New Orleans is known for a great many things. Food, Mardi Gras, Swamps, and Bourbon Street to name a few. However, we have so much more to offer than just what we are most known for and golf is one of those.
Here is Why New Orleans Should Be Considered a Golf Destination.
First, when we say a golf destination, we mean a destination where the primary goal is to play golf and other activities come after when visiting a city. You know like Myrtle Beach or Orlando where people take a guy's or girl's golf trip to.
There has been a professional event here since 1931, and annually since 1958, making New Orleans one of the oldest destinations for professional golf. The current professional event held by the PGA Tour is The Zurich Classic of New Orleans, held at TPC of Louisiana, which is just one of the many courses available to play. We have 18 golf courses in total that are open to the public within a 1-hour drive from downtown New Orleans. Many are within a mere 20-Minute drive and prices vary from $20 to over $100. There is even The Golf Club at Audubon Park which is considered an executive course that you could take a famous streetcar to go play. No matter your handicap or whether you just want to play where the pros play there is a golf course for everyone in New Orleans.
When golf is done there are so many other activities to do. Take a tour of The National WWII Museum or go listen to a jazz band. New Orleans has something for everyone. For experiences outside of golf, we recommend giving our friends over at NewOrleans.com. (the official New Orleans Tourism site) and VisitNewOrleans.com to find a list of everything available to do. If golf is the only thing on your mind however New Orleans has 3 golf courses that are part of the Audubon Golf Trail of Louisiana, a collection of 17 golf courses throughout the state. Another 3 of those courses are a 45-minute to a 90-minute drive from downtown New Orleans.
We have enough golf courses to be considered a golf destination, with many other activities to go along with golf. Some of our courses are close enough distance wise if you wanted to play 36 in one day at two different golf courses you could do it. Some of the most known architects in the game have designed courses in the New Orleans area, including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, and Ron Garl to name a few. Perhaps the one thing New Orleans is missing to become known as a golf destination is a true golf resort like other cities have.
We are hoping to help grow golf and put New Orleans on the map so to speak. One day we hope to say New Orleans is known as a golf destination.