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Discount Golf Vacations Possible with New Jersey Golf Courses

Any thoughts on above average, budget, northern New Jersey golf courses for a June trip? We'll be based in Secaucus, and we'd love to avoid big crowds so it's no problem if we have to drive a bit.

Wow, you're looking for the trifecta? A quality, crowdless, and discount golf vacation among jam-packed northern New Jersey golf courses? Brother, that's not going to be easy, especially in June.

One of the Best Santa Barbara Golf Courses to Play on a California Golf Vacation

If your next California golf vacation takes you to or through Santa Barbara County, be sure to stop and play La Purisima Golf Course. You simply will not find a better Santa Barbara golf course to play for less than $100 (green fees range from $50-$91).

With a 75.6 stroke average and 143 slope rating from the tips, you probably won't find a more challenging one, either, a fact the course isn't shy about promoting on its website, where the question is posed: "Can you handle playing...La Piranha?" (its nickname given by the locals).

Where to Find Discount Golf Vacations in Wales

The weak US Dollar has sent the price of U.K and Ireland golf vacations soaring to as much as $400-$500 per round at top courses. But value or even "discount" golf vacations in the U.K. are still possible, and my colleagues at Golf Odyssey recently uncovered a great option: Mid-Wales, where green fees at some of the best golf courses cost less than $70.

Golf vacations in Wales aren't nearly as popular as neighboring U.K. and Ireland destinations, but you can bet interest is going to greatly intensify during the lead-up to, and following, its hosting of the Ryder Cup in 2010. To be sure, if golf vacation destinations were stocks, the smart money would be buying Wales. Consider this your chance to get in on the ground floor.

Myrtle Beach Restaurants: The Best 1-2 Combo on a Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation

Whenever I take a Myrtle Beach golf vacation, I make sure to get down to Pawleys Island, which not only has some of my favorite courses along the Grand Strand (Caledonia, True Blue, the Heritage Club) but also some of my favorite Myrtle Beach restaurants.

The best one-two dining combination I've found is at Louis's at Pawleys (louisatpawleys.com) and the adjoining Fish Camp Bar, located on Highway 17 in the Hammock Shops specialty shopping/dining village.

The Best Golf Courses in England's New Atlantic Links Lineup

While Scotland and Ireland often command the spotlight among those considering European golf vacations, England has some excellent layouts of its own, not the least of which is Royal Birkdale, site of this year's Open Championship.

To capitalize on the attention the Open will bring (and a long-overdue effort to put the country on golfers' radar screens) several worthy golf courses in England's Southwest region are being bundled together to form the "Atlantic Links."

How to Get Vermont Golf Resort's Rooms at Half Price

Considering a Vermont golf vacation this summer? Given the unadvertised special we just came across, perhaps you should.

The Stowe Mountain Lodge (stowemountainlodge.com) in Stowe, Vt. — a Vermont golf resort opening in July, complete with a promising new, 18-hole, Bob Cupp-designed golf course — is offering a near 50 percent discount off of its "studio" level room rates this summer.

The Best Courses to Play on a Pinehurst Golf Resort Vacation

With eight courses to choose from, deciding where to tee it up at Pinehurst Golf Resort can seem like a daunting task, but it's really quite simple. While all of the Pinehurst golf courses are worthwhile (they don't call it "the American St. Andrews" for nothing), the even-numbered courses, as a group, are the best bets.

After No. 2, the Donald Ross masterpiece that hosted the U.S. Open in 1999 and 2005, our first choice would be No. 4, a Tom Fazio design whose every hole offers unique variety, beauty...and challenge. It's dotted with 180 sand traps, most of which are small pot bunkers clustered near fairway landing areas, at the bends of doglegs, and around the greens.

Birmingham-to-the-Bay Stops on a Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Vacation

I'm starting my Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail vacation in Birmingham at Ross Bridge Resort, then heading south to Lakewood Golf Club on Mobile Bay. Is it worth the price to play both courses at Lakewood or should I go to nearby Magnolia Grove to play its Crossings and Falls courses?

Yes, we would recommend playing one of the courses at Magnolia Grove in lieu of playing both at Lakewood. Here's why:

First, you'll get a nice change of scenery and topography. Second, you're going to Alabama to play the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, right? Well, neither Robert Trent Jones nor any of his design associates did any of the work at Lakewood, as it wasn't originally part of the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail.

New Course Near Bandon Dunes Golf Resort May Be a Player

To be perfectly honest, when I first wrote about Bandon Crossings golf course last year, I wasn't convinced the seasonal and remote Bandon market could support an upscale golf course unaffiliated with the Bandon Dunes Golf Resort.

However, Southern Oregon's daily newspaper, The World, recently reported that Bandon Crossings, so far, is doing quite well in terms of traffic and course conditioning.

The Best Public Golf Courses to Play on an Atlanta-to-Augusta Golf Vacation

Whenever the Masters approaches, we get questions about where to find the best public golf courses in Atlanta or in Augusta, Ga., itself.

This year, we were asked about the best public golf courses to play when traveling from Atlanta to Augusta, a well-worn route by many who attend the tournament (or "toonamint," as they say down there), which begins on Thursday.

If we were making the journey this year, below are the golf courses and resorts that would be on our radar screen. Again, they aren't necessarily the best public golf courses in Atlanta, but if you're heading out of the city on I-20 toward Augusta (and want to play golf while you're there), these courses may provide the best combination of worthwhile golf and minimal highway detours.

