Mid-Atlantic Guys Trip

[golfday]

Hi Everyone,

 

Looking for ideas on long weekend golf trip locations 5 or less hours from DC. Timing is likely late March. Group size will be about 6 people.

 

We're looking for somewhere that we can rent a house and not spend an arm and a leg on golf since not everyone is big into golf. General drinking and fellowship will be prioritized as much or more than golf course quality. Close proximity between courses, lodging, and any entertainment (outdoor dining / drinking, etc.). A few ideas that I've seen before:

- Williamsburg: I've been here before. Enjoyed the golf and saw some bars in the old town area. Housing seems mostly limited to hotels.

- Charlottesville: Golf seems weak, but the non-golf pieces are there. Is weather a concern that time of year?

- Ocean City: I've never been, but seems like a popular place for this kind of trip

- VA Beach: Same as above

- Atlantic City: Same as above. Might be low on the list because we wouldn't be interested in the casinos if COVID is still a concern

 

Looking forward to suggestions!

[Max21]

Enjoyed AC this year. Played at Mccullough Links, Seaview bay course, AC country club and twisted dune. All within 20 mins of where we stayed. We stayed in AC just one night to hit the casino at least once but other than that we stayed by Cape may which has a lot of things to do and great dining. AC country club was by  far the most expensive (around $190) but every other course was under $100

[MPAndreassi]

Ocean City is a good trip, especially that time of year. Good golf, plenty to do outside of golf and tons of housing. 

[medicoreMAgolfer]

Pinehurst might be a bit on the outside of your 5 hour drive-time, but not too much.  Benefit of significant housing rental inventory and LOTS of golf options that aren't UBER expensive (although still $100 / round).  Plus for the die-hard golfers, they may be able to get onto PH #2 or #4 with proper planning.

 

Better weather potential than other options and improving drinking scene

[lawlgolf2278]

Queens town harbor near Kent island (before Annapolis). You can rent a house on the course, have the ability to walk 1-4 anytime you want for free on the rivers course and play for a reduced rate. It was nice, they have two courses in decent shape and all around a good time. Way within your five hours limit, about an hour away. 

[golfday]

24 minutes ago, medicoreMAgolfer said:

Pinehurst might be a bit on the outside of your 5 hour drive-time, but not too much.  Benefit of significant housing rental inventory and LOTS of golf options that aren't UBER expensive (although still $100 / round).  Plus for the die-hard golfers, they may be able to get onto PH #2 or #4 with proper planning.

 

Better weather potential than other options and improving drinking scene

I've been to Pinehurst a bunch of times, but it's a but too much of a drive and a bit golf focused for this crowd. I do agree that the drinking scene in Pinehurst is improving, and you never know what you'll find at those Southern Pines bars. The last time we were there we ended up late night chatting with au pairs from Brazil, Moore County locals, and people who had flown in for a sky diving competition. Funny night.

[golfday]

24 minutes ago, lawlgolf2278 said:

Queens town harbor near Kent island (before Annapolis). You can rent a house on the course, have the ability to walk 1-4 anytime you want for free on the rivers course and play for a reduced rate. It was nice, they have two courses in decent shape and all around a good time. Way within your five hours limit, about an hour away. 

Thanks for the suggestion. I haven't heard of this one, but I'll check it out.

[ArtMBgolf]

Ocean City is very popular for those not wanting to drive further.   

[BaltimoreLefty]

I have been thinking about this very same thing, but for me, weather matters most. I am looking for a place with a high % of sunny 60s+ weather in March, but that just doesn't seem possible within a 5-6 hour range of DC/Baltimore.

 

 

 

[cristphoto]

If Williamsburg is out then Ocean City is your best bet.  Lots of quality golf there, tons of lodging and dining options, and there is a full casino just around the corner from Glen Riddle GC.  Only about a 2 1/2 drive from DC.  If the wives are coming there are options for them too (outlet malls, spas, etc.). 

[Jlender21]

On 11/16/2020 at 4:15 PM, lawlgolf2278 said:

Queens town harbor near Kent island (before Annapolis). You can rent a house on the course, have the ability to walk 1-4 anytime you want for free on the rivers course and play for a reduced rate. It was nice, they have two courses in decent shape and all around a good time. Way within your five hours limit, about an hour away. 

