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

« **Reply #25 on:** January 15, 2006, 08:43:45 AM »

I still think its hard to beat the world class golf and amenities at Pebble Beach. Since I've never been to Bandon, whatever you spend is worth it, and is an exceptional Bang for the Buck example.

Andrew, what was the upside limit on the total outlay of cash?

« **Reply #26 on:** January 15, 2006, 09:05:35 AM »

Worldwoods in Brooksville, Fl.

« **Reply #27 on:** January 15, 2006, 09:07:05 AM »

Barton Creek?

« **Reply #28 on:** January 15, 2006, 09:24:48 AM »

Andrew-
You said at least 1 (hint: probably a multi course facility)
of the resort's courses must be ranked by either Golf, GD, or GW. Does being ranked by GW mean being listed on either
their top 100 modern or top 100 classic? Or may it also mean that it's listed on their 3rd list, Top 100 Resort courses?

« **Reply #29 on:** January 15, 2006, 09:32:00 AM »

Adam,

No limit on the package price so Pebble certainly qualifies. But here is why it is not in my Top 10: the accommodations, while nice, dramatically inflate the package price. When I played it it was $425 per round for the number one public course in America (according to several magazines). But of course you have to stay at the lodge so that moves Pebble down the list according to my formula.

Craig, you are correct that my number one resort does have at least two courses. And yes it could be on Golfweek's Top 100 Resorts but ironically it isn't. Last hint: it is on their best in state rankings - very high actually.

« **Reply #30 on:** January 15, 2006, 09:55:36 AM »

How about Crystal Springs Golf Resort in NJ? Ballyowen is #1 public in NJ in GW.

« **Reply #31 on:** January 15, 2006, 09:56:15 AM »

Andrew,
Well I've gotten 3 of your next 4 I think

Bill's guess of World Woods makes sense too but they don't have on-site accommodation (that I saw at least) when I was there last year...maybe something on the RTJ Trail? I don't think their deals have on-site accommodations either though...

EDIT: Actually nevermind that, I bet its in Arizona. The only "resort" type course I've played out there is Gold Canyon, but I wouldn't be shocked if there's something else that could fall within your criteria?

« **Reply #32 on:** January 15, 2006, 10:05:14 AM »

Bet you could get very competitive price on Brainerd Minnesota golf for January, although I think the snow shoes
might interfere with the proper take-away. Seriously, Deacon's Lodge at Brainerd?

« **Reply #33 on:** January 15, 2006, 11:32:02 AM »

Andy,

You're correct about World Woods not having on site accommodations so unfortunately it does not qualify. I have yet to find a bargain basement package for award-winning golf in Arizona, but I'm always looking so if anybody knows of a great deal please post.

Craig has definitively found a resort that meets all my criteria and given its highly ranked position, I may have to re-evaluate my Top 5. Not having played Deacon's Lodge I cannot comment but as you pointed out Craig, both Golfweek and Golf Digest rate in their Top 10 in State.

I will give another clue as to my Best Bang for the Buck resort: it won the prestigious Best New award from Golf Digest in 1993.

« **Reply #34 on:** January 15, 2006, 11:36:27 AM »

Lakewood Shores?

« **Reply #35 on:** January 15, 2006, 11:48:57 AM »

How about Innesbrook? Has multiple courses, with Copperhead considered highly, although I'm not sure if it's in anyone's top 100 anymore. Meets all the other criteria as well, I believe. And not terribly expensive, and downright cheap in the summer.

« **Reply #36 on:** January 15, 2006, 12:22:08 PM »

I think Andy is right. The Gailes Course at Lakewood Shores was Golf Digest's "best new" resort course for 1993. They have 54 holes there. There is lodging on site. Plus, a few months ago, I received some literature from them and their rates are incredibly low. Has anyone played there? If so, some feedback would be appreciated.

« **Reply #37 on:** January 15, 2006, 01:05:34 PM »

And the winner is: Andy Troeger! I guess the 1993 Best New was a dead give away but good work on the guessing.

I can't speak highly enough about the Lakewood Shores Resort. The three 18 hole courses of which The Gailes won for Best New Resort Course are as good a 54 hole facility as you will find for the money. In fact if this resort was located near Boyne or some other popular resort town in Michigan their rates could be doubled. I've played and stayed here three times in the last six years because of the exceptional value they offer - and not just in the fall. Check this out:

Three rounds of golf, two night’s on-site accommodations in well equipped multi-room condos, two dinners, and unlimited golf on the Wee Links - arguably the best pitch in putt in the land. All for $154 on weekends after September 30th or $144 through the week. Only knock against Lakewood Shores is other than golf there is nothing – and I repeat nothing – to do. Bring some cards and chips (poker chips that is).