How to Play Harbour Town Like the Pros on a Hilton Head Golf Vacation

If you could only play one course on a Hilton Head golf vacation, I'd recommend Harbour Town Golf Links. In addition to being a highly scenic and exhilarating shotmaker's course, it presents the rare opportunity to play a PGA Tour venue, the site of the the perennially popular Verizon Heritage tournament (held April 17-20 this year).

Of course, even more unique than playing a PGA Tour course is the opportunity to play it under the exact conditions and setup the pros do, Sunday pin placements and all, and we found a way that you can do exactly that, the day after the tournament.

A Bayside Beauty to Play on a Northern Michigan Golf Vacation

In addition to wooded beauty, certain Northern Michigan golf courses offer panoramic, "seaside" experiences, and one of our favorites is Bay Harbor Golf Links.

It's located near the very top of the Michigan "oven mitt," overlooking Little Traverse Bay, an inlet into which Lake Michigan spills a bounty of fresh water for sailors, fisherman, windsurfers, and kayakers.

An Arthur Hills design, Bay Harbor lies along the lakeshore in the charming town of Petoskey, characterized by little shops, inns, waterfront parks and restaurants. Across the bay is Harbor Springs, Michigan's answer to tony Kennebunkport, with its all-American streets lined with fashionable art galleries, nautical stores, fudge and ice cream shops, and boat slips. To be sure, Bay Harbor seems to have it all among Northern Michigan golf courses; plenty to see, plenty to do, and plenty of places to eat.

Don't Fall for the Hype on Your Grand Cayman Golf Vacation

While it's known as a world-class scuba destination, the island of Grand Cayman has a long way to go before being considered a top spot for Caribbean golf vacations. That's not to say that taking a Grand Cayman golf vacation is a bad idea, but it's probably better suited to a long weekend or quick, mid-week getaway where golf is not the highest priority.

Yes, there was a lot of fanfare surrounding last year's opening of Blue Tip, a Greg Norman design, but we found this private, nine-holer for Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman guests to be uninspiring.

The course was built on relatively flat terrain and, though water is prevalent because the routing weaves through a series of man-made canals, there aren't any holes on the ocean. Isn't that one of the reasons people take Caribbean golf vacations? For the $218 we paid for two, nine-hole loops, we certainly expected to see, or at least hear, the crashing waves.

The Benefits of North Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations

If you're planning on taking a Myrtle Beach golf vacation this year, don't slight the northern reaches of America's most popular golf mecca. This area of the Grand Strand (just over the border in North Carolina) offers a variety of excellent Myrtle Beach golf courses.

Most Myrtle Beach regulars might play one or two courses in the north before moving on to the more publicized links in the center and south, but we think there is enough good golf here and enough good reasons to warrant multi-day North Myrtle Beach golf vacations.

Biodegradable Ball May Up the Fun Factor for Golf Cruises

Do you know how you can tell who the golfers are on cruise ships? They're the ones standing at the back of the boat, imagining how fun it would be to launch golf balls into ocean.

I'm not a huge fan of golf cruises, so I don't know exactly how, in 1997, the idea to create water-soluble, environmentally friendly golf balls occurred to me. But, I figured if I could make them approximate the feel and flight characteristics of regular golf balls, I could sell a lot of them to cruise lines, the Navy, etc.

Well, while I was daydreaming about this, someone else was actually doing something about it. Fast forward to a month ago when I received not one, but two emails from friends (one of whom had to endure my idea pitch 10 years ago) telling me that they had read about Eco Golf Balls (ecogolfballs.com).

I can't say I wasn't a little bit disappointed, but as a wise person once said, "If it's truly a good idea, chances are someone else has thought of it, too."

How to Play Maui and Lanai, Hawaii Golf Courses on the Same Golf Vacation

Two of the best courses you can play on a Maui, Hawaii golf vacation aren't on Maui at all, but on the nearby island of Lanai.

We're talking, of course, about the Jack Nicklaus-designed Challenge at Manele (on the coast) and the Ted Robinson/Greg Norman-designed Experience at Koele (in the island's mountainous interior). Getting to them from Maui is an easier day trip than you might think.

GHIN Great for Calculating Golf Handicaps while on a Golf Vacation

One of the greatest things about golf is that, thanks to the handicap system, players of widely differing skill levels can engage in competitive matches with one another. By allowing less accomplished players to subtract a certain amount of strokes from their score (thus eliminating the better player's advantage) a 26 handicap, for instance, can play against a five-handicap and have an equal chance of winning.

At your home course, it's pretty easy to determine how many strokes you are either giving to, or receiving from, your playing partners. All you need to do is check the golf handicap printouts in the clubhouse or use the golf handicap conversion chart that probably hangs in the locker room.

The Best Maui Golf Courses to Play on a Hawaii Golf Vacation

My wife and I are planning a Maui golf vacation. What are your picks for golf in the Makena and Wailea areas, and which other Maui golf courses are worth seeking out if we rent a car or taxi?

If you have to choose between playing the Maui golf courses at Wailea or Makena, we recommend Wailea (waileagolf.com). And, of its three layouts, Gold, Emerald, and Old Blue, the Gold and Emerald courses are the best bets.

As Golf Odyssey readers will be advised in the upcoming April issue:

Discount Golf Vacations Can Include Hawaii Golf Courses

You probably don't think of Hawaii golf courses when you're looking for discount golf vacations, but deals do exist. There are, of course, the everyday and deeply reduced kama'aina (pronounced, "ka-muh-EYE-nah) rates, but you had better be able to prove that you're a local if you ask for them.

Aside from that, some of the best deals we've found are available through the Golf Hawaii Card (golfhawaiicard.com).

