Orbitz Goes Golfing

Orbitz just launched a new golf travel site with helpful planning content from Golf.com. The Orbitz and Golf.com partnership gives traveling golfers a chance to plan and book golf vacations online with much more ease. While Orbitz has always been a great place to research hotel, airfare and other travel elements, it now handles this niche market's needs well, giving golfers:

• golf course and golf resort descriptions
• special discounts for golf vacations
• golf tips
• golf event tickets to the U.S. Open, PGA Championship and The Masters
• interactive golf games such as mini mini putt-putt to play while dreaming of Scotland or a sunnier golf destination
• Q&A from Golf.com's "Travelin' Joe"
• and other golf content goodies

Whether you've got pro, intermediate or novice skills, the Orbitz golf site is as useful as it is entertaining.

Kid-friendly Golf Resorts: Ten ways to know one when you see one

By guest blogger Suzanne Rowan Kelleher

Love family vacations? Love golf? Bringing the two together has never been easier, as more hotels and resorts are wooing parents with excellent golf schools and family-minded packages. But how will you know if a resort’s family golf program is really as kid-friendly as promised?

You can tell a lot simply by reading the property’s brochure or web site, says Jerramy Hainline, director of instruction at the Hilton Golf Academy, whose three resorts welcome over 350 kids each year. Compare how the resort describes its junior golf instruction with how it portrays its adult offerings. “If there’s very little difference in how the classes are described, it’s more than likely that the resort hasn’t tailored anything for kids,” says Hainline. “If a resort or school truly wants kids there, it will have made accommodations to offer junior golfers a quality experience.”

What else should you look for? Here are 10 more clues that a resort will deliver a golf vacation that’s truly a family affair:

• On-course instruction. A no-brainer, right? Far from it. You’d be surprised at how often a kids’ golf “program” turns out to be a 90-minute etiquette lesson in a windowless conference room or an hour on a driving range plus a soda break. It’s critical that a program teaches kids how to play the game, not just how to drive a ball or putt. “Kids need to experience being on the course to bring it all together,” stresses Hainline. So if a resort’s junior program doesn’t feature any on-course time, it’s a deal breaker.
• Reduced green fees. Discounts for junior golfers or deals where “kids play free” with a paying adult demonstrate that a resort is serious about encouraging kids to play.
• Low student-instructor ratio. Class size for kids ages 6 to 17 should never exceed six kids per instructor, says Hainline. “And for 4- to 5-year-olds, the ratio should be closer to 2 to 1.”
• Inclusive instruction. Even preschoolers can learn the fundamentals of golf, including the basic rules of etiquette—whose turn it is to putt, where to stand, and that old bugaboo, when to be quiet. A family-friendly resort will have come up with ways for kids as young as 5 or 6 to participate in the game.
• Child-savvy pros. “You want instructors who have experience with the programs and a history of working with junior golfers,” says Eric Alpenfels, director of instruction at the Golf Academy at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina. “I think five years of experience is a good start. Junior-golf certification programs vary from facility to facility.” If you can’t find this information on the resort’s web site, call and ask.
• Family-friendly tees. Most youngsters don’t have the skill and strength required to play a long course. To get kids in the game, many resorts now offer forward tees set at shorter distances. Having a variety of tees allows the family to play together, with Mom and Dad playing the long course and kids hitting from the forward tees. Some resorts even have special scorecards with more realistic pars for kids.
• Kid-size clubs. “Cut-offs” are adult clubs that have simply been shortened, resulting in a heavy head relative to shaft length. They’re better than nothing, says Hainline. But it’s preferable that a resort provide kids with junior clubs, which are scaled down appropriately from top to bottom.
• Big balls, little balls. Young kids are still working on eye-hand coordination. At the Hilton Golf Academy, junior golfers start off hitting beach balls. Once they’ve mastered those, it’s on to rubber balls, then tennis balls, and finally golf balls.
• Designated family time. Many resorts now offer special tee times reserved just for families. Pinehurst’s “Family Fairways” program goes one better, giving parents and their kids one course all to themselves for several hours each afternoon. “Family Fairways takes the intimidation factor out of play,” says Alpenfels. “You don’t need to worry about who’s behind you, or hitting in the middle of the fairway, or going straight to the putting green.”
• Non-golf kids’ activities. If family members have varying levels of skill and interest, it’s simply unrealistic to expect your whole clan to golf 24/7. Look for a swimming pool and other recreational activities to keep everyone happy. An on-site kids’ camp or babysitting service will add flexibility to your schedule.

