SOMEWHERE IT’S GREEN!
Best choices for warm-weather golf in the winter
IT’S DEFINITELY the off season for golfers in Wisconsin, but somewhere in the U.S. the greens are still green and you can play without donning a parka and gloves.
We asked Jerry Slaske, KeyMilwaukee.com golf editor, for his top winter golf destinations. And, for good measure, we asked Brian Weis, operator of the popular GolfWisconsin.com for his choices.
At the top of Slaske’s list is Orlando, Florida. “That’s one of the best destinations because there are so many courses to play in every price range,” says Slaske, who prefers good courses at reasonable fees. He points out that Orlando’s package deals are among the best.
Ft. Myers on the Gulf Coast also is one of Slaske’s favorite destinations in the Sunshine State. He has found many quality courses there, most at affordable rates.
Farther north, Slaske points golfers to Myrtle Beach, S.C., where “there is a course just about every quarter-mile on both sides of U.S. 17.” The courses are excellent and the package deals “unbelievable,” but he cautions that the weather can be tricky. “While 50 degrees in Wisconsin feels warm, in Myrtle Beach it goes right through you with the humidity and wind.”
Slaske also likes the 15 courses of the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Alabama. Built by state retirement funds and designed by the legendary Jones, the courses are reasonably priced and often can be played as part of outstanding package deals.
Phoenix and Tucson are on Jerry’s list, but he puts most of the courses there in the expensive category. “You can find some good deals in Phoenix,” he notes, “but then the courses are generally aren’t in great shape.”
Also in the Southwest, Slaske likes the San Antonio, Texas, area. Many fine courses are available, but some are over most budgets. “You have to be selective, play late in the day when rates re cheaper and, again, hope you don’t hit a rainy, cool period.”
Miami, San Diego, Los Angeles, Palm Springs, San Francisco and Hawaii also are in Slaske’s list of destinations for golfers with fairly large travel budgets. Weis agrees, but singles out a number of other warm-weather possibilities.
Weis likes the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and courses in the Atlanta and Las Vegas. To the list of Florida destinations, he adds Destin, located in the Panhandle area of in the northwestern portion of the state.
Weis also likes St. George, Utah, an area in the southern portion of that state known as “Utah’s Dixie” because of its temperate climate. The Red Rock Golf Trail in the St. George area offers challenging golf courses at affordable fees, amid spectacular scenery.
There are plenty of other warm-weather destinations, including many outside the U.S. If you have a favorite, let us know by e-mailing info@keymilwaukee.com. We’ll you’re your favorites on the Golf Guide until the warmth moves north again in the spring.
Here are some sites to use to check out the warm-weather golf destinations mentioned by our writers. Hope you are able to get in a few rounds.
Myrtle Beach
Alabama
Orlando, FL
Atlanta, GA
Texas
Arizona
Las Vegas
St. George, Utah
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