Best Golf Resorts of the World

New Personalized, Private, Exclusive Golf Experience at The Boulders: Elite Golf

A Waldorf Astoria, 5-star-rated resort in the Phoenix/Scottsdale area, The Boulders is now offering a new Elite Golf program for the ultimate luxury experience on and off the course. This is the golf junket of a lifetime for small corporate groups, for wedding parties, a group of friends or a gang of golfers looking to treat themselves to a very private, VIP experience at one of the world's most spectacular golf resorts.

In particular, this is an exceedingly rare chance to play an unhurried, very private round on the North or South courses, both famous for their boulder-strewn, Saguaro-studded, desert layouts.

Elite Golf at The Boulders

• preferred, generous tee times for leisurely, private rounds
• dedicated concierge assistance before, during & after play
• guided pre-round stretch session
• personal coaching by a Top 100 Golf Teaching Pro
• unlimited beverage cart service
• golf shirt & caps for each player
• 12 logo golf balls
• post-round catered BBQ with rare scotch & custom-made cigars
• top-of-the-line golf gear available
• $6,000 for four golfers

The Boulders also offers a "Girls' Golf and Spa Getaway" for 2 to 6 ladies.

A Waldorf Astoria resort, The Boulders is Southwestern luxury defined, with 160 guest casitas and 61 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, 7 restaurants, 8 tennis courts and the full-service, world-famous Golden Door Spa.

More here about the North and South courses and The Boulders resort.

and even more here

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She is also a curator of cultural travel at Deep Culture Travel. Check out Karen's iPhone app, California Coast North.

2014 Frys.com Open Packages at Johnny Miller’s Silverado Resort Napa Valley

World Golf Hall of Famer, Johnny Miller, is offering two Frys.com Open packages at his Napa Valley property, the Silverado Resort and Spa.

During the 2014 Frys.com Open, October 8-12, 2014 at Silverado, guests will be up-close to 3-time major winner Rory McIlroy, Vijay Singh, Stewart Cink, Ben Curtis, Justin Leonard, Geoff Ogilvy, Mike Weir and dozens more PGA stars.

The tournament and the resort will sell out fast, so book now to take advantage of these tournament packages at Silverado Resort and Spa:

Frys.com Open Ultimate Package
Four nights of onsite tournament accommodations
Full breakfast daily at The Grill
Five days of Frys Open tournament tickets (Wednesday-Sunday)
From $540 per night

Frys.com Open Spectator Package
Overnight accommodations*
Full breakfast daily at The Grill
Daily Frys Open tournament ticket
*Available for one night stays Wednesday; Thursday arrival requires a three night stay.
From $584 per night

The four-day Frys.com Open tournament is the opening event of the PGA TOUR season and features a full-field (132 players) with a $5 million purse and $900,000 payout to the winner.

Silverado Resort and Spa
A Napa Valley landmark for more than 140 years, Silverado Resort and Spa is a sprawling, oak-shaded estate with 380 guest rooms, two PGA championship golf courses and two signature restaurants. Operated by the luxury brand, Dolce Hotels and Resorts and under new ownership of Johnny Miller and partners, the resort has recently emerged from extensive renovation of the North Course and guest accommodations. On-site are a 16,000 square foot luxury spa, 10 swimming pools, and 13 tennis courts.

More here about Silverado Resort

And even more here about Silverado

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs golf travel and writes about Deep Culture Travel. Check out Karen's newly updated iPhone app, California Coast North.

 

JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa to Open New Ambiente Golf Course

In the fall of 2013, the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Phoenix will open the new, Ambiente golf course at Camelback Golf Club.

