What is the "Best" Bang for the Buck Golf Resort in America?

[Andrew Cunningham]

Here's a challenge:

I have an opinion on what is the "Best" Bang for the Buck Golf Resort in America.  I would like to see how quickly it takes our membership to figure out what resort I’m thinking of.  In order to qualify for my Bang for the Buck award the resort must meet the following criteria:

1) Public
2) On site accommodations
3) On site restaurant(s)
4) 18 hole golf course
5) At least one of the resort’s courses must ranked by one of the following national golf publications – Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, or Golfweek

Of course the resort I’m thinking of meets these five criteria.  But then so does Pebble Beach and I don’t think it would be at the top of anyone’s Bang for the Buck list.  So now the important part – price.  No special deals here.  In order to make it on my list the resort's prices must be published on their website.  This includes fall/winter rates – typically the only time I can afford to visit a golf resort.  

In making my final decision the math looked like this:

Quality of Golf = 40%
- 50% of this score based on the rankings of the big three
National golf publications, 50% on my opinion of the course

Price of Package = 50%
- includes golf, accommodations, and average food costs

Resort Amenities = 10%
- includes quality of accommodations and bonus for more than
one course

I look forward to hearing your opinions of my opinion which shall be posted shortly.

Andrew

[Joe Hancock]

I don't have a lot of resort experience, but I'd guess you might be looking at Kiawah.

Joe

[Andrew Cunningham]

Kiawah certainly is a world class golf resort with a highly ranked course.  But it is also a little steep on the dollar side.  Keep guessing.

Andrew

[mike_beene]

Kapalua

[Andy Troeger]

Bandon Dunes has pretty good rates in the offseason, so I'll guess that's it.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Kapalua - ouch!  I couldn't afford lunch there.  Because of their exceptional winter rates - so what if its raining - Bandon does represent an excellent value and is number two on my list, but not number one.

[Craig_Rokke]

Andrew-

Haven't been to Kohler, but I hear the golf is quite good.

I would almost lean towards some of those resorts you'd
see as Silver Medalists in Golf Magazine's rankings. Those resorts being second tier, I bet a lot a lot of them would fare better in your cost segment which makes up 1/2 your total
criteria.

[Andy Troeger]

Darn...at least I was close!

I'll try again and say Sea Pines (Harbour Town). Its very expensive at times, but I also saw a very attractive package on their website that's going on right now.

[mike_beene]

Sanddestin?

[Andrew Cunningham]

Good guesses so far - and a number of good values - but not my number one.  Once I post the price of their golf package I think everyone will agree with my opinion.  Till then keep'em coming.

Andrew

[Brian_Sleeman]

Pinehurst Resort is certainly pricey, but I don't think you can beat the overall area as a golf destination.  A multitude of courses are available at all price tiers and featuring a wide variety of architecture, and when you toss in the dinner and lodging options, as a *golf* destination (ie not somewhere you'd go if you also wanted to hit the beach or catch a show), it's hard to beat.

Kohler would have to be out due to price.

Boyne's got pretty much everything, though their courses don't get much in the way of rankings (apart from Bay Harbor), and it's not much of a fall/winter destination.

[Andrew Cunningham]

Sea Pines might just have bumped Bandon from the number two spot!  Nah not quite, but $130 per person per night for a round at Harbour Town Golf Links and accommodations is one heck of a deal.  On till February 5th.

Andrew

[Andy Troeger]

Andrew,
Haha, you found the package  I'm heading to Harbour Town later this month for it...I thought about Bandon too but I couldn't afford enough vacation to make that one work.

I'll bite one more time even though I think my guesses keep getting worse...but seeing as you started a thread about places to stay at Pinehurst I'm wondering if maybe you found a good rate there that I just haven't seen

By the way, I think the St. Ives resort in Michigan is a pretty good deal personally, but I really doubt that's your winner!

[Andrew Cunningham]

Brian,

I'm looking forward to Pinehurst in a couple of weeks.  I haven't been there in a long time (too young to remember).  Tobacco Road seems to be an excellent value (really looking forward to this one) but overall Pinehurst is not the bargain hunters ideal destination. The accommodations we have arranged for through a fellow GCA member are an exceptional value however.

