Winter Golf Trip Idea Request

[PCCraig]

After white knuckling the extremely long and cold winter we had last year here in Minnesota, I've decided to break up this upcoming winter by scheduling a trip someplace warm. I was hoping to see if anyone here has a recommendation for good places to go in January and February that's wife friendly, warm, and (ideally) has great golf nearby. Just looking for suggestions and recommendations before I start planning.

Thanks!

[Jim_Coleman]

   Casa de Campo - best winter golf in the world.

[jonathan_becker]

   Casa de Campo - best winter golf in the world.

Melbourne - best winter golf in the world. 

[K. Krahenbuhl]

Cabo (Diamante/CaboDelSol)

Los Angeles

[Matthew Sander]

Pat,

Obviously the other suggestions are superb. If you don't have any desert golf experience, a trip to AZ (Scottsdale) might be an option. It is certainly wife friendly with plentiful spa/shopping options (if you'll excuse the "wife" stereotype) and outdoor activities. Now, in January/February it probably won't be terribly warm, but certainly warm enough for golf (and far better than MN).

Whether or not you think the golf is very good/great would likely depend upon your opinion of desert golf. If you haven't played in the desert it certainly is interesting, and a perfect change of pace for a trip.

[Bill_McBride]

Buenos Aires!

Extremely wife friendly and good golf nearby.  Jockey Club two courses.  Loved the look of the links course at, I think, Mar del Plata.

Peso was 3:$1 when I was there with wife in January 2008, everything very reasonable, now it's 4:$1.

[Tom_Doak]

Australia
New Zealand
Caribbean

Streamsong
California

Abu Dhabi
Nepal  -  yes, the best time of year to visit is winter, it's warmer than you imagine

[ward peyronnin]

Mountain View a Raynor course in Northern Fla. Just tell youre looking into a national memebership

[Andrew Buck]

After white knuckling the extremely long and cold winter we had last year here in Minnesota, I've decided to break up this upcoming winter by scheduling a trip someplace warm. I was hoping to see if anyone here has a recommendation for good places to go in January and February that's wife friendly, warm, and (ideally) has great golf nearby. Just looking for suggestions and recommendations before I start planning.

Thanks!

Describe wife friendly?  Is this a golf trip first, or a vacation first where you can sneak out and golf.  What do you guys enjoy to do while you vacation and what would she enjoy?

For example, I have no doubt that I'd prefer to play Streamsong 100X more than the courses at Vista Vallarta, but I know we have a better vacation in Puerto Vallarta than Tampa and playing golf there in February is better than not at all.  Enjoyed Kapalua quite a bit, but it can add up in a hurry if you are playing more than a couple rounds on the plantation.  

[Howard Riefs]

If late February is an option, I'd definitely recommend Sea Island as it starts to warm up around then. Top-notch accommodations, spa, dining, beach; great golf instructional center; and good courses. You can also try to get on Frederica and Ocean Forest.

[David_Tepper]

Anyone ever been to the Tubac Golf & Spa Resort, south of Tucson, AZ?

http://www.tubacgolfresort.com/

[Thomas Dai]

Based on the current GCA opening photograph how about a winter trip to Mangawhai, NZ. Even more attractive once Tara-Iti opens!
All the best

PS - wherever you go, have a great time.

[Ricardo Ramirez Calvo]

As Bill McBride said, come to Argentina. Beautiful weather, lots of courses, much fun for the familiy. Buenos Aires can be a bit hot in January, but you can go to Mar del Plata (250 miles south with nice beaches), which has 6 different courses in the area. The only thing in which Bill is wrong is about the exchange rate. The official exchange rate is 5.70 to 1, and in the black market is almost 10 to 1. Don't think that you will go to jail for selling USD in the black market. The price is published daily in the newspapers and even government officers make comments about it. You always have to bear in mind the cultural difference: in the US, everything is allowed unless expressly prohibited. In Argentina, everything prohibited is allowed.  

If I can be of any help to arrange your trip, send me a PM.

All the best,

Ricardo

[Jason Topp]

Pat - go to Cabo.  Nonstop flight.  Great golf courses.  Terrific opportunities to do other things.  Interesting food options and perfect weather.  It is a no brainer from Minneapolis for a couple.  

If Tallman is doing his Tequila Cup this year, it should be during the time frame you are thinking about.  There was no formal competition last year and many couples attended.    

[Jason Topp]

Anyone ever been to the Tubac Golf & Spa Resort, south of Tucson, AZ?

http://www.tubacgolfresort.com/

Yes - many times.  Beautiful area.  Subpar golf course.  Weather is a bit colder than Tucson due to elevation so the deep winter months are iffy.  

