BOYNE GOLF SHOULD BE ON EVERY AVID GOLFER’S BUCKET LIST
The New Exotics 725 Series by Tour Edge
Golf Show Returns to Foxboro from March 14-16, 2025
The Nation’s #1 Private Residential Country Club Lifestyle
Boca Raton, Florida – In the world of luxurious living, it’s the details that set the stage for something extraordinary. At Boca West, the micro-attention to details has become the cornerstone of a simply superb life. Located minutes from the heart of Boca Raton, this acclaimed private club community is a benchmark of continuous innovation and excellence. With 72 holes of championship golf and an ever-expanding choice of amenities, Boca West’s commitment to surpassing expectations is stronger than ever. It’s an ethos Members value most as they experience a lifestyle that’s always evolving and always exceptional.
A 450,000 sq. ft. Wonder
The newly opened Lifestyle & Racquet Center is one of three major clubhouses for Members to choose from. The architectural marvel has nearly doubled the size of the original Clubhouse, setting new standards for private club living. This expansive two-story facility includes a 57-table card room, a sophisticated sports lounge, flexible multipurpose rooms, a spa with 36 hair and nail stations, and a dedicated barber shop. The Fitness Center was also expanded to 20,000 square feet, with five specialized studios for spin, aerobics, Pilates, and core training.
The excitement extends outdoors with the new Aquatics Center, featuring five pools designed to cater to every age and preference. Members are now enjoying a zero-entry family pool, a kids’ pool with a splash pad, a lower-level jacuzzi, an adult pool with submerged loungers, and a four-lane lap pool. Meanwhile, foodies have been thrilled by the expanded dining options. Eight on-site venues provide everything from lively poolside bars and full-service restaurants to golf lounges and an artisan food & wine market.
Rolling Fairways, Racquets, and Relaxation
The Lifestyle & Racquet Center is just one facet of what earned Boca West the #13 ranking of Best Clubs in the World by Forbes magazine. Golf enthusiasts have access to four championship courses designed by legends of the game: Arnold Palmer, Jim Fazio, and Pete Dye. Each course is unique in design, with a variety of different playing styles and challenges. Using In-Range radar sensor technology, Mr. D’s 19th Hole and Drive Suites offers the first Topgolf-style experience in any U.S. country club, providing a unique and interactive way to refine your swing.
Racquet lovers can enjoy 27 Har-Tru Hydro tennis courts and 14 pickleball courts, buzzing with social events and lessons from USPTA-certified professionals. The on-site spa, inspired by the world’s top resorts, features 23 themed treatment rooms, luxurious Roman-style treatment pools, and private areas for quiet-time relaxation. With over 600 social events each year, it’s clear why Members always find something new to love and enjoy.
Year-Round Social Calendar
With 8 on-site dining venues, wine tastings, and over 600 special events a year, Members never have to leave home to have the times of their lives. From fine dining alfresco to a grab-and-go café and a variety of themed dinners, plates are always full at Boca West.
Boca West’s 55 private villages are celebrated for their lock-and-leave convenience, with year-round maintenance expertly managed by the residential village and the Boca West Master Association. Homes within these neighborhoods cater to every lifestyle, offering golf villas, luxury condominiums, patio homes, and estate residences. Recently, a selection of newly renovated residences has become available, showcasing chic modern interiors, updated flooring, and state-of-the-art appliances.
To preview current listings, visit BocaWest.com or call Boca West Realty at 561-665-5855.
SOUTHERN PINES GOLF CLUB
BOYNE: Always Raising the Bar
The best and biggest golf resort in America? A good argument could be made that Northern Michigan’s BOYNE Golf is among the best, especially with the efforts each year to improve what has already been fantastic.
FROM THE EDITOR THE BEST IN GOLF AWARDS
The ‘Best in’ Golf & Indoor Golf
This year our fall Northeast Golf issue has taken on a new focus and new editorial direction combining two of our most popular annual themes in one issue. In the past we have covered “The Best in Golf Awards” in our summer editions, allowing our readers to vote for their best in all categories around the game. We have expanded our “Best in Golf” voting to capture a full season of golf and golf travel for our readers and followers. The tabulated results are now in this fall issue as outdoor golf winds down across the Northeast and Canada. As we have done each fall in Northeast Golf, we are also launching our Indoor Golf features for the 2024/2025 Indoor Golf reviews and industry updates. Each year our teams compile comprehensive reviews of all the major players in the golf simulator industries. In this issue we will cover the leading Indoor golf systems, manufactures, game improvement products, and a host of great Indoor Golf Locations to enjoy the game throughout the fall and winter months. Today we are fortunate to enjoy Indoor Golf facilities at numerous businesses, private clubs and entertainment venues throughout the Northeast and Canada. The technology and science have evolved tremendously, allowing for more realistic play on almost any course, anywhere, and in perfect climate-controlled environments that offer full amenities, teaching facilities, restaurants, sports bars and many membership programs and indoor golf leagues. Private and public courses everywhere are now offering year — round
“There is no reason to put away the clubs this year or any other year moving forward.”
amenities for their membership to play golf in any season. In addition, many clubs have enhanced their facilities with added amenities including, fitness centers, sports bars, golf training programs and family entertainment.
We have reached a new era in golf, as over one third of all golf played is on non-course facilities with simulators of all kinds added amenities for individuals and large groups. There is no reason to put away the clubs this year or any other year moving forward. Today it is all about Golf 24/7/365
— visit The Golf Show to learn more! www.northeastgolfshow.com Submit Your News & More at: www.Northeast.Golf/Submit
Timothy R. Branco, Editor Northeast Golf
Five Iron Golf
Editor Timothy R. Branco tim@nepubinc.com
Creative Director
Katrina T. Lallier
Editorial
Mike Bailey
Timothy Branco
David DeSmith
Michaella Jaye
Paul Mignosa
John Molori
Jack Ross
Barbara Rowell
Greg Sampson
Alice Scott
Danny Scott
Matt Ward
Phil Werz
Published by:
Formerly New England dot Media & New England Publishing Group
CLUB9 is a Golfcentric Lifestyle and Happiness Brand for players that love golf…have found golf…and love being around the golfing/sporting lifestyle. CLUB9ers believe that time is sensitive, friendships are all important, golf is social and enjoyed most in a low-pressure environment. The vibe is driven by… fun golf, friends, brew, wine, whiskey, music, and life’s comforts.
CLUB9 is an invitation to a golfing lifestyle that is your own!
Join CLUB9 and enjoy our multiple course membership, a sip of CLUB9 Seltzer and a go on the CLUB9 Tour. Play our courses: Kings Crossing, Bristol Golf Park, Orchards Golf Course, and Met Links...and more!
golden Swing into SCENERY.
@MajkaMedia
Named New Hampshire’s #1 Public Course since 2009 by Golfweek magazine, Omni Mount Washington Resort offers a beautiful setting to test even the most experienced golfer. After your round, enjoy world-class dining, an award-winning spa and endless views from your private balcony in the new Presidential Wing guest rooms.
|
ALWAYS RAISING THE BAR
BOYNE GOLF SHOULD BE ON EVERY AVID GOLFER’S BUCKET LIST
By Mike Bailey
The best and biggest golf resort in America? A good argument could be made that Northern Michigan’s BOYNE Golf is among the best, especially with the efforts each year to improve what has already been fantastic.
With ten championship golf courses, the addition of a premier short course and putting course, and annual improvements to the golf, lodging, and restaurants, BOYNE Golf continues to raise its own very high bar year after year from a history now that goes back more than 75 years.
The lineup includes Bay Harbor, often called the “Pebble Beach of the Midwest” because of its breathtaking holes and views off the shores of Lake Michigan. And then there are the courses of The Highlands and Boyne Mountain properties, all unique and characterized by elevation change, incredible views, classic designs, and sterling conditions.
The destination is also known as “America’s Summer Golf Capital” for its long days and cool summer temperatures. Golfers can easily fit in 36 holes or more daily, playing well into the evening hours. BOYNE Golf is all about playing some of the best and most intriguing courses across the country.
It all started a half-century ago
Everett Kircher founded Boyne Resorts in 1947 by acquiring 40 acres of land with a modest ski hill for $1. Since then, it has become the largest family-owned golf and ski company in North America.
