Wonderful article, Brandon. My wife and I have been married 5 years and she had not played golf before meeting me. Slow and steady has worked; she's now an avid player. We love playing Pacific Grove Muni Links (Monterey Peninsula) and you can even play just the ocean-front back nine if you tee off prior to 8:30 am. Done in 90 minutes and off to breakfast with the full day ahead of you!
Agree 100% with your article. I introduced my girlfriend , now my wife of 40 years, to golf when we dated; 9 holes, no scorecard, just enjoying nature. We played a beautiful public tract in Bermuda on our Honeymoon. She learned to play with older ladies in a 9 hole group, nonjudgmental, no side lessons from me, and as we raised our 3 kids, played @ 7:30 before they awakened. We’ve taken multiple golf trips together enjoying each but Bandon Dunes, and Whistling Straits are probably our favorites. Ditto to Randy on the king sized beds which require serious search in UK. Thanks.
Excellent article.
My wife and I had driven to Fredericton, New Brunswick, early last summer on business and decided to swing south through Maine on our return to the Ottawa Valley. Arriving in the Carrabassett Valley at the end of May we were unable to play the famed Sugarloaf course as it does not open to public until June 1st.
We discovered a beautiful 9 hole nearby called the Diadema Golf Club. The course was manicured with pride, many holes surrounded by picturesque ponds, strategically placed traps and challenging greens. We enjoyed the first nine enough to go around again using optional tee boxes.
The restaurant served us a fabulous late-lunch that sufficed for dinner and the staff were super-friendly.
Although we did play Sugarloaf later, and really enjoyed it, we often reflect on the relaxing day of golf and great dining at Diadema.
We loved your article. So many deals and info on "buddies trips" My wife is my buddy and we want a kingsize bed and to not be punished because we dont need regular beds and shared kitchens!!!
haha well said. Thank you
Great article! It speaks volumes on how challenging it can be to try and make golf enjoyable for a spouse that doesn’t have the same passion and ambiance for the game. Cabot Links in Nova Scotia is my recommendation for a couples getaway.. if your loved one doesn’t appreciate that scenery..then your golfing couples day is doomed!
Cape Breton has a good vibe, I agree. I might start at Keltic Lodge and Highlands Links, but the digs and food at Cabot (not to mention the unreal drive between the two) is definitely worthy of a couples trip.
If she (and you) likes Lobster, your trip will be a success !
The pebble course at Cimarron Resort in Palm Springs is a great par 54 course that my wife a beginning golfer just loves to play when we are down south and it's a fair challenge from the back tees for me.
Looks nice and does pretty well with reviews on our site. Thanks for sharing https://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15471-cimarron-golf-club-pebble-par-3-course
There was (still is ?) a short 9-hole course on Catalina Island that was a bit rough/raggedy but relaxing and a lot of fun on a fun Island.
I was researching 19th century and car-free courses recently and Catalina appears to still be open.
My husband and I have been traveling playing golf together for over twenty years. Teeth of the Dog is my favorite but I would like to give a shout out to Dye Four. I love that course. It took playing it a time or two but it competes with TOD in my book. My disappointments have been courses at island resorts that don't consider the average woman player. For example, Emerald Bay at Sandals. Drop dead georgeous course, but with the length, very frustrating to play. If you are going to have a course where mainly couples will play, the architect's should be more mindful of how women play the game. I would play a Pete Dye everyday if I could. Thanks Alice! (God rest her soul)
Well said Laura. I had one of my best rounds in a long time at Dye Fore. Really awesome setting.
I agree with you about Sandals. I was really surprised a course that tough would be at a couples resort.
Laura, have you and your husband visited PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida? The first time I played its Dye course, I was paired with two ladies and the experience reinforced just how important Alice Dye was to the family's success in course design. The ladies I played with were confronted with basically zero forced carries and were able to navigate the course pretty well.
Indian Creek Golf Course is just such a gem in Hood River, OR. It’s a short 18 with great greens and spectacular views of snow-capped Mt. Hood or Mt. Adams from just about every hole. Getting there is worth the trip alone. 1 hour east of Portland, driving through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area with waterfalls everywhere.
I made this trip a couple years ago. I liked Elk Ridge and Resort at the Mountain a little more but all three definitely worth playing, especially for the bargain green fees and scenic drive.
As the PGA Host Professional at Northwood GC for over 20 years, I appreciate and agree with the kind words Brandon. We strive to have our public course available and welcoming to the many different 'faces' of our golfers (newbies, juniors, seniors, MacKenzie buffs, caddies, women, expert players, couples, etc). Where else can you have a walk among the redwoods with a golf club in hand? Our nine hole venue is the perfect opportunity to be a PART of your stay in beautiful Sonoma County. Thanks for mentioning us!
Thanks for writing Vern. I recommend Northwood often to anyone in the Bay Area, cheers.
