PALM DESERT IN FEBRUARY CAN'T BE BEAT!!!!!

CLASSIC CLUB AND PGA WEST STADIUM ALWAYS PERFECT!!!!!

I'm a great fan of Las Vegas golf.  Plenty of course options and then plenty of other activities to do on the off time.

Paiute Reservation courses are my favorite to play while in Vegas.  3 immaculate courses that will not disappoint.  Very friendly staff and always good drink/food deals. 

TT

My favorite course as a golf destination so far was the Fazio course at Turtle Bay on O'ahu. I still regret not playing the Palmer course, so I will have to go back there some day :)

By the way, that round got me turned on to Titleist, because that's what they use for rental clubs.

Maybe I'm biased, but I would take the mountains of Colorado in July. Red sky Ranch, Keystone Ranch, Keystone River,  The Raven, Breckenridge and Coppercreek courses are all amazing. The weather in the mountains in July is perfect too. 85 and sunny all day long. 0% humidity. And the ball flies farther! What else could you ask for?

Golf in Hawaii.  Didn't make it to the resort course on the outer islands (other than Oahu).

I was stationed there for a total of 13.5 years.  Quite a bit of golf on Oahu ranging from cheep (the par 3 course at Hickam AFB) to expensive (Turtle Bay Hilton).  I think my dream course on the chain of island (don't know if it still exists - but Barking Sands Kauai with the hole that is tee box and green - otherwise canyon).  

Oahu has 4 military courses (Hickam AFB, Navy-Marine, Leilehua, Fort Shafter; I believe they closed Barber's Point NAS but I played there).  I believe there around 18 golf courses on the island.   There is even a night time par 3 course near the North Shore.  There is a running joke about playing Pali - bring an umbrella because of the passing rains. 

My favorite golf trip I've ever been on was to TPC Sawgrass.  Played Dyes Valley, Sawgrass Country Club, and the Stadium Course.  I will never forget that trip.  I'd now like to take a trip out to Bandon Dunes to cross that off my bucket list!  Anyone ever been out there?  Heard its an incredible experience.

Dunked it in the water on 17... made 5

I've been lucky enough to visit Bandon Dunes several times, but not since they've opened Old Macdonald or Bandon Preserve.  The other three courses are sensational with Pacific Dunes edging the others out as my favorite.

On one visit I managed to snag an invite to play the owner's private course affectionately known as "The Sheep Ranch."  There are a handful of greens on the property and no teeing grounds ... you just tee it and make it up as you go.  Some images from that round below ... we were the only two groups on the property that day.

This time of the year, i'd rarher be anywhere but here....

kinda far away for my phone camera to tell, but that's 2 dozen turkey in the feild.

No pictures, but Bandon Dunes can't be beat!

I've been lucky enough to have been able to play golf in Hawaii and have yet to find another place that even comes close to it. Played on the islands of Maui and Oahu at courses such as Kapalua Plantation and Bay Courses(Maui), Luana Hills (Oahu), Ko'olau (Oahu) and Makena (Maui). The courses were in fantastic shape and even if you are not playing well, you just have to take a look around you and the scenery will be enough to make you forget about any worries.  

Luana Hills

Ko'olau 

Makena Resort

Plantation Course (Kapalua)

Plantation Course

I have been lucky enough to play Sutton Bay in the middle of nowhere South Dakota, the closest cities are Agar and Gettysburg.  The drive is also very difficult but there are small airports that are available to fly in.  It is a resort style club, and players generally stay over night in their top of line lodging and dining.  The views are amazing as is the staff and everything associated with Sutton Bay.

Highly Recommended

Shadow Creek was most impressive!

The Florida panhandle area has some great courses.  Many are used for PGA Tour Qualifying and other tour events. 

Having been to Pebble Beach twice to celebrate special milestones/occassion's, playing all 4 courses (including Del Monte) and returning again later this year to play the major 3 courses again, stepping up to the first tee when they call your name at Pebble and standing at the 18th with waves crashing on one side and trees on the fairway fringes that Phil has played into/under, it is a deep breath moment and lots of reflection. The waves crashing along the green at Spanish Bay below....

Trouble/unplayable on the left and the trees to the right at the 18th, Pebble

For me, first stop is always Bermuda.  I enjoy playing Mid-Ocean, but something about Port Royal appealed to me more:

But playing in Vegas last year, I really enjoyed these 3 stops:

Paiute Wolf:

TPC Vegas:

And Rio Secco:

The woodlands course at lawsonia in green lake Wisconsin. Very good rates and a scenic course.  Here is the 7th hole on the links course.

 The 3rd hole on the woodlands course. About a 68 foot drop and 170 yards

I am a big fan of Hilton Head.  Nothing beats a morning round at Sea Pines and an afternoon 18 at Palmetto Dunes!

Let's not forget Spanish Bay

and of course MPCC

And of course, Pebble Beach...

Just be more for the wonderful time at Pebble.....

Country Club in Manila, Philippines which is the oldest course in that country, Nirwana Country Club in Bali, Indonesia which was designed by Greg Norman, Dalit Bay Country Club in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, and Huis Ten Bosch Country Club in Nagasaki, Japan designed by Jack Nicklaus. These are just a few of the amazing courses I have had the pleasure of playing around the world.

I hope to hear of some more courses people have played world wide. While I believe some of the best golf can be found in America, there are most certainly some hidden gems around the world....

I've played a lot of places but my favorite has to be Myrtle Beach, a lot of great memories!

The Honors outside Chattanooga, TN is my favorite course to have ever played.  I spent a weekend there last year.  Top notch.  It's designated for Amateur events, but it is PGA quality.  TPC Sugarloaf was fun, but that rough was impossible.

My favorite place to play was the Ocean Club in Nassau, Bahamas. Simply one of the more visually stunning courses I've ever had the privilege of playing on.

My favorite golfing destination would have to be Payne Stewart Golf Club in Branson, MO. This course is simply remarkable for the $50 green fee in the off season.