Discount golf vacations and tee time availability at top venues like Pinehurst Golf Resort (above) are on the rise.
It’s hard to find many silver linings in the economy these days, but if you are a glass-half-full kind of person, now might be one of the best times to take a golf vacation, especially if you’ve had your eye on a top golf venue that’s usually booked solid. Here is my experience from two weekends ago.
Following the old motto, “when the going gets tough, the tough go play golf,” I spent the Columbus Day weekend in Pinehurst, North Carolina. I wasn’t planning on visiting the venerable Pinehurst Golf Resort, mind you, but my friends were interested in playing Pinehurst No. 2, so we thought we’d give it a shot.
Normally, securing a prime season, prime time round at the last minute at Pinehurst No. 2 is near impossible, but these aren’t normal times. We had no trouble whatsoever securing a Sunday morning slot, even though it was a beautiful day on a holiday weekend.
Since then, my editors and I have had conversations with a number of golf package providers, golf courses, and golf resorts, and our sense is that business is soft most everywhere, particularly where corporate business accounts for a significant amount of play. So what does that mean for you?
First of all, it just got a lot easier and less expensive to play at prime venues like Pinehurst No. 2 and Pebble Beach Golf Course. While the green fees remain expensive, you can likely avoid the additional cost of staying at these resorts, which has literally or effectively been the only way to guarantee yourself a decent tee time.
Resorts like these are still only providing advance booking capability to their guests and giving daily-fee players the tee-time leftovers, but, simply put, there’s a lot more left over now.
For example, I called Pebble Beach Golf Course on October 17th and it had plenty of prime tee times available from the 20th through the 31st.
“A couple months ago, I didn’t have a single twosome available for October,” a Pebble Beach Golf Resorts reservation agent told me. Next September, probably the busiest month at Pebble Beach, there were weekend openings, too. “Normally, September is booked up a year in advance,” she said.
Second, we’re already starting to see all sorts of discount golf vacations being marketed with free hotel nights, discounted golf, and other goodies as golf resorts and golf courses compete to put together compelling discount golf packages. Stay tuned to this space — we’ll let you know about the best ones we find.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
While I might agree that right now is a great time to take a trip – my question to you is why have prices in the Orlando/Kissimmee area stayed virtually the same for February 2009. You would think that the packages you try and book in advance would reflect the slowing economy. Do you think it’s wise to wait until you actually are in the Orlando area and then book your tee times? Thanks Dave Parry Sound Ontario
If you own a primary or vacation home in an area that might be of interest to others, consider a home swap to save even more on the cost of a vacation. My family and I did this for a trip to Scotland last June; a couple who own a cottage a mile from the terrific Crail Golf Club (9 miles from St. Andrews) had stayed in our condo in Pawleys Island, SC, and then we stayed at their place in Crail. There are a number of reputable companies that facilitate these exchanges; with the savings on the golf and the “free” lodging, you may feel as if there is no recession. Larry Gavrich, http://www.GolfCommunityReviews.com
Dave G, I live in Orlando and work in the golf industry. I can tell you there are so many great courses around here that with a little phone time you wouldn’t have any problem getting tee times once you’re here. Especially if you aren’t dead set on playing specific courses. You could also get here and call around for specials. Most courses also give discounts for Florida residents but I have only been asked once or twice for proof in the 10 years I’ve lived here.
It’s great to hear that there maybe some specials appearing soon. Four play golf in our family and it gets to be expensive. Can anyone recommend a 3/4 day golf vacation where teens would be welcome and given a discount on the courses?
Bev, Myrtle Beach has always been friendly to teens, with many courses offering free golf in the low season (summer) for under 17s with every adult green fee. This includes some very good courses; also, during summer, the Myrtle Beach Golf Assn. runs family tournaments that can be fun. Larry GolfCommunityReviews.com
Message to Mike M – Mike – your in the industry – can you email me to discuss further? daveglaptop@gmail.com – thanks everyone for the great comments. Regards, Dave G Parry Sound Ontario
I was glad to see the Insider review how the economy is affecting the price of certain upscale golf packages. I hope you guys continue to update us on deals and/or large reductions you may find at various golf resorts. For example, I would be interested to know how prices will be affected in the Charleston area for the Ocean and surrounding courses as well as in Myrtle Beach. Thanks for the great job you guys do. Elliot
Thanks, Elliott. We did inquire about Kiawah’s Ocean Course but all they would tell us is that, “booking windows for golf have become closer in [I took this to mean more "last minute"]. It made us nervous but, eventually the rounds showed up.” Over at the American Club’s Whistling Straits, they said: “We cannot comment directly on increased availability for the upcoming weeks/months due to economic impact….Only time will tell for next season but bookings are tracking at pace for the 2009 season…”