great takes on family travel in the U.S.

By the time you finish reading this, I don’t say you’ll be walking on water like Tiger Woods, but you’ll know the best golf courses in New York State, how to get hold of tee times of your choice, and enjoy golf vacations without breaking the bank.

You could make it easy and book yourself into one of these fancy New York vacations with a few rounds of golf thrown in. But these are usually budget busters, designed for upscale tourists.

So, let’s start with the courses. Here’s a full list of all public and private courses in New York, categorized by city. If that sounds like information overkill, here’s a filtered list of all the best golf courses, categorized by state. FYI, the second link is the 2007 rankings from Golf Digest, for the best golf courses in each state.

But the only name you really need to know is Bethpage Black in Long island, where the U.S. Open will be held from June 15-21, 2009. You need to book tee times two days in advance, if you’re not a New York resident. Before you can use their reservation system, you need to be a registered user. About 30 miles and 45 minutes from NYC, with a $4 reservation fee and $100/120 for weekday/weekend fees. You’ll find a lot more useful and practical info here. Or, you could take the easy way out, and let NY Golf Shuttle do it for you.

Moving Upstate, the Adirondacks, and especially Lake Placid, have a lot more on offer, in terms of golf vacations which are tilted more towards offering a complete getaway experience, rather than just the golf. Select Inns offers cheap golf packages which include lodging, 18 holes of golf and cart. If you’re looking for something more exclusive, the Mirror Lake Inn is an award winning resort which offers upscale golfing packages which combine the golf with signature romantic getaways for couples.

Photo credit - Golf.com

Used to be, all you needed to travel with your golf clubs was an ability to stuff your clothes into one bag and a case to put your golf bag into for your second piece of checked luggage.  Not so anymore!  Recently I was helping my uncle, who visits from England every summer,  figure out how to get his golf clubs from LAX (he keeps a set in the US) to Chicago for a family reunion.  Here’s what I found out:- Getting checked bags on any domestic flights has become a luxury!  Most airlines, to make up for the high cost of fuel, are now charging at least nominal fees for checked luggage.  Most still (as of Aug, 2008) give you one carry-on bag, but watch out because that’s changing.  If you’re traveling a budget airline, expect to pay $50 and more to check your bags.

- Golf clubs are heavy.  Even if you do get a checked bag with your ticket price, weigh your clubs in their travel bag before you go to the airport.  Golf clubs are heavy and many of the airlines that still allow checked bags have lowered their weight limits.  Check with your carrier before going to the airport as to the number of checked bags allowed and how much they can weigh- you don’t want to get slapped with unexpected fees when you’re trying to get through airport security.

- Unless you’re going on to the super-packer championships you’re probably not going to be able to fit all your clothes into one very small carry-on.  Used to be, I could smile nicely and carry on my purse, my laptop bag and my roll-away suitcase.  Not anymore.  I was shocked last time I flew when they actually made me stuff all my things into one of those little ‘your bag must fit here’ boxes and then made me check my roll-away suitcase.  If you’re counting on your carry-on for your clothing, measure it’s dimensions (including wheels!) to make sure you don’t get caught at the departure gate.

- Other options are springing up everywhere!  Ahh capitalistic society.  There’s a need for people to travel with more stuff, so industry is figuring out how to make some money off of it.  Check out USPS, UPS and even DHL for new rates on how to get your bags to your destination.  This can be especially helpful on the ride home - just fill a bag with your dirty clothes, ship it slow rate by land or ship, and do the laundry whenever it gets there.  Use your suitcase to carry home your souvenirs.

In conclusion…

Unless you fancy yourself Tiger Woods, it’s cheaper to rent (at the course)or buy (2^nd hand stores abound) a set of temporary golf clubs when you get to your destination than it is to ship them or travel with them in many circumstances.  Rental prices will depend on the quality of the clubs you’re getting.  If you don’t care much about quality, you can usually find some used clubs at the 2^nd hand store and just re-donate them when you get back for the tax write-off of their initial purchase price.  Especially if it’s a place you go frequently, like my uncle and coming to LA, it’s worth it to just keep a set of clubs with friends.  That way, whenever he comes he can hit the new PGA of Southern California course with his own clubs without having to get them through customs.  You might also ask around and see if someone has a set you can borrow.

