Winter Golf Vacation Destinations

Whether you just want to take a break from work and de-stress, or you simply want to tune up your golfing skills, these 3 spots are the best places to go to during this time of the year. 

California

Arguably the most famous and most populous state in all of the U.S., people come here from all over the world not just to visit but to settle, live and thrive. There is no wonder why millions of people choose to be here: impressive beauty, wealth and lifestyle. California is warm during the Holiday Season, making it a perfect place to visit.  It is also home to many top-notch golf courses to to help you unwind, relax and destress. Pristine green and premier accommodations are yours for the taking.

Moreover, California is full of many natural and man-made sights that are frequented by many tourists each year. There are beaches, mountains, lakes, infamous bridges and big city escapes for your post-golf activities. The mixture of many cultures makes this place vibrant and rich of varieties of tastes and cuisines. During the Xmas season, California becomes even more alive and exciting as a lot of people who wish to escape the cold come here.

Mexico

If you are looking for a fun filled holiday retreat where you can party, get lost and play a whole lot of golf, Mexico is the perfect place for you. This country is exquisite, vivacious and very alive. There is so much energy generated around by the locals, expats and visitors and every day spent here is fun and full of adventure. 

They’ve got a lot of outstanding golf resorts here that are favorites of World Champions. The sun, unique flare and the natural beauty (caves, hidden beaches, secret lagoons and more) that Mexico offers makes it easy for golf Holiday trip seekers to choose Mexico over any other place in the world.

Hawaii

Surf and golf holiday combo? If you are looking for a laid back escape to play golf and hit the beach, Hawaii is the top choice for you. Famous for its amazing blue waters, Hawaii’s got great green too. Located in Maui and Oahu, Hawaiian golf courses are surrounded by epic splendor: mountains, beaches, a volcano, palm trees and more! Warm all year, it is the perfect winter destination for just about anyone! 

There are many professional golfers who live in Hawaii, and why not? The way of life and the challenging golf courses is the ultimate combination to make this extraordinary paradise a number one golf vacation destination.

Eating Healthy on your Golf Trip

Just because you’re on vacation, doesn’t mean that your diet should be, too. As what you eat determines your performance, you’ll need to have a solid diet plan when you’re going on a golf trip.

More than just about improving your health in general, proper nutrition can help boost your golf performance. It’s a no-brainer. Eating healthy means your mind stays sharp enough to make tough decisions, and you have sufficient energy to play all 18 holes.

So before you grab that bag of chips for a quick energy boost, read on to know what you should be munching on your golf vacation:

Eat or drink

• Water – Chugging down at least 8 glasses of water daily can help you keep hydrated, especially when you’re teeing off under the heat of the sun. Loss of water can lead to dehydration, which can affect your performance and physiology.

• Small frequent meals – Spreading out your meals throughout the day allows you to replenish your energy levels without bogging you down post meal. Experts recommend 5-6 small meals instead of the usual 3 big meals.

• The power combo – Your meals must consist of the right amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fats in order for you to have enough energy to finish all 18 holes. This trio also ensures that you are getting the right nutrients into your body.

• A healthy snack. Forget chips. Go for snacks that are jam packed with fiber and other nutrients for a healthy digestion and lots of energy to finish the course. Go for fruits or a bag of nuts for a quick mood and energy booster, and you’re all set for a good match.

Avoid

• Alcohol and caffeine. Take it easy on the alcohol and caffeine. Both are diuretics and can cause dehydration. In addition, they can also affect your performance. Caffeine can over stimulate your mind and muscles, thus making your performance less controlled, while alcohol is on the other side of the spectrum. Too much of it, and you’ll suffer loss of coordination.

• Food rich in sugar. Sugar-based food will only give you a quick jolt of energy, but once blood sugar rapidly plummets after a temporary high, you’ll be on an express train to exhaustion.

• Binging 2 hours before tee time. When you have food in your digestive tract, blood gets diverted away from your brain and muscle, which explains why you feel lethargic after a heavy meal. This is another reason why you need to spread out your meals to 5 small ones instead of 3 big ones. But with that said, you must also avoid;

• Skipping meals. Playing on an empty stomach is just as bad as teeing off on a full one. You’ll need a steady release of energy to get you through the long play. Going for small meals fuels you throughout the day without slowing down your metabolism (and yourself) and prevents sugar highs and lows.

It is important to note that your brain consumes 20% of the calories your take in. And if you’re fuelling your brain (and body) with the right type of food, you’ll be able to think on your toes all throughout the 18 holes.

Stay healthy. Have a great golf trip!

Golf Tips: How to Make More Birdies

Golf birdies don’t always happen by pure chance; these come as a result of excellent golf conditions and great golfing skills. Professional golfers share the following tips on how to make more birdies:

Be familiar with your yards. While on a golf trip, carefully observe professional golfers on tour and observe how they manage to almost accurately estimate how far every club in their golf bag goes. While it is essentially impossible for a beginner or an average golfer to be precise, most golfers tend to have a close idea of how far they hit each club.

