[knicknut]

Hello, all. Hoping for some advice.

I've been laid off of my job, and job prospects aren't good in the short term. Worst thing is it's winter and I'm in NYC, so I can't even go play golf.

I want to use the opportunity to make a run at scratch (I finished '08 as a 1.7). I want to take a 3 week to month golf trip. Here are my preferences--do you have suggestions?

- Weather: Has to be at least 50 every day in late Feb/early March. I'm not a member of the polar bear club.
- Price range: Not too expensive. Hoping for nice courses, but don't want to pay more than 40-50 a round, preferably less. Play-all-day rates would be fantastic, and I love to walk. (I walk 36-45 holes every Saturday at my home course while I'm working.)
- Lodging: Nothing fancy, just clean. Not too expensive, hopefully some weekly/monthly rates, wi-fi included. Gym would be great, if not, a local one nearby I can join for the month. Something I could just pay $1000 for the month would be great.
- Practice facilities: hopefully some good, cheap ones nearby. Would probably walk 36 holes 4 days a week, practice and lift at the gym the other three.
- Other diversions--bars, etc., not necessary. I'll be a hermit and focus on golf.
- Hopefully can rent a car cheaply as well if I have to fly there. Would also like the area to be compact--I don't want to have to drive an hour to get to the courses.

Any suggestions? Thank you!

[Brad6260]

Knick,
If it were me I would find some cheap digs in the Old Scottsdale area and jump on the GolfNow last minute bargains each day. No you won't be finding Troon North or Grayhawk for $50.00 bucks but there's plenty of great high end bargains to be had not to mention guaranteed good weather.

I've used this site several times with great success for lodging.

http://www.homeaway.com

[sksmall]

You could try the Myrtle Beach area. Have NO idea about the courses walking policies, but you can find good, quality golf courses for the price you are looking at. You just have to stay away from the highly advertised ones that go for a hundred a round. Lots of sites that will do package deals and stuff. Just poke around.

[toms1090]

Orlando has a lot of extended stay hotels and even more golf courses.

[Ronzo]

Take a look at renting a condo at Inverrary on a short-term basis. Lots of challenging quality golf nearby (Colony West, Inverrary, Plantation Preserve, Hillcrest, and others) for relatively low cost, and the amenities you're looking for should be included in the condo rental. Lots of Canadians do exactly that when they stay down here.

[Ace In The Hole]

If you are looking for good golf at a decent price, and cheap lodging head to south FL, the Clearwater, Tampa area is probably your best bet, not to mention you are right there on the golf of Mexico.......I wish I was there right now, Canada has not been kind to me in the weather dept this year!!

[Mikolar]

Each year, I travel with a group of value conscious good players at our Texas club and drive to Alabama's RTJ Trail....we even go in June for the rates get a bit cheaper, we don't mind the hot weather and stay at whatever is the right price...often Hampton Inn's (free breakfast, a happy hour and great beds).

Check the website and see if its interests you.
There are 12-15 cities and towns that each have at least 27 holes and often a par 3 course of great Robert Trent Jones designed golf. Most people play a site for a day or two and then drive to the next town. A few of the sites (the Huntsville and Dothan courses come to mind) but most are about $50 to play all day.
Each is different in its own way, the nearby towns are full of great people and its best golf deal I've found.

And good luck in job hunting.

[AUDuffer]

Mikolar, on Jan 29 2009, 05:37 PM, said:

Each year, I travel with a group of value conscious good players at our Texas club and drive to Alabama's RTJ Trail....we even go in June for the rates get a bit cheaper, we don't mind the hot weather and stay at whatever is the right price...often Hampton Inn's (free breakfast, a happy hour and great beds).

Check the website and see if its interests you.
There are 12-15 cities and towns that each have at least 27 holes and often a par 3 course of great Robert Trent Jones designed golf. Most people play a site for a day or two and then drive to the next town. A few of the sites (the Huntsville and Dothan courses come to mind) but most are about $50 to play all day.
Each is different in its own way, the nearby towns are full of great people and its best golf deal I've found.

And good luck in job hunting.

I second the RTJ trail...you could base yourself out of Prattville/Montgomery and you've got 54 holes at Capitol Hill, 27 holes at Cambrian Ridge (plus a 9-hole) par 3 course, and 36 holes at Grand National (plus an 18-hole par 3 course). Cambrian Ridge and Grand National are both about an hour's drive from Prattville so not far to go. Check out rtjgolf.com and you won't be sorry.

[fore_life]

come out to Ahwatukee,AZ (right by tempe, home of ASU)

I play nearly every day and can get you the member discount at my CC for like $26 bucks to walk or something, or if you come out by march 1st, you can join month to month for $199 a month, which includes unlimited golf at 2 courses, and unlimited range/practice facilities as well. Great bars close by, cheap housing, and weather in the 60's/70's

[knicknut]

Wow, unlimited use of the facilities for $200? Sounds too good to be true. Could you PM me the place name?

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I'll start doing some research!

[fore_life]

PM sent, and membership deal extended through MAy!

[bassman1308]

There may be cheaper golf than San Antonio,Tx but it's nowhere I've been.

[rms25thta]

Myrtle Beach would be perfect for you. There are 100 courses in the area and you can find good accomodations for a good rate. There is a Suburban Lodge that is $189 a week for a nice room with a mini kitchen and that is right on 501 which is right in the heart of a ton of courses. There are tons of services for getting a good deal, just google Myrtle Beach golf packages. We live in Charlotte, NC and go there quite a bit, free lodging at my Aunt's condo...nice perk. As far as walking the courses, not sure on that one. That time of year gets real busy down there and they try to keep things moving. You would have to call around. Good thing also is that you can fly right into Myrtle Beach, pretty sure there are direct flights from NY. Good luck in finding what you want.

[freddiec]

I think you should go to Ft. Myers Florida. If you've never been , its beatiful. You could easily rent a nice condo for about 350 to 400 a week. Tons of cheap courses and the weather will be 80 everyday.

But if thats too expensive, I second trying out Texas like one of the other posters mentioned. But if it was me, Naples- Ft. Myers, or Orlando.