TORONTO - With Christmas fast approaching, you’re probably wondering what to put under the tree for that golfer in your life, who probably already has every gadget and club imaginable in their bag. Does he or she really need another driver that takes them 40 yards deeper into the woods or fescue?
So how about giving them something totally different this Christmas - like a golf vacation, that you, of course, can tag along on.
There’s lots of options out there and many of them involve staying in chic hotels that border scenic wonders - like warm oceans - and offer many luxury amenities, like spas.
We start off our list of potential golf gifts with one that actually doesn’t involve playing a round. That’s because 2016 is another Ryder Cup year and I can’t think of anything that would make the golfer in your life happier on Christmas Day than unwrapping a gift box that contains the toughest ticket in sports - a pass to Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota, where the 2016 Ryder Cup between the U.S. and Europe will be held Sept. 27 - Oct. 2, 2016.
With the 2016 Ryder Cup’s random ticket lottery completed, the only way to officially obtain tickets to the event is through Premier Golf, an upscale travel company licensed by the PGA of America since 1991.
Above: Hazeltine and tickets to the Ryder Cup there will top every golfers wish list this Christmas.
Premier Golf sells Ryder Cup tickets as part of its luxury packages that include everything a golfer could want and more. Packages start at $2,895 (all prices U.S.) and come with four nights’ accommodations, a ticket to the competition (Thursday through Sunday), welcome reception, Ryder Cup gift, daily breakfast and round-trip transportation between Hazeltine and the accommodation. Premier also offers a private hospitality VIP chalet and other trip add-ons (practice round tickets, additional nights’ accommodation, International Pavilion upgrade, and more). Located just off the 16th hole, Premier Golf’s VIP chalet offers comfortable seating in an air-conditioned private area, full open bar, wide-screen televisions, all-day buffets, executive restrooms and on-site staff.
Info: http://www.premiergolf.com
Other Christmas golf packages I think you might like, include:
Canadian Rockies Golf “Pins and Thrills” Package
This is one gift package I’m going to drop a few hints in hopes of getting. That’s because playing golf in the Canadian Rockies is one of most memorable things I’ve ever done. And because you’re in the rarified air of the Rockies, your ball actually goes further! Now that’s a gift that you can’t put a price tag on folks.
Here golfers tee it up next to glacier-fed lakes, jaw-dropping scenery – often dotted with elk, bear, coyote and longhorn sheep – and the packages feature upscale hotels and resorts, award-winning courses and charming, vibrant boutique towns like Canmore, Banff and Jasper.
For $979 per golfer (based on double occupancy), guests can enjoy four nights in a one-bedroom suite at the Blackstone Mountain Lodge, a Clique Hotels & Resorts property. I’ve stayed here folks and the accommodation is truly first rate. Also included are two rounds of golf – one each at historic Canmore Golf & Curling Club and the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel Golf Course, selected by Jack Nicklaus and Arnie Palmer as one of their favourite courses in the world. This package also includes a 25-minute Royal Canadian Helicopter Tour by Alpine Helicopters and why you’ll see from the air will take your breath away.
Info: http://www.canadianrockiesgolf.net
Kauai Golf Trail Card
Golf doesn’t get any better than when it’s played in Hawaii. And this card allows you to choose some amazing courses that come with stunning ocean and volcanic mountain views.
With the Kauai Golf Trail Card, golfers can receive three rounds for more than 15 per cent off at four participating courses – Princeville Makai Golf Club, Poipu Bay Golf Course, The Ocean Course at Hokuala and Puakea Golf Course (adjacent to where Steven Spielberg filmed “Jurassic Park”). The deal is great for players looking to play several rounds at their convenience while enjoying all Kauai has to offer. The trail card is available for purchase at any of the four participating clubs for $450 - price adjusts to $475 on Dec. 1, 2015, so don’t hesitate. My dream is to get to Hawaii and play this well talked about trail.
Info: http://www.golfkauaihawaii.com
Ozark Mountain Oasis
Branson is an iconic U.S. family destination nestled in gorgeous southwest Missouri. It’s well known for its live performance theatres – more seats combined than Las Vegas – and has lots of lakes and outdoor activities, shopping venues, an Historic Downtown district, many dozen dining options, an award-winning theme park and excellent museums (“Titanic” and “Ancient Ozarks Natural History Museum”). Branson is less well known for its golf, but it shouldn’t be – it the fastest rising golf destination in North America. Bass Pro Shops Founder Johnny Morris has opened two new courses in the Branson/Lakes area in the past 18 months, and he has two more scheduled to open in the near future (one by Gary Player, the other by Bill Coore & Ben Crenshaw). If you know anything about Bass Pro Shops you know Morris doesn’t do anything forgettable. That’s evident at his Jack Nicklaus-designed Top of the Rock Golf Course – an amenity of the exceptional Big Cedar Lodge – which for $137 includes a round of golf and admission to the Lost Canyon Cave Trail. Located on site, it features stunning waterfalls and rock formations that are toured by golf cart. For those seeking other options, Branson is home to three of Missouri’s five top-rated courses in Golfweek’s “2015 America’s Best Courses You Can Play by State” list (Branson Hills, Buffalo Ridge and LedgeStone), with designs by Tom Fazio, Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson. Branson is less than one day's drive from Toronto and Montreal and flights to Branson Airport (BKG) and nearby Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) can easily be arranged out of most Canadian airports on Air Canada, WestJet or a number of U.S. carriers.
Info: http://www.explorebranson.com
Hilton Head Golf Island Vacation
Golfer’s dream of being left stranded on Hilton Head, South Carolina’s treasured island. It’s one of the premier golf destinations in North America and a place well known to Canada’s snow bird golfers.
Hilton Head offers numerous stay-and-play packages with incentives that cater to every golf group. The Birdies and Beer Package allows golfers to stay three nights in a two-bedroom villa at Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort, and select three rounds of golf on the resort’s three championship courses. Starting at $135 per person, per night (based on four-person occupancy), the package also includes breakfast and beers (available in the form of a resort gift card), two hours of court time per day at its world-class tennis centre, complimentary range balls, dining and merchandise discounts, and priority access to resort activities and amenities.
Info: http://www.hiltonheadgolfisland.com/golf/
Above: A vacation on Hiltin Head and rounds on its great courses will make every golfer happy.
Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts
Canadians flock to Myrtle Beach every year to get away from the snow and cold and the South Carolina playground remains the favourite destinations for Canucks at March Break. Now we have even more incentives to get there thanks to some truly amazing golf packages being offered as Christmas gifts.
Example: Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, operator of the area’s premier oceanfront condo-hotel and vacation rental properties, has released its customizable winter golf packages, perfect for holiday gifts this year. All feature accommodations at Grande Shores Oceanfront Resort, six rounds of championship golf and a $200 gift card redeemable for food, beverages, merchandise and same-day replays.
Above: A Myrtle Beach golf holiday is sure to bring a warm smile on a cold Christmas morning.
Rates start at $362 per golfer for hotel rooms; $475 for condos ideally suited to larger groups. Guests are invited to build their own golf itineraries, with participating courses separated into four tiers based on price points. A wide selection of the Grand Strand’s most popular layouts are available.
Info: http://www.myrtlebeachseasideresorts.com