Bio: Suzanne Rowan Kelleher is the Editor-in-Chief of WeJustGotBack.com, a family travel website with resort and hotel reviews, how-to articles, readers’ tips and recommendations, and planning advice for kid-friendly vacations.

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Luxury Golf Courses

No two golf courses are alike. And there's nothing like driving a ball down the creme de la creme of fairways and putting on luxury greens. Plan a trip to courses that are a feast for the golf enthusiast's senses.

1. St. Andrews Bay Golf Resort & Spa, Scotland
2. Druids Glen Golf Resort, Ireland
3. Evian Resort, France
4. Fancourt Resort, South Africa
5. Kiawah Island Golf Resort, (South Carolina) United States
6. Ritz-Carlton Golf and Spa Resort, Jamaica
7. Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort, Australia
8. Banyan Tree Resort, Thailand

Source: Travel Mole

To plan a group golf trip, TripHub is a great place to start.

Golf Tee Times

Going on a girls getaway soon? Planning a trip with the guys? Perhaps ducking out of a family reunion for a half day to play golf? Well, you're in luck. Orbitz has a tee time service (powered by TeeBone) to several major North American golf courses, so you can book your tee times in advance of your vacation, resting assured your game is set.

Courses are limited to Arizona, Las Vegas, Hawaii, California, Carolinas, Florida, and Mexico but those are golf hot spots anyway. The descriptions, photos, par stats, player ratings all come in handy. But the fact that you can actually book a tee time is highly convenient. Now all you need to do is practice your putt.

To plan a group golf trip with friends or family, start using the invitation, discussion, and other free trip planning tools on TripHub.

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Guys Getaways vs. Mancations

Mancations? You heard it right. Gadling reported on a trend CNN recently wrote about, and one TripHub has known about for a while - guys getaways, apparently now also referred to as mancations. (Men, are you cool with this term? Sounds a little goofy to me, but then again girls getaway probably sounds equally as goofy.)

Groups of guys with old friends from high school and college (or just life) traveling together is a growing trend indeed, if nothing else, evident from hotels and resorts catering to men only groups with such testosterone-infused packages including things like:

• poker parties
• hand-rolled cigars
• buckets of beer
• sports tickets
• race car driving
• "man-friendly" spa treatments

Keeping in touch is important and doing so while traveling (away from the girls) is a way to bond in ways you can't do as a couple. I can vouch that my girls getaways (goofy as that trendy little name sounds for a vacation) are a God-send when it comes to staying connected to friends. Especially when you're increasingly busy post-college with work and life.

To plan a group guys getaway (or mancation if you're partial to that word), you can start with TripHub's free group planning tools. Invite the guys using the invitation feature and start planning your fun.

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Group Getaways with Friends

Sponsored by Zazzle

We all get by with a little help from our friends. Traveling is no exception. Vacations are more enjoyable with buddies from college, girlfriends from home, friends from life (soccer or baseball teams), and any other groups.

Reconnect with old friends, reminisce about the good old days, and make new memories that make you laugh 'til you cry with these getaway tips.

Girls getaways
Ladies, start your engines. The games, the energy, the synergy, and the drinks are about to begin. Take a wild or relaxing vacation with your gal pals on a spa getaway, wine-tasting soiree, birthday celebration, or anything goes. Can't go far? Try a mini girls getaway?

Beach getaways
Hit the beach year-round (and more heavily in the summer) at your favorite beach. Try a nude beach, join your friends at your most memorable beach, or find a new beach while on a weekend away. Here are TripAdvisor.com's top 10 U.S. beaches.

Road trip planning guide
Zoom, zoom. Friends, families, and other vacationers are hitting the highways and dusty roads for campgrounds, national parks, family reunions, and zero obligations. Along with sunblock, prepare for a stress-free road trip with these tips. 10 gas and money-saving tips should help as well.

Golf trip meccas
Swing and putt your way down the fairways, slugging beer and making bets against your comrades the whole time. Golf is a great way to relax and visit with friends while working on your game. Also, here are quick tips for planning a group golf getaway.

Bachelor and bachelorette parties
Are you the best man with no clue how to honor your pal with a party? If the only thing that comes to mind is a stripper, see these bachelor party tips first. Ladies, looking to make the bride smile and proud to call you her friends? Here are helpful hints for bachelorette party planning.

Spa Getaways
Just say ahhhh. Spa vacations are on the rise and spas are increasingly catering to groups (girls getaways in particular). Before you go, brush up on some basic spa etiquette tips and group etiquette in particular (so the spa invites you back!). Try vinotherapy at a wine spa, chocolate massages, or any other spa treatments for you and the gang.

