Top 10 Golf Travel Trends for 2019

A strong U.S. economy, a record number of Baby Boomers retiring and golf cruise popularity are a few of the reasons 2019 will be a great one for golf travel. With more discretionary income, a trusty set of golf clubs and a passport, golf travelers are primed to travel and play golf around the world next year.

Here are ten golf travel trends The Golf Travel Guru highlights for 2019:

1. Boomer Power

According to AARP more than 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day. Baby Boomers are projected to have 70% of all U.S. disposable income over the next five years. As more and more Boomers retire or semi-retire they'll have more time and flexibility to travel. We'll see an uptick in Boomers traveling to play golf with their spouses, who also will have more time to travel. Boomers play more golf than any other age-group and many avid golfers are intent on playing the golf courses at the top of their bucket list. In 2019 and beyond, more Boomers  will travel in off-peak seasons to capitalize on discounted trips. Many trip offerings like golf cruises, packages to majors like the Masters and British Open and pro-ams are designed to appeal to Baby Boomers. Millennials don't have the time, inclination or disposable income to take golf trips, but Boomers have all of these and a distinct passion for the game of golf. 

2. Cruising to Golf

Grab your sticks and head for the open seas! Cruising is wildly popular with passenger growth from 17.8 million in 2009 to more than 27 million in 2018. For those who like to cruise and play golf, there are an increasing number of options. Companies like Kalos Golf Cruises and PerryGolf offer luxury cruises to a variety of destinations around the world. Golfahoy Golf Cruises are offered on 193 cruise ships, including European riverboats and luxury charters. At the 2018 Ryder Cup in France, Premier Golf Travel partnered with Viking River Cruises for a 10-day itinerary that included attendance at the Ryder Cup and cruising from Paris to Normandy. Premier Golf recently introduced a cruise to the Eastern Canada Maritime Provinces (Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island). Fore! Anchors Away!

3. Exclusivity and Personalization

Golf travelers increasingly want golf trips designed to accommodate their personal preferences. They're willing to pay more to get special access to certain golf courses and personalized experiences. Getting clients on, say, Muirfield and the Old Course in Scotland, Sunningdale in England or Shadow Creek in Las Vegas rewards them with an exclusive golf experience that few others get to enjoy. According to Virtuoso's 2018 Luxe Report, luxury travelers are seeking experiences not found in a guidebook, advertisement or brochure. In golf travel, that translates to finding clients exceptional, off-the-beaten path or highly exclusive golf courses with limited play offered to the public. 

4. Emerging Destinations

France will see more golf travelers as a result of the massive exposure it received by hosting the 2018 Ryder Cup near Paris. Italy continues to promote golf more enthusiastically and will increase in popularity, especially for those who want to incorporate wine tours and tastings with golf. Two of my favorite Italian regions to tee up and sip vino are the Fruili-Venezia Guilia and Tuscany. Other emerging golf travel destinations include Vietnam, Malaysia, Mexico, South Africa, New Zealand and Dubai. In the U.S., Branson, Missouri has built several impressive courses in the past few years with designer tags like Gary Player, Tom Fazio and Ben Crenshaw and it's ready to take its place as a viable golf destination

5. Social Media Deals

Golf Travel companies are increasing their presence on social media and they often post information and package deals on unique golf destinations, special event trips and tournaments or pro-ams. They also frequently post about discounted last-minute deals as they try to fill the remaining spots on a trip or cruise. Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin are popular outlets where you'll find postings  on packages and events. Instagram is a great resource to see images of the golf courses you might be playing and the pubs where you might be celebrating after a round.

6. Improving Golf Travel Websites

Golf Travel companies are continuing to expand and improve their websites to give golf travelers easier ways to find information about destinations and courses and get quotes. With online request forms, online trip calculators, website blogs, live online chats clients will find it increasingly easier to book trips quicker with a better knowledge of all costs involved and which courses have available tee times in their desired destination. 

7. Impactful Women

Women are very influential in couples golf trip decisions regardless if they play golf or not. Golf destinations with a plethora of off-the-course activities such as shopping, sightseeing, dining spas, wine tours and cooking schools are increasingly more popular. The couples golf trip, especially for Baby Boomers, has evolved to include less golf these days with more activities for a more well-balanced experience. Destinations ideal for couples who want top-notch golf and a wealth of things to do away from the fairways includes Italy, Portugal, Spain, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. The LPGA Tour, which has several high-profile tournaments in the Pacific Rim (Korea, Thailand and Japan), has elevated interest in that part of the world for golf travelers. The 2019 Solheim Cup (the ladies version of the Ryder Cup) will be played in September at Gleneagles in Scotland giving central Scotland a boost in exposure. 

8. U.S.A., U.S.A., U.S.A

Scotland and Ireland never go out of style for golf travelers, but an increasing number of golf tour operators are now selling the U.S.A. Fact is, you don't have to cross the pond anymore for an exceptional links golf experiences. Hugely popular nouveau American resort complexes like Bandon Dunes in Oregon and Whistling Straits in Wisconsin offer waterside links-style golf and Streamsong Resort in Florida and Sand Valley in Wisconsin feature unique links-style experiences with fast fairways, dramatic sand dunes and lots of bump and run shots. Despite costly greens fees, golfers are still flocking to Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pinehurst No. 2 and the TPC Stadium Course at Sawgrass. The top value-oriented U.S. destinations are the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail in Alabama, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Northern Michigan, Branson, Missouri and Mesquite, Nevada.

