Tee Time Nomad: Finding Golf Wherever Work Takes Me

I’ve long accepted that my career involves a good amount of travel. From early Monday morning flights to late night deadlines, business trips can be exhausting. However, I’ve found a way to embrace this reality with an unexpected travel ritual— exploring the nearest golf course when possible.

Whether I’m in a bustling city or a quiet, coastal town, I’ll always find myself on Google typing the same words: “golf courses nearby.” It’s become my secret travel hack, transforming my work trips into exciting opportunities to explore new courses. Let’s face it, what better way to mentally prepare yourself for a long week of meetings than to be out on the fairway, right?

When work took me to Richmond, Virginia, my mind immediately wandered to the idea of a quick afternoon round of golf. Upon arriving early on Sunday, I punched in my trusty search phrase, “golf courses nearby,” hoping for something that would fit my tight schedule. That’s when I discovered Belmont Golf Course.

Steeped in history, Belmont wasn’t just a random pick. Designed by the great A.W. Tillinghast, this course has hosted champions like Ben Hogan and Sam Snead back in the day. Now revitalized, it still maintains that classic, old-school golf charm with modern touches. Despite my time crunch, I couldn’t pass up the chance to walk the same fairways that golfing legends once did.

As soon as I touched down, I quickly dropped my luggage off at the hotel, loaded my clubs into the rental car, and headed straight to the course. Upon arriving, I knew I had made the right call. Belmont is laid out in a beautiful parkland style, with tree-lined fairways that challenged my accuracy (spoiler: a few drives ended up in the rough). The greens rolled true, and the par-3s offered just the right amount of strategy.

Even though it was a quick 9-hole round, playing at Belmont was a perfect way to kick off my workweek in Richmond. I finished with a bogey on the last hole, but with views like that, I couldn’t complain. It made the trip unforgettable, adding a touch of golfing history to my usual routine of conference calls and spreadsheets.

If Belmont was a historical trip back in time, then The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island was a bucket-list dream.  Kiawah Island is renowned as a premier golf destination, and as luck would have it, my job took me there for a business retreat. This wasn’t just a quick work trip—I had a few days to spare, and “golf courses nearby” led me to the iconic Ocean Course, host of multiple PGA Championships and Ryder Cups.

When you think of oceanfront golf, The Ocean Course is on another level. Windswept fairways, massive bunkers, and breathtaking views of the Atlantic on nearly every hole make this place a challenge even for the pros. And yes, it was windy—very windy. But that’s part of what makes The Ocean Course so special.

Upon pulling up to the course, I knew this round would be different from any other I’ve played. The layout was brutal but beautiful. Hole after hole, I battled the wind and my nerves, especially as I approached the iconic 17th, a par-3 over water that can test anyone’s courage. Somehow, I managed to keep my ball dry and leave with a par—a small victory on a course where even the slightest mistake can cost you.

As I made my way down the 18th, I couldn’t help but pause for a moment to soak in the view. The sun was setting over the ocean, and the salt in the air reminded me of how far I had come—not just on this trip, but in my travels across the country. This was more than just a work trip with a side of golf; it was an experience I’d remember for years.

Every time I search “golf courses nearby,” it’s like opening a door to new adventures. From historic courses to stunning seaside links, I never know what I’ll discover when work sends me to a new city. Golf has become more than just a hobby for me—it’s a way to explore, to relax, and to experience a place in a way that nothing else offers.

So, whether it’s a short work trip to a small town or a business conference at a five-star resort, my golf clubs are always packed and ready. After all, who knows where my next business trip might take me? All I know is that I’ll be searching for that next great golf course as soon as I land.