River Run Golf Club

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Real golf players make good golf course architects. While this claim may still be arguable, somewhere in Ocean City, one Player has already proven it. Gary Player has successfully transitioned from a champion golfer into a well-decorated golf course architect. The River Run Golf Club is living proof that when it comes to golf courses, players know best! This golf vacation destination is the players’ kind of haven.

Whether on a golf vacation to relax or playing to improve, the River Run Golf Club is the best location. And that is saying, handicap levels do not matter. The course plays on multiple tees, with the longest ones measuring 6,705 yards, par 72. The course poses a fair but firm challenge to golfers, especially that it has made good and optimum use of its natural terrain. It opens with a fairly open front nine, and a heavily wooded back nine, save for the more open 18th that leads to the clubhouse. Being close to the sea, many parts of the course lie on natural marshlands complimented by Player’s addition of well-shaped and strategically placed bunkers. There are some natural water features too that add more attitude to the course.

 But all these features will stand obscure next to the most famous feature of the River Run Golf Club. Everyone who has played here knows that the superstar of this course – without meaning to – are the greens. The superbly conditioned Bent grass greens have been regarded by quite a number of golfers as the fastest and best they’ve played all their lives. This further proves that players know what players want. Or in this case, Player knows what makes other players happy. And a golf trip here will cement that.

 

 

Heritage Shores Golf Club

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The Heritage Shores Golf Club in Delaware was created for the exclusive retirement community it belongs to. It was made for the seniors who want to enjoy their almost infinite downtime, living a resort life, golf vacations on daily basis, so to speak. But this does not mean golf here is kinder and well, old. On the contrary. The Arthur Hills creation actually finds itself some huge fan following from all ages.

 And that isn’t at all surprising. There is enough reason to love this golf vacation destination. With a maximum yardage length that stretches a little over 7,000 yards, par 72, and 5 sets of tees to choose from, this place knows no age nor skill level. Anyone who wants to play is welcome to play and explore the numerous water holes. And by numerous, it actually means close to 18. On top of these water holes, Heritage Shores Golf Club accentuated its beautiful layout with undulating fairways and large, well-shaped bunkers. And that completes the package. The layout is full of the right amount of challenging and visually enhancing features that all that is left for a golfer to do is just play.

 The best part about it comes in the form of green fees. Heritage Shores Golf Club knows just how important every dollar is, and it makes it count. Every penny used on a golf trip here is as good as it actually is. With a complete platter no golfer could ever resist, there is a close to a hundred percent chance this course doesn’t grow too old too soon.

Eagle’s Landing Golf Club

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This is one golf vacation destination that cares – for its environment, for its guests, and for the game of golf itself. There might just be nowhere else in Maryland, or the entire United States that gives as much value for money and game as the Eagle’s Landing Golf Club. This golf course gives more than what is expected of it.

 The Eagle’s Landing Golf Club is the first Maryland golf course to have been granted the Audubon Sanctuary certification. It has as much regard to its environment as to its golf. It could perhaps be because of the fact that it has an unparalleled postcard view of the Sinepuxent Bay and the Assateage Island National Seashore. And as is proven by the Audubon status, the natural wildlife remains untouched at the least, improved at the best. And the golf isn’t too shabby either. The Michael Hurdzan creation stretches to 7,003 yards of links-style layout playing from a variety of textures – wetlands, marshlands, saltwater marshes and Bermuda greens accentuated by an array of water holes, large sand traps and contoured greens. And all that excellent golf played at the most affordable price possible for its caliber. Budget-friendly golf vacations have never been friendlier and more enjoyable than this.

All these combined features have contributed to the list of merits listed under its belt.  These merits include an elusive Best New Public Golf Course from Golf Digest. With a resume quite as impressive, guests are assured of a jolly good time at the Eagle’s Landing Golf Club. It cares so much as to take the cares off of anyone’s golf trips.

Bayside Resort Golf Club

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When Jack Nicklaus brought his genius to the Delaware area, it was as if he planned for himself to play the role of a spotlight and the Delaware beauty was to be the star. But Nicklaus, being himself, he will always be a golf course designer. So his layout did not merely make a good picture frame where nature’s splendor was to be gazed upon; Nicklaus created one of the best golf vacation destinations this side of the country that is set upon the best of nature in Delaware: Bayside Resort Golf Club.

