Slice Life
Golf trip destinations for the month of May.
Happy Valentine's Day all! We trust you will compliment your favorite course today, whether it's their supple rolling fairways or slick fast greens, let them know they do it for you. While you are at it, give your clubs some love as well. Winter is hard on them, stuck in a dark corner with only the hope of an excursion to the simulator. But fear not for there are beacons of love on the horizon, The Masters is 52 days away and we are only a month and change before we start getting those opening day emails from some of our Valentines.
What's up for this month
Another beacon of hope is the anticipation of a golf trip. We finalized details for two more events upcoming in 2025. Our pre-built golf trips are designed for pairs or singles to come explore a cool golf location, play some fun game styles and meet some new golf buddies over a transfusion or 3. Check out the lineup and join us somewhere new.
Shoutouts to those that took two minutes to tell us what they love in a golf trip, if you care to add your input - the survey is open here. Thank you!!
In this month's newsletter we highlight one of the hottest destinations in the U.S and an epic golf expedition.
Away we go...
May Focus: St. George, Utah
Not just for skiing anymore
80 degree days and comfortably cool evenings, Utah in May - that isn't a typo. Throw in abundant sunshine and lack of crowds and you have yourself a destination for golf. Oh and not to mention the copious amounts of dramatic scenery in a destination that is jumping on everyone's golf must see list. Grown in red rock country, this golf haven offers dramatic desert landscapes, challenging layouts, and luxury accommodations. Now it is Utah... so get ready for some weird alcohol laws :)
You've likely heard of Zion National Park, and if you are fortunate to have been there you know it's grandeur. Epic hikes through canyons and towering rock formations shape endless beauty. Head about 30 minutes west and you'll find a town that has taken that inspiration towards their golf.
St. George has a history of welcoming travelers, first established by Mormons during the civil war as a cotton crop outpost. The town became a stop on a journey that turned into a home as many fell in love with it's landscape. A bed of black lava cuts through the landscape enclosed by the red hue of distant mountains. It was that canvas that drew golf visionaries to add green to the landscape palette. The lush fairways soon emerged looking as if destined to be there and to the praise of us all that get to play the courses. Almost any course here will be at the top of your most scenic rounds.
The Golf
There are arguments to be had around the most spectacularly golf experience in St. George. The incumbent, Sand Hollow, has a rising young buck competitor in Black Desert. After the world got their first peak during the PGA event in 2024, the secret was out. Utah golf is on the map. Whether you land on Black Desert, Sand Hollow, The Ledges or Copper Rock you will not regret booking this trip...
Black Desert
Red Navajo sandstone, pink coral dunes, and ancient jet black lava fields set quite the scene for golf. Black Desert is a story of vision and hard work that brought the first PGA event to the state of Utah in 2024. One of the last projects of the late Tom Weiskopf, it is a masterpiece. The holes are quite literally routed through the lava rock. Picture threading a drive through a lava chute or a downhill iron shot into the vastness of the Red Mountains - then come live that reality at Black Desert.
George Fazio Course
Those that have experienced this itinerary walk away with no doubt that Sand Hollow is the crown jewel of the bunch. Recently edging it's way into the Golf Digest top 100 public courses, this John Fought design will certainly have you buying some merch post round, hopefully with money won from your match. The layout of the course is playable yet challenges you to be thoughtful of your shots. While the back nine is the star, don't sleep on the front. It starts off with excellent desert style golf winding through rock outcrops and introduces some well placed and unique red rock bunkers. You'll find yourself enjoying the round as you make the turn and #10 enthralls you to the vastness of the landscape. Multiple holes play along a ridgeline with views for miles.
The Ledges
At it's opening, The Ledges was a Golf Digest best new course of the year in 2007. Designed by Matt Dye of the famed Dye family of golf architects, the course is carved into the red rock formations of Snow Canyon State Park. A trait that seems shared amongst the courses here is distinctive front and back nines. The Ledges begins as an forgiving desert style links layout before incorporating the rock outcrops to frame the back 9 holes and tightening up necessary shot making.
Copper Rock
One of the newest additions to St. George’s golf scene, opening in the covid times of 2020, is Copper Rock. It's swiftly becoming another favorite and is gaining national recognition. The course features rolling fairways through the valley floor then brings more elevation changes into play on the back nine.