[Andrew Buck]

Pat - go to Cabo.  Nonstop flight.  Great golf courses.  Terrific opportunities to do other things.  Interesting food options and perfect weather.  It is a no brainer from Minneapolis for a couple.  

If Tallman is doing his Tequila Cup this year, it should be during the time frame you are thinking about.  There was no formal competition last year and many couples attended.    

Jason,

What would you compare Cabo to.  I have not been, but I have been to Puerto Vallarta and Cancun both many times.  I really enjoy PV, except it's not the easiest place to get to from Chicago, due to the food and the feel of a town ease of cabs to multiple food/entertainment options, etc.  Cancun does very little for me personally, nor do the caribbean all-inclusive type places.

Does Cabo more closely resemble one of these destinations, or is it entirely it's own world.

[Jason Topp]

Jason,

What would you compare Cabo to.  I have not been, but I have been to Puerto Vallarta and Cancun both many times.  I really enjoy PV, except it's not the easiest place to get to from Chicago, due to the food and the feel of a town ease of cabs to multiple food/entertainment options, etc.  Cancun does very little for me personally, nor do the caribbean all-inclusive type places.

Does Cabo more closely resemble one of these destinations, or is it entirely it's own world.

Andrew:  I have been to most of the big resort destinations in Mexico and Cabo is the only destination I would recommend for golf.  The best courses (Diamante and Cabo del Sol Ocean) are as good as it gets.  The remaining courses are gorgeous with designs that range from very good to head scratchers with amazing views.  Fishing is world class and the town feels like an island escape.  My sense is that the food options are superior to other destinations and accomodation options range from very high end to very reasonably priced.  

[Chris Munoz]

Come to the Dominican Republic.  New Westin Hotel opening at Puntacana Resort & Club.  Puntacana has 45 holes of golf.  Great beaches and cold beer. 

[Jud_T]

Pat,

It really depends on what you mean by wife friendly...  Does she play at all?  Probably Cabo or Scottsdale are your best bets without crossing an ocean.  Both have really good golf, great food as well as the requisite shopping, spas and nightlife.  Cabo however has guaranteed 80 degree beach weather and watersports to boot.  Florida is sketchy unless you can either access Seminole or park your wife at the bar at Streamsong.  Palm Springs is nice, and the warmest place in this country in winter I believe, but there's not much to do besides eat, drink, golf and spa, unless you both want to come out of the closet together  .

[Pete Lavallee]

Although it takes two long flights to get there, probably one to Heathrow and then a 12 hour flight to your final destination, South Africa is a great winter golf getaway with plenty to keep the non-golfer happy. Capetown is a fantastic destination, with six realy good golf clubs who give complete access to the visitor. Wine tasting alone could keep anybody busy for weeks on end. Mix in the cosmopolitan atmosphere, good weather and relative safety that the southern Cape provides and you have a memory that will last a lifetime! You can continue traveling east along the 34th parallel and visit all the other destination cities along the "Garden Route", all great for the vacationer. The exchange rate is very favorable as well.

[Adam Lawrence]

Although it takes two long flights to get there, probably one to Heathrow and then a 12 hour flight to your final destination, South Africa is a great winter golf getaway with plenty to keep the non-golfer happy. Capetown is a fantastic destination, with six realy good golf clubs who give complete access to the visitor. Wine tasting alone could keep anybody busy for weeks on end. Mix in the cosmopolitan atmosphere, good weather and relative safety that the southern Cape provides and you have a memory that will last a lifetime! You can continue traveling east along the 34th parallel and visit all the other destination cities along the "Garden Route", all great for the vacationer. The exchange rate is very favorable as well.

It's still a helluva long way, but you can get to Jo'burg nonstop from JFK, Dulles and Atlanta, and then anywhere in SA is within an hour or so's flying.

[hhuffines]

Another vote for Cabo del Sol... Great place!

[Bart Bradley]

South Africa has it all. I've never been to a better country - food, wine, safari, amazing scenery and some very good golf by all accounts. Cheap too.

Yep, great suggestion.  Fabulous trip.  Been twice...will go again soon.

Bart

[Bill Seitz]

If you're staying domestic, and looking at golf for a day (or two), I'd say Clearwater Beach, then rent a car and go to Streamsong for a day and play both courses. If you find a Florida resident to join you  the greens fees drop precipitously.

[Ash Towe]

Melbourne Sandbelt
Barnbougle
North Island New Zealand