The 18-hole, par 72 championship golf spectacle has stunning views of well preserved natural marshlands, thick woodlands, meadows, and a most incomparable view of the Assawoman Bay Coastline. And that alone is enough to get the golfers’ heartbeats fluctuating. It is simply stunning beyond comprehension. Needless to say, this feature becomes more a distraction in the course of the game – and that alone is a legitimate challenge. But knowing Nicklaus, the challenge cannot simply stop there. Nicklaus’ signature features of pot bunkers and well-placed holes combine with the pines and natural water hazards in the property to bring the challenge at the Bayside Resort Golf Club a notch or two higher. At more than 7,000-yards of that caliber of golf, every golfer here is in for something huge should they take a turn for their golf trip headed hereabouts.

In addition to that, the Bayside Resort Golf Club also features an excellent practice facility that will help ensure that Nicklaus is not the only genius in the game to come around. Nicklaus has planned and executed this creation so well that in every golf vacation here, happy and contented golfers are the highlight.

Deer Run Golf Club

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The Deer Run Golf Club would have been Mr Congeniality in the Golf Course’s battle for the Best Golf Course in the World. Why, this course is very friendly from just about any angle. And it is not just the layout. This golf vacation destination never fails to put a smile on every visiting golfer, and it is a quality that is one for the books.

 As far as quality and excellence in layout is concerned, the Deer Run Golf Club is not in contention for America’s Top 100. It does not even have the flamboyant ‘signatures’ of the sport’s legends. But it holds a dear place in the hearts of every golfer who comes to spend golf vacations here. The amenities here as well as in the manner that they are served are just perfect examples of WARM and yes, FRIENDLY. But this has never equated to a lame layout. Designed by the Whole-in-One team of designers, this par-70 course measures a little over 6,100 yards and can be played from four different sets of tees. The team has built a challenging course that plays fast, making shot accuracy and A-grade club selection necessary. Large shaped bunkers guard the greens as well, makes for some second thought before each shot. The holes are set at varied lengths making it surprising at the least, dynamic at best.

Acres of stunning lakes contribute to the scenic quality of the Deer Run Golf Club. And the putting greens and other practice facilities make it even more excellent. Nothing makes golfing a more comfortable activity than this. It is so cozy it is every golfer’s bestfriend in the east – the kind that’s definitely worth going on a golf trip to.

Ocean Resorts Golf Club

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Golfers may easily spurt out Florida or California or even the Caribbean for their most favorite golf vacation destinations. Others may go to list the Canadian courses too. Because of the publicity that these high profile golfing states get, it is easy to overlook the courses of lower public profiles. Nothing big on this one, just a lot of great golfing opportunities missed. One great example is the OC. What most people miss about OC is its offering of great golf, just like at the Ocean Resorts Golf Club.

This golf course located 6 miles outside of Ocean City is actually quite a spectacle – both visually stunning and skill-stimulating. It has none of the signature features of legendary golfers and course designers, but it is easy to say there are quite a lot of notably good things on this one. The Ocean Resorts Club is Larry Jones design that measures 6,596 yards from the longest tees, par 72. It has 5 sets of tees that makes it an open-invitation for golfers of all skill levels. Another very inviting feature of this course are the wonderful collection of bunkers, mounds, and of course, holes set on a links-style layout. Golf vacations here are made even more interesting, not to mention scenic, thanks to the abundance of natural flora and fauna.

To perfectly cap any golf trip here are the world-class services that the staff offers. Sans the hustle and bustle of urban golfing experience, not to mention the green fees, the Ocean Resorts Golf Club is a true delight for any golfer. Courses and destinations like these are a most perfect breather for those who are looking for quality courses and are tired of overrated high end courses.

Sunriver Resort – Woodlands Course

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The Sunriver Resort in Central Oregon is undeniably one of the most favored golf vacation destinations in the country. Thanks to its beautiful mountainscapes, excellent amenities, and superb championship courses, it has been ranking high in the world’s top golf courses. All its three courses bear the names of legends as designers. It is quite hard to determine which one stands out as the best; each course has its own merits that are incomparable to that of the others. One thing is for sure: all three are beautiful, fun, challenging, and very unforgettable. And one can tell the story: the Robert Trent Jones-designed Woodlands Course.

Stretching good 6,880 yards from the longest tees, the 18-hole, par-72 course stands in the middle of huge pines, rock outcroppings, lakes and views of the majestic Mt Bachelor. As a Robert Trent Jones design, it is not surprising that the Woodlands Course features several deep bunkers that help define the attitude of this course. With a course as diverse and as dynamic as this, golfers will be obliged to use every club in the bag – and think extra wisely before picking! With a promise of a golf as good and as irresistible as that, it does not take a second-thought to make the golf trip out here.

