Dec 22, 20248 min read

Slice Life December Newsletter

Slice Life

Golf Trip Guys December Newsletter

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah! Hope everyone has their golf wish lists submitted and Santa brings all the new gear you desire. For some last minute ideas check out our tips for golf trip gear and packing to make sure you are covered for any trips you have in the new year! the new gears arrives

What's up for this month

Welcome back to issue number 2. The cold weather has mostly set in and leaves us in the northeast moving to indoor golf sims and dreams of catching at 50+ degree day to sneak out for a winter round. Mike and I checked December off the list in our commitment to play every month...all while achieving the laugh-inducing experience of hitting a green pin high and watching the ball bounce over the back of the green into the woods.

Dreaming of warmer skies and longer days, we will spotlight destinations for March. Being only a few months away there is always time to plan a weekend golf escape to warmer weather. We will also highlight a bucket-list destination for March. Don't forget to add your name to our interested list for our 2025 event series, featuring pre-planned events at some of New England gems and two epic travel destinations. Singles or groups of 2 or 4 golfers can join and meet new golf buddies. Check out our upcoming series for 2025.

Enjoying exploring March's destinations!

March Focus: Naples, FL

An easy long weekend escape to warmth, golf, and baseball

With plenty of quick and economical flight options through Fort Myers, Naples, Florida is an ideal long weekend golf destination. Known for its pristine fairways, premium accommodations, and views of the Gulf shores, a Naples visit can be tailored to your preferences and give you that boost to push through winter. Pulling up an aerial map of Naples you will see the landscape brimming with golf courses. While many are private, there are a host of accessible top locations to check off your list.

The Golf

Starting at one of the most well known Naples staples :) -- Tiburon golf resort. Hosting two 18 hole courses designed by Greg Norman, the Gold and the Black courses are consistently rated in the top Florida rankings and host to LPGA and PGA tour events. The semi-private location features, top tier practice facilities, eye catching turf-lined bunkers and fair yet challenging course layout all with top notch service one would expect from a Ritz property.

Next is the Naples Grande Golf Resort - this one is private but accessible to guests of the Naples Grande Beach resort (below for more on accommodations.) The par 72 Rees Jones design will keep you entertained throughout with water features and elevation changes that incorporate the native Florida foliage.

For a unique nature oriented golf experience, make the short drive north to The Salt Leaf Golf Preserve. Having just completed a $20M+ renovation, the former Raptor Bay Club is known for its layout amongst a nature preserve -- no homes line the course, only hawks, osprey and deer. While up north The Old Corkscrew Golf Club is another must visit, and not just for its outstanding course logo. Also set in a nature preserve, the top rated Jack Nicklaus course is artfully woven through a mixture of oaks, pines, cypress trees, prairie grass and wetlands.

To round out some local and more economical course options check out Arrowhead and Valencia for excellent course conditions and rounds under $200.

Accommodations

Naples is known for its premium hospitality experiences. There are incredible Airbnb's to choose from, beachside condos, golf properties and city locations depending on your preference. If resorts are your speed, there are multiple high touch options. Two top resorts for those looking to be pampered and stay and play options are the Ritz Carlton and the Grande Naples:

Ritz-Carlton at Tiburon is a premium property with all the amenities -- fitness, tennis, water adventures and a host of dining options. And of course, golf stay and play options are available. Service here is paramount and memorable.

Grande Naples Beach Resort sits on the Gulf Coast with amazing views. 23 acres sit on Florida's Paradise Coast where each room has a balcony with ocean views. A stay provides access to the spectacular private Grande Naples Golf Course.

Naples is home to a vibrant and diverse dining scene that caters to a wide range of tastes. The city is renowned for its fresh seafood, authentic Italian cuisine, and innovative farm-to-table establishments. There are multiple dining districts to experience, some top favorites are The Turtle Club, Campiello, and Salis. Overall, Naples is a perfect destination for a quick winter escape. If there's time you could pair golf with some spring training baseball. The Red Sox call Fort Myers home for much of March, check out the spring training schedule and book your trip!

March Bucket-list: The Big Island, HI

Golf, Volcanos and epic beaches

Aloha to a Hawaiian vacation, an incredible place on this earth, it's hard not to be in awe of endlessly beautiful landscapes and ideal weather and landscapes. Paradise becomes even more unforgettable if one gets to add a bunch of golf... Not to be overshadowed by its sister island of Maui, the West Coast of The Big Island has a stretch of some of the most memorable golf you will ever play. Combine that with exploring volcanos (there is even a golf course on a volcano...) to epic hidden beaches, and world class resorts -- this is a sure-fire bucket list trip.

