Golf related travel

I do not often travel expressly for the purpose of playing golf, but I enjoy golf and will often take advantage of the opportunity to play when I have extra time on a trip. The following notes may be helpful for other causual players:

What to bring

If you really plan on playing, there is no substitute for your own equipment, but to ship it safely you need a protective case and can expect to spend extra time at the airport.  Some airlines make you pay extra, though if you play at least twice you will likely save more in rentals than you have to shell out.  Do show up in plenty of time for the flight, but even when you do your clubs may not make it (happened to me twice out of about a dozen  flights)  Don't be alarmed yet -- most airlines have computerized baggage tracking and can tell you where the clubs are and will deliver your sticks if they miss your flight.  You can rent clubs almost everywhere, and better courses tend to have rental clubs in reasonable condition (though the price o rental sets has been creeping up lately and if you plan to play more than a few times you may also want to check out rental deals from golf shops for multiple days, but be sure the pickup and return process suits your schedule). Resorts often don't charge twice if you play two rounds on the same day, and you can often get big replay discounts, so this is another way to keep the cost reasonable. Therefore what I do most often is pack my shoes (often not available to rent), glove, a dozen balls (not likely to be a major expense, but if you feel awkward launching brand new balls at island greens, why not pack a few you won't worry about?) tees (unless you want to buy them), and a folding umbrella (not as good as a golf umbrella, but a whole lot easier to get in a suitcase).

Resort Golf

If you play on vacation you are likely to play resort golf.  Keep in mind that resort courses, especially famous ones, draw a lot of hackers who want to get the full benefit from their experience, so relax and enjoy the scenery and don't plan on a fast round. Resort golf is expensive, and there are many ways of cutting the price, including staying in the resort, combined lodging/golf deals, "last minute" tee times, twilight rates, and playing twice.  Sometimes you can get ordinary discounts too, like for seniors or juniors or ladies day, so ask.  Some places will give you a discount if you agree to hear a timeshare pitch -- you have to decide how much your time is worth there unless you really are looking to buy a timeshare.

places I've played:

Florida

One of the biggest golf destinations anywhere, with lots of courses available. Expect high prices and carts only on many courses, but good year round playability.

International Club (2/2000) (Orlando)

Orlando is an odd mix of incredibly touristy (South, near Disney, Universal Studios, SeaWorld, etc.) and business (North). This course is in the heart of the tourist district, south of Sea World on International Drive and close to the airport. An interesting course with a good mix of water, sand, and open hopes. The course adjoins development on many holes but it's not close enough to be in play. It was possible to get on at the last minute as a single here (something I couldn't do at several courses in the "business" part of town). The course is pricy but not outrageous for the area ($55) and carts only (though it's flat and easily walkable if not for their policy. They have a range and good rentals. Pace of play was pretty slow (4-1/2 to 5 hours)

Louisana (New Orleans)

New Orleans is not known as a golf destination but has a climate that allows year round play and has excellent municipal facilities. The city operates 4 courses in City park and another in Audobon park. All are on flat land with mature trees lining most fairways and water somewhere on 1/4-1/2 of the holes. One course (East, as I recall) is the "championship" facility and features more severe bunkering and sculpting of greens and bunkers. Greens fees are very inexpensive, and getting on seemed no problem on a weekday. Rental clubs were brand X but in good condition. *** Note, the city courses were used as a staging area for Katrina relief and I have no idea when, if ever, this area will be returned to golfers)

Other places that were recommended that I did not play included English turn (VERY private), and Diamond Head (2 resort style courses about 60 miles east on I10).

Washington State

The Seattle and Vancouver areas both have many good public courses, many of which are playable all year long. (The area gets 4 months of steady rain starting in about November, and the most playable courses in rainy season are those near Olympia, where mountains block winter storms).  The part of the state east of the Cascades is a desert and has many good courses.

Harbor Pointe (1997) (30 miles north of Seattle)

This is a yuppie housing development/course (That extraneous 'e' is a dead giveaway) about 30 miles north of Seattle. Harbor Pointe was in the top 10 new courses in 1991 or 1992, and was very challenging and in general well maintained (the weak spot was the greens, which had some bare spots, a common problem in the cold, wet, climate). The front nine is in marsh land, with nearly all holes bordered by marshes or carrying marshes. The back 9 runs through hilly woodlands, with good views of puget sound and large elevation changes on some holes. Rental clubs were brand name (Wilson) and in good shape. The price was relatively expensive but not out of line for a quality course. When I played in 1994, there was no clubhouse, just a trailer serving as the pro shop.

Snohomish (1997) (30 miles north of Seattle)

This is an older Muni course routed through piney woods with little water. The course is long and many holes are fairly tight, but not overly difficult. Rental clubs were older and well used. Price in line for a basic muni course.

Willows Run (11/2003) (Redmond Area)

This is a fairly new complex with 2 course rumored to be owned by Paul Allen -- the less visible Microsoft Billionaire..  It's on an open and somewhat wet meadow with a lot of long grass and water between holes.  It's very walkable and a reasonably interesting though flat layout with no adjoining housing.  The signature 17th, a long Par 3 over water to a mostly Island green is fun.  Rental clubs were poor, especially considering the course's Pedigree.

Riverbend (11/2003)  South of Seattle near Sea-TaC airport off I5.

This is a basic muni style course, actually with both a regular and a par 3 course on site.  It's basic golf on a riverside plain, without much elevation or that many hazards.  There are a lot of mature trees separating holes and several holes played on the other side of the river go through wooded land.  Rental clubs are basic, as are the fees.  Easy to walk.

Sudden Valley (Bellingham -- 1999)

This course is in a resort development community along Lake Whatcom, about 10 miles east of Bellingham. It winds through houses, but they aren't in play. Front and back nines are very different in character, front nine flat with lots of water, back nine up and down with tight holes and lots of trees. Don't play here if you can't hit something long and straight, especially off the back tees. It's a beautiful course and a definite bargain ($30 weekdays walking -- 1999). It's walkable, though the back is a bit challenging, but LOTS of people walk the course and play fast. Members get the earliest tee times, non members play after 8 or 8:30 AM.

There are many top quality courses in this area. Kayak Point (50 miles north of seattle) was the most often recommended.

The Home Course (South of Tacoma -- 2008)

This is a new course "Home" over the Pacific NW golf association.  The course is built on gravel and the rough areas are long grass growing out of the gravel.  Fairways, Tees, and greens are all excellent (bent greens with no Poa as of 2008), and well maintained.  Clubhouse facilities are minimal for now (a trailer with minimal food and drink), but the golf is great and a good bargain for the area.  A yardage guide with aiming points and distances would be useful, especially since there are a lot of places you will likely face blind shots.  There are 5 sets of tees that play up to 7400 yards.

Chambers Bay (Tacoma -- 2008,2009)

This is the beginning of  what is planned to be a major golf destination with 3 courses and a hotel.  The Chambers bay course is links style, walking only, and a very good immitation of Bandon Dunes.  It has already been selected to host a US Open (2015) and it should be very interesting to see the top pros cope with it's challenges.  Like good links courses the turf  is hard and fast allowing you to play a lot of interesting running shots.  Unlike Bandon there's no gorse, but the "out of play" areas are sandy waste, or rough gravel dunes (if you go there hope you get into the sand, not the lumpy gravel.)  Caddies are available and highly recommended -- the caddies will give you lots of good tips on lines to play  read the greens as well as helping you keep the ball in play and find it if you go out of play.  It is a challenging walk with a good deal of elevation to navigate (like Bandon Trails, not the ocean side courses).  The greens are Fescue and a bit slow (faster in 2009, but still a bit slow), but due to be sped up for championship play.  If you go, practice getting out of the sand and think  "ground game", not target golf, and you will have a great experience.  Pick your tees conservatively.  (There are 5 available)

Sun Willows (Pasco -- 2008)

This is one of the RSG-NW courses, right next to the Red Lion Inn, which has a special golfers package giving you golf, cart, breakfast, and a free drink (the golf package is good at other Tri-cities courses as well).  Sun Willows is basic golf, a flat, older park style layout.  Housing borders some holes and there are plenty of hazards and OB to add challenge.  It is an easy and enjoyable course to walk. (Watch out for in course OB on a few holes)  The greens are Poa and get a bit bumpy late in the day. 

Canyon Lakes (Kenniwick -- 2008)

Another RSG-NW Course this is a more upscape course set in a housing development.  The houses are out of play for all but really wild shots, but an irrigation ditch runs along several holes and can be tough to see and tougher to avoid.  The course can be walked, but has a lot of up and down and a couple of signficant walks.  The greens are Poa but in excellent shape.  4 Sets of tees are available.

Columbia Point (Richland -- 2008)

The 3rd RSG-NW course this year, this is a shorter course with high mounds separating the holes and a few trees.  The greens are a mix of Poa and bent grass and a bit bumpy, though the course is well maintained.  There are many shorter par 4's with Risk/Reward options to reach or get close to the green and go for birdies, but there is a lot of trouble around a lot of the greens, and the mounds create a lot of bad lies in the rough.  4 sets of tees are available as well as a range.

McCormick Woods (Port Orchard-- 2009)

This was one of the RSG-NW courses for the practice round and the skins round course for 2009.  It's a housing development course, but the houses aren't really in play.  You can walk it but there are some longish walks between holes (not much elevation though).  Most holes go through woodlands, with lots of slopes that kick your ball, particularly in the rough.  In 2009, they clearly mis-managed the heat wave and drought and many holes had dead areas in the fairways and most of the rough was dead or dormant -- too bad for a course that could be really great.  They have 4 or 5 sets of tees, practice facilities, and a good bar and restaurant.  Pace of play was a signficant problem on Saturday (over 5 hours), but not Friday.

Trophy Lake (Port Orchard-- 2009)

This was one of the RSG-NW courses for the practice round It's a modern "phony links", and a very good one at that.  The course can be walked, but make sure someone in the party has a cart and can ferry you from 9 to 10 and a couple of spots on the back 9.  There isn't that much elevation, and no housing (yet!).  Lots of mounds, and some holes that definitely need some experience to know where to hit.  They have a nice restaurant with good lunch options.

Gold Mountain  (Bremmerton- 2000)

This was the site of the RSG-NW Saturday rounds.  There are two courses and practice facilities, as well as restaurant and bar (all good).  The Olympic Course is relatively new and has hosted some signficant tournaments (including the USGA publinks).  It's a monster, with a lot of holes where you tee shot is likely to land in the "wet catchers mitt" -- an uphill slope that makes the hole 50 yards longer for you) unless you carry the ball 220+ in the air.  Lots of elevation changes (some holes with multiple rolls of 40-50 feet) mean this one is tough to walk, though you are welcome to do so (get a ride for the long uphill slog back to the clubhouse).  There are some really fun holes here, including the short 18th, where you can go for the green and get a birdie or eagle (or wind up short and doubling). 

The other course (Cascade) is an older course with less dramatic holes.  Many are cut through woods.  It's much more walkable and a bit more playable.  It's harder to hit out of play on this course, though neither course has a lot of OB (don't hit it in the woods though, you will never find it.) 

