Conquer nine courses at America’s largest gated community

An elevated approach shot to a green surrounded by bunkers. Now that's good golf.

The 7th hole on DeSoto is the number-one handicap hole.

Great golf blooms in the Pinehurst area

Ever wondered how Pinewild Country Club got its name? Not anymore.

Mid Pines and its sister course, Pine Needles, are two Donald Ross gems.

Get away from it all in western Newfoundland

The home of golf is a must visit

Get pampered like a pro

Pebble Beach isn’t the only California course with killer views

The Resort at Pelican Hill has two Tom Fazio designs. Pictured here is No. 18 on its North Course.

This year’s Ryder Cup Host offers great golf and sightseeing.

Royal Porthcawl is one of the world’s best courses.

Save money this spring on the Grand Strand

Hurry, this place won't be such a hidden gem for long

Where To Stay

Contact info (866) 863-1234 www.eaglemtn.com | www.innateaglemountain.com

Top Destinations You Can Visit By Car

The Jewel of Hawaii's Big Island

Hualalai Golf Club, Jack Nicklaus Signature Course
www.hualalairesort.com
Immaculately conditioned, the Nicklaus signature course offers several sets of tees that provide as much or little challenge as you like. Fantastic views of the Pacific, a pristine nine-acre range and a 27,000-square-foot short-game area, as well as a stunning clubhouse and restaurant, fill out the impressive facilities.

Mauna Kea Golf Course
www.princeresortshawaii.com
Traditionally considered one of the best golf courses in all of Hawaii, the Mauna Kea Golf Course is currently being redesigned by Rees Jones, whose father, Robert Trent Jones Sr., designed the original course. The new Rees Jones design is scheduled to open in the Spring of 2009. Stay tuned.

The home of desert golf

Whirlwind Golf Club (left) in Chandler boasts two Gary Panks-designed courses, while Gold Canyon Golf Resort (right) is home to two courses as well. The Dinosaur Mountain Course is shown.

Where To Stay

How to make the most of a short stay in Scotland.

Amazing panoramic views of Machrihanish Golf Club.

The Carrick boasts elevation changes, plenty of water and outstanding course conditions.

DeVere’s Cameron House is a 200-year old manor offering five-star accommodations.

The Castle Course at St. Andrews is bound to be a classic.

The Home of American Golf

The second hole at Hyland Hills Golf Club in Southern Pines, N.C.

The Country Club of Whispering Pines is an Ellis Maples design.

The 18th hole at Mike Strantz’ tough Tobacco Road.

Great golf South of the Border

Twenty-Six Million Americans play golf, and many of them travel each year to tee it up, but only about 500,000 of them do so in Mexico. This troubled Carlos Kviat, the President of Discover Golf Mexico, a new website (www.discovergolfmexico.com) devoted to making travel south of the border efficient and worry-free. “We [Kviat and founders Marcelino Barrenechea and Luis Velazquez] detected the five most important destinations that attract the most international golfers.” In doing so, Kviat created what he calls the “first premier Mexican golf tour operator.”

Discover Golf Mexico works directly with the Mexican Tourism office and allows users to book accommodations, tee times and other activities. “We want you to come down here with everything scheduled and confirmed,” he says. By the looks of Discover Golf Mexico’s website, that shouldn’t be too difficult. 

Mexico’s Best Golf
With more than twenty golf courses to choose from in five premier locations, Discover Golf Mexico offers many of the country’s finest layouts designed by the game’s best architects, including Jack Nicklaus, Robert Trent Jones Jr. and Tom Weiskopf. West Coast favorites like Palmilla (Los Cabos), Vista Vallarta (Puerta Vallarta) and El Tigre (Riviera Nayarit) can be booked through the website as well as beloved East Coast courses like Moon Palace (Cancun) and El Camaleon (Riviera Maya).   

One-Stop Shopping
Discover Golf Mexico boasts relationships with 60 hotels and more than 20 golf courses. While navigating the site, users can book their entire vacation, including length of stay, party size and desired activities. “We’re inviting golfers to come through our site, but our service doesn’t stop there,” says Kviat. “We’ll receive them here as well.” Meaning simply that once you land in Mexico, you’ll be taken care of.

Discovering Mexico
“We want people to come to Mexico,” says Kviat, “to enjoy the golf, the food, the people, the archaeology—everything.” Activities off the links abound in the areas served by Discover Golf Mexico, from canopy tours and jeep safaris to sailing and snorkeling excursions.

Visitors can even spend the day as a dolphin trainer. Each activity affords members of your party the opportunity to discover another side of Mexico. And they’re easy to book. After you’ve selected your region and the length of your stay, the Discover Golf Mexico site lists available “off-site” opportunities that you can add to your package.

“A confirmation comes back to you in 48 hours, and if something isn’t available, you can choose something else,” says Kviat. Clearly, Discover Golf Mexico’s motto, “Come Feel the Warmth of Mexico,” applies to both the country’s golf and its varied culture.

Money-Saving Packages
Discover Golf Mexico makes it easy to create your own vacation or save money via three package options: 4 days/3 nights, 7 days/6 nights and 10 days/9 nights. “As long as you desire,” says Kviat. Simply select your destination (Cancun, Riviera Maya, Puerta Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit or Los Cabos), date of check-in, number of travelers in your party, who’ll be playing golf and how many rooms you need. Then click on your preferred package. Discover Golf Mexico does the rest, giving you a list of hotels, golf courses and other activities to choose from. www.discovergolfmexico.com
 

Four living legends make this Florida resort a must-visit

A glimpse at the best golf on the island of Kauai

Kauai Lagoons Golf Club
www.kauailagoonsgolf.com
Although its most scenic nine holes (the Kiele Course back nine) are currently being renovated, 18 holes of this Jack Nicklaus design remain open for play, including the Kiele’s front nine. The challenging 5th hole, a 219-yard par-3 is a standout that asks golfers to hit their tee shots over a mango tree forest. (The cart ride from the tee box down into the jungle and back up to the green is worth the green fee alone.) Kauai Lagoons is a great track to play when you first arrive (or just before you leave), as it’s only a few minutes from Lihue Airport.

Where to play in Idaho's mountain Shangri-La

Osprey Meadows is a tough Robert Trent Jones, Jr. layout.

Coeur D’Alene is home of the famous floating green.

When you play Circling Raven there isn’t a house in sight.

The best golf by the shore

The par-3 14th hole at Doonbeg (above) leaves no room for error.

The South Course at Mauna Lani Resort cuts through lava flows and offers both ocean and mountain views. The striking 15th hole (above) is one of the most photographed in all of golf.

Didn't make it to the Masters? It's ok, we have the next best thing.

Georgia

Sea Island

Diversions:

Where to click it and book it

Now that Web 2.0 has officially arrived and 20 percent of the world is online, it’s only natural that a large number of golfers are gravitating to their computers to do the same thing they once did over the phone or in person: book vacations, reserve tee times and buy equipment.

How has the Web changed their experience? For one thing, there are a lot more deals to be had; for another, using the Internet is a lot more convenient (especially when it comes to organizing a golf vacation).

What follows is Golf Tips’ first Best Of The Web rundown, a compilation of Websites that provide golfers with the most up-to-date travel deals, tee times and equipment discounts. After reading about these sites, check them out and see for yourself how they’re changing the way golfers enjoy the game. But what’s the best part? All the sites are free.

Online Shopping
Although golfers miss out on customized fitting and the tangible shopping experience enjoyed at traditional stores, online golf stores excel at featuring great bargains on golf equipment and accessories. Golfballs.com opened for business in 1995 as a seller of used golf balls, and has, in recent years, expanded their business model to include everything under the sun. Still, it’s their specialty golf balls that set golfballs.com apart from other online stores.