The spectacular $10 million Ambiente course will complete a 7-year, $70 million renewal project at Camelback Inn, which involved:

• Preserving the resort’s 1930s adobe brick
• The renovation of 453 casita-style guestrooms
• A new 20,000 square-foot, hi-tech grand ballroom
• The debut of BLT Steak, Laurent Tourondel’s modern American steakhouse

Replacing the old Indian Bend golf course, the Ambiente has stunning views of Mummy Mountain, Camelback, the McDowells and the Phoenix Mountain Preserve. Hurdzan/Fry Environmental Golf Design laid out rolling fairways with significant drops throughout the course, along with five sets of tee boxes, and massive greens averaging 122,000 square feet. The new track focuses on water and wildlife habitat conservation throughout, with 100 acres of native flora and a 50% percent decrease in pesticide, fertilizer and fossil fuel use as compared to the course it replaces.

The existing, parkland-style Padre course is lovely with mature pine and eucalyptus trees and plenty of water hazards. Together, the two 18-hole courses comprise a golfer’s mecca in the Paradise Valley of Phoenix. Also at the luxury resort are 6 tennis courts, the 32,000-square-foot Spa at Camelback Inn, 2 swimming pools, and 7 restaurants and lounges.

More here about golf in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

Phoenix Open at TPC.

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs golf travel and writes about Deep Culture Travel. Check out Karen's new iPhone app, California Coast North.

Hotties! Head to Furnace Creek Resort for Death Valley Heatstroke Open

At Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park, the lowest golf course in the world is hosting their 3rd annual “Heatstroke Open” Golf Tournament, June 21-23, 2013.

Surprising to those who have never been to Death Valley, the resort area of the spectacular valley is a true oasis, quite green and lush with palms, willows and lawns that are watered from a steady flow out of the nearby Funeral Mountains. The Ranch at Furnace Creek has 224 rooms, general store, restaurant, spring-fed swimming pool, tennis, horseback riding and the Borax Museum.

The Ranch at Furnace Creek Heatstroke Open package:

• 2 nights of accommodations
• 36 holes of tournament golf plus optional Friday practice round
• cart, prizes, gift bag
• commemorative certificate
• From $199 in a standard room to $219 in a deluxe room; pp per night

The 18-hole Furnace Creek Golf Course measures 6,236 yards from the back tees; 69.7/117. The low elevation and challenging greens earned it a place on Golf Digest’s list of “America’s 50 Toughest Courses.” Originally opened in 1931, the course underwent a major renovation under the direction of world-renowned architect Perry Dye.

(Open from mid-October through mid-May, the Inn at Furnace Creek is an AAA 4 diamond-rated property with 68 rooms amenities, fine dining, tennis and a spring-fed pool.)

Click here for more about Furnace Creek Resort.

More about Furnace Creek.

And even more

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs golf travel and writes about Deep Culture Travel. Check out Karen's new iPhone app, California Coast North.

Hot Deal for Beginners at Troon Courses in October

The entire month of October is “Troon's Player Development Month with Get Golf Ready.” Partnering with the PGA’s Get Golf Ready program, more than 70 Troon clubs in the United States are hosting introductory golf clinics designed to introduce juniors and beginners to the game in a fun, affordable and educational way. Participation costs only $20 for adults, while juniors 17 years of age and younger are free. (Each participant is also automatically entered into a drawing to win one of five Callaway Golf starter sets).

After each clinic, participants have the opportunity to register for a Get Golf Ready program, which includes 5 additional instructional classes starting at just $99. To sign up for a clinic and to view a complete list of facilities participating in Troon’s Player Development Month, visit www.TroonGolf.com and click on the Get Golf Ready logo.

From Indian Wells Golf Resort and Westin Mission Hills in Palm Springs to Silverado in the Napa Valley, to Kapalua and Makai Golf Club at Princeville in Hawaii and Troon North and The Boulders in Scottsdale, this is a DEAL! at some of the top golf courses and resorts on the planet. Beginners get to learn the game on Troon courses, which are among the most spectacular and best-managed in the world.