9. Northern Ireland,  Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland

While Ireland is often viewed as Scotland's baby brother in the world of golf travel, the Emerald Isle will take center stage in 2019 with the playing of the Open Championship (July 14-17) at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland. It's shaping up to be one of the best Open's ever as the local citizens purchased more than than 1/5 of the public access tickets in the first 48 hours of posting. Northern Ireland hasn't held the event since 1951 so you might say there's some pent up demand. I predict the crowd noises will be booming roars similar to the Ryder Cup and The Masters. Following the immense exposure from the Open, it doesn't take a soothsayer, or even a Golf Travel Guru, to predict Northern Ireland will become a very popular destination for golf travelers. Heading the list of must plays in the region are Royal County Down, Royal Portrush, Portstewart, Lough Erne, Castlerock and Ardglass.

10. The Spa Life

Instead of heading to the 19th hole to hoist a few, an increasing number of golfers are heading straight to the spa. They've traded in a Jameson and ginger or frosty micro-brew for a post round treatment that'll help them rejuvenate for the next day on the golf course. The most popular massages for golfers are Swedish, Deep Tissue and Sports. Even resort complexes teeming with core golfers like Bandon Dunes and Streamsong offer spa services. Some the best golf resorts with spas include Sea Island, Georgia, PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, The Boulders, Scottsdale, Arizona and Fairmont Mayakoba, Cancun, Mexico.

Top 10 Golf Travel Trends for 2018

Let the good times and dimpled balls roll for golf travel enthusiasts in 2018.

With an American economy revving up with 3 % growth accompanied by meteoric stock market numbers, more people will have a few extra bucks to spend on luxury pursuits like golf vacations in the coming year.

Here are ten golf travel trends the Golf Travel Guru highlights for 2018:

1. Extended Golf Travel Vacations

Referred to as "sojourns" for the baby-boomer generation, these involve two or three month stays in golf rich areas. Typically, these golf travelers rent vacation apartments short-term or utilize services such as Airbnb. Popular locations include Portugal, Spain, Italy, France and Ireland. These longer vacations aren't just for retired boomers, either. Many boomers work as consultants or freelancers and all they need is a reliable wi-fi connection and they can travel and play golf for weeks at a time.

2. Over-The-Top Greens Fees at Iconic Golf Courses

You're going to need the few extra dollars from the robust economy because more and more of the world's most famous courses are charging  past $400 for a round of golf during their high season. If you want to play golf's high-profile layouts, be prepared to shell out some serious coin. Some of the priciest include Pebble Beach Golf Links ($525), TPC Sawgrass--PLAYERS Stadium Course ($495) and Pinehurst No. 2 ($420). 

3. Merging Fitness and Golf 

In addition to great golf, many golf vacationers want top notch wellness facilities at their resort or hotel. Especially attractive to linksters are spas with numerous treatments and services, well-equipped fitness centers, walking and jogging trails, nature paths, yoga and exercise classes. From losing weight and getting in shape to improving mental health, the goal is to improve your life beyond the fairways. 

4. Making Safety and Security a Priority

Savvy travelers are increasingly more cognizant of political turmoil, terrorism, inclement weather patterns and they want to play golf at destinations that are safe and secure. Travel agents and golf tour operators are paying closer attention to political happenings, hurricane seasons and other troubling weather situations in planning vacations. 

5. Exciting New Courses to Play

Several impressive golf courses debuted in 2017. For those seeking new golfing frontiers, the menu is enticing. Heading the list are:  Hogs Head Golf Club in Waterville, Ireland, Streamsong Black in Bowling Green, Florida, Sand Valley Golf Resort in Rome Wisconsin, Norman Signature Course in Nayarit, Mexico, Panorama Golf Resort near Praque, Czech Republic and Danzante Bay Golf Club in Mexico.

6. Viva Italia

Italy, the sumptuous oasis of great wine, pasta and gelato, has increased its tee time bookings by 40% in the past three years. The momentum is expected to continue as Italy will host the Ryder Cup for the first time in 2022. Italy has 142 18-hole golf courses and several exceptional golf resorts. The Guru's favorite destination, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region in the northeast corner of the country, has a good menu of courses like Golf Club Trieste, Golf Club Udine, Golf Club Lignano, Golf Club Grado, Golf & Country Club Castello Di Spessa, Golf Club Castel D'Aviano and Golf Club Tarviso. Other great choices throughout Italy include Terme di Saturnia Spa & Golf Resort in Manciano, Argentario Golf Resort & Spa in Monte Argentario and Donnafugata Golf Resort & Spa in Ragusa, Sicily. It doesn't get any better than a chilled glass of pinot grigio after a round of golf.

7. Emerging Destinations

For those seeking new golf travel frontiers, countries increasingly bullish on golf as a lure for tourists include South Africa, New Zealand, Bulgaria, Korea, Vietnam, Mauritius, St. Kitts/Nevis and Malaysia.

8. Shipping Your Sticks

An increasing number of golf travelers are opting to ship their golf clubs. Who can blame them? Long baggage security check-in lines, lugging a heavy bag around the airport and searching in vain for the oversized bag drop-off are just some of the reasons traveling with your clubs is a major pain in the posterior. Oh yeah, the airlines could lose your clubs and you're really screwed. It's really not surprising that shipping golf clubs is increasing in popularity. Top companies include Shipsticks.com, Luggageforward.com and Golfbagshipping.com

9. Ryder Cup 2018

The Ryder Cup has evolved into one of the sporting world's (not just golf's) biggest events. Ryder Cup 2018 will put the spotlight on golf in France and attract golf travelers from around the world. The matches will be staged September 28-30 at the Albatross Course of Le Golf National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, a suburb of southwest Paris.  For those who want to attend, your best bet is to go through an authorized golf travel tour operator. There are a variety of options, including Ryder Cup cruises and various pre- and post-trips to popular French regions like Bordeaux, Normandy and Brittany.

