Resorts for Pre-Season Training Camps

How University Golf Teams Use Resorts for Pre-Season Training Camps
When you think of a resort, you might imagine palm trees, relaxing spas, and fancy dinners by the pool. But for university golf teams, resorts are more than just luxurious getaways – they’re strategic training grounds. Pre-season training camps at resorts have become a key part of college golf programs across the country. But why do so many teams choose resorts, and how do these trips actually prepare student-athletes for a competitive season?
Let’s explore how university golf teams are using resort settings to fine-tune their skills, bond as a team, and gain a competitive edge before the season even begins.

The Resort Advantage: Why Choose a Resort for Pre-Season?
At first glance, a resort might seem like an odd place for serious athletic training. But for university golf programs, resorts offer a perfect mix of resources and relaxation that make them ideal for pre-season camps.

First off, resorts often come with world-class golf courses. These aren’t your average municipal tracks – they're professional-level layouts with fast greens, deep bunkers, and challenging layouts that mimic what players might face in NCAA tournaments. Training on these kinds of courses helps players sharpen their decision-making and shot-making under pressure.
Secondly, resorts provide year-round warm weather, especially in places like Florida, Arizona, or Southern California. For teams based in colder regions, heading south in January or February allows them to escape snow and practice on grass instead of hitting indoors into nets.
And let’s not forget about the facilities. Resorts often have practice areas with multiple putting greens, short-game complexes, and full driving ranges. They may even offer access to high-tech tools like launch monitors or video analysis, which help coaches analyze players’ swings in detail

Balancing Work and Play: Keeping the Right Mindset
With all the benefits, it’s important to remember that training at a resort still comes with challenges. The temptation to treat it like a vacation is real – after all, you’re surrounded by pools, palm trees, and maybe even a spa.
That’s why coaches emphasize discipline and focus throughout the trip. Yes, there’s time to relax and have fun, but the primary goal is preparation. Players are expected to act like professionals – showing up on time, staying engaged, and pushing themselves every day.
In addition, many student-athletes still need to keep up with their academic responsibilities during these camps. Online classes, ongoing projects, and upcoming deadlines don’t disappear just because the team is training at a resort. That’s why strong concentration and smart time management become essential skills off the course as well. Some students choose to use online assignment help for professional guidance or support. It helps them organize their ideas, and manage their academic workload more effectively when time is limited. With the tasks under control, players can focus entirely on training, recovery, and performance, maximizing every session during the camp.

At the same time, a bit of fun is actually encouraged. A quick swim, a team dinner at the resort restaurant, or a mini-golf competition can keep spirits high and energy levels balanced. It’s about creating a training camp that works hard but doesn’t burn out.
In many ways, it’s like walking a tightrope between intensity and enjoyment. But when done right, this balance creates a powerful foundation for the rest of the season.

Building Team Chemistry in a Relaxed Setting
While the golf-specific benefits are huge, there’s more to pre-season camps than just practicing bunker shots. These resort trips also play a big role in team bonding and chemistry.
University golf is an individual sport in many ways – each player competes alone, and the top few scores count toward the team total. But successful college programs know that a tight-knit team can make all the difference when pressure mounts on the course.
By spending several days living, eating, and practicing together at a resort, players and coaches have a chance to connect on a deeper level. There’s time for team dinners, off-course activities like beach volleyball or movie nights, and those long conversations that build trust.
Think of it like a family vacation with a purpose. Everyone’s there to work, but the shared experience creates lasting memories – and that connection can lead to better communication and support during the season.

Tailored Practice Routines and Match Simulations
So what do university golf teams actually do during these resort training camps? It’s not just aimless range sessions or casual rounds. Most teams go in with a clear, structured plan that focuses on skill development, course management, and mental toughness.
Mornings often start early with short-game practice, focusing on putting, chipping, and bunker play. These areas are where tournaments are won or lost, so teams devote serious time to mastering distance control, green reading, and spin control.
Afternoons might include nine or eighteen-hole rounds, often played under competitive conditions. Coaches will set up intra-team matches, alternate shot formats, or “pressure games” that simulate tournament intensity. The goal? Get players comfortable performing when it counts.
There’s also time for one-on-one coaching, video review sessions, and even classroom-style meetings where players go over course strategy or mental game techniques. These sessions help players reflect, reset, and prepare mentally for the demands of competition.

Resorts as Recruiting Tools and Program Builders
Here’s another angle that might not be obvious: using resorts for pre-season camps can actually help a university’s golf program grow in the long term.
How? It all starts with recruiting. High school golfers considering college programs often ask about facilities, travel opportunities, and overall team culture. Being able to say, “We train at a top resort in Arizona every January,” is a huge plus. It signals that the school invests in its athletes and takes performance seriously.
Additionally, these camps help coaches evaluate their players in a more in-depth way. New freshmen get to show their skills in front of coaches and teammates, and returning players have a chance to demonstrate improvement. These insights help coaches shape the season’s lineup and identify leadership potential.
Plus, let’s be real – coaches and athletic departments want to build a program that wins. Pre-season resort trips create the kind of structure, morale, and preparedness that top programs need to dominate their conference or qualify for NCAA regionals.

Resort Camps Set the Tone for a Successful Season
In the world of university golf, success doesn’t start on the first tee of the first tournament – it starts much earlier, often at a resort training camp hundreds of miles from campus. These pre-season getaways offer more than just sunshine and great views. They provide the perfect environment for focused practice, team bonding, strategic planning, and competitive simulation.
By combining top-tier golf facilities with the comfort and flexibility of resort life, college teams can fine-tune their skills and build the unity needed to thrive during the season. And while the setting may be luxurious, the work is very real. For university golf teams, resort training camps are where champions begin to take shape.



Author: K. Thomson, Freelance Writer.
The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Where2Golf.com, its staff, or editors. Any links or references included in the article are for informational purposes and do not imply endorsement by Where2Golf.com.