 

On 11/16/2020 at 4:15 PM, lawlgolf2278 said:

Queens town harbor near Kent island (before Annapolis). You can rent a house on the course, have the ability to walk 1-4 anytime you want for free on the rivers course and play for a reduced rate. It was nice, they have two courses in decent shape and all around a good time. Way within your five hours limit, about an hour away. 

awesome, any idea what rates are like in July? Also other nice courses in the area?

[burnsniper]

On 11/16/2020 at 12:29 PM, golfday said:

Hi Everyone,

 

Looking for ideas on long weekend golf trip locations 5 or less hours from DC. Timing is likely late March. Group size will be about 6 people.

 

We're looking for somewhere that we can rent a house and not spend an arm and a leg on golf since not everyone is big into golf. General drinking and fellowship will be prioritized as much or more than golf course quality. Close proximity between courses, lodging, and any entertainment (outdoor dining / drinking, etc.). A few ideas that I've seen before:

- Williamsburg: I've been here before. Enjoyed the golf and saw some bars in the old town area. Housing seems mostly limited to hotels.

- Charlottesville: Golf seems weak, but the non-golf pieces are there. Is weather a concern that time of year?

- Ocean City: I've never been, but seems like a popular place for this kind of trip

- VA Beach: Same as above

- Atlantic City: Same as above. Might be low on the list because we wouldn't be interested in the casinos if COVID is still a concern

 

Looking forward to suggestions!

Charlottesville is actually quite strong for a destination with Keswick, Spring Creek, and the new Davis Love Birdwood Course as anchors.  You could add the Wintergreen Courses or Old Trail if you want some views and to take in the winery/brewery area to the west.

 

Weather could be awesome or terrible and is most likely on the cool side until late March.

Edited December 12, 2020 by burnsniper

[Hateto3Putt]

I would expand your travel time by a few hours and get further south.

 

Myrtle hits lots of your buttons and it's 6-7 hours from you. The latitude also improves your odds of decent weather.

[lawlgolf2278]

17 hours ago, Jlender21 said:

 

awesome, any idea what rates are like in July? Also other nice courses in the area?

Not sure on both but Hopefully their website has the differences for the prices. 

[Carolina Golfer 2]

On 12/11/2020 at 5:37 PM, Jlender21 said:

 

awesome, any idea what rates are like in July? Also other nice courses in the area?

Daily greens fee in the summer range from $65 to $120 depending on the course and day of the week. River Course is the premium course, and the one with the cottages right on the 2nd Tee.  
 

Lakes courses doesnt have the water views, but is a good course in it’s own right. 
 

The cottages are huge meant more for 10-16 than 3-4.   Rates vary, but I think they might be $750 or so a night in the summer. 
of course they offer stay-play packages which are nice.  
 

it’s not real close to other area courses.  Closest would be Hog Neck about 15 monutes away that is a decent but not great municipal course.   About 30 minutes east is the resort course at a Hyatt -River Marsh.  Good but not great. 
 

Heritage Shores headed toward OC about 30 to 45 minutes also is probably the next nicest. 

[cristphoto]

If you're coming from DC how about playing a round at Queenstown and then continuing to Ocean City?  Queenstown is only a couple minutes off route 50 and Ocean City is less than 100 miles away. 

[dcm325]

Williamsburg man ... 💯. Golden Horseshoe (Gold), Kingsmill, Fords Colony, New Kent. A+ courses with great stay and play packages. 

[dcm325]

Also, I live in Virginia Beach. I assure you that’s it’s not a golf destination. A lot of golf courses in the area, but none of which are worth the travel. 

[cristphoto]

On 12/21/2020 at 1:08 PM, dcm325 said:

Also, I live in Virginia Beach. I assure you that’s it’s not a golf destination. A lot of golf courses in the area, but none of which are worth the travel. 

 

True. I used to have to go to Virginia Beach on business and there were several courses but nothing that stood out.  I played a course I believe called Honey Bee. OK but nothing memorable.  I found it better to drive up to Williamsburg (about an hour) for quality golf.  

[dcm325]

9 hours ago, cristphoto said:

 

True. I used to have to go to Virginia Beach on business and there were several courses but nothing that stood out.  I played a course I believe called Honey Bee. OK but nothing memorable.  I found it better to drive up to Williamsburg (about an hour) for quality golf.  