Both courses have Poa Greens, and heavy play makes them bumpy in the afternoon.  This is a very popular facility (highly ranked by national publications), and pace of play on weekends is glacial (5+ on both).  (The staff was accomodating when we missed our PM tee times by at least 45 minutes, but I doubt the people who we pushed back appreciated that.

Michigan

Michigan, especially northern Michigan, has developed into a destination for resort golf in recent years.  The season is relatively short, and the prices aren't cheap, but there are a lot of courses available and many hotels will package room and golf at many different courses for a discount.  (The town of Gaylord has many courses, hotels which will package golf, and a good assortment of restaurants including an excellent brew pub).

Black Bear (Gaylord area, 2008)

The course is just north of Gaylord, visible from I75.  it's a newer style course that can be walked (but there are some long walks between greens and tees), with some housing but not enough to be in play.  The holes are mostly in open meadowlands with a few that have big trees in play. The fairways are bent grass and in good shape.  The greens are extremely difficult, with subtle tiers that can send a putt that is nearly stopped at the hole 50 feet away and make it almost impossible to 2 putt from the wrong tier -- local knowledge is very useful here.  The course has 4 sets of tees and a range with good practice facilities..

The Loon (Gaylord area, 2008)

The course is just south of Gaylord, near  I75.  It is a newer course with most holes going through pine forest and some adjoining housing.  There aren't any big elevation changes here and the greens were in good shape and not extreme.  The course could be walked  though there are some long walks.  There is a good mix of hole types. Fairways are bent grass and in good shape.  Local knowledge is quite useful here, and be careful of the position of water hazards and which forest areas are in play and which are OB, which isn't always obvious when planning a shot. 

Mishaywe Pines (Gaylord area, 2008)

This course is near the Loon south of Gaylord.  It is an older course without a lot of dramatic elevation changes.  It can be walked and doesn't have many long walks between tees and greens.  Some holes here are tight, but there aren't a lot of things that aren't visible.  The course has a range and practice facilities.  Note that there are other things in this area called "Mishaywe", so follow directions to the course carefully.  Note also that another course adjoins it and you can wind up on the wrong golf course at the turn if you aren't careful.

The Natural (Gaylord area, 2008)

This course is near the Loon south of Gaylord.  It is one of the oldest courses in the area and as a result lacks the dramatic contouring of many newer courses and indeed has a "natural" look.  Most holes play through pine forest and though several are adjacent that isn't all that obvious while playing.  The layout is a bit quirky, with a couple of very short par 3's and par 4's and as a result lots of LONG par 4s to make up the distance.  It has the character of an older municiple course (ordinary grass, 3 sets of tees), rather than a resort, but I found it a very enjoyable and affordable layout with a good pace of play.

Elk Ridge  (North of Gaylord area, 2008)

The course is about an hour east of Gaylord, though it is included in those available to Gaylord area packages.  It is very isolated (be careful about directions as those we got sent us unnecessarily on a one lane dirt road).  This is a gorgeous course through pristine forest.  It is definitely carts only (lots of elevation and some long walks.  The "pace of play" objective is nearly 5 hours, which seems long, but it can take a long time if you actually try to play shots out of the woods.  Accuracy is much more important than length here.  A yardage guide would be very useful as there are a lot of doglegs and layup holes.  Note that the course is owned by someone who made their fortune in ham (hence the signature "pig" bunker on number 10) and has great ham sandwiches.  There are some tough carries on this course for shorter hitters, and the combination of elevation and bent grass fairways means lots of angled lies on thin turf which will challenge "flatlanders".

Black Lake (North of Gaylord area, 2008)

The course is an hour north of Gaylord and very isolated.  Mostly it plays through pristine forest.  It is in excellent condition (bent grass fairways and tees) and lots of interesting holes.  This is another "carts only" course (mostly because of long walks between holes though there is some elevation as well).  The carries are better positioned here for shorter hitters, but the course plays quite long even off the white tees.  Bring your A game, enjoy it, and don't expect to score well!  Note that this one is owned by the UAW.  They have practice facilities and 5 sets of tees..

Missouri

Missouri has a long golf season and interesting topography. It's not known as a golf destination, but has plenty of reasonable courses. Being fairly far south, you will find a lot of bermuda grass (aka plastic brillo pad weed) in the fairways, but not usually on the greens. I've played several times in the St Louis area, though there are good courses everywhere.

Crystal Springs Quarry (St Louis Area) (2004)

This course is Northwest of the city, near I70 and St Charles. Be advised that Yahoo maps doesn't do a good job of locating the course. The course is a bargain for the quality and quite walkable, in spite of the fact that the first two holes are a steep climb and steep descent. The rest of the course is flat with relatively short green-tee distances. Most of this course is through marsh and pond country, and if you know where to hit it is quite playable. They have 4 or 5 sets of tees to suit any length and ability. Greens are bent, while fairways are bermuda.

Tapawingo National (St Louis Area) (2004,2008)

This course is west of St Louis near the intersection of I270 and I44. It's part of a housing development, though houses aren't in play. There are 27 holes and it plays as 18 and 9 with different pairs of 9's played as the 18 holer every day. The Woodlands course is very hilly, and not particularly walkable, while the other 9's are flat and at least reasonably walkable. This course has some of the prettiest holes I've ever played, and was when we played at least in great shape. Holes are for the most part very well designed with much larger landing areas than may be apparent off the tee. (The first hole on the Prairie 9 is the exception) There are at least 5 sets of tees, be sure you pick what fits you. It's tough from the tips or the "gold" tees at the next level down, but more playable off the more forward tees, 3 of which are rated for Women, a rare case. Service is excellent for the price.

Consider getting a yardage guide here or at least some local advice. Many holes take some local knowledge to play. For example, Number 3 on the woodlands, a par 3 over a pond, seems to play longer than the marked yardage, while Number on 1 on the Prairie, a sharp dogleg to the right which then goes way down a slope you need to know the exact distance to hit your layup drive and not hit it right, or you will be blocked or lose the ball. Another hole on the woodlands (5?) plays across a road not marked on the card and with a big dropoff on the right. Every hole on the woodlands though left us amazed at the views and the fact that in spite of some very scary shots this course is really a joy to play.

Pevely Farms (St Louis Area) (2004)

This is a former horse farm converted to golf course with housing under development. It's about 25 miles southwest of the city along I44, in a very rural area (except for a couple of train lines running near or through the course). The course is in good condition and a relative bargain for an upscale course. It's scenic, though it has some flaws. It is definitely "carts only", with long green-tee distances, but unfortunately also has several holes (more than the staff warn you about) where you cannot get off the path and the paths are often poorly placed (i.e. at the top of steep slopes where your ball will invariably be at the bottom). Even with 4 sets of tees it will play tough for shorter hitters even from the forward tees as several holes have carries of 100 yards over rough to reach the fairway and many have awkward slopes in the landing areas for shorter hitters. One piece of advice is not to play this one on dewey mornings, as thick rough and heavy dew make it tough to find balls in the rough and even tougher to hit them out. The course is about 3/4 open links-style holes over rolling terrain and the other holes cut through deep woods. There are a few holes with ponds, but housing and OB are generally not in play -- the main hazard is the awkward terrain and heavy rough. This course is an Arthur Hills design, a designer who has done many excellent courses. In time perhaps this one will show that way too, but for now it seems a big rough still.

Spencer T Olin  (Alton Illionis, St Louis Area) (2008)

This is an Arnold Palmer designed and managed Muni.  Don't be discouraged by the drive to this course through a city park.  The golf course is well designed with some interesting holes.  We saw deer and turkeys on this course.  It once hosted the USGA Publinks championship.  It was a bit run down when we played in 2008, but still a very interesting course and a good bargain (About $45 on a weekend as I recall).  You could walk this course but there's a lot of up and down, especially on the back 9.  Some holes require some local knowledge about where to hit.  There are several layup par 4's here so don't take your driver all the time.  4 sets of tees make this playable for anyone.

Missouri Bluffs (2008)

This is an exceptional property, on a hillside next to the Missouri river west of St Louis off I64/US 40.  The holes are cut through deep woods with no houses anywhere.  Most of the holes have generous fairways and reasonable rough outside the fairway, meaning you won't wind up in the trees.  Many are bowl shaped so errant shots kick back into play.  There are some dramatic up elevation changes and wildlife (deer, turkeys) is plentiful.  It's pricey, but in our experience well worth it.  I believe you can walk here but it would be quite difficult with some of the elevation changes.  4 or 5 sets of tees make it playable by anyone, but there are some long carries off all but the most forward tees.  The course was in excellent condition (Zoysia fairways and bent greens)

Quail Creek (2008)

This is I believe a Muni course near I44 in the western suburbs of St Louis.  It's in a public park,  but the golf holes are well separated and have interesting elevation.  The course is a Hale Irwin design, and a bargain ($25 was the senior rate we got).  It wasn't in the best shape when we played, but that may be the 4 inches of rain the area had received.  Greens were good (bent), though fairways were a bit seedy.  This course would be walkable in spite of some elevation changes.  (We rode in a rainstorm.) 

Indiana

Indiana has more courses and more interesting courses than we expected, at least in the Indianapolis area.  We had no trouble getting on courses here, and prices were a relative bargain.  One caution -- lots of courses aren't open Monday AM.  Weird.  Haven't seen that except as a kid playing private courses.

The Trophy Club (Indianapolis area, 2009)

The Trophy club is about 10 miles north of the I465 beltway off I65 (actually off US 52).  It's a decent phony links course by a Pete Dye protegee and has a lot of Pete Dye features (mounds, deep bunkers, lots of banks, etc.).  It's walkable, though has some long walks and a fair nubmber of steep banks to climb from green to tee.  The staff was freindly and amenities good.  It's a course where you want to keep it in the fairway, but you won't lose a lot of balls here even if you are less than perfect.  No housing around this one yet at least.

Ironwood (Indianapolis Area, 2009)

This is a 27 hole facility just east of I69 and north of I465.  It's one that was open Monday AM.  This is an older course and reasonably flat, with a lot of water in play.  We played the Valley and Lakes 9's.  Valley is reasonably open except for 6 and 7 which go through trees (7 is a strange dogleg that requires a big drive just to see the green).  Lakes starts with several long boring par 4's, but finishes with a really tough lakeside par 4 (rumored to be the hardest hole in Indiana by the grounds crew people working on it), a peninsula green par 3, and an interesting par 5.  For $25, it was a good bargain, though not exciting.  It's walkable, though there are some LONG walks to tees.)

The Fort (Indianapolis Area, 2009)

This is a Pete Dye course in an old military facility.  It's cut through woodlands with lots of tree lined holes, doglegs, and a fair amount of elevation change.  This one is described as walkable, but it would be a tough walk (we rode, our second round of the day).  It was one of the more expensive ones we played ($79), but also one of the most interesting.  Like other Dye courses, stay out of the mounts and bunkers and you will do pretty well, but there are lots of scary shots to be played.  No housing around this one.  Expect to lose a few balls here, but you probably also will find a few in the Fescue.