10. Food and Wine Lovers

Golfers love great food and fine wines. Hey, just about everybody is a foodie and wine lover these days. Destinations with superb, interesting cuisine and great wines are becoming even more attractive to golfers who want to enhance their vacation experience. Some of my favorite wine/golf destinations include South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Spain, Italy, France and Napa Valley in California. For dining, the Guru particularly likes Australia, which has awesome outdoor (al fresco) dining options and Italy, with its fantastic family-owned trattorias and wine estates.

10 Fearless Predictions for Golf in 2017

No, I didn't pick the Cubs to win the World Series. No, I didn't pick Clemson to beat Bama for the NCAA National Championship. And I certainly didn't pick Danny Willett to win the 2016 Masters...

I did pick the U.S.A. to win the 2016 Ryder Cup, so I guess I have some credibility, right? Don't answer that, please.

That said, here are some of The Guru's best predictions for 2017:

--The future is now. More golf courses will finally wake up and start pricing green fees by the hour or by the hole. Recently, the Lodge at Four Seasons in Lake Ozark, Missouri started pricing by the hour. They're hoping it will speed up play and allow golfers who only want to play a few holes to "pay for what they play". Hey Millennials, you asked for it, you got it.

--The U.S. dollar will stay strong and golf travel will surge this year. Biggest benefactors will be Ireland, Scotland, South Africa and New Zealand.

--The most exciting new courses debuting in 2017 will be Mike Keiser's Sand Valley in Wisconsin, Streamsong Black in Florida and Trinity Forest in Texas.

--Young studs Hideki Matsuyama and Justin Thomas will make a huge impact on the PGA Tour in 2017.

--Green will be the popular color choice for golf apparel in 2017. Who says so? The Golf Travel Guru, that's who. No, not just me. Various golf clothing companies are pushing all shades of green this year from olive to fluorescent to Masters green.

--The U.S. Open will be a great one at Erin Hills Golf Club in Wisconsin. Set on rolling terrain formed by glaciers, the course designed by Michael Hurdzan, Dana Fry and Ron Whitten, has dramatic ridges, contours and panoramas. Erin Hills is located 35 miles northwest of Milwaukee and 115 miles from Chicago.

--More people will experience golf outside traditional golf courses at venues like Topgolf, Flying Tee and driving ranges. Uh, let's not forget golf simulators, too.

--Major championship winners will be Rory McIlroy (Masters), Dustin Johnson (U.S. Open),  Sergio Garcia (British Open) Patrick Reed (PGA Championship

--Topgolf will continue to soar in popularity with those who love golf and cocktails and others who don't know a golf club from a tennis racquet. In fall 2017, Topgolf Orlando (Florida) will debut. Coming soon are Topgolf's in Miami Gardens, Florida, Nashville, Tennessee, El Paso and Fort Worth in Texas and Birmingham, Alabama.

--Tiger Woods will experience some minor back issues before he wins a minor tournament at the end of the year.

5 Most Common Golf Vacationers

Cape Kidnappers in New Zealand

One question I often get from people who don't know a golf club from a baseball bat is: Why do you travel around the world to play golf when you have several perfectly fine golf courses within 5 minutes of your house?

I don't want to go all philosophical on you, but the reason for travel by golfers can be summed up in this simple phrase: "Be fearless in pursuit of what sets your soul on fire."

In my three decades of spanning the globe to play golf, I've identified five types of golf travelers:

1. The Vacationer--Most likely the golfer is married to a non-golfer, who prefers a stone massage at the spa rather than roaming the fairways. The couple plans the golf trip with the distinct theme of compromise in the air. Golfer searches for a resort with a highly ranked spa and great golf (or some super tracks nearby) and they enjoy the best of both worlds. It has been my experience (with Mrs. Guru) that the non-golfer's needs come first and the golfer is seemingly happy as long as the fairways are wide, the greens are true and the beer is ice cold at the 19th hole.

2. Trophy Hunter--These are the individuals who more than likely have a large map in their office dotted with tiny flags denoting the Top 100 courses they've played around the world. It's an admirable goal for the golf fanatic and I've known more than a few golfers who pursue playing the most highly ranked courses. When they travel, the goal is to plant flags on their map when they return. From the Old Course at St. Andrews to Royal County Down in Ireland to Pebble Beach Golf Links in California, the trophy hunter wants to play them all during his golf travel career.

3. Buddy Tripper--Typically a group of men who generally want to play golf (up to 36 holes a day), drink beer and single malt scotch at the 19th hole, enjoy a steak, lobster or pasta dinner and repeat that day several times. Scotland and Ireland are great buddy trip destinations because the courses are often close to each other and there's an abundance of 19th holes, whiskey distilleries for tours and pubs where the pints flow freely. In the U.S., top buddy trip destinations include Bandon Dunes in Oregon, Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.

4. Adventure Traveler--I'm seeing more of this type of golf traveler in recent years. In addition to playing great golf courses, they want to incorporate exciting off-the-course activities in their itinerary such as wine tours and tastings, safaris, river rafting, hot air ballooning and bicycling. This traveler often gets just as excited in finding a great Cab or Chardonnay as they do in slamming in a 20 foot birdie putt. Some destinations vying for the adventure traveler include South Africa, New Zealand and Australia.

5. Event Traveler--This ultimate multi-tasker likes to attend major golf events and tee it up in the area. They'll select events like the Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup, Solheim Cup, Open Championship, The Masters and PGA Tour and European Tour tournaments, then arrange to attend for a few days and play golf at nearby notable courses.

