Apr 22

Golf Magazine's Golf Trails position paper: What drives this article?

I cannot help slogging through the variety of golf offerings out there…I’m on golf.com, golfdigest.com, golfweek.com, golfchannel.com, and the myriad others quite a bit. When I was in 3rd grade, I was the top speed reader in my class, so my ability to trudge promptly through these sites is well-rehearsed and well-earned. Many articles are fine entertainment, while others leave me scratching my head. Here is an example of one that absolutely reeks of corporate involvement:

Happy Trails: America has almost as many golf trails as it has had presidents. Which should get your vote?

As I read through the four trails mentioned here, I found it difficult to imagine that anyone would want to visit any of the trails, perhaps with the exception of the RTJ (in actuality, the Roger Rulewich) trail. I can absolutely imagine why Golf.Com would create the article, except as an advertiser, I wonder why anyone would want to pay for drivel like this.

At the drop of a hat, one could invent four golf trails (central Connecticut, central Ohio, central New York and northwestern Pennsylvania) within my own region that will cost you spit, will bring you within striking distance of handfuls of affordable and high-end courses, and will not demand that I use words such as “gas-guzzler…doesn’t win for quantity…dull slog…equally erratic pricing”

So honestly, Golf.Com, learn from an expert. Visit TravelGolf.Com to find the skinny on where affordable and logical golf course compendia really do exist. Oh sure, I could give you links, but that would cost you the fun of doing a little research.

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5 comments

§ Kiel Christianson said on : 04/23/07 @ 07:44
I thought golf trails had themes, generally a common course architect (or architectural fimr, anyway). "Golf Courses in the Same State" hardly makes a "trail." On this logic, there are at least 50 "golf trails" in the country -- lots more in big states. Talk about arbitrary, and, as you say, likely driven by
ads or press releases from state tourism bureaus.
§ Dave Marrandette said on : 04/23/07 @ 09:00
There is no rhyme or reason (or logic for that matter) to golf trails. Somewhere in marketing antiquity a lame brain decided the words were catchy. Last Sept I wasinvited to play the newest course on Idaho's golf trail - the northern part. There's also a central and a southern, you see.

The whole concept is totally out of control.
§ Mike said on : 04/23/07 @ 10:07
Having just returned from another trip to the RTJ Golf Trail, I'll have to say this one's worth the effort.

The Bear Trace courses in TN are not, in my opinion, because Nicklaus can't make a course user friendly. Can't or won't, I'm not sure of which one of those is true.

I've only played one other 'Trail" and those are here in my state of Kentucky and involve the KY State Park Golf Courses, which have undergone major facelifts, new courses and renovations.

Incredibly affordable and well worth the time to travel around my state to play.

So, RonMon, it may just be that you're kinda right !
§ Ron Mon® said on : 04/23/07 @ 10:18
"Kinda right" from Mike is like God blessing me with manna from Heaven.
§ Shanks® said on : 04/23/07 @ 11:30
Based on my trip there last year, I'd say RTJ Golf Trail is one of the best values in the country. We played a different course 8 days in a row and they were all at least "very good". What I'll do differently on my next trip is to play fewer courses, and play them 2 times each - both for enjoyment of playing as well as remembering the courses better. And make sure to play ALL of the short courses - they are also incredibly good.

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Ron Mon
TravelGolf.com blogger Ron Mon, an avid golfer and high school coach, sounds off on women’s and amateur golf, and draws parallels between astronomy and the state of pro golf today. Based in Buffalo, Ron also follows the PGA Tour and senior championships.
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