You may not have Tiger Woods’ swing or Jack Nicklaus’ concentration skills, but who says you shouldn’t play on a course designed by some of the world’s most famous golfers? Many of golf’s greatest players have added “golf course architect” to their resume and a golf vacation is the perfect time to hit the links.
When you’re planning your golf getaway, there are a few things to consider. First, where are you traveling? Second, what’s more important --the location or the course? Remember, it’s a good idea to consider your golfing style and match it with a course that fits your needs and skill level. Here are just a few destinations that may be worth traveling to, but there’s hundreds more to choose from.
Golf Courses Designed by Arnold Palmer and Ed Seay:
If you want the best, isn’t it only right that you play on a course designed by one of golf’s greatest players? Palmer and his longtime friend, Ed Seay, have designed award-winning golf courses that boast spectacular views. Palmer’s courses can be a challenge for even an advanced golfer, but the casual player will also find their game is enjoyable on many of these greens.
- Before you take that first swing at Angel Park in Las Vegas, take a look around. This course stands almost 3,000 feet above sea level. Golfers can catch views of Red Rock Canyon and the Las Vegas Valley while playing. There are two 18-hole championship courses – Palm and Mountain -- designed by Palmer.
- Palmer and Seay designed the Hapuna Golf Course on the island of Hawaii and Hawaii Prince Golf Club on the island of Oahu. Both are part of the Prince Resorts Named “The Course of the Future” by the U.S. Golf Association in 1997, Hapuna Beach boasts views of the Pacific and the Mauna Kea volcano. A word of advice – be prepared for holes six and 14.
- Want to play more than 18 holes? Try the 27-hole course they designed in Oahu. If you’re likely to hit your balls in the water, be wary of this course – water is everywhere.
Golf Courses Designed by Jack Nicklaus:
If you’re looking for an impeccably-designed course and an excuse to visit Mexico, Jack Nicklaus is your golf architect. He's designed courses as far away as the Philippines and China, but with a short flight to Mexico (and he’ll soon have a course in the Dominican Republic), you can be teeing off in no time.
- Book your flight to Cancun and head to the Moon Palace Golf Resort. This resort has the only Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course in Cancun. Guests of other Palace resorts can also play here. Bunkers have been placed strategically, according to Nicklaus’ Web site and golfers must navigate through wetlands. Jack Nicklaus said his goal was to create a course that was "fun and memorable to players of all levels."
- The Palmilla Resort in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico features an award-winning 27-hole course – The Arroyo Nine, the Mountain Nine and the Ocean Nine. Nicklaus’ design ensures that players of all skill levels will enjoy an entertaining game. Players will notice a 600 foot elevation increase through holes one and six. The views, like many of Nicklaus’ other designs, are considered breathtaking.
Other Big Names in Golf Course Design
Who wouldn’t want to play on a course designed by Tiger Woods? The golf superstar has said he wants his designs to reflect the lessons he’s learned from playing on all kinds of courses around the world. His first project in North America will be located at The Cliffs in North Carolina. It’s slated to open in 2010 and will offer “panoramic, 50-mile views of the region,” according to Tigerwoods.com. The only problem? It’s a private golf club.
As most golfers know, it’s crucial to ensure the target golf club isn't for members only. If it’s important to you to play golf on a course designed by a well-known player, do your research. Famous golfers-cum-architects, like Phil Mickelson and Gary Player (as well as Palmer and Nicklaus), have designed courses in a variety of locales, but some are for members only.
In the world of women golfers, Annika Sorenstam leads the pack. According to her official Web site, South Carolina will be the site for her first U.S. course project. Patriots Point Links offers beautiful scenery and Sorenstam will help redesign the location, which was originally built in 1980.