Happy Golfing and safe travels!

Thanks to caymangirl for the photo.

Too often family vacations can mean long hours of standing in line at the amusement park/museum/zoo etc. and not enough time just relaxing. Or, they can mean hours spent in a car with your immediate family, which, while a good bonding experience, can drive you crazy if you normally spend at least 8 hours a day on your own. Either way, getting in a round of golf can be just the thing your vacation needs to be truly relaxing. Here are 5 great courses near major family attractions that can ensure you give your 9 iron a bit of work while you take a breather.

1. Disneyland time? Take a morning and visit the Anaheim Hills golf course. It’s beautifully apportioned and if you’re pressed for time to get back for the 9am opening of Disneyland you can have the option of just playing 9 holes instead of the full course. Open year-round!

2.  New York bound? Check out Craig Golf Course in Jersey City, just outside of NYC proper. Formerly military owned, this is a true diamond in the rough- just make sure to go during the warmer months.

3.  South Carolina, in general, has several great golf resorts which provide amenities that your kids will enjoy as much as you do the links! Quite a few of these have time-shares as well, so if you have one as well you can look into trading!

4.  Hawaii with the family? While your kids are learning to surf at the beach, you can hit the links at the famous Kona Country Club which was featured on the ladies’ PGA tour recently.

5.  Disney World, of course, has it’s own course. Make that COURSES! Not one but three of these are featured on the PGA tour. You might just have to book the extra-long package just so you can try all three.

So don’t forget to take your clubs with you! If you’re not going to one of these places, you can search UpTake for a course near your destination.

**Thanks to Michael Simmons for the great photo of Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course.

Way back in early 2000, before my first child was born, my husband and I took a couple trips and knocked some things off our life lists, you know, before the kid arrived to change everything. When I was 5 months along, we went to Hawaii and played golf in Wailea. While 6.5 months pregnant, we played Pebble Beach (did I tell you my golf game was awesome when I was pregnant?). And at 8 months, we ate dinner at the French Laundry in Yountville, California.

Nowadays, there is a term for this kind of pre-birth couple bonding – Babymooning. And apparently it is a growing segment of the travel industry. The idea can be varied, from providing a relaxing environment for couples ready to conceive, to helping couples traveling in the second trimester of pregnancy enjoy a last fling before baby arrives.

Are you thinking about a quick trip before your baby arrives? Check out these resources for help in planning your getaway:

Babymoonfinder

Babymoonguide

Babymoonblog

Child of Leisure

Golf is said to be the game of kings, but if you’re on a broke budget, finding ways to get your lovely walk spoiled with a round of golf can be harder than marrying into the monarchy.  Here are some ways you can practice your stroke that won’t leave you broke.

Community Courses – Many towns have community courses that are much more inexpensive than the local club and don’t require monthly membership.  Even my hometown of Redlands has a community course!  They might have a limited number of holes or not be the best course, but it’ll get you swinging that 9 iron again!

Driving Ranges – If all you need to do is keep in shape so as not to embarrass yourself for the yearly company golf tourmaent, hit your local driving range.  You can frequently find a place where you can hit a whole bucket of balls for $5-$10.  Plus- no walking!

Be Schmoozed – Many companies and charity organizations want your business and your money.  Play hard-to-get and you could easily find yourself sitting in a two-person golf cart with them picking up the green fees.  Be nice though, don’t hang them out to dry if they’ve picked up the tab, listen to their pitch.

Join a Club – Ok, so country clubs were once the prerogatives of WASPS around the would, but now they’re social organizations that many people can afford to belong to.  Get the kids some pool time, your wife some tennis lessons and yourself a discounted green fee.  Check around to see which nearby town’s club will be in your budget.

Expense it – If you’re good enough not to embarrass yourself, take clients golfing or get yourself sponsored in a charity tournament for a chance to write off your green fee.  Take these opportunities to golf such great places as Pebble Beach and PGA course close to home.

Take a class – Many pro courses and community colleges offer reasonably priced group classes that include course time during class and discounts during non-class time as part of their cost.  Remember, the larger the class, the cheaper the fee will be. Bonus- your stroke will improve as well!

So don’t let the pinch in your pocketbook interrupt your smooth follow-through with your swing.  Tee up!

* Thanks to  Shayan (USA) for the great photo!