Monday, January 21, 2008

Planning Your Golf Vacation Package For Orlando

By Greg Schueler

The game of golf seems to be most celebrated in Orlando and the surrounding areas of Florida. With all the tourism that visits this sunshine state, it stands to reason that there are plenty of golf courses in the area. There are 24 public, private and semi-private courses in the city limits of Orlando alone, but when you add in the surrounding areas of Seminole County and Kissimmee, the number goes to more than 50.

There are more than 30 PGA golfers that live in and around the area, so Orlando must be doing something right. Many of the courses there are the locations for some of the yearly PGA events. The Arnold Palmer Invitational is held every year in March at the Bay Hill Golf Club and Lodge.

If you are looking to plan an entire golf vacation package or if you just want to play a few rounds while you are on a family vacation, Orlando has plenty to offer. To some vacationers, the cost is irrelevant; however to most of us, some of the courses will be well above our travel budget. It is possible to find prices in the range of $30-$60 for 18 holes at some of the semi private and public clubs if you know when and where to look. There are websites and e-mail listings that you can go on that will let you know of last-minute openings at all of the courses in the Orlando area.

As soon as you know that you will be traveling to Orlando, you should start contacting the golf courses that you are interested in and find out how far in advance you need to make your tee times. Also ask if they require caddie services and see if they have any package deals for your trip.

An Orlando golf vacation package will typically include a certain number of nights in a hotel room or a suite and include a set number of rounds of golf all for one price.

These special package deals can be found all over the internet. You can also work with a travel agent as they will have access to a lot of great deals for you. It isn't out of the ordinary to find golf packages that average about $100-$150 per day for a hotel room and 18 rounds of golf.

The packages can usually be tailored to fit any desire. You could choose to stay 4 days at one resort and have 4 tee times set up, one for each day of your stay. Each of these tee times could be set up at a different course in order to experience a variety of golf that Orlando offers.

Most of the courses also offer additional amenities such as golf lessons, day spas and 5 star restaurants. Some of these additional offerings can be added into your package deal along with rental cars too.

Whenever you hear anyone talk about taking a golf vacation in Orlando, your first thought may be that it sounds expensive. But, when you hear that you can easily stay in a nice resort's suite and play a round of golf at one of the premier courses for around $100 a day, you would have to agree that it would be foolish not to look into Orlando.

You can find incredible golf vacation packages and travel tips at http://www.247travelguides.com/ If you need to work on your golf game first, you can find online golf tips at http://www.bettergolf4u.com/ and don't forget to sign up for there free golf tips newsletter to receive a few great bonus items.

Tags: