Golf News & Reviews

What you are about to read underscores why it’s so important to “consider the source” when researching your golf vacations. On a recent trip to play several Maine golf courses, we were met with a few unpleasant surprises at the venerable Sugarloaf Resort and its Sugarloaf Golf Course, which some mainstream golf publications have placed on their top-100 lists. For one thing, we discovered that it’s really only the back nine holes — not the entire 18 — that make this Maine golf course memorable. More disturbing, however, was that its greens were in horrible condition, particularly on the front side. This, despite the fact that the “Course Report” on the Sugarloaf Golf Course website proudly proclaimed that, “the fairways are in the best shape of the year.” It made no mention whatsoever of the damage to the greens caused by the harsh winter. (continued at www.GolfVacationInsider.com)

Read full story

Our regular readers know that we often provide insider tips on how to access private golf courses while taking golf vacations. Today, we’d like to let you in on another great one.It’s called TOUR GCX, and if you’re someone who enjoys the private golf club experience at home or during your golf vacations — but you’re not quite ready to join a country club — it may be a perfect solution for you. (continued at www.GolfVacationInsider.com)

Read full story

Q: What are some of the better Vermont golf courses to play in the Burlington area?A:If youÂ’re looking for big-name Vermont golf courses near Burlington, the first place to consider is Vermont National Country Club (vnccgolf.com), just five miles south of the center of town. This Jack Nicklaus/Jack Nicklaus II design combines a Scottish links-style front nine with a mountainous back nine that winds through rock outcroppings. ItÂ’s a private course, yes, but you can gain access to it by staying at any one of a number of local area hotels such as the Inn at Essex, the Sheraton Burlington, the Hawthorne Suites, Courtyard Marriott Burlington, or the Smugglers Notch Resort. Hotel guests pay $120 for green fee and cart. If youÂ’re a member of a club back home, Vermont National allows reciprocal play for $105. (continued at www.GolfVacationInsider.com)

Read full story

If your laptop computer is standard equipment on golf vacations, a new rule by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may make it faster and easier to get through those frustratingly slow airport security lines.The TSA recently announced that, as of August 16, 2008, it will allow laptop computers to be X-rayed while still in their cases, provided the bags meet the TSA’s newly formed requirements and that they are packed so that nothing obstructs the X-ray machineÂ’s ability to capture a, “clear and distinct image of the laptop separate from the rest of the bag.” (continued at www.GolfVacationInsider.com)

Read full story

If the greatest challenge about taking a Bandon Dunes golf vacation is getting to this remote, Oregon outpost, the second greatest has to be securing a room there, particularly during the May-through-October high season. Happily, we have good news to report on that front. On August 1, The Inn at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort opened, adding 39 more rooms to what was an inventory of just 225 at this soon-to-be four-course property. (continued at www.GolfVacationInsider.com)

Read full story

If your laptop computer is standard equipment on golf vacations, a new rule by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may make it faster and easier to get through those frustratingly slow airport security lines.The TSA recently announced that, as of August 16, 2008, it will allow laptop computers to be X-rayed while still in their cases, provided the bags meet the TSA’s newly formed requirements and that they are packed so that nothing obstructs the X-ray machine’s ability to capture a, “clear and distinct image of the laptop separate from the rest of the bag.” (continued at www.GolfVacationInsider.com)

Read full story

Taking an American Club Kohler golf vacation to play Whistling Straits golf course and its other fine layouts is not an inexpensive proposition. However, there are less expensive options besides staying at the classy American Club Hotel and the little-known private mansion and sporting club called Riverbend, which we recently told you about. Two years ago, we shared with you fact that the Inn on Woodlake was, “The Best Budget Hotel Option on Your American Club Kohler Golf Vacation.” In light of its recently completed major renovation, we now view the Inn on Woodlake as an even more compelling, lower-priced lodging alternative, particularly for visitors more focused on golf than accommodations. (continued at www.GolfVacationInsider.com)

Read full story