Golfing Eighteen Blog

To celebrate the 20th Anniversary of “Best Resorts Awards” GOLF MAGAZINE debuts their platinum Medal Awards and invited their readers input in naming Golf’s 75 greatest destinations.

New York, NY (Vocus/PRWEB ) March 10, 2008 — Want to know the ultimate golf destinations in North America? GOLF MAGAZINE has the answer. This year marks the 20th anniversary of GOLF’s “Best Resorts Awards,” an honor bestowed upon the 75 greatest destinations in North America which appears in the April issue on newsstands today. A complete listing is attached.

The 2008 list marks the first time that the magazine gave avid golfers the chance to become part of the process by allowing them to vote via the magazines digital arm, Golf.com. More than 8,000 golf enthusiasts offered their opinions. This year also marks the debut of GOLF’s Platinum Medals, an elite award given to the upper echelon of golf properties that excel in course design and playability while providing luxurious accommodations. This year’s Platinum winners include The American Club, Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Four Seasons Resort Lana’i at Manele Bay, Pinehurst Resort, The Boulders Resort & Golden Door Spa, The Greenbrier, The Broadmoor, Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Pebble Beach Resorts and Sea Island Resort. Furthermore, the magazine created the Green Awards, an honor given to the ten best eco-friendly destinations that have placed a serious emphasis on resource conservation and protection.

Among the 75 resorts listed readers will find nine from the shores of Hawaii, 14 Jack Nicklaus designed courses, four that have played host to a Major Championship, as well as The Lodge at Torrey Pines, the site of the 2008 U.S. Open. Additionally, GOLF MAGAZINE lists the top picks for quality golf and accommodations in each region of the country in “Best in Your Area,” and features “Keep Your Eye On,” a look at resorts that are up and coming and could find their way onto the list in the near future.
    
“The Best Resorts Awards feature is a key initiative because it allows us to provide our readers with the answer to that age-old question: ‘Where should I go on my next golf trip?’” says David Clarke, Editor, GOLF MAGAZINE. “This year’s awards are truly unique because we invited our readers to share their insight through a Golf.com poll. This is an exciting time at GOLF MAGAZINE.”

The “Best Resorts Awards” is a biannual feature in the pages of GOLF MAGAZINE. The voting on Golf.com was based on four criteria: golf, lodging, food and drink and service. Forty percent of the resort recognition is based on golf, where voters considered factors such as challenge, playability, scenery, history, facilities and service. The rest of the score was equally weighed among lodging, food and drink and overall service at the resorts.

“The overwhelming insight from our loyal readers on Golf.com speaks volumes to the growing number of traveling golfers and the demand for these awards,” says Joe Passov, Senior Travel Editor, GOLF MAGAZINE. “By creating Platinum Medals for the elite resorts in North America we can provide answers for that critical question of ‘Which is the best?’”

GOLF Magazine is at the core of the most powerful media company in the game, the Si Golf Group. The magazine, which delivers a monthly circulation of 1.4 million golf enthusiasts and a readership of 6 million, provides the best instruction, equipment reviews and travel coverage in the category. With the combined resources of GOLF, SI’s Golf Plus and their home on the web, Golf.com, the SI Golf Group delivers a monthly audience of 13 million avid golfers and fans. GOLF Magazine is published by Time Inc., which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time Warner Inc.

The above information must be properly credited as from the pages of GOLF Magazine.

There are many elements that draw golf enthusiasts to Scotland, namely the lush, breathtaking backdrops that line the area. There are some of the most exquisite and exciting golf courses in the world, and if you are interested in going on a golf tour in Scotland, the first thing you are going to want to do is find a legit, respectable company to go through.

Your Options

If you are interested in golf tours in Scotland, then one of the very first companies you should check out is the Golf Scotland Company. They specialize in tailor made Scottish golf vacations to suit all budgets and group sizes. They combine an unparalleled quality of service with an expert knowledge of Scottish golf to provide you with the absolute ultimate golfing experience.