In the 1960s, Kircher saw a demand for golf that warranted a championship layout from a renowned architect, which, at the time, was Robert Trent Jones Sr., who created The Heather course. It opened immediately as one of the top public golf courses in the country and would be the beginning of one of the world’s premier, world-class golf destinations.
Today, Kircher’s vision has been passed on to his son Stephen, an accomplished golfer who continues elevating the BOYNE Golf experience.
Recent significant upgrades to The Highlands
The Highlands, located just north of Petoskey near Harbor
Springs, is undergoing the most significant transformations on and off the course. The iconic ivy-covered Main Lodge has been transformed into a high-end boutique hotel with a future spa and steakhouse planned. These upscale accommodations are reminiscent of an English country estate with Scottish Highlands charm.
The Highlands’ 72 holes of championship golf collectively offer a perfect golf experience. Groups can check into the lodge and never get back into their cars during their stay. It’s that good.
A significant part of the resort’s golf transformation occurs at the Donald Ross Memorial, built in 1989, a composite recreation of classic golf holes that Ross designed in the early part of the century at some of his most renowned courses.
Working with Michigan-based architect Ray Hearn, a Donald
Ross expert, the BOYNE Golf team is making significant renovations, bringing the holes closer to their original Ross creations.
The Donald Ross Memorial has become a favorite among members and guests even while this project is ongoing. All the holes – including renditions from famous Ross courses such as Oak Hill, Oakland Hills, Pinehurst, Seminole, and Aronimink – have an “authentic” Ross look and feel.
“Our objective with every hole has been to more accurately follow Ross’s original designs; we reshaped the fairways, creating additional angles into the greens and improving shot values,” said Bernie Friedrich, Boyne Resort’s director of golf course renovation and development. “We are thrilled with how these memorable holes have turned out.”
“The opportunity we now have through technology makes this
Quarry #8
process so exciting,” he continues. “We now have more access to Ross’ original drawings, Google Earth data (past and present), CAD drawings, and, maybe most importantly, Lidar maps.”
The new short course, Doon Brae (Doon means going down into a valley, and Brae means steep bank or hillside in Scottish), will open in the spring of 2025. It was built on the former Cuff Links nine-hole par-3 course site, which is set along the hillside and doubles as a ski slope during winter.
Although the course is routed on a ski hill, Hearn focused on minimizing walking uphill. It measures 993 yards from the back tees and 678 yards from the forward tees. It features a variety of fun yardages with downhill, flat, uphill, and sidehill lies, generally moving horizontally back and forth across the slope. Holes range from 57 to 150 yards, and there are design features you might see on Scottish courses, including a Biarritz green (a large
two-tiered green with a valley in the middle). A large Himalayan-style putting green will complement the short course.
“As far as I know, this is the first modern golf course ever built on a ski hill,” said Friedrich. “What excites me most is how beautiful and different it is. There are five stacked wall bunkers, and the greens are inspired by some great ones overseas. There’s a lot of excitement about short courses. We want to keep people excited about golf and wanting to play. If playing 18 or 36 holes is not enough on any day, this gives golfers another option.”
The Moor Course at The Highlands is very player-friendly and is widely regarded as one of the members’ favorite tracks. It has also undergone renovations, including widening fairways, expanding collection areas around the greens, and tree removal. The Arthur Hills Course takes golfers through a variety of landscapes, including the hills of Northern Michigan. It reaches a
pinnacle on the 13th tee with a 350-foot drop from tee to green, overlooking 4,000 acres without a building in sight.
BOYNE Golf’s flagship property
Located across Little Traverse Bay and along the shores of Lake Michigan, west of Petoskey, is the nationally esteemed Inn at Bay Harbor and Bay Harbor Golf Club. Situated on the site of an old limestone quarry and a cement factory. Bay Harbor Golf Club is an Art Hills design that includes the award-winning 27 holes of Links, Quarry, and Preserve courses. It features a unique combination of open links along the Lake Michigan bluffs, holes flowing in and out of a rock quarry, and through the area’s hardwoods. Within five minutes and perched on a bluff overlooking Little Traverse Bay lies Boyne’s Crooked Tree Golf Club. The course, recently renovated, is carved through stands of century-old hardwoods offering scenic views of Little Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan.
Boyne Mountain is a great golf choice
The third BOYNE Golf property, the Alps-inspired Boyne Mountain, is 30 minutes south of The Highlands. The Mountain features a variety of lodging options, including the Mountain Grand Lodge, condos, and the newly renovated Chalet Edelweiss, located right on the hillside. Chalet Edelweiss offers several perks to guests, including a 24-hour self-serving spa with a steam room, sauna, and cold plunge.
The two fantastic 18-hole layouts—The Monument and The Alpine courses—offer outstanding mountainside golf and some of the state’s most spectacular panoramas. The variety of golf here is refreshing, and the scenery is amazing, overlooking beautiful Deer Lake.
In addition to Boyne’s three resorts, the region’s Norman Rock-
well-like lakeside resort towns of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Charlevoix, Boyne City and Traverse City have long been summertime playgrounds for those in the know – attracting people from all over the world, including golfers. It’s no wonder, as the area offers outstanding golf and is the perfect buddy trip or family destination.
And it’s getting easier and easier to get to Boyne, with nonstop flights from 22 U.S cities now offering service to Traverse City’s Cherry Capital Airport, short connections through Chicago or Detroit to Pellston Airport in Emmet County, or private service directly into Boyne Mountain’s Airport with a 5200’ runway that recently underwent a four-million-dollar upgrade. The destination remains easily accessible by car throughout the Midwest.
The Monument #18
Donald Ross Memorial #16
Donald Ross Memorial #18
Donald Ross Memorial #1
The Heather #4
Arthur Hills #5
Magical Nemacolin Since 1987 Still Reimagining
BY ALICE & DANNY SCOTT
The Destination
Rolling hills and hardwood forests grace the Laurel Highlands in the Allegheny Mountains of Farmington, Pennsylvania. Rivers and streams, stocked to the gills run through, as autumn’s early arrival paints the trees like a bowl of fruit loops.
The Venue
Nemacolin is a four-season luxury playground delivering “Real Life Magic.” Owner and CEO, Maggie Hardy is the magician. Her whimsical art collection and eclectic décor elates the senses throughout the structures and landscapes. Her dad, Joseph Hardy originally bought the property for her to fish and together they grew the
resort. He passed on his 100th birthday in 2023 and was interred onsite beneath a pyramid, with a lovely tribute in the Reflections building while Maggie and her son PJ Magerko Liquorice carry on his legacy, continually reimagining the 2,200acre resort.
The revitalized Grand Lodge reopened in late 2023, even grander. The elegant Circle Bar serves mocktails and cocktails by the Fawn and Fable restaurant which delivers a story book dining experience. Down the hall, the new Nightcap is “silly, swanky, and sexy” with a jazz band and cabaret performers.
The Chateau, inspired by the Ritz Paris with crystal chandeliers illuminating each guest room, reopened in May 2024 with more glitzy enhancements. The Cigar Bar
showcases a $5k stogie and upscale shops mingle with fantastical floral arrangements and fine artwork.
The Frank Lloyd Wright inspired Falling Rock, is a boutique hotel, conveniently housing the golf pro shop and luxurious locker rooms. Pampered guests have exclusive access to the heated infinity pool overlooking Mystic Rock.
“The Butler Can Do It” at each of these hotels and by request at the estates or two-bedroom townhomes with wildlife views. Dial the Indulgence Desk and let them unpack or steam press. They deliver a good night’s sleep with your selection from a pillow menu after a harmonious bath in your deep luxe tub filled with a concoction from the bath menu.
Culinary menus in more than 18
restaurants offer tantalizing dishes freshly prepared. From seafood towers to crazy desserts, it is flavorful gourmet all the way, presented with an artistic flair.
The Woodlands Spa and Salon delivers dreamy treatments with a coed indoor pool and fireside lounge as well as separate men’s and women’s steam, sauna and whirlpools. East meets west with Dr. Lin leading an integrative wellness charge at the Holistic Healing Center. Modalities include acupuncture, infrared light or cryotherapy and a saltwater float session enclosed in what feels like a space capsule for physical and mental tension elimination. Sports Courts, Fitness Centers and Golf, round out the healthy circuit.
