Wellness, instruction, and amenities breathe new life into traditional golf courses
Classic meets the cutting edge at some of the longest-existing premier golf communities in the U.S.
Panoramic views, plush clubhouses, and well-manicured grounds remain hallmarks of all the best golf resorts. But to keep up with current trends, they are expanding amenities to include a larger range of activities, expanded fitness centers, and a suite of wellness services.
“People want to have that classic look, but they want to have the modern conveniences,” said Jan Bel Jan, the president of the Jupiter, Florida-based American Society of Golf Course Architects.
Amenities like top-notch bars and restaurants and state-of-the-art wellness centers have become an important component of successful golf facilities, according to Ms. Bel Jan.
Fitness centers staffed with trainers and class instructors are common, and many clubs feature spas, steam rooms and saunas. Luxury swimming pools and lounge areas are a must, often with multiple pools and quiet areas for relaxing. Many also have areas for yoga and meditation, including gardens and lawns.
The golf facilities are continually being upgraded, as well. Courses are investing in expanded practice complexes and re-imagined greens.
Garden Atrium
Beyond the Greens
Many golf communities have expanded their offerings to bring them up to par with the best resorts. To do that, they are giving guests and residents more options.
It’s similar to the way country clubs were set up in the 1910s and 1920s, Ms. Bel Jan said.
“It was an excursion to get there,” she explained. “Once you did arrive, there was a variety of entertainment and a broad range of athletic pursuits. If there was bad weather, there were also card rooms, dancing, bowling…even etiquette classes.”
Today’s guests are looking for that same variety.
Take Sea Island Resort. Founded in 1928 in Sea Island, Georgia, it’s recently undergone a $30 million update to the already extensive facilities.
That includes the addition of the Sea Strike & Pub, a six-lane bowling alley and a restaurant.
Sea Strike & Pub
“That was a huge success last summer,” said Lewis Glenn, vice president of Sea Island Properties.
There, guests and residents can enjoy a few frames after playing a round, as well as other games like darts and shuffleboard. The pub also offers craft cocktails and a gastropub-style menu with bar fare and small plates.
That’s in addition to the other amenities at the club, including the beach club, a spa, a fitness center, and several other restaurants. There’s also an array of other outdoor activities, from falconry to boating and fishing to horseback riding.
Read the full article on Mansion Global.