Sweet Rides @ Palmetto Dunes Resort

To make each round of golf more enjoyable on its three courses, Fazio, Jones and Arthur Hills, Palmetto Dunes offers three unique modes of transportation for getting around the links.  The golf carts provide air conditioned comfort for the Summer months and the heated models for the cooler months.

Segway Golf Transporters can travel at more than 12 mph and are easy to operate and maneuver. It's a popular alternative for transportation on the green.

Whatever type of transportation you choose you will have a enjoyable round on these three World Class courses.

Scottsdale Dining: Wally's Pub and Grill

I recently had dinner with a large group at Wally's Pub and Grill. They have two locations; the Scottsdale location is closest to home and very convenient when staying in Scottsdale -it's located in a high end strip center, but don't be fooled by all the glitz that surrounds it.  Wally's has a very causal atmosphere and has a lot of regulars at the bar.  It's mostly a 'mature' crowd (nice way of saying older folks), but keep in mind it's in Gainey Ranch and there's a lot of money in 'dem thar parts!

They have a very extensive menu, burgers, sandwiches, pasta's, etc and serve an excellent calamari, nice and crispy. It's served with the traditional marinara sauce, but ask for the mayo sauce, excellent! I've had several dishes, my favorite is the Chicken Vesuvius. My better half always has burgers and sandwiches and he has never been disappointed.  Prices are very reasonable and the service is good.

Wally's Happy Hour is from 4-6 PM with $1 off cocktails & beer. $2 off all appetizers!

Bon Appetit!

Favorite Sushi Spot in Myrtle Beach

Hands down King Kong Sushi is the place to go in Myrtle for the very best rolls. I just had some friends come into town that are pretty picky with the quality and variety that a sushi restaurant offers but they were blown away with King Kong. There are two locations- one in Carolina Forrest close to the Legends Golf Resort and another in Broadway at the Beach. With over 100 different specialty rolls to choose from you are sure to find something new or your favorite from back home. If I had to pick my top two rolls I would have to go with the "No Name" and the "Needham" wow are they good. The fish is the freshest in town and the portions are large….well I know where I am headed for dinner now!

If your looking for more local advice give one of our knowledgeable sales reps a call at 800.929.7300.

But It's a Dry Heat

Most golfers are afraid to come out West and deal with the high temperatures we get during the summer.

Fear not, Golf Zoo has some great unlimited deals this time of year which help your wallet stay cool.

You can play some of the best tracks in Scottsdale for a lot less than high season.

According to the weather channels, we're expecting a moderate summer with average temps in the low 100's.

Get up early, enjoy your rounds, then go back and chill at the pool with a cool cocktail.

Don't be afraid, you can do it!!

Golf Zoo's Newest Destination: Tree Tops Resort

Golf Zoo has recently added a new golf destination. The resort is located in Michigan, and it's the highly rated Tree Tops Resort. Tree Tops Resort has 4 Championship golf courses on site, along with the #1 ranked Par 3 course in America by Golf Magazine, Golfweek and Golf & Travel. The four Championship courses consistently receive 4 1/2 stars by Golf Digest.

You have two choices when it comes to lodging - The Inn and The Lodge. The Inn offers spacious rooms with two lobby areas that both offer flat panel TV's, warm leather furniture and rustic accents. The Inn also offers an indoor heated pool. Each room has it's own patio or balcony. The Lodge's lobby is a perfect place to relax in cozy furniture whether you're next to the fireplace of watching the large screen TV. The Lodge rooms offer two queen beds or a king and are all non-smoking. Each room has a sitting area, small refrigerator, microwave, DVD player, internet access and a jet tub.

Now, let's talk about the important part - the golf.

Masterpiece Course:
Robert Trent Jones, Sr.’s final design in Michigan is truly a masterpiece. In his own words, Jones claimed it as his crowning glory. The course is located at the headwaters of the Pigeon River and takes full advantage of natural valleys, ravines and broad plains. The signature sixth hole features a 120’ vertical drop and a panoramic view of the Pigeon River Valley.

Premier Course:
Premier is the only course in Michigan designed by famed architect, Tom Fazio. The course makes the most of the rolling terrain, striking the perfect balance between challenge and forgiveness. When asked to name a signature hole, Fazio replied, "all of them." Play a round on the Premier and we think you’ll agree.

Signature Course:
Rick Smith, renowned architect and golf instructor; set the bar high with Signature; his first 18-hole designed course. The course unfolds into a high upland area and features undulating greens and wide, forgiving fairways. Undisturbed natural areas are prominent on holes four and eleven. Signature has been rated a Top 50 Course for Women.

Tradition Course:
Tradition is Rick Smith’s walking course which pays homage to golf’s origin. The course is well named as it features “traditional” wooden pins and pennant flags. The links-style layout takes advantage of high ridges and hilltops, providing some sloping while still being walkable. Holes one through nine wrap back around to the starter house, allowing for nine-hole play.

