WE TAKE YOU ON TOURS OF THE WORLD'S BEST COURSES

Check out exclusive access to courses across the world with our aerial tours of these must-play tracks . . .

MORE TRIP IDEAS: PRIME SPOTS FOR PERFECT GOLF TRIPS

Need a little guidance on the best spots for your next golf trip? Check out these stellar stops before you make your plans . . .

Trip Ideas

Finding bucket-list golf value in Northwest Ireland

Similar to the boom that the Southwest of Ireland saw about 20 years ago when courses like Ballybunion, Portmarnock, Tralee, Lahinch, Waterville, and Dooks Golf Club started to make their way onto more golfer’s itineraries, Northwest Ireland is quickly becoming the new “go-to” region for a golf trip as you can find equally great experiences all while stretching your dollar quite a bit further. The Travel Caddie has some incredible tracks that you’ll want to put on your bucket-list trip.

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Trip Ideas

Outstanding short golf courses in Michigan

As the marquee resorts in Michigan continue to find ways to focus on making golf vacations more enjoyable for their guests, one trend that we have seen is the emergence of the short course and we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite additions in this category throughout the state. The Travel Caddie has a few that are must-plays on your trip.

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Trip Ideas

The best golf resorts on the Gulf Coast

The Travel Caddie has put together a top 10 Gulf Coast resorts with golf courses (arranged from southeast to west). They cover just about every budget, with the majority of them coming on the shorelines of western Florida from Naples up to the Panhandle’s Emerald Coast.

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Trip Ideas

Golf nirvana at Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort in Tuscany

When it comes to finding the perfect home base for your Italian golf adventure, you need look no further than Argentario Golf & Wellness Resort, Autograph Collection. Located on an incredible piece of land that resides between the beaches of the Mediterranean Sea and the rolling hills of Tuscany about a 90-minute drive to the northeast of the Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome, this resort offers a stunning setting for your next golf vacation. The Travel Caddie with more details ….

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Trip Ideas

Must-play golf courses in Colorado Springs

One of our favorite spots for a golf trip in Colorado is the often-overlooked area of Colorado Springs. The second largest city in the state is known for Pikes Peak, the highest summit of the southern Front Range of the Rocky Mountains, and for being the home of both the United States Air Force Academy and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Training Centers. The Travel Caddie insists that it should also be known for its stellar golf courses.

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Trip Ideas

Forest Dunes: Northern Michigan destination set to get bigger and better

Forest Dunes is adding a twist to one of the premiere golf destinations in Northern Michigan, a new course designed by Gil Hanse that is a private membership club but offers limited access to resort guests.  When the new course – named SkyFall – makes its anticipated debut in 2027, its members will be paid out each year a portion of the revenue generated by limited public play that’s allowed. It’s a unique approach in the world of destination golf, and especially so in a state renowned for having the most public golf courses in the nation.

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Trip Ideas

Five must-play golf courses in Northwest United States

There’s a level of beauty in the Northwestern U.S. that must be experienced to truly understand.  While the snowy winters might not be conducive to the world of golf travel, the flip side of that equation is that the late Spring, Summer, and early Fall windows here can be spectacular with more mild temperatures than you will find in the Southern part of the country amidst lush playing conditions.

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Trip Ideas

Golfing on the Florida ocean at Hammock Beach Golf Resort

Florida is almost completely surrounded by water, but you can count the number of public courses with true ocean views on one hand. One of the few and perhaps the best can be found at Hammock Beach Golf Resort, north of Daytona and south of St. Augustine on the Palm Coast of Florida. The Travel Caddie with more details.

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Trip Ideas

How Coastal Alabama delivers for your next golf getaway

It’s not very often that we get to go to a place that surprises us, but that’s exactly what happened during our trip to the Gulf Shores-Orange Beach Alabama. Located on the “Florabama” border where the panhandle of Florida meets the Alabama state line, this coastal treasure was a welcomed find during a recent visit to the area.

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Trip Ideas

Hanse will renovate Pebble Beach’s Links at Spanish Bay

The official announcement went out on January 13, 2025 when Pebble beach disclosed the timeline for the highly-anticipated renovation of The Links at Spanish Bay. The course is scheduled to close on March 18, 2026 and will reopen in the Spring of 2027. The Travel Caddie with more details.

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Trip Ideas

Much more than golf at Nemacolin in Pennsylvania

The golf at Nemacolin resort south of Pittsburgh near Farmington, Pa., is exceptional. It’s 36 gorgeous holes designed by Pete Dye and Tim Liddy. There was even a tour event there on the original Mystic Rock Course, which still stands out as a great test with impeccable conditioning, beautiful holes marked by ancient boulders, spectacular water features, and a great finishing stretch. The Travel Caddie with more details.