10 Emerging Millennials Golf and Travel Trends

Remember Tiger Woods? While golf's injured supernova has been sitting on the sidelines, Millennials like Jordan Spieth, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson have moved to the forefront of the game signaling an upcoming seismic shift in the sport on and off the course.

Millennials, who range in age 16 to 34 years of age, are just beginning to make their impact on golf and travel. If you're involved in either one of these industries, or both, I highly suggest you start preparing for the onslaught of the Snapchat and smoothies generation. There are 79 million of them in the U.S. and they spend $600 billion dollars a year. In five years, the oldest of the generation will be pushing 40.

Here are 10 top Millennial trends important to the golf and travel industries:

1. Social Media is an amazing Millennial influencer--Whether it's viewing a dramatic picture on Instagram or reading a favorable tweet about a hotel or golf course on Twitter, Millennials are heavily influenced by reviews and comments on social media. Quite simply, if you want to reach Millennials and impact their golf and travel decisions, a strong presence on social media is absolutely imperative.  It's estimated that 75% of Millennials post while they're on vacation. If you want to reach Millennials, you can forget about old school paper brochures, newspaper travel articles and cheesy magazine ads. 

2. Why Millennials travel--Millennials love to travel with a purpose. They want to experience new cultures, cuisine and activities. Moreover, they want to visit interesting destinations where they can post pictures that get lots of attention and "likes". Millennial golfers want to play on courses that are both challenging and photogenic so their buddies back home can see what they're missing via social media.

3. Millennial golf trends--While the Baby Boomers cry was "Let's Play 36!", Millennials are more prone to saying "Let's Play Golf in Many Different Ways." Increasingly popular are playing nine holes or less, pay-by-hole, night golf and golf simulator competitions. Many Millennial golfers don't want to be locked into the traditional 18-hole golf experience. A hugely popular off-site golf activity, Topgolf entertainment complexes appeal to tech-addicted Millennials with point-scored electronic golf games that anyone, regardless of skill level, can play. In a plush sports-bar-style environment, players hit a golf ball containing a personalized microchip into a series of targets ranging from 20 to 240 yards away. Topgolf, which has an upscale food and beverage menu and can host group events, has locations that include Scottsdale, Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Houston and Austin, Texas, and Alexandria, Va. A new, expansive Topgolf is under construction in Orlando, Florida.

4. What Millennials LIKE at resorts and hotels--There are an increasing number of hotel chains such as Aloft, W, Kimpton and Hyatt Centric that cater directly to Millennial needs.  Millennials desire large spacious lobbies where they can spread out and lounge with their electronic devices, coffee bars, lounges with big selections of craft beers, sports bars teeming with large screen televisions, lawn games like corn hole and bocce ball, a large number of charging stations in the lobby and hotel common areas, outdoor lounging spaces with comfy chairs, couches and connectivity and healthy food choices.

5. What Millennials don't like at resorts and hotels--They DISLIKE hotels that charge for Wifi, don't have mobile check-in and don't have texting communication with guests. Millennials also could care less about a mini-bar, pillow chocolates, old school coffee makers, overpriced room service, iPod docking stations and a newspaper in front of the door.

6. How Millennials select destinations, hotels and restaurants--This is HUGE. Traditional advertisements aren't nearly as effective with Millennials. Millennials rely on each other's opinions on social media to make travel decisions. Instead of a flashy ad or video, Millennials are more likely to access user-generated recommendations on popular review sites like TripAdvisor, Yelp, Airbnb and Oyster to help make their travel decisions.

7. New Millennial amenities at golf resorts--The traditional golf cart is evolving to appeal to Millennials. In Scottsdale, Ariz., the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa offers specially designed Segways to ride and transport clubs on their golf courses. Resorts such as Tetherow in Bend, Ore., Boyne Highlands in Michigan and Princeville at Hanalei on the island of Lanai in Hawaii feature Golfboards, an easy-to-ride electric board equipped to carry clubs that allows golfers to surf the fairways and feels similar to snowboarding, surfing and skateboarding. Millennials love food trucks and you'll increasingly see them at resorts. The PGA National Resort in Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida and Ocean Reef Club and Resort in the Florida Keys now have food trucks.

8. Popular Millennial golf and sports activities at resorts--It's becoming increasingly clear that Millennials will consume the game of golf much differently than Boomers. Fitness is an integral part of the Millennial lifestyle so it's not surprising that pursuits like Footgolf, a hybrid game of soccer and golf on the course, has caught on.  Resorts like Crystal Springs in New Jersey, French Lick Resort in Indiana and TreeTops Resort in Michigan offer Footgolf. You also see an increasing number of Millennials jogging on golf cart paths early in the morning before the course opens.

9. Millennials love to validate their experiences on social media-The "If you didn't post it, it didn't happen" generation love to tell their friends and family about their travel experiences on Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, Pinterest, Foursquare and other platforms.

10. Millennials want more connectivity everywhere--It's a no brainer that hotels better have great connectivity, but Millennials also want to be connected on the golf course, too. While many Boomers find it annoying, Millennials don't want to turn off their cell phones on the golf course. Some golf resorts are responding with charging stations on golf carts, increased Wifi access and golf apps. 

5 Places to Play Golf While the Dollar is Strong

Remember the great Kool & The Gang song "Celebration"?

Well, it's time to start singing it: "Let's celebrate, it's all right...."

The U.S. dollar has been gaining strength of late and I've got a list of countries where the golf is superb at a very happy price (when you consider the excellent exchange rates).

