March/April golf trip... Where should I go?

[Gopher 484]

So, my Christmas present (from my wife) was a card, giving me a 4-day pass to go on a guy trip with my brothers (I'm the oldest of 4). Apparently, the sisters-in-law had been talking, and the consensus was that we (the brothers) need a break, to get away for a few days, etc. They debated on how much of our trip they should plan, and luckily for us, they left the planning up to us. Apparently, my brother's wife wanted to plan out the entire trip... That would have been interesting.

 

So, I have a prepaid VISA card (to be used for gas or whatever), as well as some Buffalo Wild Wings gift cards. But, most importantly, I have my wife's blessing to leave for a few days.

 

Because of various work commitments, it sounds like the earliest we would be taking this trip is late March or early April. Of course, the first thing that pops in my head is NCAA hoops. Not so much in the sense that I want to go to a destination that might have games (live), but moreso just planning our trip so that we can catch some games here and there (on TV, at a bar, etc.). Other than that, I think we agree that at least a couple of rounds of golf will/should be played, but that's about it.

 

So, what is a decent destination, in terms of finding somewhere to play golf in March/April? We're all in central MN, but we're not opposed to driving 15-20 hours to ensure we find some place warm (I've played golf in 35-degree weather, and if we're going to do this trip, I'm going to make sure we go somewhere decent, in terms of weather).

 

A few other things to keep in mind:

 

- We're hacks, when it comes to golf (we all play bogey golf on a good day), so although I'd like to find some decent courses, we're not looking to spend a ton of money on golf.

 

- Same thing with hotel/accomodations, etc. This is sort of a last-minute "wing it" trip, so the less we spend, the better (to a certain degree).

 

- No flying. Part of the appeal is doing a road trip... maybe without a destination completely set. In other words, I'm not even entirely sure we'll decide exactly where we're going, until the day we leave. It might all come down to what the weather (in various possible spots) looks like, on the day of departure.

 

- We probably want to avoid any major metro areas that might have major events going on, depending on the weekend we go (NCAA hoops, PGA tour, etc.). If nothing else, just for the sake of avoiding massive amounts of people, not to mention hotel availability/options and/or rates being jacked up.

 

So... Any place that a Huddler would suggest? Ideas that have already been thrown around vary from Houston, Dallas, New Orleans to Nashville or Memphis. Probably not interested in Florida, Vegas, or Arizona (those would be fun, but a little too far for a 4-5 day road trip).

Edited December 26, 2013 by Gopher

[Chief Dick 361]

You could always try Branson, MO. They have a place called Lodge of the 4 Seasons that has several golf courses there. They have some packages you can get that include golf.

 

Link.

 

The weather should be starting to turn real nice down here, and it's not too far from you. Plenty of bars and restaurants for game watching, and it's not a big metropolis.

[Bier Meister 162]

Chicago area?

[MustOfBeenDrunk 134]

Right on Gopher , good for you guys and good for the wives for cutting you guys loose

 

 

Hey did they say anything about a hall pass

 

When I asked my wife about one she said it would just be a waist of my time and whoever I was with

I hate when she is right , getting old is a bitzch

[HowboutthemCowboys 1,159]

cheap golf/hotel in March? Myrtle Beach

[darin3 1,229]

Austin, TX. Depending on when you go, you could check out South By Southwest (it's always in early-mid March, right around when March Madness kicks off).

 

There's some good/hack friendly courses in the area.

 

Staying in Austin proper would be next to impossible, but stay in the hinterlands and you'd be fine.

 

Edit: There should (maybe?) be some threads on SXSW here in the 'gate. If you've never been, you should go. Perfect venue for a bunch of dudes looking to have some fun, golf, etc.

Edited December 31, 2013 by darin3

[CowboysDiehard 465]

Don't let them see the movie 'Hall Pass' before you go...but perhaps YOU better watch it!

 

That said, I recommend Angel Park in Vegas. 27 Holes of hacker friendly goodness. If you go that route avoid the Badlands!