The Golf
Pete Dye designed two rocks for the ages. Mystic Rock is a former host to the PGA tour with commemorative statues. John Daly poses by the fifth green below a massive waterfall and above the falls on the 16th tee, stands the mighty Chief Nemacolin, the resort’s namesake and friend
DESTINATIONS
of George Washington.
In 2017, Dye teamed with Tim Liddy on Shepherd’s Rock to honor Maggie’s dad for serving as her shepherd. It has trickier holes with multiple fairway options and more serious bunkering. Maggie’s home, modeled after her doll house with a modern addition is perched above. A sculptured flock of ewes and rams adorn the course, culminating with the hippo hole, an artistic nod to safaris. The hippo noses out of the water below 18’s greenside waterfall.
Both courses flow beautifully with the natural contours of the highlands, and the golf staff is ever ready with bags, carts, caddies, and a world class Golf Academy. The golf boot camp or biomechanics assessment might yield magical increased distance or accuracy. Families love the Fallingbrook mini golf.
And More
Pursue adult pleasures or find your inner child. Kiss the casino dice or learn to make pasta and rice in a cooking class. Shoot or fish at Nemacolin’s Rod and Range Club
where we caught a rainbow trout, Maggie style. Nemacolin draws out your playful spirit. Hop on the carousel or a real horse. Walk the wildlife trail with lions, tigers and bears, oh my. Venture to The Peak with gigantic screens, a lazy river, ropes course, jeep off roading and a zillion other activities. Visit the Woodlands Auto Toy Store and Airplane Hangar on e-bikes or on prompt shuttles transporting to all locales.
Our Takeaway
There is something for everyone with a perpetual gallery of unique art and textural surprises. Opulence merges with comfort, whimsy, and stellar service. Golf doesn’t get any better than here. We yearn for more of Nemacolin.
The Journey
It’s inconsequential whether you drive over the rivers and through the woods or if you fly to Pittsburg and shuttle 1.5 hours in. It’s how you journey during your stay that counts. Count on every minute to be magical. www.nemacolin.com
Book 4 nights and only pay for 3, when you reserve a 2- or 3-bedroom suite!
Discover the perfect golf getaway in Orlando with Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa. We’re less than 4 miles from Walt Disney World® golf courses, with a Pirate Ship Pool, on-site spa, and shopping outlet next door.
2 BD / 1 BR Gambrel
Several man-made ponds
Irrigation system on course
2 car garage + lean to
Whether you want to pursue a business venture as a fully functional 9-hole golf course or prefer to develop this exceptional 41+/- acre parcel. Sellers are willing to purchase and negotiate additional materials and equipment for the right offer.
LINDSEY BRANN
LOS CABOS
LUXURY GOLF TRAVEL
There are only a handful of international golf destinations in the world that the PGA Tour has chosen to host events at each year. In 2023 the Tour came to Los Cabos to host the World Wide Technology Championship for five years. Los Cabos’ commitment to excellence, hospitality, amazing resorts, and 18 great new golf courses (12 recognized as the “Best in Mexico” by Golf Digest) may just be the newest hotbed of world luxury golf travel.
To say that Los Cabos has arrived on the international golf scene is very much understated, Los Cabos has become a global destination for luxury golf vacations. It is very rare for a golf tourism destination to climb to the ranks as one of the very best in the world, Los Cabos is the exception. Los Cabos has been the top golf travel destination for some time now in Latin America, over the last 10 years this world-class luxury golf destination has taken a world stage in international golf travel. The ultimate accolade on golf’s world stage was in 2023 when the PGA Tour chose Los Cabos as the new home for the next five years of The World Technology Championship at Tiger Woods’ first golf design, El Cardonal, at Diamante Cabo.
The destination has become one of the most popular luxury golf destinations in North America and throughout the world. Where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortés, bliss exists in the form of fresh mangoes and slow sunsets, unparalleled luxury golf resorts set in a subtropical paradise with 350 days of sunshine a year. If your idea of golf heaven is a diverse array of
Award-Winning Culinary Delights Abound in Los Cabos
Los Cabos is well known for its incredible food and nightlife, and the restaurant scene leads Latin America for its diversity, creativity, and epic chefs, who are constantly creating new imaginative delicacies. This incredible spot at the end of the Baja California Peninsula has become a favorite destination not only for its beautiful beaches and lively nightlife, but also for its culinary scene. In 2024 Los Cabos earned new acclaim in Michelin’s inaugural Mexico guide, with 18 restaurants across the destination recognized for their quality gastronomic offerings not only for fine dining, but also for sustainable and affordable restaurants. The food scene in Los Cabos is all about fresh seafood and locally grown ingredients, which is why it’s become a top destination for food lovers.
“We are honored to have so many deserving restaurants in Los Cabos recognized in the first MICHELIN Guide Mexico,” said Rodrigo Esponda, Managing Director of the Los Cabos Tourism Board. “Los Cabos’ diverse landscape, natural ecosystems and unique location have positioned the destination as the largest producer of organic produce in Mexico. The destination’s regenerative farming and sustainable fishing practices allow local restaurants and chefs to provide fresh-caught seafood that is locally sourced and organic produce that inspires renowned
chefs to turn gastronomy into a creative art and exceptional experience.”
A Haven For Golf Enthusiasts
Nearly nine years ago Tiger Woods celebrated his first golf course design, El Cardonal at Diamante, a private resort oasis in Los Cabos. Los Cabos is home to the PGA Tour Worldwide Golf Championships and has been recognized as one of the top destinations for golf enthusiasts, boasting two courses that have been ranked among the world’s best by Golf Digest magazine in its 2024-2025 edition.
The destination also has multiple mentions on Golfweek’s list of “Top 50 courses in Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands and Central America.” Topping off this year’s list at number four was The Dunes Course at Diamante Cabo San Lucas, designed by Davis Love III. The 18-hole course sits among some of the most dramatic sand dunes in the world and is designed so that you’re playing toward the ocean, along the ocean, or away from the ocean.
Adding to the 18 world-class golf resorts in Los Cabos is the recently opened Park Hyatt, and the St Regis Los Cabos Quivira, with a Jack Nicklaus signature golf course, is slated to open in 2025. The newly planned Ernie Els course at Oleada, The Legacy Club at Diamante by Tiger Woods, and David McLay’s Baja Bay Club East Cape round out the destination’s growing golf portfolio, which is approaching 22 courses in total. The Oleada property sits directly between Diamante and the newer Solmar Golf Links at Grand Solmar Pacific Dunes, with its Greg Norman-designed course.
Los Cabos now offers a diverse array of options, ranging from public and resort public to semi-private and private courses. It has become a benchmark for playing award-winning designs by prolific architects such as Jack Nicklaus’ Quivira, Cabo del Sol Cove Club, Puerto Los Cabos II, Campestre San Jose, Palmilla, El Dorado, to Tom Fazio’s Querencia, Tiger Woods’ Diamante Cardonal, Davis Love’s Diamante Dunes, Greg Norman’s Sol-
mar Golf Links, Puerto Los Cabos I, Fred Couples’ Twin Dolphin, Robert Trent Jones’ Cabo Real, and Tom Weiskopf’s Cabo del Sol, among a few others.
Scattered across a scenic 20-mile corridor connecting the touristy Cabo San Lucas to the cultural town center of San José del Cabo in the east, nearly 288,000 people call this cape of Los Cabos, Mexico home. Known for its luxury hospitality, exuberant nightlife, and diverse culinary delights, Los Cabos exceeds expectations. Los Cabos boasts a mountain-desert-ocean environment unique in the western hemisphere. It is truly an incredible golf destination that continues to add new courses, new resorts, and unlimited activities and amenities. Los Cabos, located at the tip of the 1,000-mile-long Baja California Peninsula, is one of the world’s most diverse tourism destinations. Boasting a dramatic desert backdrop nestled between the Sierra de la Laguna Mountain range and coastlines of the Pacific Ocean and Sea of Cortez, Los Cabos is home to award-winning resorts, dynamic wellness experiences, and exquisite culinary offerings often regarded by many as some of the finest tourism offerings available anywhere. A growing list of championship golf courses, rejuvenating spas, and world-renowned sport fishing tournaments add to the destination’s unmatched appeal.
www.visitloscabos.travel
@loscabostourism
DESTINATIONS
2025 GOLF TRAVEL
WHEN THE WORLD REOPENED after Covid-19, tee sheets at top courses filled up fast. Demand has outstripped supply ever since, especially in bucket-list destinations like Scotland and Ireland, where they’re now taking bookings for well into 2026. But it’s a big planet, and golf has become hotter everywhere in the wake of the pandemic. So if you haven’t already made plans for your 2025 golf getaway, you’ve got a lot of great choices—including some that you may not have considered before. Here are six recommendations for your next big golf trip. All of them offer outstanding golf, each with its own unique climate, culture, character, and vibe.
