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TSA-Approved Laptop Bags Make “Wired” Golf Vacations Easier

If your laptop computer is standard equipment on golf vacations, a new rule by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) may make it faster and easier to get through those frustratingly slow airport security lines.

The TSA recently announced that, as of August 16, 2008, it will allow laptop computers to be X-rayed while still in their cases, provided the bags meet the TSA’s newly formed requirements and that they are packed so that nothing obstructs the X-ray machine’s ability to capture a, “clear and distinct image of the laptop separate from the rest of the bag.”

Best Budget Lodging for an American Club Kohler Golf Vacation Gets Even Better

Taking an American Club Kohler golf vacation to play Whistling Straits golf course and its other fine layouts is not an inexpensive proposition. However, there are less expensive options besides staying at the classy American Club Hotel and the little-known private mansion and sporting club called Riverbend, which we recently told you about.

Two years ago, we shared with you fact that the Inn on Woodlake was, "The Best Budget Hotel Option on Your American Club Kohler Golf Vacation." In light of its recently completed major renovation, we now view the Inn on Woodlake as an even more compelling, lower-priced lodging alternative, particularly for visitors more focused on golf than accommodations.

How to Avoid Fees When Traveling with Golf Travel Cases Overseas

In our last tip, we told you about a helpful website that lists nearly every airline's policies and fees with respect to transporting golf travel cases. Today, we're going to tell you how to avoid the extra fees that many people pay — unnecessarily — when taking golf travel cases overseas.

The problem can arise because different countries have different weight limits for what they'll accept as "free" checked luggage. U.S.-based airlines, for example, usually allow heavier bags than say, European airlines, before the "excess weight" fees kick in.

It's usually not an issue if, for example, you're flying from the USA to a single overseas golf vacation destination. But if you then need to take flights while you're there, it's common to be charged hefty, additional fees if your golf travel cases are heavier than the local limit.

Still Not Sold on Golf Club Shipping? This Website's for You

In our previous tip about golf bag shipping , we explained the various options and costs involved in shipping golf clubs instead of traveling with them.

Despite the convenience and relative low cost of golf club shipping (especially if you plan ahead), we know some of you simply prefer the idea that your golf clubs are traveling on same airplane, at the same time, that you are. Well, for those that aren't yet sold on golf club shipping, there's a website that will prove extremely useful.

Visiting Downtown Austin a Must on a Barton Creek Golf Vacation

The Barton Creek Resort in Austin, Texas might not be on your short list of "golf vacations to take", but perhaps it should be. It has four worthy golf courses, golf-friendly and dependable weather, and it's nearby; Texas (by air) is about four hours or less from just about everywhere else in the United States. Another major draw is its proximity to downtown Austin.

Many folks from the metro area go to the four-course Barton Creek Resort to escape the city, but that’s not the mindset you should have on your Barton Creek golf vacation.

Texas’ capital city of Austin, just 20 minutes east of Barton Creek Resort, is a veritable cornucopia of culture for out-of-state travelers. For one thing, Austin shatters Texas’ conservative stereotypes, bringing a diverse mix of people together with festivals that celebrate art, music, movies…and even everyone’s favorite meat-like product, Spam.

The “Other” Course to Play on a Mesquite Golf Vacation

Most people who are even vaguely familiar with the Mesquite, Nevada golf scene have heard of the beautiful Wolf Creek Golf Course, which offers target golf at its most extreme.

But while Wolf Creek Golf Course remains the “must-play” course in the Mesquite area, it’s not the only game in this dusty town about an hour northeast of Las Vegas. Next time you’re in the area, we recommend setting your sights on the Palmer Course at the Oasis Golf Club.

The Insider’s Guide to Taking a Dominican Republic Golf Vacation

Today, instead of one specific golf vacation tip, I want to let you know where you can find literally hundreds of them, on virtually any destination and golf vacation type you’re interested in.

You may already know this, but one of the benefits of being a Golf Vacation Insider subscriber is that you get instant access to our entire library of free golf vacation guides. These are generally five to eight-page intelligence reports containing our expert, unbiased recommendations on the best places to play, stay, and dine…all based on our trademark, undercover site inspections.

