AFFORDABLE Bachelor Party Golf Destinations

[lilc2334]

Hey everyone. I'm interested in doing a golf bachelor party with some of my closest friends this summer/fall. We are not looking to break the bank, as some of the people attending either don't play the game enough, or dont have a lot of money to spend. I'm not looking for a terribly long drive either. I'll drive at MOST 5 hours from Chicago and WONT go over $500. I need some nice ideas for my group to go. I've looked at Treetops, and Arcadia Bluffs already. Arcadia being at the top of the list in terms of money if we rent a cottage and get two rounds in. Being from Chicago I really enjoyed playing at TPC Deere Run the week before the John Deere Classic. That might be an option, but there really isn't a nice place to stay around Silvis. Another place would be Wisconsin Dells. Staying at the Wilderness for a night and playing Sentry World and Wild Rock. Those are the 4 places I've thought of so far that fit the budget and distance traveled. Any ideas or help would be welcomed and much appreciated. - Scott

[BG5]

Gull Lake View is a great deal and is roughly 2 1/2 hours from Chicago. Good Value....Yarrow Golf Club is right down the road and offers $25 golf twighlights after 4:00.

http://www.gulllakeview.com/stay-play.html

Yarrow Golf Club

http://www.yarrowgolf.com/accommodations/specials-packages/


Gull Lake View has 5 courses you can play and I would rank them as follows:

1. Stonehenge South
2. Gull Lake View East
3. Stonehenge North
4. Bedford Valley
5. Gull Lake View West

I think Yarrow is a better course than all of them and you can play it for $25 after 4:00 and its only 5 minutes away.

[BG5]

Island Hills is another good option although there is only 1 course but Angels Crossing is only 20 minutes away and is a great course as well. Really nice accomodations at Island Hills.

http://islandhillsgolf.com/?page_id=3233

[BG5]

Island Hills is about 2 1/2 hours from Chicago

[Phreddy]

Lake Geneva, WI

[Argonne69]

Are you looking for golf primarily, or is nightlife important? Lots of decent golf destinations in the area, but most have poor nightlife. For a start, I'd consider Eagle Ridge (Galena), Geneva National (WI), Sheboygan (Kohler and The Bull), The Dells (Wild Rock, Northern Bay, Sentry World, Trappers Turn), or Gull Lake (MI). Lafayette and Indianapolis both have excellent courses, but you'd have to drive around to reach them.

The Traverse City area is loaded with courses, but it's quite a drive.

[E401k]

Shanty creek is very affordable course are good for a mixed group, access to traverse city and shorts brewery in bel aire

[lilc2334]

I think Geneva National is at the top of the list right now. It's not a terribly long trip, it's got good night life, the courses look really nice (Palmer, and Player), and the stay and play packages seem really nice. One night (Monday or Thursday) and two rounds for $171 in August. Doesn't seem to bad to me. During the weekend it's another $40-50 added to the $171. Any thoughts of the courses at Lake Geneva, especially Geneva National?

[Argonne69]

[quote name='lilc2334' timestamp='1423442811' post='10913959']
I think Geneva National is at the top of the list right now. It's not a terribly long trip, it's got good night life, the courses look really nice (Palmer, and Player), and the stay and play packages seem really nice. One night (Monday or Thursday) and two rounds for $171 in August. Doesn't seem to bad to me. During the weekend it's another $40-50 added to the $171. Any thoughts of the courses at Lake Geneva, especially Geneva National?
[/quote]

My favorite course in the area is The Brute at Grand Geneva, but you can't go wrong with GN.

I prefer the Trevino course at GN, as it tends to be a bit more tree-lined, but they're all decent. You can't beat the rates for a summer getaway. I played all three courses last Memorial day weekend, and had a grand time.

[Northside Matt]

Madison would be a good option. Three quality courses with University Ridge, Hawk's Landing, and The Oaks. You could stay near campus and enjoy the nightlife.

[lilc2334]

Hey gentleman, looks like I found the place. My brother is going to book a weekend at Island Hills in Michigan. From what the website shows it looks really fun. I know some of you recommended Island hills. Has anybody else ever played or stayed there? Thoughts?

[knickerbocker]

Islands hills is only one course and not near anything as far as social stuff/bars.