More Tips for Group Getaways with Friends

• Best camping spots
• National parks
• Spa travel and etiquette for groups
• 9 volunteer vacations
• Romance via traveling
• Secrets for sharing rooms and personal space
• Top U.S. attractions
• Finding solo time on group trips
• Festivals

Best of the Web (Getaway Related Links)

• Last-minute weekend getaways
• National Geographic destinations (U.S. and Canada)
• iExplore's global destinations and tours
• Outdoor guide to summer by Gorp
• Eco-friendly volunteer vacations with Earthwatch
• Adventure travel daredevil activities
• Broadway shows in New York City
• Spafinder getaways
• Golf travel reviews, commentary, getaways, and tee times
• Gay and lesbian travel
• Walt Disney World vacations

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Custom Group T-Shirts

Commemorate your golf getaway with pals, wedding, family reunion, bachelor(ette) party or any other group trip with a custom t-shirt.

TripHub has created template t-shirts for popular group trips that you can order as is for your clan, or customize with images and text to suit the group's taste. Existing t-shirts for group trips include bachelor(ette) parties, family reunions, golf trips, and weddings.

Simply go to this TripHub/Zazzle page, then click on any of the templates we've set up. After that, you'll be able to customize the back, front, size, and upload images if you so desire. T-shirt prices are reasonable, starting at $16.45 for adult sizes (less for infants).

Basic t-shirt description (and there are many other styles to choose from including hoodies, ladies' tanks, ladies' baby doll, long-sleeve t-shirt, infant crawlers, nighties, and more)

• Pre-shrunk, 100% cotton, 6.1 ounce heavyweight t-shirt. Double-needle stitched bottom and sleeve hems. Shoulder-to-shoulder taping. Available in 11 colors.

If you're looking to make any special occasion or trip a wee bit more entertaining, everyone uses t-shirts, and will likely wear them proudly after the celebratory vacation or event.

Golf Trip Injury Prevention Tips

When playing golf with a group of friends, careful not to return from the links with an arm, shoulder, or back injury.

Although golf is a low-impact walk on the fairways, a cart-toting game of leisure, you still want your game to improve for years to come, body parts in tact.

Use these simple preventative measures to ensure a healthy round of golf:

1. Repetitive motion and conditioning
"Professional golfers most often hurt themselves through repetitive motions. Amateurs tend to do damage by attempting pivots, bends and other movements that their bodies just aren't properly conditioned for," reports John Hopkins Medical Institution. See full John Hopkins news clip on golf injuries and rehabilitation.

2. Elbows
"Leading the list of injuries is golfer's elbow, and one of the best ways to avoid elbow problems is to strengthen the forearm muscles and slow the swing so that there will be less shock in the arm when the ball is hit by the golfer," suggests the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Read more AAOS tips to prevent golf injuries.

3. Hands
"There are several bones in your hand… that are susceptible to chipping or breakage when playing golf. Usually the breaks result from hitting the ground instead of the ball.

You can help yourself by loosening your grip. Experts suggest holding the club like it's an open tube of toothpaste. Don't squeeze any of the toothpaste out. This is good for your golf swing as well as your hands," recommends University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Read more from UPMC and don't let injuries handicap your golf game.

Ready to play safely and plan a golf trip with the guys (or girls, or family)? You can start planning a trip today using TripHub's group travel tools.

Golf Handicaps Explained

If you're a novice golfer like me, you may need a handicap to help level the playing field so you can play with an uncle (or aunt) who's been golfing longer than you've been alive.

A golf handicap is tool used to even the score so friends of varying skill level can all play together. In that way, golf is one of the true group sports by its nature.

Golf Magazine's online site elaborates more on golf handicaps.

Group-Friendly Golf Meccas

Where do the expert golfers go? You know – the smooth swingers with enviable handicaps. Don’t we all long to tee off at a place of undisputed beauty and repute? And nothing’s better than sharing such a grand moment with friends.

Here’s a list of group-friendly golf meccas (listed alphabetically - who can rank these?) for you to plan a group golf get-away with friends and put your link lovin’ ways to practice.

1. Arizona
The greater Phoenix and Scottsdale region is one of the biggest golf areas in the U.S. due to the combination of quality and quantity of golf courses, making it an ideal place for group golf travel. Plus, there’s plenty of après golf entertainment: shopping, nightlife, desert tours, a botanical desert garden, spas and more.