We have published about 75 of these golf vacation guides so far, and you can browse them by geographic location (Las Vegas golf vacations, San Antonio golf vacations, etc.) or by golf course/resort name (Pebble Beach Golf Course, Whistling Straits Golf Course, etc).

The Most Charming and Best-Weather Spot for Vancouver, BC Golf Vacations

When the subject of British Columbia golf vacations arises, many people immediately think of Whistler, but insiders know that the city of Victoria is one of the prettiest and most charming spots in all of British Columbia, and it's our top pick for Vancouver, BC golf vacations.

Victoria is located on Vancouver Island, the largest in North America. Not to be confused with Vancouver, which is on the British Columbia mainland, Vancouver Island is across the Strait of Georgia from that city and the Strait of Juan de Fuca from Seattle. Thanks to some recent additions, Victoria has also become an excellent spot for Vancouver, BC golf vacations.

How to Experience the Ultimate American Club Kohler Golf Vacation

After taking American Club Kohler golf vacations nearly every other year since 1995, we've had the opportunity to inspect virtually every inch of this popular Wisconsin golf resort. And while we've known about the existence of Riverbend, the resort's marvelous, private club, since it opened in 2001, even we were surprised to learn that anyone can experience it...at least once.

Located about one mile from the American Club Kohler, Riverbend is a historic mansion house that serves as the centerpiece of a private, outdoor and sports retreat. Each of the 31 guest chambers is unique and beautifully appointed with comfortable beds, fireplaces, stocked refrigerators, LCD televisions, and of course, gorgeous bathrooms with oversized whirlpool tubs and showers.

Chambers Bay Golf Course: Where to Stay When Playing the U.S. Open-Worthy Course on a Washington Golf Vacation

It's rare that we recommend taking a golf vacation to a given state for the sole purpose of playing one of its golf courses, but Chambers Bay Golf Course in Washington is good enough to justify such a trip.

Located 20 minutes from Tacoma and about an hour from Seattle, Chambers Bay Golf Course is the one you've undoubtedly been hearing about since it opened last June. You know that linksy municipal golf course that, after only seven months in existence, landed the 2015 U.S. Open (and the 2010 U.S. Amateur) and will bring America's championship to the Northwest for the first time ever? Yep, that's the one.

"Royal" Golf Clubs Can Make for Majestic Golf Vacations

Did you happen to hear the British Open announcers say that Royal Birkdale Golf Club's championship course was completed in 1922 but it didn't become "royal" until 1951? Were you left wondering what that means and how certain layouts go from being mere golf courses to "royal golf clubs?"

The answer is that while anyone can slap the word "royal" on their golf course (i.e. Royal Links Golf Club in Las Vegas and Royal New Kent Golf Club in Williamsburg, Va.), true "royal" golf clubs, such as Northern Ireland's Royal County Down Golf Club and Scotland's Royal Troon Golf Club, are designated as such by the British Royal Family; specifically, the Queen, and previously, the King.

Golf Courses in England Can Offer British Open-Quality Golf Vacations

We Americans tend to gravitate to Scotland and Ireland when we cross the pond for golf vacations, but there are some equally great golf courses in England that deserve consideration. One of them is this year's British Open Championship site, Royal Birkdale Golf Club, which is not only the best golf course in England, but one of the top-five links in the entire UK and Ireland. When the Open Championship begins today, you'll be able to see it in all its glory.

A superlative course by any standard, Royal Birkdale's towering, tumbling sandhills frame virtually every hole. Its greens are either notched into the dunes or sit boldly on plateaus exposed to the wind, making only the most precisely struck iron shots capable of holding their lines and finding the putting surfaces. A quirky course this is not, which is why Birkdale is a strong favorite with professionals.

"Must Play" Panama City Golf Courses on a Florida Golf Vacation

I'm taking a short Panama City, Florida golf vacation and I only have time to play one round of golf. Is there a "must play" layout among Panama City golf courses near the airport that I should try?

The true "must play" layout among Panama City golf courses is Camp Creek Golf Club, which lies about 40 minutes away from the Panama City-Bay County International Airport, which has one of the longest airport names we've ever seen.

Secrets to Playing and Staying at Westin Turnberry Resort on a Scotland Golf Vacation

The 2008 British Open at Royal Birkdale is nearly upon us, and even though it will be Tiger-less, we are getting excited for what is considered the most important golf tournament in the world.