Here are Five places to consider:

CANADA--The U.S. dollar has been steadily progressing against the Canadian dollar for the past five years so it's a great time to visit up north. Better still, Canadians love to swing the sticks, and I don't just mean hockey sticks. There's great golf all over the country from the picturesque layouts in British Columbia on the west coast to Banff Springs and Jasper Lodge in Alberta to excellent courses in and around Toronto and, the latest rage, Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia.

MEXICO--Bueno, Bueno, Bueno...The U.S. dollar to the Mexican Peso has risen more than 22% in value since February 2015. If you've been thinking about playing golf in Mexico, now is a great time with excellent value. You can tee up in all sorts of settings ranging from the all-inclusives in Cancun and Riviera Maya to Puerto Vallarta and the stunning, ruggedly beautiful courses in Los Cabos where the Sea of Cortez meets the Pacific Ocean.

SOUTH AFRICA--If you enjoy stunningly picturesque golf courses, world class wines, luxury hotels and game lodges and safaris where you can see the Big 5 (elephant, leopard, buffalo, lion and rhino), you'll absolutely love South Africa. Whether you decide to tee up in the Las Vegas-like Sun City area near Johannesburg in the north or the Garden Route between Cape Town and Port Elizabeth in the south, or both, you'll find excellent golf courses and great deals on hotels, dining and wine thanks to the favorable exchange rate.

THAILAND--Since February last year (2015), the U.S. dollar is worth about 10% more against the Thai Baht. Golf in Thailand ranges from the luxury beach/golf resorts in the south to the mountainous surroundings in the north. You can also tee up in Bangkok an Pattaya. In fact, there are more than 60 courses near Bangkok. Thailand has a great golf tradition dating back to 1923 so the sport is well ingrained in the tourism infrastructure. Top courses to play include Ayodhya Links, Amata Spring and Alpine Golf Club.

TURKEY--The U.S. dollar is favorable against the Turkish lira right now. While golfers don't immediately think of Turkey as a golf destination, the country has quietly emerged as a great place to combine a beach/golf excursion. The Turkish Riviera on the country's southern coast has 14 golf courses with designer tags like Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and David Feherty.

9 Great Golf Travel Tips for 2016

Royal County Down in Ireland

Jordan Spieth certainly got off to a great start in 2016 with his victory in Hawaii. I'm hoping some of the tips below will help make your golf travel excursions real winners in 2016

1. Play Royal County Down--Recently voted #1 in Golf Digest's World 100 Greatest Golf Courses, this Irish gem is world class on so many levels. It's Ireland's answer to the Old Course at St. Andrews and Pine Valley and Pebble Beach. Opened in 1889, Royal County Down is set on natural dune-land at the foothills of the mountains of Mourne in Newcastle, about 30 miles north of Belfast. Stretching out before you like a Monet painting come to life, this course is colorfully accented with purple heath and yellow gorse. Roller coaster like fairways, blind drives, bunkers framed by shaggy fescue grasses and smallish greens dominate the golf experience at Royal County Down.

2. Great Canadian Value--If you want great value, head north, my friends. The U.S. dollar is predicted to stay strong against the Canadian Dollar in 2016. Now is an excellent money-saving time to play heralded locales like the Canadian Rockies (Banff and Jasper) and Cabot Links and Cabot Cliffs in Nova Scotia.

3. Hot Destinations--South Africa and New Zealand: For those seeking new golf horizons, these two destinations offer great golf and a wealth of off-the-course activities. In South Africa, the experience encompasses stunningly scenic courses, winery tours and safaris where you can see the Big 5 (elephant, leopard, buffalo, lion and rhino) all in one day. New Zealand offers golf courses with Jack Nicklaus, Tom Doak and Robert Trent Jones Jr. designer tags, uncrowded golf courses, exceptional cuisine and fine wines and an awe inspiring landscape of rugged mountains, lush forests and spectacular beaches.

4. New Golf Courses to Play--Tired of the same ol' courses. Here's a list of courses that have recently opened or are set to open in 2016. Trilogy (Ocala, Florida), Blackjack National (Houston, Texas), Oakhurst at Greenbrier (Sulphur Springs, West Virginia), Forest Dunes (Northern Michigan), Canyons Golf Club (Park City, Utah) and Links at Brunello (Halifax, Canada).

5. Ryder Cup 2016 Fever--Young guns like Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed will try to bring the cup back to the U.S. The 2016 Ryder Cup matches will be staged at Hazeltine National Golf Club near Minneapolis, Minnesota in September. Minneapolis is easily accessible thanks to an excellent airport and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul are loaded with a variety of restaurants, shopping options and recreation opportunities.

6. Mobile Passport App--Is there anything worse than returning from a fabulous international golf trip only to be welcomed by long, slow moving lines at customs in the U.S. The Mobile Passport App is the ultimate time saver. It allows U.S. Citizens to expedite the entry process back in the U.S. by avoiding the line at Custom and Border Protection (CBP) and going directly to the "Mobile Passport Control" express lane. Airports where the service is available include Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco and Seattle-Tacoma.

7. Burn Your Miles--This is a great year to start spending all those miles you've piled up. Several experts are predicting airlines will move to devalue points even more this year.

8. Change in Tee Time Policy at The Old Course--Late last year, the St. Andrews Links Trust announced that beginning in 2018, the guaranteed tee times previously given to The Old Course Experience will be distributed to several different golf tour operators. This is could be great news for those planning to play the Old Course in the future because several golf travel experts predict lower prices for guaranteed tee times.

