Big Cedar Lodge
There’s a delicate formula to creating the perfect family golf vacation. Â
Everybody has an opinion, and it can be quite a task to find a destination that has something for everybody while also giving you the opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime. We’ve had the pleasure of visiting hundreds of properties over the years, and we’ve taken the liberty of highlighting a few of our favorite locations that can cater to even the most discerning member of your crew.
Big Cedar Lodge (Ridgedale, Missouri)
When we say this place has it all…we mean this place has it all! Big Cedar Lodge has quickly become a household name in the world of golf travel as its five golf courses have put it on the golf course in a major way. The most notable course these days is Payne’s Valley which is the first-ever Tiger Woods’ public golf course design ever built. It is an immaculate design that is big, bold, and very friendly to play and features a bonus 19th hole, a par-3 that is an experience in and of itself that every golfer should enjoy thanks to the work of the resort’s owner Johnny Morris.
Morris, who is also known as being the founder of Bass Pro Shops, has created one of the greatest resorts in the country with a vision of getting guests of the property outside to enjoy the great outdoors in any way that their heart desires. For the golfers out there, the resort has 5 amazing courses that include two short courses such as Top of the Rock that you’ll see featured in our drone footage here that is a great experience for both skilled and novice golfers alike to enjoy the epic golf here.
There are so many things to see and do here that we couldn’t possibly list them all, but some of the highlights include enjoying Fun Mountain which is a cornucopia of games and activities for you and your family to enjoy, play Big Bass Mini Golf, boating, kayaking, tour the Lost Canyon Cave & Nature Trail, enjoy the Sunset Ceremony at Top of the Rock, shoot over to the 10,000 acre nature park at Dogwood Canyon, and so much more.
We recommend Big Cedar Lodge for any type of golf trip, but they are also uniquely suited to create an epic itinerary for any family golf stay and play.
BOYNE Mountain Resort (Boyne Falls, Michigan)
There are certain locations that you just know are going to make for the perfect setting for a memorable family vacation, and BOYNE Mountain Resort in Michigan is simply one of those places. Dollar for dollar, it’s tough to beat the value that the team at BOYNE provides you at this incredible resort as there is so much to see and do here for all the members of your family. Golf wise, there are two fantastic 18-hole designs located onsite here with The Alpine and The Monument courses, but BOYNE also owns the nearby Inn at Bay Harbor and The Highlands, and all-in that gives you 10 different courses to choose from…10! And that number will be growing soon so stay tuned over the coming months for more information on their new short course that is scheduled to open later in 2024.
Your family will have no shortage of activities to enjoy at BOYNE Mountain such as Michigan’s largest indoor waterpark, paintball, hiking and biking, chairlift rides, tennis, pickleball, ziplining, horseback riding, and a junior golf camp for 5–12-year-olds which is a great way to introduce your little ones to the game or sharpen the skills of your future legend.
The Omni Homestead Resort (Hot Springs, Virginia)
Located in the serene setting of the Allegheny Mountains in western Virginia, this gem of a destination has been in business for over 250 years and has served as the vacation location of choice to 23 U.S. Presidents. The resort has recently invested $140 million (yes, you read that right) into enhancing the guest experience here and the impact of that investment can be felt immediately upon arrival into the Great Hall, the guest rooms, and the restaurants onsite. With 36 holes of exceptional golf as you’ll see here in our drone footage that features the highly ranked Cascades Course, mountain biking, horseback riding, fly fishing, a shooting club, and multiple pools including the two-acre water park called Allegheny Springs, your family will have plenty to see and do at this legendary property.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort (Kiawah Island, South Carolina)
The Ocean Course. Those three words in and of themselves are enough to make this a golf destination worth visiting. But when you combine this iconic design with the other 72 holes of golf on property, it gives you and your family a plethora of options to enjoy both bucket list golf that will test every part of your game, while also giving you more family friendly options such as the shorter, yet still beautiful, Oak Point Course.
From a lodging standpoint, it’s tough to beat The Sanctuary as the Southern charm oozes from every corner of this iconic hotel, and the resort also features wonderful villas and homes to rent including their latest addition of the Cottages at The Ocean Course.
Outside of the course, the resort has a plethora of other activities such as enjoying the beaches and pools, tennis, pickleball, a world-class spa, fitness center, bicycle rentals to explore the island, and exceptional dining experiences. Our pro tip is to make sure you leave time after your Ocean Course round to enjoy The Ryder Cup Bar as it’s one of the best spots to enjoy a post-round drink at any resort in the country.
Osprey Point at Kiawah Island
Omni Amelia Island Resort (Amelia Island, Florida)
If you’re looking for a place that can include a fun environment for your family to enjoy while also combining a relaxed setting, then look no further than the Omni Amelia Island Resort in Amelia Island, Florida. This beautiful property features over 400 guest rooms and a spectacular pool that you’ll notice immediately upon entry into the resort’s main lobby as you look out on the Atlantic Ocean.
The resort features 3 distinct golf experiences including the Pete Dye designed Oak Marsh Golf Course, the exclusive Tom Fazio designed Long Point Golf Course which recently received a beautiful renovation, and the extremely fun Little Sandy Short Course that everyone in your family can enjoy as you’ll see in the footage here.
Omni Amelia Island is great for families looking to enjoy the outdoors as you can easily rent some cruisers to ride around the entire resort or head over to one of the nearby trails to enjoy some beautiful hiking. There’s so much to see and do here including enjoying the beautiful beach, dining and shopping onsite, tennis, pickleball, relax at the spa, or you can head down to nearby Fernandina Beach and enjoy some more restaurants, bars, and shopping.
The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort (Coeur d’Alene, Idaho)
Breathtaking. It’s the first word that comes to mind when you first step foot onsite at the beautiful Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort in Idaho. This resort is defined by its stunning location along the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, and you and yours will want to enjoy this incredible piece of nature as much as possible during your visit here.
We obviously were first drawn to this location by the beautiful Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course which is famously known for the floating green 14th hole, a par-3 to a floating moveable green that requires a boat ride from the tee to make it onto this green. As you’ll see in this footage below, this course is so much more than this iconic hole though as we were incredibly impressed by the full layout of this Scott Miller design that features an unbelievable collection of par-3s.
In addition to the world-class golf, your crew can enjoy a multitude of activities, many of which are focused on the lake, including boating, hiking, paddleboard tours, complimentary bike rentals, parks, the nearby Silverwood theme park, zip lining, fishing, and so much more. If you’re looking for an unforgettable family getaway in the Pacific Northwest, then The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort must be on your list.