Inside Cond� Nast Traveler's Golf Resort Ratings

Cond� Nast Traveler has released its Top 125 Golf Resorts issue and I'm wondering how many of us should actually take this list seriously? The list was compiled from the publication's 2010 Readers' Choice survey, which was conducted online and had nearly 26,000 respondents.

That's allot of respondents, but can these results really be that accurate? Firstly, how many resorts have these respondents vacationed at? My guess is not many (and certainly not all 125). So if they've stayed at only one or two, there really isn't much basis for comparison. When people choose a resort, they typically select one they've heard of (perhaps through lists such as in Cond� Nast Traveler).

After visiting a resort, some people will then take the online survey (which could be years removed from when they were actually there), thus providing more (possibly outdated) feedback on a resort that is already on the list. With data being collected on the same resorts over and over, I surmise it would be an uphill battle for new resorts (or those who have undergone vast renovations) to make the cut, despite offering a similar experience to those listed (especially considering resorts had to receive a certain number of responses to make the list to begin with). All this leads to a somewhat flawed rating system in my opinion.

But what's even more interesting is Cond� Nast Traveler hasn't actually produced a top 125 list at all. Instead, it has taken golf resorts that received the most responses and ranked them by region. First they hone in on the typical U.S. golf vacation states like Arizona, California, Florida and Hawaii. Then the publication provides top lists for the Northern, Western and Southern U.S. (aforementioned states excluded). Finally, it compiles a measly top 25 list for golf resorts from the rest of the world. The lists combined total 125 resorts.

Cond� Nast Traveler buckets resorts in this manner because they have no data to legitimately rank 125 golf resorts in order from best to worst. After all, they are only going off a volunteer survey, which typically draws from the same old pool of resorts, rated by people who really have no basis for comparing such establishments in the first place.

But what about the fact that this info exists at all? Sure, these lists can be fun to look at, but are they realistic? Seriously, how many of you plan on actually vacationing at one of these golf resorts this year? For starters, these places aren't cheap. According to the publication, rates are listed in three categories and represented by dollar signs: "$"; "$$"; and "$$$" - where prices encompass "the least expensive double during peak golf season." Well, the "least expensive" turns out to be $350 or less ($); $350-$499 ($$); and $500+ ($$$) - it doesn't specify, but I assume this is per night; golf not included - ready to pack the old clubs yet?

All this makes me wonder who's really benefitting from this list being published?

So with that said, I'd like to see how many of our readers are planning an excursion this year to one of these top golf resorts. Take the poll* below and let us know.

Will you play a Top Golf Resort in 2011?

*It should be noted that respondents to this poll are on a volunteer basis and are drawn from the same old pool of this blog's readership.

Posted in: conde nast,cond� nast,course,golf,golf stinks,golfstinks,reader's poll,resort,top 125,traveler