As users become accustomed to the Internet’s multimedia features, demand for such services will only increase. Edwin Watts (edwinwatts.com), a green grass retailer, offers a monthly podcast called “Golfbetter,” where subscribers can learn about the latest golf equipment.

Booking Travel
Linking different online resources into one site has revolutionized the way people plan and organize golf vacations. Golf travel Websites such as Golfpac Travel (golfpactravel.com) now provide one-stop shopping for golfers looking to travel domestically and abroad.

“We consider ourselves the gold standard of the golf travel industry,” says Golfpac Travel President Jeff Hamilton. Since 1975, his company (and its sister sites golforlando.com and golfpacinternational.com) has sent more than 550,000 golfers on golf vacations, and a quick tour of Golfpac affirms Hamilton’s claim. In addition to the site’s “Hot Deals” section (where discounted packages abound), customers can book tee times, hotel and rental car reservations, and coordinate schedules on the “My Trip” page.

Another site with an international angle is the aptly named Golf Holidays International (golfholidays-online.com). Headquartered in San Diego, Golf Holidays offers vacation specials to 13 states and international destinations like Mexico, Ireland and the Caribbean. A recent sampling of “Hot Deals” on their site included a number of exclusive packages aimed at those who want a “major experience.” Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, St. Andrews and a week at the Masters (Masters Badges included) are sure to be hot tickets.

Discounted Tee Times
The proliferation of Websites offering discounted tee times has been a boon to courses and budget-minded golfers alike. One such site, teetimes.com, features tee times from seven states from Pennsylvania to Florida. In addition to a course’s dedicated landing page (where users can learn everything from slope rating to the first scheduled tee time of the day), the subsite playgolftomorrow.com offers last-second deeply discounted tee times.

A Website similar to “teetimes” is click4teetimes.com, a Southern California-based site offering dozens of discounted green fees on courses from San Diego to Ventura County and as far east as Palm Springs. In addition to offering discounted tee times (up to 50 percent off), click4teetimes hosted a 12-event tour in 2007 that awarded its winner with a seven-day/six-night trip to Australia.

All that may be great, you say, if you live in those areas, but what if you don’t? A quick search reveals a number of sites offering a broader range of discounted tee times. Golfanchor.net services 20 states, including Arizona, Illinois and Texas, while Chicago-based EZ Links, (ezlinks.com) claims to “operate the world’s largest network for golf reservations.”

EZ Links offers three different ways to book a tee time: real time access to 2.2 million tee times (at no discount); “tee time specials” offering discounted rates for future rounds; and a “name your price” section that asks golfers to select a tee time and make an offer (much like priceline.com).

Although EZ Links has the most comprehensive discount tee-time service, the discount section isn’t broken down any further than by state. Fortunately, EZ Links is addressing the issue, and the company will be launching an improved Website shortly.

The Okanagan Valley in Canada?s British Columbia is packed with spectacular golf and extraordinary wine.

If the Okanagan Valley of Canada’s British Columbia is considered the best place in the country for winemaking, then consider the golf in the area to be the perfect filet mignon. Located just an hour by air from Seattle with the beautiful town of Kelowna serving as its anchor, the Okanagan Valley has become a wonderful retreat for both fans of exciting golf and delectable wine.

Before I get to the wine (which isn’t hard to find in the Okanagan), there’s plenty of great golf to write about. First of all, let’s clear up a few misconceptions that some of you southerners may have about the land up north. Canada isn’t all that cold. In fact, the Okanagan boasts some the best weather in all of Canada, with warm summers, beautiful springs and downright spectacular fall months. And the sun stays out for what seems like forever during early summer months, making it possible to play well over 36 holes a day if you feel so inclined. The weather? It’s a non-issue.

For starters, the Okanagan Golf Alliance represents the best of the best in the area, with four destinations already in the Rota and more are on the way. And while it’s suggested that there’s no particular order to enjoy them, why not take it from someone who’s been there and plan a trip over five days. (I’ll help outline the golf for you, but the wining and dining is up to you.)

Great golf runs abundant in Alabama's Gulf Shores

I’m willing to bet everything in my meager Roth IRA that about as many people know that Alabama has a scenic shoreline on the Gulf Coast of Mexico as know how to spell “Kyrgyzstan” (which has to be one awesome play in Scrabble).

Not only does Alabama have a coastline a few miles due east from the start of the Florida Panhandle, it happens to be 32 miles of as glorious a waterfront you’ll find this side of mesmerizing St. Thomas in the Caribbean. We’re talking wide expanses of dazzling sugar-white sand so soft and powdery, you’ll want to lie on your back and create sand angels. Surprising is the word that comes to mind.

The golf is surprising as well with the superb Kiva Dunes—a real honest-to-goodness links course played through sand drifts and hollows with roughs of sea grass as penal as Muirfield (the real one).

St. James Plantation, Southport, N.C.

St. James’ legacy lives on in many forms. Numerous churches, hospitals and even a Broadway theater have been named after the patron saint of equestrians (among other things). There aren’t any horses at St. James Plantation in Southport, N.C., but there’s plenty of wide-open space, a nature trail and Waterway Park contained within the private community’s 5,000 acres.

Still, it’s the golf that’s truly heavenly at St. James Plantation, particularly the new Reserve Course, from Nicklaus Design, that opened late last summer. It’s a gem and distances itself from the community’s three other courses.

Designed by Michael Nicklaus (Jack’s youngest son), the Reserve constantly surprises and never disappoints, especially for experienced golfers who will appreciate his attention to detail.

By the way, St. James is also the patron saint of knights, and while the Reserve course upstages the Plantation’s other offerings, it does so gallantly. Although it’s superior to the other tracks, all four are unified by the area’s low-country topography and offer something for every golfer, regardless of skill level. 

The Living
Living at St. James doesn’t just include convenience to its four golf courses and a state-of-the-art deep-water marina on the Intracoastal Waterway. There’s also a fitness center replete with an outdoor Olympic-sized pool, classes in Tai Chi, Pilates and yoga, clay and hard-surfaced tennis courts, walking and biking trails, and more than 25 community-based social clubs and organizations.

Who calls St. James home? Residents from all over. Forty states and a dozen countries are represented at St. James. Most people are retired, although it’s not uncommon to see families with children putting down roots here, too.

In our modern times, unless your last name is Trump, Kaiser (Bandon Dunes) or Kohler (Whistling Straits), chances are good that a new course with killer views will, eventually, sprout homes alongside its tightly mown fairways. After all, building golf courses ain’t cheap, and many new public access layouts are conceived with real estate in mind. Recently, however, that model has been changing.
  
Over the past decade or so, a number of excellent courses have sprung up on Native American Reservations with the hope that great golf will lure gamblers to their gaming oases. From Barona Creek Golf Club outside San Diego to Turning Stone Resort in upstate New York, golf on these tracks comes development-free (save the obligatory casino) and with unencumbered views—not condos—between holes. One such course in northern Idaho, Circling Raven Golf Course, is no different. It comes in at a massive 620 acres (nearly three times the size of your average golf course) and, along with Coeur d’Alene Resort, has made the region one of the most unlikely golf getaways. 

Day 1: Circling Raven
After you arrive at the Spokane, Wash., airport, drive 45 minutes east to the Coeur d’Alene Casino. While the hotel is modest and the casino limited only to slots, what it lacks in charm, it makes up for in convenience. It’s just a gap wedge away from Circling Raven Golf Course.

Once you’ve settled in, head over to Circling Raven, a Gene Bates design that opened in 2003. As summer is the best time to play in the panhandle, you can tee off late in the afternoon and still get in 18 holes on this rolling, expansive course. (Take a cart, there’s a lot of room in between holes.)