They even offer VIP golf tours, and features of these golf tours in Scotland can include specially chartered jets, as they can arrange transatlantic flights in specially chartered jets and cater for groups of 4-12 people. For larger numbers and corporate groups they can charter Boeing aircrafts that accommodate groups up to 100 passengers with luxury seating, lounges and a cocktail bar.

There are also helicopter transfers available, and these are useful for clients who want the thrill of playing the famous links from a single base. This is a great option because their executive helicopters are able to transfer golfers in groups of 4 with full golfing gear and luggage.

This company should definitely be one of your top options for golf tours in Scotland, as they offer the ultimate golf travel package service comprising of the promotion, design and management of bespoke Scottish golf vacations and golf-related tours and hospitality packages, of which are able to suit all budgets and group sizes.

They are a respected and reputable company, one that you can put your trust in to do business with, and they are an ideal company to purchase golf tours in Scotland from.

Another company that you may want to consider here is the Scotland Golf Tours Company, which arranges golf tours to Scotland and Ireland for golfers from all over the world. They reserve your golf tee times, accommodation in comfortable 3 star hotels, elegant 4 star hotels and world class 5 star resorts or even castles, as well as plan your ground transport, dinners and other meals and give you some of their own personal recommendations for some great local pubs.

If you are interested in going on a golf holiday, then one locale you should definitely consider is Italy. There is really no place in the world like Italy, with the beautiful waterfront landscapes and lush greeneries. It definitely offers a world all its own and is a fabulous place for any golf enthusiasts to visit and take in the sights of the truly astounding golf courses that are located there.

The process of planning a golf holiday in Italy really does not have to be all that difficult, you just want to make sure that you begin your planning far enough ahead of time that you can actually put some thought and consideration into it, because rushing is never any good.

Where To Play

The first thing you should decide when planning a golf holiday in Italy is which courses you want to play golf at. There are so many different golf resorts and courses in and around Italy that you can enjoy, including but certainly not limited to: Castelgandolfo Country Club, Fioranello Golf Course, Marco Simone Golf Club, Parco di Roma Golf Club, and the Roma Acquasanta Circolo del Golf, all located in Rome.

For the Tuscany area, some of the top rated golf courses are the Le Pavoniere, Ugolino Golf, Versilia Golf Course, Cosmopolitan Golf Course, and the Castelfalfi Golf Club.

Where To Stay

The next step in planning a golf holiday in Italy is to decide where you are going to stay on your vacation. Especially if you are planning on spending a week in your chosen destination, in this case Italy, you are obviously going to need somewhere to stay, and so you are going to want to choose the proper hotel, motel, resort, or condo – whatever it is that you are looking for.

Remember that in popular tourist areas such as Italy, accommodations tend to fill up quickly so you are going to want to make your reservations as early beforehand as possible in order to ensure availability for the time and date you are interested in.

Make It Easy

If you want to just take the easiest route when it comes to planning a golf holiday in Italy, then one option that will be ideal to you is to just purchase a golf holiday in Italy package. This package will include everything that you need for the trip, including time at the specified golf courses as well as accommodations and usually meals and beverages as well, depending on what particular package you choose.

If you want to play golf in a beautiful, exotic destination, then the Canary Islands are a perfect option. Here you can play golf at any time of the year because the weather is so mild and favorable, and you can enjoy the gorgeous sunshine and pleasant sea breeze while you’re on the green.

Another attraction of a Canary Islands golf holiday is that you are able to try out so many different courses simply by taking short trips around the islands, and you don’t even have to change accommodations, which is one of the best parts of all. The Canary Islands offer top quality, modern facilities everywhere you go and you are sure to have fun overcoming the challenges that the different courses pose while admiring fabulous views over the Atlantic Ocean or the magnificent mountains that dominate the archipelago.

