Hit the Links
Golf is a great way to get outside and enjoy the outdoors while staying socially distant from others. Whether you are thinking of a weekend golfing trip with friends or want to incorporate a round of golf on a vacation getaway, here are a few of my favorite greens that are open to everyone.
Pebble Beach Golf Links: Ranked number one on Golf Digest’s List of 100 Greatest Public Courses, this iconic California golf course on California’s Monterey Peninsula was first designed in 1919 but was recently updated by Arnold Palmer and Thad Layton in 2016. With nine holes set on rugged cliffs just above the Pacific, it may be tough to stay focused on your game when you are surrounded by such beauty. Golfers can stay at three Pebble Beach Resorts: The Lodge at Pebble Beach, The Inn at Spanish Bay, and Casa Palmero.
Pinehurst Resort: Set in North Carolina, this historic course will host the 2024 U.S. Open. Redesigned by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw in 2010, tall pines and short grass line the course. Golf Digest awarded the sustainable course the Green Star environmental award. Golfers can stay at three historic hotels in the nearby village of Pinehurst.
Arcadia Bluffs: Designed by Rick Smith and Warren Henderson in 2000, this Michigan course is often compared to European greens, with its natural sands and thick rough. Set on Lake Michigan’s shores, the course can be affected by wind off the lake, and while it’s beautiful, it’s a challenging course to play. Golfers can stay at The Lodge at Arcadia Bluffs, The Bluffs Lodge, or The Cottages, located along hole #2.
Provo Golf Club: While Turks and Caicos requires visitors to present a negative COVID test upon arrival, it’s a small trade-off for the chance to check out the archipelago’s incredible golf scene. Provo Golf Club, known for its challenging gameplay and rugged, natural landscapes, encourages friendly competition but also stopping once in a while to soak in the scenery. Colorful native birds are known to inhabits the course’s water features.