The Golf Hawaii Card works like other golf passes you may have seen, except for three big differences:

Playing the Pebble Beach Golf Courses When You're Not a Resort Guest

Three friends and I are planning to take a Pebble Beach golf vacation in 2010 to celebrate my friend's 40th birthday. How can we reserve a tee time at the Pebble Beach Golf Course without staying at the exorbitantly priced resort itself?

Unfortunately, if you're not a guest of Pebble Beach Resorts, you can only make tee times at Pebble Beach Golf Course one day in advance, and that hardly seems like it would work for the Pebble Beach golf vacation you're planning.

Coore and Crenshaw Add to Lineup of Orlando Golf Courses

Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw may have just raised the bar on Orlando golf courses. Sugarloaf Mountain (themountain.cc; 866-936-4455), their first design in Florida, was unveiled last month in the Lake Apopka region, about 40 minutes from downtown Orlando.

This expansive track, which plays 7,126 yards from the tips, rambles over remarkably hilly terrain (unique for Orlando golf courses) and features distant vistas of the Orlando skyline. It's yet another example of the strategic, naturalistic, and minimalist style that has become the duo's trademark (think Sand Hills, Friar's Head, and Bandon Trails).

Don't Let the Weak Dollar Kill Your Golf Vacation Plans

Last week, the dollar hit an all-time low against the Euro. It now costs Americans approximately $1.50 for one Euro — no wonder Jay-Z is flashing a stack of Euro's in his latest music video. It really calls into question whether traveling overseas is worth the premium these days.

To put this in perspective, consider that, five years ago, a round at Pebble Beach Golf Links cost $350, about €324. Today, it costs $525 or €350 — 50 percent more in U.S. dollars, but only 8 percent more in Euros. Comparing the same time period, the green fee for the Old Course at Ballybunion Golf Club in Ireland is up more than 60 percent in Euros, but has skyrocketed 227 percent in U.S dollars, from $119 to $270!

How to Get on Bethpage Black, Site of the 2009 US Open

In the last few months, several readers have asked what we recommend in terms of when and how to get on Long Island, New York's Bethpage Black course before it hosts the 2009 U.S. Open.

The "when" part is easy: as soon as you possibly can. The U.S. Open is being held at Bethpage Black on June 15-21, 2009, so you only have this season before things start to get really jammed up out there. And for out-of-staters, it's going to be that much tougher because New York residents can make tee times up to seven days in advance; for everyone else, it's only two days.

Getting on the Most Famous St. Andrews Golf Course as a Single

Any advice on getting a single tee time for the Old Course at St. Andrews? I know I can go to the starter first thing in the morning, but I don't know when to get there. Would I have to buy two tee times to get into the daily ballot?

You are correct in theory, Joe; a daily ballot entry to play the Old Course requires a minimum of two players, but we wouldn't recommend trying to "game" the system as the starter probably wouldn't take kindly to it. And if you've spent the time, money, and effort to fly to Scotland to play the most famous St. Andrews golf course, the starter is the last person you want to mess with.

How to Deal with Cart-Path-Only Policies on Your Next Golf Vacation

Many people think the worst three words in golf are, "You're still away." This past weekend, on my Scottsdale golf vacation, I was reminded of three words that are even worse, "Cart Path Only."

In town to evaluate recent changes to some of Scottsdale's best golf courses, I had to weather cart-path-only restrictions at Grayhawk Golf Club and during one of two rounds at Troon North Golf Club.

While cart-path-only golf is better than no golf at all, it's kinda like driving on the shoulder of the autobahn. Takes a lot of the fun out of it, ya know? Anyway, here are some tips for dealing with the situation if you're confronted with it:

The Best 36-Hole Facility to Play on a Scottsdale Golf Vacation

The following is an excerpt from our free, special report on We-Ko-Pa Golf Club:

When We-Ko-Pa, already one of our favorite golfing grounds in the desert Southwest, unveiled its second, 18-hole course in late 2006, the Bill Coore-Ben Crenshaw designed Saguaro Course (pronounced "suh-WAHR-oh"), it not only doubled our pleasure, it catapulted to the head of our list of the best 36-hole complexes to play on a Scottsdale golf vacation.

Located on Native American land in Fort McDowell just beyond Scottsdale's borders, We-Ko-Pa offers an unbeatable combination of two layouts of utterly contrasting styles, a stunning clubhouse that draws on desert and Yavapi Nation traditions, a reasonable green fee, and a rare, pure golf setting that is utterly devoid of course-side housing. Add up all these factors and there is simply no more enjoyable place to play back-to-back rounds on a Scottsdale golf vacation.

Sinkholes on Cancun Golf Courses Offer a Unique Twist

Today, when the PGA Tour follows up it first-ever south-of-the-border visit to Mexico and its Cancun/Riviera Maya region, players will have to contend with additional hazards that they don't normally find on courses here in the States: giant sinkholes.

Rare in other parts of the world, but common on some Cancun golf courses, these sinkholes, or cenotes (se-NO-tays), are limestone, cave-like structures similar to underground lava tubes. The exotic, Greg Norman-designed El Camaleon course that the Tour is playing is crisscrossed by them, and players will get a glimpse of one on the very first hole, where the Devil's Mouth, sits smack dab in the middle of the fairway.

The Next Hotspot for Dominican Republic Golf Vacations

Those considering Dominican Republic golf vacations now have more to choose from besides the venerable Casa de Campo Resort in La Romana.

Punta Cana, an area on the country's east coast long known for it's all-inclusive beach retreats, is poised to become the golf mecca of the Caribbean.