Costa Navarino, Greece
Greece may not be the first place that comes to mind for golf. But Costa Navarino is a full-fledged destination that’s become one of continental Europe’s preferred golf getaway spots. Situated on the southwest coast near
Top Golf Travel Picks
2025
BY DAVID DESMITH
Kalamata, Costa Navarino is a world unto itself—one where visitors can explore the natural beauty, history, and tradition of the region. Guests can choose from four five-star hotels, each with a different architectural style, and each with its own dazzling array of shops, restaurants, swimming pools, and beaches.
You’ll have four very different golf courses to choose from, too—top-quality courses that earned Costa Navarino the title of “Best Emerging Golf Destination” at the 2020 World Golf Awards. The resort’s Dunes Course takes its name from the tall dunes that separate it from a Blue Flag beach. It treks over low hills and through olive groves, offers spectacular sea and river views, and serves up all the challenge you could want—along with the same excellent playing conditions you’ll find at all the Costa Navarino courses. The International Olympic Academy Course and the Hills Course sit on higher ground and offer panoramic views of historic Navarino Bay
and the Ionian Sea beyond. Both feature broad, sweeping fairways, penal red-sand bunkers, and imaginative putting surfaces. The Bay Course is the easiest of Costa Navarino’s four, but it’s no pushover. And the views it commands may make it hard to keep your mind on your swings.
After golf, you’ll want to visit one of the property’s two agoras—lively, communal marketplaces where you can sip a craft cocktail, dine on fabulous Greek specialties, shop, or even take in an open-air movie. They’re walkable from any of the hotels, as are the property’s amazing spas, and they give you the feeling that you’re in an authentic Mediterranean village. golfinspired.com/resort/w-costa-navarino
England’s Sand Belt
English golf courses often take a back seat to their Irish and Scottish neighbors in the eyes of club-toting Americans. And that’s a shame. Along with its long list of stellar
Costa Navarino
parkland courses and Open-rota links gems, England offers world-class heathland golf. Like links golf, heathland golf features firm, fast fairways, deep bunkers, and vexing greens. But trees come into play, too. And any fairways not lined by trees are bordered by gnarly, purple heather from which escaping unscathed can require a magician’s trick. Many of the sand belt’s top courses are private, but quite a few do welcome visitors. Among your best choices are the Old and New Courses at Sunningdale— World Top 100 designs both. The historic Old Course at Walton Heath is another World Top 100 titleholder. Site of the 2023 Women’s Open Championship, it’s a Golden-Age standout that stretches to over 7,400 yards and has one of the tougher
DESTINATIONS
2025 GOLF TRAVEL
opening stretches in golf. From the mortals’ tees, It’s endlessly fun to play.
Another sand belt members’ club that welcomes visitors is The Berkshire, where the club’s two courses snake their way through corridors of heather and pines and traipse over hill and dale to well-guarded greens with endless movement to them. The Red Course is made up of six par threes, six par fours, and six par fives—so lots of birdie opportunities. The area is also the home of the Wentworth Club, with its three iconic parkland courses. It’s completely private, with a membership that includes Rory McIlroy and Premier League footballers. If you can wrangle an invite, don’t say no.
The place to stay is Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa, a 120-acre enclave that treats
guests like royalty. Its 124 uber-comfy rooms are all different, with luxurious amenities and baths. The 45,000-squarefoot spa is state-of-the-art, with 23 treatment rooms, thermal and sensory experiences, swimming, and much more. And the dining—well, if the creative and sumptuous cuisine they dream up at Michelin-starred Latymer isn’t amazing enough, there are two other restaurants, along with relaxing bars, terraces and lounges. Prepare to be wowed.
golfinspired.com/resorts
The Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic’s beautiful beaches, expansive resorts, and wide range of things to do attract visitors like castaways
Teeth of the Dog
to fresh water. The golf is superb, too. Home of the world-famous Teeth of the Dog course, Casa de Campo is a mega resort with luxury accommodations (including their exclusive new Premier Club suites), eight different dining experiences, a brandnew spa with a perfect menu of wellness offerings, a beach club, marina, equestrian and shooting facilities, and its own Mediterranean-style village, Altos de Chavón, which could be a tourist destination all by itself. The Pete Dyedesigned Teeth of the Dog course, with seven holes running right along the corallined seashore, may be the main draw, but the three nines at the Dye Fore course and the resort’s equally challenging Links Course are just as eye-opening. Together, they make for an unforgettable golf escape to an enclave that’s without peer in the Caribbean.
On the D.R.’s east coast, more outstanding golf awaits. Start with the 45 holes at the Puntacana Resort: 27 at the La Cana Course and the championship 18,
Corales, site of the PGA Tour’s Corales Puntacana Championship. Both have multiple, dramatic seaside holes that are Instagram posts waiting to happen. For even more seaside drama, venture 15 miles down the coast to Punta Espada GC, a must-play Jack Nicklaus design where more than half the holes have water views, including the thrilling, dogleg-right 17th, where your tee shot plays over a corner of the Caribbean.
The place to stay in the area is the Westin Puntacana Resort and Spa, with its modern, ocean-view rooms, beach club, cigar bar, and outstanding food and beverage offerings at the Brassa Grill steakhouse and Boa pan-Asian restaurant. It’s the kind of resort where you’ll want for nothing and wish to come back as soon as you leave. golfinspired.com/resort/westin-punta-cana
Sensei Porcupine Creek, Rancho Mirage, California
The Palm Springs area is renowned for its mid-century modern architecture, mountain
vistas, and wide range of outstanding golf courses, including the well-known tracks at PGA West. Recently, a 230-acre private estate in the Coachella Valley section of Rancho Mirage was transformed into an intimate, ultra-luxury, golf and wellness retreat called Sensei Porcupine Creek. The resort offers luxurious casitas, villas, and Estate House accommodation options; an extensive wellness program headlined by skilled fitness, yoga, nutrition, and mindset practitioners; nutrition-focused dining at Sensei by Nobu—and a magical, desert-oasis golf course that’s reportedly the most expensive ever built in California. The course is only open to resort guests, but those lucky enough to tee it up there after the course reopens for the season in November will marvel at its design, views, and pristine playing conditions. golfinspired.com/resorts/
St. Regis Bermuda Resort
Sun-seeking golfers may be familiar with the
Palm Springs
Brassa Grill
Dominican Republic
18-hole gems at Bermuda’s Mid Ocean Club and Port Royal GC. But did you know there’s an 18-hole short course in St. George’s that’s every bit as fun to play? Guests at the laid back but ultrasophisticated St. Regis Bermuda Resort enjoy access to Five Forts GC, named for the five forts that dot the adjoining landscape. Recently renovated, this hilly, minimasterpiece is routed through lush fauna and along seaside cliffs that serve up scintillating ocean views. You can play it in three hours (or less), and when you’re done, you have the one-of-a-kind sanctuary that is the St. Regis Bermuda to enjoy, with endless creature comforts indoors and a beach club outdoors that’s the envy of its Bermuda neighbors.
golfinspired.com/resorts
Northwest Ireland
If you don’t want to wait until 2026 to play some outstanding links golf, make tracks for Northwest Ireland, where their lineup of
knockout links courses will be happy to welcome you. The new St. Patrick’s Links at the Rosapenna Resort may top many visitors’ bucket lists, but that’s only the appetizer. At Carne and Enniscrone, you’ll chase your ball amongst the tallest dunes you’ve ever seen on a golf course. They’re as exhilarating as golf gets. Just up the lane there are yet more thrills at historic County
Sligo GC and Donegal GC in Murvagh. At Ballyliffin GC, two truly awe-inspiring courses await, including the Glashedy Course, the “links in the sky.” These links courses are every bit as dazzling as any you’ll find anywhere—with green fees that are a fraction of the links world’s big-name courses’.
golfinspired.com/destination/ireland
St. Patrick’s Links
St. Regis Bermuda Resort
GET ON TOP OF YOUR
Discover two championship golf courses tucked away in Central Florida at Mission Resort + Club—where unlimited time on the green, deluxe accommodations, and relaxing amenities await.
