3mulligans' timestamp='1424740974' post='11014547']
More info about Mesquite/St George please. Guessing Vegas is the closest airport?
I have known about Wolf Creek. Would love to play there. Just looked at Sand Hollow and Coyote Springs. They look awesome.
[/quote]

Vegas is the closest airport. Coyote Springs is an awesome course. You'll need a car to get there, but it's worth it.

As a bonus, Zion NP is not far away, if you want to take a day and go hiking.

[MaxBuck]

[quote name='WaltonW' timestamp='1424748400' post='11015565']
Never thought about taking a solo golf trip until reading this thread

For those who've done this, how easy/difficult is it to book a tee time as a single at places like Bandon, Kohler, Pebble?

Or, is it strictly a walk-on type deal?
[/quote]I've played more resort golf as a single than with a group of guys, since most of my vacations are with my non-playing wife. It's actually a lot easier to find a tee time as a single, since you can get worked in to play with another single, a couple or even a threesome. Met some terrific people that way. GolfNow works OK; in Palm Springs I use standbygolf dot com to get the best rates, which usually are terrific value.

With that said, I'd always prefer to pay more to play with a bunch of buddies, as I'm sure most of us would. Just a lot more fun on the course.

[masegolf1978]

Figured I would reopen this discussion, as I have a week of vacation next week. It's a bit short notice and don't have a girlfriend currently and my buddies are also busy. My mom is a retired delta flight attendant so I will be able to use a buddy pass which greatly expands my options. Currently I am thinking Canada or Scotland, but wondered if people thought I could have fun at those destinations solo.

Any other suggestions are welcome. Considering pebble/Monterey as well, but would like to avoid paying too much money. Thus I'd probably stay off site and then just hope to walk on as a single? Anyone done that?

All suggestions welcome.

[Mike T]

[quote name='masegolf1978' timestamp='1438795252' post='12083784']
Figured I would reopen this discussion, as I have a week of vacation next week. It's a bit short notice and don't have a girlfriend currently and my buddies are also busy. My mom is a retired delta flight attendant so I will be able to use a buddy pass which greatly expands my options. Currently I am thinking Canada or Scotland, but wondered if people thought I could have fun at those destinations solo.

Any other suggestions are welcome. Considering pebble/Monterey as well, but would like to avoid paying too much money. Thus I'd probably stay off site and then just hope to walk on as a single? Anyone done that?

All suggestions welcome.
[/quote]I did a week of Scotland solo last year. Hired a car from Edinburgh to St Andrews. Stayed there for 4 nights. Managed to get on the Old Course first go. It's pretty quiet at night but I ended up having dinner with the threesome that I played with at the Dunvegan. ( I guess that's where everyone goes!).

Played with a Welsh guy at Kingsbarns the following day were I caught up with the group I played with at St Andrews.

Then moved on to Edinburgh for a couple of nights where I explored the city. Drove down to North Berwick and was paired with an American lady who was there for the summer and told me about how to get on to Tom Doak's Renaissance course up the road.

Overall, it was a great solo trip and I would do it again. Scotland is very easy to get around and the choice of courses are mind numbing (whatever your price point). I had great weather last year which makes a difference. Of course, the people you meet are also a highlight on any solo trip.

Was thinking of doing the West Coast of Scotland this year but ended up doing a London solo golf trip. Played Royal St Georges and a couple of courses around Windsor.
Stayed in London most of the week so there is more to do at night.

However, as long as there are new courses to play, there are no bad choices.

[teejaywhy]

I like the Scotland idea.

A friend of mine did a solo two-week trip as his last blast of bachelorhood before getting married. His goal was to play as many rounds as humanly possible during the period, 36-a-day, the target. As a solo, one has the ultimate freedom to come and go as you please, nobody to slow you down or redirect your plans. Getting on as a single offers maximum flexibility for last minute plans and a chance to meet and play with local folks who will generally be keen to share their course with a traveling Yank - assuming you are reasonably sociable.

He has great stories to tell, the best of which is probably when one of the people in a group he was randomly paired with happened to a member at Muirfield, and ended up inviting him to the club later in the week for the full day experience - fourball morning round, formal lunch (jacket & tie) with plenty of drink, followed by the afternoon foursomes, then more drinks following.

Envy!!

[masegolf1978]

Thanks guys! Exactly what I was looking for. Much appreciated.

[sabram]

The Kingdom of Fife

[url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/collections/72157633548001984/"]https://www.flickr.com/photos/golfcoursepix/collections/72157633548001984/[/url]

As a single you'll likely get on the Old Course.

[Grizz06]

I would vote for Mesquite for a cheaper option. I've done it solo many times (my wife loves it there); last time I think I paid $29.95 per night at Casa Blanca and cabbed it to Conestoga, Falcon Ridge and the Palmers. I gambled heavily each night as well:)


I've also done a solo to Miami and that isn't so great and certainly not cheap... and the golf sucks

[CDM]

[quote name='mwmgolfx' timestamp='1424714194' post='11011195']
Actually, Chambers has increased its rate starting in May to $299+14% tax. That's just too much for a great course with sometime marginal conditions and often temporary greens. I love the course but as you say, they are way way too proud of the course. Its not worth that.

But it does have some other exceptional courses for minimal rates. Gold Mountain(olympic) just outside of Bremerton is very very good. Lots of major events here. The Home Course near Tacoma is pretty decent. Druid's glen and Kayak Point are fairly cheap and not bad plays. I like Whitehorse just across the sound from Seattle. Since the redo its plays tough but very very fair and has greatly improved its facilities. Lots like Salish Cliffs.

Personally I have a serious problem with Washington National and would not recommend it. Its really not that tough and management has a serious ADA issue. And its wet often.

And these are just a few of the courses. including some just over Snowqualmie pass.

Weather can be rainy but often in September/August is pretty decent weather and sometimes it can be raining in Seattle and dry on the Olympic pennisula or north or south of the city. But remember it takes a week to rain in Seattle. Not often gushers, but steady misty type rain.
[/quote]

Add a US Open and the price just explodes. I played it the second year open (sister lives in Seattle) so drove down.. We paid like $100 or so. The price you note is that for out of state. I think they jack it more for out of state.

IMHO Chambers Bay is a good/great track but is it NO WHERE near the $300 level of a course. Not even close to me. I paid less to for a full DAY at Sand Hills...!!

[CDM]

Just played in Scottsdale / Desert Ridge... was warm that is for sure this time of the year.

Going in the FALL I would say do it. I would suggest checking the prices, it seemed like there was a timeline when the courses switch over on the price and treating the course if I recall correctly.

Thinking of going back down in first part of November as I have a fee place to stay and airfare is cheap right now.