Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a Little Gulf Coast Golf

So we’re nearing the end of January, the beginning of February, and you know what that means: Valentine’s Day is coming. For many people this is a source of anxiety. What’s the absolute best way to show that special someone that you care? Others won’t stress at all and will just go the easy route—flowers and candy.

If your significant other is a golfer, then you have both an easy and excellent gift option: golf stuff. Golf apparel, new golf clubs, or maybe a gift certificate to a favorite golf course. And if you really want to play up the romance angle (we are talking Valentine’s Day here), it might be a good time to consider a golf vacation in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach. Not only do you get a selection of signature golf courses, you also get white-sand Gulf beaches—a perfect setup when one of you is a golfer.

And even better if you’re both golfers. What better way for a golfing couple to celebrate their relationship? Escape the cold and enjoy the Gulf greens.

Plan to Bring Your Golf Group to the Gulf

Family reunions, a friends’ getaway, a business trip with colleagues and/or clients…. There are all sorts of reasons for putting together a golf group for a golf getaway. And there are just as many (and maybe more) reasons for planning that getaway in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach.

First of all, the area offers nine signature golf courses—plenty of options to choose from. You could choose to play only at one or two courses during your stay, for consistency. Or you could mix things up and play a different course each day.

Where you stay is also an important factor. Hotels are always a convenient option, although for a group golf getaway, more space might be necessary—like in a condo or beach house. Fortunately, Gulf Shores & Orange Beach again offers many options in the way of accommodations.

And tying all of these details together is easy enough to do—just visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website to get a customized quote. Simply fill in information like the number of people in your group, golf and accommodations preferences, etc., and you’re on your way to planning one memorable group golf vacation.

Who’s Up for a Fall Golf Vacation on the Gulf?

I was talking with a coworker the other day who was griping about missing his golf vacation this summer; the timing just didn’t work out with his wife between their work schedules and other events.

I told him I couldn’t understand why he was so upset. We’re coming into fall now, and fall is absolutely my favorite time of year not just for golf, but specifically for a golf vacation. All I have to do is head south to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach and I’m in heaven.

After all, autumn on the Gulf isn’t like other places. The weather is cooler, but comfortably so—still warm enough to enjoy a little swimming, a little Gulf Coast nature-exploring, maybe even a little deep-sea fishing. And of course, a lot of golf. (Nine signature golf courses provide plenty of options!)

It’s easy enough to plan a fall golf getaway, too, especially when using the Gulf Shores Golf Association website. You can browse the various accommodations (ranging from chain hotels to luxurious Gulf-front condos) as well as the Gulf Shores golf courses. Then click on “customized quote” under “Plan” to begin putting together a customized golf vacation package. Easy.

Really, there’s no excuse not to plan this fall vacation. My coworker can complain all he wants… I’m booking a vacation.

What’s Your Favorite Group for Golf?

I’ve played golf with many different group types—including work groups. I’ve actually played several times with people from work (during conferences and company gatherings), thus I can say from experience that golf can help bring any group together in camaraderie.

Then there are those much-loved, much-needed buddies golf vacations on the Gulf. Just a group of friends, a condo on the beach, and several days of golf—the group golf experience doesn’t get much better than this.

But I think it might come close to as good this summer, when a large group of family and friends will gather on the beach for a wedding between two people who actually met at the beach. That part of the story is good enough, but it certainly doesn’t hurt that a group of us will be hitting the golf course the day before the wedding. And a large group it will be—several relatives, friends, and friends of friends will be participating in this “mini-tournament.”

Whatever the group, making Gulf Shores & Orange Beach the golf location is a must. You can’t beat the beauty of the area’s nine signature golf courses. And with a variety of accommodation options—from hotels to beach houses to luxurious Gulf-front condos—it’s easy to find a golf vacation deal to meet the needs of all golfers in the group.

What Matters Most When Planning a Golf Vacation?

It’s funny what different people consider important when planning a vacation. A colleague of mine is making his first trip to Gulf Shores & Orange Beach this spring and approached me for some advice on selecting golf courses. I was all prepared to discuss the various qualities of the area’s nine signature golf courses (and the benefits of booking a golf package), and the first thing he asks is which course’s clubhouse restaurant has the best burger.

And of course this was not the only issue he was considering. But he’s a very routine-oriented individual, and apparently after every round of golf, he likes to enjoy a burger—“a very good burger,” in his words.

I guess we all have our priorities when it comes to planning the golf getaway. I myself like to know a range of rates (both golf and lodging) and if there are any events planned during my stay, like a golf tournament or clinic. It’s easy enough to find out both using the Gulf Shores Golf Association website—the “Customized Quote” and “Sample Rates” pages (both under “Plan”) can give a good idea of cost, while “News & Events” (under “Explore”) often lists upcoming golf (and other) events. Plus you can read up on the different golf courses and accommodations options and make as informed a decision as possible on where to play and where to stay.

But the only way to really know your preference—of either golf course or food—is to get down there and try it out.

Burn Off that Turkey Dinner with Golf

I always mislead myself after Thanksgiving—now that the big meal is over (and the leftovers are eaten) I can get back to a sensible diet and start shedding some holiday pounds. Right?

Not exactly. Now come the home-baked cookies brought in to work by coworkers, and my Mom’s fudge, and the various Christmas treats that catch my eye every time I enter the grocery store. The holiday calorie fest is anything but over.

My solution: play more golf. True, golf isn’t exactly an aerobic activity, especially with the convenience of golf carts. But it’s activity. And it’s outside, which can motivate you to do more activity outside. And there are ways to make it a little more aerobic—I know a lady who would bring her non-golfer husband along and have him drive the cart while she walked to each ball.

If you’re playing golf in Gulf Shores & Orange Beach, it’s all the better. Nine signature golf courses provide an abundance of appealing options for golf. Play from the championship tees and you’ll get a course length longer than 7,000 yards at several courses, such as Cotton Creek, Kiva Dunes, Peninsula Golf & Racquet Club, and TimberCreek—that’s a good bit of walking using the above-mentioned method! Plus, the weather this time of year is comfortably mild and perfect for golf—and for staving off that extra holiday weight gain.

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.

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.

Physical Activity

One main reason I enjoy golf is I love being outside. I would much rather sit staring at the sky from my back porch than sit staring at the television in my living room. And more than either of these, I would prefer to be doing something active while outside (although staring at the sky is often a relaxing alternative).

This is what makes the Alabama Gulf Coast ideal for people like myself. Not only is the golf excellent—you can hardly beat nine scenic, challenging signature golf courses—but the opportunities for outdoor activities abound. Swimming in the Gulf, walking the beach, and hiking/biking a nature trail supplement a golf vacation nicely. Fishing is another popular option that also works well during a group golf trip—hit the greens one day and fish the Gulf the next.

I also enjoy staying at a condo or hotel with amenities like pools and tennis courts, and there are plenty of these types of accommodations in the area. Visit the Gulf Shores Golf Association website to learn more about area lodging options.