M Two 18-hole championship courses
M 176 beautiful guest rooms
M 4 restaurants
M Spa M Marina
M Pickleball and tennis
M Fitness center
M Bike paths
M Walking trails
M 30,000 square feet
Book Now:
Balance = Power.
Lighter. More supportive. Engineered to perform.
If we can improve your balance and stability, you will hit the ball farther and straighter.
Less sway, better ball striking. The shape of the toe box allows your toes to spread naturally for better balance, stability, and comfort.
Unmatched traction. Hybrid Smart Traction™ System combines the comfort of spikeless with the performance of spikes.
Breathable and 100% waterproof. Guaranteed waterproof microfiber allows perspiration to escape, but prevents water from getting in.
30-Day Performance Guarantee. The only golf footwear brand guaranteeing performance and comfort, or your money back.
To learn more, go to www.sqairz.com.
INDEPENDENTLY TESTED & PROVEN
Increase of up to 9 yards (27 ft) in distance
Increase of up to 2.4 mph in club speed
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
WHAT’S NEW
Swing inStyle
Elevate Your Golf Game with Trendy Looks
ANSON BELT & BUCKLE
Box Set | $125 www.ansonbelt.com
These ratchet belts feature a micro-adjustability design that offers over 30+ fit options spaced one-quarter of an inch apart. The boz set allows you to choose from different material straps and buckle finishes so you can have a belt for any occasion. By choosing 2 straps and 3 buckles, or 3 straps and 2 buckles, you will have 6 different possible complete belt combinations. Because every Anson belt strap will fit waist sizes up to 50 inches there is no need to choose a size. Upon receiving your belt, use ordinary scissors to simply trim any excess material from the raw end of the strap that inserts into the buckle. This way, the belt is perfectly sized to fit you or your gift recipient’s exact measurementno guesswork required.
SUN MOUNTAIN
Moonsoon Hooded Jacket | $110 www.sunmountain.com
The Monsoon Hooded Jacket is a new addition to Sun Mountain’s best-selling Monsoon rainwear. Constructed with a waterproof fabric that features mechanical stretch, excellent drape and a soft, quiet hand, Monsoon offers qualities and a price point that make the Monsoon an essential piece of gear. Included is a two-year waterproof guarantee. Choose from three colorways.
TRUE LINKSWEAR OG Cush | $175 www.truelinkswear.com
The OG Cush marries a barefoot feel with maximum comfort. Working with podiatrists and foot health experts, TRUE has designed the OG Cush with a first-of-its-kind zero-drop Wanderlux foam. The zero drop sole means it’s completely level from heel to forefoot. Now with a 6-MM cushioned foam platform underfoot, you can enjoy an exceptionally comfortable walk while maintaining an ergonomic fit and feel. The new boosted Wanderlux cushioning will wear into each individual foot shape over time to create a natural arch. The new cushioned midsole also features a brand-new versatile rubber ‘T’ tread that improves traction, balance and stability. The new tread performs well in any environment — from the course to the trail, the streets, or the office. The OG Cush is available in men’s and women’s sizes, including White, Grey, Black, PNW Grey Haze, and Patriot.
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
WHAT’S NEW
Also known as the Brothers Draddy, B. Draddy looks to the past and its icons for inspiration while using the most modern design and fabric techniques. What began with a polo shirt over ten years ago has evolved into a full collection of luxe, lived-in essentials for the course, the clubhouse, the commute and beyond. From organic Peruvian Pima cotton to Italian merino and Scottish cashmere, B. Draddy pairs impeccable quality with incredible comfort and everyday versatility.
B DRADDY
Men’s Draddy Sport Trevor Polo | $120 www.bdraddy.com
This geo print polo features a blended nylon stretch pique and classic vented tail w/ BD logo compass at wearer’s lower right back hem. Available in five colorways.
B DRADDY
Women’s Siobhan Sweatshirt | $210 www.bdraddy.com
The perfect drop-shoulder sweatshirt does exist. We borrowed some of the details from our best-selling men’s style to create this everyday luxe pullover for her. In organic Peruvian Pima cotton in just the right weight and drape, it’s her ultimate go-everywhere (or go nowhere) layer. Available in five colorways.
B DRADDY
Men’s Draddy Sport Zac Short | $130 www.bdraddy.com
This 100% Polyester short features an 8.5” inseam with flat front and quarter top pockets. Available in eight colorways.
B DRADDY
Women’s MP Lounge Pant | $180 www.bdraddy.com
Meet the sweats you’ll quite literally never take off. And you won’t have to—because they’re comfy enough to cozy up on the couch in but tailored enough to leave the house in. Think of them as your go-to uniform for walking the dog, grabbing coffee, movie nights in and everything in between. Available in grey heather.
B DRADDY
Men’s Andy Hoodie | $240 www.bdraddy.com
This crossover hoodie with rib waistband and cuffs is made of the softest peruvian cotton blend. It features white drawcords with contrast color tipped ends and contrast color taping at neck seam. Available in Nauti and Spruce.
B DRADDY
Women’s Nina Tank Dress | $160 www.bdraddy.com
The dress version of our classic racerback tank, the Nina is our elevated take on an everyday classic. Throw it over a bathing suit, wear it to play tennis or just cozy up on the couch for the day. This simple but polished silhouette knows how to multitask. Available in grey heather.
CALLAWAY
View Master Polo | $80 www.callawayapparel.com
Take in the view out on the course or on nights out with the guys in this eye-catching printed golf shirt from Callaway. Covered with a stylish view master print, the golf polo shirt is crafted from a lightweight single knit fabric for all-season comfort. It has sun protection technology built in to help you enjoy your round safely, and the material wicks away moisture to help keep you dry. A generous amount of stretch in the fabric and Swing Tech™ technology combine to help provide a full range of motion, so you can make each swing with power and precision. An easy-care and ecofriendly option, the men’s golf shirt is crafted with 30% recycled polyester. Available in two colorways.
Stay comfortable and dry with this men’s golf hoodie from Callaway’s Weather Series™. Great for both grey and wet days out on the course and casual wear around town, this hooded men’s sweater features water-repelling Aquapel technology to help keep you protected from the elements. It’s made from thermal fabric to help keep you warm, while double knit construction gives the material impressive durability. Added stretch helps the material move with you, while a quarter zip closure makes the golf sweater a breeze to pull over your head as the temperature rises and falls throughout the day. Featuring a versatile heathered design and machine washable for easy care, this athletic hoodie is a practical and stylish addition to any guy’s wardrobe. Available in two colorways.
CALLAWAY
Essential Polo | $94 www.callawayapparel.com
Printed with an eye-catching pattern inspired by the eight clubs that are essential for any player, this Callaway golf polo will show off your love for the game in sharp modern style. The men’s golf shirt is crafted from lightweight single knit fabric, with built-in sun protection that helps to block harmful UV rays from penetrating through to your skin. Moisture wicking helps to manage sweat as you make your way from the first hole to the 18th. The material has a good amount of stretch to help ensure a full range of motion, while Swing Tech™ technology lets you swing comfortably. Made with 30% recycled polyester, it’s also an eco-friendly option.
Printed with a confetti-inspired pattern featuring tiny hexagons, this Callaway women’s golf polo and skort are a great way to add some cheerful energy to your athletic attire. The polo features stretch to give full range of motion, UPF40 sun protection and Opti Dri™ which wicks away moisture to keep you dry. The skort features a flattering faux wrap design, and TrueSculpt smooths your shape, helping to provide a sleeker silhouette, so you can head towards each hole looking and feeling your best. Moisture-wicking technology helps to keep you dry, while pockets at the back provide convenient storage space for small essentials. Comfortable and stylish, this skort also works beautifully for a lunch date.