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Trip Ideas

8 reasons why Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort stands out

With rates and demand climbing, we are constantly on the search for destinations that can deliver a great experience all while providing the ultimate amount of value. One such destination that fits these criteria perfectly is Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort. The Travel Caddie has the inside scoop on this incredible getaway.

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Trip Ideas

Taking an aerial tour of Erin Hills

Located in Hartford, Wisconsin about 45 minutes northwest of Milwaukee, Erin Hills is a treasure that any golfer is sure to love. The Travel Caddie was given the opportunity to capture exclusive drone footage of the course.

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Trip Ideas

The Holiday 2024 Golfer Gift Guide

To help those looking for a great gift that any golfer would love, the Travel Caddie has taken the liberty of putting together a few options that you can’t go wrong with for the golfer in your life.

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Trip Ideas

Golf Packages We Love: December 2024

Here at GolfStayAndPlays.com, we are always on the lookout for great deals and experiences for our readers. For December 2024, the Travel Caddie has identified some unbelievable options at some of the country’s best courses.

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Trip Ideas

Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure reopens

The team at Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure is excited to announce that the resort has officially reopened after a swift and focused recovery from Hurricane Helene. While the resort did experience some storm-related damage, the hardworking team has been busy restoring operations, and they are happy to report that most of their facilities are now fully operational and ready to welcome guests back.

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Trip Ideas

Why Sand Valley went outside-the-box with new course

In contrast to the wide playing corridors at Sand Valley and Mammoth Dunes – the other two public-access courses at the Central Wisconsin destination — architect Tom Doak created a far more intimate routing at Sedge Valley that was inspired by the heathland courses of London and the English coast. The Travel Caddie with more details . . .

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Trip Ideas

Florida’s First Coast of Golf partners deliver incredible military discounts

The team at Florida’s First Coast of Golf in Northeast Florida has recognized this need to pay homage to those who have defended our great country, and they are working with more than 60 partners to provide discounts for active, retired, or veteran military members along with their families to showcase the region’s appreciation of the sacrifices that these heroes have made for our country.

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Trip Ideas

14 golf courses that make Atlantic City the perfect getaway

Atlantic City has a rich history in the game of golf, and in fact the term “birdie” was first created here in 1903 at the Atlantic City Country Club. The Travel Caddie is quite fond of this popular New Jersey area and has the ultimate list of 14 courses that you must play on your next trip there …

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Trip Ideas

The golfing magic of Nemacolin Resort in Pennsylvania

If it was only about golf, a stay at Nemacolin Resort near Farmington, Pa., about an hour and half south of Pittsburgh would still be an extraordinary experience. After all, there are 36 holes, designed by Pete Dye, and the courses are stunning. The Travel Caddie explains what else Nemacolin has to offer . . .

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Trip Ideas

Five new golf items to enhance your game in Fall 2024

It’s the latter part of the golf year, and the good news for golfers is that there are some great late season deals that can help you for some of your upcoming Fall and Winter golf trips. The Travel Caddie has put together a few items that we’ve seen recently that we think can impact your game.

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Trip Ideas

New Mexico’s best public golf courses

In New Mexico, the diversity and beauty is reflected in its golf offerings, from the incredible Sandia Mountains course of Paa Ko Ridge to the classic desert layouts of courses like Twin Warriors in the mile-high city of Albuquerque.

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Trip Ideas

Top golf courses built on landfills in the United States

Granite Links is among a growing group of U.S. golf courses that have been built atop former landfills. The list of noteworthy reclamation projects includes high-end private clubs like Bayonne Golf Club in New Jersey and Trinity Forest in Dallas, but the following touches on a handful of top public golf facilities that today look far different from the dumping grounds that preceded them.

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Trip Ideas

BOYNE Golf will open new putting and short courses

If you’re not familiar with the outstanding golf at BOYNE Resorts, you should be and here’s why: There are 10 stellar championship golf courses spread over three different resorts in Northern Michigan, arguably one of the best summer golf destinations in the country. And the resort is adding more and the Travel Caddie has the details…

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Trip Ideas

Cabot makes another epic golf investment with Norway’s Lofoten Links

Cabot has just made a strategic investment into Lofoten Links that is located along the seas of Norway. The stunning pictures of this property barely do it justice as its unique location allows golfers to enjoy the course 24 hours a day typically from mid-May to late July, or to enjoy the majestic beauty of the northern lights during a Fall visit. The Travel Caddie has all the details.

