Not Your Average Golf Trip
If you want to wake up, play 36 holes a day, pass out, and do it again, there are plenty of destinations that will meet your needs. However, if you’re looking to take a trip that blends high quality, affordable golf with great food and an unmatched cultural experience, there’s one place for you: the Mississippi Delta.
The Music
The Americana Music Triangle includes virtually the entire state of Mississippi. That’s not an accident of geography; MIssissippi is essential to America’s musical history and its present.
Towns throughout Mississippi celebrate the blues, but nowhere does it quite like Clarksdale. The home of the fabled Crossroads – where Robert Johnson is believed to have sold his soul for the ability to play the blues – has live blues 365 nights each year. It’s also home to dozens of festivals celebrating music and the arts, none more popular than Juke Joint Festival held in April.
If you’re up for a drive, you can travel the Mississippi Blues Trail. Throughout the state, signs marks some of the most significant places in the history of the blues (like Dockery Plantation, above). If you find yourself wanting to dive deeper into the history of the blues, head to Oxford. The University of Mississippi’s library is home to the Blues Archives, which you can experience if you phone ahead. It’s an unbelievably rich collection of materials, including BB King’s personal record collection.
If you love the blues, there is nowhere like Mississippi.
Must Visit Venues
In Clarksdale: Reds for an authentic juke joint experience
In Oxford: Proud Larry’s for good food and a wide array of musical acts
Must See Museums
In Cleveland: Dockery Farms is the literal birthplace of the blues. If you love the music, being in the place where it started is a special experience. The Grammy Museum is also a worthwhile destination for music lovers of all stripes.
In Tunica: Gateway to the Blues Museum boasts a collection of historic guitars that will make your head spin.
The Food
Despite my best efforts, I left Mississippi four pounds heavier than I arrived. While I was prepared for the southern staples like warm biscuits for breakfast, the quality and variety of cuisine took me by surprise.
Throughout our tour, we were able to find delicious barbecue everywhere we went. From ribs to pulled pork to brisket, it would have been easy to live on smoked meat alone. If you’re seeking something a little more gourmet, you can find that, too. In both Oxford and Cleveland, we ate mouth watering meals cooked by award winning chefs.
When you’re packing for Mississippi, bring those pants with an extra inch or two for the end of the trip.
Must Try Restaurants
In Horn Lake: Memphis Barbecue Company where pitmaster Melissa Cookston demonstrates nightly why she has a restaurant full of trophies.
In Oxford: City Grocery for award-winning versions of classic dishes by chef John Currence
In Cleveland: Delta Meat Market for meat, obviously. Skip lunch so you can put down the 32 oz ribeye.
The Golf
The names of the courses in Mississippi may not be on all the big lists, but, if they were rating value, many of them would be right at the top. In particular, Tunica National and the Ole Miss Golf Course stand out. These courses can be played for around $50. In most other markets, the greens fee would be well over $100.
Beyond the value, northern Mississippi golf has great variety. Within a one-hour driving radius, you can play courses that are Tour-ready and courses designed to help the weekend golfer. The landscapes vary wildly too, from gentle rolling fairways to extreme elevation changes. Regardless of your taste, you’ll find a course to love in Mississippi.
Course Reviews
Tunica National (coming soon!)
Ole Miss Golf Course (coming soon!)
North Creek (coming soon!)
River Bend Links (coming soon!)
Where to Stay
In Oxford: The Graduate will make you feel like you’re back in school. It’s near the main square, and the rooftop bar is outstanding.
In Cleveland: The Cotton House, home to the aforementioned Delta Meat Market, for a boutique hotel experience.
In Clarksdale: The Lofts at the Five & Dime puts you right in the heart of downtown.
Go Down to the Crossroads
In northern Mississippi, you don’t need to sell your soul to have a memorable trip. It’s easy to get to (fly into Memphis), and there are hundreds of things to do within a short drive of each other. Add in the reasonable cost of golf and it’s an obvious destination for your next golf vacation.
Matt lives in the northwest suburbs of Chicago with his wife and two daughters.
- Odyssey Ai-ONE Milled Putter Review - November 30, 2023
- Mizuno T24 Wedge Review - November 29, 2023
- Your New Golf Mantra - November 28, 2023
Matt you are one lucky guy , goo luck with your golf.
Oxford is my hometown. I’m glad you had a good time here and am looking forward to your review of the Ole Miss course.
I love the blues so this is my kind of golf trip!
Looking at options for a Spring getaway and these reviews are super helpful. Keep up the great work. #SecretGiveaway2021