9. Destinations for Non-Golfer Spouses--For those who want to avoid leaving their spouses alone in a hotel room with a remote and a big screen, there are numerous golf destinations where non-golfers can enjoy themselves. Gaming destinations such as Biloxi, Atlantic City and Las Vegas have a wealth of entertainment offerings. The Monterey Peninsula has the charming village of Carmel-By-the-Sea and the 17-Mile Drive. Hilton Head Island is brimming with excellent restaurants, bicycle trails, walkable beaches and shopping areas. San Diego has great shopping, beach and boating activities and superb restaurants. Orlando has theme parks, outlet shopping and walkable villages like Winter Park and Mount Dora. Branson has live entertainment shows, a vibrant downtown area and outlet shopping.

Top 10 Golf Trip Suggestions for 2015

If you're like the Guru, you can't get enough of legendary, classic golf destinations like St. Andrews, Pinehurst and Pebble Beach.

That said, how about channeling your inner Daniel Boone to become a pioneer seeking new frontiers to tee up.

Here's a list of exciting golf destinations that have emerged as great golf vacation destinations:

Royal County Down

North of Dublin, Ireland--For those who head north of this great city, the rewards are great. Among your must plays should be Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, of course. This region has some of Ireland's best and most natural links courses. Courses that that I highly recommend, include Carne Golf Links, Enniscrone, Ballyliffin, Donegal, Rosapenna and County Sligo. One of the many attributes of this region is you don't have to pile up the miles on the rental car. Most of the courses are situated between 30 and 60 minutes from each other.  Also, don't miss the Bushmills Distillery tour in the charming village of Bushmills.

Cabot Cliffs

Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada--First came Cabot Links (ranked 82nd on Golf Magazine's list of Top 100 Courses in the World), and now debuting in July 2015 is its sister layout, Cabot Cliffs. Mike Keiser, developer of Bandon Dunes in Oregon, recruited Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw to design Cabot Cliffs, a spectacular golf experience encompassing rolling, coastal dunes, soaring, jagged cliffs and Atlantic Ocean views. In fact, 10 holes are set along the water. Dare I say, some writers are referring to Cabot Cliffs as Canada's answer to Pebble Beach.

St. Endreol Golf Course

South France--One of the Guru's favorite places to visit on planet earth is the French Riviera. Stunning, scenic beaches, superb farm-to-table cuisine enjoyed al fresco at elegant restaurants and bistros, great local wines and a sophisticated, easy going lifestyle are just a few of the many attributes in the South of France. For golfers, there are more than 50 golf courses to play along the 500 mile coastline. Course settings range from links style layouts to ones dominated by pine forests. The preeminent expert at planning and executing golf-oriented getaways to the region is John Wiggins at Chardon Luxury Golf Breaks.

Quivira Golf Club

Los Cabos, Mexico--Known for its phenomenal deep sea fishing where the Sea of Cortez merges with the Pacific Ocean, Los Cabos has evolved in the past two decades as luxury golf destination with a variety of layouts donning designer tags like Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Tom Weiskopf and Robert Trent Jones II. The newest places to tee up were designed by two of golf's biggest stars: The Quivira Golf Club, a Jack Nicklaus design at an oceanfront community and Tiger Woods' El Cardonal at Diamante.

Argentario Golf Resort & Spa

Tuscany, Italy--The Guru loves this fantastic region of Italy for the same reasons many others do. The combination of world-class wines, incredible cuisine and Medieval hill towns and several great resorts make this a very appealing golf destination. Tuscany, with its rolling hills, rows of poplar trees, vineyards and cities like Florence, Pisa and Siena is one of the most beautiful parts of Europe. Enhancing the attraction for golfers are excellent, luxury resorts with golf such as Argentario Golf Resort & Spa, La Bagnaia Resort and Toscana Resort Castelfalfi. For an expert on the region, click to igolftuscany

Chambers Bay

Seattle, Washington--The spotlight will shine brightly on Seattle in 2015 as Chambers Bay will host this year's U.S. Open. One of America's great municipal golf courses, this Robert Trent Jones II layout is unlike any other muni you've ever played. A walking-only layout, Chambers Bay is a wonderland of fescue grasses, massive sand dunes and wide fairways. Enhancing the overall golf experience are the awesome panoramas of the Puget Sound and snow-capped Olympic Mountains in the distance. Other courses to play in and near Seattle include Salish Cliffs, Gold Mountain and Kayak Point.

Montgomerie Maxx Royal

Belek, Turkey--This dynamic beach town on Turkey's southern coast is part of what is often referred to as the Turkish Riviera. Designers like Nick Faldo, Colin Montgomerie and David Feherty have fashioned courses in the region. The Belek area has 14 golf courses and 50 hotels. Many of its resorts are 5-star quality and operate on an all-inclusive basis. Dense pine forests and Eucalyptus trees add character and challenge to many courses in Belek. Some of the top layouts include Antalya Golf Club, Montgomerie Maxx Royal Golf Course and the 27-hole complex at Cornelia Diamond Resort.

Royal Isabela

Puerto Rico--I'm amazed that so many golfers overlook Puerto Rico when they're searching for a golf getaway in the Caribbean. The lush island, which is 100 miles long and 40 miles wide, is a U.S. territory so it's easy to navigate. Most residents speak some English, you don't need a passport and the U.S. dollar is the accepted form of currency. In addition to the fantastic El Youngue National Rainforest and numerous opportunities for hiking, paddleboarding and snorkeling, Puerto Rico has 30 golf courses to play. Some of the best places to tee up are Royal Isabela, Trump International Golf Club, Bahia Beach and the Wyndham Grand Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa Ocean and River courses. Better still, it's only a 2 hour and 35 minute flight from Miami and 4 hours from New York City.