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Trip Ideas

10 of golf’s best par-3 island holes

Sure, No. 17 at TPC Sawgrass gets plenty of love as one of the premier island holes in all of golf — and the Travel Caddie concurs that it is next-level great. Are there others that rival the cornerstone of golf’s “fifth major?” Oh yes, and the Travel Caddie has highlighted 10 of golf’s best island holes.

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Trip Ideas

Scoring a guaranteed tee time at St. Andrews

If you’ve ever tried to get a tee time at the Home of Golf — and you best believe that the Travel Caddie has done this a million times over — you know that landing an opportunity to play St. Andrews is one of the tougher obstacles in golf. But it doesn’t have to be. Our partners at Lyons Links tells us how . . .

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Trip Ideas

Enjoy captivating golf at Giants Ridge Resort in Minnesota

There are nearly 500 courses in Minnesota, and recently we had a chance to experience two of the best at Giants Ridge Resort about an hour and half north of Duluth in the Superior National Forest on the Mesabi Iron Range. The Travel Caddie has some insight on navigating both the golf — and the area.

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Trip Ideas

McLemore Resort leaves golfers with heads in the clouds

Every once in a while you come across a place that immediately leaves you at a loss for words. McLemore, which is situated on Lookout Mountain in the northwest corner of Georgia, is one of those places. You really need to see it. The Travel Caddie has witnessed it and has some tips . . .

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Trip Ideas

Destination Kohler exemplifies superior vision with Arsham partnership

As the home of the legendary Straits at Whistling Straits, Destination Kohler features 82 holes of impeccable golf. But the Travel Caddie’s friends at Kohler are more than golf aficionados, exemplified by its unique partnership with artist Daniel Arsham, giving visitors a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Check out how this connection enhances your trip to Wisconsin.

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Trip Ideas

The Cabot Collection: Why the growth of one of golf’s most exclusive brands is exciting

No brand in the world of golf destination travel is growing as rapidly as The Cabot Collection. The company – which burst onto the global golf scene in 2011 with the opening of its seminal Cabot Links course in Nova Scotia, Canada — has seen its portfolio expand exponentially in recent years. The Travel Caddie is thoroughly impressed and has some insight on how to enjoy Cabot’s spoils . . .

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Trip Ideas

Coeur d’Alene is one part floating green, one part masterpiece

If you’ve heard of Coeur d’Alene Golf Course in northern Idaho, you probably know about its most famous feature – the floating island green on the par-3 14th hole. It’s memorable, of course. It’s unique. It’s even adjustable. But while it’s the drawing card to this fabulous Pacific Northwest course, it’s just one part of a winning hand. The Travel Caddie loves the course and has plenty of insight into a trip to Idaho.

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Trip Ideas

10 low-cost hidden golf gems in the United States

From Florida to California to Arizona to Michigan, there are a number of incredible golf courses that will challenge your game, but are a bit lighter on the wallet. The Travel Caddie has done some significant traveling over the years and has 10 courses you should seek out the next time in you are in one of these metropolitan areas . . .

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Trip Ideas

Golf packages we love for June 2024

The Travel Caddie is enjoying the start to summer and has a trio of golf resorts that should be on your list to hit before the end of the year, as each of them have incredible deals that will make them worth the trip.

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Trip Ideas

An epic golf course transformation at Harbor Shores

On the shores of Lake Michigan, Harbor Shores Golf Club is one of the most ambitious turnaround stories in 21st-century golf development. It’s a place where forgotten factories and industrial waste areas have been thoroughly, remarkably transformed into a revitalized golf resort and residential development. Today it’s a sanctuary hospitable for wildlife alike. The Travel Caddie loves the transformation and has a few pieces of advice . . .

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Trip Ideas

Three hidden golf course gems you need to play now

Golf has never been more popular, and many courses and resorts at the better-known destinations are already full for the season. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find places to play that allow for a splendid and memorable stay-and-play. And the Travel Caddie has three perfect spots that you need to visit immediately.

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Trip Ideas

Golf packages we love for May 2024

From Rumbling Bald on Lake Lure to PGA National Resort Palm Beach Gardens to Streamsong Resort, the Travel Caddie has cobbled together three incredible golf packages that you should take advantage of immediatedly.

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Trip Ideas

7 reasons Turning Stone Resort Casino is the perfect New York golf getaway

Turning Stone Resort Casino delivers. It’s as simple as that. We’ve had countless conversations with golfers who are looking for a New York golf getaway that we’ve suggested to look at this Syracuse-area destination, and we consistently hear after their trip that the golfers are blown away at the experience, especially for the price that they paid.