Although none of its individual resorts can yet match the collection of courses at Casa de Campo Resort, Punta Cana offers superior beaches and seaside golf that's even more spectacular than its older rival.

Primm Valley Golf Club Review for Your Las Vegas Golf Vacation

Despite being located 30 minutes south of The Strip, the two layouts at Primm Valley Resort, the Desert Course and Lakes Course, are among the most popular to play on Las Vegas golf vacations.

Why? Well, as the Hooked on Golf Blog states in its review today, it helps that "both courses at Primm Valley were designed by probably the most famous designer of our era, Tom Fazio."

Fourth Course Taking Shape at Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

One of our field operatives recently dropped in on the Bandon Dunes Resort and came across an interesting foursome, though they were not there to play golf.

Bandon Dunes Resort owner Mike Keiser, Pacific Dunes architect Tom Doak, and Doak's two principal colleagues, Jim Urbina and Bruce Hepner, were exploring the potential routing plan for the fourth, 18-hole course, called Old Macdonald.

The Best Time of Year to Take a Pebble Beach Golf Vacation

Want to know the absolute best time of year to take a Pebble Beach golf vacation? Don't go by the PGA Tour, which is making its annual visit to the Pebble Beach golf courses this week.

In fact, if you go by weather alone (average temperature and precipitation), December through March is the worst time to visit these hallowed golfing grounds. And, given that, as of April 1, 2008, it will cost $495 to play Pebble Beach Golf Links (plus a $30 cart fee if you're not a resort guest) and there are no discounted "winter rates," it's beyond me why anyone would take a Pebble Beach golf vacation at any time other than the prime weather months of May through October.

PGA Tour Sells Naming Rights to Two New San Antonio Golf Courses

It's one thing for a corporate sponsor to get its name on a golf tournament, but the course itself? That's rare. And, in my opinion, tacky and just plain wrong.

Well, in its increasing desire to join the corporate party being enjoyed by other major sports organizations, the PGA Tour announced yesterday that it sold the naming rights to its two new San Antonio golf courses to AT&T.

According to a PGA Tour press release, "The long-term sponsorship agreement will incorporate AT&T into the names of the courses at TPC San Antonio. The courses will be known as the AT&T Oaks Course (designed by Greg Norman, with player consultant Sergio Garcia) and the AT&T Canyons Course (designed by Pete Dye, with player consultant Bruce Lietzke)."

Two Stand-Alone Courses that are "Must Plays" on a Northern Michigan Golf Vacation

Much of the spotlight that shines on Northern Michigan golf focuses on the area's large resorts, but there are two stand-alone courses that you must play on your Northern Michigan golf vacation.

The first is Tom Weiskopf's Forest Dunes Golf Club, located about 40 minutes south of Gaylord, the epicenter of Northern Michigan golf. A treat for any purist, the course is reminiscent of Weiskopf's famed Arizona courses, such as Troon North, though instead of the desert, the holes are threaded through natural sand dunes and native grasses.

The Lowdown on Shanty Creek Resort's Courses for Your Northern Michigan Golf Vacation

Along with the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, Shanty Creek Resort near Traverse City is one of Northern Michigan's original, big-time golf resorts. It has 72-holes, but until recently, it could be skipped on a Northern Michigan golf vacation. Not anymore. Its newest layout is arguably one of the state's best, the little-known Cedar River Golf Club.

Designed by Tom Weiskopf, it spills over tumultuous terrain presenting one strikingly memorable hole after another; an "ooh-ah" factor as high as you will see on a Northern Michigan golf vacation.

A Brand New Course to Play on a Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation

You may have read that more than 15 Myrtle Beach golf courses have closed in the last few years. Well, here's one that's bucking the trend.

Starting tomorrow, there will be a new course to play on a Myrtle Beach golf vacation, albeit toward the south end of the Grand Strand. It's called The Founders Club at Pawleys Island, not to be confused with the Founders Club at St. James Plantation in the far northern reaches of the Strand.

All-inclusive Arizona Golf Packages for an Arizona Golf Vacation

I would like to surprise my husband with an all-inclusive Arizona golf vacation. I want him to arrive and not worry about anything except where his ball landed. What do your Arizona golf packages include?

Sorry, Nicky, but we're a source of expert advice only. We often get mistaken for a golf travel provider, but we have no affiliation with golf courses, hotels, resorts, or restaurants. And I'd add that, unlike other golf publications, we do not accept advertising or free "site inspection" trips from them, either. It's all part of our commitment to providing you with unbiased reviews that you can trust.

Golf Bag Shipping Options for Your Next Golf Vacation

Of all the questions we get about golf vacations, the one that we're hearing most frequently concerns golf bag shipping. With airport security requiring that golf travel cases be unlocked (or locked only with TSA-approved locks) and airlines imposing stricter baggage allowances and weight limits, it's really no surprise.

Here's the lowdown on golf bag shipping: if you don't need someone to help pack your clubs and delivery speed is not a major concern, the least expensive method for shipping golf clubs is by using one of the large package delivery companies: FedEx, UPS or DHL. This is what the specialized luggage and golf bag shipping companies ultimately use, anyway.

Experience Torrey Pines Golf Course like the Pros on Your San Diego Golf Vacation

Want to play this week's PGA Tour venue exactly the way the world's best players will experience it on Sunday? If so, plan your next San Diego golf vacation so you're at Torrey Pines Golf Course on the Monday following its annual Buick Invitational.

