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Posts Tagged ‘Golf’

Are you interested in having a golf break? Do you need long weekend where you can play golf in the daytime and relax at night without the usual pressures of home and work? Grab your spouse and make plans for a weekend golf vacation. You do not have to go far to get maximum benefits. There are a couple of things to keep in mind while shopping for your golf weekend getaway.

You need to look for areas that offer something for both of you. If your spouse is a golfer as well this widens the possibilities immensely. If not you just need to put a little more time into researching areas to find something that offers you both a way to relax and enjoy your mini vacation. The internet will be your most valuable tool.

Do not drive yourself crazy looking and comparing. Decide on no greater than three sites to work with. You also need to limit how far from home you search. Eliminate express airline tickets by keeping your search to less than 200 miles. Keeping yourself this close will allow you to arrive early and leave late so that you can pack in as much fun as possible.

Use the site tools to narrow your search. Read carefully! Make sure you understand exactly what you are getting for your money. You need to understand the motels policy on cancellations, late arrivals and anything else about the room or the facility that could possibly disrupt your weekend.

Check to see what all is included in the price. You will have to pay taxes, local surcharges and sometimes resort fees. So make sure what is included and what you may still have to pay for. And always remember to bring your own golf tees this are often not included.

Many hotels will also allow you to go ahead and reserve and pay for golf games and choose tee times. If one spouse wants to spend the day at the spa while the other one goes golfing now may be the time to purchase. You can get deep discounts by bundling products together at the time of purchase. Look for additional options to add to your vacation.

Attraction passes that allow you access to multiple attractions throughout the area for one low price. Special tours, guided activities and other fun things can be added on to the vacation for a significant savings over purchasing them separately.

Do not leave out last minute weekend options. You can get some fabulous deals by waiting till the last minute to buy. Hotels need to fill those empty rooms and are willing to make seriously discounted rates available.

In 1998, former president Bill Clinton visited Ballybunion for one sole reason – to play the Old Course at Ballybunion. Given how remote this little Irish town is the locals were genuinely amazed by having such an auspicious individual visit their golf course. But for golf aficionados, playing Ballybunion is right up there with playing St. Andrews in Scotland.

Ballybunion Golf Club in the south west of Ireland regularly appears in golf magazine top ten world course lists. The fact that this is also a links style course makes its ranking especially surprising. The following introduction to the courses design should give you some insights to why it is such a great course.

The Old Course was established in 1893 and its original design made best use of the dunes and undulations of this coastal stretch of land. Over the intervening time only minor redesigns have been made. An additional 18-hole course, the Cashen course, was built in 1984 and has bedded in quickly, but it is the Old Course that everyone wants to play for its dunes, dog-legs and blind tee shots.

The 1st hole eases you into the round with an ominous cemetery that marks the out of bounds along the right hand side of the fairway. The front nine is especially notable for the run of holes from the fourth to the sixth. Each plays in the same direction, directly into the prevailing Atlantic breeze which makes for an exhausting 1300 yard if the wind is strong.

The fourth hole, a par-5, has a great blind-shot from the fairway over a large dune. Luckily, there are course markers (large white stones) placed on the mounds to aid the placement of shots. The fifth is a rarity in golfing terms a par 3 with a blind tee shot.

The back nine has an equally variable set of holes with most playing with the wind on your back. Throughout the course the drainage on the fairways and greens makes for an exceptionally fast surface. While you may welcome this on the fairways, it can make putting a real challenge.

The lush surrounding countryside and Atlantic Ocean views add to the memorable nature of this course and make it one course that you will wish to play again and again. Don’t forget to look out for the Bill Clinton statue in the village to commemorate his visit.