10 Great Courses to Play With Your Kids (or Grandkids)

January 14, 2013

We all have a story about how we were introduced to the game of golf. Regardless of details, the story is the same – we’ve fallen in love with the game through the years and now the roles are reversed. It’s our turn to pass on the joys of the game to the next generation of players.

We know finding the time for a round of golf these days is tough. But if you love the game and want to see it thrive, carve out a few hours on weekend to take your kids, your nieces and nephews or even your grandkids out for a round. You’ll all enjoy the experience and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Here are 10 great family-friendly golf courses where everyone can have fun on the links – and off.

Magnolia Golf Course at Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, FL– Everyone knows about the magic of Disney but “the most magical place on earth” also features 81 holes of golf in and around the theme parks – including the Magnolia Course, which hosts the PGA Tour’s Children’s Miracle Network Classic. Kids will get a kick out of the Mickey Mouse-shaped bunker that fronts the right side of the green at Magnolia’s par-3 6th hole. The resort also features the walking-only 9-hole Oak Trail course which is also family-friendly.

 

Spring Creek Golf Course in Hershey, PA – Chocolate, roller coasters and golf. What more could kids possibly want? Hersheypark boasts 11 roller coasters, including the new “Skyrush,” as well as more than 25 kid-friendly attractions and water rides. We recommend you stay on-site at one of the official resorts of Hersheypark to enhance the overall experience. As for golf, there are four courses to choose from, including Spring Creek, a newly-renovated 9-holer originally known as Juvenile Country Club because it was the first course in the country built specifically for junior golfers.

 

Kingsmill Resort & Golf Club in Williamsburg, VA – Kingsmill Resort & Golf Club’s 9-hole, par-3 Brays Links course is inexpensive and perfect for junior golfers. Plus, there are free shuttles to area attractions, including Busch Gardens, Colonial Williamsburg and Water Country USA. And for the big kids who follow the pros, play the Pete Dye-designed River course, a long-time host site of PGA Tour and LPGA Tour events.

 

Grand Wailea Resort & Spa in Maui, HI – For one, you are in Maui. Secondly, there is the Wailea Canyon Activity Pool with waterslides, rapids, caves and rope-swings that the kids are sure to enjoy. With four courses, there will be something for everyone as far as golf goes, and the Emerald and Gold courses feature scenic ocean views.

 

Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, AZ – Located in the golfer’s paradise of Scottsdale, Kierland Resort has pools, a 110-foot water slide and a 900-foot winding lazy river. Golfing options? The resort has 27-holes that feature wide fairways and forward tees that make each of the 18-hole combinations come in around 5,000 yards.

 

Sunriver Resort near Eugene, OR – This Oregon destination features a full-service golf academy and three 18-hole courses all nestled in a Pacific Northwest mountainside setting. For those looking for a fun and different golf experience, try the 9-hole putting course featuring holes from 45-feet to 120-feet long and bent grass putting surfaces perfect for golfers at every level.

 

Kiawah Island Resort near Charleston, SC – Located near Charleston, SC, Kiawah Island Resort’s golf courses have played host to Ryder Cup, as well as Rory McIlroy’s memorable 2012 PGA Championship rout. In addition to the 90 holes and breathtaking views along the Ocean Course, there is a ton to do here – everything from kayaking to bike riding to dolphin encounters. Plus, for the beginning players, the Golf Learning Center offers special instruction and properly-sized clubs for juniors.

 

Grand View Lodge in Nisswa, MN – Located about three hours north of the Twin Cities, Grand View Lodge offers rustic and natural beauty that only the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” can bring. The family can enjoy fishing, swimming and boating on Gull Lake before embarking on a relaxing round of golf on one of the resort’s four courses. Kids play free with a paying adult after 1 p.m. every day on the Garden course.

 

Mosholu Golf Course in Bronx, NY – What cooler family golf outing could there be than one in the Big Apple?! Located in the Bronx just a short subway ride from Midtown Manhattan, Mosholu is a 2,178-yard, 9-hole course perfect for beginning and intermediate players. Founded over a century ago as one of the first public golf courses in the United States, Mosholu features an expansive 20,000 sq. ft. putting green, chipping area and driving range perfect for fledgling players to hone their skills and foster a love for the game.

Go Local – You don’t have to head out on a grand vacation to find kid-friendly golf options and you can probably start looking right in your own backyard. Check in with your local course and let them know you have a young golfer you want to introduce to the game and many state junior programs will have tips, suggestions and programs for getting young players started. Don’t forget to check GolfNow for best prices on golf rounds in your area.