Buddies Golf Trip-favorite places to go with friends
With so many great places in the country and the world for that matter, how do you choose where to bring your buddies on an annul golf trip? Obviously, price factors in, but also weather and for my friends, diversity of the places to play.
Our buddies group has taken trips to Pinehurst, Pebble Beach, Bandon, Kohler, Jacksonville, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Scotland and several other places. Pinehurst provides 8 courses on property but also Pine Needles and Tobacco Road are near by and should also be part of the itinerary due to their proximity. In some cases, more options might not be the best thing because you may have a rain out and miss the day you were scheduled to play #2. The other courses at Pinehurst don't have the same history so missing out on #2 could be devastating to an expensive golf trip. Every golf destination for us involves searching for other places in the area that might be part of a "top 100" list from a certain golf publication. There is something to be said for the feeling of checking off one of the top 100 courses. Hopefully, you get to have that feeling over & over. And, by the way, Pinehurst #8 is one of my favorite courses I've ever played.
When it comes to value for your buck, look into the Robert Trent Jones trail in Alabama. They have several different courses throughout the state that are part of the RTJ and the service they provide at each location is excellent. The RTJ is not as inexpensive as the local Muni but compared to some other destination golf locations, the RTJ is downright cheap. All of the RTJ locations I've been to have multiple courses so you can easily get in 36 holes per day. Play 18, eat lunch and head back out and play a different, excellent golf course. Some of the locations on the trail are somewhat isolated so if the after golf action is a priority for your group, you may want to pick the ones located nearer the bigger cities or near a major college.
My favorite RTJ destination is Capitol Hill in Prattville, AL. It offers three 18 hole championship courses and all three are distinctly different. The Judge is one of the more challenging layouts I've ever played so bring your "A" game and lot's of extra golf balls. The Senator course is links style and a completely different type of challenge. The Senator is the most relaxing of the three but it's huge greens offer up some difficult, lengthy putts so make sure you have your putting touch to avoid numerous three putts.
I go on an annual trip to Opelika/Auburn, Alabama and we play both the 18 hole championship courses at Grand National. The staff there is very friendly and helpful and both courses are so different from each other that it feels like you've traveled to another location when you switch from the Links course to the Lake course.
When pricing out your next buddies golf trip, please keep the RTJ Trail in your thoughts. There is something special about playing a "Famous" golf resort, I agree. Sometimes though, people who would like to go, are priced out of being able to attend. You may find that everyone in your group will be able to afford the RTJ prices and the group could get a little bigger which allows for more "action" on the course and not leaving anyone at home feels good.
RTJ has packages available and will work with you in setting everything up. Give it a try sometime. I know you'll be pleased with the RTJ.
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