Andrew

[Andrew Cunningham]

Andy,

St.Ives and Tullymore - I absolutely loved them.  I had high expectations of Tullymore and it delivered.  St. Ives was a real sleeper.  Didn't expect much and was pleasantly surprised.  Excellent fall rates.  Definitively in my Top 5 but not number one.  Good work on Harbour Town though.  If I wasn't going to Pinehurst that would be my next choice.  Can't say enough about Condotels of Pinehurst $110 per night two bedroom condo - great value there.  Golf rates well.....

Andrew

[PThomas]

Barefoot resort in Myrtle Beach?

[Mark Brown]

Crosswater at Sunriver
Snowshoe in WVA
Innibrook, FL
Dancing Rabbit
Reunion
Golden Horseshoe
Bayhill
Kiva Dunes
Doral

[mike_beene]

Last guess.Doral?

[Jordan Wall]

Kapalua

Great courses, Great (really great) food, great service, and good price.  Plus your in Hawaii so its pretty much impossible to go wrong!!

[Jim Johnson]

Jekyll Island? (Georgia)

[Doug Braunsdorf]

Last guess.Doral?

Mike-

  I wasn't overly impressed with Doral.  I stayed there in late January 2001, and while the 85 degree days were a welcome change from another winter up north, I felt rather out of place; it seemed that it was geared more towards 55+ travelers, rather than younger people, although there were some great pool areas to get some sun if not playing golf, and South Beach and The Keys were a short drive away.  Overall, everything seemed overpriced, but it could be Miami; I found myself more interested in relaxing by the pool and going around rather than playing.  

  The resort was very clean and well run, but I didn't think $285 for a round on the Blue Monster was money well spent; especially for a course of that architectural quality.  

Conversely, I thought Mid Pines/Pine Needles was much better; many here had spoken the virtues of it, and their words were not without merit; it was WONDERFUL, the overall package again was not cheap, but I felt well worth it.  I would have spent another week there, if I had the chance.  

Everything about it was just perfect, although I did wonder about the concept of "how much golf is enough?" while there.  

[Mike_Sweeney]

Ranked as one of the "8 Icons of American Resort Golf" is Lake Placid Club. I have not been there but a friend really raves about the place, and it appears to have lots of history:

http://www.lakeplacidresort.com/Links_Mag.html

"The Lake Placid Club Links course was designed in 1909 by the renowned Scottish architect Seymour Dunn. Dunn remained true to his origins, and the Links course represents Scottish Links style golf at its best with bunker- laiden fairways, native fescue, and large undulating greeens.
         
The Lake Placid Club Mountain course was laid out in 1910 by Alexander H. Findlay who immigrated to the U.S. from Scotland in the early 1880's and became one of the pioneers of golf in America. In 1931 the course was remodeled by Alister MacKenzie, designer of AUGUSTA NATIONAL - home of "The Masters". With smaller greens and more tree-lined fairways, this course begs for the straight shot. The engaging design takes full advantage of the scenic vistas and will appeal to players of all levels. It is quite simply the essence of "mountain golf"."

My other guess would be The Balsams in NH.
 

[Mike_Young]

For the buck...Boyne Highlands in the Summer.  Sometimes golf, lodgig and meals less than $100 per day.

[Lloyd_Cole]

Andrew,
It sounds like you have been doing extensive research. Have you monitored whether or not walking is allowed at the various contenders? If so I'd love to see your results when the quiz is over. I have no ideas that haven't already been put forward.

[Andrew Cunningham]

More great guesses but still a little off.  I have been to Lake Placid several times to which I can comment on it being a wonderful resort town and an excellent vacation destination.  Unfortunately I have only been there in the winter so no comment on the golf but the last time I was in Lake Placid it was anything but bang for the buck.  Still had a great time though.

Boyne is an excellent golf resort with sub $100 per person per day packages in the fall.  And Boyne is also in my personal Top 5 best value golf resorts.  But not my number one.