Does your idea of a good time involve a relaxing resort that provides a unique experience, a vast driving range, and good times with family and friends? Then, it may be time to start planning your next golf trip.
To make the most of your vacation, it helps to research and plan your stay ahead of time. Doing so can help prevent inconveniences and delays and improve your experience when you and your family or friends go on a trip. Before you can have a terrific time on the green, here’s what you should keep in mind when planning your next golf trip.
What to Pack for Your Golf Trip
Minimize your travel costs by knowing what to pack for your trip. Like for any other trip, you should pack the essentials such as:
- Clothes (enough for the duration of your trip, plus a few extras in case of emergencies)
- Travel-sized toiletries
- Medicine (your maintenance medicine, prescriptions, over-the-counter pain relievers, first aid kit, etc.)
- Sunblock
- Chargers for your electronics
- Necessary traveling documents (Passport, hotel bookings, etc.)
But since this is a golf trip, you’ll also want to pack the following:
- Proper golfing attire – including golf shirts, shorts or pants, socks and shoes, hats, sunglasses, and outerwear
- Golf clubs
- Golf balls
- Range finder
- Golf markers
- Tees
- Gloves
Consider your itinerary and how many days you intend to go golfing on your trip, and then plan accordingly. Many golf courses and driving ranges offer rental equipment and stores where you can purchase your equipment, but bringing your own gear is the most practical and cost-effective option. However, if you’re part of a private golf club, you may have free access to equipment as part of the advantages of your membership.
How Much Does It Cost to Play a Round of Golf?
The cost of a round of golf depends on whether you play at a public or private course.
Public golf courses can be owned and operated by a local municipality, private individuals or companies. Going to a public golf course is the more affordable option and can range anywhere from $15 to $100 per round, depending on the size of the driving range and if you’re playing during peak times. These courses also offer rentals for those who don’t have their own equipment. Keep in mind, however, that public courses can get pretty crowded and may not have the best facilities.
On the other hand, the cost of a private golf course can depend on the golf club that owns the driving range. Unlike public golf courses, private golf clubs are only accessible to members and their guests. Memberships for these clubs can range from $800 to $10,000 or more per year. However, you can expect a higher level of quality in each course, access to driving ranges, and other club perks.
Traveling with Kids
Are you bringing your kids to your next golf trip? There’s a way to make this family vacation fun for everyone!
Research ahead of time if your golf club or resort offers kid-friendly amenities. For instance, take them to a driving range golf course where they can learn the basics of golf and practice their swings. Alternatively, there may be mini golf courses where they can play their own game of golf. Pitch and Putt golf courses are becoming increasingly popular and are a great way for beginners to learn how to play golf.
Be sure to plan your golf trip somewhere with other facilities and amenities that provide your kids with plenty of activities to enjoy. You can also plan an itinerary so that everyone gets to do something they want during the trip.
How Long Does it Take to Get From One Place to Another?
Depending on how many people are playing and which rounds you’re playing, a game of golf can take several hours. If you plan to play all 18 holes with up to four players, expect the entire game to last up to four hours.
If you want to enjoy a more leisurely game, consider a multi-day golfing trip. You can play the front nine holes on your first day and then finish up with the back nine on the second day. This allows you to pace yourself and enjoy your golf trip without any time pressure.
How long it takes to get from one place to another in a large golf course can depend on the size and how you’re traveling. If you have access to a golf cart, traveling to the next course can be a breeze. Some provide these for free, while others have a rental fee of around $10. Otherwise, walking from one round to another can take several minutes.
The Best Places in Texas for Golfing
There are plenty of public and private golf centers and driving range golf courses around Texas. Getting the best experience can differ between golfers, whether you’re looking for affordable golfing fun or courses designed by professional architects. Based off online ratings, these are some of the few that stand out:
- Best Private Golf Club: Dallas National Golf Club – Dallas
- Best Public Golf Club: Texas Rangers Golf Club – Arlington ($120 per game)
- Most Affordable Golf Course: Stevens Park Golf Course – Dallas ($50 per game)
- Best Driving Range Golf Course: Golf Center of Arlington – Arlington (Up to $40 per bucket for 150 balls/ includes Toptracer range ball tracking system)
These are all potential options for a day trip to enjoy golf. But, if you’re in search of a new vacation experience in a premier destination for golf that features an award-winning golf course range, your best option is to head to Arlington and visit River Park Resort, home to the Golf Center of Arlington, Texas.
River Park Resort Is Your Destination for a Golf Getaway
If your idea of a perfect vacation involves award-winning golf ranges with state-of-the-art facilities, then River Park Resort is your premier destination in North Texas for golf. Close to the Arlington Entertainment District and home to the Golf Center of Arlington – a Top 50 US award-winning golf range – you can expect an unforgettable stay on your own or with your friends and family.
Get in touch with us today for bookings and inquiries.