Brudenell River Golf Course in Prince Edward Island.
The question: We'd like to book a few days at a family friendly golf course - especially friendly to moms with no experience. I'd love to take a lesson, but I don't want to pay through the nose for instruction far above my (in)abilities. My children are fairly skilled and my husband is a natural athlete. We'd like to stick to resorts in the U.S. or Canada, preferably near water. Suggestions?
Lessons suited to all styles. Courses for pro and beginner. A beautiful coastline. Prince Edward Island fits the bill on all these fronts, says Bob Weeks, editor of SCOREGolf Magazine.
The island is home to the Canadian Golf Academy ( canadiangolfacademy.ca), which offers lessons and multiday camps taught by PGA professionals.
"The academy is a state-of-the-art facility located just a few minutes outside of downtown Charlottetown," Weeks says. "It operates at Fox Meadow Golf Course and provides instruction for everyone from touring pros - head instructor Anne Chouinard teaches LPGA Tour star Lorie Kane, for instance - as well as raw beginners."
PEI is considered Canada's top golf destination for good reason, he notes, as the island packs in 25-plus courses ranging from world-class to nine-holers.
"If your husband or kids would prefer to play rather than take lessons, it's just a short drive out to one of Canada's top-ranked courses, The Links at Crowbush Cove, or over to the two-course facility of Brudenell River and Dundarave. Or a few less intimidating courses are available - try Red Sands near Cavendish or Countryview, just 20 minutes from Charlottetown," Weeks says.
By city standards, green fees are affordable ($79 to $99 at Crowbush Cove, a 45-minute private lesson at the academy is $60. Check out GolfPEI.ca for packages.). And once you're ready to put your clubs in the corner, there are plenty of family-friendly holiday pleasures: Hang out at the beach. Indulge at a lobster dinner. Or grab a COWS waffle cone and stroll along Charlottetown's harbour. You've earned it.
E-mail your travel questions to concierge@globeandmail.com.
Special to The Globe and Mail