Few people outside of San Diego know that, immediately after the conclusion of the tournament, Torrey Pines Golf Course holds a lottery for the next day's tee times. The lucky golfers selected not only get to play the South Course under championship conditions, they can play from the Championship tees and with Sunday pin placements. If there was ever a way to truly know the challenging set-ups that tour players contend with, this is it.

Secure a Tee Time at St. Andrews' Old Course During a Scotland Golf Vacation

My son and I are taking our first Scotland golf vacation in June and attempting to get a tee time at St. Andrews' Old Course via early arrival or the ballot box. Any advice on which day(s) we might have the best chances? Also, are there any "sleeper" courses that we should play as we drive from the airport to our accommodations in Crail?

Congratulations on your upcoming Scotland golf vacation. We wish we could say that you'll have no problem getting a tee time, but of all the St. Andrews golf courses, certainly the toughest tee time to secure is one at the Old Course.

One of the Most Unique Cancun Golf Courses to Play on a Mexico Golf Vacation

P.B. Dye, the son of legendary golf architect Pete Dye, built a reputation as being somewhat of a maverick designer, and his 2005 Playa Paraiso Golf Club in the Riviera Maya region only bolsters that image.

Simply put, most Cancun golf courses don't have anywhere near the amount of elevation change and bold contouring that Playa Paraiso does. To say that Dye was not afraid of moving a lot of earth is an understatement. As a kid, he was as comfortable operating a bulldozer as he was riding a bike.

One of the Newest Cancun Golf Courses to Play on a Mexico Golf Vacation

If you've been considering a Mexico golf vacation, you've probably heard the name Playa Mujeres Golf Club buzzing around. An opulent Greg Norman design that opened in June 2006, it's one of many new Cancun golf courses that are elevating this area to true "golf destination" status. Here are a few handy tips if you want to make this Cancun golf course part of your Mexico golf vacation:

First, Playa Mujeres lies just north of Cancun's "hotel zone", but don't believe anyone who tells you that the course is just 15 minutes away. Not even Cancun's craziest cab driver can get there that quickly. Give yourself at least 30 minutes.

How to Score a Tee Time at Carnoustie Golf Course During a Scotland Golf Vacation

I stumbled upon a great little nugget of information the other day when planning my upcoming Scotland golf vacation. I was trying to make a tee time at The Championship course at Carnoustie Golf Links, which we've described before as "the most challenging course you can play on a Scotland golf vacation." I must have waited too long, because when I called to make reservations, the course had no available tee times.

Who can forget last year's Open Championship at Carnoustie? Like Jean Van de Velde's unforgettable meltdown in 1999, it ended in dramatic fashion as Padraig Harrington, leading by one shot with one hole to play, dunked two balls into the drink, opening the door for Sergio Garcia. Snakebit Sergio went on to bogie the 18th hole and ultimately lost in a playoff. Who can forget? Apparently, nobody. This nail-biting theater has made Carnoustie even more of a must-play for those on a Scotand golf vacation...which is why I got squeezed out.

New Cancun Golf Courses Making Strong Case for a Mexico Golf Vacation

Cancun, which typically conjures images of cookie-cutter beach hotels and sloppy Spring Break shenanigans, used to be a golfing wasteland. No longer. As we saw on our recent visit, new Cancun golf courses, including those located on the stunning Mayan Riviera immediately to the south, are quickly transforming this area into a world-class golf destination.

No place in Mexico — and perhaps in the Western hemisphere — matches the burgeoning construction of Cancun golf courses. Ongoing projects (scheduled to open from late 2007 to late 2008) include: the Nicklaus Design team's 36-hole routing at Riviera Cancun, Tom Fazio's TPC Cancun, a Nick Price 18 at La Roca Country Club, and Tom Weiskopf's Puerto Cancun.

How to Get On Private Naples Golf Courses on a Florida Golf Vacation

Want to play private Naples golf courses on your next Florida golf vacation? Staying at the right hotel or inn could be your "in."

Take, for example, the all-suite Marco Beach Ocean Resort, which offers one-bedroom suites starting at $209 per night. With a room key here and a pleasant rapport with the concierge, it's possible to get on at least three private Naples golf courses (although things might tighten up in high season).

One is the highly acclaimed Creek Course at the Golf Club at Fiddler's Creek. This Arthur Hills layout is usually reserved for members and their guests only, but the club gives special consideration to Marco Beach Ocean Resort guests. Hopefully, the arrangement will extend to Fiddler's second course, a Hurdzan/Fry design called Preserve currently under construction.

Reasonably priced courses to play on a Marco Island golf vacation

We have plans for a Marco Island golf vacation in January 2008. Could you recommend reasonably priced golf courses that we might play while in this area of Florida?

Marco Island is 15 miles south of tony Naples, Florida, but, unfortunately, private courses still dominate the scene in this area. This includes the two on-island courses, Island Country Club (18 holes) and Hideaway Beach Golf Club (9 holes).

New Firm Offering Club Delivery Service for Florida Golf Vacations

You're probably already aware that FedEx, UPS, DHL, and a variety of luggage-only shipping services make it easier to get your golf clubs to your golf vacation destination rather than lugging them yourself.

But when it comes to short trips, or business trips, is it really worth paying upwards of $100 to ship them when you might only play a round or two?

A new firm, citing the high cost and low quality of golf course rental clubs, thinks its golf club delivery service provides a good solution for those on brief Florida golf vacations or business trips.

Called GolfClubsAway.com, the company will deliver a full set of late-model Nike or Callaway clubs (including a putter) to your hotel or the golf course by 7 am and pick them up from the same location around 8 pm. The per-day cost, which includes the use of the clubs and a sleeve of Nike balls, is $35 for Nike and $45 for Callaway.