The Woodlands Course is just one of the three courses at the Sunriver and it would sound like barely scratching surface to judge the quality of the facility on this basis alone. But what is pretty obvious here – as is proven by the countless tales of happy and unforgettable golf vacations here – is the fact that once this course is played, it is almost instinctive to take tee times of the other two. Enough said.

Sunriver Resort – Crosswater Course

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The combined power of massive and scenic property (600-acres of woodlands and well-preserved wetlands) and human genius (legendary golf course architect Bob Cupp) created a topnotch golf facility in Central Oregon. And it is not just plain topnotch. The Crosswater Course in Sunriver Resort is on the honor roll of one of the most prestigious golf publications in the world (Golf Digest) as it is listed as among America’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses. It is also a winner in the hearts of many, many golfers who have this course in their list of favorites for golf vacations. And the reasons are quite obvious; not to mention, incontestable.

Sunriver Resort’s Crosswater Course is crossed on most every side by two beautiful rivers – the Dechutes and the Little Dechutes – thus the name. But the rivers do more than influence the name of this golf vacation destination. As they are almost omnipresent, water plays on most every single hole in the facility. That makes it both a visual delight and a treat to the golfer’s heart. And for everyone who’s up for some thrill, the signature hole on the golf vacation destination is the 687-yard, par 5 12th, as to why, let its monicker, The Endless, clue you in.

The winning features of the Crosswater Course do not end there, though. Apart from being a truly challenging course to play, the golf trip haven is as much a blessing for golfers as it is for the environment. Because the wetlands and the natural areas have been so well-kept and preserved, it has been granted the elusive Audubon International Sanctuary status. The course measures close to 7,700 yards, par 72, with five sets of tees to play from.

The Homestead Resort – Lower Cascades

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Low profile is not exactly low quality. The Lower Cascades Course of the Homestead Resort could prove that. This Robert Trent Jones Jr creation in the famed golf vacation destination in Virginia may have kept itself under the shadows of its more famous William Flynn sibling course, The Cascades, and may lack the experience of its classic counterpart Old Course, but that is not saying it isn’t quite a statement in itself. Au contraire. This golf course is actually known among the higher-skilled golfers for being challenging.

Although the Lower Cascades Course shares the same rolling, mountain terrain and dramatic elevation changes of the Cascades, this course is actually a little more open. This makes this course notoriously deceptive – appearing to be a less difficult for being challenging on many parts of the game. Golfers tend to forget the fact that this is an Robert Trent Jones creation – apart from the signature wide fairways and large greens, it also bears his penchant for risk reward play. The higher the risk, the bigger the rewards. That makes for golf trips that are anything but simple and ordinary.

Just as it is – open, wide, challenging and no doubt beautiful, the Lower Cascades Course is reaping its own merits. And many followers too. It is a beautiful cornucopia of nature’s features – including a beautiful stream that helps shape the course – and human genius that brings only the best quality golf vacations anyone could ever ask for. It may have easily been passed up for its siblings, but it is too much a loss to do so.

The Homestead Resort – Old Course

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The ‘Old Course‘ is pretty much okay for a description and a name. This course is, in fact, old – amongst the oldest in Virginia even, having been played since the 1890’s. But that is barely touching the surface. That does not, however, sum up to what this golf vacation destination is in its entirety. One would need a whole dictionary to find the right words to perfectly describe the oldest course on the famed Homestead Resort.

Originally, the course was a six-hole facility whose first tee is still being used to this day – America’s oldest in continuous use. The course was then extended to become a full 18-hole course with a design from the legendary course architect, Donald Ross. Subsequently, renovations were made on the Old Course by William Flynn and then more lately, Rees Jones. Today it measures 6,201 yards from the longest tees, par 72. The course has a very traditional layout that right from the very first hole promises a tremendous ending. And it does not disappoint. Despite renovations, the course has retained Ross’ saucer shaped bunkers paired with rolling mountain fairways and small greens. Golf vacations here are made interesting by the fact that there is an overwhelming collision of old and new features which make a wholesome challenge, a neat ensemble. To say the least, it is a true classic.

Despite the Old Course being, well, old, it carries a good enough amount of modern flair to keep up with the advancements of the game. And despite it having two competitors in its own stead – the Cascades and the Lower Cascades – this never runs out of its own golf trip fan-following. After all, old habits die hard. And for something old, this one never gets old.