Extra courses for the golf nuts: Coral Canyon, Sky Mountain and Sunbrook. Private but playable for resort guest is Entrada at Snow Canyon.
Where to stay
For luxury, the brand new Black Desert Resort has you covered. With 5 restaurants and additional bars, the dining scene has plenty to offer. Hit the full service spa for a refresher between rounds or relax at the infinity pool complete with swim-up bar and mountain vistas.
For the best group vibe - put the crew together and let the laughs and stories flow. The Ledges has guest villas from 3-6 bedrooms that can handle any group size. Wake up to panoramas of red rock cliffs and soak in the best of nature on your private terrace.
Sample Itinerary
St George, Utah with stop in Mesquite, NV
Day 1 - arrive Las Vegas airport
Arrive Mesquite Nevada (hour north)
Play Wolf Creek
Arrive in St George (one hour north)
Day 2
Morning: Copper Rock
Afternoon: Sand Hollow
Dinner at Painted Pony
Day 3
Play The Ledges
Spa/Relax or play Coral Canyon
Dinner at Cliffside Restaurant
Day 4
Zion National Park
Day 5
Play Black Desert
Departure from Las Vegas
May Bucket-list: South Africa
Golf with a side of Safari - LFG!
You know the names of South African golf legends - Gary Player, Ernie Els, Retief Goosen and Louis Oosthuizen. But have you heard of South Africa as a golf destination? It's likely time you should...they have the weather, the epic landscapes and of course the wild animals. All that at a value make this destination prime to add to the bucket list. Let's check out South Africa as a golf destination. May is the fall season and a great time to visit, with comfortable temps coupled with reduced humidity and crowds.
This epic itinerary will start in Cape Town, follow the Garden Route and end in Kruger National Park west of Johannesburg. Along the way will be golf...obviously...coastline, vistas, animals, and wine. Begin in Cape Town with an acclimation day devoted to hiking (or gondola-ing) up Table Mountain for edge of the world views. Wine country surrounds Cape Town, so let's venture into the vineyards to find our first fairways.
The Franschhoek Wine region, known for the Semillon, Chardonnay and Syrah varieties, heralds the first stop on the tour. The first course has a strong practice facility apt for the weary traveler, Pearl Valley, a Jack Nicklaus signature course. Featuring water and bunkers galore, the course may seem challenging but plays favorably. Consistently one of the top courses in South Africa, Pearl Valley is well maintained and pairs quite well with a Semillon and charcuterie for an inviting first taste of South Africa.
With Cape Town and wine country indulged, it is off to the Garden Route and a few days of luxury at the Fancourt Resort. The Garden Route is a 190 mile stretch of coastline situated between the northern natural boundary of the Langeberg, Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma Mountains and the Indian Ocean... basically the bottom of the modern world. The name is derived from the vibrant and diverse vegetation found throughout the region. Sitting in the heart of the Garden Route, Fancourt Resort has a Cotswald's manor vibe. Unsurprisingly it roots back in the 1800s were just that, an English estate that has morphed over the years into an incredible golf resort. Offering two five star hotels and three of the best golf courses in the country, a few days here is well spent.
The three courses - The Links (flagship), The Montagu, and Outeniqua - were designed by Gary Player yet are unique to themselves.
The Links, as the name suggests, was created in the inspiration of traditional Scottish style courses. Gary Player boasts that the creation is one of his greatest accomplishments and remains one of the only links courses in the country. Windswept native grass and towering sand dunes framed by the Outeniqua mountains make it a truly memorable course. The persistent mountain backdrop is quickly evident on the long downhill par three second hole, which will be on your camera roll for years to come.
The resort's original course, Montagu, opened back in the early 90s and has since been renovated twice. A parkland style with water features and fast greens, Montagu proudly sits within the top 10 in the country.
Outeniqua is considered the most playable of the 3 and takes it's namesake from the surrounding mountains. The Parkland gem is not to be taken for granted as it features water on 11 holes.
A short trip away is the spectacular Pinnacle Point, and is noted by it's famed local designer Peter Matkovich as one of the most spectacular sites in the world. And as you may have surmised from the name, there are certainly views to be had. The design of the course follows the land up and down the rocky cliffs that catch the waves of the Indian Ocean. Featuring infinite greens, seven seaside holes and views that get better and better, Pinnacle Point is a must play. A drink at the 19th hole in the stunning clubhouse is the perfect cap to a memorable round.