Purgatory (Indianapolis Area, 2009)

This is about 20 miles north of I465 on Indiana 37.  This is a great facility, in the middle of nowhere.  It's rumored to be the longest course in Indiana off the back tees but has 5 more freindly options (the tips are recommended only for + handicappers, and this is the only place I can recall playing with 3 sets of tees behind me. and at 6400 still facing plenty of challenge.  This course has LOTS of bunkers and some interesting visual tricks (the 16 looks like a sea of bunkers off the tee, none of which show from the green).  They have a nice range and practice facilities, and a decent restaurant.  No housing around it yet.  A nice outing.

Brookshire (Indianapolis Area, 2009).

This is a Muni in Carmel, near Crooked Stick.  The course is an older course, possibly a former private, with a lot of trees and "interesting" holes.  Lots of doglegs and odd hole lengths, and holes fairly tight together, like many older courses.  This course is busy, but a good bargain ($25 riding or walking).  It's very walkable, though few do it and on a busy day it may be challenging to stay out of the way.  Only 3 tees here and not very long for big hitters.

Wisconsin

While not known as a golf destination, the state of Wisconsin has some interesting topography and courses, and  in spite of a shortened golf season they are in top condition during the summer.  Besides, what else are you going to do if you go there?  Eat cheese and wait for the mosquitos to drain you dry?

Whistling Straits (North of Sheboygan) (2007)

This complex has 2 Pete Dye Courses on Wisconsin Farmland that has been completely recontoured and covered up to create Irish Linksland.  It is part of the Kohler American Club resort and you can get bus service to the remote location.  (If you go by car get decent directions as it's not that well maked).  The facilities here, are first class.  Arrive early enough to take some shots on the range and make sure you try some bunker shots -- you will be making bunker shots on your round).  The greens on both courses are hard and fast and both courses lend themselves to links style play (greens that will receive bump and run and let you putt from a long way off the green.  A flock of sheep wanders these courses from time to time.  Really adds to the atmosphere.

Straits Course

The Straits course is the more famous and has hosted a PGA and a Senior Open and is slated for more majors.  It occupies 2 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline and is visually the most stunning.  I haven't played this course but as a tournament volunteer who spent a lot of time on it and spent a lot of time talking to caddies, marshals and other course employees I can offer some perspective.  Caddies are required here, which is good.  Lighten up your bag before you arrive because the caddies don't want to carry useless stuff, like lots of extra balls, umbrellas on a nice day (actually it's likely to be too windy for the umbrella to do any good if it rains), and other stuff.  Don't be macho about having to hit off the longest tees.  You will have more fun picking a set you can handle.  You shouldn't lose many balls here because a shot hit off line will likely find one of the over 1000 bunkers, but many of those are unmaintained.  You will likely find yourself in a narrow hard patch of sand with an awkward stance.  The Caddies are mostly very knowledgeable and can help with lines on the course, layup and carry distances, and especially putting lines.  Trust your caddie.  Pace of play is a real problem here -- given the high price and difficulty people take their time in spite of encouragement to move along so expect 5 hours plus if you aren't one of the first groups off the tee.  Most holes can be played by anyone if you pick the right tees as there aren't many holes with long forced carries (18 is one that will be troublesome for some but there is a bailout area that lets you manage it.)

Irish Course

We played the Irish course with Caddies.  You can walk on your own or take a cart here but the Caddies really help.  Don't take a cart here -- you will be stuck on the paths, often way below and away from the fairway, not a very good experience.  If you must take a cart, take a forecaddy for the group who can help find balls and give you club advice so you don't have to make that long walk to the cart twice.  While this course lacks the lake views (you wont see it at all unless you are way off line), it's still a good imitation of Irish Linksland and visually very nice.  It has more water than the Straits course and according to the employees faster, tougher greens most of the time.  Keep it in the fairway or at least out of the "no mow" and it's quite playable.  Most of the par 4's are easily reached, and while all the par 5's cross water you on most you can get close in 2 shots.  trust your caddie to pick the right line/distance.  Consider bump and run around the greens and even putting from a long way off the green, the hard firm turf will make this work  While a freind who played it wasn't impressed, we loved the Irish course and at half the price of the Straits thought it was well worth playing.. 

Blackwolf Run (2007)

This is the other pair of Pete Dye courses that are part of the Kohler resort.  This set has a very different feel from Whistling Straits.  While you can take caddies here and you can walk either course, it's basically cart country and basically american resort course golf.  The courses here are more typical "Pete Dye", with steep slopes, railroad ties, and mystery holes.

Meadow/Valley Course

The Meadow/Valley course is the less famous of the two courses here.  You can walk it, but it's tough due to some long hikes to tees and lots of hills on the back 9.  Get them to ferry you to the first tee as that is literally over the river and through the woods a mile away.  The front 9 here is reasonably straightforward, open holes mostly with generous fairways and obvious approach lines.  The key to enjoying it is again to pick the right tees and not bite off more than you can chew.  Stay out of "Pete Dye's torture chamber" on the right of number 3, and on number 7 make sure you get a straight shot at the green.  Number 8 will challenge you  especially if the wind is in your face, but you can bail out right.  The back 9 is a different beast.  It starts with a par 4 in the woods where a layup is a good option to keep it in the fairway, and the par 5 11th and par 4 12th are both straightforward.  Then the weird holes start.  On Number 13, you have to hit it far enough to get a good view of the green, which is perched on a steep sloped "tree stump" that will only accept a very high iron.  Number 14 doglegs right and downhill to a green almost surrounded by water.  If you hit it long stay right off the tee to get a clear shot.  15 is "Do or Dye" -- all carry to a green surrounded by ankle twisting slopes, and with a deep fissure in the middle of it.  On 16 we never did find the fairway, somewhere left of where any of us could manage to hit it, and hacking up the right is no fun.  Number 17 is another par 3 to a small green, all carry, and while number 18 looked intimidating when I saw it earlier in the round it was actually one of the more playable holes on the back 9.  Not a course we enjoyed as much as the Whistling Straits courses.

University Ridge (Madison) (2003)

This course is owned by the University of Wisconsin and open to the public, at least when not in use in playing team matches.  It's a typical newer course with many tee positions and a spread out layout.  The course can be walked but there are substantial hills to be traversed and a couple of longish walks between green and tee.  The front 9 is mainly open over rolling hills, while the back 9 has several holes that play through tight woods.  There are no houses in this course and some of the views are very dramatic.  (On the day I played with an RSG group, we watched lightning from a passing storm strike at the taller buildings in Downtown Madison from the driving range).  

The golf courses at Lawsonia (Green Lake, 2004)

This was the site of RSG Wisconsin.  It's a two course complex, part of a conference center run by the Baptists (no beer on the beer cart or adult beverages in the clubhouse).  There are two courses, quite different, and both in top condition:
Links Course
The Links course is the more unusual.  This is far closer to true "Links" golf than most courses which get that name.  It's a course originally built in the 1930's and restored to that original design.  Most holes are very open (2 or 3 are in trees), but the distinctive feature is the steep faced bunkers and elevated greens.  Virtually all of the bunkers have very steep and high faces in front, so you can be faced with hitting a wedge out of a fairway bunker or even punching out sideways.  The fairways are short and hard, so in spite of the length it is very playable.  The course is easily walkable (and better appreciated that way)  Most greens are very elevated (They say the signature par 3 7th, which stands up almost like one of those phony posters of golf holes on mountain tops, was created by burying a railroad box car under it).  The greens themselvers have severe slopes and if cut short can play like a major championship (i.e. putt past the hole and it rolls off the green and down a 20 foot slope).  Many fairways are also fringed by long grasses, where you may or many not find and and probably don't want to play it in a lot of lies. Some holes have blind shots, and many have spots where you should be hitting that aren't obvious if you haven't played it, so get local advice, a yardage guide, and plan to play at least twice.  The extreme breaks on the greens are almost guaranteed to surprise you.  Try the putting green first, and pay attention to multiple tiers on the greens.  This is a unique experience and well worth doing.
The Woodlands
The other course at Lawsonia is the woodlands.  This is a more conventional modern design, with holes strung out through dense woods.  This one has some long walks tee to green but can be walked if you are hardy and fast.  Almost all holes are tight making this a tough course for anyone who tends to spray the ball.  One unusual thing is that many holes require layups, making a 200 yard straight as an arrow shot what you really need to score here.  This is another course you probably have to play twice in order to really appreciate because several holes will bewilder you as to where to hit it.  The views are very nice, and you will probably see deer and other wildlife in the woods.  Note that when we played this in 2007, two holes (5 and 6) had been ruined to make room for some yuppies megamansion.  The course will be rebuilt around it, but until the new holes are grown in these holes aren't up to the caliber of the rest. 

The Oaks (Madison, 2004,2006)

This was the Sunday course for RSG Wisconsin.  It's just off I94 about 5 miles east of 90/94 in Madison.  This is a new course, with some adjacent housing (very little and not in play).  In spite of the name it's mostly out in the open (lots of little oak trees, but I guess "The Saplings" just didn't sell as a name).  There are 4 sets of tees and bent grass fairways, greens, and tees.  Some of the holes are a bit close side to side, but overall it's an enjoyable layout.  It is walkable, with a few longish walks, but not much elevation.  Several holes are difficult to figure out, including number 9 (par 5 with blind shots and layups), 14 (120 yards of marsh in front of the green), and 18 (blind shots, forced carry to the green).  The front 9 is relatively tame, but the back has many long holes playing into the wind, and two holes with long forced carries into greens, which will make this one tough for shorter hitters.

Yahara Hills (Madison, 2006)

This is a Madison Muni course that was the venue for RSG Wisconsin 2006.  The course is right at the intersection of I90 and US 12/18, very convenient.  There are two courses, east and west, very similar in character.  Both are older parkland style courses with mature trees, LOTS of sand, long "no mow" rough at the fringes of the holes, and water on a few holes.  The West course has a bit more elevation change, while I felt the back 9 of the east course had some of the most interesting holes (doglegs).  The course is in great shape for a muni and we played in 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 hours playing Friday and Saturday of a summer weekend.  It was also clear that the course wasn't fully booked.  Greens are Poa Annua and a bit "Squirrely",  but reasonably smooth if you can figure the speed correctly.  Many holes have elevated greens, and this combined with longish par 3's makes it a bit tough for shorter hitters.  For long hitters many holes have the opportunity to fly fairway bunkers and get a kick forward on the downslope behind them for monster drives.  There are 4 sets of tees, a range, and a minimal pro-shop and practice facilities.

Broadlands (Milwaukee area, 2005)

This was the site of RSG Wisconsin 2005.  It's a golf/real estate development about 30 miles West of Milwaukee, somewhat challenging to reach from the Interestates.  The course sprawls a bit over rolling hills and is well laid out.  It's walkable, but there are some long  green to tee hikes, and a lot of holes have elevated tees requiring some climbing.  You are rewarded with a lot of downhill tee shots and the opportunity to hit it a LONG way.  The staff was very nice here.  4 Tees are available as well as a complete practice range.  There are several interesting "risk/reward" holes, incluing several short par 4's which can be driven by some, but the driver brings more hazards into play.  Most holes are on open meadow land with areas of high grass, but water comes into play on several holes. 