« **Reply #38 on:** January 15, 2006, 01:21:03 PM »

Andrew,
Thanks, and very true I did just have to go look it up with your hint

I'm going up to Michigan next summer but I'm not planning on including Lakewood Shores because of its distance from most of the other good options. It does sound worth considering at some point, however, and does sound like a good value.

I do like your formula as well, although if it were mine I would include specials (because they still count...that's really all the off-season deals are to me). I'd also have to include weather (which probably would hurt Bandon and Lakewood Shores after 9/30). I got a good deal on all four courses at Kohler last year (compared to their usual prices) but it was over Memorial Day weekend and the weather was great. Same with St. Ives in June during the week. It will be somewhat of a concern with Harbour Town too, but I'm hoping for the best!

« **Reply #39 on:** January 16, 2006, 10:02:10 AM »

In their September 2004 issue, Golf Magazine gave out their "Bang for your bucks" ranking taking into account greens fee, slope, "wow" factor, condition, pace and service. Here's their pick on courses (not resorts):

1. Bethpage (Black)
2. Bandon Dunes
3. Pacific Dunes
4. Kiawah Island (Ocean)

5. Whistling Straits (straits)
6. World Woods (Pine Barrens)
7. Spyglass Hill
8. TPC at Sawgrass (Stadium)
9. Pinehurst (No. 2)
10. Pebble Beach

« **Reply #40 on:** January 16, 2006, 10:10:58 AM »

Hate to be a homer, but I think that Giants Ridge in Biwabik, and/or Fortune Bay in Tower, MN would qualify, especially since you can drive up the road to play the other coursesFortune Bay as well.

In all, you have two GD best new winners (and top 100 public courses) and an 8th place finisher (if it had allowed walking, the Legend course would have also finished first with those 2 extra points) all at $75 each in season and less past 9.1, a nice hotel with decent restaurants (at either place really) for about $85 a night, and the bustling town of Biwabik, with its Whistling Bird Jamacian restaurant for dining for cuisine variety.

As one MSP banker put it to me to keep my thoughts in perspective - "Not only do I like the courses just as well or a little bit better as those in Brainerd, but I can golf, sleep and feed my customers here for about what I can golf them over there!)

« **Reply #41 on:** January 16, 2006, 11:14:12 AM »

Jeff,

Good call on Fortune Bay. Looking forward to a visit there in late August. $56 green fees are a bargain no matter where you go these days. And with Casino on site - wow, my list keeps getting better every day.

Andrew

« **Reply #42 on:** January 16, 2006, 11:19:27 AM »

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

The REAL answer is Turning Stone in Oneida, NY. nolo contendre

Check it out, but BYOB (Which is actually a positive). The courses are way under the radar.

« **Reply #43 on:** January 16, 2006, 11:42:03 AM »

Redanman,

I had a group all geared up to go to Turning Stone last summer. With the casino, great golf, nice accommodations and relatively good rates everyone was fired up. Until I asked if the casino comped drinks. Sorry they said, this is a dry area. Huh??? A casino, championship golf and no alcohol whatsoever! So much for that idea.

Not to say we are a bunch of lushes or something, but there's no way I'm going if I cannot enjoy a couple of pints after the round and a few Corona while playing craps. What a huge mistake by that group - IMHO that is.

« **Reply #44 on:** January 16, 2006, 01:06:24 PM »

Sean's suggestion of Gull Lake View is another good one. These are not courses that will knock you socks off but they are good golf and a good value. Stonehedge South is the only one I've played; it is considered the best but if the others are close its worth it. They have 90 holes, and its definitely a good deal.

« **Reply #45 on:** January 16, 2006, 01:13:53 PM »

Quote from: Mike Vegis @ Kiawah on January 16, 2006, 10:02:10 AM

In their September 2004 issue, Golf Magazine gave out their "Bang for your bucks" ranking taking into account greens fee, slope, "wow" factor, condition, pace and service. Here's their pick on courses (not resorts):

1. Bethpage (Black)
2. Bandon Dunes
3. Pacific Dunes
4. Kiawah Island (Ocean)
5. Whistling Straits (straits)
6. World Woods (Pine Barrens)
7. Spyglass Hill
8. TPC at Sawgrass (Stadium)
9. Pinehurst (No. 2)
10. Pebble Beach

Mike,
Thanks for sharing the list. These are obviously all considered wonderful resorts, but I wouldn't put about half of them on a "bang for the buck" listing. Out of the two I've played, World Woods is an infinitely better deal than Whistling Straits. I enjoyed both golf courses, but really just about anyplace is a better "bang for the buck" than Whistling Straits! Some of the others are courses that I've put farther down my "list" of must-see destinations just because of the price tag.

