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This Week at TravelGolf.com: August 7, 2008
Golf courses need to get with the times and rethink their rental-club options
Now that most airlines charge either a mandatory checked-bag fee of $15 or $25 for a second checked bag, it's a not a friendly time to be a golf traveler who likes to carry along your own golf clubs.
Delta Airlines recently announced they'll be charging $50 per second bag checked. To their credit, the first is still free. That means it could cost up to $100 to bring your clubs on your golf trip. Of course that doesn't even guarantee your clubs will show up on time. If you're not playing three or four times, you may as well rent.
Now here's my beef with golf courses in a lot of destinations: many only offer one fee for rental clubs, and it's usually pretty steep, between $40-$60. Sure, they offer a choice between, say, Titleist or Callaway, but the fee is the same and for the middle-class golfer, it's steep.
To put things in perspective, to rent a car during a recent trip to play golf in Las Vegas I paid $15-plus about $9 tax to rent a car every day. It was a tiny Toyota Yaris; I passed on the upgrade to the convertible. I don't need to floss while I'm on the Strip, I just want the basics.
And it's the same with my rental set.
Not every golfer needs the a set of new Titleists. Many of us just want some decent cavity backs and an oversized titanium driver. For a lot of people I know, at least my stingy friends, paying $50 for a round of golf is pushing it, not to mention just for the rental clubs.
So what they should do is have the high-end $50-$60 set for the corporate outings and swanky weekend getaways. Then they should have a beater set, maybe some Excaliburs, for $10-$20. Ensure they all have the same shaft flex and that's it. Most golfers I know have bad clubs anyways. They won't tell the difference.
Scour the web enough, and you'll discover golf resorts coast-to-coast offering free or discounted rental sets if you book a golf package. Airlines are waging battle with your golf clubs, it's time for golf resorts' rental policies to strike back.
As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.
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Dates: January 7, 2008 - October 31, 2008
Stay at Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa North and play The Claw At USF and Heritage Isles Golf And Country Club starting at $176.00.
Price Range: $176 - $284
For more information, please call 1-866-521-2331 or click here. |
The trendy Bellevue Club Hotel is a luxury boutique hotel with a fitness club attached to it. Great service, comfortable rooms and good views make the Bellevue a must-stay, and a great base to play 2015 U.S. Open host Chambers Bay.
Blog: Chambers Bay blows away Torrey Pines
It may not have the splendid ruggedness or dramatic and isolated landscape of nearby Cape Breton, but Prince Edward Island has become increasingly known as a premier golf destination and now has around 30 golf courses.
Also: Great deals on Canada golf vacations
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Dates: June 16, 2008 - December 18, 2008
Enjoy 2 night stay at MiraMonte Resort and Spa and play 2 rounds at The Golf Resort at Indian Wells Celebrity or Players Course and Silver Rock Golf Resort, starting from $694.
Price Range: $694
For more information, please call 1-866-351-1688 or click here. |
Ultimate Fighting champion Randy Couture founded the Xtreme Couture G.I. Foundation more than a year ago to give back to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. Beginning Sept. 25 he'll be hosting his first celebrity charity golf tournament. Sign up now by calling (702) 616-1022.
Also: Golf courses in Las Vegas
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Heading to South Africa? Don't think for a minute about leaving behind your golf clubs. The country is home to numerous wonderful golf courses in addition to world-class resorts and breathtaking scenery. With travel information, course reviews, a comprehensive course guide and more, SouthAfricaGolf.com makes planning your next golf trip a snap.
Also: Request a South Africa golf package quote
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