Stay warm and comfortable on or off the course. The full-zip texture sweater features machine washable extra soft fabric and is available in navy heather.
APPAREL & ACCESSORIES
WHAT’S NEW
BLUE TEES GOLF
Series Ultra Rangefinder | $300 www.blueteesgolf.com
The Series 4 Ultra is designed for durability in various weather conditions, featuring an IP54 rating for dust and water resistance, guaranteeing consistent performance regardless of the weather. Moreover, the Series 4 Ultra is equipped with pulse vibration technology, offering immediate tactile feedback for each distance measured. To ensure an exceptionally strong and secure grip on your golf cart or bar, the Series 4 Ultra features the most powerful magnet design available, coupled with an innovative thermoplastic elastomer. Slope Switch Technology enables golfers to switch between slope-adjusted distances and standard measurements, providing accurate calculations across different terrains and elevations. Included is a weather-proof carrying case, six-month free premium membership, (3) CR2-3V batteries, mountaineer buckle, microfiber cleaning cloth, lanyard, Blue Tees sticker and quick start guide.
SUN MOUNTAIN
4.5 14-Way VLO Stand Bag | $280 www.sunmountain.com
The new 2025 4.5 14-way VLO golf stand bag from Sun Mountain is the most versatile stand bag on the market. Along with all the features and benefits that are the hallmark of this stand bag is the new cartfriendly VLO top and Internal Compression Bottom. This new VLO top moves the stand mechanism below the bag bracket on golf carts allowing a more secure fit and the Internal Compression Bottom helps keep the legs from inadvertently activating when the bag is on a cart. 4.5 14-way VLO is available in ten different colors.
Tour Edge Launches Exotics 725 Series
Focusing on Forgiveness, the Most Forgiving Exotics Lineup in Company History!
Tour Edge Exotics has been at the very top of the leaderboard with inertia for the past few years already but the new Exotics E725 Driver breaks the 10K combined threshold making it the most forgiving driver Tour Edge has ever made. The Exotics C725 Driver is not far behind for a low-spin, 445 cc head with a combined MOI of around 8700 g-cm2, making it one of the most forgiving low-spin models you’ll find on the market.
This focus on forgiveness even led to the design of the X725, a Super Game Improvment iron-wood with the brands highest ever MOI.
725 started out as tour-only prototypes
One of the important aspects of the 725 was the ability to create Protypes for the PGA TOUR Champions that would help the design team in making tweaks along the way based on player feedback. Tour Edge had 40 of the 725-driver designs in play on tour as a prototype, making it their most played driver this season and had 90 of the prototype fairways/hybrids in play on the Champions Tour this year by 15 different players. The player’s feedback helped lead to a superior weighting system in the 725 including the ease of use of the new weight ports implemented in the 725C for added forgiveness. The C725 fairway has been the buzz of the tour and led to a smaller head shape for the 13-degree head. It also led to the cleaner looking Exotics head design with a beautiful all-carbon crown, as well as more muted sound in the E metals. Being out on the Tour first also led to a cleaner-looking more tour-friendly C725 Iron with more swing weighting adjustability. Bottom line, the players love for the pro-
totypes have proven that Tour Edge has done everything they can to make 725 series a huge hit with golfers of all skill levels!
The Exotics C725 and E725 Series along with the X725 irons are available for pre-order at authorized Tour Edge golf shops around the world beginning October 15th and will be available in-store and for custom fitting starting on November 1st.
Shining Rock Find Your Comfort Zone, On and Off the Course
BY MYLES MURRAY
FROM TEE
Shining Rock Golf Club is an allencompassing golf experience located in Northbridge, MA. The golf club has a full practice facility, restaurant, par-3 course, and championship-level 18-hole course. You can go to work on your swing at the grass range, practice your short game at the par-3, or take on the challenge of the big course. Then follow it all up with some great food
and cold beverages at the bar and grill.
The grass driving range has two hitting areas to accommodate a large number of golfers. One area is for wedges and irons, and the other is for hitting woods and drivers off of tees. Conveniently located next to the clubhouse is a large putting green and a chipping green with a practice bunker.
The par-3 course called The Acorn, opened in 2024 and is next to the updated driving range. The course has nine challenging holes that range from 45-130 yards. There are bunkers everywhere and a pond on one of the holes. There aren’t many trees, so it really challenges your ability to hit the club the right distance.
The biggest test on this short course is
the bent grass greens. Each green has undulations and tricky putts that make it hard to get birdies. Each hole has two flags on the green (white and red) so you can play 18 holes but have different approach shot aim points. It is a great course to practice your short game and play a fast-paced round if you are short on time.
The 18-hole course is called The Rock and is one of the most challenging tracks in the state. The tips play at 6700 yards, but most of those are packed into the par 3s and 5s. The par 3s range from 200-255 yards and there is a monster par 5 measuring 630. These holes will make or break your scorecard, so getting par on any is the goal.
The rest of the course is amazing and
feels more like a New England mountainside layout you would find up north. There are big elevation changes, rock formations, blind shots, and some tough forced carries off the tees. Combine these with some dense tree lines and thick OB fescue and you have a real gritty golf experience.
The conditions from tee to green are exceptional, and the sand in the bunkers is fluffy soft. The Rock rewards accuracy and proper club selection and has a great variety of hole layouts. The greens have fast-moving slopes, and the fairways have runoffs so you might want to play it more than once before making a judgment about how much you like it.
TO TABLE
After your round or practice session, drop off your clubs and head to the Shining Rock Bar and Grill. The restaurant is connected to the Pro Shop in the clubhouse and has plenty of seating both inside and outside. You can sit inside at the bar or at one of the wooden tables where you can watch golf
and sports on one of the flat screen TVs. Or you can choose to sit out on their spacious, covered patio just outside the wide-open double doors of the restaurant. From here you have a great view of the first tee on your left and the 9th green on your right.
The menu has a variety of options so everyone will find something they love. The appetizers are classics and full of flavor. You can enjoy wings, fries, nachos, pretzels, and even a creative dish of herb roasted garlic parmesan cauliflower. This vegetarian option drips with flavor and comes with toasted sourdough bread to dip it all up. They also have a section on the menu called ‘Meat on a Stick’ and it has three mouthwatering options for skewers to share or to crush by yourself. The soups and salads are hearty enough to be meals or are also a tasty starter to your meal.
The menu wraps up with selections of flatbreads, sandwiches, burgers, or entrées. The blackened swordfish tacos are succulent pieces of fish topped with avocado, mango salsa, and red sauce. The Shining Rock mac
and cheese is loaded with gooey cheese and caramelized onions and topped with toasted breadcrumbs. The handhelds are huge portions and the sides include fries, salad, onion rings, or mac and cheese.
They also have daily specials including cocktails like Blueberry Moscow Mule and a rotating menu of craft beers. The food specials include a butcher’s cut option and a fresh catch of the day. They have a to-go menu with food and drinks that makes it quick and easy to grab something after the turn.
If you want a more relaxed setting, you can go over to the driving range and sit at their outdoor chill zone. They have everything here — Adirondack chairs, corn hole, a fire pit, a beer garden, and even a taco truck. Yes, it’s like sitting in your backyard with friends with the perfect spot to hang after the round.
SHINING ROCK GOLF CLUB
The Acorn Short Course & Practice Facility Northbridge, MA | 508-234-0400 www.ShiningRock.com
MOLORI UNPLUGGED
Golf and Pickleball Venues Partake in Putts and Paddles
They are two accessible and fun sports becoming more intrinsically linked. Golf and pickleball have their differences of course, but recently, we are seeing several facilities throughout the northeast combining these two diverse sports at a single site, and why not?
Both sports attract a wide audience of players, from children to elders. In addition, while both golf and pickleball are not necessarily easy activities. Skill level can be improved with both practice and passion.
Among many premiere spots for golf and pickleball is Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton, NH. The facility features thirteen pickleball courts open to the public from May
By John Molori
through October. In fact, Tennis Resorts Online rated Owl’s Nest as the #2 Pickleball Resort in the world. Owl’s Nest also offers lessons, clinics, and round robins.
Similarly, Black Rock Country Club in Hingham, MA has also jumped on the pickleball bandwagon. Golfers in New England and beyond all know that Black Rock is one of the most family friendly golf destinations in the region.