If you find yourself playing in silence, enjoy it. You won’t see or hear planes or cars during most of your round. The Burlington Northern breaks the silence three times a week when it chugs along the railroad tracks dividing the course, but even that sound is a welcome reminder of time gone by.

Day 2:
From the individual, subterranean slots reserved for each rake to the out-of-sight bathrooms tucked away beneath two of its tee boxes, Coeur d’Alene Resort takes great pride in its appearance.


Despite not having as much room for its golf course, Coeur d’Alene manages to take advantage of its natural surroundings well. Its signature hole, the 14th, features the infamous movable “Floating Green.” The five-million-pound green is anchored in Lake Coeur d’Alene and is accessible only by a small ferry. Ranging from 100-175 yards (its length is controlled daily by a computer), the 14th doesn’t just add an innovative architectural element to the course, it addresses one of the course’s dilemmas: what to do when there’s not enough space for your golf course.

The 14th isn’t the only hole that incorporates the sparkling blue Lake Coeur d’Alene into its routing. The short par-4 13th tempts you to go for it off the tee, but challenges the player with an inlet off the tee.

Still, it’s the 14th and the world’s only floating green that lures most players to this immaculate layout. Don’t worry; despite being surrounded by water, the green is a robust 15,000 square feet. That statistic alone should boost your confidence on the tee box.

For great golf, head to the border

A number of destinations around the world feature golf as the main attraction, and the Brunswick Isles, an area straddling the border of North and South Carolina, is definitely one of them. There are 16 golf courses from Calabash up north to North Myrtle Beach down south. Along the way, golfers can tee it up on courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Rees Jones and Myrtle Beach regular, Dan Maples, to name a few, and find themselves negotiating marshland, rivers and creeks, as many courses take advantage of the area’s natural hazards.

Of course, the best way to enjoy your time in the Brunswick Isles isn’t just to drop in for a day or two. In fact, I recommend spending four days there. That way, you can tee it up a minimum of six times, mix up your foursome (for your favorite betting games) and take advantage of the area’s other fine attractions, including the beach and numerous fine restaurants.

Day 1: Rivers Edge
After you arrive at Myrtle Beach International Airport (serviced by six major airlines), immediately head north to Rivers Edge Golf Club in Shallotte, N.C. (I suggest taking the new Interstate 31, as it reduces the travel time considerably. In this case, it’s a breezy half an hour.)

Rivers Edge is a great test of golf and a perfect way to start your four-day Brunswick Isles vacation. Designed by Arnold Palmer and routed around the Shallotte River, Rivers Edge is consistently ranked among the top courses in Myrtle Beach. It’s also a toughie, so you probably don’t want to play from the tips (unless your first name is Tiger and your last name is Woods, in which case, invite me along!). The land is perfect for golf, which may explain why no dirt was moved to “make” a golf course.

After your round, head back toward Sea Trail Resort (your home away from home for the next three nights), but before you get there, stop in Calabash for some dinner. The Dockside Seafood House serves up many different kinds of seafood.

Day 2: Thistle Golf Club & Pearl Golf Links
Today and tomorrow are all about the golf, so conserve your energy and make sure everyone in your group agrees on all bets before you play.

After a quick drive from Sea Trail, you’re ready to put all that long-drive technology to use at the Thistle Golf Club, a 27-hole layout just north of the South Carolina border. Designed by Tim Cate, the Thistle takes its name from an ancient Scottish golf society and incorporates many links elements into its routing, including heather, wind-swept fairways and large, bentgrass greens.

Because time is of the essence, head to your next destination to not only play, but also grab a bite to eat. The Pearl Golf Links were built on a 900-acre marsh preserve in Sunset Beach and Ocean Isle Beach, N.C. The East Course, where you’ll play today, is a traditional layout that was renovated in 1999. Carved through the forest, it boasts a fantastic finish, as the Calabash River borders much of the challenging par-5 18th.

After a day on the links, you’re going to need something substantial for dinner. Lucky for you, it’s right around the corner at The Boundary House, a new steakhouse in Calabash.

Celebrate 100 years at the cradle of American golf

See the Slideshow Here »

For most folks who journey across “the pond” to play golf, chances are pretty good they’ll want to play in Scotland at courses like St. Andrews, Turnberry and Royal Dornoch. While those courses and the enchanting towns they inhabit are steeped in history, those wanting a more diverse and dramatic golfing experience should consider Ireland, in particular its southwestern quadrant. While most of the courses there don’t date back to the 19th century, their styles do range greatly, providing golfers with one of the most unique “trails” the sport has to offer. Not to mention, journeying from one town to another transports the golfer around the Ring of Kerry, the ultimate collection of charming towns and dramatic vistas.

An Insider’s Guide To Ireland
When vacationing on the Emerald Isle, refer to pull carts as “trolleys.” Also, bring your handicap card, as starters often like to know your “stroke index.” If you’re playing with a buddy, the two of you will be known as a “two-ball,” not a twosome or a pair. Most courses don’t provide “buggies” (carts), so get in some walking prior to your trip, especially for the dune-heavy links courses. Also, as you’ll either hire a caddie or use a trolley, it’s okay to load your bag with plenty of rain gear. Chances are good you’ll need it. Locals are the first to say that the sun shines the most from July to September. The Celtic Tiger is roaring, and Ireland ain’t cheap. As of publication, one U.S. dollar equaled .77 of a Euro. Fly Aer Lingus, Ireland’s national airline. They have direct flights from a number of U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston and New York.    
 
The Ring Of Kerry
Playing golf in Ireland, in particular the southwest corner (Counties Cork and Kerry) affords not just some of the world’s greatest golf, but also some of the world’s most charming towns. The drive from Waterville Golf Club to Old Head (aka, the Ring of Kerry) in particular, is full of the picturesque small towns whose photos grace the pages of guidebooks and Travel Channel programs. Be forewarned, navigating the Ring takes time, patience and, we might suggest, a small car. The roads are narrow and winding, and the topography changes dramatically from sea level to cloud-enshrouded mountaintops along the stretch. But the payoff is worth it. Towns like Smeen, Kenmare and Bantry are just a few examples of Ireland’s so-called “Tidy Towns”—clean, vibrant, charming villages with brightly colored pubs and restaurants. www.tidytowns.ie

Further Reading
• For more information and to receive a free vacation planning kit, visit www.discoverireland.com or call (800) 223-6470.
• For an online database overflowing with up-to-date information on Irish golf, visit www.golfadventureguides.com .
• Where Golf is Great. James Finegan’s big, thick, photo-rich love letter to Irish and Scottish courses.

Who'll win you over in Myrtle Beach?

See the Slideshow Here »

Things aren’t always the way they seem. Remember M. Night Shyamalan’s movie, The Sixth Sense, with its edge-of-your-seat surprise ending? (If you haven’t seen it, Bruce Willis reveals in the last minute that he wears a toupee.) Just kidding. 

Of course, great movies aren’t the only things that utilize the old bait and switch. Consider Myrtle Beach, golf’s East Coast Mecca. For one thing, the one hundred-plus courses that you always hear about aren’t piled on top of each other; they stretch out over a 60-mile “Grand Strand,” making Myrtle a tale of two cities: the North and South. Then there’s the courses themselves. Some on the northern end, such as Lion’s Paw, sound ferocious, when in reality, they’re about as terrifying as a greeting-card kitten. An hour south, in Georgetown County (at the southern tip of the Strand), courses like Heritage and Tradition—two standouts on the Waccamaw Golf Trail—may sound gentlemanly enough, but let your guard down for a second, and you could get a serious whoopin’.