Black Butte Ranch

Oregon--While Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, understandably, receives most of the headlines and publicity, this state also has exceptional golf offerings in Bend, Portland and the northern coast. If you love mountain views, head to Bend in the central part of the state. Robert Muir Graves has a couple of outstanding courses in the area--Greens at Redmond and Big Meadow at Black Butte Ranch. Central Oregon is also home to Pronghorn Golf Club and Crosswater Golf Club. The must play in Portland is Pumpkin Ridge.

Twin Warriors

New Mexico--While many golfers seeking a western U.S. golf destination head to Phoenix/Scottsdale, Las Vegas or Palm Springs, New Mexico is a great, value-oriented option. The state has 310 days of sunshine each year and the courses are less crowded and more affordable than other more popular golf destinations. You can't beat the high-desert scenery and mountain peaks framing some courses. There are several great, nationally ranked courses in the Albuquerque area, including Twin Warriors Golf Club, Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club and Championship Golf Club at the University of New Mexico.

Top 10 Golf Travel Trends 2015

Golf Casintino in Italy

Golfers love to travel. In fact, more golfers took a domestic trip in 2014 than skiers, tennis players and sailors combined.

To get you ready for 2015, here are 10 trends to assist you in golf travel planning:

1. Emerging Destinations—For those who’ve already played Ireland and Scotland, European destinations like Italy and France are aggressively promoting golf vacations. Trying to entice golfers who are also foodies, Italian and French golf tour operators tout their exceptional cuisine and wine, which visiting golfers can enjoy once the last putt falls for the day. Many new golf courses are popping up in Thailand, China, Korea and Vietnam and they’re also vying strongly for golf vacationers. Australia and New Zealand are popular new frontiers, as well.

2. Bucket-List Courses—As Baby Boomers retire in greater numbers they have more time to pursue courses on their Bucket Lists. At the top of most lists is The Old Course in St. Andrews, Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pinehurst No. 2, Royal Dornoch (Scotland), Royal County Down (Ireland) and Royal Melbourne (Australia).

3. Going Mobile—An increasing number of online travel bookings will be done with mobile devices. According to the World Travel Market Global Trends Report, nearly 35% of bookings will be mobile oriented by 2018. Look for the Apple Watch and other smartwatches to make a big impact when it goes on sale in 2015. A few airlines, travel companies and hotels have already released smartwatch apps that allow users to book flights, download boarding passes, search for the best holiday deals and act as room keys.

4. History with Modern Amenities—Golf vacationers want to experience history, but not in a musty and dusty environment. Discerning luxury golf travelers want all the modern day techno amenity candy like high-speed Internet service, Ipod docking stations and flat panel televisions as well as spas, fitness centers and luxury linens. Historical hotels such The Breakers in Palm Beach, Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina and The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado, The American Club in Kohler, Wisconsin and Williamsburg Inn in Virginia have refurbished and upgraded their properties to appeal to the luxury amenity sensitivities of their guests. 

5. Food and Wine Appreciation—Everybody is a “Foodie”. Lots of golfers watch the Food Network as much as they do the Golf Channel.  Off-the-course, golfers are increasingly seeking innovative, chef inspired delicacies, farm-to-table restaurants, healthy and gluten free choices, craft beers and fine wines. Wine goes well with golf, too. Some of the most desirable wine regions with great golf include Cape Town, South Africa, the Bordeaux in southwest France, Napa Valley, California and Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand.

6. Couples Trips—The buddy trip is still popular, but as more couples retire, they'll travel more and increasingly play more golf together. To enhance the golf travel experience, activities like winery tours and cooking classes will be incorporated in itineraries.

7. Alternative Golf Experiences at Resorts—In an effort to attract more Millennials to golf, a growing number of resorts are offering Footgolf. What is it? In Footgolf, the hole on the green is expanded to 21 inches to accommodate a soccer ball, players tally up their score like golf and it only takes about two hours to complete a round. Resorts offering Footgolf include Crystal Springs Resort in Sussex County, New Jersey, French Lick Resort in French Lick, Indiana, TreeTops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan and the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa’s Port Royal Golf club.

8. Electronic Golf Hangouts—The latest rage for those who like to swing the sticks away from the golf course is Topgolf, a golf entertainment complex. In a plush sports bar style environment, players hit a golf ball containing a personalized microchip into a series of targets ranging from 20 to 240 yards away. Topgolf has locations in Scottsdale, Arizona, Atlanta, Georgia, Chicago, Illinois, Dallas, Austin and Houston in Texas and Alexandria, Virginia.

9. Putting Courses at Resorts—To entertain golfers in-between rounds and give non-golfers an entertaining amenity to participate in the game, resorts are offering 18-hole putting courses laid out like mini golf layouts. Topping the menu of options are the Punchbowl, a 100,000 square-foot putting courses at Bandon Dunes in Oregon designed by Tom Doak; the Thistle Dhu Putting Course at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina; Dunes Putting Course at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Destin, Fla.; the Sawtooths Putting Course at Sun Valley Resort in Sun Valley, Idaho; the 30,000 square foot Seaside Putting Course at Hilton Waikoloa Village on the Big Island in Hawaii; and the 350-yard long putting course at Salishan Spa & Golf Resort in Gleneden Beach, Oregon.

10. House Exchange--With easy access to several major Internet sites, more golf travelers will consider house swapping. Retired Baby Boomers can exchange a stay at their primary or vacation home for an abode in a golf rich area. Just bring your clubs, golf clothes and a tootbrush and, voila, you've got a great place to reside temporarily while someone else is staying and watching your house during your extended stay away from home.