Morningstar (Milwaukee area, 2005)

This was the site of RSG Wisconsin 2005's sunday round.  This is a membership club open to the public, near I43 about 30 miles west of Milwaukee.    The course runs over rolling hills, with most holes in meadow or woodlands.  There are some water hazards, but mainly the hazard is long grass and rough areas.  They have 4 sets of tees and a full range.  The course would be tough to walk due to elevation changes.  There are a lot of interesting holes on this course, and many that really require some local knowledge, starting off with the first, a par 5 with an upper and lower fairway and a blind second shot from the top level to the bottom.  Other holes go over rises in the middle, while the 7th and 18th share a huge drop (with a lot of the downslope under repair when we played).  Many holes offer risk/reward options.  One downside when we played was that the membership didn't seem all that welcoming to outside play.  Perhaps this was a result of slow play and "carts on paths only" on the front 9, but being hit into and getting hostile comments for following the directives of the club staff (with respect to carts on the back 9) didn't enhance our day.

Autumn Ridge (Manitowoc area, 2007)

This is the best course we found in this area, very different in character from others.  The holes play through an area of woods, ravines, and sharp slopes and are routed over a lot of carries.  It's a tough course, especially from the back tees, but one with great views and the opportunity to use the slopes to your advantage.  It is walkable, though difficult.  The 9th and 18th holes will both challenge you to find the right line, as will several others.  A few holes have very long carries which can be avoided by moving up or using optional tees (recommended if you aren't comfortable.  3 sets of tees are available)

Fox Hills "National" course (Manitowoc area, 2007)

This is a typical "Phony links" course -- no trees and artifical mounds and bunkers, but rather mushy turf and a lot of ponds.  It's not a bad course and has some interesting holes (like the 6th which offers the chance to take a shortcut via an island in the pond).  We found distances on some holes didn't seem right (like the 17th, which played longer than marked).  4 sets of tees are available.  The course can be walked and we had little trouble getting on on short notice in peak season.  This course is part of a golf "resort", with 27 other holes that seem more ordinary in style.

Wander Springs (manitowoc area, 2007)

This is probably a more typical course for this area than the others.  27 holes are here, and they rotate which 2 courses make up the 18 hole course.  All 3 nines play on relatively flat terraine and through older pines and spruces, with the Springs and River course having substantial water hazards.  This is very walkable and most people playing early walked (though many starting after 9AM on July 4th didn't, go figure).  3 sets of tees are available.  The back tees don't seem to get much use here, but were quite playable.


Nevada

Las Vegas is well known for a growing number of resort and tournament courses. Less well known is the Reno/Tahoe area which has about 50 courses varying from simple munis to the famous. Golf is possible in Reno most of the year (little snow and very cold weather), while Lake Tahoe and some of the surrounding communities get enough snow to close during some part of November-March.

LakeRidge (Reno) (11/2000)

This course is in the hills southwest of Reno (off McCarren Bvd) and winds through real estate development. The real estate is mostly not in play. The course has some dramatic elevation differences and very scenic views of the mountains in the distance. It is challenging but offers 4 tee positions to choose a level you can play. The Signature hole (15) is a par 3 with an island green requiring a 220 yard carry off the white (normal mens) tees!. The hole tee is at least 100 feet above the green so it doesn't play that long but is still very intimidating. (I may have stumbled on a reasonable line of play by shanking a 4 iron near the 16th tee short of the water, and then able to make an easy pitch onto the green and nearly sink the putt for a very ugly par.) You can walk this course, but there are some long green-tee distances (including two tunnels under roads), and significant elevation. The course is expensive ($85 in season, $40 off season) but well maintained and and quite intersting.

Rosewood (Reno (11/2000)

This is a Muni course east of the Reno Airport (1/2 mile east of Mcarren). It is a flat course in an open area with nice mountain views. Most holes are surrounded by marshland on two sides. In spite of the marshes, landing areas are fairly generous and the course is very playable if you pick clubs for accuracy rather than distance. The last 4 holes are bordered by open water and seem much harder than the rest (perhaps just a psychological effect). The course is inexpensive ($25) and easily walkable. Beware that the marshes attract hundreds of ducks and geese. Perhaps the problem is seasonal, but in November most of the course was covered with goose droppings and we often had to chase the geese away from greens or landing areas.

Oregon

Oregon has in recent years developed many first class golf courses, most in the Portland area or near Bend.  It's also the site of Bandon Dunes, probably the best pure golf resort in the country.

Bandon Dunes (Bandon Oregon) (6/2000, 10/2005, 10/2009)

Bandon Dunes is a unique resort, the closest thing to heaven for a golfer on this side of the Atlantic at least.  After a modest start in 1999, the resort now has 3 courses plus a 4th in planning as well as lodging, practice facilities, and food.  It's pure golf (not much else to do there for non-golfers, though the town of Bandon 10 miles away has other amusements).  All the courses are walking only with caddies available, though you can hoof your own sticks or put them on a pull cart (they provide some really nice ones for free)

Some general comments -- all 3 courses are REAL links style golf -- very short hard fairways and greens so the ball runs a long way, with deep bunkers everywhere and wild land bordering the holes.  Bandon and Pacific Dunes are seaside, while Bandon Trails is on the hills above the dunes for the most part.  Save your sand wedge for the bunkers (and use it everywhere, you will need all the loft you can get even in fairway bunkers in most places) -- wedge shots don't play well off the hard turf, but you can play a lot of low running shots including putting from 50 or more yards off the green.  Look for alternate routes that use the terraine.  Many greens are best approached by bumping the ball off the sides so that it funnels into the green, rather than a direct line which puts bunkers in front of the green in play and demands you hit something with LOTS of spin to stop it.  Note that in spite of a lot of other courses these days being described as "links", you probably haven't seen anything like this, with fairways as hard and fast as putting greens, unless you have been to Scottland or Ireland -- the muddy soil most places just won't support it.) The courses all feature "Gorse", a prickly plant that eats golf balls (and sometimes golfers).  It's a thick evergreen as much as 8 feet high.  Balls that bounce on the sides of gorse bushes sometimes survive, but if it goes in on the fly it's gone, don't even think about trying to get into the bushes.  Taking a Caddie is expensive, but will give you a big advantage, especially the first time since they know where to hit the ball.  (In fact it's probably essential for someone in your group to have a caddie for the first round on any of the 3 courses since the green-tee routes are not always well marked and it's not always clear where to go.  Come prepared for wind and rain at any time, but if you are lucky you won't need it.  The remoteness of the place and the fact that it's walking only keeps a lot of casual golfers away.  It's not intimidating to play, just different, and the staff is great at making you feel comfortable.  Tee times are now hard to get (especially if you want to play 36, which is quite possible), but you can sign up long in advance if you are staying in the resort (a variety of options).  Keep in mind that pace of play is probably 4 to 4-1/2 hours now because of the popularity of the courses, and there aren't any artificial lights so it gets dark soon after sunset especially on the Trails coarse.  As of 2009, greens fees were $220 for the first round each day and $110 for a second, and a caddie will add another $75-$100.

There are 4 sets of tees on each course.  None is long by "normal" standards, but this isn't a normal course style in the US.  It's about bouncing and rolling the ball and you will probably find the white tees (second from longest) plenty of challenge.  One very nice thing about Bandon is that shorter hitters aren't at a big disadvantage because it's more about being in the right place than hitting it long, and the fast turf is very kind to a low running ball and doesn't demand a 270 yard carry to a dead landing off the tee as many more conventional courses now do.  Probably the best way to experience Bandon is with a group of freinds.  Don't be afraid to play matchplay -- it's a perfect spot for it as you can shrug off that screwed up hole where you went in the gorse and took 3 to escape the bunkers and get your opponent the next time.

Some other tips for the Bandon resort -- don't bother with a ball fisher or an umbrella -- there's only one pond on all 3 courses, and it's just extra weight.  Umbrellas aren't useful in the wind.  You are better off with a good rain suit and waterproof cover for your bag.  Also, don't bring one of those big "Cart" bags unless you are planning to put it on a pull cart.  You don't want to hoof a big bag over the hills, and the caddies hate them and will probably exchange your big bag for some little carry bag anyway.  The food is good and filling and not overpriced.  All 3 courses have grills near the first tee that serve good breakfast and lunch fare, and all have a half way house accessible from at least a couple of holes mid-course.  (Bandon Dunes is the only course that returns to the start after 9)

Bandon Dunes Course  This is the original course and the most "finished" looking.  It has deep pot bunkers with powdery sand in them, and the turf is a bit longer than on the other courses (though still fast enough to play your links game.  Many greens and tees are elevated, and you will probably face a few blind shots.  There are several spectacular seaside holes.  The Gorse isn't in play as much as on Pacific, but will get you on at least one hole on each 9.

Pacific Dunes Course.  This is the second course and my favorite of the 3.  It seems rawer than it's neighbor Bandon and like the holes were simply set on top of the dunes land and the bunkers just hollowed out.  If the bunkers on Bandon are intimidating, the ones on Pacific look like something out of a horror flic -- deep holes with overhanging lips (in some cases almost closing over you) with rough dunes sand and mud in them -- a real challenge to get out of.  The turf is the hardest and fastest of the 3 courses, and Gorse is in play on many holes.  The back in particular has several spectacular par 3s (check wind conditions as they can play many clubs different morning to afternoon).  Unlike the Bandon course 9 doesn't return to the clubhouse (A new clubhouse was built for Pacific in 2008, with a nice restaurant that also serves dinner)

Bandon Trails Course.  This is the 3rd course and different from the first 2.  While the first two and last 2 holes are in dunes land, it's not near the ocean and most holes run through forest.  The Canadians in our group thought it looked more like the courses of the Canadian Rockies, but the turf is still linksland -- hard and rolling, and it has the same monstrous bunkers as Pacific Dunes.  The bunkers are more hazardous here than anywhere else, as anything that isn't hit perfectly is likely to trickle into it. This course is a hike to walk, with several holes with significant elevation and a couple of longish walks from green to tee.  Probably best plan to not play it twice in one day (pick one of the others for your second round, especially since the seaside courses get more light at sunset and let you play later.  The trails has some interesting and demanding holes, including at least one that gets curses (14) for it's narrow green and sloping fairway, and it may get some rework, but there are reachable par 5's and par 4's as well.

Old Mcdonald Course.  This is the 4rd course and won't open completely until mid 2010.  In late 2009 10 holes were open for preview (at half the full greens fee.  The course is a tribute to the designs of Blair McDonald, a pioneer architect responsible for extracting many design features from traditional scottish courses and applying them to courses he designed in the US over 100 years ago.  You can see most of this course from the 14th tee on Pacific Dunes, but the view doesn't do it justice.  The course has only 2 holes which touch the ocean side, and does not have the dramatic elevation changes of some of the others, but the holes are very strategic in design -- you have to hit the ball into the right place to take advantage of places the fairway will roll and avoid bunkers.  The greens are the most distinctive feature, much larger and more dramatically contoured than any of the other courses.  for Our "preview" round they were running at 9.5, at full speed there will be many places where you will not be able to advance towards the hole and stay on the green.  Many holes are design tributes to famous holes (e.g. there's one with some features of the 17th at St Andrews).  These aren't copies, but rather holes that feature common design elements.  It is interesting that as of October 2009, the entire course seems ready to play.  The reason for the delay may be as much difficulty of access (there is no clubhouse and preview rounds require taking a shuttle from thepractice range over a gravel road to a primitive hut which serves as the start point)  Anyway, it should be fully ready next June.

