Words by Steve Fennell
RVing and golfing share many similarities. They can be enjoyed no matter how far you go on a destination, there’s RV and golf facilities at every point of the compass and each provide a lot of excitement throughout the season.
RVers are curious by nature when it comes to traveling. When you consider that golf enthusiasts are also game to visit new destinations – as well as the local courses - and the fact that RVing provides savings on food costs, travel, and accommodations, the two pastimes are a natural fit.
Travel Alberta Roth and Ramberg
Golfing and RVing are the ideal pastimes to enjoy throughout both seasons.
What’s also interesting is a Statistics Canada TSRC Survey on RVDA.ca reported golfing accounted for eight percent of tourism-related activities among RVers between 2016 and 2017 in Canada alone. Even though camping topped the list at 58 percent, given that travel-related RV expenditures reached into the billions, golfing is a significant aspect of RVing. Or, without getting too sophisticated with numbers, a web search on the Good Sam Club Directory lists countless RV-golf resorts coast to coast throughout the US and Canada.
For RVers who love golf, spending time at an RV-golf resort offers the chance to enjoy the RV lifestyle as well as the game at one destination, providing the best of both worlds on the road. Nonetheless, choosing one the perfect for your needs requires research, knowing your personal preferences and acknowledging your skill level of the game. Narrowing down these aspects will not only provide a great destination, but enjoyment for future ones as well.
First Aspects to Consider
RV-golf resorts have become very popular among enthusiasts in recent years. Visit any Sun Belt State and chances are likely you’ll come across a series of options with many amenities and style of courses to from. The choices can be daunting.
Services, the grounds and quality of sites commonly determine the choice of any RV park, and RV-golf resorts are really no different, with a few exceptions. In addition to opting for features like outdoor heated pools, hot tubs, dining options, and a thriving social scene, it’s always important to consider of the quality and skill-level of the course.
Michael Stokes
Executive courses are commonly shorter (with less yardage) and allow for a quicker, easier round.
A good round of 18 holes and just spending a day on the links at your best is what golfing is all about. Knowing the yards (length), par, and level of difficulty are just some of the essential aspects to initially consider. Short of having a super-low, PGA-tour handicap, visiting a resort with a challenging regulated 18-hole, par 5 track of 6,200 yards and hazards at every turn will not be enjoyable (as a less challenging course) if you can’t have fun playing it. However, If you’re a competent or scratch golfer, it may be perfect. Fortunately, courses vary greatly to meet the needs of every level of golfer and age group to ensure quality time can be spent on your game.
What’s more, many of the RV sites at a resort are conveniently located near the course for easy accessibility. They also offer much of the same amenities as private golf courses. These include a club house, pro shop and practice greens. Some RV-golf resorts even have PGA professional teaching staff available for lessons in the event you develop an unknown kink in your swing or you finally had enough of that annoying slice.
But just imagine. Wake up for an 8:00 a.m. tee time, take a short walk to the course, play a round of 18 holes, enjoy a beverage on the 19th hole, then retreat back to your RV. What could be more convenient and relaxing?
NPS D. Renkin
RV sites should always be considered for additional convenience.
18-hole Courses vs. Executive Courses
There’s an ongoing discussion about the differences between these types of courses. Choosing a resort with a regulated 18-hole course will provide full mornings or afternoons of golf, but it may not be for everyone, or for every age group and skill set. If you’re a Baby Boomer, walking and playing 18-holes and 6,000-plus yards may not be what you want to do throughout the week.
Of course, you could always just play just the front nine or the back during any given round (for variety and to get the value of the resort/golf fees). However, executive courses are shorter (commonly less than 5,200 yards), which allows for shorter rounds, consist mostly of par 3’s or 4’s (and maybe one par 5), and may be more reasonable in the overall rate of the resort. Executive courses are also ideal for all age groups.
While the choice entirely depends on your game and stamina, executive courses are also often confused with par 3 courses. What’s the difference? While the latter are strictly par 3’s with much less yardage, an executive course is more like a “compact” 18-hole track with water hazards, challenging greens, and deep bunkers.
Jérôme Decq
Imagine a well-groomed course that’s just a short walk from your RV.
Golf Resorts vs. National Parks
From grazing-elk on the fairways in Banff National Park to the peregrine falcons flying overhead among the links at Fundy National Park, the golf courses of Parks Canada (along with the many National and State Parks in the U.S.) are other ideal options. While well-maintained and challenging with the convenience of full-service RV sites nearby, courses in the Canadian and US parks system will provide a great game and experiences. Mind you, the parks do offer traditional RV camping and if you want more bling, have a higher budget and prefer all the comfortable amenities, perhaps choose an RV-golf resort – north or south of the border.
Choose Convenience and Attractions Carefully
Not every spouse or family member enjoys golf. As on-site services and local attractions play an important role when choosing an RV-golf resort, they couldn’t be more convenient for those that despise the game, especially at an RV-golf resort.
Golfing is generally a dedicated game. For those that don’t play the game, site amenities and nearby attractions are pertinent. Spas, shopping, and dining even enjoying kayaking and canoeing among natural attractions are all important to consider. The on-site amenities and local attractions also provide a great way to enjoy family time on non-golfing days.
Destination BC Blake Jorgenson
Always determine your skill set required for a particular course.
Crowds vs. Exclusiveness
Some RV-golf resorts have upwards of 100-plus sites (or more) while others are more exclusive and some have as low as 13. Even though silence is pretty much a rite of passage for golfers on the links, if its peace and quiet you want before, during and after a game, many resorts are available to accommodate your space – and are certainly worth checking out.
If you want a more exclusive setting, many golf clubs and resorts offer dedicated RV sites on their grounds (keep in mind, dry camping may be common). Enjoy a nice, quiet site, play a round or two on a groomed course, then move on to your main destination. The option is a viable one.
Destination BC Kari Medig
Combining these two pastimes allows the chance to visit courses you wouldn’t normally play.
Final Choices
Another option is to consider golfing communities consisting of seasonal park models that are available to rent for months at a time or to even purchase. They are usually in a quiet setting, are restricted to certain senior age groups and offer a range of additional services and activities. Attractions and local services are also commonly close by.
The choices of enjoying golfing and RVing are vast. Combining these two pastimes allows the thrill of extensive travel, the chance to visit courses you wouldn’t normally play, and most of all, enjoy the several other opportunities that the RV lifestyle has to offer – all during one destination.
For more details on the choices and to compare visit: