Golf…A Vacation Destination

jennifer on July 28th, 2008

After this year’s nail-biting U.S. Open win by Tiger Woods, it is no surprise that this sport inspires both beginners and experts to go for a birdie. Golf is a sport that transcends ages and sex and is an activity that is sought after not just at home, but is a requested sport from travelers visiting the perfect green in the United States to a pinnacle course in the Caribbean or Europe.

Debra Swersky, manager of marketing and events, Inside Sports & Entertainment Group, says “This past U.S. Open Golf was an exciting event that will make next year’s U.S. Open event an even more desirable ticket. With Tiger Woods sitting out for the rest of the 2008 golfing season the competition will be fierce, ensuring the rest of the 2008 line up of events to be further well-attended.”

According to the National Golf Foundation there are 25 million golfers in the United States. For those traveling specifically to try out a world renowned course or for those hoping to learn something new while on vacation, destination golf resorts have something for everyone.

To illustrate, in Montego Bay, Jamaica, Half Moon Golf Academy offers a variety of instructional programs specifically tailored to fit the individual needs of all golfers - from beginners to experienced professionals, according to Half Moon’s spokesperson Jeneise Stewart.”The Golf Academy is led by Half Moon’s director of golf, Ewan Peebles, the island’s top ranked professional golfer,” Stewart says.

Half Moon Golf Academy lesson types include one-hour private, one-hour couples, two-hour family beginner, and two-hour nine-hole playing. For beginners, the Half Moon Golf Academy provides an introductory clinic program as well as one-hour private lessons which focuses on full swing or short game golf instruction, Stewart adds. Lessons include state-of-the-art video and computer analysis.

A member of Great Golf Resorts of the World, the par 72 championship course was designed by robber Trent Jones, Sr. and recently renovated by Roger Rulewich. Named the “Best Caribbean Golf Resort” by Caribbean World Magazine, the Half Moon course now boasts improved features for both the avid and casual golfer.

Half Moon Course Details:

Par 72
7,119 Yards of Championship Tees
6,585 Yards, of Regular Tees
5,972 Yards of Women’s Tees
5,148 Yards of Forward Tees
Bermuda 318 Grass on Greens and Tees
Common Bermuda Grass on Fairways and Roughs

Here’s one of Half Moon’s featured golf vacation packages. For more information, contact your travel agent or visit www.halfmoon.com.

Golfers can take advantage of the ‘Total Golf Experience’ package with rates starting at US$630 per room per night, gives golfers a chance to play 54 holes of golf in one vacation. Golfers can tee off at any of the 3 championship courses in Rose Hall: Half Moon, White Witch and Cinnamon Hill ocean course.

Package includes: unlimited golf green fees, cart and caddy fees, accommodations, food and beverages, in-room mini bar, water sports, unlimited use of tennis courts and fitness center, welcome golf gift, round trip airport transfers in Montego Bay.

NOTE: This package price was accurate at time of publishing on July 28^th, 2008. Pricing and availability is not guaranteed.

For vacationers looking for a golf destination, Travel + Leisure magazine releases an annual World’s Best Golf Resorts list. For T+L’s 2007 list, Pinehurst Resort, North Carolina; Kiawah Island Golf Resort, South Carolina; Pebble Beach Resorts, California; Kapula Resort, Hawaii; and Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Oregon are the top 5 U.S. golf resorts.

In T+L’s list, they also recommend different golf resorts in different categories. For the Bermuda/Bahamas/Caribbean region, its top golf course is Casa Del Campo’s “Teeth of the Dog” in the Dominican Republic. In its “most underrated resorts” St. Kitts Marriott Resort and Jamaican resorts Half Moon and Ritz Carlton Golf & Spa Resort, Rose Hall are featured.