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Trip Ideas

Great golf along the Mississippi Gulf Coast

There are about 20 courses in the area at just about every price point. We have chosen three of our favorites for the snapshot below — the sublime Fallen Oak designed by Tom Fazio; the very good and testing Jerry Pate-fashioned Preserve Golf Club; and the uber-secluded Grand Bear Golf Club as routed by Nicklaus.

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Trip Ideas

The best golf resorts in Georgia

We’re sorry to break the news, but you won’t be getting a tee time at Augusta National no matter how much you beg or pray. But the Travel Caddie still loves some Georgia golf and there are plenty of tracks throughout the Peach State that make it worth the trip — even if you’ll never don a green jacket.

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Trip Ideas

Monterey Peninsula golf is more than Pebble Beach

The Travel Caddie offers some snapshots of courses designed by the likes of Pete Dye, Todd Eckenrode, and the father and son team of Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. — courses that helped make this region a golf hotbed and a must-play destination on your bucket list, even without a tee time at Pebble.

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Trip Ideas

8 reasons to visit Florida’s First Coast of Golf

The Travel Caddie has the perfect solution to your next buddy trip — as it will cater to everyone in your group. Florida’s First Coast of Golf and its five destinations truly have it all and we have identified eight reasons why its the perfect spot for your next golf getaway.

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Trip Ideas

Golfing in Cancun: Enjoying the Riviera Maya

The Travel Caddie looks at four of the courses in the Riviera Maya area: El Camaleon Golf Club and Playa Mujeres Golf Club, both fashioned by Greg Norman; Riviera Maya, a Robert Trent Jones II-designed tester; and Iberostar Playa Paraiso Golf Club, which was brought to life by P.B. Dye of the famous design family.

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Trip Ideas

5 marquee golf courses in Northwest Ireland

The likes of St. Andrews or Royal County Down steal the headlines, but Northwest Ireland is one of the Travel Caddie’s favorite golf destinations — and has five must-play courses that are completely worth the trip across the proverbial pond.

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Trip Ideas

A trail of pure golf gold: The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama

The Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail was built to give golfers the option of enjoying multiple stops along the way, or traveling to stay at one of the hubs and build a vacation around that. It’s all about flexibility when it comes to a trip on the RTJ Golf Trail. The Travel Caddie has taken the liberty of highlighting a few of the stops along the way for your consideration.

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Trip Ideas

Seven must-play summer golf destinations in 2024

There are many destinations that must fight the effects of winter harder than others, but the reward is that these peak in the summer months for us golfers to enjoy. We’ve highlighted a few of our favorite summer spots that you and your crew should investigate when you start planning your trip.

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Trip Ideas

Golfing in Michigan: Navigating the serene Upper Peninsula

The Travel Caddie enjoys visiting new tracks around the world, and the Greywalls Course at the Marquette Golf Club, Wild Bluff Golf Course in Brimley in the peninsula’s northeast corner, and The Rock, literally the place to play at the accessible-by-boat-only Drummond Island, definitely fit the bill of must-play courses in the area.

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Trip Ideas

The perfect golf gifts for the holidays

Golf balls? Yes, please. New clubs? Oh yes. Sweet kicks? Some incredible choices. The Travel Caddie loves the holidays and has handpicked some gifts that will make that special golfer in your life extra happy as we roll into 2024.

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Trip Ideas

11 perfect getaways for gambling — and golf

When it comes to a golf getaway with your crew, there is no doubt that finding a place with both the ability to be at an unforgettable golf course during the day followed by a nighttime filled with table games with the dice in your hand is at the top of many golfer’s “must-have” lists for a golf trip. The Travel Caddie has 11 gambling getaways that are pure jackpots.

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Trip Ideas

Golfing in Texas: The deep south perfect for snowbirds

For those in the northernmost states, the winter isn’t ideal for teeing it up — but the Rio Grande Valley in Texas provides those snowbirds with plenty of options for a quick break from the cold and take in some stellar golf. The Travel Caddie has some tips on where to book some tee times.

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Ultimate jackpot: Gamble Sands delivers for golfers

The Gebbers Family is not only royalty in the Pacific Northwest, they are also responsible for one of the finest stay-and-play experiences in the world: Gamble Sands. The Travel Caddie had a chance to visit the majestic property in Washington, and left with not only tips, but incredible drone footage of the entire Sands Course.

