Where would you go ????

Barnseire

I'm involved in a golf society and we are celebrating 20 years of existence and intend to go on a trip abroad during Sept. We've done the usual Costa del Sol and the Algarve before and would like to hear from anybody with any different ideas for a destination.

The general criteria is that we would need to be reasonably confident in some good weather, no more than 4 hours travelling time and we'd probably be going for Wed-Sun type of timescale. Price around the 700 yo-yos mark and we reckon there'll be about 35 guys in total.

Anybody done any trips to Eastern Europe, Italy....

All ideas appreciated.
Thanks
Barns.

denishurley

I know you specified the weather, but Scotland wouldn't be a runner, no? Home of golf and all that. I accept that some players hate links golf, though

link_2007

I know a few lads that went to Turkey recently and had a fantastic time both on and off the course.

thewobbler

Florida with direct flights is only 6-7 hours. Similarly, Atlanta - but in that case you'd probably be better off driving 4 hours over to Hilton Head or the like. That's the bees knees.

In Europe, I guess the reason why it's hard to look past the old favourites of Algarve and Costa Del Sol is because they're so well set up for golfers. There are brilliant courses in Germany, France, Netherlands and Italy, but the infrastructure is more DIY than package. Given the choice for a blowout in Europe, I'd do 'Spain on the full' i.e. chuck in a bit extra and go to Valderamma and Sotogrande. Or, as denishurley suggested, Scotland and take your pick.

Barnseire

Thanks for the suggestions. We've done Scotland before, Ayrshire and had a fantastic time. We wanted somewhere a bit different this year, Turkey sounds like a possible runner. Anybody know of any agent that does Turkey ? Also I saw that Killester Travel does Czech trips. Anybody been on one and give it a recommendation?

Russman

Florida is more like 9 hours (Dublin to Orlando) but well worth it.
However if you were going to do the States I'd recommend Myrtle Beach, ok its a slightly longer trip with 2 flights but if you're going that far you may as well do it properly . Can't recommend Myrtle Beach highly enough, but you'd want more than 5 days.

In Europe its hard to beat Vilamoura, for the overal set-up. There are better courses elsewhere but as said above its a bit more DIY whereas the Algarve is well set-up for golf.

As a suggestion a bit out of left field, the south of Sweden has some great golf and isn't as expensive as you might imagine.

Barnseire

I'd agree, did the Myrtle Beach gig myself with just a fourball years ago, and I'd agree. Unbelievable choice of courses and great facilities, but too long a travel time for the length of stay. I really was looking for something a bit different and I like the idea of Sweden, that's certainly left field.

bodonnell

Bermuda, supposedly more golf courses per sq. mile than any country, direct flights from gatwick, still hot in September( but bring raingear). Probably outside your quoted budget.

Barnseire

Yep, a bit too expensive and again probably too far to travel for such a short trip. Thanks for thinking out of the box though.

Russman

Maybe Tenerife ? 20 of us went there in 2009 and played 6 games (3 courses twice) in a week. Courses were ok, weather great, but its not really a "golf" destination. Reasonable price though.

We've used Cassidy Travel for golf trips and they're always good to deal with.

The Sweden trip we did independently, flew into Copenhagen with SAS and got the train and ferry to Helsingborg - great craic and great courses.

Redzah

Algarve suits all your needs, some great deals there at the moment as they are crying out for tourists. Great golf courses, nice weather and great craic. You will easily get a luxurious villa, great golf and great nightlife for less than 700.

Barnseire

Thanks for the suggestion, but as I said we've been to Portugal 3 times over the last 5 years, and seeing as it's an anniversary we were trying to do something a bit different. I realise that the reason those places are popular is that they cater very well for the golfing community, but there must be something out there a bit different. At the moment Sweden and Turkey look as if they require a bit of further investigation.

Redzah

Barnseire wrote: »

Thanks for the suggestion, but as I said we've been to Portugal 3 times over the last 5 years, and seeing as it's an anniversary we were trying to do something a bit different. I realise that the reason those places are popular is that they cater very well for the golfing community, but there must be something out there a bit different. At the moment Sweden and Turkey look as if they require a bit of further investigation.

Apologies, im half asleep.

Barnseire

No worries Redzah. Any bodies any experience of Turkey?

Uncle Ben

If you are looking for somewhere different, try here: http://www.golfeurope.com/euro_clubs/iceland-golf-courses.htm I personally haven't played there, but did read some excellent reviews regarding same.

Afterwards you and your mates can discuss the economy, weather etc. with the locals. Lots in common with us Irish.:D:D

Sorry, full link didn't appear. The golf is in Iceland.

Barnseire

Uncle Ben wrote: »

If you are looking for somewhere different, try here: http://www.golfeurope.com/euro_clubs/iceland-golf-courses.htm I personally haven't played there, but did read some excellent reviews regarding same.

Afterwards you and your mates can discuss the economy, weather etc. with the locals. Lots in common with us Irish.:D:D

Sorry, full link didn't appear. The golf is in Iceland.

Lol. we could sit around and tell all those old jokes. What's the difference between Iceland and Ireland. 1 letter and 6 months.
:eek: It wasn't a joke it really happened:rolleyes:

Russman

Or head for somewhere like the French, German, Swiss border area around Basel. Some decent courses within easy drive - might be an interesting idea for the 20th anniversary. Treat yourselves and head up the Alps to play Crans Sur Sierre maybe.

I played here http://www.golf-kempferhof.com/?lang=en when I was there a few years ago, just outside Strasbourg, superb. Hop on a Ryanair to Karlsruhe.

bodonnell

Jersey, Channel Islands. I think you may still get direct flights that time of year from Cork or Dublin, about an hour flight,

Barnseire

Russman wrote: »

Or head for somewhere like the French, German, Swiss border area around Basel. Some decent courses within easy drive - might be an interesting idea for the 20th anniversary. Treat yourselves and head up the Alps to play Crans Sur Sierre maybe.

I played here http://www.golf-kempferhof.com/?lang=en when I was there a few years ago, just outside Strasbourg, superb. Hop on a Ryanair to Karlsruhe.

Looks great. It could squeeze the budget tho. Thanks for the idea.

Barnseire

bodonnell wrote: »

Jersey, Channel Islands. I think you may still get direct flights that time of year from Cork or Dublin, about an hour flight,

Looks good. At least half a dozen golf courses at reasonable prices. What's the craic like?

bodonnell

Barnseire wrote: »

Looks good. At least half a dozen golf courses at reasonable prices. What's the craic like?

Plenty of nightlife or daylife if you prefer, last there about 3 years ago. Prices to suit most pockets, no vat but think there may be some form of sales tax now.

Deep Thought

Would reccommend Tenerife, great Courses

We also went to Tunisia - Nice courses

Lisbon has stunning courses

ThunderCat

What about going to Holland/Belgium to play some of the terrific Harry Colt or Tom Simpson designed courses?

Barnseire

Thanks for all the suggestions. You've really given me some food for thought.