Like suntans and long-distance relationships, golf skills disappear if you don't keep working at them. Keep the magic alive while enjoying plush accommodations with today's deal: for $169, two people get a one-night stay and a round of golf (a $360 value) at Barton Creek Resort & Spa, a Golf Magazine 2010 Silver Medal Premier Resort. An obligatory 9% resort charge (not included in this deal) includes access to the health club, housekeeper gratuity, golf-bag storage, the daily newspaper, resort shuttles, and in-room coffee. Reservations are required, just like wearing a helmet while boxing a kangaroo.

Barton Creek Resort & Spa combines golf and luxe accommodations in a way that doesn’t require visitors to practice putting in their room’s bathtub. Each 425-square-foot resort guest room comes with one king or two queen beds—just like a Porsche—as well as a TV, in-room safe, robes, a stocked refreshment center, and a soothing gaggle of homing pigeons. Soak away stress in an outdoor pool or whirlpool before hitting the links, where swinging duos can tee off at one of two impeccably maintained and inventively designed golf courses. Both the Palmer Lakeside and Crenshaw Cliffside courses boast more than 6,600 yards of lush fairways that fluidly meld with the contours of the natural terrain like gourmet peanut butter stuck to the roof of one’s mouth.

Rather than awkwardly hinting at a roommate to place chocolates on your pillow every morning or calling 911 operators in the wee hours of the night to demand room service, opt for a relaxing stay and a round of golf at Barton Creek Resort & Spa. With luxurious accommodations, world-class golfing, and an unusually low hotel record of shark attacks, it’s the perfect weekend getaway, romantic getaway, or getaway to watch the Charlie Sheen movie The Getaway.

This Groupon is only valid Sunday through Friday, and is only valid for Palmer Lakeside or Crenshaw Cliffside courses. Tax, gratuity, and a mandatory 9% resort fee are not included.

Reviews

The golf facility at Barton Creek has been named a 2010 Silver Medal Premier Resort by Golf Magazine, and Golf Digest gives it a 4.5-star rating. Barton Creek has also won a number of Golf Digest awards, including a Green Star environmental award, Top 50 Courses for Women, 2008 Reader's Choice Top 50 Resort Courses, and Best in Texas 2007–2008.

The resort is a Frommer's Exceptional Destination, and more than 115 TripAdvisors give it an average of four owl eyes. Expedia users give it an overall average of 4.4, and more than 125 Hotels.com users give it an average of 4.5 stars. Yelpers, Citysearchers, and Yahoo! Travelers all give an average of 3.5 stars:

• The facilities are top-notch, including four 18-hole championship golf courses and the Chuck Cook Golf Academy, tennis courts and a tennis clinic, and an excellent health club with an indoor track. – Frommer's
• If you are a golfer and like to travel in style in Texas, Barton Creek is the place for you! The accomodatons [sic] were superb, as well as the dining, pool and, spa (work out facilities were top notch!) – Lunny1, TripAdvisor
• I cannot overemphasize the thoughtful [sic] and kindness with which we were treated by the entire staff. We were given a wonderful room, light and airy with lovely hill country view. An extra bed was provided at no charge. The staff called us by name and were mindful of our situation and attentive to our every need. – pjo3044, TripAdvisor
• Awesome resort! golf courses were beautiful. enjoyed roating [sic] smores with the kids after a round of golf. – Hotels.com guest on May 13, 2010