Sand Pines (Florence, Oregon) (10/2005)

Florence is a seacoast town just north of the Oregon dunes.  The course,  a Rees Jones creation, is a mix of holes cut through the pine forest and holes in the open "fake linksland" (flat fairways between lines of artificial dunes).  It was in superb condition and not busy (from the size of the parking lot I doubt it is ever really busy) and a good value.  The soft, lush fairways will not roll much and the course will play longer than the tee markings.  There are 5 tee boxes (don't even think about the tips here unless your name is Tiger).  The course is quite walkable (and to my surprise a lot of people were walking, yeah.)  I think this one would have excited me more had I not played Bandon Dunes the day before.

Pumpkin Ridge (Portland Area) (10/2005, 10/2009)

This course is west of Portland near US 26.  It is a two course complex, one private and one public.  The facility has hosted several USGA competitions (not sure which course hosted which).  The courses are similar (at least visually).  The holes go over rolling terraine and through woodlands for the most part, though the trees are generally out of play.  I played the public (Ghost creek) course.  Nice lush grass well groomed and some of the best groomed bunkers I've seen anywhere.  There were four tees on the card, but only 3 in use.  The "middle" tees (blue) played much longer than marked, perhaps because therey didn't place the markers for the tips.  The greens were good even with recent Aeration.  This course has a season pass that may be a bargain if you play 2 times or more (for about 2 greens fees you get 2 rounds + future discounts). 

Herron Lakes (Portland Area) (10/2009)

This course is just off I5 at the columbia river.  It is a 2 course complex designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.  The approach through an exhibition center in an industrial park doesn't seem promissing, and the clubhouse is minimal, but the courses are good and well maintained and an excellent bargain.  Don't expect the level of perfect conditioning of pumpkin ridge, but the course is adequately maintained and the holes are interesting.  I played the Blue course, which is links like (actually more prairie-marsh), featuring lots of water and mounding.  The other course has more natural contours.  Both are easily walkable.  There is also a substantial practice facility here.

Lost Tracks (Bend Oregon) (6/2000)

Bend is a mountain sports resort town on the east side of the Cascades. There are over a dozen golf courses in the area, some famous (Sunriver Crosswater, Abbey Glenn). Despite some of the travel brochures mapping Bend in the mountains, it's not. It's in a flat pine scrubland cut by the Dechuttes river, and most courses will give you views of distant peaks, pine lined fairways, and stream/pond crossings, but not a lot of elevation changes.

Lost tracks is on the south side of Bend and has housing development underway along it, but not obtrusive. The views are good. Many holes have sharp doglegs around pines, making accuracy and accurate distance to dogleg corners critical. One par 3 has an island green reached by walking through an old railroad car. (Worth a picture, particularly if you put your tee shot 2 feet from the pin like I did!)

Ohio

Ohio like many midwestern states has a large number of courses and a good ratio of players to courses.  

Shaker Run (South Dayton Area) (7/2005)

This is a 27 hole course about half way between Dayton and Cincinatti not from from I75.  It hosted the 2005 Public Links chanpionship, at which Michelle Wei competed.  We played the 18 original  (Woodlands and Lakeside 9's) which were the ones that hosted the Public Links about a week after the championship.  (RSG Cincinatti played the course 2 days earlier).  The course runs mostly through wooded country and has some elevation changes.   There are 4 sets of tees and a full range and other facilities.  No housing now adjoins the course, but I believe that is eventually planned (construction was underway in some areas, not particularly near the courses).  This is another course where local knowledge is important.  There are some challenging short par 4s, including  number 3 on Woodlands with a big drop about 200 yards off the tee to a small lower fairway and a creek in front of the green.  (I'm still not sure how to play this one), and 6 on the woodlands which is a big dogleg around trees requiring the choice of a very precise layup or a long shot over the trees off the tee.  The 9th and 8th front water all the way with carries on both shots.  This was a very enjoyable place to play, my only complaint would be that given that a major competion was held on the course a week earlier I was surprised by the condition of the bunkers (gravelly and hardpan) and that several greens were infested by "flying Hypodermics"  (huge wasp/bee creatures that were drilling holes in the greens and surrounding bunkers).  The course has GPS distance on the carts and the system seems to work well.

Pipestone (South Dayton Area) (7/2005)

This is an 18 hole Arthur Hills course not far from I75 at the south end of Dayton.  We played here on a rainy day and me with a very bad leg and still enjoyed it.  The course goes over moderately rolling territory (though not as hilly as Shaker Run) and mostly through open areas with a few trees.  There is little housing near the course now.  This course can be walked.  4 sets of tees are available, as well as a range.  Most holes are straightforward, but many go over rises and some really require local knowledge to play well (18 curves left with a severely rolling fairway and hidden hazards that is best played by trying to stay near the right side.  One problem is that the hole maps on the scorecards are absolutely awful, failing to show that a creek crosses most of the holes on the front 9 at some point, while showing large areas of water on some holes that simply wasn't there.  Another small knock on the course was that everyone was forced to play at a slow pace behind the slowest group on the course rather than encouraging that group to let others through, which in our case resulted in getting caught in a rainstorm we probably would have beaten if we had been able to play through.  Courses need to be more serious about "pace of play" programs and establish more agressive pace targets.

Mill Creek (Near Marysville) (9/2009)

This was the Friday AM course for RSG Ohio 2009.  It's off US 36 east of Marysville and was according to local legend at least the course where Ben Curtis learned the game.  It's basic golf, an older course with holes cut through mature trees and some water in play.  Like everything else in this area the course is a bargain.  The course was in good condition and layout was enjoyable and compact (adjacent holes, but no housing in play).  It is an easy walk.  There are 3 or 4 sets of tees, but no range.

Buck Ridge (Near Marysville) (9/2009)

This was the Friday PM course for RSG Ohio 2009.  It's off US 33 east of Marysville.  This is a newer course and very open, with few trees, lots of marshland, and bent grass fairways, greens, and tees.  Don't be fooled by the primitive look of the parking lot and clubhouse, this is a good course and is well maintained.  It's a reasonably walkable layout with some longer walks to tees and several holes at the end of the front 9 that play uphill.  There are 4 sets of tees making it playable for a wide range of players.  There are several sharp doglegs and holes with crossing creeks requring good shot placement so study course maps and markings before just hauling out a club.

Indian Springs (Near Mechanicsburg) (9/2009)

This was the Saturday course for RSG Ohio 2009. It's off Ohio 4 and US 36 about 20 miles west of Marysville. This is a mature older course with holes cut through woodlands and some holes with water or signficant elevation changes.  The layout now has 18 holes (used to be 27, but one 9 was closed).  The slopes and trees make this a course where you have to pick club and line carefully, figuring how shots will bounce and where trees will come into play on your next shot.  What looks like a great drive down the middle may run sideways into the woods or may leave you behind a tree.  4 sets of tees offer a variety of options, though the forward tees are longer than most.  This is a challenging course, especially for a shorter hitter, but an enjoyable one to play if you can keep it straight.  It's a very scenic course as well.  It is walkable, though there are some hills.

Darby Creek (Near Marysfille) (9/2009)

This was the Sunday course for RSG Ohio 2009. The course is off Ohio 4 and US 36 10 miles west of Marysville.  It's a newer course with the front 9 "prairie style (open holes with lots of long grass and some water.  The back 9 has several holes cut through trees and some fairways with rolling hills.  It has 5 sets of tees offering a lot of playing options and everyone will find a set that is comfortable.  The bent grass greens and fairways were in good shape and give lots of roll (sometimes a bad thing for errant shots).  This is a course where a little local knowledge will help in picking a line on a dogleg or deciding where the ball will bounce and roll on a sloping fairway.  Check the hole maps on the cardF carefully as there are some small creeks that may not be apparent but will eat golf balls even when dry.  The course has a grass tee range and putting greeen.  It is easily walkable.

Northern California

The area from Napa south to Monterrey has many world famous courses and a year round climate. (Though watch out for wet season (winter). Rain and wind can be pretty miserable to play in, and many courses become quagmires in wet weather, much more so than in the South or Midwest which receive even more rain. (Your feet sink in to your ankles every place you step except on tees and greens, unlike what I encounter even on holes that are regularly flooded in the Midwest. Must be something about the soil). Also one of the highest ratios of golfers to courses anywhere, so expect crowds and high costs. Good information is available through the On Course web site on this area because of the high traffic of computer literate golfers.

Summitpointe (Milpitas, near San Jose 2/97)

A newer golf/housing development. The course is hilly and most people take carts, especially on weekends, but walking is permitted and green-tee distances are short. The course is on hills overlooking San Jose and the south bay, with scenic views everywhere, and no flat lies anywhere. Greens are fast with decieving slopes because of the slope of the overall landscape. The front 9 is open, on a sloping hillside. The back 9 is very tight through a Canyon. Several holes require you to land tee shots in the rough on a slope to avoid bouncing well off line and downhill. The course has reasonable rentals. The weekend greens fee ($60, including cart) is reasonable for the area. The course has a small practice range where you can hit irons only off of well maintained artificial turf onto small target greens. They use "floater" balls and retrieve them from a lake adjacent to the target area. I had no problem getting on the course on a Sunday AM as a single.

Santa Theresa (1/99) (San Jose).

This is a muni course, about 10 miles south of downtown San Jose along 101. The course is still a bargain for this area ($44 weekends walking). It is an older course with lots of mature trees and seems well maintained with fast greens. It seems average in difficulty. It is well away from 101 and many holes adjoin a mountain park. The front nine is flat, but interesting (sharp doglegs, trees). The back 9 has more up and down, with spectacular views. In spite of the elevation changes the course is readily walkable.

FountainGrove (3/2009) (Santa Rosa)

(UPDATE -- 2004 -- This course is now fully private -- you can't play there unless you are a member of a club with a reciprocal play arrangement, though the Fountaingrove Inn may be able to arrange play for their guests, but tee times are restricted (we arranged to play there Friday AM, but not Monday or mornings on the weekend).  This is an outstanding resort style course just north of Santa Rosa. The course winds over hillsides through housing, but housing is never a factor on the course (other than to gawk at) It has a wide variety of hole settings, including marshlands, canyons, and many with dramatic elevation changes. You can walk this course, but it has a fair amount of elevation and some long walks between tees (Interestingly enough a lot of members walk in the early morning at least) This is on the pricey side (~$100), but as pretty a course as I've played anywhere. It's also worth noting than in spite of playing during a wind whipped monsoon that turned the fairways into mush, the greens were firm and quite puttable. Several holes have dramatic views and a couple have carries of 150-200 yards off the back tees, but the forward tees avoid most of the long carries.

Hunter Ranch (Paso Robles, 3/2009)

This is a great inland course.  The front 9 has a lot of "big" holes on gentle hillsides with some live oaks on the sides and occasionally in the fairway to add challenge.  The back 9 has 7 holes that carry water -- some with long carries and is challenging.  The course is walkable, but will wear you out.  Score your birdies on the front as the holes on the back will present a challenge to figure out where to hit it (Especially 12, where off the tee it looks like about 150 to dry land the size of a two lane road)  This course is a good bargain ($60) for a top course in excellent condition.

