Imagination makes special moments. It’s easy for golf resorts to do all the basic things: unlock the front door to the pro shop, send people off the first tee, be nice and sell cold beer from the beverage cart. Henry Ford said, “If I had asked my customers what they wanted, they would have said faster horses,” and the genius of bright ideas, Walt Disney, once said, “First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare.” Here are a few golf resorts that dared to be different and offer experiences that will be remembered forever. 

Mukul Beach Golf Resort | Nicaragua
Nicaragua mastered the art of cigars and rum years ago, but didn’t have an elite golf course until recently. In 2013 Mukul Resort’s Guacalito de la Isla golf course opened and completed the rum, cigar and golf trinity.

The world’s best beverage cart is at Mukul Beach Golf Resort in Central America’s west coast just north of Costa Rica. The good people at Mukul have utilized their assets and make them readily available. No offense to all the glorious beverage carts at daily fee tracks around the world, but Mukul wins. Their cart serves rum that tastes like nectar—the Flor de Caña Centenario 25 is perfect. Nicaragua, not Cuba, is where the best cigars in the world come from and Mukul has them all.

“The Macuá is the national drink here in Nicuragua, it’s Flor de Caña white rum, guava and other fresh juices along with some simple syrup. We greet all of our guests with a fresh Macuá at our Palapa Lounge, it’s a great way to set the mood. And of course, you have them on the golf course as well,” Gustavo Betancourt, Mukul Beach, Golf & Spa’s director of golf told us.

Okay, okay…we’ll have a six-pack of the Macuás and 12 of the best cigars on the cart.

Silvies Valley Ranch | Silvies, Oregon
On August 21, 2017, the U.S. will experience the first total eclipse of the sun in 26 years. From Oregon to South Carolina, the solar eclipse will make its way across the country, displaying one of nature’s rarest and most spectacular sites. Located just outside of the path of totality, Silvies Valley Ranch is a prime viewing site for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

From August 19-22, guests can partake in this unique natural event while staying on-site at Silvies Valley Ranch. The Total Eclipse of the Sun package includes luxury accommodations at The Retreat at Silvies Valley Ranch for a three-night minimum stay, as well as transportation to and from the path of totality. Rates for the package start at $1,800. Once guests arrive on-site, they will be led through a guided viewing of the solar eclipse by a professional astronomer and will receive certified eye protection for direct solar viewing. A full-service Marathon Motor Coach will be on-site at the viewing location, complete with food, beverages and air-conditioned seating areas. In addition to the viewing of the eclipse, the package also includes two rounds of golf on the resort’s 18-hole reversible golf courses, the Hankins and Craddock courses.

Plantation Inn & Golf Resort | Crystal River, Florida
Swim with the fishes and manatees at this Florida resort just north of Tampa. Elvis Presley used to hang out here and Priscilla sunbathed behind the golf villas. There are 27 holes of quality golf, but it’s the sea cows people come from all over the world to experience. The last time we experienced the manatee tour, we were the only Americans on the boat; Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands was well represented. In fact, Crystal River is the only place where you are legally allowed to swim with and interact with the West Indian Manatee in its natural habitat. Their certified captains get in the water with you to make the most of your time among the manatees. Packages start at $269 for two and include one night accommodation, breakfast, manatee tour with all equipment and a special gift bag.

The Greenbrier | White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia
“Lefty” knows quality, perhaps you’ve seen the commercials with Phil Mickelson talking about how his family loves to spend time at their Greenbriar home. They probably gave him a good deal on that pad for doing the TV spot, but we digress. There are five golf courses there including The Old White TPC, a PGA Tour stop. The Greenbriar Course hosted the 1979 Ryder Cup and 1994 Solheim Cup Matches and the other three are just as good. But here is where The Greenbriar gets interesting, the declassified Bunker at The Greenbrier was once a top-secret U.S. government relocation facility for Congress. Now The Bunker is open to anyone interested in reliving a legendary piece of The Greenbrier history. Bunker Tours provide a unique and in-depth look behind the hidden doors and allow guests to explore an aspect of The Greenbrier that no other resort can claim. 

Golf comes first and always will, but from time-to-time it’s nice to mix in something different. If an eclipse, rum, manatees and shelter are on the agenda; you know where to go.