Where You May Literally be Blown Away on a New Zealand Golf Vacation

I've seen golf balls blown sideways at St. Andrews and I've lost hats at Lahinch, but nothing prepared me for what I recently experienced at Cape Kidnappers, the magnificent New Zealand golf course designed by Tom Doak.

This video was taken as our group began playing famous holes 11-16, which sit atop "fingers" that extend into the crashing waves of the Pacific Ocean...500 feet below! To help put this in perspective, consider that Old Head in Ireland sits 300 feet above the Atlantic. And those famous cliffs at Pebble Beach? A mere 100 feet above Carmel Bay.

The Most Dramatic Mesquite Golf Course to Play on a Las Vegas Golf Vacation

Have you ever seen Loyal H. Chapman's famous paintings of ultra-extreme golf holes, ones where a tiny green dangles hundreds of feet in the air on the edge of vertical cliff wall or across an unfathomable chasm amid the crashing water of a massive waterfall?

Well, if you want to see the closest, real-life representation of Chapman's outlandish work, make a point of playing the Wolf Creek golf course on your next Las Vegas golf vacation. It's located in Mesquite, Nevada, about 90 minutes northeast of Las Vegas near the Arizona border, but you could easily mistake it for Mars.

Five Unique Golf Gifts (Under $100) for Golf Vacation Travelers

Buying gifts for golfers is easy. Buying golf gifts for golfers is hard. Just like other groups of highly devoted (some would say fanatical) people, we are very particular about what goes on our bodies and in our bags. And, as I'm sure you are well aware, being a golfer doesn't make the gift-giving process any easier.

That being said, we think there are some golf and golf-related gifts for golf vacation travelers that are not only safe bets, but will also be truly appreciated by their recipients. How do we know? Well, as you can imagine, we log a lot of miles each year and spend plenty of hours in airports...noticing things that we wish we had. Here are some of them:

The World's Best Golf Vacation Destinations for 2007 / 2008

It's that time of year. Time for making lists...and I don't mean the holiday shopping kind.

It seems everyone who writes about golf has been busy making a list of the "best golf courses" or the "best golf resorts." While they're fun to read, we think the one in Golf Odyssey's December 2007 issue is much more useful from a golf vacation planning standpoint.

Here's why. After crisscrossing the globe to come up with their list of 72 "Platinum Places," the editors of Golf Odyssey divided it into 18 sub-categories, making it more relevant and useful to families, women, escapists, golf-aholics, food-lovers, value-seekers, and others who have specific golf vacation preferences and interests.

"Value" Sarasota Golf Courses on a Florida Golf Vacation

I'm going to Sarasota, Florida in January. Can you recommend some golf courses in the area that are a good value?

Let me preface this by saying that everyone has their own definition of what "value" is. Without knowing yours, I'll assume you're looking for good, but no-frills, Sarasota golf courses that you can play at a low price.

Florida Golf Vacation Packages Available at the World Golf Village

Do you know of any good lodging and golf packages for the World Golf Village/Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Florida?

The World Golf Village has its own online golf vacation package reservation system, but I can't recommend it.

First, it's not a real-time booking engine; it simply collects information so a reservation agent can contact you. Worse, the few times I tested it, it was slow, error prone, and illogical. (Note to the WGV webmaster: you might want to let people see tee time availability before asking for their credit card number). Save yourself the time and frustration and just call the toll-free number (800-948-4653) to speak to their helpful reservationists.

New Zealand Golf Course Unveils Underground Clubhouse, Homes

A New Zealand man has devised an innovative solution to the unfortunate but all-too-common practice of building houses on golf courses: he's hiding them underneath.

Jewelry magnate Michael Hill plans to build 17 luxury, mostly underground homes on, er, in The Hills golf course which he owns and is this week hosting the New Zealand Open (officially, the Michael Hill New Zealand Open) a European Tour event. Somehow, I don't think this is what people mean when they refer to "living in a bunker."

Homes or Villas for a Group Golf Vacation to Kiawah Island Resort

Very good question, Adam. There are a few main things to consider:

First, how important to you is camaraderie on a golf vacation? When everyone stays under the same roof, this generally leads to maximum bonding and fun. Of course, this assumes that everyone gets along well and is easygoing.

If you have guys in your group (I'm assuming this is a buddies trip) who like having things "their own way," it might be best to divide them up into villas. Kiawah Island Resort has one- to four-bedroom villas available.

Second, with respect to Kiawah in particular, if you're looking for the ultimate in luxury and amenities, you may want to stay in a home. Kiawah Island Resort has four- to eight-bedroom homes available.

A New Indian Wells Course to Play on a Palm Springs Golf Vacation

I don't envy the staff at the Indian Wells Golf Resort right now. First, they have to help host the Skins Game this weekend, the nationally televised event being played on their Celebrity Course, and then they have to follow that up next week by unveiling the newest course to play on a Palm Springs golf vacation, their John Fought-designed Players Course. Talk about needing a breather.

Technically, Fought, who did the restoration work at Pine Needles prior to this year's U.S. Women's Open, redesigned the course, but

Where to Find "Justin Timberlake's" Course on a Las Vegas Golf Vacation

By now, you've probably read or heard plenty of funny reactions to the news that Justin Timberlake will be hosting the PGA Tour's annual Las Vegas event, which, as of this year, became part of the tour's Fall Series (a nice way of saying, "the tournaments that take place after the all-important FedEx Cup.")