Today, however, we'd like to call your attention to next year's Open Championship site, the Ailsa course at the Westin Turnberry Resort, in case you're thinking about playing it on a Scotland golf vacation.

If you've been reading our golf vacation tips for awhile, you know we highly recommend playing the Ailsa Course on a Scotland golf vacation. It is scenic, offers hole after hole of fantastic golf, and brings with it a sense of history. Indeed, 2009 marks the fourth time Ailsa will host the Open Championship.

Park City, Utah Golf Courses Not Just For the Rich and Famous

On the advice of his doctors, Tiger Woods skipped hosting duties at his PGA Tour event this past weekend following his knee surgery in Park City, Utah.

It was there that one of our editors bumped into, er, crossed paths with the Woods family, as both parties were staying at the swanky Stein Eriksen Lodge. Our correspondent was there to anonymously inspect and evaluate Park City, Utah golf courses and accommodations.

For those who don't know, Park City is a renowned alpine resort mecca that each January serves as the hub of the Sundance Film Festival. Its historic Main Street is lined with trendy galleries, shops, boutiques, and restaurants where $40 entrees are commonplace.

Where to Stay on Your Williamsburg, Virginia Golf Vacation

Given that America is celebrating Independence Day tomorrow, we thought we'd dedicate today's insider advice about taking a Williamsburg, Virginia golf vacation.

First off, Williamsburg's merit as a living history museum is unquestioned. But those who might like to ride in a golf cart in addition to the horse-drawn variety may wonder what the area has to offer. The answer is plenty, both in the heart of Williamsburg and the surrounding area.

The bigger question concerns where to stay. With two major resorts &mdash the Colonial Village's Williamsburg Inn and Williamsburg Lodge, and the Kingsmill Resort &mdash how do you know which resort is right for you?

We recently returned from a Williamsburg, Virginia golf vacation and here's our take on it:

Record Downpours Flood Wisconsin Golf Courses and other Midwest Layouts

I hope you weren’t taking a golf vacation in the Midwest over the last two weeks. I recently spent four days in and around Milwaukee, Wisc., and I witnessed first hand the damage left by the record storms that ripped through the area.

While all golf courses were affected to some degree, those located in low lying areas or routed along the state’s many rivers were hardest hit. For example, during my midweek visit, The American Club Kohler’s two golf courses at Blackwolf Run (the River Course and the Meadows Valley course) were outright closed (nine holes on each have since reopened as of early this week), as was Milwaukee Country Club. Kohler’s golf courses at Whistling Straits (the Straits Course and The Irish Course) were open.

Torrey Pines Golf Course - North; One of the San Diego Golf Courses Most Loved by Locals

After watching that gripping U.S. Open finale, I suspect many of you are planning, or at least longing for, a San Diego golf vacation and the opportunity to play the South layout at Torrey Pines Golf Course.

Well, here's a little secret if you make it out there. While the trophy hunters, chest thumpers, and low handicappers prefer to do battle only on the South Course, one of the most beloved San Diego golf courses among locals is the North Course.

Torrey Pines Golf Course a Worthy Site for U.S. Open and Your San Diego Golf Vacation

One of the reasons the 2002 U.S. Open was so popular was because it was contested on New York's Bethpage Black, not only a public course but a municipally owned and operated public course. Well, get ready for "The People's Open - West."

The U.S. Open begins today, and it's being played on the South eighteen at Torrey Pines Golf Course, owned and operated by the city of San Diego. Together with the North Course, Torrey Pines lays claim to America's only two municipally owned seaside layouts.

Secrets to Finding the Best Airline Seats for Your Next Golf Vacation

In my previous tip, I shared my secrets for finding the best airline fares and flights for your next golf vacation. Today, I'm letting you in on one of my secrets for finding the best airline seats.

In fact, I am writing this while stretching out in seat 14F on a Continental Airlines Boeing 737-500. As far as coach flying goes, this is one of the best airline seats around. If you don't believe me, check out this 25-second video.