Entering its fourth year, Get Golf Ready has introduced the game to thousands of adults who have never played golf or who have minimal experience in the game. Participants learn chipping, putting, full swing, half swing and bunker play, guidelines of use and maintenance of golf equipment, keeping score and navigating the course. On-course learning opportunities are part of each lesson, as well as background on the game’s rules, etiquette, history and values.

 

Golf California Wine Country on New VisitSFBayArea.com Site

Check out the new Web site, VisitSFBayArea.com to find my article “Best Places to Golf in the Wine Country”.

“Vineyards roll across the valleys and up into the foothills of the Napa, Livermore and Sonoma wine regions, with the fairways of many golf courses rolling right along beside them. A round of golf, a bottle of wine and thou . . . . “

VisitSFBayArea.com is a new insider's guide to San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area––an all-in-one guide to things to do, hotels, restaurants, entertainment, attractions, wineries, spas, and more.

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com,  Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs golf travel here and writes about cultural travel at DeepCultureTravel.com. Check out Karen's new iPhone app, California Coast North.

Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Offers 10th Anniversary Deal in October

Golfing weather is perfect in the Fall in the Phoenix area, and the shoulder-season stay-and-play deals are attractive. Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa celebrates its 10^th anniversary all through the month of October with an incredible package. Figure 10% off of just about everything at the resort:

• 10% off at all of the dining outlets: Link Café, Hanyo Poolside Bar & Grill, Ko’Sin and 5-star, 5-diamond rated Kai (excludes banquets)
• 10%  off ala-carte Aji Spa services and dining in the Aji Café
• 10%  off gift shop retails items purchased on-site
• 10%  off greens fees at Whirlwind Golf Club
• $10  coupon at the Wild Horse Pass Casino 
• 10% off any individual kart course at Bondurant School of High Performance Driving
• 10% off all Rawhide Western Town retail items purchased on-site
• From $169 per night
• Good Oct.1- Oct. 31, 2012
• Click here for details of the Anniversary Month Celebration package.

The championship courses at Wild Horse Pass–– Devil's Claw and Cattail––are two of the most spectacular and challenging in the Phoenix area golf mecca. On the rolling terrain are groves of cottonwood, mesquite, saguaro cacti and Palo Verde trees, tufts of native grasses and multi-tiered greens.

On a beautiful desert open space on the Gila River Indian Community, the 500 room Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa is a luxury destination resort that showcases the heritage, culture, art and legends of the Pima and Maricopa Tribes.   Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com,  Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs golf travel here and writes about cultural travel at DeepCultureTravel.com. Check out Karen's new iPhone app, California Coast North.

 

Grand Del Mar Golf Resort Fall Packages, San Diego

San Diego area’s only 5-Star, 5-diamond resort, The Grand Del Mar is a Mediterranean-style oasis with a fabulous Tom Fazio-designed golf course, Dave Stockton- and Dave Pelz-related golf instruction, and a glorious spa.

This Fall, a unique stay-and-play golf package involving Torrey Pines has been made available, as well as new golf school packages.

Coast to Canyon Golf Package

• 2 nights ultra-luxury accommodations
• Unlimited golf at The Grand Golf Club
• 1 round of golf at Torrey Pines South, including luxury roundtrip transportation
• "19th Hole" handcrafted local beer at Club M each day
• Daily breakfast 
• $985--$1525

VISION54 Golf School  3-day clinic: Fri., Sept. 21 – Sun., Sept. 23Internationally renowned golf experts, Lynn Marriott and Pia Nilsson bring together their research and testing for a clinic on the eight essential playing skills. $3,295 includes green fees, program materials and lunch; special room rate of $365 per night.

Patriot Golf Day Supports Military Families August 31—September 3, 2012

The leading golf management company in the world, Troon Golf is supporting the 6th annual Patriot Golf Day, a joint initiative of The PGA of America and the United States Golf Association.