Getting Started

The first step you are going to have to take if you want to take a Canary Islands golf holiday is to find a company that you can do business with either to get a Canary Islands golf holiday package or purchase all the different elements separately – the choice is obviously up to you but generally it is better to go with a package deal because you will save yourself a great deal of time, money and hassle.

Spanish Property World, Canary-Isles, Premier Iberian, Visit Europe, these are all great companies that will be worth checking out if you are planning a Canary Islands golf holiday, and just make sure that any company you are interested in going with is certifiable and reputable, and that you will be getting the best deal from them.

Vacation Package

The next thing you have to do is choose a vacation package, and there are some really great resorts to pick from, including Gran Hotel Bahia del Duque Resort, which works very closely with all of the area’s golf courses and which provide equipment for hire for those without their own clubs. Tee time reservations, transfers to the different courses and tuition can all be arranged by the hotel.

The Costa Teguise Golf Course is also ideal for a Canary Islands golf holiday, and it is set at the foot of an extinct volcano, which makes it truly unique. Surrounded by palm trees and volcanic landscapes, at every corner of the resort there is something fabulous that you can appreciate, and the golf course is just 25 kilometers from the hotel, making it as convenient for you as possible.

Now renowned as an ideal family holiday destination, a Fuerteventura golf holiday is a fabulous idea. It features some of the most beautiful and calm golf resorts, including Costa Calma to the south and Caleta de Fuste on the central east coast. Both of these resorts have the best of the family beaches, and Costa Calma in particular is growing fast, with beautiful beaches and lots of family watersport activity and fun.

There are also a selection of different family attractions that are situated in and around the Fuerteventura area, including diving excursions, family windsurfing, boat trips, catamaran sailing trips, fishing trips, and more.

Making the Deal

Before you rush into anything and buy any Fuerteventura golf holiday, you are going to want to take some time and choose the best possible company. There are quite a few to pick from, one in particular being Fuerteventura Company. They offer you the unique opportunity to rent a superb island home right within the excusive surroundings of the Fuerteventura Golf Club, and this location provides you with a great combination of ideal golfing facilities, modern luxurious living and natural scenic beauty.

They are a great company to use for planning a Fuerteventura golf holiday because they offer some fabulous villas, and all the villas are located on the golf complex with its own commercial center, multiplex cinema and bowling alley. Most of the villas that you have to choose from for your Fuerteventura golf holiday will have 4 double bedrooms which sleep up to 8 people and the kitchens are all fully equipped with modern appliances.

You can also choose from apartments for your Fuerteventura golf holiday, and there are 4 apartments per building, two on the ground floor and two on the first floor. Each apartment includes a communal swimming pool, fully fitted kitchen, satellite television, 2 bathrooms, washing machine, lounge diner, and access to the best golf courses in the area.

Fuerteventura is definitely a great place to take the entire family, and one that offers fun and adventure for all, even the younger children. It offers some fabulous golf courses but also fun and enjoyment in other areas. Just make sure that you have all the details in place before heading off on your trip, so that you can be sure everyone is going to have a great time and that no one is going to be bored or left with nothing to do.

Taking a golf holiday in Europe can be a really great idea you just have to make sure that you take the proper time to plan every detail of the holiday as best you can. The easiest way of all to plan a golf holiday in Europe or anywhere for that matter is to buy a holiday package, which will include all of the important amenities such as time on a golf course and accommodations, for instance. This way you will be saving yourself a great deal of time and hassle.

Your Options

There are a few great companies offering golf holiday in Europe packages, and the Great Golf Holidays Company is one in particular. They present you with a wide range of golfing breaks and holidays across the UK, Ireland, Spain, France and South Africa, and you can browse through all of their options right on their website.

They are a great choice for buying a golf holiday in Europe because they aim to ensure that their prices are competitive, and they want to have a value for money golfing break that you will enjoy. They also always try to make sure that the services they offer make your role as easy as possible and they book your accommodation, reserve tee times, they administer your travel requirements, and even send you directions on how to get to your hotel and the golf clubs to make it even easier for you.