See the Slideshow Here »

For example, the Golfpac site contains the company’s Vacation Finder, a sign-up box for an online newsletter as well as an offer for its free 2006-2007 Golf Travel Guide brochure.

The best of the Desert West is now better than ever

A Taste Of The Southwest. Whether it’s authentic Mexican, Italian, Asian or virtually any other kind of cuisine, you’ll find it amid Scottsdale’s huge assortment of restaurants (there’s some 600 in the area). But, we recommend you at least try some Southwestern dishes that combine Mexican, Native American and European flavors all in one. One of the best times to experience such food with golf is during the Bon Appetit Celebrity Chef Golf & Spa Invitational in the month of October. It’s not uncommon to find a few of your favorite celebrity chefs hitting the links during this event, and there are dozens of off-course activities to partake in. For the whole scoop, visit www.bonappetitgolf.com.

Clubs aside, what else to pack

Surprises are usually the last thing you’re looking for on a golf trip. No matter where in the world you’re lugging your clubs, and regardless of the time of year, you can never be too prepared for the likes of ugly weather, snarled traffic, allergy attacks, lost luggage, stolen clubs and more. That’s why what you pack for your golf trip should consist of more than just clubs, balls and golf clothes. Other staple items may make your vacation a lot more enjoyable and easy.

Digital Camera
Face it: Your cell phone camera takes fuzzy snapshots, as do disposable cameras. However, a powerful, compact digital camera, such as Sony’s new Cyber-shot DSC-N2, takes vivid 10.1-megapixel shots and high-quality video and can be tucked away in your golf bag or shirt pocket. With it, you can capture that ocean view crisply from the clubhouse terrace or amass footage of your wife’s swing. ($449, www.sonystyle.com)

PDA
When it comes to golf travel, smart vacationers print out and staple together details of their plane, tee time, rental car and hotel reservations, directions to every course they’re playing and maps. But who wants to lug a stack of papers around, risking them getting ruffled or, worse yet, flying out of the car window? Instead, pack a PDA with all of that information stored on it. Preferably, you can get one with built-in WiFi access, such as Palm’s TX handheld. Add GPS software and a course-mapping program, and you’ll always know where you’re headed. ($299, www.palmone.com)

Rainwear
Because weather can get ominous quickly, pack versatile rainwear—something that can easily convert between a jacket, vest or half-sleeves. Fully waterproof, Zero Restriction’s Featherweight Traveler’s Jacket is just that, featuring a high storm collar, zippered, waterproof hand pockets, two-way zipper to release zipper pucker, elasticized waistband, dual-motion cuffs and expansion back pleats. ($300, www.zerorestriction.com)

Insect Repellant
Don’t let mosquitoes ruin your golf vacation. For excellent nonspray protection, take along Bug Band plastic wrist bands, which give off vapors that form a 15-foot protective shield around you for 120 hours, allowing you to swing in peace. ($4, www.bugband.com)

Video iPod Loaded With Instructional DVDs
While it isn’t practical to bring along your entire collection of instructional DVDs, you can easily download them onto a portable video player. The latest iPod comes in an 80-gigabyte model, allowing you to play 6.5 hours of video—or 20 hours of music—on one battery charge. It will also take up little room in your carry-on. ($349, www.apple.com)

Extra Gloves
Always bring two or three extra golf gloves, especially if you’re going to a hot or humid climate. There’s nothing worse than putting on the same glove you wore yesterday, only to find out it’s still drenched in sweat. Try PING’s new M-Flex glove which is made of tightly woven, flexible microfibers. An advanced polymer coating surrounds the microfibers, providing a firm grip in all weather conditions. ($15, www.pinggolf.com)

Cold-Weather Clothes
Weather can turn cold quickly. So it’s always a good idea to bring a golf-specific thermal jacket that’s lightweight and moves with your body during the swing. Sun Mountain’s Cascade half-zip pullover is ideal. Its generous cut gives you full swing range, while the lightweight fleece eliminates bulk. It also has a spill-resistant coating, drawstring waist and two zippered hand pockets. ($60, www.sunmountain.com)

Extra Shoes
Always bring two pairs of golf shoes, especially if you’re heading to the likes of Ireland, Scotland or even Pebble Beach. That way, if it rains, you can give your shoes time to dry out, keeping your feet dry and comfortable. Try a pair of black Etonic G>SOK GT shoes. Why black? Their traditional look, combined with the fact that they’re comfortable, spikeless golf shoes with incredible traction, means they can double as nice casual shoes at dinnertime, so you can pack less. And they feature the GORE-TEX waterproof system. ($125, www.etonic.com)

Take a chance at the old course

It's time to go back to school

Tips and tricks for a better trip

If you want to maximize fun and minimize panic on your next golf vacation, then prepare up front. That is, think about where you’re heading and what’s unique about that place. Then imagine everything you might encounter on your journey, and address your concerns before you walk out your front door. Work the trip chronologically through your mind, and use the Internet as much as possible. As the time of your trip approaches, start a running checklist of everything you need to pack, keeping it on your nightstand so it’s conveniently located.

The first thing you’ll probably want to do is buy plane tickets, if needed, and then rent a hotel room. The rule of thumb on plane fares: The earlier you buy your tickets, the lower the price. If you’re a risk-taker, you might wait for last-minute specials. But the downside is that your route might not come down in price, forcing you to shell out top dollar to an airline. Sign up for price-saver e-mails from all of the airlines, as well as e-mails from discounters like travelzoo.com. Monitor them regularly for deals to your destination, or try an all-encompassing travel search engine, such as kayak.com or airfarewatchdog.com, which finds nearly every airline’s current fares, then sorts them into one list. Booking your plane flights online usually saves you money and time over buying them on the phone. Many airlines now charge roughly $15 per ticket to book tickets through their phone operators. You can also select your seat, print out the plane tickets and not have to worry if the phone operator got it right. One other tip to save you airport time: You can check in on your home computer within 24 hours of your flight and forego long airport lines. And on the way home, assuming you didn’t lug your laptop and a printer with you on vacation, use the airport check-in kiosks. The lines for those are usually shorter than other check-in lines, and in many cases, you still can change seats, check your luggage and speak face-to-face with an airline representative.

Your computer may also be your best travel agent for hotels, too. Consider using a professional tour operator for international golf trips (haversham.com and perrygolf.com are excellent). They not only have contacts and employees in popular golf destinations, but also the connections and know-how to make your trip a relaxing pleasure—and without being a lot more expensive than if you tried arranging everything yourself. If you already know where you want to stay, visit the hotel or resort Website and see if it’s offering golf stay-and-play specials. Even if it isn’t, the online room rates often undercut prices that the hotel quotes over the phone. Some golf resorts will book your tee times over the Web, especially if you signed up for a stay-and-play package.

In fact, check the Internet for golf courses wherever you’re headed in the United States. Assemble a list of all courses at your destination using golflink.com, which has organized links to nearly every U.S. course. Then visit the Website of any course you’re planning to play. Write down the address and phone number on a list that you’ll take with you on your trip. When calling courses to schedule times, asking how long rounds typically take that time of year and that day of the week is a great idea. You may discover that you’re scheduling your round on a league day. This is important because if you’re planning to play another course later that day, you’ll need the tee times spaced adequately apart to allow you driving time between courses. If you’re on a budget, arrange to play a less-expensive course in the morning during prime hours, then a pricier resort layout later for twilight rates. Also, ask if the greens are being aerated that day. Why waste your time playing a great course that has temporary greens?

You can also save time by foregoing phone calls to each individual course and instead calling a tee-time booking agent for that area, which may also have prereserved times or the clout to squeeze you in exactly when you want to play. Google an agent by searching your destination plus the words “tee-time booking agents.” Be aware that some work only with specific courses, and all charge nominal service fees.

