| The sluggish economy and high fuel prices have | | | | more like your normal vacation. Don't worry about |
| caused many of us to re-think our vacation plans | | | | spending a bit more on gas-you're saving a ton on |
| this year. For some, this has meant choosing to | | | | hotel rooms and air fares. |
| stay in a 3-star rather than 5-star hotel, or cutting | | | | Play a different course each day. This will simulate |
| down the number of days we are out of town. | | | | a vacation where you hop to several destinations. |
| Some people are even taking the extreme | | | | And don't forget to book the tee times well in |
| measure of not leaving their home at all during | | | | advance, just as you would if you were going out |
| their traditional golf vacation time. This has lead to | | | | of town to play. |
| a new term, the Golf Staycation. | | | | When on vacation, if you usually avoid checking |
| Most golfers enjoy traveling to see new courses, | | | | e-mail, the stock market quotes, the evening |
| and experience different terrain, climate and | | | | news or other ways of staying "connected", do |
| course conditions. The idea of staying home and | | | | the same thing on your staycation. You want to |
| playing golf might seem outright boring. But it | | | | get your mind off your normal routine and come |
| doesn't have to be. A golfing Staycation has | | | | back mentally refreshed. |
| several advantages. | | | | If you live in an area with golf resorts, you might |
| Have you ever been on a golf vacation and had | | | | plan to stay at least one overnight at the resort |
| the round ruined because you were paired with 3 | | | | hotel. Most of us don't take advantage of the |
| really obnoxious people? With a Staycation, you | | | | wonderful lodging right in our own backyard. Even |
| can eliminate the chance of that unpleasant | | | | if you don't spend the night away, at least treat |
| situation happening because you can get together | | | | yourself to a nice dinner with your buddies after |
| with your regular golf buddies. Make it a joint | | | | the round. Another alternative is to tie in a tourist |
| staycation for all of you. | | | | activity with your day of golf. Maybe you've |
| You obviously save a lot of money on travel, | | | | always wanted to visit your local museum, but |
| lodging and food with the staycation concept. This | | | | never took the time. They key to a successful |
| leaves additional money for green fees, or | | | | staycation is to get out there and keep busy. |
| perhaps even for purchasing new clubs, shoes, or | | | | Don't just sit at home, waiting for your tee time. |
| other equipment you've been yearning for. You | | | | Alert your family that you are on a golfing |
| could also set aside some of the saved money | | | | staycation and thus cannot be available for the |
| for next year's traditional vacation. | | | | normal boring household chores such as mowing |
| To make the staycation as good a simulation of | | | | the lawn, cleaning out the garage, or taking kids |
| leaving town as possible, you need to plan ahead. | | | | to and from soccer games. They need to think |
| Think about increasing the radius of your golfing | | | | of you as being out of town for the week. But |
| sphere. If you normally play courses within 20 | | | | your spouse should go ahead and stock up on the |
| miles of your house, increase it to 100 miles. This | | | | normal quantities of beer, or perhaps even add |
| will open up the possibility of playing fresh, new | | | | 25%, since you are, in fact, on staycation. |
| courses, and if it is a pleasant drive, it will seem | | | | |