Where to Stay

A West Coast home base is ideal to experience the top golf locations. There are a host of upscale resorts that provide the full premium Hawaii experience. Mauna Kea, Mauna Lani, Four Seasons and Hapuna Westin are among the best. There are also a host of airbnb options inland and around Kailua-Kona that are more affordable yet within driving distance of the best courses.

Mauna Lani and Waikoloa are two properties to fit your resort preferences

Consistently rated at the top of the resort rankings, Mauna Lani sits on the stunning Kohala coast and is home to two courses. Swim up bars, spas, beach access all make it a perfect spot for the ultimate in Hawaiian hospitality.

If resort style isn't your thing, relax along the fairways in a villa or enjoy a drink oceanside at Waikoloa. The property has villas with your view of choice and size depending on your group. The property also has 27 holes and another 18 inland.

Where to play

The golf scene is incredible on the West Coast. If you have ever wanted the plethora of emotions that comes with a par 3 full carry over the Pacific Ocean, this is your place. Starting with the course we would recommend if you could only play (or afford) one round, Mauna Kea. Perhaps the most iconic hole in Hawaii is the 3rd at Mauna Kea. A spectacular carry over the ocean waves and lava rocks to a tricky green. Don't be surprised if play backs up slightly with all the photographs, you'll hardly find any discomfort as you take in the scene. The rest of the course is stunning with elevation changes and holes that stretch down to the vast ocean. Pro-tip: the West Coast course typically experience calmer conditions in the morning, the afternoon sees the trade winds increase for a real adventure!

Next up is the neighboring Mauna Lani resort. With 36 holes showcasing the two defining characteristics of Big Island golf -- the ocean and volcanic terrain. The South course highlights the coastline of the Pacific, especially the par-3 15th hole, which plays across the crashing waves. The North course winds through volcanic terrain creating its own memorable experience.

Designed by Jack Nicklaus, Hualalai at the Four Seasons consistently ranks in the top 100 courses in the U.S. The standout hole is the par 3 17th featuring a volcanic coastline shot that requires focus and accuracy.

Lastly one of our hidden gems is Kona Country Club Ocean Course – This championship course takes full advantage of the coastline, offering both beauty and challenge while showcasing its own stunning oceanfront holes. The lava rock formations add a unique element to the game and an unforgettable round.

Pro-tip: No trip to the big island is complete with out a visit to Volcano National Park - if you see it via Heli or hike into the park it is a worthy experience. If you can swing one night in the town of Volcano or Hilo it make access much easier. There is even a golf course on the Volcano called Volcano Golf Course, not quite the epic courses compared to the coast but a how many times will you be able to say you played golf on a active volcano??

Game of the month

Sometimes it’s fun to mix up the standard stroke play. Cash games are a staple, but if you are looking for some “friendly” competition that keeps everyone on their toes and adds a little strategy to the round, format games are a great alternative.

December's Game - Left | Right | Center

If you are looking for a game that rewards accuracy off the tee AND keeps the competition going until the next hole, Left, Right, Center may be a great option. It’s relatively easy to understand, explain, and score - making it a great option for any skill level. A nice aspect of this game is you can start, stop, or continue it anytime during your round. It’s a good way to keep the group engaged and fire up those competitive juices with your friends.

How to Play:

The Basics:

LRC requires at least three golfers in your group. After the tee shots determine who is left, who is right, and who is center. The two golfters who are Left and Right play as a team against the golfer who is Center. Score the hole as standard stroke play with the winner reciving two points for each hole. Note: if playing in a foursome, the two players who are Center will play as a team but the scoring does need adjustments as highlighted below.

Scoring:

There are 2 points available for each hole. If the Left/Right team wins the hole, they each get 1 point. If the Center golfer wins the hole, they get 2 points. Note: If playing with a foursome, scoring adjusts slightly. If the Left/Right team wins, they each get 1 point. If the Center team wins, they each get 2 points.

Winning the game:

This part is easy - the golfer with the most points wins the game! If you happen to end in a tie, head over to the practice green for a three hole playoff.

Payouts:

Before you begin playing, determine what your group is comfortable putting on the line. Options include $/point (i.e. $1 for each point) or paying into a pot that is paid out to the winner (i.e. $10/player). As always, cash is king when playing games on the course!

Why it's fun:

Left, Center, Right keeps everyone engaged because there’s an element of chance and strategy mixed in with your normal golf play. It also gives players a chance to win something even if they're not at the top of the leaderboard. Plus, it’s a game that can be easily adjusted to suit a variety of group sizes and play formats, so you can play it with a casual foursome or with a larger crowd. The constant shifting of who’s in the “left,” “center,” and “right” keeps everyone on their toes, and the friendly banter that comes with it is all part of the fun!