Threetops Course:
Threetops. Rick Smith’s first par three-designed course, has been receiving national recognition since it opened in 1992. It consistently ranks as the #1 par three course in America by Golf Magazine, Golfweek, Golf & Travel and several others and is perhaps the most recognized par three course in America. For a number of years, Threetops hosted the ESPN Par 3 Shootout. Lee Trevino recorded an ace on #7 during the Shootout in 2001. The course itself features elevated greens and tees with noticeable slopes.

The golf courses have earned many awards over the years and here are just a few of them.

Conde Nast Traveler
Top 50 International Resorts"
(June 2000)
Golf Design (1 of 6 Criteria) Treetops Resort ranked 3rd behind Pinehurst and Pebble Beach

Golf Digest
"Places to Play" (April 2008)
Robert Trent Jones, Sr. "Masterpiece" 4.5 Stars
Tom Fazio "Premier" 4.5 Stars
Rick Smith "Signature" 4.5 Stars
Rick Smith "Tradition" 4.5 Star

Golf Magazine
Silver Medal Resort" Eight-Time Recipient (March 2008)

Golfweek Magazine
"Ten Golf Resorts to Visit Before You Die"
(Dec. 2004)

USA Today
"Best Conditioned Courses Northern Michigan"
(2008-2009)

Travel & Leisure Golf
"Best Golf Resort in the Midwest" 2008
"Best Resort for Buddy Trips" 2008
"Most Underrated Resorts" 2008

We have a stay and play hot deal on our website - www.golfzoo.com. This is a combination of the 1 night stay and play package and the 2 night Major Championship package. The package includes the following:

3 nights lodging at the Inn at Tree Tops
4 rounds of Championship golf
1 round on the Par Three course
2 breakfasts

The resort breaks up its seasons the following way:

EARLY/LATE SEASON (April 23 – May 13 AND September 27 – end of season)

SPRING/FALL SEASON (May 14 – 31 AND September 6 – 26)

SUMMER SEASON (June 1 – September 5)

As you can see the resort has about a 5 month window for golf. You have two airports to fly into - The Gaylord Regional Airport is located 12 miles west of Treetops and welcomes recreational and business flyers. Cherry Capital Airport is located 65 miles west of Treetops Resort and is operated by Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties.

Take advantage of this fantastic resort and call 888.333.6103 or email glen@golfzoo.com.

Orlando Nightlife, Top Five to Check Out!

During your Orlando golf vacation, hitting the links is one thing but what to do at night can be just as important - and often overlooked.

If you're traveling to Orlando with family, then Disney and Universal have enough to keep you busy every night, but if you're on a golf trip, then Chef Mickey's Buffet just isn't gonna cut it. Here are five can't miss nightlife spots for golfers in Orlando...

Blue Martini

Are you one of the 3 million golfers who has visited Orlando and wondered where Tiger Woods hangs out? Up until Thanksgiving 2009 when he went into hiding, that answer was Blue Martini, the hippest, coolest, swankiest mall bar in Florida.

Rumor has it golf's biggest star frequented the VIP room at this high-end martini bar at Millennia Mall. While a Tiger sighting isn't likely, Blue Martina is still an entertaining bar. It's Orlando's best showcase of people who dress and act like they're at least 10 years younger than they actually are.

Icebar Orlando

In Orlando, manufactured experiences aren't just at Disney and Universal, they're at bars too. Golfers looking for relief from the heat can cool off at Icebar Orlando, a 27-degrees-Fahrenheit watering hole where the glasses, bar and even the couches are 100-percent ice. The signature shot is Penquin Pizz and is taken out of an ice luge. Coat and golf rental is included in the $20 cover charge ($15 if you pre-pay online)

Corona Cigar Company

While the clientele is mostly male, if your foursome is full of cigar aficionados, the Corona Cigar Company is the best bet in Orlando. Once you get past the fact that it's in a strip mall - sadly, more than a few Orlando bars are - you'll be impressed with Corona's wide selection of cigars, including extremely rare vintage, pre-embargo, pre-Castro Cubans. Order a glass of wine and relax the bogeys away.

Season's 52

Because you've probably had more success crushing hot dogs than tee shots, perhaps your golf vacation is in need of a health intervention. Okay, well if that sounds boring keep in mind that Season's 52 is not only the healthiest restaurant in Orlando, but also one of the tastiest and liveliest.

The seasonally inspired menu is chock full of salads and fresh fish, and every item on the menu contains fewer than 500 calories. The dining area may be a bit formal for your golf foursome, but the large full-service bar is apropos for the social butterflies.

Ocean Prime

If you're in the mood to see or be seen, then throw on a Tommy Bahama shirt and make a beeline for Ocean Prime. Here you'll find a hearty mix of nearby Bay Hill residents and out-of-towners, both of which have money to spend and the cocktails to enjoy. The menu is surf and turf. The signature cocktail is the Cucumber Gimlet. It's the closest thing Orlando has to New York

In closing, Orlando isn't all about Disney and Universal - it simply is the best place in Florida for a group of golfers to enjoy fantastic golf, great nightlife and fantastic places to eat.