Once you’ve booked your plane, hotel and golf, start preparing for all the other potential headaches you’re likely to encounter on your trip. Again, think chronologically. If you’re renting a car, which you should do online (and print out your reservation confirmation to take with you on your trip), find out whether there are toll roads leaving the airport. If so, remember to keep change in your pocket—“exact change” lanes can save you time on toll roads.

Save your experiences in pictures

Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and golf

Places to have off-the-course fun

America's most exciting city has great golf too

Pinehurst, North Carolina

“We Built This City on Rock And Ross.” Donald Ross’s imprint on golf-course design has been everlasting. Ross’s love affair with Pinehurst began with his work on the famed No. 2 course at the Pinehurst Resort—a course most experts agree is not only the finest of Ross’s designs, but also among the best ever designed in America. And although he designed or redesigned more than 400 courses (no, that’s not a misprint) in 30 states, Pinehurst remains the single greatest collection of Donald Ross courses you can play, including those at Pinehurst Resort, Pine Needles Lodge and Mid Pines Inn. For a great review on the legend of the Scotland-born Donald Ross, hop online and check out the Donald Ross Society at www.donaldrosssociety.org.

Girl Power. The gals will be back in ’07—Michelle, Cristie, Natalie, Paula and defending champion Annika Sorenstam will put their top games to the ultimate test at Pine Needles, host course for the 2007 Women’s U.S. Open in June. Pine Needles, designed by Donald Ross (but refurbished by John Fought), is a must-play for any golfer coming to Pinehurst. The driving, iron, short and recovery games are all put to the test on this championship-caliber layout. Also, one shouldn’t miss Pine Needles’ slightly older sibling—Mid Pines. It too is among Ross’s most highly acclaimed courses in Pinehurst. And by the way, if you guys aren’t convinced these girls can play, come be humbled and watch the stars of the LPGA. For more information, visit www.uswomensopen.com.

The Big Daddy. Let’s end the confusion. When people refer to “Pinehurst,” the distinction ought to be made between the Pinehurst Resort and the actual town of Pinehurst. Pinehurst Resort is in, well, Pinehurst, N.C. When referring to the Pinehurst area, that also includes the surrounding towns of Southern Pines and Aberdeen. (All three places reside in Moore County.) Pinehurst Resort, however, remains the prima donna of the region, housing some of the most special and monumental courses in the world. There are eight courses here, with the Donald Ross-designed No. 2 garnering the most praise. If you get a chance, play it. If not, play No. 7 and No. 8. Heck, play ’em all if you can! For more on the Pinehurst Resort, check out www.pinehurst.com.

Golf Schools. Since most golfers who visit Pinehurst will be playing several rounds during their stay, it only makes sense to take a lesson or two. Pinehurst is home to several great golf schools, and among the most popular are the John Jacobs Golf School located at Woodlake Resort, the School for Learning Golf at Pine Needles, and lastly, the Golf Advantage School located at Pinehurst Resort. All three will have golfers primed for the rounds of their lives. For more, visit www.jacobsgolf.com, www.golfari.com, www.pinehurst.com/golf_school.asp.

Package Providers. Like a few other popular destinations in the United States, Pinehurst also has its fair share of solid golf-package providers who can take over all the hassles of hotel reservations, tee times and restaurant recommendations. The best way to get started is to browse sites on the Internet. Start with Sandhills (www.sandhillsgolf.com) and you’ll see there’s plenty to choose from. Other popular package providers include GolfPac (www.golfpactravel.com), Condotels (www.condotelsofpinehurst.com) and Pinehurst Golf Trips (www.pinehurstgolftrips.com). 

Old-Time Charm. Opened in 1921, Mid Pines, a Donald Ross-designed layout is a pure classic and significantly hillier and somewhat shorter than its sister course at Pine Needles. Nevertheless, this is the kind of course that’s in vogue, requiring golfers to do more than just bomb drives and hit high approaches. Mid Pines is a true thinker’s course, but it’s designed a bit softer and is more accommodating to the recreational player. In fact, Donald Ross designed this course to be fun first and challenging second. Either way, Mid Pines is a must-play for players of all abilities. It’s a hoot. Visit www.pineneedles-midpines.com.

Side Trippin’. Yes, it’s true. Pinehurst is and always will be a golf destination, and compared to other golf hubs, what’s left to be done between rounds is less than what you’d find at places like Las Vegas or Orlando. Nevertheless, there are a few things to do, if time allows. First, the Campbell House Gallery has a variety of art pieces for sale by local artists. The House in the Horseshoe is an 18th-century plantation home that was formerly a cotton plantation. (The house clearly shows bullet holes resulting from a 1781 skirmish between Whigs and Tories.) Finally, the North Carolina Zoological Park ranks among the top five in North America. Don’t miss it. Links and phone numbers for all three attractions can be found at www.homeofgolf.com.

The Midwest's finest are as good as it gets

Mackinac Island. There’s much more to this quaint island than just the world’s best fudge. Since no cars are allowed on the island, you must arrive by ferry or via the 8,614-foot Mackinac Bridge—North America’s longest suspension bridge physically connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas. You can get around the island only by foot, horse carriage or bicycle. Then there’s the charming, 385-room Grand Hotel with the world's longest front porch. The 120-year-old, elegant hotel was the site of the 1979 movie, Somewhere in Time. Be sure to catch the island’s state park, honored by National Geographic as one of America’s 10 finest. For more info, visit www.mackinac.com.

Sleeping Bear Dunes Natural Lakeshore. Located in northwestern Lower Michigan, along the shores of Lake Michigan, it’s roughly 25 miles from bustling Traverse City. Disney’s FamilyFun magazine calls it the “Number One Midwest nature escape for families,” and rightly so, as this 70,000-acre getaway features 35 miles of wide, sandy beaches directly on Lake Michigan, massive sand dunes perched atop towering headlands and pristine inland lakes and streams. There are plenty of water sports, hiking and outdoor activities for people of all ages to participate in.

Hawaii

Georgia Coast/Hilton Head/Charleston

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

See the Slideshow Here »

10 places you gotta see in the sunshine state

Walt Disney World. We know what you’re thinking. And while we’re somewhat guilty of taking pleasure in riding the Peter Pan and Dumbo rides, the Walt Disney World mecca is also home to some outstanding golf. There are 99 holes there, with top-rated golf courses that include the Magnolia and Palm, two courses that regularly play host to the PGA Tour every year. Say what you will about the theme parks, Walt Disney World has some awesome golf courses to boot. www.disneyworld.com

Westin Innisbrook Resort. Like the golf at Disney World, the Westin Innisbrook Resort (just outside of Tampa) screams “Play me!” to the golf enthusiast. There are 72 holes of golf to choose from on a property that’s big enough to account for 900 acres of outstanding golf. The best course is the Copperhead course­—an awesome layout stretching 7,300 yards that plays host to the Chrysler Championships every fall. Better yet, accommodations and restaurants are plentiful at the resort, leaving very little reason to leave and go elsewhere. www.innisbrookgolfresort.com  

Grand Cypress Resort. There are 45 holes (all designed by Jack Nicklaus) and four combinations to choose from, making Grand Cypress among the nicer upscale resorts in the Orlando area. Our favorite is the 18-hole New Course, designed by Nicklaus, who was intent on paying homage to the Old Course at St. Andrews. It has double greens, pot bunkers, stone bridges and stone walls, just like several of the courses across “the pond.” Some purists may scoff at the notion of such artificiality, even though the course is surprisingly fun to play. It’s also a good challenge, especially for golfers who opt to swing from the back tees. www.grandcypress.com