The Golf Holidays Abroad Company is another great option available to you here, and they are a company that offers a comprehensive list of golf courses and hotels to suit all budgets, so regardless of how little or large your budget is, you will be able to find something perfectly suited to you.

They pride themselves on their personalized service and they also offer a tee time or accommodation only option, so that if you have already organized your entire golf holiday in Europe but would just like to add something to it, you can contact them and they can do this for you.

Make the Most of it

Anytime you take a vacation, whether it is a golf holiday vacation or not, you should always try and relax and leave your troubles at home, so that you can focus on enjoying yourself and making the most of your trip. After all, you only get vacations once in a while so it is important that you have fun.

A golf holiday can be a really great way to relax and travel the world, but if you are interested in having a golf holiday there are a few things that you are going to want to think about and a few steps you are going to want to take.

Getting Started

The first step that you are going to want to take is to decide where you actually want to go for your golf holiday. There are so many really wonderful, idealistic places around the world that you can travel to, and so many fantastic golf courses and resorts that you can visit, that this part of the planning process can often almost be overwhelming.

You can use your budget to play a large role here, as obviously you are only going to be able to go as far as your budget will allow you. You also want to make sure that you choose a locale that is going to be ideal for you, for instance if you are looking to get lots of sunshine, then Florida or California would be a better idea than Italy or Mississippi.

The next step is to figure out how long you are going to stay for and, if for over a day, you are going to have to find appropriate accommodations. There are hotels, motels, villas, resorts, condos, even homes that you can rent over the duration of your golf holiday, and again your budget will be the most key determining factor here.

Finding the Best Value

No matter how much money you are actually willing to spend, no one is going to complain about saving a bit of money, and if you want to find the best value then there are a few things you are going to want to do. First, make sure that any company you are interested in going through is certified with the Better Business Bureau, so that you can be positive and feel assured knowing that they are a legit and reputable company.

Also to find the best value for your golf holiday you want to make sure that you check around to a few different companies, taking into consideration the different services that they are offering and the prices that they are asking for them. By taking a bit of time to browse through your options and become more educated, you are going to make yourself more informed and end up making the most intelligent and suitable decisions.

Golf holiday packages are very convenient, because rather than having to go around and purchase all of the different elements of your holiday yourself you can just get everything you need in a single, simple package. If this is the route that you want to take, then you are going to have to find an appropriate company to purchase a golf holiday package from. Although there are many to choose from, those that are mentioned here are going to be especially worth your while.

Flight Center

If you are looking for golf holiday packages, this is one ideal option. They offer quite a few different ultimate golf vacations, including the Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation, which includes 4 night accommodation, quad occupancy in a two bedroom oceanview condo, 3 rounds of golf, golf carts and advance tee times, and all taxes and fees.

The Inverness Golf Vacation that they offer is another fan favorite golf holiday package, and includes 7 night accommodation, quad occupancy in a 3 bedroom private pool home, daily golf on three courses, 1 round on El Diablo GC with cart included, 30 day advance tee times, and a 7 day Avis Minivan rental with unlimited mileage.

Med Golf

This is another great option for golf holiday packages, and the Med Golf Company is one that works from their base in Gibraltar, and which delivers quality, value and personal service for all your property, golf and insurance requirements. They pride themselves on offering the cheapest green fee rates for any golfing package to Spain, Scotland, and other exotic areas around the world.

Their online holiday calculator will give you an instant quote at several of the top resorts and payments are processed through their state-of-the-art secure server. You can also give your payment details over the phone if you prefer, and you will also be given the opportunity to select from a range of top accommodations, add an air conditioned hired car, travel insurance and golf tee times later.

It is important that you take all the important issues into consideration when buying something such as golf holiday packages, including the weather, rates, where the best courses are, when the peak months are for the particular location that you are going to, and so on. By taking the time and putting in the effort during the planning stages of your trip, you will be able to come out with some great results and really enjoy yourself on your trip.