The Links at Del Hombre (Paso Robles, 3/2008)

This course is variously referred to as Del Hombre, the Links at Paso Robles, or just the Links.  It's a links style course, and grew on me over time.  When I rolled up I wondered why I had made a reservation here as the clubhouse is a trailer and the holes are flat and not that varied.  On the other hand it has a lot of ingredients of links golf, open layout, rough rough, but not close in play, hard rolling turf, and big greens with a few strategic bunkers (a lot of which are now grass turf, not sand, not sure this was planned.  It's definitely a bargain at $28.  It has a low rating (it will give you a clue when a guy in atasting room told me if I shot 88 at Hunter I'd break 80 at the links -- I didn't, but mainly because it was foggy and I didn't know where holes went.  It's easily walkable.

Chalk Mountain (Atascadero, 3/2009)

This is a Muni course in a town between Paso Robles and San Luis Abispo.  It's a natural style course in which the holes play up and down on rolling hills and canyons.  With a variety of holes and good scenery it could be a great course with a little better care, sadly, greens, fairways, and tees were all a bit shabby when we played there.  (It probably was an indication when we showed up early on a very frosty morning and the pro shop guy sent us right out saying they never waited for frost -- all the mowers were out already as were two groups in front of us crunching through the morning ice).  Several holes require strategic shots -- you have to lay up or play to a particular area to have a next shot, and many have sloping fairways.  It's cheap ($25 senior rate) and easily walkable..

Bodega Harbor Links (3/2009) (Bodega Bay)

This a great seaside links style layout.  The course is not directly adjacent to the ocean except for a couple of holes played behind a line of dunes, but most holes go up and down over hillsides with sweeping views of the ocean and harbor.  There are houses along most fairways but they are not in play for most folks and not obtrusive (One big plus, not many people in them even on the weekends).  (My wife says it looks like little cottages on cape cod).  You can walk this course but it's work, with the first 4 holes playing up a substantial hill.  Several holes here will test your ability to follow them -- the 5th, a double dogleg par 5 playing down the hill and the only hole where OB -- just a crude fence -- is a serious hazard, and featurning a blind drive and challenging approach.  The last 3 holes (known as the pit there), play through a marsh behind the beach.  16 is a short par 4 taking more club than it says to clear the marsh (don't go for the green), 17 a par 3 over water to a green pasted up against a bank full of bursh, and 18 -- a bewildering hole played up to the hillside and then down to the green requiring precise placement of all shots and for a lot of people a layup.  This is one of the best courses I've played in the area, and not crowded or expensive.  As promissed in 2008, the greens are now all redone in bent grass -- very smooth and nice -- probably the best greens we played in Northern California

Hiden Valley Lake (3/2004) -- 20 miles north of Calistoga

Getting to this one is half the fun -- It's along route 29 north of Calistoga, but the first 10 miles of road from Calistoga climb up over a mountain pass with good views but don't plan to do it fast.  The course itself was disappointing.  One of the promotions for it said the same architect that built Torrey Pines built it -- if so Torry Pines was a much better property.  The front 9 is entirely flat, soggy in spring, and adjoined by modest houses.  The houses aren't really a factor here.  4 holes on the back 9 climb up a hillside and are quite interesting, with the 15th featuring a tee shot off a cliff to the valley below, but the others are like the front -- flat and not all that interesting.  Most of this course would be easily walkable, but the climb from the 12th tee to the 14th green is over 250 feet, a lot of it gained on the cart paths between the holes.  Rental clubs here were basic muni rentals.  The course is inexpensive and not as crowded as those closer to Napa and San Francisco.

Adobe Creek (3/2002) (Petaluma

This is a public course designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, on a flat plain in Petaluma. The course is typical of the Jones Jr courses I've played, with lots of mounding along the fairways and reasonably generous landing areas, especially off the forward tees. Half a dozen of the holes are bordered by housing but it's generally not a real problem. A couple of holes on the front side have tight out of bounds, and there are several water hazards. Though not an exotic course, it's a bargain for what you get.

Oakmont (3/2007) (Santa Rosa)

This is a retirement community east of Santa Rosa off highway 12 (enter at the oakmont entrance and go until you see the clubhouse for the west course on the left, east course is 2 streets further down a side road marked with a sign). The West course is a regulation 18, winding through housing but with good views of mountains and vinyards in the distance  We played this course in 2007.  It's a great bargain for the price and has a good mix of holes, but don't expect the greens in top condition early in season at least.  This one will play as a normal 18. . The East course  is an executive course, par 63 with a mix of mainly short par 4's and long par 3's. The hole mix means you will definitely play some unusal clubs. The front 9 is ordinary while the back 9 has some spectacular holes, and many requiring risk/reward decisions on both 9's. Best advice here is leave the driver in the bag most of the time, and check that you game is up to your ego on some of those carries. Note that the east course facilities are fairly minimal, and if you want to rent clubs (not much better than typical munis) you have to get them from the west course. None the less well worth the charge and a memorable experience.

Windsor CC (3/99) (Windsor)

This is a muni course just north of Santa Rosa in the town of windsor. Basic golf, flat and with a fair amount of water. The junior (Hogan, Nike, .com, or whever bought it this year) used to play an event here. This course always seems highly regarded by the locals. Perhaps we didn't give it the best chance to shine, playing the day after a heavy rain.

Mountain Shadows (3/2000) (2004 -- Course has another name now with "Fox" in it) (Rohnert Park).

I'd give this one a pass for a while. The courses are just off 101 about 45 miles north of the Golden Gate. This complex has 2 18 hole courses attached to a small resort development. Unfortunately it also seems to have soil that winter rains converts into a hog wallow. When we played, only 2 9's were open, and both pretty unplayable. (Fairways and rough all tracked with deep footprints in the muck). The courses are interesting, though surrounded by less than elegant residential development, and in the midst of what has become a busy suburb of both San Francisco and Santa Rosa. The courses are flat and reasonably walkable, but watch out (whether walking or riding) for crossing some busy streets)

Half Moon bay  (3/2009) (Half Moon Bay)

This is a 36 hole complex about 45 minutes south of San Francisco on Route 1. Both courses are pricey ($140-170), but there are specials and a half price replay rate.  The setting is spectacular, ocean side and open linksland. There are 2 courses here, the ocean course,which is all open, and the old Course, which has more holes in among developed areas but also some ocean front. The Ocean is easily walkable and more enjoyable that way (though almost nobody does), but the Old course is really carts only, Both are worth playing, though We liked the open layout of the Ocean better.  The Old course actually has more interesting hole layouts -- lots of doglegs, but housing isn't my idea of scenic. We found the Old course played a lot longer, partly because the houses restrain my driver a bit and partly because the grass on the fairways is longer and stickier meaning you don't get a big run downhill.  (We were told this is a spring phenomenon). (***Note -- in early 2009 they are doing some kind of construction along the 15th hole of the Old course, which at that time seemed more like the OSHA course for the constant noise of backup beepers of the heavy equipment).  Excellent (and pricy) rentals and generally first class service (sometimes including free fruit, tees, logo ballmarkers, etc.) make this a good option for a tourist in search of a memorable round. The open windswept setting of the Ocean Course makes wind a factor everywhere and many holes have spectacular views of the ocean. Stay out of the shaggy long grass on some holes as it is very difficult to escape from. Most landing areas are ample, and well designed to be playable by even short hitters (who cut off the longest carries). A new Ritz-Carlton hotel just opened at the site of the course doesn't seem to have effected  availability of tee times, and it's a nice Scottish looking building, but the sight of corporate drones walking the seaside paths with their phones and PDAs doesn't enhance the experience.  (Walkers are a major problem on the 18th on the old course, where it's tough to hit your second because of all the crowds on the left side of the hole).  (As of 2006, more housing in the area seems to mean more locals walking dogs on the seaside paths too) Parking, though, is a problem unless you have an early tee time. They will find a place for your car, but it may not be where you can get at it to ditch your warmup jacket or get out an extra sleeve of balls you forgot. The hotel looks like it could be in St Andrews, but don't believe what you see. Under that weathered exterior is a mass of steel and concrete beams that never saw the 20th century.

Pasatiempo (3/2004) (Santa Cruz)

We had a spectacular day for this older Alastair MacKenzie design (in fact he lived in a house on this course).  This is a course with a championship pedigree and still hosts a college golf tournament.  The holes wind up and down through the hills above Santa Cruz which is mostly out of site.  Housing lines the holes and on a few it's close enough to be a factor.  It's expensive to play ($145 + a cart if you want one) and has first class (and expensive) rentals.  It's semi private with members playing early usually and the mid day being relatively empty.  (We teed off at 9:30 with nobody behind us for 2 hours).  The course was in top condition, with smooth greens, great fairways, and everything else in great shape. The holes are all interesting with several that will challenge you to find a line:  Number 10, with a long carry over a ravine and a green fronted by a pit full of bunkers, Number 11, where your secont must carry a long stretch of ravine, and Number 16, a tricky dogleg with another interesting carry which a member we were playing with at a time told us was MacKenzie's favorite.  A couple of things to note -- The "Forward" tees on this course aren't especially forward or forgiving here, something in common with a lot of older courses, and a couple of the holes on the front (6 and 7) are VERY narrow.  The acres of wire mesh protecting the houses on number 6 suggest that when this one was built golf was played by better, or at least straighter golfers!

Stone Tree (Novato, 3/2005)

This is a newish upscale course with some real estate development, but most holes border other holes or open land.  It's a Johnny Miller Design we played with a couple of local freinds who kept using the phrase "potato chips" to describe the greens -- hard, fast, and with lots of funny slopes that mean a shot landing near the pin may finish a hundred feet away off the green.  Somewhat more than half the holes play through flat marshland, and the others play up and down through hills.  You can walk this course though tee-green distances and elevation are a moderate challenge.  The biggest hazard for most is keeping the ball in play as wild land marked as a lateral hazard separates most of the marshland holes and the rough absolutely swallows golf balls whole.  The greens and fairways are in top condition and the service was excellent.  There are 4 sets of tees, quite playable off the front, and no range but a "warm up net" with free balls to hit into it.

San Juan Oaks (Hollister, 3/2005)

This is a new Fred Couples design, so far without any real estate development (though some is threatened).  Holes run through open land in dry hills south of San Jose.  I played with two RSG regulars and locals there who described the course as tough but fair, and I agree -- greens fast but not goofy, and designs that reward good shots but always offer playable lines for those who can't carry long hazards or hit precise targets.  Most holes are fairly open, though trees come into play on a few where you have to place your tee shot precisely to make the next one open to the green.  The course is walkable (we all did it), but the back 9 especially has a lot of elevation on it and walking will be a fairly slow round.  The course has 5 sets of tees and a range and pracitce area.

