What is the worlds top public golf destination?

[Kenny Baer]

If we are talking about year round destinations then Cabo wins hands down.  Febuary in Cabo vs Feb in Bandon....no comparison!!

[Terry Lavin]

If we are talking about year round destinations then Cabo wins hands down.  Febuary in Cabo vs Feb in Bandon....no comparison!!

Hmmm. Lemme think. Winter in Oregon or Cabo?  I'll get back to ya.

[Sven Nilsen]

If we are talking about year round destinations then Cabo wins hands down.  Febuary in Cabo vs Feb in Bandon....no comparison!!

How's the summer in Cabo?  This is a serious question.

[David_Elvins]

Yes St. Andrews is a better "destination" when you toss in all the non-golf stuff, history, culture etc. and you overlook paying DEARLY for a guaranteed time on the Old Course, but seriously guys, aside from the occasional rediculous winds and a couple of mediocre holes on Bandon Dunes, nothing comes close for most of us...

It all depends how you weight the various factors.  I don't think the culture of a place should be underestimated.  I found bandon resort to be quite sterile and bland, and the crowd very homogenous.  There was also a lack of real variety in the dining/drinking establsihments.  St Andrews beats it by so far in this category that it isn't funny.  Even if bandon had better courses, that doesn't mean you can ignore its downsides such  as cost and culture.

[Jud_T]

David,

I've got all the foodie options and culture I need at home.  Can't speak for everyone else here, but I go on golf trips for golf.  Give me great courses at a fair price, a burger, a beer, a bed and a hot shower and I'm happy...Barnbougle seems fantastic, but unless you're fortunate enough to live down under, it's a bit of a hike and also hard to tell the wife that you and your buddies are going to Australia on a golf trip and she's staying home to watch the kids...

[Anthony Gray]

If we are talking about year round destinations then Cabo wins hands down.  Febuary in Cabo vs Feb in Bandon....no comparison!!

How's the summer in Cabo?  This is a serious question.

  You wouldn't want to walk the courses.

  Anthony

[Phil McDade]

Can anyone name a public golf resort with 4 higher rated courses by any of the magazines or general GCA concensus than Bandon? Yes St. Andrews is a better "destination" when you toss in all the non-golf stuff, history, culture etc. and you overlook paying DEARLY for a guaranteed time on the Old Course, but seriously guys, aside from the occasional rediculous winds and a couple of mediocre holes on Bandon Dunes, nothing comes close for most of us...

Jud:

You probably pay DEARLY for a guaranteed time for a foursome at TOC, if you want to play with the three guys you travel with to St. Andrews.

It's not that hard to get on the Old Course, if you're willing to hoof it alone and line up as a single in the morning; you'll get on that day. Insisting on playing with your friends is the equivalent of "all the non-golf stuff, history, culture etc." If the golf is the thing, as you suggest, there's no reason to pay dearly to get on TOC.

[Ulrich Mayring]

I didn't get on as a single, tried four or five times. Singles cannot enter the ballot, even if they are staying in the city for two weeks. Many groups at TOC go out in two or threesomes while a lot of golfers are standing on the sidelines and can't play. But the Links Trust makes zero effort to pair up, they let TOC run at maybe 70% capacity and have no problems turning visitors away.

So all is not rosy at St Andrews, but this doesn't change the fact that people from all over the world come there to play - if they get a teetime at TOC or not.

Ulrich

[Phil McDade]

Ulrich:

That's different than my experience, and those of others who have traveled there recently.

You can walk it for free on Sundays!

[Carl Nichols]

Can anyone name a public golf resort with 4 higher rated courses by any of the magazines or general GCA concensus than Bandon? Yes St. Andrews is a better "destination" when you toss in all the non-golf stuff, history, culture etc. and you overlook paying DEARLY for a guaranteed time on the Old Course, but seriously guys, aside from the occasional rediculous winds and a couple of mediocre holes on Bandon Dunes, nothing comes close for most of us...

Jud:

You probably pay DEARLY for a guaranteed time for a foursome at TOC, if you want to play with the three guys you travel with to St. Andrews.

It's not that hard to get on the Old Course, if you're willing to hoof it alone and line up as a single in the morning; you'll get on that day. Insisting on playing with your friends is the equivalent of "all the non-golf stuff, history, culture etc." If the golf is the thing, as you suggest, there's no reason to pay dearly to get on TOC.

What's the going rate for a guaranteed foursome at TOC?  I assume it has to be arranged through some trip organizer or similar third party?

[Daryl David]

Around 2000 pounds.  Hard to tell what you are paying for the round of golf on TOC as it comes with 2 other rounds and hotel. 

http://www.oldcourse-experience.com/standrews.htm#2

[Kin Britton]

For me it will always be St Andrews. Great people.  Great town with cool places like the Dunvegan and St Andrews Golf Club.  Great golf- Old, New, Jubilee, Kingsbarns, Lundin, Crail, Panmure, Carnoustie (even though I personally don't like Carnoustie), and Elie all within 45 minutes.  Easy day trip to East Lothian for a North Berwick, Gullane or Muirfield round.  Could also make the run to Aberdeen.  Easily accessible golf...of all those names the "hardest" round to get is Muirfiled and all you have to do is plan in advance.  Great weather!  Nothing like leaving the South in July or August to go somewhere with a high of 65!  I will even take a little rain and wind.

[Brett Morris]

When I read the thread title, and although I have not been there personally, I immediately thought that Mission Hills in China could be considered.

[Greg Tallman]

If we are talking about year round destinations then Cabo wins hands down.  Febuary in Cabo vs Feb in Bandon....no comparison!!

How's the summer in Cabo?  This is a serious question.

Cabo is perfect for about 10 months.

August and September will average highs of around 94 with about 50% humidity on avergae.

[Gary Slatter]

Ulrich:

That's different than my experience, and those of others who have traveled there recently.

You can walk it for free on Sundays!

Ulrich, usually your B&B or Hotel will put singles together into the ballot.  IT usually worked at Fairmont.