HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE
PERFECT GOLF GE TAWAY
T
HE TIME HAS COME FOR A GOLF TRIP
for you and three friends.
It’s some hard-earned time away from your
day to day. But the reality of any golf trek is
that a lack of planning will cost you. Enjoy-
ment, playability, memories, readjusting
after the trip—they all suffer if you haven’t
done your homework. From start to finish,
preparation is key.
It can be the difference between a wasted opportunity and a
great vacation. We’re here to steer you in the right direction with
a road map that applies to any locale, regardless of how you travel
and without consideration for how many days you and your pals
are off doing your thing.
So regardless of your preferred method of planning, make sure
you spend some time well in advance doing just that.
Friend Selection
While most golfers think that where you’re going is the first step,
the more important factor is whom you are going with. As good
as that late-night conversation over drinks may have sounded,
the fact remains that you’re going to want a clear head before you
lock down this part.
An otherwise close friend who hasn’t picked up the clubs in five
years? Asking for trouble. Someone who regularly struggles to pay
for his portion of a check? No good.
There needs to be a clear-cut definition of what everyone is trying
to accomplish, and those goals need to meet up more often than
not. The only way to figure it out is through communication. Will
you like every answer you hear? Probably not. But it’s better to find
out in advance than on day two of your would-be splendid sojourn.
Location, Location, Location
Now that you’ve got the right company, you can take the next
logical step.
Where are you going?
This is where rebounding golf markets up and down the East
Coast and beyond are going to make the decision a little tougher.
Florida’s First Coast, Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail,
South Carolina’s Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach and even slightly
less organized pockets amid the likes of Michigan, Tennessee,
Indiana, Ohio or Wisconsin each present their own draw.
All of those (and others, of course) are going to present enough
range with the type of courses available to quench your golfing
needs. From starter tracks to top-shelf options and everything in
between, you won’t go wrong with any of them. The actual golf is
only part of it, though.
Some players are looking for all the bells and whistles of a big
city. Others want to bring the swim trunks and head to the beach.
A mountainside cabin with a movie room appeals to others. Weigh
all the options.
Travel Plans
This is where much of the country’s rebounding golf influence
plays to your advantage. No matter the locale you choose, getting
from your Virginia Point A to any of those Point Bs has never been
easier. Direct flights from D.C. or Richmond to Milwaukee, Hilton
Head, Jacksonville and Detroit are readily available, and driving
to many of those spots or any of the rest is frequently just as easy
for anyone who doesn’t mind a few hours in the car.
By air or land, one crucial aspect of your trek is going to be
getting there together. Coordinating family, work and social
schedules beforehand isn’t always easy, but trust us when we say
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