The next time you go on a golf vacation, spend at least an hour on each range. Hit 5-10 shots with each club and figure out the average distance each club in your bag flies. This will give you an idea how to hit more greens and make more birdies.

 Devise a game plan and stick with it. Make a detailed, strategic game plan for every shot you want to hit at the golf course. Know exactly where you want to land your golf ball and swing your way to it.

Some golfers do not always have pin sheets for each round of the game but, whether you’re up for a competition or simply going on a golf vacation, at least plan your rounds a few days ahead.  Focus on a target each time you play and be determined to follow your game plan.

If you are a beginner, start at the green. Identify your target and know where you should be hitting from as you approach the greens. Then imagine where you’ll be hitting next to get to your ideal approach shot.

Establish control. If you’ve been watching golf tournaments, you might have noticed that some golfers tend to choke up on the club and make shorter, more controlled swing. In case you don’t know it yet, shorter, more controlled swings result to more precision and less error.

Like any other skills, control on golf clubs does not happen overnight. You might have to make several trips to your favorite golf vacation destinations so you can practice your swing as well as your game plans.

Scott's Top 5 Lodging Options for 2015

Below you will find my list of the 5 best accommodations in Palm Springs, which I composed with what I believe to be important factors when choosing a hotel.

• Friendly/accommodating staff
• Cleanliness
• Location
• Room quality
• Bang for the buck

1. Renaissance Esmeralda Resort - This hotel is my favorite in the area, it is the most updated with spacious rooms and a very friendly staff. It doesn't hurt that there are two outstanding golf courses within walking distance that are affiliated with the hotel. The hotel has even has a sandy beach on site!

2. La Quinta Resort - It goes without saying that La Quinta Resort is one of the best places to stay because of the golf located within alone, but the lodging is just as nice. The resort features everything you can ask for and more. Every time you turn a corner at the resort you run io a pool of some sort. They have a large selection of rooms from Resort Rooms to a Starlight King Upstairs room and everything in between. This is a great choice if you are looking to only stay at one resort and play golf due to the 5 golf courses affiliated with La Quinta.

3. Marriott Desert Springs Resort - How could I not have a hotel that features a boat that takes you around the property!! That is just one of the many things you will love about this Resort. When not playing on one of the two championship courses, take in the 18 hole miniature golf course!(First mini golf course I have played where I lost a ProV1!!) This hotel is a popular destination in the off-season as well with great rates and a great place to just relax.

4. Marriott Residence Inn Palm Desert - This is one of my favorite hotels for a group of guys on a budget. The hotel is in a great location, minutes from awesome golf and restaurants. It is one of, if not the best Residence Inn's that I have ever seen. The rooms are so big, and the staff is awesome. If you are looking for a great hotel at a slightly lower price point consider the Residence Inn Palm Desert.

5. Courtyard by Marriott - Another great option for the budget minded. Very nice, spacious rooms and it sits right next door to the Marriott Residence Inn, so it is in a great location.

That's my top five for 2015, call me today to plan your next golf trip and reserve a room or two at one of these awesome Resorts/Hotels. 

Scott Curry 888-985-9170

Dragon Ridge Country Club

The Dragon Ridge Country Club is a golf masterpiece designed by the famed Jay Morrish and Dave Druzisky. This semi-private golf facility is perfectly nestled at the McCullogh Mountains foothills located south of the popular “Las Vegas Strip”. And in the span of five years since the golf course had its debut, Dragon Ridge has served as the proud host of several golf competitions including the Wendy’s Three Tour Challenge and the Tiger Jam III and IV. The golf course has also been cited by reputable golf publications as one of the country’s top golf vacation destinations with the course rating of 72.9 and a slope rating of 143.

Dragon Ridge Country Club offers challenging 7,000-yards of play to golfers of all ability levels. The entire layout features the generous fairways, multiple desert washes, water features, bunkers, and the sets of tee boxes. The #2 hole has been considered as the most prominent hole in the entire layout offering a 229-yard par-3 play from the tips with the tee box situated on top of the mountain. Holes #10 and #8 are also among the tricky holes that every golfer must look out for while on play. In dealing with these two intimidating holes, you must have the smart shot selection in order to go through the split fairways. Aside from the fair test of golf, the course also provides the golfing guests with the most breathtaking vistas of the Las Vegas Valley.

Dragon Ridge Country Club also boasts of its full driving range facility. Guests can take advantage of the well-maintained chipping and putting greens. And after an exciting golf round, the clubhouse is a perfect place for relaxation along with a perfect view of the entire city. Appropriate golf dress code is strictly implemented during play.

Contact our Golf Zoo Travel Specialist to book a vacation to Las Vegas, Nevada!!!

Call 800-929-7300!!!