Need Some Last Minute Gift Ideas for the Golfer?

Only a week left for Christmas shopping. Are you lagging behind in your shopping, or did you manage to check everyone off your list before the one-week countdown? It’s those last few people who are the hardest to shop for—that’s why they are the last few people on the last-minute shopping list.

Unless they are golfers. There’s always a good idea for a golfer: golf gear from a pro shop, a gift certificate to a pro shop, or better yet, a gift certificate to the golfer’s favorite golf course. Any of these would make an awesome gift to the avid golfer.

If you really want to wow them, give a gift certificate to a pro shop or golf course in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, or even a gift card toward a Gulf Shores golf vacation—that would be the ultimate golf gift! If your recipient loves golf and loves the beach (and who doesn’t love the beach), a golf vacation would easily top all other gifts. If they’ve vacationed in the area before, they’ll love it. If they’ve never vacationed in the area, it’s time they do—they will love the variety of Gulf Coast signature golf courses, white-sand beaches, and the range of accommodations. 

Several of the area golf courses sell gift cards and golf packages. So there’s really no excuse—go ahead and cross the golfer off your list.

Feels Like Spring…Why Not Plan a Spring Golf Getaway?

Maybe we’re in for it later this winter…but it just hasn’t been terribly cold lately. I was outside shorts and a t-shirt the other day and was perfectly comfortable.

I know we’re supposed to be getting ready for the holidays, but all this spring-like weather is making me think of spring-like activities—like golf, of course, and my yearly spring golf vacation in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

No, it’s not too early to plan a spring golf package, not with this inspiring weather—and the recent naming of Kiva Dunes as a Best Resort Course by Golfweek Magazine. If you missed this, basically, Golfweek has said that it will include the Gulf Shores golf course in its 2013 Best Resort Courses list. (And let’s not forget the courses’s previous honors, like being named Alabama’s #1 public golf course, again by Golfweek, this past spring.)

This is no shock to me. Gulf-front golf course, Jerry Pate design, beautiful landscaping—really, it’s a no-brainer. It’s also a no-brainer that Kiva Dunes will be on my list of must-play golf courses when I do plan my spring golf vacation. And the best part is this is just one of nine signature golf courses, so I have plenty of Gulf Coast golf courses to choose from.

Again, it’s not too early for a little spring preparation—just visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website and start planning.

The Thrill of Planning a Golf Vacation on the Gulf

There’s no denying it: the first time you plan that golf getaway to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, it’s exciting. You don’t know yet what the experience will be like, but you have heard that it’s amazing. So of course you can’t wait to get down there. And most likely, the actual experience is well worth the anticipation.

But as exciting as that first visit is, I think that it’s the repeat visit that’s even more thrilling. In fact, it’s been my experience that the fun of planning a Gulf Shores & Orange Beach golf vacation is heightened with each experience—because now I do know what to expect. I know, of course, which golf courses I like best, which aids the planning process.

I also have established accommodations preferences now—and we all know how accommodations can make or break a vacation. I know which Gulf-front condos and beach houses I like best, and which Gulf Shores hotels are best for weekend getaways. I know that a multi-bedroom beach-front condo works best (with my group, anyway) when spending a few days and a few rounds of golf on the Gulf with a small group of friends, but a beach house with space and privacy is ideal when spending a week at the beach with the family.

And knowing all of this ahead of time sure does take out any anxiety about whether or not I’ll be disappointed! Honestly, I’ve never had a bad vacation experience in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. The area has so many accommodations choices—just visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website to see what I mean (and to start putting together that golf vacation package!).

Come Watch the NGA Professional Golf Tournament This Month

Anyone planning a vacation in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this month? Because July 23rd to 29th would be an excellent time for anyone who loves golf to be in the area.

The NGA Professional Golf Tour will be playing a golf tournament at TimberCreek Golf Club during those dates, which could be a really awesome setup for a Gulf Shores golf vacation. First of all, admission to watch the tournament is free and open to the public. That alone is worth the trip down—free access to watch amateur golfers teamed up with tour professionals to compete in a scramble format. The tournament week also includes a Pairings Party and a free junior clinic with instruction from tour professionals.

Book a golf vacation package for that week and not only will you get to watch great golf, you’ll get to play (possibly great) golf as well. Just visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website to start putting together a customized golf package.

I’m hoping that simply watching pros (and amateurs) in a Gulf Coast golf tournament will inspire me to play some truly amazing golf. Or if nothing else (and probably more realistically), I’ll get to play average golf on some amazing Gulf golf courses. And that’s a good enough reason for me.

How to Give the Gift of Golf

It’s that time of year again: time to think of the perfect gift for everybody in your contacts list (or the most important ones, anyway). I struggle with this every year—I like for my friends and family to actually enjoy what I get them, not just receive the obligatory I-had-to-get-you-something-so-this-is-what-I-picked gift.

The decision is easy when the person has a strong interest in something—such as golf! If there’s one thing a golfer can’t get enough of, it is (of course) golf. Buy a round of golf at his favorite golf course, or surprise the recipient with a round at a course he’s never played. For new golfers or those simply looking to improve, golf lessons would also make a nice gift.