[flemingd 865]

Does the 4 days include travel? Because you mention 12 hour drive, that kills two days right there. Anywhere you go that time of year is going to carry risk of weather problems if you are limited to that kind of drive.

 

Based on your timeframe, travel, and description of golfers, I would say just pick a major market south of the 40th paralell, google the local courses, and get a decent room nearby. Saint Louis is great, KC is beautiful, Memphis would be fun. You want to be somewhere with alternative entertainment (and fresh BBQ qualifies) in case you get rained on all weekend. Saint Louis has casinos, the NCAA, East Saint Louis (what happens out east...), plenty of good food, the Arch, all kinds of things to kill time.

 

Alternatively, pick any Resort type area around there - they will all have golf nearby no matter their theme. Branson, MO suggestion above is a great example. That whole area is known for the Lake of the Ozarks, and will have all kinds of places to stay. It's remote as hell, you won't any casinos or strip clubs, but it's beautiful. I don't know that part of the country very well, but look into vacation getaway type spots.

[BA Baracus 1,336]

cheap golf/hotel in March? Myrtle Beach

 

 

This.

 

MB has a wide array of courses in terms of difficulty. Hotel rooms are dirt cheap that time of year and the weather should be decent (60's or 70's). There are about a million bars to watch BBall.

 

Another option would be Pinehurst, NC, but it will be a little cooler and the golf will be more expensive.

[darin3 1,229]

Y'all must have gone to the ABWF School for Geography

 

These guys live in Minnesota and don't want to drive but 15-20 hours. Myrtle Beach is 20+ from where he's at in MN... and that's straight driving, no stops.

 

I still say Austin is the spot for this trip... but somewhere in the Ozark region may actually be nice too.

[Gopher 484]

Does the 4 days include travel? Because you mention 12 hour drive, that kills two days right there. Anywhere you go that time of year is going to carry risk of weather problems if you are limited to that kind of drive.

 

It's looking more and more likely that this trip will take place in mid-April, due to some scheduling conflicts. Yeah, the time would include travel, but if it's up to me, it will be closer to a 5-day trip. Worst case, I envision us leaving Wednesday night, driving straight through to arrive at destination Thursday sometime, golf Friday/Saturday, and leave early Sunday morning (getting us home by late Sunday night or very early Monday morning).

 

But, yeah, I get that weather could always be a factor, just about anywhere we go that time of year.

[flemingd 865]

http://courses.golfdigest.com/

 

Just start with a zip code and go from there.

 

I'll reiterate the Saint Louis area. I used 63146 for example and chose 50 miles. There's no Pebble Beach, but all can be played for at most $75 and there are a lot of good tracks around there. Crystal Springs is more interesting than it looks like it would be; Tapawingo is a nice Gary Player layout, and pretty cool - 3 different 9's, so you could play it up to 6 times and never play the same front/back combo; Missouri Bluffs has a lot of different elements in one course; Forest Park right downtown also has 3 nines, and it's smack in the middle of the Park. The golf isn't the greatest, but it's a combo trip, Forest Park is a huge STL attraction, with a zoo, science museum, the Louisiana Purchase exposition, etc. Maybe not a lot to excite a bunch of golf buddy donkies, it's admittedly much more of a family thing, but it's still very cool and worth seeing if you are there.

 

http://en.wikipedia....ark_(St._Louis)

Edited January 21, 2014 by flemingd

[Gopher 484]

Update... We're headed to St. Louis for Memorial Day weekend. Planning to catch a Cards-DBacks game on Thursday night, then golf all day Friday/Saturday (return to MPLS on Sunday).

 

Anybody familiar with courses in St. Louis? I've got a list of about 15-20 that look nice (and are reasonable in terms of rates). Need to narrow it down to 4 "must play" courses.

 

Any other tips (food, sports bars, etc.) would be appreciated. Not looking for 5-star restaurants (my bro's are too cheap), but rather some places that have good food, where we can catch a game or two as well.

[Gopher 484]

Austin, TX.

Heading there in early June for our annual work "kickoff" meeting. Should be fun.