Doral Golf Resort. After (or before) checking out Little Havana, play Miami’s most recognizable course: the Blue Monster at Doral. Not only is this course storied, but it has been made over during a near yearlong closure at the resort. No doubt it’s better than ever, as are the remaining four courses to choose from. Accommodations are plentiful at Doral, and with five courses to choose from, it’s a safe bet you’re never going to play the same shot twice on any course. www.doralresort.com

World Woods (Pine Barrens Course). Tucked about an hour north of Tampa, World Woods seems light-years away from the buzz of the city. Tom Fazio took an excellent piece of land and made his own magic with 18 holes that cut through dense forest and over expansive waste areas, consistently providing a treat for the senses. Just a few holes into the round, and you’ll quickly see why Pine Barrens is considered one of the top 100 courses in the world. www.worldwoods.com

World Golf Village. For those who can’t get enough golf, the World Golf Village in St. Augustine is where to find it. It features two courses (King & Bear and The Squire), an IMAX theater, a Renaissance Resort and the anchoring World Golf Hall of Fame (as seen in the commercials with Gary Player). Visitors can walk over a replica Swilcon Bridge, walk through a Trophy Room and even play a famed course, such as St. Andrews, through a computer simulator. All this is just the beginning...www.wghof.com
 
Arnold Palmer Invitational. Don’t let the name change fool you. The Arnold Palmer Invitational (formerly the Bay Hill Invitational) is still the same tournament it has always been, thanks to the guidance of the King himself, Arnold Palmer. Dubbed as the best preview to see which stars are playing their best in time for the Masters, Tiger Woods has left an indelible mark on this event having won it four times in row, though not once since ’03. We don’t doubt he’s hungry for another streak. By the way, if you can’t make it to the tourney, stay at the Lodge and play both courses at Bay Hill for yourself.  www.bayhillinvitational.com

TPC At Sawgrass. The most famous course in Florida, the Stadium Course at the TPC at Sawgrass is getting a new look and name for 2007. It will be dubbed the Players Course when the PGA Tour rolls into town next May, and the adjacent Valley Course will be known as Dye’s Valley. Much of the renovation work took place underground, with the exception of a few new bunkers and tee boxes on a few select holes. Nevertheless, the island-green 17th hole remains untouched and is still among the most visually daunting short par-3s ever conceived. To not try it once would be a huge mistake. www.tpc.com

The best golf in Palm Springs and LA-LA land

Make your golf dreams come true

Stirling Castle. Stirling Castle is arguably the most famous of Scotland’s castles and one of the most popular attractions in the entire country. Located atop an extinct volcano, Stirling Castle was a key military stronghold during the Scottish Wars of Independence and the site of the famed battle of Stirling Bridge where William Wallace (of Braveheart fame) led the Scots to victory over the English. Other important historical events surrounding the impressive structure include the Battle of Falkirk, when Edward I regained the castle for the English, and the later siege by Robert the Bruce which resulted in the Castle changing hands once again.

Living The Game

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It’s not hard to see why the people at Cuscowilla Golf Resort really love golf. Just look at the place. For starters, the grounds unfold about 70 miles from Atlanta in Eatonton, Ga., at the banks of the spectacular 20,000-acre Lake Oconee. The centerpiece—err, masterpiece—golf course is a tremendous work of art, a collaboration by arguably one of the hottest design duos in the world (Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore). And the clubhouse is stunning, starkly reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright’s most prestigious designs. The vacation cottages, restaurants, villas and club amenities rival the best in the country, and Cuscowilla’s merit as a hybrid country club/shared private residence club/full-time residential community has been proven by consistently ranking high and above the rest on many “best” and “top” residential and getaway vacation lists. By that, we mean it has earned an exhaustive list of “Number 1s” in a heap of categories. Speaking of hybrid communities, Cuscowilla used to be an expansive nursery for the development of hybrid pine tree specimens. Today, the tradition of maintaining the land in its former nursery tranquility is in full effect.

But, in our opinion, none of the above is what separates the Cuscowilla Golf Resort from the rest. The real difference is in the details (or lack thereof), and how despite being a huge 700 acres, the resort can’t help but feel as cozy as your own backyard. The staff members aren’t just friendly, they’re your friends. The amenities and accommodations aren’t only first class and comfortable, but they can be enjoyed full-time or part-time, yearly or seasonally, making Cuscowilla one of the country’s most desired golf communities.

The Golf
Calling it “golf” is a huge understatement. Stretching more than 6,800 yards, this par-70 course is a test from the start. Each hole at Cuscowilla is diabolically designed to appear straightforward, but in reality is chock-full of subtle nuances that beckon players to come back and try again (and again), no matter what score they posted. Crenshaw/Coore’s brilliant design of Alister Mackenzie-inspired bunkering and Donald Ross’ greens blends together seamlessly, presenting the golfer with not only a myriad of challenges, but also a mix of visual tricks that can be hazardous to the scorecard of the unfamiliar golfer.

Adding to the ingenuity of the basic  design, Cuscowilla is one of few golf courses in the world that’s both easier for higher-handicapped players and more challenging for better players. Strategic tee box placements and fairway widths accommodate players of all skills, making the golf course equally challenging and forgiving, depending on skill level. Better yet, it’s walkable (caddies are available), the views are beautifully unique and, lastly, each and every hole has a personality of its own. Some holes bank Lake Oconee, some weave through thick groups of native pines and others undulate through gentle meadowlands. The course carries an authentic, acoustic tone when compared to the overdone layouts that bellow with too many bells and whistles. Frankly, it’s not what the golf course has that makes Cuscowilla special—it’s what the course can live without that sets it apart from the rest. 

Specs
Opened: 1997
  • Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw Design
  • Par-70
  • 6,847 yards from back tees (Slope 130—Rating 72.3)
  • Semi-private designation
  • Year-round play 
  • Caddies and/or carts available

The Encore
other amenities 
1. Full golf practice facility
2. Resort-style swimming pool
4. Tennis courts
5. Walking/hiking trails
6. Complete lake recreation
7. Kids Club facilities
8. Conference Center
9. Gourmet food catering
 

Great Lakes

Myrtle Beach

If there's one thing you should know about golf in the magnificent desert West, heed the following statement: In the desert West, you don't play golf, you experience it.

Hidden gems and must-plays for the ultimate golf pilgrimage

Hilton Head Island

Double-bogeys mean nothing when you're in paradise

From Cabo to Cancun, golf south of the border is hard to beat

The golf boom in Los Cabos created something of a geographical trickle-down effect that spread to points south and east. The next metro area to take the little white ball and run with it was Puerto Vallarta. Named the world’s friendliest international city by readers of Condé Nast Traveler in 2001, Puerto Vallarta is also the beneficiary of one of the most postcard-ready settings in Mexico. The picturesque ciudad is snuggled against shimmering Banderas Bay with the hulking Sierra Madres Mountains serving as the backdrop.

Kauai, Maui and the Big Island are golf heaven

From the Monterey Peninsula to San Diego, discover golf in the Golden State

Follow the course - Rich trails of Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi

Coastal Georgia and South Carolina supply great golf with a Southern charm. Florida supplies great golf with everything else.