Secrets to Finding the Best Airline Fares for Your Next Golf Vacation

Except for when commercial air travel first, ahem, got off the ground, it has never been a particularly pleasant experience. And, given the turmoil in the airline industry today, it has gone from bad to worse. Not only are delays at an all-time high, published fares are up and restrictions are commonplace, from surcharges for even one piece of checked baggage, to the return of the requisite Saturday night stay-over.

As you might expect, I travel quite frequently, and there are a few tricks of the trade that can help make your golf vacations a little better. Today, I am going to share with you one of my secrets for finding not only the best airline fares, but the best flights for your golf vacations.

Where in the World is Barnbougle Dunes?

If you watched the telecast of the PGA Tour's Memorial Tournament this past weekend, you probably heard the announcers say that Matt Goggin, who ultimately finished tied for second place, hails from Tasmania.

Like any reasonable person, you were probably wondering: 1) Where the heck is Tasmania? And, 2) Do they even have golf courses there?

Bandon Dunes Golf Vacations Become Slightly More Accessible

Taking a Bandon Dunes golf vacation just got a little easier. United Airlines has announced that, beginning July 7, it will offer non-stop flights from San Francisco International Airport to the North Bend Municipal Airport, the most convenient landing strip for golfers who don't have room in their budget for private or chartered aircraft.

Flight times out of San Francisco are expected to be 11:08 a.m. and 8:17 p.m., with minor time changes sprinkled throughout the year. The trip takes about an hour and 40 minutes, and leaves you just a half hour away from your Bandon Dunes golf vacation.

Golf Cruise Basics to Know Before Taking Golf Vacations by Sea

Today's golf vacation tip is devoted to golf cruises and includes a special offer for our readers who may have an interest in this increasingly popular choice for golf vacations around the globe.

In some respects, it's not surprising that cruising is well-suited for golf vacations. Just think about how many of the world's finest golf courses are located on or near the water. And, having just returned from my own Scotland golf vacation, paying for gas at nearly $8.00 per gallon is not a lot of fun.

Las Vegas Golf Courses to Play When You're on a Budget

I am taking a Las Vegas golf vacation in November with some frugal friends. We would like to find good Las Vegas Golf Courses to play with green fees between $100-$150 and lenient cancellation policies in case of bad weather. Any recommendations?

If your friends were fanatically frugal, they would have urged you to take your Las Vegas golf vacation during the summer months of June-September, when green fees at some Las Vegas golf courses drop by as much as half. Of course, you give some of that back with all the bottled water you have to buy just to stay alive.

A New St. Andrews Golf Course to Play on a Scotland Golf Vacation

Next month, the most significant golf course opening, one with global ramifications, will take place. On June 28, 2008, the seventh St. Andrews golf course, The Castle Course, will officially open for public play. When it does, it will be the first championship-style course to become part of "the home of golf" in nearly 100 years.

Last week, I had the good fortune of playing this new St. Andrews golf course during a week-long Scotland golf vacation in and around the Kingdom of Fife (the peninsula in eastern Scotland where St. Andrews is located). In fact, our group had the distinction of being the first players to receive course books/yardage guides.

Daufuskie Island Resort a Good Choice for Pet-Friendly Golf Vacations

Family golf vacations are nothing new, but the trend of taking the whole family along, four-legged members included, seems to be on the rise. In 2002, the Travel Industry Association found that 14 percent of U.S. adults have traveled with a pet. In 2007, Tripadvisor pegged it at upwards of 50 percent.

Still, as you might imagine, taking pets (dogs especially) on golf vacations isn't easy. While there are plenty of stand-alone hotels and motels that allow them, finding a golf resort that accommodates pets is a lot harder. Even tougher is finding one that is truly "pet friendly." There are plenty of places that will allow pets, but they really just use it as an opportunity to gouge you with all sorts of extra fees.

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.

A Family Friendly Resort for Your Northern Michigan Golf Vacation

If you’re looking for a family friendly resort for a Northern Michigan golf vacation, Crystal Mountain Resort, in Thompsonville, might fit the bill nicely. It’s decidedly family friendly and especially popular with women.

The charming, small resort has 36 holes of golf (not the best we’ve played, but still fun) and lodging that looks like Scotland by way of Disney World, with Kinlochen, an elegant clubhouse, featuring rental condos above the golf shop.

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 $35 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.