I am surprising my husband on his 60th birthday with a trip. We will go for 5 days (2 of them travel days) flying from Minnneapolis. He wants...golf, someplace to sightsee for a few hours each day after golf, great dinner and romantic place to stay. If I look at strictly golf resorts they are focused towards the serious golfer and the rooms are far from romantic/cozy. I looked at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and could not handle the ruffles in the rooms! We can drive to golf, but I would prefer not more than 20 miles and it would be better if on site to 5 - 10 miles away. Great scenery is important! We will be going September 28-October 2. Please help me with suggestions on location, resort/hotel and golf courses! I prefer mountains, but this is his birthday gift now isn't it so he would do seaside, too! Thank you!

Golf Digest puts out a book of 5000 places to play in the USA. Its very informative for me and must be for others cause its in something like its 6th printing. If I was to play under your criteria (which my wife and I could). I would look at Pinehurst N.C. There are mountains and things to do after go'f

The North Carolina area would be a great choice. If you had a little more time, I'd also consider Kapalua, Maui.

Hi Mosey..
Being a golfer myself and love to travel and golf here are some recommedations that we have done and loved..
Kapalua Villas, Maui
Cabo San Lucas, Palmilla or Pueblo Bonita Rose
La Jolla, The Lodge at Torrey Pines
Santa Barbara, San Ysidro Ranch, Bacara Resort or the Four Season.
I have stayed in a suite at the Broadmoor and we did not see any ruffles..I don't like them either..
Going for only 5 days may be pushing it to Maui but hey, its a great idea..
I have used Expedia and direct to these Hotels and have had wonderful experiences with them all..
Best to you and your husband..

Very different direction but what about some place like Wequasset Inn in Chatham/Harwich, MA on Cape Cod. Perhaps others could comment on the golf course but I know the location to be scenic (on the water), the rooms to be lovely and there are many places to visit after a round of golf. And Cape Cod is beautiful at that time of year.

Forgive me, but I think this is a no-brainer. The most memorable golf game of his life with scenery to die for? Pebble Beach.

You didn't mention price, but we were just in Monterey, California a couple of weeks ago and drove down to Pebble Beach (for a second time). Yes, it's wildly expensive to play golf AND to stay there, but the view of the ocean is fabulous and there are LOTS of accommodation and restaurant options in Carmel and Monterey.

You might not have thought of Albuquerque, but at that time of year it will be beautiful to play golf and sightsee. There are LOTS of great courses to play and wonderful hotels to stay --- Check out Hyatt Tamaya just north of ABQ

http://tamaya.hyatt.com/hyatt/hotels/

It will be spectacular with fall colors in the bosque {woods} and you will love the spa for yourself to keep busy.

If you have any Q', ask away or email me.

Hope this helps...
Debi

Coeur d'Alene Resort,

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho- gorgeous scenery, romantic but modern and not cutesy- great golf course (so I've heard, never played there)

Take him to Ireland and let him play Ballybunion. That would be the best surprise!!! Besides, Ireland is beautiful.

Oh, and I forgot, Old Head near Kinsale. http://www.oldhead.com/

oh- never mind about Idaho- weather will be miserable then!

Second the NC and La Jolla suggestions

Even better than my Pinehurst N.C. suggestion would be the central part of Michigan. Around Gaylord for example are some wonderful courses and some beautiful towns. They advertise more courses than Myrtle Beach. Have a great time

Oh, my goodness, thank you all so much for your excellent recommendations! I have enough ideas for many trips to come. I think I will head in the direction of Pebble Beach. I think it is a once in a lifetime experience, and it is the next best thing to Maui for scenery! Any recommendations for other courses in the area? At the Pebble Beach rates, he only gets to play there one day. Since he is a single, I assume I shouldn't have a problem getting him on, but I know I will need to call before I book this trip.

I would appreciate recommendations for hotels/resorts. I would prefer a more intimate, romantic place with beautiful scenery. I assume I would have to pay in the $400-500 range, but would greatly appreciate anything less.

Thank you all so much for your help in my trying to make this a memorable trip for my husband!

Litchfield Plantation in Pawley's Island SC. Any number of beautiful golf courses to choose from, historic plantation house to stay in, best seafood on the SE coast, day trip to Charleston if you like, Brookgreen Gardens 5 miles away, Georgetown 25 miles away (Revolutionary War historic district), Pawley's Island (also Revolutionary War beach historic district--where the Charleston rice planters stayed in the summer to escape the malarial mosquitoes of the Low country).
Fly to Myrtle Beach. Litchfield Plantation is 30 minutes away.

Bermuda is gorgeous, try the Southampton Princess.

I can reply to this since I am in the golf business and a golfer

Bandon Dunes Oregon. OMG it is spectacular!

The Bandon Dunes courses are constantly rated in everyone's top 10 courses anywhere (Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, Golf World, Golf Week, PGA Partners, Links, etc).

They are situated on the Oregon coast.

One of the best things is that unlike Pebble Beach, golf will not cost you $700 (and that doesn't include a caddy you must use at $150 plus tip).

Your husband will be blown away by the fact that you even know about Bandon Dunes.

Check out the photos:

http://www.bandondunesgolf.com/

Head up to the Rockies! Keystone, Colorado has two world class courses and you can give him the gift of the extra feet a golfball flies at altitude (9,400'). You can choose from wonderful, non ruffly accommodations and the scenery can't be beat. At your time, you'll be there for the changing Apsen colors; shimmering molten gold on the mountainsides.

Thank you GoT ~ I have it bookmarked and it is now on the list of future surprises for Mr. Tiff.

Breaktaking!

More wonderful suggestions! GoTravel, in my research on the 100 top US courses in Golf Digest, I saw the two courses in Bandon, Oregon. Any suggestions on where to stay? The accomodations at Bandon Dunes, I believe this was the one, I am starting to get mixed up here, seemed to be focused on a foursome and not a romantic weekend away (well, of course it is golf!). Any recommendations of a B&B in the area or hotel on the coast? Thank you!