Planning that Raven Golf Club trip got me hyped but man, finding good tee times without emptying my wallet? Total headache at first. Let me walk you through my messy adventure step by step.
The Research Phase: Where I Almost Lost My Mind
Started simple enough. Woke up thinking “Alright, let’s lock in Raven Golf Club Destin”. Easy, right? Nope. Jumped online like everyone else, searching “Raven Golf Destin tee times deals”. Boom – instant overwhelm. Crazy prices popping up everywhere like mushrooms after rain. $150? $200? For one round? My wallet started crying.
Felt like giving up. Grabbed my second coffee – needed fuel. Then remembered: booking direct sometimes gets you gold. Went straight to the Raven Golf Club site itself. Bingo. Way cheaper than those third-party sharks. Like, $50 cheaper sometimes! Lesson slapped me hard: Always. Check. The. Actual. Course. Website. First.
The Early Bird Struggle (Worth It!)
Wanted a decent time, obviously. Who wants to roast in the Florida afternoon sun? Checked the tee sheet. Prime morning spots? Ha! Booked solid weeks out. Classic rookie move, waiting too long. Felt stupid.
Set my alarm for 6 AM EST sharp the next day (yeah, brutal). Course opened booking for new dates exactly then. Refreshed like a maniac. Snagged a sweet 8:42 AM slot before it vanished. Pro Tip: Most places release new booking slots around 6-7 AM. Set that alarm. It sucks, but beating the crowd saves cash and stress.
Playing the Time & Day Game
Still hunting for deals? Timing is EVERYTHING.
- Twilight Rates are Gold: Playing later? Courses call it “Twilight”. Pay less, play later. Win-win if you hate mornings like me.
- Weekends = Ripoff Central: Seriously. Checked a Saturday morning tee time? Almost choked. Way more than a weekday. IYKYK you’re paying extra just for the word “Saturday”.
- Hot Deals? Act Fast: Sometimes the course site flashes a “Hot Deal” tee time. Usually gone in minutes. Saw one pop up at 11:03 AM on a Tuesday. Clicked like my life depended on it. Snagged it for half-price. Pure luck, but refreshing helps!
Final Win & Biggest Mistake
Got it all booked? Awesome. Now DON’T BE LIKE ME. Got too excited, booked the time, closed the browser. Forgot the confirmation number! Panicked for a solid 10 minutes until the email landed in my spam folder (check spam!!). Wrote that number down in three different places immediately. Felt like an idiot. Don’t skip that step.
So yeah, planned the Destin golf trip without selling a kidney. Woke up stupid early, skipped the middleman, played the timing game, and learned to always, ALWAYS save the dang confirmation. Ready to hit ’em straight now!
