The Saguaro course at We-Ko-Pa in Fort McDowell, Ariz.
Brian Oar
Old Tom and Young Tom. Jack and Gary. Tiger and Charlie. Just three notable examples of famous father/son duos. True, you and your little feller may never win majors, design golf courses and, y’know, be globe-trotting superstars.
However, with a little luck and a few pesos in your pants, you might be able to do the globe-trotting part. Indeed, there are literally dozens of dynamite destinations where you and your little — a son or daughter! — can peg it up and have the time of your life.
True, depending on interests, the ideal scenario can vary. With this in mind, and staying in line with our “globe-trotting” ambitions, here are three destinations — one in the United States, one in Canada and one across the pond — that would make for fabulous getaways.
Greater Phoenix, Ariz.
The “Valley of the Sun” is a golfer’s paradise. Over 200 golf courses to choose from? Wall to wall sunshine? Arguably the best desert golf on the planet? Yes, that’ll do. True, it’s kinda toasty in summer. And in winter, when the northern folk flock there, things can get a little busy and a little pricey. But Phoenix is also one of the most kid-friendly cities in North America. A world-class zoo, spring training baseball (not to mention many other professional and college sports teams), awesome aquariums, water parks, science centers, desert ATV Tours and much more make it a great choice for kids of any age.
In terms of golf, there are many fabulous resorts to choose from. Here are three.
The Wigwam
A classic (and classy) desert oasis, The Wigwam is a tried-and-true Phoenix resort that features luxurious course-side suites and casitas, superb dining and three excellent courses of varying length and difficulty. So regardless if you’re both exquisite ball-strikers or neither of you can hit it out of your shadow, you’ll find a course that will suit your skill level. For example, the Gold course is “big boy” golf (it stretches to nearly 7,400 yards) and is often cited as one of Robert Trent Jones Sr.’s best designs. It gets progressively easier from there. There’s even a tidy little short game area to prep. The Wigwam offers a $25 junior rate after 2:30 p.m. (October to April) and after 11 a.m. (May to September).
The Arizona Biltmore
Located just 10 minutes north of Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport in the ultra-rich Biltmore neighborhood, the Arizona Biltmore is another legendary Phoenix outpost with a retro vibe. Frank Sinatra and Maryilyn Monroe were regulars. Although it might be difficult to pry your sidekick off “The Twist,” their wild 65-foot triple waterslide, the new Tom Lehman-designed Estates Course is definitely worth a couple of laps. Located on the site of the old-and-tired Adobe Course, Lehman and his team completely invigorated the place thanks to a host of sporty and creatively contoured holes that reflect the modern game. It’s the type of course that young and old, hacker and hotshot, can thoroughly enjoy. On Sunday afternoons (after 3 p.m.) juniors play free with a paying adult.
The Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Ariz.Courtesy Photo
We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort
Dipping and diving through cacti-studded terrain on the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, both the original Scott Miller-designed Cholla Course and the Coore/Crenshaw-designed Saguaro course are brilliant desert golf concoctions. It’s exhilarating stuff and the golf is top-shelf for the seasoned player. After golf, the We-Ko-Pa Casino Resort, located just a Tiger stinger down the road, is a great place to hunker down, enjoy the pool, and eat like the champions you yearn to be. Maybe there’s even time for the casino. Juniors (16 and under) pay 50 percent of the rack rate all season.
Calgary/Banff, Alberta
Similar to Denver, Colorado, the western Canadian city of Calgary, Alberta sits in the eastern shadows of the Rocky Mountains. Famous for The Calgary Stampede (always held in early July), Calgary is a scenic city with plenty of great golf on its doorstep. There’s also plenty of opportunity for you and your little buckeroo to experience western culture. Horseback riding, dude ranches, small-town rodeos, pioneer museums and heritage parks are just a few ideas to experience western ways.
In terms of golf, your best bet is heading an hour west to play in Kananaskis (home to two stunning Robert Trent Jones Sr. courses), Canmore, Banff and, if time permits, Jasper.
Here are two notable resorts that won’t disappoint.
Fairmont Banff Springs
Home to “The Devil’s Cauldron,” one of the most famous par-3s on the planet, Stanley Thompson’s mountain masterpiece in Banff is a bucket-list layout that sits at the base of towering, snow-dusted peaks and the castle-like Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel. The golf is fantastic, the views scintillating. Before or after golf, walking Banff’s famous main street, ogling waterfalls, riding the gondola, and hiking an iconic trail, or two, are great adventure add-ons. Junior golf rates are 50 percent off the rack rate.
Fairmont Banff Springs in Alberta, Canada.Jacob Sjöman
Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge
It’s always a great debate. Which golf course is better, Banff or Jasper? The majority of golfers-in-the-know would give Jasper the nod. Why? It’s more forgiving, the routing is virtually unchanged since Thompson designed it in 1925 and it finishes with a riveting run around Lac Beauvert. The catch? In July 2024 a massive forest fire ravaged thirty percent of the Jasper townsite and burned countless trees on and around the course. So, yes, the course (opening day this year is July 1) will look and play very differently for many years before the forest is re-established.
The good news? The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge was virtually unscathed and you can still enjoy the many amenities – such as biking, hiking and canoeing – during your stay. Junior greens fee rate is $130 Canadian. Also, all season after 3 p.m., one junior can play free with one paid adult.
Chances are you’ve felt a pull to make a pilgrimage to “The Home of Golf.” Indeed, St. Andrews, Scotland is perhaps the highest achievement, the holy grail, for golf lovers.
While a round at the Old Course is, obviously, the high mark, there are a number of modern links courses in the area where scoring a tee time is much easier. Kingsbarns, Dumbarnie and The Castle Course immediately come to mind. And if you are with a beginner, you can spend some time at the 9-hole, par-3 Balgove Golf Course right in St. Andrews. It’s a little gem for newbies and it’s only €5 for juniors.
In terms of post-round, kid-friendly activities, a visit to the impressive St. Andrews Cathedral ruins, St. Andrews Castle and the R&A World Golf Museum are a few noteworthy options.
Not surprisingly, there are dozens of boutique hotels, charming B&Bs, vacation rentals and so on where you can stay. But, for golfers, nothing quite compares to the opulent fortress that sits snug beside the 17th hole.
With the exception of The Old Course, the junior golf rate (under 16) is 50 percent off the rack rate at all seven courses in the St. Andrews Links Trust.
Old Course Hotel
Sure this five-star luxury hotel gets tattooed with the odd Titleist, however, inside the walls the guests of the legendary Old Course Hotel feel little pain. A world-class spa, gourmet dining and spacious suites overlooking The Road Hole and West Sands Beach are some of the many highlights.
Bottom line, if you’re fortunate enough to take one of these getaways, it really doesn’t matter where you go. You’re a winner before you even hop on a plane. Safe travels. You’ve got precious cargo.
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