If you have a budding Tiger in your family, then there are plenty of resorts across the U.S. and in the Caribbean offering golf for kids as well as grown-ups. There are endless other activities and facilities for the non-golfers in the family, meaning you can all enjoy an unforgettable vacation. We’ve put together a list of the best to help you decide where to tee off.
The Ritz-Carlton, Naples, Florida
Florida’s premier golf destination, Naples, is home to the swanky Ritz-Carlton, Naples, the ideal vacation spot for mini-golf fanatics and their families wanting an unforgettable vacation. A quick shuttle-ride away is the Tiburon Golf Club located at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, which features two championship 18-hole courses and the Impact Zone Golf Academy for budding golfers as young as five. The resort’s stunning facilities include two swimming pools, seven restaurants, a high-tech gaming lounge and the incredible Ritz Kids’ program, Nature’s Wonders.
Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Kiawah, South Carolina
Kiawah Island Golf Resort, set on the beautiful island of Kiawah not far from the enchanting town of Charleston, is a paradise for golfers of all ages. There are five golf courses, a superb instruction program especially for families and junior clinics and camps. The resort offers luxurious villa or hotel accommodation and has three family pools, tennis courts, a kids’ camp and a smorgasbord of other activities to keep non-golfing kids and their families entertained.
Carmel Valley Ranch, Carmel, California
Favorite family getaway spot Carmel Valley Ranch, located in northern California, is a haven for golfers of all ages. It boasts an 18-hole golf course, a driving range and a junior golf program for green jacket enthusiasts aged five and up. Off the course, the resort has gorgeous accommodation, outstanding cuisine and is a mecca for outdoor activities. It also has a fun-filled kids’ camp.
Muana Lani Bay Hotel & Bungalows, Kohala Coast, Hawaii
Families can tee off in tropical style at Muana Lani Bay Hotel and Bungalows nestled on a white sandy beach on the Kohala Coast in Hawaii. It is home to the Keiki Golf Course, specially designed for junior golfers aged 17 and under – the only one of its kind in Hawaii. Beginners of all ages can first practice their swing at the Golf Academy. This resort also offers a kid’s camp, water sports and a host of other activities for the family.
Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan
Grand Hotel, located on Mackinac Island in Michigan, an island only accessible by boat and plane, is historic landmark and an exceptional summer vacation spot for golf-loving families. Not only is there a stunning 18-hole course, open June to September each year, but mini golfers can practice their swing at the Grand Kids Golf Academy. The whole family can also try out FootGolf, biking, swimming and horseback riding.
The Hotel Hershey, Hershey, Pennsylvania
For the ideal combination of golf and family fun, book a stay at Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania. There’s a family-friendly all-grass putting course, a nine-hole public course designed with junior players in mind, plus two magnificent private 18-hole courses located at the Hershey Country Club, which is ranked as one of the top 50 resorts in the U.S. by Golf Digest. When you’re done with golfing, Hersheypark and Hershey’s Chocolate World are a stone’s throw away. There’s also the Cocoa Clubhouse with full- and half-day programs for five year olds and up.
Beaches Ocho Rios, Ocho Rios, Jamaica
For an unforgettable golfing vacation in the tropics, Beaches Ocho Rios is hard to beat. The whole family gets unlimited rounds of golf on the 18-hole golf course at the nearby Sandals Golf & Country Club, which rises 700 ft above sea level in the lush hills of Ocho Rios. Juniors can practice their putting and chipping, book private lessons or sign up for weekly clinics. There’s also a huge waterpark, three pools, seven restaurants, a kids’ club and a host of other amenities for the family.
Crystal Golf Resort, Sussex County, New Jersey
Located less than an hour from NYC with spectacular views of the Kittatinny Mountains, Crystal Golf Resort is the ideal escape for city golfers. This six-course resort has two nine-hole courses dedicated to families, an all-grass putting course, family size carts, junior tees, parent-junior tournaments, FootGolf and Glow Golf. There are two luxury properties to choose from, Grand Cascades Lodge or Minerals Hotel, and each has a spa, numerous restaurants, swimming pools and an action-packed schedule of activities and adventures.
Janine Clements is a New York-based writer and contributor to numerous high-profile travel and lifestyle publications. She has lived in London, Paris and Singapore and travels all over the world with her two daughters, age 9 and 6. She can be found tweeting at @mummytweets.