One of the funniest I read was Golfblogger's take on it, framed as one of the "signs of the apocalypse" and backed up with a few lines from none other than Nostradamus.

The Most Upscale Course to Play on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail

Many flattering words have been justifiably used to describe Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, but, historically, upscale hasn't been one of them.

That's beginning to change thanks to new sites like the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort near Birmingham. Its Ross Bridge Golf Course, the only single-course site on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, is also the Trail's longest and most upscale operation.

Twilight Rates Available at "The Big 3" Pebble Beach Golf Courses

My brother-in-law and I recently returned from a weeklong golf tour (Pebble Beach, Spanish Bay, Spyglass Hill, Pasatiempo, Half Moon, Presidio). We loved it, but we were amazed that nobody seemed to tee off on the "The Big 3" (Pebble Beach, Spyglass, Spanish Bay) after 2 or 3 pm. You can play a lot of golf from 2-6 pm, so, what gives? Do they offer twilight or replay rates?

Yes, Scott, Pebble Beach resorts does offer twilight rates at its Spyglass Hill and Spanish Bay golf courses, but not at Pebble Beach Golf Links.

New and Notable Improvements to Kiawah Island Golf Resort Vacations

Golf is a game in which the better you get, the harder it is to get better. Well, Kiawah Island Golf Resort has been on top of its game for many years now, but important changes of late have helped it improve its golf vacation experience.

First, there's the resort's Sanctuary Hotel. We first previewed it in 2004 and recently returned to the Kiawah Island Golf Resort for a follow-up inspection. Guests who formerly had to endure the resort's dreary Kiawah Island Inn (which, for the time being, is no longer being used) are in for a treat. The Sanctuary, which creates a guest experience that's like staying at a grand Southern mansion, ranks among America's finest oceanfront hotels.

Barton Creek Resort Home to the Best Public-Access Austin Golf Courses

Although neither its Crenshaw Cliffside nor Palmer Lakeside courses are truly memorable, thanks to its Fazio Foothills and Fazio Canyons courses, Barton Creek Resort & Spa features the best Austin golf courses you can play on a Texas golf vacation.

The fabulous Fazio Foothills Course, the original 18 at Barton Creek Resort & Spa, begins across the road from the hotel and finishes just behind it. In between, it rambles over rolling terrain and continually thrills players with its tough driving holes, immaculate conditions, and stunning scenery. In fact, the only downside we found is that the extremely penal nature of the hazards can slow down play.

Play the Disney Golf Courses the PGA Tour Plays on Your Florida Golf Vacation

Well, this is it; the last tournament of the PGA Tour season and the last chance for players "on the bubble" to play their way in to the top 125 spots on the money list, thus securing a PGA Tour card for next season.

It seems odd that such a do-or-die event would be held at Walt Disney World, a fun-filled Florida golf vacation spot for families, but for those players who succeed in what might feel like their version of winning the Superbowl, "going to Disney World" afterward will be extremely convenient.

The Must-See Natural Wonder on Your Northern Ireland Golf Vacation

While we would advocate for playing as much golf as possible on a Northern Ireland golf vacation, one of our golden rules of traveling is to never leave a place without experiencing at least a few of the off-course sights, sounds, activities, and tastes that make it famous or unique.

One of the great things about a Northern Ireland golf vacation is that you don't have to go very far from some of its best golf courses to find its most famous sight, the Giant's Causeway.

Just seven miles east of Northern Ireland's great Royal Portrush Golf Club, on the scenic Antrim Coast Road, is the Giant's Causeway, a network of 40,000 basalt (i.e. volcanic) columns packed together, their tops forming "stepping stones" that lead away from the shore and disappear under the sea.

Similar columns can be found on the Scottish island of Staffa, giving rise to the romantic myth that the Causeway was a road built by an Irish giant whose sweetheart, a lady giant or giantess, lived on the Scottish isle.

Nicklaus Layout in Doubt as Addition to New York City Golf Courses

Thanks to Tiger Woods’ drama-filled win at the 2002 U.S. Open, Bethpage Black is what comes to most peoples’ minds when talking about great, municipal New York golf courses.

That was supposed to change by this year, when a new, tour-caliber golf course was to be open for play in the Bronx, the northernmost of the city’s five boroughs. Unfortunately, seven years after the Ferry Point Golf Course project was announced, the future of the New York golf course is still in doubt.

The Best PGA Golf Club Course to Play on a Florida Golf Vacation

With all due respect to the FBR Open and the PODS Championship, the award for this year’s most bizarre-sounding PGA Tour event goes to this week’s Ginn sur Mer Classic at Tesoro. Just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it?

Tesoro is a private club, but the town of Port St. Lucie, where it’s located, is worth visiting on a Florida golf vacation because it’s also the home of the PGA Golf Club, owned by the PGA of America. (It couldn’t possibly have made sense to host the tournament there, could it? I guess Ginn pays better.)

Choosing Between the Two Best Courses for a New Mexico Golf Vacation

Black Mesa Golf Club near Santa Fe and Paa-Ko Ridge Golf Club near Albuquerque are arguably the two best courses to play on a New Mexico golf vacation, but in terms of the experiences they provide, they couldn’t be more different.

Set amidst rugged sandstone cliffs and mesas, desert arroyos, and native grasses, the Black Mesa golf course guides you from one strategic and relentlessly difficult challenge to another. And while architect Baxter Spann took steps to accommodate higher handicappers, there are still plenty of blind shots, hefty forced carries and narrow lanes of turf to contend with.