And if you really want to wow your golfer, you might consider giving a golf vacation package. The Gulf Shores Golf Association website makes the process of booking a golf vacation in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach very easy. You can also check out the area’s nine signature golf courses (several of which offer golf lessons and gift cards) to help you decide which courses your friend/family member/significant other might enjoy most.

I’ll be golfing in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach next spring and could really use some golf lessons (hint-hint to those who know me). Just saying.

Cooler Weather and (Possibly) a Free Golf Vacation

Had a nice taste of cooler weather this past week, and now I have one thing on my mind: fall golf. There’s nothing better—trading in the shorts for a new pair of stylish golf pants, playing the green on a cool, crisp morning, winning a free golf vacation package worth up to $4,000….

Yes, that last one is a possibility. If you’re planning a fall golf vacation—sometime between now and November 7th, 2011—all you have to do is book with a Gulf Shores Golf Association accommodations partner and you’re automatically entered into a drawing, which will take place on November 15th. The winner receives up to $4,000 in a rebate on his or her golf package.

So when I win this drawing (positive thinking!) I can then put my winnings toward my spring trip to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. And if I don’t win, I still get to enjoy my fall golf getaway that I’ve budgeted for anyway. It’s a win-win situation. Count me in!

A Long Weekend of Gulf Golf

This time of year, I make it a habit to try to play golf on both Saturday and Sunday mornings—late spring/summer mornings are ideal for golf, plus it’s just good practice. So when Memorial Day comes along, I have to take advantage of the three-day weekend. If you’re like me and you’re in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, you have some decisions to make.

With nine signature golf courses to choose from, you won’t be hurting for great golf. But unless you’re planning to play three courses each day to cover all nine (a tempting thought—maybe one day!), you’re going to have to make some choices.

If you have one or two favorite courses, the choice is easy—spend the weekend on your favorites and enjoy the extra time spent there. Or maybe spend one or two days on the favorite and pick a different one (maybe one you’ve never played) for the last day.

You could also choose according to the course designer—play an Arnold Palmer one day, a Jerry Pate for the next, and then an Earl Stone the last day.

And if you still feel like you’re missing out by not playing all the courses, go ahead and book that full-length golf vacation—give yourself plenty of time to hit the courses you couldn’t get to this weekend! Visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website for a customized quote on a golf vacation package.

Deciding Where to Stay

The changing weather has really inspired me to play more golf. And with this inspiration comes the realization that I need another golf getaway, even if it’s just a quick weekend. So in the midst of planning the big summer golf vacation, I’m also adding in a quick spring trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast.

Luckily, the area is accommodating for various types of vacations—from short and sweet quick trips to lengthy, luxurious getaways. Several “chain” hotels are available and are ideal for shorter stays and trips where your main interest is playing golf and enjoying the beach and other attractions. Condominiums are a good choice for group golf trips—multiple-bedroom condos with a variety of amenities make excellent lodging choices for a group of golf buddies. Or maybe the privacy of a rental beach house would suit your needs better—an ideal setup for family reunions.

I’m thinking that a hotel room for two or three nights in April is exactly what I need to satisfy this spring golf itch. Then I’ll be living it up in a Gulf-front condo this summer. Time to book the golf package!

The Usefulness of the Internet

Years ago, before any of us had ever heard of the internet, I remember one of my school teachers saying how one day we would be able to do pretty much everything on a computer: go shopping, do research, communicate with other people. I also remember thinking how futuristic it all sounded—and feeling apprehensive at the thought of our lives being so reliant on a computer.

Yet here I sit today, my life on the internet. As uneasy as I may have felt at one time about an online existence, it’s hard to feel too bad about it when I’ve just booked a Gulf Shores golf vacation package with just a few strokes of the keyboard.

The Gulf Shores Golf Association’s website just makes it so easy. First, the site offers an interactive planner that lets you click through to find information on golf courses, lodging, dining, and maps. If you’re interested in a golf package, the website has a sample package rates page—a list of several accommodations and their golf package rates—as well as a page where you can get a customized quote on a golf vacation package based on your specific needs. If you’ve already booked your vacation and are just looking for a place to play golf, you can click on the golf-only tee times link on the homepage, which allows you to search for available tee times according to golf course, day, time of day, and number of golfers.

Now, with the help of my computer, I get to enjoy several rounds of golf on the Gulf—out in the real world.

Golf Variety

One thing that is absolutely necessary in my life is variety. In all facets of my life, from what I eat to what socks I wear, I like to have options to choose from. And my golf vacations are no exception.

This need for variety makes Gulf Shores & Orange Beach a perfect location. Not only are there nine signature golf courses to choose from—each offering its own unique combination of challenge and scenic landscaping—but the accommodations and package options provide plenty of appealing choices and a range of prices. Customizing a golf package to fit individual needs is cinch.

And there are some excellent rates right now. If you visit the sample package rates under “Stay” on the Golf Gulf Shores website, you’ll see some of the rates currently available. There’s still time to get rates as low as $61 per person, per night. It’s a great time of year for a golf vacation!