Planning a golf holiday in Portugal does not have to be stressing or complicated, you just have to make sure that you take all the important aspects into consideration and that you plan as far beforehand as possible in order to ensure that everything is in place and set before you leave. The first step to planning a golf holiday in Portugal is to find a company that is going to offer the elements that you are looking for.

You are most likely looking to travel to Portugal for a couple of days at least for your golf holiday in Portugal, and so therefore you are obviously going to need to find accommodations for yourself. You are also going to want to decide on which particular golf courses you are interested in going to, and you can do all of this by going through the right company.

Course Master Golf Holidays

This is one company that you are definitely going to want to check out. They will work to custom design your next golf holiday in Portugal right from the very beginning, and always at the best possible price. They feature accommodations and golf available throughout the Algarve, which is one of the most popular locations in all Portugal for golfing, and as well Lisbon, Cascais, Estoril, Sintra, Costa Azul, and Estoril Coast.

All of their packages include but are certainly not limited to the following amenities: 2-14 or more days in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Cyprus, Florida, Scotland, Ireland, and Morocco, accommodation, car hire or transfers, golf, guaranteed pre-booked tee times, wide choice of top golf courses in all locations, and excellent hotels and resorts, marina, beach and golf resorts as well as villas and apartments.

Premier Iberian

This is another of the top companies that you should check out for a golf holiday in Portugal. They have been in the business of selling golf holidays for over 15 years now, and they pride themselves in providing only the very best service to golfers around the world. They have great experience when it comes to providing golfing holidays for groups of any size, from single golfers to groups of ten, twenty, often even more.

Their aim is to be the first choice golf and leisure holiday company for independent minded travelers, and continue to grow steadily as a business because they are so committed to serving their customers and responding to their individual needs. They are definitely a great company to check out if you are interested in purchasing a golf holiday in Portugal package.

If you are interested in taking a golf holiday in Spain, the first thing you are going to have to decide is where exactly in Spain you want to go. Few people are actually aware of just how many wonderful options they have when it comes to golf holidays in Spain, and it is truly important that you take the time to browse through all of your options so that you can make the best possible decision.

Where to go?

There are a few places in particular which are perfect for a golf holiday in Spain, one being Catalonia, which is in the northeast corner of Spain. Five of the golf courses in Catalonia have been voted in the top 50 in Europe by Golf World, and it is quite fair to say that the golfing fraternities consider golf in Catalonia as being nothing less than exceptional. You will pay a lot more for courses comparable in quality than other golf destinations, but it is absolutely worth it.

Another ideal place for a golf holiday in Spain is Costa de la Luz, which is a quiet and unassuming region that is still as popular with Spanish and Portuguese visitors as it is becoming with the more traditional golfing visitor from areas around the world such as Scandinavia, Great Britain, and Germany. The Costa de la Luz is the western part of the Andalucia coastline that faces out to the Atlantic, and the sand is finer and a more golden color than neighboring areas.

It is also considered as being ideal for a golf holiday in Spain because the temperatures are slightly milder and the stretches of cliffs and coves make for beautiful backdrops to the golf greens. There are some really wonderful golf courses in the Costa de la Luz area, including but certainly not limited to: Benalup Golf Club, Corta Atalaya Golf Club, Costa Esuri Golf Course, La Canada Golf Club, San Roque Golf Club, Villa Nueva Golf Resort, Seville Golf Club, and the Sanlucar Club de Campo.

Where to Stay?

If you are planning on staying for a couple days on your golf holiday in Spain, then you are going to have to find proper accommodations. Remember that all accommodation companies are going to be busier during the peak months, especially during the holidays, so you have to make sure that you plan as early ahead as you can in order to ensure availability for the time and date that you are interested in. You also want to try and get a booking at an accommodation that is as close to your selected golf courses as possible.