Beautiful Golf Courses, Sandy Beaches, and Babysitting In Mexico

J. Chad Barnett, Contributing Writer

Most of us have different opinions of what paradise is. For me personally, I love my family, the beach, and playing golf. So when I found Marbella Suites en La Playa, I was thrilled!

Located just 2 minutes from Cabo San Lucas, is a beautiful secret. Marbella Suites offers spacious accommodations, various amenities, and even a babysitting service, all the while keeping a traditional Mexican feel. The rooms come in a variety of sizes, and there are only 40 rooms, so there is no overcrowding. Visit the website at http://marbellasuites.com/, and see for yourself. Oh, and didn't I mention something about golf?

Many Championship courses are located in the Los Cabos area, designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, and the Robert Trent Jones team. Some of the more popular courses are Cabo del Sol Los Cabos, Cabo del Sol Desert Course, Cabo Real Golf Course, and El Dorado Golf Course Los Cabos. With breath-taking scenery, and challenging holes, the Los Cabos courses are sure to delight all golfers.

So grab the clubs, and the family, and head on down to Mexico. I'll see you on the greens!

All they need is your email address and you'll receive the best deals on the Net, every week.

Specialists in British Isles Golf Travel

As much as I write about golf, here and elsewhere, I always enjoy discovering something new about the game.

Recently, I came across a travel agency specializing in golf travel to the British Isles (Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales). In business as Pioneer Golf for over a decade, and with decades more experience beyond that, they are set apart from other golf travel agencies by their in-depth knowledge of their chosen destination specialization.

Pioneer Golf is located in Austin, Texas, but their roots begin in Scotland. Founder and President, Peter Hazelton, was born in Scotland, as was his son, Mark, who is the company's vice president. Few other travel agencies have as much first-hand experience with the destinations to which they send their customers.

Pioneer specializes in the British Isles, but they are also experienced in catering to groups of four to twenty people or more. Their website assists golfers by providing maps of the Isles and a comprehensive listing of courses. A simple mouseover will reveal each course's location and a click will display a course description. With the features offered on the website, you can have your itenerary planned before you even speak with them. That way, Pioneer can concentrate on the things that will make your trip special.

Right now, golfers can book guaranteed tee-times at the Old Course, Muirfield and other popular and historic courses. Also, a golf trip to Scotland in 2009 is about 15% less expensive than in 2008. A strengthening dollar is also making a golf pilgrimage more affordable than at any time in recent years.

Tips on Family Travel to Hilton Head

We're in the midst of our annual (semi-annual this year) family trip to Hilton Head, South Carolina. Here are some tips and ideas for other families doing the same thing.


1. If space is limited in the van/car/suv, leave the clubs at home. There are golf shops on Hilton Head and the nearby mainland that have good rental clubs. It'll cost you $40 or so, but it's worth the money.

2. Schedule a golf lesson for the kids. The pros at the Robert Trent Jones course in Hilton Head's Palmetto Dunes area are great with the kids and adults.

3. Stay near the beach. No need to expand on that one. Who wants to lug the cooler, chairs, toys, towels, kids, etc. a long way?

4. Plan your trip ahead of time. If you're traveling a long distance, plan your route and where you'll be stopping for the night. This year's experience was great. We stopped in Columbia, South Carolina(coming from Kentucky it was about a 7 hour drive). We stayed at the two-year-old Hilton Garden Inn; $109 per night with AAA discount, free cookies at the front desk, extremely courteous staff, and a fabulous and affordable full breakfast. There were tons of restaurants nearby and some within walking distance.

5. Book your golf tee times early. Although the crowds seem to be down this year, gas prices being what they are, there are still lots of golfers. Book early.

6. If you have young children, eat dinner early. Again, although the crowds are down, a two-hour wait for dinner is likely. That can kill the evening with little ones in tow. Get to your restaurants no later than 5:00pm and the wait will be minimal. Get there at 5:30pm and your out of luck.

7. Try the crab cakes at the Wreck of the Salty Dog.

Hilton Head is, in my opinion, the best place in the world to combine a family vacation and golf.

Kiawah Island, South Carolina

I've posted an article about the spectacular Kiawah Island Golf Resort at the Tripwiser.com Golf Blog. If you're family is searching for a spring or summer golf vacation, Kiawah Island has virtually everything for everyone in the family. It will most assuredly make our 2008 Top-10 Golf Vacations list.

Give the article a quick read and you'll see.

Celebrity Golf in Lake Tahoe

If you are a sports fan then have probably seen Chris Chandler perform at his bets of the gridiron and you have probably also seen Charles Barkley dazzle people on the basketball court. But have you ever seen them on the green?

