HOW TO FOR N Fewer Dollars Plan Great Trips ot every golf trip needs to be a high-priced, big-dollar Go for the group discount – Look for resorts that offer affair. In fact, PGA Professionals who shared their discounts for larger groups and plan trips to take advantage travel expertise with PGA Magazine identified of that volume discount. Many resorts will also help many ways to plan and execute fun, memorable organize tournaments or activities for larger golf getaways at an excellent value. Here groups, and may also comp the host PGA are a few of those ideas for finding Professional and their assistants. destinations and crafting itineraries Roll the dice on casino destinations that include the best parts of golf – A number of casino resorts offer travel – outstanding on-course outstanding golf at attractive experiences with the chance prices, and are willing to work to strengthen relationships – with PGA Professionals on value-without breaking the bank. minded itineraries. Resort Mix and match the casinos like Indiana’s French courses you play – Not every Lick and New York’s Turning course on an itinerary needs Stone each have multiple highly to be a bucket list item. ranked courses and a variety Consider destinations like of accommodations at different Myrtle Beach, Scottsdale or price points to create affordable Northern Michigan, where you trips with plenty of can play a big-name course at entertainment options. a higher price, then fill the Leave the beaten path – Some schedule with accommodations of the largest golf destinations have and rounds at value-priced a number of options beyond the best-West Baden Springs Hotel, destinations. Or visit an area such as known places to play. For example, French Lick Resort Pinehurst, where you can play the historic barely an hour from the Las Vegas Strip is No. 2 or revamped No. 4 courses along with a the outstanding collection of golf courses in number of more affordable options in the area. Mesquite, Nevada. A savvy approach is to fly into Vegas and stay downtown, but make arrangements to fill your itinerary with golf outside the city. Think beyond the golf course – Golf can be the focus of your trip, but you can make it really memorable by adding some off-course activities that don’t break the bank. Look for opportunities like attending Spring Training baseball games in Arizona or Florida, or plan a trip to some of Oregon’s scenic courses that also includes an afternoon of hiking or mountain biking. Grande Dunes Resort Club, Myrtle Beach Reach out to your PGA Professional network – Don’t rely solely on websites and magazine stories to set your itinerary. Getting in touch with PGA Professionals around the destinations you have in mind will help you find hidden gems and affordable places to play and stay that will impress your golfers. Check the calendar – Many top golf resorts have great deals available during shoulder season or even during the off-season. You may find that your golfers don’t mind playing at a non-peak time of year if that brings a great value at a desirable destination. Turning Stone Resort Casino Expanded coverage available online or more about destinations that offer opportunities for memorable golf trips at value prices, log on to PGAmagazine.com. F Keep it local – Not every trip has to be a cross-country affair. Especially during the pandemic, PGA Professionals have found great success in planning drive-in trips – everything from day trips within the state to getaways within a 3-4 hour drive for a few days. When you take airfare out of the equation, it’s much easier to control the costs on an itinerary. 68 | November 2021 | www.pgamagazine.com (password: PGAmag007)