Suggestions for playing at Reynolds Plantation in Lake Oconee, Georgia

Sounds like you're pretty well outfitted for a great trip, Jon. However, we'll say this: If we could only play two rounds of golf at Reynolds Plantation, they would be on the Oconee and Great Waters courses. The back nine of GW, in particular, is a gorgeous stretch of golf that runs entirely along the lake.

We haven't yet played the Creek Club, as it only opened on June 1 of this year, but we are fans of Jim Engh's work and wouldn't be surprised in the least if he created another stellar layout there.

Recommendations for a Few Good Daytona Beach golf courses

Not sure what your budget is, Russ, but as far as Daytona Beach golf courses go, Riviera CC, Halifax Plantation, Cypress Head, and Spruce Creek are all good bets in the $50-$70 range (with cart).

Another one, Victoria Hills (in DeLand, FL), would be a good choice if you're looking for a "special round." It's a little more pricey, but also more intriguing and challenging.

The Best Course to Play on a Costa Rica Golf Vacation

The 2004 opening of the Four Seasons Costa Rica Golf Club lent great support to the idea that Costa Rica can be more than the low-budget playground for rough-and-ready trekkers, backpackers, surfers, and eco-adventurers.

And, not only is the Four Seasons Costa Rica Golf Club the best course to play on a Costa Rica golf vacation, it is arguably the best course in all of Central America.

Architects from Arnold Palmer Design carved the course into a tropical dry forest and incorporated the area’s rollicking headlands and canyons, so there are precipitous elevation changes and continual visual movement, as well as spectacular ocean views on 14 holes (the ocean never comes into play, however).

The Best Grayhawk Course to Play on a Scottsdale, Arizona Golf Vacation

There are two golf courses at Grayhawk Golf Club, the popular Scottsdale, Arizona golf vacation venue which this week is hosting the PGA Tour’s Fry’s Electronics Open. But if you could only play one round there, do you know which golf course to choose?

We do. It’s the Raptor Course, upon which (no surprise) the tournament is being held. It’s the newer of the two layouts, and the Tom Fazio design features more stunning desert vistas and elevation changes than the Talon Course. Plus, its undulating greens are some of the most interesting and toughest to read among all Scottsdale golf courses.

A Sensational, Second-tier Course to Play on a Puerto Vallarta Golf Vacation

The golf courses at the Four Seasons Punta Mita and Vista Vallarta Golf Club are usually (and rightly) placed atop the “must play” lists by those planning to go to Mexico for a Puerto Vallarta golf vacation.

After these power players, however, few people know where to find the next best Puerto Vallarta golf courses. We think one of them is the El Tigre Club de Golf in the area called Nuevo Vallarta.

How to Play Grand Dunes’ Private Course on Your Myrtle Beach Golf Vacation

One of the best things about a Myrtle Beach golf vacation is the sheer quantity and quality of golf courses you can play, but I must admit, sometimes the crowds and the herding tactics of certain golf courses can be annoying.

Now there’s a place that offers a respite from all that. Anyone staying at the brand new Marina Inn at Grand Dunes or the Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort & Spa at Grande Dunes enjoys access to the private Members Club at Grande Dunes.

The Most Expensive Course to Avoid on Your Las Vegas Golf Vacation

The PGA Tour is in Las Vegas this week, a city known for big-money golf. With the opening of the Wynn Golf and Country Club in April 2005, three Las Vegas golf courses now charge $500 green fees, the most expensive in the Unites States of America to our knowledge. The other two are Shadow Creek and Cascata.

Unlike its five-Franklin friends, however, whose bang-for-the-buck quotient is arguable, at Wynn, it's clearly not. If it wasn't located directly on the Las Vegas Strip, we doubt owner Steve Wynn could get away with charging half of what he does. Even with its convenient location, there are better options on a Las Vegas golf vacation.

The Sexiest Place to Stay on a Dominican Republic Golf Vacation

If you're easily offended, you may want to stop reading now.

Ok. We warned you.

On Friday, nine men will be competing in a tournament as part of a unique Dominican Republic golf vacation, one that includes the "companionship" of a gaggle of beautiful, female escorts. Yes, at this tournament, everyone scores well.

The tournament has become an annual event for Viking's Exotic Resort, a small, Dominican Republic hideaway where you not only choose the type of villa you want to stay in, but also the girls you're going to share it with.

Paper Tickets For Golf Vacation Flights Being Officially Phased Out

If you're someone who likes the reassurance of a paper ticket for your golf vacation flights, make sure your computer's printer has plenty of ink or toner in it. That's because, by next summer, self-printing your tickets will likely be your only option, even if you'd be willing to pay an extra fee for the physical documents.

The International Air Transport Association, the trade group which handles ticketing for (and settles payments between) most of the major airlines, recently announced that, as of June 1, 2008, it will no longer issue paper tickets. So, unless your golf vacation involves flying with some of the smaller, regional carriers or the more exotic foreign airlines (both of which may continue to offer paper tickets), you may never see the now old-fashioned vouchers again.

The Best Golf Resort to Choose for Your San Antonio Golf Vacation

La Cantera Resort gets a lot of attention because the PGA Tour plays the Texas Open there (this week, in fact), but as we wrote in our free, special report about taking a San Antonio golf vacation (available at right):

As far as the destination resorts go, you will fare much better at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort, across the street from Sea World San Antonio.

Designed to fit its setting, the resort is a rough-hewn, wrought iron and pine, Hill Country-themed retreat. Its Arthur Hills course is the region's highlight, and something of a sleeper; at first glance it appears subdued, but as you play it you quickly appreciate the intricacies of the routing and the many strategic decisions found throughout.