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In some cases, and even if only for a day, it also means local and visiting golfers can gain access to premier private golf clubs they might otherwise never have experienced. Even the best private clubs aren't immune to challenging times, and some are looking for outside play to supplement a slowdown in membership or real estate sales.
Such is the case at Tradition National Golf Club, the 18-hole Tommy Fazio design that it is at the center of the master-planned community Tradition Hilton Head, which is located on U.S. 278 about 20 minutes from the bridge to Hilton Head.
The course opened just over a year ago and was intended to be a member's-only facility, open only to residents and land owners of Tradition. Yet with the economy pulling down real estate sales and depressing the golf market, Tradition National has made the logical decision to create a "preferred guest" program that allows locals and visitors to play the course at an extremely competitive rate. Good news for golfers who get access to this terrific golf facility (it's much more than a golf course) and equally good news for Tradition, which has populated its tee sheet, in part, through the program.
"We're excited because it gives us the opportunity to showcase the golf course and to show golfers what Tommy (Fazio) has done out here," said David Wilding, director of golf at Tradition National, which currently has in the neighborhood of 25 members. "It's a good thing for us to get in front of as many people as we can."
For $55, golfers get access to Traditional National for the entire day, allowing them to play 18 holes of golf, practice on the course's impressive practice facility and even enjoy its six-hole par-3 course that is situated adjacent to the Fazio course. It's truly a full-day experience, but the highlight will undoubtedly be the golf course itself.
When I visit a course for the first time, I look for three things to help me decide if there will be a second time - playability, conditioning and memorability (I know spell check doesn't like this word, but bear with me).On my first meeting with Traditional National -- it was check, check and check.
At Tradition National, Fazio crafted a course that sits out in front of the golfer, using traditional rather than tricky design to challenge and entertain players of all skill levels; it's the Fazio way of building golf courses and Tommy, the nephew of legendary designer Tom Fazio, didn't stray from the family philosophy.
There are few forced carries at Tradition and the greens are bunkered fairly and feature hazards that generally come into play only with wayward shots. With five sets of tees, and room for others to be added, the course is playable for scratch golfers all the way up to, well, a player like me.
"There are no hidden hazards or blind shots out here," Wilding said. "The course allows you to use your imagination and offers a variety of shot options for all skill levels."
In addition to being fair and playable, a golf course should be memorable. In fact, a good test of a golf course is how long the experience stays with you and how many holes remain in your mind's eye even years after you play them.
Due in large part to its risk/reward collection of par-5s, highlighted by the 540-yard 7th hole, and several beautifully-designed par-4s, including the 405-yard 10th, Tradition will almost assuredly leave a lasting memory.
"We love what Tommy has done out here," Wilding said. "Eventually, this course will be just for the residents, but right now, it's great that everyone can come out and enjoy it."
Both right now and in the future, there is more to be enjoyed at Tradition Hilton Head than just the golf course. The double-ended practice facility features target greens, practice bunkers and both putting and chipping greens. But what really sets this facility apart is the six-hole par-3 courses with holes ranging from 70 to 180 yards.
On a typical day, you'll find golfers warming up for their round, working on their short game or, perhaps, settling a tied 18-hole match with a few extra holes. For the fathers among us, it's also an ideal place to bring young kids just starting to learn the game.
At build out, golf will only be part of the lifestyle at the Core Communities-owned Tradition Hilton Head. There will be a spa and fitness center, a town hall complete with shopping, banking and restaurants, and a host of other amenities for those looking for more than just golf.
No matter how quickly things change and how good things get, for most of us the total Tradition lifestyle may remain a dream. However, during a time when we all could use a break from reality, a round of golf at Tradition National is a pretty good escape -- even if only for a day.