Just of courses I've played recently, IMHO places like Paa-Ko Ridge, Angels Crossing, and Tullymore would all be better "Bang-for-the-buck." Of courses at Kohler, I'd pay to play BWR-River again over WS without hesitation.

« **Reply #46 on:** January 16, 2006, 02:01:27 PM »

Sean,

Lakewood Shore is still my number one not only because of the Gailes but also because of Kevin's other course there the Blackshire. Certainly modeled after Pine Valley but with enough original content and resort friendly holes this is an excellent 1 - 2 punch that few if any resorts can match based on their quality and inexpensive rates.

The orignial Serradella is nothing to right home about but since your there its worth a look - nah then again just play the other two courses.

Andrew

« **Reply #47 on:** January 16, 2006, 02:05:59 PM »

Quote from: Andy Troeger on January 16, 2006, 01:13:53 PM

Quote from: Mike Vegis @ Kiawah on January 16, 2006, 10:02:10 AM
In their September 2004 issue, Golf Magazine gave out their "Bang for your bucks" ranking taking into account greens fee, slope, "wow" factor, condition, pace and service. Here's their pick on courses (not resorts):

1. Bethpage (Black)
2. Bandon Dunes
3. Pacific Dunes
4. Kiawah Island (Ocean)
5. Whistling Straits (straits)
6. World Woods (Pine Barrens)
7. Spyglass Hill
8. TPC at Sawgrass (Stadium)
9. Pinehurst (No. 2)
10. Pebble Beach

Mike,
Thanks for sharing the list. These are obviously all considered wonderful resorts, but I wouldn't put about half of them on a "bang for the buck" listing. Out of the two I've played, World Woods is an infinitely better deal than Whistling Straits. I enjoyed both golf courses, but really just about anyplace is a better "bang for the buck" than Whistling Straits! Some of the others are courses that I've put farther down my "list" of must-see destinations just because of the price tag.

You wouldnt call them Bang for the Buck?? Remember, at Bandon and Pebble and Kiawah, places the like that, the buck might go up but the bang goes up a lot!!

« **Reply #48 on:** January 16, 2006, 03:05:07 PM »

Andrew,

I went to Lakewood Shores about 6 years ago and visited the MN sites last spring (if anything I am a MI homer since I grew up in Detroit). For the spring/fall golf package, you can't beat the northern MN courses. We played 36 holes a day + lodging for $120/person, 18 holes/day was $79/person. The accomodations are comfortable, with a fireplace and jacuzzi tub. Plus, on the days you don't play 36, there is plenty else to do: lakes are beautiful for kayaking or canoeing, the outdoor ATV park is amazing, and the casino is fun as well with blackjack and a poker room. IMO blows away the outdoor activites around the eastern side of MI. I think you could argue for the Gailes course as being better depending on your tastes, but the MN 3 are definitely better than the Serradila (sp?). Haven't seen the Blackshire.

I think the Grand National combo should be included here as well; def. in my top 5 when considering value & fun.

Pete

« **Reply #49 on:** January 16, 2006, 05:41:29 PM »

Quote from: Andrew Cunningham on January 16, 2006, 11:42:03 AM

Redanman,

I had a group all geared up to go to Turning Stone last summer. With the casino, great golf, nice accommodations and relatively good rates everyone was fired up. Until I asked if the casino comped drinks. Sorry they said, this is a dry area. Huh??? A casino, championship golf and no alcohol whatsoever! So much for that idea.

Not to say we are a bunch of lushes or something, but there's no way I'm going if I cannot enjoy a couple of pints after the round and a few Corona while playing craps. What a huge mistake by that group - IMHO that is.

The state has not issued them a likker license. You just bring your own. The topic was "Bang for the buck"

BFTB has always meant that you get more or the most for less

Mathematically in an equation:

BFTB=

what you get
___________ (divided by)
what goes out of your pocket in $$$

Turning Stone has great Suites for about $189 a night and golf is $100-$135 for two of the courses and about $225 for the other most perfectly-conditioned Fazio course which while not as architecturally interesting as the other two is really fun to play.

Honestly, Atonyote, the Faz course was as well-conditioned the day I played it as anything I've played in the last 3 years, probably.

News:

A_Clay_Man

Bill Gayne

Steve_ Shaffer

Craig_Rokke

Andrew Cunningham

Steve_ Shaffer

Andy Troeger

Craig_Rokke

Andrew Cunningham

Andy Troeger

David_Madison

Billsteele

Andrew Cunningham

Andy Troeger

Mike Vegis @ Kiawah

Jeff_Brauer

Andrew Cunningham

redanman

Andrew Cunningham

Andy Troeger

Andy Troeger

Andrew Cunningham

Jordan Wall

Pete Buczkowski

redanman