Golfers playing at many Troon-managed facilities around the country will have the chance to donate $1 and more to benefit the Folds of Honor Foundation. Donations provide educational scholarships for children and spouses of military service men and women killed or disabled in the line of duty.

"As we all know, freedom is not free, and we are proud to partner with Troon to help the families of our wounded and fallen heroes," said Major Dan Rooney, founder of Folds of Honor.  “Through Patriot Golf Day events held at thousands of facilities across the country, including Troon-managed facilities, we have given golfers a way to provide their support.”

Since 2007, more than $12.8 million has been raised through Patriot Golf Day events, allowing Folds of Honor to award more than 3,500 educational scholarships.

“Patriot Golf Day is a great opportunity for the golf industry to give back to the families of those who have courageously served to protect our country,” stated John Easterbrook of Troon Golf.

Major Dan Rooney, a former F-16 fighter pilot, PGA Professional and USGA member, came up with the concept of Patriot Golf Day and founded the Folds of Honor Foundation in 2007, following his second of three tours of duty in Iraq. After returning from his second tour, Major Rooney witnessed a profound display of a family’s grief as they welcomed home the remains of Corporal Brock Bucklin. Inspired by this tragic homecoming of a fallen American solider, Rooney started the Folds of Honor Foundation to provide support to military families in the aftermath of their tragedies.

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com,  Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs golf travel here and writes about culture and eco-travel at   DeepCultureTravel.com. Check out Karen's new iPhone app, California Coast North.

 

 

The Boulders Golf Resort Racks Up the Awards

Piling award upon award,  The Boulders Resort in Carefree/Scottsdale, Arizona, is on the new “Best Golf Resorts in the U.S.” list on the golf travel website, the A Position. The resort is also a winner of Golf Magazine’s “Platinum Medal” award as one of the “Top 10 US Courses” and on Golfweek’s “Best Courses, State-by-State”.

One of two stunning Jay Morrish-designed courses, the North Course rambles into vibrantly colored rock formations, rugged canyons and arroyos. Cooing doves and quail, roadrunners, fat Gila monsters, deer and the occasional bobcat and coyote roam the groves of cacti and the rocky streambeds (the "coyote rule" allows you to replay a shot without penalty when a coyote grabs your ball). A dozen doglegs and generous fairways careen across a rolling desert to super-fast greens. Towering cacti and giant boulders are so distinctive and sizable that they are marked in the yardage booklet. On 17, a monster rock stands in the middle of a greenside bunker. 

7,007 yards from the tips, the South Course has a bracing 73.3/146 rating/slope. Forced carries and elevated tees show off the desert splendor along narrow fairways lined with 6-story-tall boulders and ancient saguaros, dry washes and sandy waste areas. On the signature "Boulder Pile" 5th hole, the green lies below a tremendous bastion of boulders. While fairways and shoulders are mowed short, off the turf in the low brush and cacti, you're dead. The starter hints at some interesting indigenous fauna: "You are welcome to hit out of the rough, but, bring a stick."

Two solutions are available to combat the challenges of “desert target golf”.  #1: schedule a lesson at The Boulders Golf Academy with Donald Crawley, named among Golf Magazine's “Top 100 Teachers in America.”

#2: The Boulders has recently created two new faster-play layouts that are perfect for busy visitors who have only an hour to spare and for less experienced golfers. The new courses feature yardages of 100--200 yards and were created by installing new “pebble tees.”  The short courses are available for play (afternoons only) with rates from $65 during peak season (January-May).

A Waldorf Astoria Resort, The Boulders is Southwestern luxury defined, with 160 guest casitas and 61 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas, 7 restaurants, 8 tennis courts and the full-service, world-famous Golden Door Spa.

Presidio Golf Club offers Private Club Deal, San Francisco

For the first time in over a century, the Presidio Golf Club in San Francisco is offering an amazing deal for new club memberships:  a waived initial registration fee of $12,000.  