The Greater Phoenix visitors bureau boasts that their "courses deliver with playable, diverse designs and dedication to course maintenance, relaxed environments and professional customer service."

Scottsdale, a close neighbor to Phoenix, rivals (and may beat) its Southwest sister city in golf quality and quantity.

2. Hawaiian Islands
The Aloha State is a brilliantly natural spot for golf. With the sea as scenery (and course hazard) and a naturally hilly landscape to challenge any golfer, it’s no wonder Hawaii boasts so many glorious courses.

The Hawaiian island golf discount card is like a golf jackpot (if there were such a thing). This card can be purchased for less than $50 and allows you to play at 45 different courses on the Hawaiian Islands.

Other Hawaii golf courses to explore (all bookable on TripHub):

Maui's renowned Makena South Golf Course
One of the islands most prestigious courses in Hawaii has unobstructed views of the blue Pacific, neighboring islands, and humpback whales breaching during whale season.

Oahu’s famous Ko’olau Golf Course
Considered to be "The World's Most Challenging Golf Course" from the back tees, Ko'olau promises a memorable golf experience for golfers of all skill levels. Rated in Golf Magazine's "Top 100 Courses to Play" and named the "#1 Golf Course on Oahu" by Golf Digest.

More golf courses on Kauai.

More golf courses on the Big Island of Hawaii.

More golf courses on all Hawaiian islands.

3. Hilton Head, SC
Hilton Head Island, just off the coast of South Carolina, serves as a fairway haven to numerous golf courses. With the first course opening in 1961, and slowly building 20 more over the past few decades, Hilton Head has earned its title "The Golf Island," through careful craftsmanship.

Groups shouldn't have any complaints at Hilton Head, with numerous year-round tours, golf excellence, and sweeping Atlantic Ocean beauty. With a variety of accommodations, numerous restaurants, shops and services, Hilton Head seems built for groups, however small or large.

Peruse the Chamber of Commerce's list of all Hilton Head public golf courses. Golfisland.com also offers a list of courses.

4. Myrtle Beach, SC
This self-proclaimed Seaside Golf Capital of the World lives up to its name with 100 golf courses laid out over undulating low country land and the majority of the Myrtle Beach golf courses being open to the public. Plus, many host professional and amateur tournaments. If you want a golf challenge and picturesque beauty, Myrtle Beach offers both with courses crafted by a host of world-renowned architects.

In 2002, the Myrtle Beach area was designated "Golf Destination of the Year" by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators. This giant outdoor playground is also great for families. With 60 miles of beach, a plethora of courses and numerous accommodations (hotels, villas, etc.) you could also plan a family reunion here and incorporate golf into the mix.

See a directory of all 100 golf courses in Myrtle Beach, from the Myrtle Beach Golf Association.

5. Pebble Beach, CA
Four stunning courses make up the Pebble Beach Resort: Pebble Beach Golf Links, The Links at Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill Golf Course, and Del Monte Golf Course. They all either hug the Pacific coast or have spectacular views of the water. There are hotels and resorts close to the courses and in nearby seaside towns such as Monterey and Carmel.

At each course, a pro staffer offers individual and group instruction, clinics and group tournaments. Pebble Beach Resorts has this to brag about itself:

Pebble Beach Resorts, ranked the No. 1 golf resort in America by Golf Digest Magazine in 2004. Each of Pebble Beach Resorts' four courses offers a unique heritage, breathtaking beauty, and a once in a lifetime experience.

I’m an amateur golfer and haven’t (yet) golfed Pebble Beach, but I’ve cruised along its famous 17-Mile Drive. Brief but memorable, it’s a gorgeous way to drink in California’s rugged coastal beauty and stop for those classic vacation photo ops.

6. Scotland
Birthplace of golf, motherland of the green, a trip to Scotland is not out of the cards if you’re a true golf believer. The classic that comes to mind is St. Andrews. Here you’ll find six golf courses all open to the public (as are the clubhouse and golf practice center), and all worth a visit for historic purposes, if anything else. Older than most other sports, golf got its start here 600 years ago.

Even the Travel Channel agrees making a pilgrimage to St. Andrews should top your list for things to do before you die.

There are many other glorious golf spots or courses for a group gathering. If you know of any you think others should discover, please post a comment and share your insight. Any questions? Just post it online and I’ll answer, or email me.

Ready to plan a group golf trip with friends or family? TripHub makes it easy to communicate and coordinate on itineraries with your fellow golfers. Create a central "trip hub" for your group today and start planning.