Eagle Ridge (Gilroy, 3/2005)

This is a real estate development just west of Gilroy in low hills.  Most holes are bordered both sides by houses (reminded me of Phoenix).  Mostly they aren't in play, but the prospect of hitting with so many expensive windows in play may intimidate some.  There are a few holes that are open and gorgeous, going through ravines and up and down in the hills in land that's probably too steep for building, but who knows.  The front 9 has lots of sand in play and the holes are tight, while the back 9 is more open.  The course can be walked, but it's over 6 miles with some elevation and most will want to ride.  It has a range and 6 sets of tees.

Poppy Ridge (Livermore, 3/2006)

This is a 27 hole complex in the wine country of Livermore.  The course is owned by the Northern California Golf Association, like it's more famous sister, Poppy Hills on the Monterey Peninsula, but isn't as expensive or hard to get on.  It's an excellent open course like San Juan Oaks in character.  It's walkable, but there are some long walks between holes and some elevation to be navigated.  Rentals are good and reasonable.  There are 4 sets of tees and a range on site.

Wente golf course (Livermore, 3/2009)

This is an 18 holer that goes up and down over the hillsides and through the vineyards.  This is definitely a cart course (Even the nationwide tour which used to play here in late March gets to ride up to the 1st and 10th tees).  The mix of holes is very nice with some nice short par 4's as well as some monsters that  leave you challenged.  There are 5 sets of tees, though not all will usually be out.  (Middle will give you plenty of challenge, though do look at some of the places the tips play for for a good laugh.)

Pacific Grove (Pacific Grove, 3/2009)

This is a short par 70 muni on most lists of the top 50 courses everyone should play -- the reason is the back 9 which is on seaside dune land and set by the same designer who built the nearby Pebble Beach -- for a muni price.  The front 9 plays out and back through a corridor in the city with holes running parallel.  It's not excessively tight and the links style (most greens are open at the front and bump and run and putt off the green works well) means you can get around without too much trouble.  The back plays through dunes and ice plant, but with fairly wide fairways.  Keep it in play and you will score well.  The course is a steal -- and hard to get on.  If you call be prepared to key in your phone number and credit card to hold a tee time.  (They now have a web reservation system, but it works only a week in advance and requires setting up a password).  Note that it's often foggy and/or rainy early here, so a later tee time isn't a big problem if you can afford the time.  It is very walkable and has 3 sets of tees (most will want to play the blue (back) tees)  (***Note that in 2008 they had a major problem with greens and brought in a new super who has things in much better shape than in the past)

Black Horse (Monterey Area, 3/2006)

This course was part of Fort Ord, now redesigned and open to the public.  It's sister course Bayonet is more famous but the two are very similar in character (Black Horse is a bit easier for shorter hiters because the par 3's are more reasonable in length.  Most holes go through narrow fairways loosley lined with pines and cypress trees.  It's not seaside but many holes have good views of the ocean and Monterrey.  The and last holes are probably the toughest and most memorable -- both big par 5's with bends and slopes.  Other holes feature steep slopes where the ball can run a long way off a green.  Most holes have no housing or OB, and there are no water hazards.  There are 3 sets of tees and a range.  The course is clearly well drained as it played hard and fast even after an extended period of heavy rain.

Southern California

Southern California has true year round golf in many places, though if you play in winter watch out for frost at higher elevation courses.  Like other mountain environments (e.g. Denver) frost tends to hit late and stick around a LONG time when it does form even when the air is relatively warm and can really screw up your plans.

Oak Valley (Beaumont, 2/2007)

Played this course or RSG-SOCAL.  It's a nice mountain course with most of the holes running through open country and most running out and back through a wide canyon.  It's carts only (boo) with a couple of long walks where the course crosses a power line.  4 sets of tees cater to all abilities and there is a range available (Range balls included in the fee).

SPGA Courses (Beaumont, 2/2007, 2/2008)

This is a complex with 2 first class 18 hole courses and a range.  It's very near the Oak Valley course.  The Legends course is the more spread out, and as of when we played it had a couple of holes with rough walks (you can walk here, but make sure someone in the group has a cart and can ferry the walkers over the roughest walks).  There are a wide variety of holes on this course including a lot of "strategic" holes which offer choices in play.  Bear in mind that almost the entire back 9 plays up hill and into the wind.  The Chamipons course is easier to walk but as tough or tougher to play.  The Champions has a lot of holes with deep bunkers and interesting challenges on the greens (multiple levels and collection areas).  On the par 5's, look for the 3 shot route since these are well designed strategic holes where a good second shot layup offers most people a better chance to get the 3rd one close for birdie than trying to go in 2.  A couple of par 4's on the front 9 may be reachable for some, again some judgement of the risk is well rewarded.  Pace of play is S.L.O.W. here on weekends at least.  A yardage guide is a good investment in understanding the risk/reward holes a bit better but doesn't offer much in the way of playing tips.

Note that in January of 2008 the courses were sold to a new owner who will change the name (east valley or some such).  Service seems to have declined a bit (it was hard to get a prompt lunch and there was no real evidence of marshaling).  The golf courses are still in good shape, though the presence of a lot of unsold plots of mud on some holes mars the mood a bit. 

Empire Lakes (Rancho Cucamonga 2/2007, 2/2008)

This is a nice 18 holer in an urban setting.  The course is tucked in between offices, appartments and factories, but they only adjoin the holes on the outside of the course.  It is walkable, though you will get bored going through the tunnel under the road 4 times.  The course has a range and 4 sets of tees.  There are some interesting risk/reward holes, like 18, which offers the potential to reach in 2 if you can find a good lie hitting driver and aren't afraid of the water left, and number 3, which offers the opportunity to bite off as much of the pond as you can carry.  Our host for the event described some other holes as reachable by the Nationwide tour which plays an annual event on the course, but clearly not for the rest of us.  A variety of holes and while it's relatively flat most of the holes feature some elevation and a lot of doglegs. 

Temecula Creek Inn (Temecula, 2/2007)

This is a resort complex with 27 holes.  If you show up early you may get your choice of 9s to play an 18 hole round.  We did not play the creek 9 (described as flat with lots of trees).  We played the Oaks 9 (some elevation, plenty of trees and holes abutting wild land), and the Stone House 9, lots of elevation and nowhere near other golf holes or housing (there is a freeway running in sight o the course).  These courses are interesting and the setting, especially on stone house is very nice.  There are several blind holes on Stonehouse and the advice of the starter to follow the fairway direction off the tee is good advice.  On most holes the worst trouble is to the right.  All the 9's are walkable with a little effort.  There is wildlife here.  We saw hawks and eagle, and a bobcat.  The resort has a nice (and pricy) restaurant, with wine tasting in the valley (though WAY too much urban blight between the course and the wineries).

Oak Quarry (Riverside, 2/2008)

This course is indeed set in a quarry (according to some the quarry that supplied most of the limestone that went in the cement of LA's freeways).  It is carts only due to long rides between holes and lots of elevation changes, and definitely target golf, but a lot of fun to play.  If you pick the right tees and play strategically (i.e. play your shots to the place that gives you the best chance at the next one rather than bombing it as far as you can), it's quite playable.  Many holes have spectacular views and look scary, but aren't tough if you play to the safe side.  The greens are hard to read because of the prevailing slope of the area towards the southeast.  They have a nice clubhouse as well.
 

Rustic Canyon (Moorpark, 2/2008)

This is a links style course set  on a valley floor northwest of LA.  For now it's mostly a rural setting with houses and roads visible only on a few holes on the front.  Little earth was moved to make the course with many holes crossing usually dry creek beds.  The greens are surrounded by close mown and firm areas which allow bump and run and LONG putts, if you read the breaks.  (hint, nothing breaks up the canyon).  The course is walkable, though there are some goodish walks between holes.   Don't be put off though by the length of some of the holes -- most of the long par 4's play downhill and play a lot shorter than those yardages.   It's a real bargain, especially for the area.

Colorado

Colorado has many courses, some in the mountains and many in the front range cities (Denver, Colorado Springs, Pueblo, Ft Collins, Boulder). Season length varies dramatically with elevation and location, from year long in some of the front range locations to only a few months in the high mountains.

Denver Area

Denver has many good courses and a long season. My limited experience here suggests that Denver may have more walking golfers than other places I've played.

Riverdale Dunes (10/99)

This is an upscale muni with 2 courses, the Dunes is a links style course that hosted or will host a Nike tour event. There is an older more conventional muni layout. I played the dunes on a day with 40 MPH winds, and enjoyed the course in spite of the wind. Adequately challenging, but not impossible. (it was great fun to reach the 576 yard 3rd in 2 with the wind behind me but less fun to be short of the green with 3 full shots on a 420 yarder coming back!) The course probably plays harder when the grasses in the rough are thicker, since I lost no balls in spite of several errant shots. Walking fees on a weekday were $26, with $10 club rentals (nothing special).

Riverdale Knolls (10/99)

This course operates from the same clubhouse as the dunes, it's an older Muni, nothing special. Watch out for ditches crossing the fairways on some holes and expect a lot of roll on the relatively dry fairways. Basic golf, nothing more.

Evergreen GC (10/99)

This is a short course up in the mountains, reachable either from I70 or by a windy and scenic canyon road from Morrison. Many holes are tight with trees both sides and steep side slopes. One par 3 requires a blind shot between trees and over a rock formation (looks tougher than it is at 110 yards). Many other holes have blind tee shots. Not the best maintained course, but scenic and quite different from anything you encounter in the flatlands. Walkable for anyone in reasonable shape (no long walks to tees, but plenty of up and down), and reasonably priced.

Fox Hollow (10/96)

Another upscale muni with 3 9's The Canyon and Links layouts are up and down over open terraine with dry grasses between holes and lots of lateral hazards due to gulleys. The Meadows 9 is flat, with lots of water. I played the canyon and meadows 9's on 10/30, a day that started nice and turned very cold. One note -- The course now requires soft spikes. I unfortunately didn't have them so I played in street shoes. The Canyon layout was a real challenge and very different for a flatlander. Lots of elevation changes, sidehill lies, and blind landing areas. The Meadows is a flat course with lots of water, again enjoyable. Both layouts are quite walkable (though the canyon has some pretty good climbs on it), and I was pleasantly surprised that most folks on these courses were walking. Greens fees were $30, with club rental another 10 (Ok ordinary clubs, but a Sun mountain bag!)

Black Bear (Parker)  10/07

We played this course because it has some affiliation with Bear Dance and Riverdale dunes, both of which we found great courses.  Black Bear is in a real estate development about 10 miles east of the foothills.  Houses line most holes but mostly are well out of play.  There are lots of elevation changes and arroyos feature in many holes either crossing the hole or lining the hole.  Landing areas are fairly generous if you don't push it.  The course isn't especially scenic, but it's well layed out with a variety of holes.  Greens were slow and bumpy in October, but still playable.  It is not walkable (too long between some greens and tees and lots of road crossings and underpasses).  It has 5 sets of tees and a range.

