This Time, Make It a Sports Getaway

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Try out your racecar driving chops in the Richard Petty Driving Experience at Daytona International Speedway.

Photo Credit: Contributed Photo

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At the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, your kids can improve their game and their life skills.

Photo Credit: IMG Academies

Thinking of trying something different during your time off? Fine-tune those athletic skills!

While vacation time is undoubtedly a great time to unwind and get away from the grind of the work week, it can also be the perfect chance to improve your sports skills or learn a new pastime. Whether you’re looking to better your serve, shave a few strokes off your handicap, or finally learn how to hit a curveball, a few days at any of these world-class sports centers will leave you tanned, toned and more talented.

Golf

Getting in some golf on a vacation is nothing new, but getting better at it might be. The Golf Digest Schools at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood and The Ritz-Carlton in Orlando are the perfect places to work on your short game four hours a day, while being pampered for the rest.

Anchored by one of the greatest female golfers of all time, the Annika Sorenstam Golf Academy in Reunion offers excellent instruction in Central Florida. Or, beat the heat with state-of-the-art indoor training at Ed Watts Golf Academy in Jacksonville.

A few days at any of these world-class sports centers will leave you tanned, toned and more talented.

Tennis

If you have child who is interested in tennis, you can’t do any better than the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton.

The instruction is unrivaled; the facilities are superb; and the academy’s goal is not only to improve students’ tennis skills, but their life skills as well.

Baseball

Live out your big league dreams at a Major League Baseball Fantasy Camp! There are plenty in your own backyard, including the Boston Red Sox Fantasy Camp and the Minnesota Twins camp in Fort Myers; the New York Yankees camp in Tampa; the New York Mets camp in Port St. Lucie; and the Pittsburgh Pirates camp in Bradenton.

Get instruction from past greats and compete against other weekend warriors at the teams’ official spring training homes. Meals, accommodations, uniforms and more are included.

Racecar Driving

While driving 160 mph might not be sensible in the real world, it sure is a lot of fun for a day or two. Learn how to handle a racecar with the Richard Petty Driving Experience in Daytona Beach or settle in for a couple of days of training at the Skip Barber Racing School in Sebring.