Perhaps no other region in the country has such a varied and stunning definition as the great Southeast. Depending on who you are and where you’re from, the states of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina probably have a different meaning to you. Take a 13-year-old kid from Wisconsin, for example, and Florida to him is all about thrill rides, waterslides and Jet Skis. To a middle-aged boating enthusiast from New York, the region is paradise for power boating, deep-sea fishing and sailing. But for the rest of us, the self-professed mass of golf freaks, addicts, aficionados, hackers and players, the Southeast means eclectic, Tour-proven golf, especially if you’re talking about hot spots like Kiawah Island in South Carolina, the Golden Isles of Georgia’s coast (including Sea Island, Jekyll Island and St. Simons Island), and the Sunshine State’s flagship destination cities of Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville and Daytona Beach. When Spanish gold explorers came looking for precious metals off the coast of this region some 400 years ago, little did they know the gold they were about to find would manifest itself in the rich array of top-tier resorts and golf courses that visitors enjoy today. Truly, the blend of coastal layouts and inland courses that take full advantage of the natural, wild environs of the area are, as a group, without peer.

Located midway between Savannah, Ga., and Jacksonville, Fla., the Georgian town of Brunswick and its four Golden Isles (there are actually a total of 15 islands, or “hammocks,” as locals refer to them) are home to some of the South’s most historical landmarks. Replete with legends and lore that have inspired countless Civil War ghost stories, it’s also a place where some of the world’s most iconic men, such as J.P. Morgan and William Rockefeller, took retreat from the daily grind to relax and enjoy a little Southern hospitality. And speaking of hospitality, there remains plenty of it today. Visitors seek the area for its world-class seafood, turn-of-the-century architecture, art galleries, fishing piers and a huge variety of water sports. The golf, as you can guess, is as illustrious as the area’s past.

Just to the north across the South Carolina border lies the city of Charleston and golf’s East Coast Shangri-la: Kiawah Island Resort and its five award-winning golf courses. Kiawah has been heralded not only for its aesthetic qualities, but also for the level of excitement the resort has contributed to competitive golf. In perhaps one of the most memorable moments in golf, Kiawah’s Ocean Course is where Bernard Langer missed his infamous six-foot putt, granting the Ryder Cup to the Americans in 1991. The Ocean Course, a Pete Dye design, features seaside views from almost everywhere, including 10 holes that play along the beautiful—yet distracting—ocean shore. Following are four additional designs by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Clyde Johnson, Gary Player and Tom Fazio. All five courses are known for their knack to look tranquil, but at the same time levy a few hefty challenges on unsuspecting golfers.
             
A trek inland and south takes one to Orlando and its 45 million annual visitors who seek adventure, exhilaration and entertainment at one of the nine major theme parks in the area, countless hotels (more than 110,000 rooms and counting) as well as offshoot attractions that sprinkle the swampy city surroundings. Popular tracks like Bay Hill and Grand Cypress will have you drooling for more. For even more salivating temptations, cruise east to the seaside town of Daytona Beach, home to not only 20-plus great golf courses, but one of the most outrageous stretches of sand on Earth.

Pinehurst

Nestled in the Sandhills of central North Carolina lies a roughly triangular area encompassing the villages of Southern Pines, Aberdeen and the quaint little walking village of Pinehurst (designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also created New York's Central Park) and Pinehurst Resort. The center of Pinehurst-area golf is, and always has been, the Resort’s world-renowned #2 course. Today the area is home to 43 excellent courses and counting. It’s known as the "Home of American Golf."
             
Steeped in tradition, exuding refinement and genuine Southern hospitality, and with year-round golf weather, the Sandhills area is truly a golf mecca. In addition to Pinehurst Resort's #2, several other courses are among the nation’s elite. The list of leading course designers includes Palmer, Maples, Nicklaus, Player, Jones and Fazio, but the name "Donald Ross" dominates. The legendary Scottish course designer came to Pinehurst in 1900 to redesign the new Resort’s #1, stayed for 48 years and created the Resort’s #s 2, 3 and 4 (significantly updated in 2000 by Tom Fazio and reopened as a new course), as well as the courses at Pine Needles and Mid Pines . In all, Ross designed or redesigned more than 400 others in North America, but considered #2 his home course, calling it "the fairest test of championship golf I have ever designed."
             
Pinehurst and professional golf have long been synonymous. In 1940 Ben Hogan won his first pro tournament at Pinehurst. Sam Snead, Byron Nelson and Cary Middlecoff won tournaments here. A young Arnold Palmer was a regular at Pinehurst during college days at Wake Forest. And who could forget the 1999 U.S. Open at Pinehurst #2, where an exuberant Payne Stewart, clad in signature traditional knickers and tam-o-shanter cap, won his second Open just months before an untimely death. The Open returns to #2 in 2005. Pine Needles, site of the 1996 U.S. Women's Open, again hosts the tournament in 2006. And Legacy Golf Links hosted the USGA’s 2000 Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. Area courses also host other professional tournaments.

A trip to the Pinehurst area will reward golfers not only with first-rate golf, but experiences and memories that will last a lifetime. Play the area's excellent newer courses, but do include at least one Ross venue on your itinerary and commune with both the spirit of this "holy" game and the spirits of golf’s greats who walked these hallowed fairways before you.

Enjoy…

Courtesy Golflinktravel.com


What To Bring
Depending on the season in which you make your trip, the weather can be hot and humid in the Sandhills area or a bit on the chilly side. Pick up some new shirts that are designed to perform in specific weather conditions. For the hot stuff, try one of the many modern shirt models that are capable of wicking away moisture throughout the round to help keep you dry and comfortable. On the sunny days, opt for shirts with a special UV coating, which will help reduce the effects of the sun’s powerful rays. If you visit the Sandhills in cooler weather, definite bring either a vest-style or full-length pullover.

Charleston, S.C.

The home of golf in the United States is a hotly debated topic, but Charleston can actually lay claim to the nation’s first golf course and golf club—Harleston Green and the South Carolina Golf Club, both of which were established in 1786. And while Myrtle Beach and Hilton Head may be the main golfing destinations in the Palmetto State, Charleston also possesses its own rich golfing culture.

Golf in Charleston is fathomable and flat-out relaxing. Despite its popularity as a travel destination, the old town plays host to a limited number of golf courses, most of which sport designer names and are not afraid to charge accordingly. Some golfers may view this as a drawback; others may view it as charming and manageable. If you don’t want to deny yourself one of the true golfing pleasures in life, please choose the latter viewpoint.

Charleston area golf is strewn throughout a series of islands and peninsulas that collectively make up one of the most breathtaking golfing venues in the country. The most famed, revered and even feared of these golf facilities makes its home on Kiawah Island, just south of the city.

Kiawah is home to five golf courses, the most famous being the Ocean Course designed by Pete Dye. Many players and writers consider the Ocean Course to be one of the most difficult in the United States, what with its gusty, variable winds and legion of seaside holes.

The course hosted the Ryder Cup in 1991, just a year after it opened, and may be the closest thing on the East Coast to a true links-style course. Nicklaus’ Turtle Point Course opened in 1981. Fazio’s Osprey Course opened in 1988, and legend has it that arguably the greatest course designer of our time had to swallow a little pride when Dye’s Ocean Course burst onto the scene like a scalded 3-wood.

Isle of Palms is the island most conveniently located in relation to downtown Charleston, and it just happens to be home to the area’s second most popular golfing destination—Wild Dunes, where Tom Fazio has constructed the Harbor Course and the Links Course, both to critical acclaim from local and national media.

But not all the great golf in Charleston is out on the barrier islands. In fact, some of it is actually in Charleston and in nearby Mt. Pleasant. Dunes West, Stono Ferry and Coosaw Creek are local favorites. Wherever you decide to play, the courses will not disappoint, and the Carolina charm will certainly bring you back for more.

