Good destination for a golf weekend in Mid March / driving distance from NJ

[Calle W]

Some buddies and I are planning a golf weekend in Mid March. Does anyone have any suggestions to where we can go if we still want it to be within driving distance to NJ? Weather (cold) isn't a major issue to us, but it would be nice if we could find some good courses to play. Note that my buddies (and I) aren't the world's best golfers. 20-30 HC. You can view this as being forewarned also. Stay clear of where we are heading that weekend... 

[jeffkar]

Williamsburg, Virginia has lots of nice courses and should have decent weather by then.  Depending on you and your friends, it might be at the outer limit of what you'd call driving distance. 

[Calle W]

Thanks for the tip. That's a good 5 hour drive from where we live. But it is worth considering. Any courses there that you can recommend?

[jeffkar]

Kingsmill and Golden Horseshoe are both really nice resorts.  Kingsmill has three courses, one of which used to host a big LPGA event, and Golden Horseshoe has two.  Kingsmill's River course and one at Golden Horseshoe (I think the Gold) are both ranked among the tops in Virginia.  I'm not sure if you have to stay at the resorts to play there though.

http://www.kingsmill.com/
http://www.colonialwilliamsburgresort.com/golf

As far as daily fees, I like Williamsburg National.  Two courses there.  Royal  New Kent is tough but really unique.  For this area at least.  Brickshire is also nice, it's one of my favorite courses in the area.  Both RNK and Brickshire are about a 20 minute drive from Williamsburg, pretty much midway between Williamsburg and Richmond.  There are also some nice daily fees east of Williamsburg, but I don't get down that way too much.  (I'm near Richmond.)

http://www.wngc.com/golf/proto/wngc/
http://www2.cybergolf.com/sites/courses/layout9.asp?id=356&page=9230
http://brickshireonline.com/


One other thing to consider, the Virginia State Golf Association offers a "VIP Card" which allows you to play at lots of courses for just the cart fee.  It's $65, and is often good for weekdays only, but depending on the timing of your visit may save a couple bucks.

Any other questions, let me know.  And if you do come down this way, and are looking for a fourth, let me know!

[kamtile]

Push it back to the end of march and come to "The 3rd Annual All California Weekend Before The Masters Interboard Golf Outing" in Pismo beach  3000 miles or so is all.

[Jim Clark]

Myrtle Beach. A bit of a drive from NJ but there are many great courses.

Williamsburg also has great golf and would be 2-3 hours closer than Myrtle. But for a "guys" golf trip, Myrtle is the best.

[jeffkar]

Myrtle Beach. A bit of a drive from NJ but there are many great courses.

Williamsburg also has great golf and would be 2-3 hours closer than Myrtle. But for a "guys" golf trip, Myrtle is the best.

No doubt.  But that would be a really long drive from NJ.  I do Myrtle all the time.  Actually, southern NC beaches, but close enough.  I can do that drive no problem from here.  But where I am is only about halfway between NJ and MB.

[Rye]

Pine Valley is in New Jersey. Heard it should be real nice.

[JJ17]

Try Ocean City, Maryland.

[drewspin]

If you want to come down as far as the greater DC metroplex, the weather will still be sketchy but you won't have as far to drive.

The Queenstown Harbor courses in Queenstown Maryland are quite nice.  They have some package deals where you can book rooms with local hotels.

[RIZZY]

Try Ocean City, Maryland.

Exactly what I was thinking. They have great packages for March.

[JTK37]

I'm in North Jersey and typically start getting some rounds in down in the AC area come March(LOVE Twisted Dune).  Given the weather the more southern states have gotten over the past few days/hours we may be better off staying at home.  Sorry VA

[suwdawg]

Exactly what I was thinking. They have great packages for March.

Agree was there a few years ago and enjoyed it although later in the spring.

[Joeypole]

Where you at in North Jersey.  I work in Newark and live around Sandy Hook.


Its a little far of a drive (12 hours) but Jekyll Island in Georgia is my best recommendation.  We went in late March, 80* and slight humidity every day.  $80 a night including golf with a hotel on the beach.  3 courses and $20 replay.  If you want nightlife you go one island over, approximately 20 minute drive.

[Nukegolfer]

I suggest a short drive to the airport accompanied by a flight to Nassau, Bahamas and play the Ocean Club.  Great course and BEAUTIFUL weather (& views) 

[Calle W]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback and tips. It is very much appreciated. I have ended up booking the Queenstown Harbor courses for both a Saturday and Sunday. Plan to play 36 holes on Saturday and 18 on Sunday (with a possible additional 18 in the afternoon if my buddy is up for it). Queenstown Harbor is only a quick 2.5 hour drive from where I live. Picked the Hilton Garden Inn Kent Island as the hotel.

Again, thanks for helping out. This is an internet forum at its best!!! 

Carl

 

[drewspin]

Thanks everyone for the great feedback and tips. It is very much appreciated. I have ended up booking the Queenstown Harbor courses for both a Saturday and Sunday. Plan to play 36 holes on Saturday and 18 on Sunday (with a possible additional 18 in the afternoon if my buddy is up for it). Queenstown Harbor is only a quick 2.5 hour drive from where I live. Picked the Hilton Garden Inn Kent Island as the hotel.

Again, thanks for helping out. This is an internet forum at its best!!! 

Carl

 

The River Course is better and much tougher of the two tracks, but both are fun layouts.

[Calle W]

The River Course is better and much tougher of the two tracks, but both are fun layouts.

How much tougher is tougher? It will be my first round out this year and I don't want to run up against a monster. I actually booked 2 rounds at the Lakes Course (first and last) and 1 at the River Course after they told me that the River was the harder one.

[drewspin]

How much tougher is tougher? It will be my first round out this year and I don't want to run up against a monster. I actually booked 2 rounds at the Lakes Course (first and last) and 1 at the River Course after they told me that the River was the harder one.

What's your handicap/style of play? 

I'd stick with your plan, play the Lakes course first, that will be a good warm up.  Then, it were me, I'd play the River Course for the second 18 on Saturday and then again for the first 18 on Sunday.

Take a look at the scorecard for the River course.  You can make it a lot easier by simply moving up a set of tee-boxes, or just make a blend of tees by moving up on some of the longer par 4s (especially on the back side).   Neither is a real "monster."  They generally keep the rough down, and the greens are usually good without being too fast.  They are both very enjoyable, generally well laid-out courses, and they will be a fair test even for the first time you will see them.  The River course is a bit more scenic, especially the holes with views of the river, IMHO.   Usually, you get to see a good variety of wildlife out there.  Last time we saw a bunch of ospreys fishing.

[CalleW]

I play with an 18.3 as official HC, which means I really don't have any style of play besides that I spray the ball quite a bit and am not long neither of the tee or otherwise. I checked the score cards and it was quite a length difference between the various tees. Thanks for the feedback. Definitely looking forward to playing there.

[Sillybodkins]

Played Shaftsbury Lane outside Myrtle Beach.  It has very generous fairways and fairly large greens, but they are surrounded by very large bunkers a la Tillinghast at Winged Foot (that was the sought after look).

We had a lot of fun there from the blue tees - about 6500 or 6450.

[Sillybodkins]

Pine Valley is in New Jersey. Heard it should be real nice.

You have a funny sense of humor!