How to sneak world-class wine, championship golf, and a legendary Burgerdog into one “couples’ getaway.”
The Master Plan (a.k.a. “Operation Distract-the-Ladies”)
GolfMoose dangled a one-night, two-round package at Silverado Resort—North Course one day, South the next. I pitched it to the wives as a relaxing Napa escape with “a little golf sprinkled in.” Shockingly, they bought it. Voilà: 36 holes for the guys, wineries for everyone, and only minimal eye-rolling from the back of the cart.
First Stop: Nickel & Nickel – Billion-Dollar Vines & Five-Star Service
Pulling into Nickel & Nickel feels like parking inside a wine magazine centerfold. You can literally see Opus One flexing across the road—perfect motivational scenery for pretending we understand terroir.
- Tasting Notes (CliffsNotes version): Big reds. Bigger smiles.
- Customer-Service Flex: We bought bottles plus a magnum. The magnum turned out corked. One email later, a replacement was en-route—no interrogation, no paperwork, just chef’s-kiss hospitality.
- Damage Report: Wallet lighter, ego heavier. Worth it.
(Pro tip: If you’re corked at home, email customer service—not your group chat.)
Day 1 – North Course: Lost & Found (Mostly Lost)
Silverado’s North Course was prepped for “tour-level rough,” which is code for “ha-ha, good luck.” Balls disappeared in what used to be the fairway. We invoked The Gallery Rule: if both of us saw it land and still can’t find it, free drop—no questions, no strokes, no therapy bills.
- Highlights: Perfect greens, scenic oak trees, and cold beers.
- Lowlights: Losing two sleeves of Pro V1s in the short grass. RIP, little buddies.
The Burgerdog Tragedy (Act I)
Legend says the Burgerdog (half burger, half hot-dog, all nirvana) is a mandatory Silverado rite. Imagine my heartbreak when the snack shack was closed. You could hear my stomach filing a grievance.
Burgerdog 101: A (Very) Brief History of Golf’s Greatest Glizzy-Burger Hybrid
- 1950 — Lake Merced, San Francisco: Bill “Hot Dog Bill” Parrish, a trumpet-playing big-band musician short on cash, sets up a red-and-white trailer by the lake. Space is tight, so he flattens a beef patty into hot-dog shape, tucks it in a toasted bun, and accidentally invents the Burgerdog. Golfers from nearby Olympic Club (home of the 2028 PGA Championship and the 2032 Ryder Cup) start sneaking over mid-round, slowing play so badly that club brass just invite Bill inside the gates and give him a shack by the 10th green.
- 1954–2000s — Cult-Status & Celebrity Fans: The burger-hot-dog love-child gains a cult following. Presidents, tour pros, and anyone who can swing a club (or a media pass) line up. Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods, and even Barack Obama have been spotted crushing one.
- 2010 — Arrival in Napa: World Golf Hall-of-Famer Johnny Miller, an Olympic Club regular and high-school buddy of Hot Dog Bill, buys into Silverado Resort. His first decree? “We’re bringing the Burgerdog north.” Two shacks open: Hole 6 on the North Course and Hole 10 on the South. Napa rejoices (and cardiologists take note).
- Today: The true Burgerdog exists in only two places on Earth—Olympic Club (SF) and Silverado Resort (Napa). Same family recipe: hand-ground beef, American cheese, dill pickles, sweet relish, mustard, toasted bun, served blazing hot. If you’re handed one elsewhere, it’s an impostor—politely yeet it into the nearest trash can.
Why It Matters to Your Trip
Knowing the origin story turns a simple snack stop into a pilgrimage. You’re not just inhaling 600 glorious calories—you’re tasting golf history wrapped in wax paper. So when you finally snag that Burgerdog, raise it sky-high, thank Hot Dog Bill, and remind your family and friends that they’re eating a legend.
Day 2 – South Course: Redemption & The Burgerdog Resurrection
South Course is the North’s laid-back sibling—shorter, friendlier, and slightly less eager to steal golf balls. Spirits high, hangovers mild, we chased red numbers (settled for double-bogeys).
The Burgerdog Triumph (Act II)
The shack was OPEN. Toasty bun, charred patty, mustard/relish magic—an A+ performance that single-handedly erased yesterday’s trauma. Paired with a post-round Nickel & Nickel cab, it was borderline spiritual.
Après-Golf: Cart-Surfing & Cabernet
While we hacked our way around, the ladies commandeered the carts: playlist on blast, wine in tumblers, Instagram stories galore, some world-class influencing. They’re now convinced golf is “kinda fun” when you don’t actually golf. Mission accomplished.
Final Scorecard
| Category | Verdict | My (Hot) Take |
|---|---|---|
| Wine Tasting | 9.5/10 | Nickel & Nickel proves great wine and great service aren’t mutually exclusive. |
| Golf (North) | 8/10 | Beautiful torture device. Bring extra balls and humility. |
| Golf (South) | 9/10 | Friendlier vibes, same pristine conditions. |
| Burgerdog | 11/10 (when it’s open) | Yes, food can be a spiritual experience. |
| Couples Approval Rating | 9/10 | Wine + golf carts = distracted, happy partners. |
Plan Your Own Napa Golf-Wine Bender
- Book the GolfMoose Deal early; these packages vanish (just like my Pro V1s in Silverado rough) but they have continuously brought them back throughout the years.
- Schedule Nickel & Nickel on arrival day. It allows for an activity before check-in. And lubricates your swing thoughts.
- North Course First, South Second. You want to suffer before you celebrate.
- Burgerdog Intel: Shack near the 10th tee, open ~10 AM-4 PM. Confirm hours, or pack tissues for tears.
- Implement The Gallery Rule to stay semi-sane (and semi-legal) with lost balls.
- Let the Ladies Drive the Cart. Trust me. They’ll have fun, you’ll have an alibi for your score.
Would I Do It Again?
Absolutely! But I’ll smuggle in a metal detector (do they have a TP5x setting?) for balls and maybe a spare, break incase of emergency, Burgerdog. Until then, I’m nursing memories, a lighter wallet, and a perfect replacement magnum waiting for the next special occasion (like Tuesday).