As hard as it is to depart the Garden Route, there is plenty of excitement to come. No visit to South Africa is complete without a chance to see the Big Five game. For this we head northeast to Kruger National Park in search of the African Elephant, Lion, Leopard, Rhino, the Cape Buffalo (collectively The BIG FIVE!). The true adventurer can make it six with the ultra-rare find: safari golf. Enter Leopard Creek Country Club, founded on the values of friendship, love of the game and reverence for nature. The course is truly in harmony with it's wildlife, and perhaps the only place in the world where you may have to pause your approach shot to await a giraffe to clear the green. Sights of crocodiles, buffalo, elephant and antelope are commonplace and the course itself is consistently ranked top 3 in the country. Another gem of a design from Gary Player, who helped put South Africa on the golfing map with his designs.
Finish of the trip with a Safari into Kruger National in search of the big five. You'll setup camp at the premium Jock Safari Lodge - the first private lodge set in the heart of Kruger National Park where the Mitomeni and Biyamiti rivers become one. This luxury lodge incorporates distinctive elements of Zulu and Shangaan cultures to create an experience one with nature. For adventure into the park, guided Land Cruiser tours bring you into the bush to spot African game. Watch for wildlife from the comfort of the pool or enjoy a drink by the fire-pits as you recount stories from the trip. Then retreat and regenerate in air conditioned suites with private outdoor lounges to catch a few more wildlife sightings.
Bonus: For those that haven't had enough golf...Well here is one last only place on earth experience. Legends Golf Club is unique in each of it's 18 holes was designed by a professional golfer from a different part of the world. Even with the collection of designers, the course flows together quite well. But it's the 19th hole that you stick in your story bank for the rest of your days. Included in the greens fee is a helicopter ride. To a tee box. On top of a mountain. From above, over 600 yards away is a tee shot that can hang in the air more than 30 seconds towards the giant Africa shaped green. Make a birdie here and you are one of only a handful to do so. A hole in one will net you a still to be unclaimed milly bounty. Take your shot and conclude this trip of a lifetime. Enjoy!
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.
February's Game - Bingo, Bango, Bongo
Bingo, Bango, Bongo is a fun and quick to learn golf game that injects a bit of extra excitement into your round. A huge positive of is the scoring - it is easy, and can be tracked as a side game to traditional stroke play, or if you are looking for a fun and casual round with the crew, as a replacement.
Basics of the Game:
The game awards one point for three different accomplishments on each hole:
Bingo: The first player to reach the green
Bango: The player closest to the pin, once everyone is on the green
Bongo: the first player to hole out
Nothing to fancy here - each player calls out their specific accomplishment and scores are added after the hole is complete. The player with the most points at the end of the round wins the pool.
Nuances:
Straightforward as it is, BBB does have a few nuances we have come across in our gameplay that should be addressed
Hole outs from the fairway / greenside: It may not happen often, but every now and then the stars align and someone finds the cup without needing to touch the flat stick. When this happens, we think flowers are deserved and award both the bango and the bongo point.
Gimmes: This one has been a point of controversy since our first time playing this game. If you follow the rules of golf to the letter (boring), everyone plays their ball to the hole and gimmes aren’t an issue. But who wants to grind over 2 foot putts all day? Certainly not us, because fast play is the best play. In our games, all puts are marked regardless of how close to the hole they are. Once everyone is in gimme range, the player with the farthest putt goes first - if they make the putt, they win the bongo point. If they miss the putt, the bongo point is awarded to the player with the longest remaining putt, and everyone moves on. Again, somewhat controversial within golfing circles and open to interpretation for your crew - but we have found this strikes a good balance between pace of play and competition.
Why it's fun:
Bingo, Bango, Bongo is a low-effort game that promotes less focus on skill disparities, which makes it playable for all handicaps. The three different scoring opportunities on each hole means golfers of varying abilities can still be competitive. For low handicappers, the game lets them show off their putting and approach shot skills. For beginners, it rewards getting the ball on the green, encouraging them to focus on their short game and putting. With spring right around the corner here in the Northeast, we are excited to add Bingo, Bango, Bongo back into the rotation.
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