[BG5]

Island Hills will be a good time. The major advantage is the new condos are sweet and you will not have to drive anywhere. Do yourself a favor and play 1 round at Angels Crossing which is on the way. Additionally google the "covered bridge" in Centreville MI and make sure you drive over it. It's only 5 minutes away from Island Hills and was built in the early 1900's and is quite a site. Lastly, take a minute to drive around Island Hills and appreciate the Amish communities that are close to e course. It's pretty cool to see their culture in action.

[chickenpotpie]

Ok, here's my recommendation. Do Arcadia but do NOT stay there. Instead, look up the "Barn Cottage":

http://barncottage.tripod.com

My buddies and I stayed there and it rocked. We had 10 guys that it slept comfortably, and in the end our lodging cost per man was something around $75 total for 3 nights! It has a pool table, and a pontoon boat too. No, I'm not affiliated, though I wish I was!

If you want to play a cheaper course to go with it, play Heathlands.

[lilc2334]

[quote name='knickerbocker' timestamp='1428948589' post='11349213']
Islands hills is only one course and not near anything as far as social stuff/bars.
[/quote]
The villas look pretty cool. The nightlife is just going to be nights at the villa with my boys. Should be a nice relaxing time.

[lilc2334]

[quote name='chickenpotpie' timestamp='1428975999' post='11352663']
Ok, here's my recommendation. Do Arcadia but do NOT stay there. Instead, look up the "Barn Cottage":

http://barncottage.tripod.com

My buddies and I stayed there and it rocked. We had 10 guys that it slept comfortably, and in the end our lodging cost per man was something around $75 total for 3 nights! It has a pool table, and a pontoon boat too. No, I'm not affiliated, though I wish I was!

If you want to play a cheaper course to go with it, play Heathlands.

[/quote]
We were planing on going to Arcadia but the 5.5 hours was a bit much for 10 guys. I'm going to do Arcadia with a group of friends sometime this year. Maybe their Sunday night package?

[lilc2334]

[quote name='BG5' timestamp='1428968996' post='11351637']
Island Hills will be a good time. The major advantage is the new condos are sweet and you will not have to drive anywhere. Do yourself a favor and play 1 round at Angels Crossing which is on the way. Additionally google the "covered bridge" in Centreville MI and make sure you drive over it. It's only 5 minutes away from Island Hills and was built in the early 1900's and is quite a site. Lastly, take a minute to drive around Island Hills and appreciate the Amish communities that are close to e course. It's pretty cool to see their culture in action.
[/quote]

Thanks for the info! The plan is to play Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Looks like we'll do IH Friday, Angel's Saturday, possibly IH's 7 hole layout Saturday afternoon, and IH Sunday.

[zer0]

[quote name='lilc2334' timestamp='1429020198' post='11355439']
[quote name='knickerbocker' timestamp='1428948589' post='11349213']
Islands hills is only one course and not near anything as far as social stuff/bars.
[/quote]
The villas look pretty cool. The nightlife is just going to be nights at the villa with my boys. Should be a nice relaxing time.
[/quote]]


I went there in August with 3 buddies, stayed in one of their villas which are 20 feet from the 18th green. It was a great weekend. The course is sensational with crazy tiered greens that make playing the course multiple times fun. By our 4th round we knew where the backstops and false fronts were. As otehrs have said, there is nothing to do there other than golf. But, if you are planning to just stay at the villa then you will be more than fine. The Villas are top notch all the way. I recommend bringing some food to grill since there aren't many dining options around.

The staff is very friendly, everyone there treats you as a guest for the whole weekend. Range balls whenever you want them etc.

Can't say enough good things about the place. Already looking forward to making another trip there this summer.

My one friend had gone to Gull Lake a few times and after Island Hills he said he would never go back to Gull Lake again.

[Ritzer81]

I think you need the perfect 4-some. Sweetgrass, Timberstone, Gray Walls, and you. Stay at Island Resort & Casino, three great courses, and great memories.

[lilc2334]

So I'm leaving for my golf bachelor party weekend tomorrow (Hopefully the weather holds out). We're playing Angel's Crossing tomorrow before we check in at Island hills for the weekend (stay and play). Anybody play at either course this year? How are the courses holding up thus far?

[MountainKing]

I was up at Gull Lake last week, my biggest suggestion is load up on bug spray, mosquitoes up there right now are a nuisance to the point of it not being fun.