A hypothetical question about a Golf 'Odyssey'

[Mike_Golden]

Suppose you were on the West Coast, were going to move to the East Coast, and were in no particular hurry to get there.  It was late spring/early summer, and you had several months (or longer) to complete the jaunt across the country.  Where would you go, which courses might you play (mostly public access), and how much fun do you think this would be?

[ed_getka]

I sort of did that in the early 90's when I graduated. I had a job lined up, but it didn't start for a month and a half, so I went on a 30 day trip all around the country to play a list of courses I wanted to see.
  I started from San Diego and started at Troon North (Monument), went to Sedona and played a round there (in wind so strong that water was blown UP the waterfall), Cochiti Lake in NM, over to Tulsa area to play Page Belcher courses and one other, then on to Indiana and Otter Creek, and Plymouth CC. Then up to Michigan to see the Donald Ross Memorial course at Boyne resort, High Pointe, The Bear at Grand Traverse, Treetops, and a couple of others. And on and on.
    I was glad some of the courses were cart only by the end of that trip. Between the driving and the golf I was pushing it by the end of the trip. I drove through the night to go from OK to IN, and then went right to the course and played 45 holes, among other outrageous feats of stupidity. Had a blast though.

[RJ_Daley]

Mike old buddy, what in the heck stimulates you to ponder such a journey...  are you going somewhere?

April-July=16 weeks, say 4 playing days per week, some two round days when good courses are nearby. (I assume you have to have time to travel from place to place and have off-recovery time and chiropractic visits some days)

I wouldn't think you could play more than 100 courses on such a trek in that time, if you are the ironman of golf.

Since it is the better golf weather in the northern tier of the country that time of year (generally) I'd bounce zig-zag across the country between the I-90 south to I-70 corridors.  Then you'd only have about 5000 courses to run through some sort of criteria.  I hate lists, but maybe shoot for those listed as top 100 classic and modern from GD, GW that are in that geographic corridor.  

Can I come along?

[Mike Nuzzo]

I had a move journey 5-6 years ago.
I moved from NJ to Houston.
I took 95 south to Sawgrass and made a right at I-10.
I used Golf Mag's top 100 you can play as a guide - which worked quite well.
240 miles and a round of golf a day worked pretty well.
With a 3 day stay at Pinehurst.  I recommend an extended stay once a week - no driving.  
It was a great two week trip.

What I'd suggest instead:
Ship your stuff and head to England, Ireland and Scotland.
When are you going to get that much time off again?

Cheers

[Mike_Golden]

Thanks for the responses so far.  This is probably something a little more than hypothetical as I'm thinking about a move to the Southeast but would prefer to avoid the summer and am thinking about leaving California sometime in early to late May.

Dick-I'm sure that any itinerary of mine would include Wild Horse so I'm guessing we can enjoy at least some of this together.

Mike-thanks for the idea, it might be something to consider for at least some of the trip.

Ed-did any of your trip include Mexico or New Mexico?

[A_Clay_Man]

Just a few suggestions for the middle:

Swing down after Redlands Mesa to Delta and Devil's thumb. Then head here, and do Pinon Hills, Black Mesa and Paa-Ko-Ridge. Go to Lubbock and see the Rawls Course. Head up to Ne. for a little Wild horse, up to S.D. for Sutton Bay. Down through Wisc. and see Lawsonia and Kohler. Take the ferry over to Michigan and do eevrything near Traverse City.

[Bill_McBride]

I agree with Adam.  A visit to Santa Fe NM is mandatory, Black Mesa is great and Pa-ako Ridge is fun if long.  Taking the southern route to start, you would still be okay heatwise in Arizona and NM, then head north to catch the midwest as it warms up.

I am envious!  

[cary lichtenstein]

Mike:

Call me tomorrow. I have both the New Mexico and COlorado itinerary all done, plus this summers golf odessey starting in Oregon and trecking thru the entire northwest thru the Dokato's, mn, WIsc, Ill, and down to Florida.

I'll instant message you my number.

Cary

[Evan Fleisher]

Let us know when your Midwest portion will be happening...if you are to swing through Iowa / SW Wisconsin / Northern Illinois.

[Steve Lang]

 

if you miss TX in april or early may you're a fool..