Private club members receive:

• Unlimited Golf with preferred tee times
• Monthly tournament play
• Unlimited use of swing simulator & gym equipment
• Access to clubhouse locker room
• Complimentary club storage & club cleaning 
• Discounts on merchandise, resort golf & lodging
• Invitations to attend social events

Club members also enjoy private clubhouse dining and event space.

Established in 1896, the Presidio Golf Course was the much-coveted private sanctuary of the U.S. Army until 1995, when the Army base became part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and the golf course became semi-private. A multi-million dollar upgrade by Arnold Palmer Golf Management Company added bentgrass greens, a glitzy new clubhouse and the Presidio Cafe on the 18th green, where golfers enjoy live jazz and California cuisine on the heated terrace.

On a peninsula of woodlands and buffs above the Golden Gate, the 6,500-yard track winds among stands of towering cypress, eucalyptus and pines. Peregrine falcons and eagles circle above, and wild rhododendrons explode into clouds of red and white blooms from January through April. Sidehill, uphill and downhill lies are the order of the day, plus erratic winds off San Francisco Bay.  

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com,  Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs golf travel here and writes about culture and eco-travel at DeepCultureTravel.com. Check out Karen's new iPhone app, California Coast North.

Death Valley Heatstroke Open June 22-24

Home of the world’s lowest golf course, Furnace Creek Resort in Death Valley National Park will host the 2nd annual “Heatstroke Open” Golf Tournament, June 22-24, 2012.

At 214 feet below sea level, the course is located in North America’s hottest and driest location. Last year 50 intrepid golfers braved 100+++ temps, staying hydrated and hitting toward the shady trees. Practice swings? Lining up putts? Forget it.

The Ranch at Furnace Creek Heatstroke Open package:

• 2 nights accommodations
• 36 holes of tournament golf
• optional Friday practice round
• cart, prizes, gift
• from $199 per night

A Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the 6,236 yard Furnace Creek Golf Course (69.7/117) has been named one of Golf Digest’s “America’s 50 Toughest Courses”. The track features small greens, strategically placed palm and tamarisk trees and water hazards on 9 holes. Originally opened in 1931, the course underwent a major renovation by Perry Dye.

The Ranch at Furnace Creek is a charming, casual place with 224 air-conditioned rooms and cabins, a huge swimming pool, a General Store, the Borax Museum, restaurants, a saloon, headquarters for horseback riding, touring, tennis, family activities and more.
 
Mere mortals and less adventurous golfers enjoy Death Valley during the winter and spring. More here about Death Valley Resort.

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She blogs International Golf Travel here and writes about culture and eco-travel at DeepCultureTravel.com. Check out Karen's new iPhone app, California Coast North.

Talking Stick Resort opens in Scottsdale

The new 497-room Talking Stick Resort on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community just east of Scottsdale has opened, with an official debut scheduled for June. Besides championship golf, the resort has a glamorous 13,000-square-foot full-service, open-air spa; a cigar and wine bar and eight restaurants. The upscale fine dining restaurant, Ocean Trail, serves traditional Creole cuisine, such as steamers, raw oysters, and spicy gumbo, on the top level of this 15-story resort, with 360-degree views of the Sonoran Desert below.

Unique to the resort are the live Native American performances and Shadows, an old school music venue highlighting the classic sounds of Frank Sinatra and Big Band. And, of course, 240,000 square feet of gaming and daily live entertainment at the slick Casino Arizona.

36 holes of championship golf at the adjacent Talking Stick Golf Club are managed by the prestigious Troon Golf company. A stunning desert layout designed by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore, since its opening in 1998, the 7,133-yard track has received an avalanche of awards, including 4.5 stars from Golf Digest; "Top 100 You Can Play" in Golf Magazine; ranked #1 in the state by Golfweek, and many more. Talking Stick is the home of Tim Mahoney Golf schools and a Troon Golf Academy.