The facility has also become a hotbed for tennis with five lighted and wind screened courts. Now, you can add pickleball to this varied menu. Black Rock features three lighted pickleball courts good for winter recreation. Members can also participate in Ladder Play, League Play, and the
National Pickleball Championship Complex in Texas
Black Rock Paddle Championships.
MOLORI UNPLUGGED PICKLEBALL
Like Owl’s Nest, it is all about providing a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for pickleball enthusiasts. At the Thornton, NH facility, Owl’s Nest offers pickleball clinics, group outings, and tournaments. They even have a Pickleball Tournament Package where participants can stay and play in the White Mountains.
One of the nicer aspects at Black Rock is how they have linked the new popularity of pickleball with the traditional formality of golf. Players are required to wear tennis sneakers, and white or 90% white attire. Proper attire for men include collared shirts or short sleeves with no cutoffs, short shorts, tank tops or bathing suits. I like this structure. Black Rock also offers a warming hut where leagues and teams can gather between pickleball matches.
In Groton, MA, Groton Country Club is another place where golf and pickleball fans can quench their thirsts. Groton has pickleball courts available, but plan ahead because courts must be reserved at least one hour before your desired play time. There is a Court Reserve Profile link on the country club website.
Like Black Rock, pickleball players can play into the fall season at Groton with court times available through the closing date of November 4, 2024. There are weekday and weekend times from morning until evening.
Another prime golf haven now deeply committed to pickleball is Pine Brook Country Club in Weston, MA. This close to Boston spot has both challenged and delighted golfers for 100 years with a tough course in picturesque surroundings.
With indoor and outdoor courts available, Pine Brook’s pickleball game is establishing its own tradition. The pickleball programs offer various instructional and play opportunities for adults and juniors of all ages and abilities. As at Black Rock, proper attire and footwear are required.
Several of these pickleball paradises not only offer courts, play times, and fine facilities, but also grow the game of pickleball with lessons to improve play and create new competitors in the game.
At Groton CC, instructor Sue Adams is certified by the Professional Pickleball Registry and the Professional Tennis Registry, and has been coaching since 2017. She is a USA and Royal Pickleball Club Ambassador.
In Hudson, MA golf and pickleball can be found at one of the most popular facilities in New England, Charter Oak Country Club. Four outdoor pickleball courts are available with clinics running throughout the spring, summer, and fall.
So, why have so many traditional golf facilities and country clubs embraced pickleball as an offering to customers? It comes down to the numbers. In January of 2024, USA Pickleball released some amazing figures on the growth of the game.
There are now nearly 12,000 places to play the game in the country, up by 1,000 over 2023. There are also over 50,000 courts with nearly 80,000 member players. USA Pickleball sanctioned 195 tournaments in 2023 including National Championships and National Indoor Championships.
Over the past year, over 1000 new paddles and nearly 100 new pickleballs have been approved, and over $300 million has been invested in new facilities. The aforementioned regional facilities have recognized and are now riding this wave of popularity.
Charter Oak promotes pickleball as a great way to get low-impact exercise in recreational play with friends and family. And of course, they offer the pickleball version of the 19th hole, a post-game outdoor bar.
As in Groton, pickleball clinics and lessons are provided for players who want to further learn or improve their games. Private and youth lessons are also available throughout the year for those who are new to these sports or more experienced players who want to refine their techniques.
In keeping with decorum, men and boys must wear tennis shorts or pants with polos, crew-collared tennis shirts, or t-shirts with tennis/pickleball themes. Women and girls must wear tennis shorts, skirts, or dresses with tank tops, polos, crew-collared tennis shirts, or tennis/pickleball-themed t-shirts.
Throughout the northeast and along the eastern seaboard, traditional golf facilities, courses, and country clubs are recognizing the demographic similarities in golfers and pickleballers. This fact is changing the often stodgy and stubborn mindsets of many traditional golf venues.
What it comes down to is variety and customer satisfaction. If a facility can inspire their current golfers to get interested in pickleball, it results in more time and money spent at the club, but let’s not reduce this to mere economics. The mingling of golf and pickleball is really about staying active, interacting with fellow enthusiasts, and combining time-tested and contemporary passions for two terrific sports.
John Molori is an author and columnist for numerous publications. Like him on Facebook at John Molori, X @MoloriMedia. Email molorimedia@gmail.com.
PICKLEBALL PROSHOP
SELKIRK
Smash into Fun
The Newest in Pickleball Equipment and Apparel
SELKIRK Vanguard Control Epic | $200 www.selkirk.com
The Vanguard Control is the first raw carbon paddle introduced to the Selkirk Sport main line. Building on the success of the SLK Halo, the Vanguard Control is crafted for players who crave unwavering consistency. With a thicker core and raw carbon face, the Vanguard Control gives players a large sweet spot and high spin capabilities.
SELKIRK
Luxx Control Air | $250 www.selkirk.com
The Luxx Control Air is Selkirk Sport’s premium paddle designed for finesse and precision over raw power. The paddle is purposely designed to offer a larger sweet spot for greater control. Former tennis player Jack Sock selected the Luxx Control Air in the Invikta shape as he transitioned into professional pickleball. Each paddle features Sock’s signature, and the bold black, white and red colorway makes a statement on the court — reflecting Sock’s dynamic personality and competitive spirit.
SELKIRK Core Line Tour Bag | $130 www.selkirk.com
The largest and most versatile backpack in the Selkirk Core Bag Line, the Tour Bag is perfect for tournament days or road trips. Made from Selkirk’s durable +V11 Max Polyfiber Performance material, the Core Tour Bag is both lightweight and protective. It has a spacious main compartment, a dedicated place for your paddles, a clip for hanging on the fence, a ventilated shoe compartment that separates them from the rest of your gear, large mesh side pockets, and an insulated thermal food and drink pouch to store snacks.
PICKLEBALL PROSHOP
CRBN PICKLEBALL
CRBN PICKLEBALL
CRBN3 X Series (Hybrid Paddle) | $230 www.crbnpickleball.com
This performance pickleball paddle is crafted with the same durable, gritty carbon fiber face that you can expect from CRBN, with additional and unmatched power and pop. The 3X is a Hybrid Shape, creating the perfect all-around paddle for players who appreciate a long handle, and a large paddle face with great control. No expense was spared making this the best powerfocused carbon fiber paddle on the market. The perfect balance of durability, touch, and power allow you to be even more aggressive on the courts. This paddle is great for experienced players ready to take their game to the next level.
CRBN PICKLEBALL
CRBN2 Classic Series | $180 www.crbnpickleball.com
The CRBN² Pickleball Paddle features the same T700 carbon fiber face as the CRBN¹ with a honeycomb polypropylene core. Carbon fiber is the optimal choice of material for paddles. Not only does it produce insane amounts of spin, but it also provides a massive sweet spot and consistency through industry-leading compression rates, with the perfect balance of power and control. The CRBN² weighs an average of 7.8-8.1 ounces to give you the stability you need at the net for blocking and returning hard-hit balls. The CRBN² has a shorter handle, and the face is shorter and wider than the CRBN¹, thus extending the sweet spot out wider, rather than longer as in the model 1.
CRBN PICKLEBALL
Tour Bag 2.0 | $140 www.crbnpickleball.com
The Pro Team Tour Bag 2.0 is the ultimate companion for serious players, designed to hold up to 6 paddles and all your essential gear. It features two padded, thermal-lined side pockets for paddles, a vented shoe compartment, a top thermal-lined pocket that doubles as a cooler, and a large central pouch. Additional perks include an underneath compartment for dirty clothes, built-in fence hooks, and a new zip-off sling bag. Comfort is ensured with ergonomic shoulder straps that convert to a duffle carry, while a weatherproof carbon fiber outer shell keeps your gear safe and dry.
PICKLEBALL PROSHOP
KTCHN
Founded in the summer of 2023 on a pickleball court in San Clemente, CA., KTCHN has quickly become the go-to brand for Pickleball enthusiasts of all ages. KTCHN blends sporty, on-trend style with everyday wear, allowing fans to showcase their love for the game both on and [mostly] off the court. KTCHN’s elevated designs, graphics and quality fabrics ensure you look stylish and feel confident, making it the “must have” lifestyle apparel brand within the pickleball community.