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Georgia golfing gems: Reynolds Lake Oconee is a must-play

Almost exactly at the midway point between Atlanta and Augusta is Reynolds Lake Oconee, a resort community set on more than 350 miles of shoreline that boasts six championship courses. And soon, seven. And the Travel Caddie says this is a must-visit for any golfer and their families.

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Trip Ideas

The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort: An Idaho Oasis

An island green…that floats…and moves?! If that’s all you knew about The Coeur d’Alene Golf Course, then one picture of this iconic hole should be enough to get you to consider bringing your group’s next golf getaway to this Idaho beauty. But as our team found when we had the chance to visit this facility recently, this golf course is far more than just one great hole. The Travel Caddie has all the details — plus exclusive aerial footage you can only get with Golf Stay and Plays.

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Trip Ideas

Epic golf vacations: Playing in Southwest Utah

When most think about southwest Utah and the Greater Zion area, they first picture natural beauty and national parks. Places like Zion National Park, Red Cliffs National Conservation Area, and Snow Canyon State Park. But the picturesque region is quietly becoming a golf mecca, with 13 courses and counting. The Travel Caddie has some tips on three of the area’s best courses.

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Trip Ideas

10 must-play public golf courses in Texas

Texas is one of only five U.S. states with more than 500 public golf courses, according to the National Golf Foundation, only fewer than Michigan, Florida, California, and New York. The Travel Caddie is a frequent visitor and has 10 public courses that you should book a tee time at on your next trip to the Lone Star State.

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Pinehurst set to introduce No. 10

The Pinehurst Resort is preparing to unveil its first original championship course in almost 30 years, with No. 10 – or “Course X” – scheduled to open in Spring 2024 ahead of the U.S. Open’s return to the iconic North Carolina property for a fourth time.

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Trip Ideas

Want to play St. Andrews? We’ve got tips.

The Travel Caddie is a changed person after an experience of a lifetime at the Home of Golf — the Old Course at St. Andrews. So how do you tee it up? There are plenty of tips and tricks to go around — plus learn how to pack the right FootJoy gear for the epic trip. Yes, epic.

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Trip Ideas

Streamsong Resort set to debut new 19-hole course

When it comes to defining unique in the golf world, Streamsong Resort in Central Florida is certainly at the top of the list. And it’s about to get better. Located just 90 minutes from both Orlando and Tampa, the resort will be introducing The Chain to its arsenal on December 1, 2023.

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Golfing in Georgia: King and Prince is perfection along the coast

Located just north of the Florida/Georgia border just off the I-95 corridors exists the King and Prince, a tranquil oceanside setting that is likely just what the doctor ordered for your next golf getaway, and we are here to provide you with some exclusive coverage of what you can expect at this historic resort.

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Golfing in the Dominican Republic: Casa de Campo sets the standard

There’s fine golf and good times on tap at the peerless Casa de Campo Resort & Villas, the first ever resort in the Dominican Republic. This is the ultimate bucket-list destination for both hard-core golfers and those that just want to get a round or two in as respite from the beaches, equestrian center, fine-dining and the like. The Travel Caddie has some tips . . .

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Trip Ideas

Ryder Cup venues you can play in the United States

The Ryder Cup is one of the most popular golf spectacles the world has to offer — and you can tee it up where the pros play. The Travel Caddie breaks down the six courses that have grabbed headlines as hosts but still open their doors to the everyday golfer.

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Trip Ideas

Pebble Beach set to redesign The Links at Spanish Bay

Pebble Beach Golf Resorts will further enhance their guest experience after announcing the redesign of The Links at Spanish Bay by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner. It is the third recent renovation of different courses at the resort, including Tiger Woods’ redesign of The Hay.

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Golfing in Mexico: Quivira is picture perfect

Among the most stunning spots in the world is where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean. Here, at the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, you can see the famous Arch of Cabo San Lucas, humpback whales frolicking before they make their way north, and an endless display of spectacular sunsets. It’s a great setting for all sorts of adventures, including golf and one specific course — Quivira Golf Club.

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Golfing in Michigan: Incredible options on the Upper Peninsula

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is full of golf surprises but none might be bolder and more diverse than the double shot of courses at the Island Resort & Casino in Harris, located on the western side of the region about 13 miles west of Escanaba and an hour and a half’s drive south of Marquette, the largest city in the Upper Peninsula.

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Golfing in Oklahoma: Winning big at WinStar

Any talk of golf and gaming in Oklahoma must start with the WinStar World Casino and Resort, set in southern Oklahoma just north of the Red River on I-35. WinStar, owned and operated by the Chickasaw Nation of Oklahoma, is in Thackerville, about 80 miles from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

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