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsofTheWorld, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She follows the little white ball around the world and blogs about International Golf Travel. And, she also writes articles about Sustainable Travel and a blog on Sustainable Travel

Golf and Spa Deals in Scottsdale

 

Troon North Golf Club, Scottsdale, AZ

While the glam new Intercontinental  Montelucia Resort & Spa in Scottsdale may not have a golf course on property, golfing guests are going for the resort's "Ultimate Golf & Spa Getaway", which includes two rounds of golf per day at Troon North, Talking Stick, We-Ko-Pa or Grayhawk golf clubs.

Or, you can pamper yourself with two 60-minute spa treatments at the resort's Joya Spa each day. Also included is a guided hike up Camelback Mountain, daily breakfast for two and a fourth night of accommodations for free. The package starts at $310 per night and is available thru December 31, 2009.

Women golfers taking advantage of "The Practice to Pamper" package enjoy luxury accommodations at the Fairmont Scottsdale, a 2-hour lesson at TPC Scottsdale’s TOUR Academy and a relaxing 60-minute golf performance massage at Willow Stream, The Spa at Fairmont Scottsdale. (starts at $489 per person)

The Suite Golf & Spa Experience at Gainey Suites Hotel showcases some of Scottsdale’s top golf courses, spa and dining with a round of golf at Starfire Golf Club, McCormick Ranch Golf Club or TPC Scottsdale. Also included is a 60-minute spa treatment at the Spa at Gainey Village; and a $50 food voucher for the Village Tavern. Accommodations are in a studio suite, and included is daily breakfas, and evening beer and wine receptions. The package starts at $259 and is available through December.

More golf packages in Scottsdale.

Golden Door Spa at Boulders Resort, Lifestyle Resolution

The labyrinth at the Golden Door Spa, The Boulders Resort, Arizona

Get a jump start on the New Year at the exclusive Boulders Resort in Carefree, Arizona near Scottsdale. The world-famous Golden Door Spa® here is dedicating the month of November to health and wellness with specific and customized programs for guests who desire a personal renaissance. Offered November 1-31, 2009, with special pricing on spa and fitness services, the new “Lifestyle Resolution” series includes:

·         Seminar by Dr. Len Kravitz, Program Coordinator of Exercise Science and Research at the University of New Mexico: age reversal, exercise, fitness, sleep, diet
·         Artisan’s Market:  regional artists of differing mediums display sell and educate through art

Walking in the Sonoran Desert landscape at The Boulders Resort

·         Wellness in Creativity:  interactive artist’s workshop connects wellness and the healing power of art
·         Interactive Cooking:  classes and demonstrations in the organic garden with an award-winning culinary duo
·         Nutrition/Assessment: personal assessment and nutritional guideline program to maximize tfitness and diet
appearance.

And there's more: an optional, all-inclusive weekend, November 12-16: the Carefree Golden Door Getaway, a full moon, holistic weekend that can be life-changing.  Activities and spa treatments are designed to tune the body, inspire the spirit and open the mind.

And, not only that! check out the "Treat Yourself, the Room is on Us" package, good through September 3, 2009. There is no charge for a luxury casita overnight when you book two 75-80 minute spa services, an amazing deal.

Lounging at the Golden Door Spa at The Boulders

A luxurious hideaway at 2,500 feet in elevation in the crystal-clear, dry climate of the Sonoran Desert, the contemporary Pueblo-style Boulders Resort is comprised of 160 guest casitas and 61 one-, two- and three-bedroom villas and haciendas, 7 restaurants and a lounge, two championship Jay Morrish-designed golf courses, 8 tennis courts including three clay surfaces, and the full-service Golden Door Spa.

More on golf at The Boulders at BestGolfResortsofTheWorld.com

Founder/editor of BestGolfResortsoftheWorld.com, Karen Misuraca is a travel and golf writer from the California Wine Country. She follows the little white ball around the world and blogs about luxury resorts at www.examiner.com