Discover the KTCHN Pickleball Co. Trucker - a blend of style and performance for the court and beyond. This cap features a classic trucker design with a signature KTCHN flair. Available in timeless colors, it showcases a bold “KTCHN PICKLEBALL CO.” patch. Crafted for comfort with a breathable mesh back and adjustable closure. Perfect for pickleball enthusiasts looking to make a statement.
2 KTCHN Dink Around and Find Out Foam Trucker (unisex) | $28 www.shopktchn.com
Designed with ultimate comfort, style and playfulness in mind, our “Dink Around and Find Out” trucker is the perfect accessory for any Pickleball aficionado. The foam front offers softness and support, while the breathable mesh back keeps you cool, making it ideal for sunny days on the court or relaxed gatherings. Thanks to the adjustable snapback, this adult, unisex hat guarantees a personalized fit for all.
3 KTCHN
Dinking About You Hoodie (unisex) | $78 www.shopktchn.com
Love is in the air! Introducing our adult unisex “Dinking About You” Hoodie –where love and passion for the game of Pickleball meets lifestyle fashion with a dash of playfulness. Designed with meticulous attention to detail, the hoodie not only exudes charm but also showcases subtle branding with our signature KTCHN logo. It’s the ideal companion for cooler sessions on the court and a stylish addition to your everyday wardrobe. Express your love for Pickleball both on and off the court.
4 KTCHN Queen of the Court (women’s tee) | $38 www.shopktchn.com
Where style reigns supreme! A playful blend of classic charm and Pickleball prowess. Unleash your inner royalty with this clever graphic tee featuring a unique KTCHN original, customized Playing Card. The subtle details are where the magic happens – behold the red Pickleball in place of the heart and watch as the King confidently wields a Pickleball paddle. Crafted for comfort and designed to make a statement, this oversized tee is more than just apparel; it’s an ode to the love of the game. Limited stock available.
INDOOR GOLF directory
Indoor Golf Has Arrived in the Northeast
There are over 500 public access Indoor Golf Facilities in the Northeast today. There are over 100 Indoor Golf facilities located private & public golf clubs throughout the northeast that offer, indoor golf fitness, training, and golf simulator systems installed for year-round use by members and guest. You will find every major manufacturer of top line golf simulators in these facilities.
NORTHEAST GOLF RESORTS WITH INDOOR GOLF
The Owls Nest Resort, NH www.owlsnestresort.com/golfsimulators/ Atkinson Resort, NH www.atkinsonresort.com/virtualgolf
The Preserve, RI www.thepreserveri.com/resort-spa/ experiences/golf-simulator/ Resort World, NY www.rwcatskills.com/topgolf-swingsuite/
Long Island City www.fiveirongolf.com/locations/nyclong-island-city/
Syosset www.golffitacademy.com
NEW YORK CITY
INDOOR GOLF CENTERS
Chelsea Piers www.sports.chelseapiers.com/newyork
West Village www.fiveirongolf.com/locations/nycherald-square/
Upper West Side www.fiveirongolf.com/locations/nycupper-east-side/ Brooklyn www.brooklyngreensgolf.com
INDOOR GOLF directory
Middletown,
FALL AT THE OWL’S NEST RESORT NEW
ENGLAND’S FOUR-SEASON RESORT
There are few places anywhere in the Northeast that offer the extensive four-season activities and amenities as the Owl’s Nest Resort in Thornton, New Hampshire. It has truly become one of New England’s favorite resorts for travelers who want to literally have it all in one convenient location in the heart of the White Mountains National Forest.
Fall Season at The Owl’s Nest
Fall at the Owl’s Nest is simply spectacular as the White Mountains explode with rich fall color from late September through early November. Fall golf on our championship Nicklaus course is perfect, with cooler temperatures and pristine conditions. But if you’re looking for something besides golf, The Owl’s Nest offers guest a host of activities including, hiking, a great spa, great restaurants, sports bars with 2 aboutGOLF indoor golf simulators. The racquet complex is one of the largest in the Northeast, with 13 pickleball courts, 8 red clay tennis courts, and 4 platform tennis courts offering camps, clinics, and lessons for all sports instructed by our on-site professionals. Leagues, tournaments, and mixers are also available throughout the year. Fall pickleball team tournaments begin Nov 1, 2024, for 6 consecutive weeks to early December.
New Updates on Resort Expansion Plan
Owl’s Nest Resort, New England’s newest four-season resort and home to New Hampshire’s only Nicklaus Design golf course
and award-winning racquet sports facility, is proud to announce the opening of 3 new business establishments this summer. Slice Pizzeria & Sports Bar, located next to the resort’s award-winning Panorama Six82 Restaurant, is a 4,000 square foot Italian wood-fired pizzeria with a full menu for dine in or on-the-go patrons. It features 10 big screen TV’s, 2 aboutGolf simulators, a huge center bar and expansive deck overlooking the 10th and 18th greens. Butch’s Brooklyn Deli & Provisions is the resort’s one-stop shop for gourmet deli sandwiches, local coffee and various culinary offerings. It will also offer household and dining needs for visitors, resort guests and homeowners. The SportsNest, currently the golf pro shop, as been expanded to hold the new WellNest Spa & Rejuvenation Center and a new racquet pro shop with a viewing deck overlooking the championship pickleball courts. The spa will provide space for relaxation and replenishment, with IV therapies, state of the art acoustic sound wave therapy and luxurious massages and facials.
In addition, the newly branded Owl’s Nest Vineyard Course (formerly White Mountain Country Club) is currently undergoing a course redesign under the supervision of Robert McNeil and Northeast Golf Company. The Vineyard Course will also have a 10-acre vineyard, a new restaurant, function facilities, and new townhomes are also planned at the property. Also underway is The Hoot, a new 9-hole championship course. There will be 45 holes for golf enthusiasts at the resort when completed, the
most at any resort in New England.
“We are delighted to be adding the spa, new racquet headquarters and these new dining establishments to our resort, says Brad McCoil, the resorts General Manager. “They will play an integral part in our vision of creating a true New England playground. These two dining options are the perfect complement to our already robust food offerings and the spa will help define us as a four-star resort. Now both guests and homeowners can enjoy all our recreational offerings without ever having to leave the resort.”
Four Season Fun and Resort Amenities
The Owl’s Nest is truly a full four-season resort so there is never an offseason here at the Nest. The Owl’s Nest is home to 25 racquet courts including 8 clay tennis courts, 13 pickleball courts, and 4 radiant heated platform tennis courts. The resort’s Lake Harold is the largest man-made recreational lake in New Hampshire. Fishing, boating, swimming, paddleboarding, and other watersports are all offered at the facility. In addition, the resort has added a new Olympic-sized pool and Jacuzzi complex adjacent to the newly completed Boathouse. It currently features an outdoor swimming pool and jacuzzi, boat rentals, indoor and outdoor showers, radiated heat decks, locker room facilities, and beach access, with Hook featuring waterfront food & cocktails. The resort’s main restaurant, Panorama Six82, is open daily from
4pm to 9pm, Slice Pizzeria & Sports Bar with games and golf simulators, and Butch’s Brooklyn Deli & Provisions for snacks, supplies, and lighter fare. If you have gone electric with your ride, there are 10 Tesla superchargers at the resort for quick charging.
The Owl’s Nest Living Community
The Owl’s Nest master plan organizes the homes around communal outdoor spaces all connected by multi-use trails. At Waterscapes each home is nestled perfectly throughout the resort, giving you spectacular views of the White Mountains. The proximity of the Owl’s Nest gives you full access to all the White Mountain’s major attractions and tourist areas while living in a quiet private resort community. These new mountain homes offer open floor plans, light-filled homes, designed with luxury features, and modern conveniences for perfect four-season mountain living. www.waterscapesnh.com
The Owl’s Nest Resort is in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, less than two hours north of Boston and one hour from Manchester-Boston Regional Airport. The Nest is situated on 600+ acres with spectacular panoramic mountain and forest views.
For more information on Owl’s Nest Resort, please visit www.owlsnestresort.com or call 603.726.3076
re-imagining mountain life with luxury homes in two distinct neighborhoods, all less than two hours from Boston.