Yeah Honey Bee is alright albeit overpriced, swampy fairways and slow greens in my opinion. Virginia Beach National and  Heron Ridge are the decent public tracks. Private clubs Bayville and Princess Anne are legit. 
 

Williamsburg is by far the best destination in this area of the state. 

[Alex H]

You mentioned Charlottesville in your earlier post but hasn't generated much discussion. I'd actually put a plug for there. I live in NC and my dad lives in the Philly area. We met up there the first weekend of October and had a good time. We rented an airbnb downtown and had a couple breweries with outdoor seating that had solid beers so we had something to do after hours that was relatively COVID safe and didn't have to drive. Can't really speak to nightlife outside of that, or weather in March specifically. For golf we hit up the Birdwood Golf Course at the Boar's Head Resort which was recently redesigned and a cool course. By the time you'd be playing it would have likely grown in a little more from the renovation and be even nicer. After that we played Old Trail west of Charlottesville in Crozet, liked that course a lot, interesting and some great views of the mountains. Spring creek is the last course we played, and also enjoyable! 

 

[cristphoto]

If considering Charlottesville you consider a round or two at Wintergreen. Its less than an hour away and has one mountain top 18 hole course and 27 holes at ground level.  I was there about 5 years ago and enjoyed it.  I played the mountain course last and had fun blasting the ball in the higher altitudes.  Late March might still be cool on the mountain course but the other should be fine.  

[jwellefson1]

I'll second Queenstown Harbor on the way to OC if that's what you choose. Great courses I really enjoyed the River. But Williamsburg is (in my opinion) the best option for golf that's not too far from the DC Area. Kingsmill is great, Royal New Kent is wild and awesome, and I've yet to play Golden Horseshoe but I've heard the Gold is also fantastic. There's also enough to do there to keep you entertained outside of golf. Busch Gardens is like right next to Kingsmill if you're into that.

[dcm325]

On 1/8/2021 at 7:39 AM, jwellefson1 said:

I'll second Queenstown Harbor on the way to OC if that's what you choose. Great courses I really enjoyed the River. But Williamsburg is (in my opinion) the best option for golf that's not too far from the DC Area. Kingsmill is great, Royal New Kent is wild and awesome, and I've yet to play Golden Horseshoe but I've heard the Gold is also fantastic. There's also enough to do there to keep you entertained outside of golf. Busch Gardens is like right next to Kingsmill if you're into that.

I second all of this .. add in Williamsburg National, Fords Colony (All 3), Colonial Heritage and Kiskiack. All gems!! 

[DrOldSchool]

Since not everyone is into golf, OC is a solid choice. Lots of courses at varying level/price, places to stay, good nightlife (assuming it's open), and a small casino there (again assuming it's open). You can get a solid package for this kind of group via Ruark golf, or there are brokers that can put everything together like Pams. 

[stimpmeterp]

@Max21 you mentioned a lot to do in Cape May.  Will be our first time there in early May.  Where's the best golf and what else do you recommend?  Thank you!

[Max21]

On 4/17/2021 at 1:33 PM, stimpmeterp said:

@Max21 you mentioned a lot to do in Cape May.  Will be our first time there in early May.  Where's the best golf and what else do you recommend?  Thank you!

Ill try and help! We stayed in Cape may but played all of our golf around the AC area. We played AC country club, Twisted Dune, Seaview Bay course and Mcculloughs golf links. I personally enjoyed all of those courses with AC country club being the clear favorite even though it was aerated literally the day before. I think the rest of group enjoyed all of those with AC and Twisted being the top 2 we played. Next time we will definitely be adding Ballamor. Cape may youll have a ton of good options for food/drinks, youll have the beach, boardwalk and zoo (if you have kids). We also were able to hit the casinos and sports books in AC. Definitely look to go to White house subs after a round as well! Hopefully that helps

[hark114]

cape may national is not a bad course

[Prof3ssor]

ACCC & Ballamor should be your main choices.  

[Wander Bread]

On 4/17/2021 at 1:33 PM, stimpmeterp said:

@Max21 you mentioned a lot to do in Cape May.  Will be our first time there in early May.  Where's the best golf and what else do you recommend?  Thank you!

 

Ballamor, AC Country Club (expensive), Twisted Dune, and Shore Gate in that order IMO. Have played all the courses down there a bunch, actually except for Cape May National itself