Best Places To Play

Kiawah Island Golf Resort
Kiawah Island

With five spectacular golf courses, including the renowned Ocean Course, Kiawah Island oozes classic golf. In fact, the game’s best architects, including Pete Dye, Jack Nicklaus, Tom Fazio, Clyde Johnson and Gary Player, all have stamped their mark on a variety of golf holes, many of which are banked right on the edge of the majestic Atlantic Ocean. Accommodations include private oceanfront homes and villas, or luxury rooms and suites at the new Sanctuary Resort. Cougar Point is a Gary Player design and is considered a superb layout for players of all levels. Early holes play directly along broad expanses of tidal marsh, offering panoramic views of the Kiawah River and acres of needle rush and spartina grass.

New Mexico

GT Selects
Black Mesa Golf Club La Mesilla When architect Baxter Spann’s Black Mesa Golf Club (located just north of Santa Fe) debuted a few years back, it immediately shot to the top of the Best Course in New Mexico lists. Each visually breathtaking hole, carved out of desert sandstone with awesome views of Black Mesa, is both a treat for the senses and a challenge to your game. If you like your courses wild, untamed and full of twists and turns, rises and falls, then Black Mesa Golf Club shouldn’t be missed. Open year-round. www.blackmesagolf.com	Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club Paa-Ko is an 18-hole (with nine more holes under construction) golf course designed by award-winning architect Ken Dye. The course is situated on the east side of the Sandia Mountains, at elevations ranging from 6,500 to 7,000 feet. Put it this way: It’s extraordinarily beautiful and fun to play. Open March through November. www.paakoridge.com
Pinon Hills Golf Course Farmington Accuracy is very important to playing well at Pinon Hills, requiring careful tee shots over the varying fairway terrain. Putting well also requires a deft touch, as Pinon’s greens are known for their multi-tiered challenges. Yet the best part of Pinon Hills has nothing to do with the course, rather it’s the down-to-earth green fees that hover in the $20 range. At that price, you should be happy just to play the front nine. Open year-round. www.fmtn.org/pinonhills	Inn of the Mountain Gods Mescalero Flanked below the majestic Sierra Blanca Peak, the Ted Robinson-designed Championship Course features a dazzling array of elevation changes, an island fairway and tricky-yet-fair greens. The tall pine trees that encompass the golf present an ambience that’s both peaceful and engaging. Open year-round. www.innofthemountaingods.com

Mountain West

The mountain West—a rugged region that stretches from the Colorado Rockies to the Sierra Nevada of northern California, Utah and into Idaho—is unquestionably the most diverse terrain in the country. You can do it all here when it comes to outdoor recreation: ski, hike, swim, water sports, fishing—you name it. Within the last decade, golf has surged in popularity, as many destinations have melded into hybrid resorts that serve as ski havens in the winter and golf hot spots in the summer.

In Colorado, golfers can expect thin air and dense treelines that frame each hole. The “mile high” helps golfers hit the ball a lot farther, usually a club longer than they’re used to. Heading westward toward the California’s and Nevada’s Sierra Nevada, golfers can expect several lakes, rivers, streams and perhaps the most beautifully wooded forests in the world. The courses out this way tend to retain authenticity to the natural terrain, hence the huge variances in elevation challenges that you’ll find on most golf courses in the mountain West.

The Mars-like red rocks and windswept terrain of Utah yield some stiff challenges and scenery that simply cannot be duplicated.

When To Go
We suspect the 10 feet of snow you may encounter will make finding your golf balls a tad difficult. That being said, spring through fall are the best seasons to visit. Summers are also fantastic, but don’t be surprised by sudden increases or decreases in temps, as places like Edgewood Tahoe sometimes see light flurries every month of the year. Summer temps generally average in the 80s in the summer and in the 60s during the fall and spring.

How To Get There
For Rockies destinations, fly into Denver International. Only 150 miles separate you from the tarmac and the mountain resort towns due west from the Colorado capital. For Coeur d’Alene, your best bet is the airport in Spokane, Wash. Lake Tahoe and the Carson Valley are best reached via Reno, and the drive to each is less than two hours.

More Information
Be sure to check out:

Colorado Golf Information

Coeur d'Alene Visitors Bureau

Golf The High Sierra

Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority

Utah Information

Best Places To Play

Golf Tips Selects
The Club At Cordillera Edwards, Colo. Worth the pricey fare considering the four terrific layouts: Summit by Jack Nicklaus, Valley by Tom Fazio, Mountain by Hale Irwin, and Short by Dave Pelz. With those name associations, you can bet it’s a premier destination. The Lodge and Spa at Cordillera is just down the road from Vail and Beaver Creek. www.cordillera-vail.com	Red Sky Ranch Avon, Colo. Red Sky Ranch’s golf courses include Tom Fazio and Greg Norman layouts that are both brawny and beautiful, yielding great views of Vail’s back bowls. The only means to get on at these private tracks are to stay at one of Vail’s fine resorts, but it’s worth it considering the awe-inspiring golf. www.redskyranch.com

Abundance in Myrtle Beach

Great golf with an altitude

Earlier this summer, PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem announced the 2007 Tour schedule. It was a moment many golf fans were anticipating, as the details of the long-awaited FedEx Cup, a NASCAR-like season-long point race, were revealed.

The schedule is dramatically different than what we’re accustomed to, at times. The Ford Championship at Doral will be called the WGC-CA Championships, the Chrysler Classic normally held in Tucson in October will move to March with a new name, Tampa Bay Championship, and even the Bay Hill Invitational underwent some altering, taking on the moniker of its legendary host, Arnold Palmer.

Amid all this reshuffling and renaming, one constant remains. The PGA Tour (not to mention the LPGA and Champions’ Tours) play at some excellent, accessible venues.

Of course, location and timing contribute to the abundance of tour events in the Sunshine State. Most tourneys are played in winter and spring, thereby avoiding the steamy summers and early autumn hurricane season. Another factor is that each tour has its headquarters here, making scheduling and course selection more convenient.

Still, we believe the greatest feature of these courses is that anyone can play them. It’s always a great feeling to turn on the TV and see holes that you’ve brought to their knees. (It’s even better if you can brag that you trumped a pro on one of them.) So if you’re planning to vacation in Florida this fall or winter, stop by one of these tracks and break it in before the pros get their chance.

PGA Tour Stops

Bay Hill Club and Lodge, Orlando
The Tournament: Arnold Palmer Invitational Presented by MasterCard
Defending Champion: Rod Pampling (274, 14-under)
2007 Dates: March 12-18
(888) 422-9445 | www.bayhill.com | www.bayhillinvitational.com

Did you know? Bay Hill has been Palmer’s winter home since 1976. Three nines make up Bay Hill Golf Course with the Challenger and Champion hosting Arnie’s annual tournament. The Dick Wilson-designed tracks have been slightly altered over the years by Palmer and his design partner, Ed Seay.

PGA National Resort And Spa, Palm Beach Gardens
The Tournament: The Honda Classic
Defending Champion: Luke Donald (276, 12-under at Mirasol)
2007 Dates: February 26-March 4
(800) 633-9150 | www.pga-resorts.com | www.hondaclassic.com

Did you know? PGA National is home to the PGA of America. Five courses make PGA National one of the country’s largest golf resorts. The Champion course, designed by Tom Fazio, plays to 7,022 yards and, in addition to hosting next year’s Honda, hosted the 1983 Ryder Cup.

Doral Golf Resort And Spa, Miami
The Tournament: WGC-CA Championships (formerly Ford Championship)
Defending Champion: Tiger Woods (268, 20-under)
2007 Dates: March 19-25
(800) 713-6725 | www.doralgolf.com | www.worldgolfchampionships.com

Did you know? Tiger has averaged 3.69 strokes per hole his last two years at Doral. Doral, one of the premier destinations in the country, boasts five championship golf courses, including the fierce Blue Monster (scheduled to reopen September 17 after a $1.4 million renovation).