Everything You Need to Know About Playing Golf in Orlando, Florida

10th Hole at Waldorf-Astoria Golf Club

Overshadowed by a mouse named Mickey and a whale named Shamu, Orlando is nonetheless a bonafide golf destination with major resorts like Grand Cypress, Renuion, ChampionsGate, Shingle Creek and Mission Inn and more than 125 courses within a 45 mile radius of downtown.

Check out the Guru's various articles and course reviews to discover the best places to tee it up in O-Town:

Top 10 Golf Courses to Play in Central Florida

Top 5 Golf Courses I Recommend in Central Florida 

Which Orlando Golf Resort is Right For You?

Diversity of Land and Design Dominates Orlando Golf Scene 

10 Reasons for a Golf Trip to Kissimmee

10 Reasons for a Golf Trip to Lake County

Review: Orange County Golf Center and Lodge

Review: Bella Collina Golf Club

Review: MetroWest Golf Club 

Review: Ritz-Carlton Golf Club/Grande Lakes Orlando 

Review: Mission Inn Resort

Review: Alaqua Country Club

Review: Sweetwater Country Club

Review: Eagle Dunes Golf Club 

Review: Rio Pinar Golf Club 

Review: Ventura Country Club 

Review: Providence Golf Club

10 Most Annoying Golf Travelers on International Trips

I've been lucky to have taken numerous golf excursions around the world and I'm a fairly easy going guy. I do my best, however, to avoid fellow travelers who are world-class whiners and complainers.

Unfortunately, there always seems to be one or two grumps who just can't seem to fully appreciate different cultures, customs, cuisine and golf courses.

Oh no... these champion complainers must voice their vitriolic opinions on just about everything.

Here is my list of the top 10 most annoying golf travelers on international trips:


1. Downgrades authentic links courses in Scotland and Ireland compared to U.S. courses--Most of the courses in the British Isles are naturally beautiful, stay true to the local terrain and don't possess the well-manicured look of U.S. courses. There's always one wise guy that starts referring to these layouts as goat ranches, donkey pastures or some other derogatory term. Enough already, Mr. golf course expert, it's like comparing apples and oranges. Enjoy the links golf experience while you're there and keep your mean, cynical comments to yourself.

2. Complains about dogs and hikers on Scottish courses--Get over it, dogs and hikers are welcome on most golf courses in Scotland. You'll see people walking their dogs and some golfers accompanied by the family pooch and hikers, who enjoy soaking up the scenery at a beautiful golf course. If it really bothers you to see Fido roaming the paths alongside the fairways, you either don't appreciate Man's Best Friend or you don't know a darn thing about golf in Scotland.

3. Refuses to follow local customs and clubhouse rules--This is the insensitive lout  constantly wearing his hat and athletic shoes around the clubhouse even though there are signs everywhere detailing appropriate clubhouse behavior. Typically, the group leader informs everyone of proper behavior and dress before entering the clubhouse, but there's always one person who just can't seem to adapt and follow rules.

4. Complains because golf carts aren't available--"What the *#@%, do we really have to walk these courses, I can't play without a cart," says Mr. Lard Ass, who hasn't walked on a golf course like, well, ever. In many parts of the world, golf carts are a luxury not a necessity and generally reserved for disabled golfers. Golf courses in the British Isles are best enjoyed by walking. Some major resorts have golf carts, but, for the most part, walking is an enjoyable part of the golf experience at most courses.

5. Overpacks with the largest luggage in the group and requires assistance in carrying--We all want wardrobe choices on a golf trip, but this person packs for an 8-day golf trip like they're going around the world in 80 days. Stacks of bricks and gold bars don't weigh as much as this person's suitcase. You practically need a forklift to move this overstuffed bag from the bus to the lobby of the hotel. To be sure, the same person always has a jammed golf bag that's difficult to lug around as well.

6. Grouses because the breakfasts are different from those in the U.S.--The full Scottish breakfast arrives and the sight of a half tomato, baked beans and Black Pudding sets this golfer off.  He quickly tells everybody at the table that he cannot begin his day this way during the week long trip. The insufferable windbag then delivers a speech about all the great American breakfasts at his favorite places back in the States like Denny's, IHOP and Perkins.

7. Constantly boozes on planes, trains, automobiles and vans--Hey, everyone who imbibes enjoys a smooth single malt or ale, especially on a visit to Scotland and Ireland. This person, however, can't limit drinking to pubs, restaurants and clubhouses. Oh no, this boozer is the first to start pounding them down on the plane and brings his own supply of plastic cups and a hidden leg flask so he can knock down a shot or two on the van or rental car on the way to the golf course.

8. Brags incessantly about all the Top 100 courses he or she has played--This is the golfer whose entire wardrobe (hats, visors, sweaters and shirts) consists of logo merchandise from the most celebrated courses in the world. Beware, too, if this boorish individual has already played one of the courses on your itinerary. He will assume the position of self-appointed expert and furnish more advice than you'll ever want or need.

9. Obsessively uses a smart phone to post on social media--Can you just put away the freakin' phone for a little while? We know you're important and successful and people can't live without your witty social media repartee, but, puhleeeeeeese, give us a break and wait till you get back to the hotel before you dive into your email, posting and tweeting world.

10. Takes a photo of seemingly everything--Mr. Photographer absolutely must take a picture of every golf hole on the trip and just about everything else so he can entertain his family into boredom when he returns stateside.  I love foursome and group pictures as much as the next person, but please tone it down with all the pictures, will ya.