If not, you may wish to consider a golf trip to see the American Century Celebrity Golf Championship that will be held in Lake Tahoe, NV in July of 2008. Sponsored by NBC this is one of the most celebrated celebrity golf tournaments in the United States and Lake Tahoe boasts a number of tourist attractions that the whole family will enjoy. So, if you make one golf vacation in ’08, this is definitely the one!

Glacier National Park Golf Trip

When it comes to states that are best known for golfing, most people think of California and Florida, but one of the most underrated locations for a golfing vacation is Glacier National Park in Montana.

Yes, Montana has gained quite a bit of exposure lately due to the fact that many movie stars have moved there and this has also had the ancillary effect of spotlighting other areas of popularity in the state – golf courses being major attractions. Glacier National Park also has a number of activities for the whole family such as hiking, bird watching, rafting, etc., so a trip to Montana for a golf excursion can be a truly well rounded affair.

New Mexico Desert Golf Package

GolfPac Travel is offering a great golf package in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area.

From August through October, families and golfers can stay at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa in Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico, near Albuquerque, for three nights for between $753 and $810.

The package includes three nights at the resort and three rounds of golf at the following courses: Hyatt Regency Tamaya - Santa Ana; Hyatt Regency Tamaya - Twin Warriors; and the Sandia Club.

The resort is located on 500 acres of protected land situated along the Rio Grande. It has beautiful views of the Sandia Mountains and luxurious accomodations. On-site amenities include two tennis courts, a basketball court, a 40-horse stable, three swimming pools, and the 18-hole, Twin Warriors Golf Club. The two other courses mentioned are situated nearby.

Not normally on your short list of places for a golf trip, but temperatures and weather in October should be optimal.

Golf Trip to the TOUR Championship

Be a part of history this year with a trip to Atlanta, Georgia for the Tour Championship, September 13-16. This year marks the first Fedex Cup, the PGA TOUR's new playoff system.

The first Fedex Champion will be crowned following the TOUR Championship tournament, held at Atlanta's historic East Lake Golf Club.

What can you do in Atlanta? Anything. There's the Braves baseball team, the Falcons football team, Underground Atlanta, Centennial Olympic Park, MLK National Historic Site, The Varsity (best hot dogs in the world!).

The golf is great, too. Schedule a tee time at the award winning Atlanta Country Club, the Bobby Jones course, or any of the tons of others in the area.

This trip to Atlanta could be many things; a sports-lover's dream or a great family getaway.

South Padre Island Golf

South Padre Island, Texas has developed into a popular vacation spot in the last several years. Everyone from families, to spring-breakers, to seniors enjoy the beautiful destination.

South Padre is also home to the South Padre Island Golf Club. Besides being simply a beautiful seaside course, the golf club has private instruction, group lessons, monthly golf clinics and the Landmark Land Junior Golf Academy.

Besides the golf, South Padre has lots of other things to do and lodging is plentiful. South Padre Island Vacation Rentals has a large selection of vacation homes, condominiums, and villas from which to choose. If hotels or resorts are more to your liking, there are plenty of those as well, from budget to luxury.

Beautiful scenery, beautiful sand and great golf make for a great getaway.

Upscale Golf Travel Provider, Cork & Tee

In response to upscale travelers’ desires for more experiential and specialized travel, boutique travel provider CORK & TEE has launched its one-of-a-kind offering that blends the best of golf with behind-the-scenes wine and interactive culinary adventures.

The North Carolina-based company offers personalized independent itineraries to destinations worldwide for groups of two to 20 and will launch high-end packaged tours later in 2007.

CORK & TEE’s golf venues range from legendary courses including Pebble Beach and St. Andrews to hidden gems such as the Course at Wente Vineyards in Livermore, California and Sandpines on the Oregon Coast. Additionally, the company has designed a broad range of experiential epicurean adventures. Examples range from private tastings at future cult wineries and food-wine pairing instruction to memorable winemaker dinners, as well as personalized cooking instruction.

Visit them at www.corkandtee.com.

Cooperstown Baseball and Golf

Summertime was made for baseball, and golf. Plan a family trip to Cooperstown, New York and enjoy the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Ostega Hotel overlooking Lake Ostega and some great golf in the surrounding area.

Cooperstown is located east of Albany, New York. It won't be your typical urban visit to the Big Apple, but rather a largely rural getaway to the Empire State. Pack up the family and the clubs and visit this historic area.

The Leatherstocking Theatre and the Susquehanna Flight Park are two of the other activities you can choose from. Weather and scenery are beautiful this time of year.