Fossil Trace (Golden) (10/07)

This is a muni course in the city of Golden.  The course is routed through old mining land but in the city limits (the front 9 loops some kind of correctional facility.  There are many spectacular views of the mountains, and many holes have spectacular features (number 1 has an old chimney in the fairway and several holes have rock outcropings.  There is a fossil exhibit between holes on the back 9.  You can walk this course, but it is a bit spread out and there are plenty of elevation changes.  The course has some very unusual holes, several where the green is set in a bowl so that errant shots are reflected towards it (not always a bargain, since with reasonably fast greens many will roll over the green.  Bunkers here are deep and deadly -- ankle twisters to get down into and then you are likely to have an awkward stance and need a vertical shot.  Pace of play was on the slow side (4-1/2 hours) but not horrible given that this is not an easy course to navigate.  It is very reasonably priced for the quality of the course and well maintained.  The only real complaint we had was the GPS system in the carts, which was constantly beeping and issuing useless warnings (road crossings, fix ball marks, fill divots, etc.) or advertisements, each of which required a button push to dismiss (it actually surprises me that they don't have accidents from drivers trying to figure out how to clear the junk while navigating narrow twisting paths.)

The Golf Club at Bear Dance (Castle Rock) (10/02, 10/07, 7/08) 

This is a new course built and owned by a group of Phoenix area pros. It has great mountain scenery, holes with lots of elevation change, and lots of interesting holes. This course is carts only, but a bargain for the quality. No holes are adjacent (if you miss the fairway you will be in wild land) and the few houses near the course are well out of play. The course was only a year old when we first played it (In October) but the turf was good almost everywhere and the greens were fast and true. Wildlife clearly is abundant in the area (though we weren't lucky enough to see any. Judging distances and altitude changes (at an average near 7,000 feet) is part of the challenge, but the holes are designed with large landing areas and 5 sets of tees (5,000 to 7600 yards) make it playable and enjoyable for everyone. Some of the memorable holes include number 6 (the bear), a short sometimes reachable par 4 with a set of traps shaped like a bear paw between you and the green; number 7 (bobby jones) a long par 3 over a pond, number 16 (the hawk), a par 4 with a huge drop off the tee and mountains beyond, and number 17 (Tom Watson) a short par 3 with waterfalls. To play here pay attention to slopes in the landing areas to keep your ball from bouncing off the fairway. The course is 7 miles south of Castle rock and a little tricky to reach so get directions, but it's well worth the drive.  Note that in 2007, the course was if anything  better than in 2004.  The greens are lightning fast.  The only downside is it is getting popular, and we played a 5-1/4 hour round here in late October!  In 2008 we played a morning round -- 4 hours and delightful.

Red Hawk Ridge (Castle Rock) (7/08) 

This is a I believe a muni, somewhat similar to Bear Dance though housing is closer on this one (thought still not in the way).  Lots of very elevated tees and big ups and downs make this a carts only course.  Very nice quality, somewhat hard to get on and good for the price.  I played from the Tips and it wasn't outrageously long even for a short knocker due to altitude and lots of downhill holes.  The course is just off 25 in central Castle Rock.  There are 4 or 5 sets of tees and practice facilities.

The Raven at 3 Peaks (Silverthorne) (2008) 

This is a tough mountain course in Summit county.  The price is quite high, but consistent with other courses in this area (short season and spectacular scenery).  While the members we played with said there was one guy who walked it I wouldn't recommend it.  There are lots of up and down holes and some very long walks tee to green.  Wildlife was abundant (they have a resident fox who steals things out of golf carts.  Pace of play was good, and the quality of the fairways and greens was excellent, particularly considering the course is at 9,000 feet.  The part 3's are very long off the tips if you want to play them, but there are tees available for every ability.  They have an excellent range and practice facility.

Four Mile Ranch (Canon City) (2008) 

This is a very new course (open 7/2008) in Canon city, (near royal gorge).  The course is on rangeland and was laid out with minimal earth moving, so fairways go up and down over mud hills and the area outside the fairway is likely to be dried mud desert.  The course is generously laid out though in that on most holes the fairway is in a low spot so balls bounce off the adjoining hills back into it, and many greens are bowl shaped and collect errant shots.  The greens have lots of interesting slopes and some have extreme slopes and multiple levels, making it possible to play shots off slopes to get it close even with little green to work with.  We had a blast on this course, in spite of some blind shots and interesting angles.  It was in great shape for a very new course, though the road there (dirt) and the clubhouse (a trailer) will need some work.  There is a range and putting green, though it's clear this is an evolving facility.  We walked the course with no trouble (they were generous in providing lots of water), and discovered after the fact that apparently we were the first to do it.  It's a bit of walking, but there aren't any outrageous green-tee hikes nor a lot of up and down.

Kings Deer (Montrose) (7/2008) 

This is a course laid out in a rural housing development just north of Colorado springs.  In spite of being well away from the mountains it's high (7600 feet) and most holes play through marshy gulches.  It's billed as links style, and while the holes are laid out that way (2 holes paralell with marsh in between), the turf isn't linksy and there are more forced carries and greens that will not accept run up shots than that would imply.  The course was in excelllent shape though.  We walked this course and picked it in part because the fact that it offered a walking rate suggested it was walkable, but it was a very good hike, with a lot of long walks between holes.  The course has wildlife (foxes, deer, etc.) and great views of Pikes Peak, in spite of being in houses (I think it would be very difficult to hit a house as they are well back on huge lots).  They have a range and 4 sets of tees.

Great Sand Dunes (Alamosa (6/99)

This course was a delightful surprise, it is now closed to the public (i.e. gone) as the result of the resort that it was part of being acquired by the Nature conservatory as wildlife habitat.  The description here is left for Posterity).  It sits near the entrance to Great Sand Dunes national monument, 40 miles by road from the nearest town (Alamosa), and about 160 miles by road southwest of Denver. We stumbled across a billboard on our way to the dunes. The course is part of the Zapata Ranch resort, which has a few rooms and a dining room, stables, and other guest facilities. This is a very inaccessible place because the mountains block access from the north and east. The course sits at the edge of a huge plain behind the Sangre De Christo mountains. (The sand dunes, up to 750 feet high, are located there because local winds trap the sand behind the mountains). Remote location makes it easy to get on and relatively inexpensive ($45, including cart and rental clubs). The layout is relatively flat and walkable, with some long walks between tees and greens. There is water on many holes, often as narrow ditches that trap rolling shots. In spite of the lack of vegetation in the surrounding area, many holes are lined with large Cottonwood trees. Greens were in poor condition when we played, but views are spectacular and the layout is enjoyable.

Texas

Austin

Austin is home to many interesting courses. The general terrain is dry, wooded, and somewhat hilly, so the courses tend to have some elevation and trees/brush along fairways. Conditions are different in different parts of the metro area. Austin has year round golf, very hot in the summer, and temperate most of the time in the winter. Bermuda grass is used in the summer, with annual grasses overseeded in the winter to improve greens and fairways. This means a period in the fall when courses are wet and shaggy as the annual grasses grow in.

Austin is also home to Golfsmith (I35, not far north of the airport), which is definitely worth a stop. Their club making supplies, retail store, mail-order operation, custom club-fitting, and schools for both clubmaking and general play are all housed in a single gigantic building.

Forest Creek (30 miles north on I35)

This is a failed private club/housing development now operating as an upscale semi-private course (daily fee plus members). The course is relatively flat, but most holes are tree lined and water is present on about half the holes. Best advise for northerners is stay out of the woods (thick underbrush and tough to recover from), and watch out for the bermuda grass (bad lies are common and the grass effects the ball more than you expect). Aside from playing a miserable game, I enjoyed my day considerably here.

Houston

Tour 18 (Northeast of downtown and just east of the airport, 2008)

This course has replicas of 18 holes from famous courses.  Some are more famous and recognizeable than others, but it's an interesting concept.  The replica holes I recognized (17 at TPC sawgrass, 11, 12, 13 at Augusta, 18 at Harbortown, etc.) were all pretty good, though not perfect.  The course is very spread out, definitely carts only.  3 or 4 sets of tees make these holes playable by anyone even if your game is not up to tour standards.  The course seemed to be quite busy, even in October 3 weeks after a major hurricane.  They have a range (complete with those signs that identify the players so you can pretend to be your favorite), and good rental clubs.  There are a few houses around some holes, not in play, and one good thing about the course is that it is set back far enough from major roads so you don't have a lot of road noise (you do have jets from the airport though)

Bear Creek Golf World (West of downtown just off I10, 2008)

This is a 3 course complex which has two normal length and one executive 18 hole course.  We played the President's course, which was just basic golf -- lots of parallel holes separated only by a few trees.  The Presidents course has no bunkers (The master's looked better but was closed for maintenance), but enough hazards to be interesting.  It's low priced and worth it.

Black Horse (30 miles North of downtown, 2008)

This is a two course complex designed by Peter Jacobsen (with assistance).  Both layouts are said to be similar, though the South course that we played has several holes on the back 9 that run through an old quarry turned marsh that are a bit different.  Most of the holes run through oak woodlands.  The Quarry holes include several that have blind shots.  A yardage guide would be nice, but they are pricy here.  The south course itself can be walked, though it's a long haul from the clubhouse to the first tee.  (I believe all rates include the cart anyway).  This was a pricy round ($75 with $45 rentals) but everything about the place was first rate.  There is some housing but not in play.

High Meadow Ranch (45 miles North of downtown, 2008)

This course is in a high end housing development at the far edge of the suburbs.  you drive in past mansions on 10 acre lots, and they are building more around some of the holes.  Unlike the others we played in Houston, this course has some elevation and as a result probably the best mix of holes of any we played.  Interestingly the course is arranged as 3 6 hole "loops" each with a bit different character.  We loved the Woodland loop, which lived up to it's name and had no housing, while the other two had some holes that ran through houses or other urban development.  The houses aren't in play (in spite of signs that warn you not to hit one), and the holes are innovative.  The course was deserted when we started at mid day, and the rentals were economical, if basic.  The staff is accomodating.  They have 5 sets of tees and a range.

Hawaii

This information comes from trips in 1991, 1993 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004, and 2007.. All the resort courses, and many private courses, will let you play whether you stay there or not. There is a discount for guests of the resort, but if you have the cash and they have a tee time, you can generally play whether you are staying there or not.

Rates range from outrageous to astronomical (up to $300/round) by my standards. In general you will pay the most to play courses that host pro tournaments. Many offer more sane rates for natives, and you may be able to play a lot cheaper if you can somehow establish a local ID or play as the guest of a native. (I don't usually advocate cheating, but I see no excuse for this kind of geographic discrimination). Some courses offer discounts for "Twilight" play. "Twilight" usually begins anywhere from 1:30-3, and most courses have a limit of 6:30-7 when you MUST be off the course, hence twilight players aren't guaranteed the ability to complete 18. You usually can, though, particularly if you start early. You may also be able to sign up for and pay for a twilight tee time and get off early if the course isn't full. Another strategy is to start very early in the morning and plan to play two rounds.  Starting early has many benefits -- less wind, a fast first round (assuming you play fast), and finishing late AM, usually a good time to get on for your "standby" second round.  In summer you may even manage 3 rounds in a day. Many resorts with multiple courses will let you plan a second round on any of their courses for a more reasonable (half price or less) greens fee, and will generally let you play a different course if they operate more than one. A good bargain. Yet another strategy is going with one of the activity bookers that claim to get you a better rate. No personal experience here, but be aware that some of these people are really selling timeshares, and you may wind up having to waste some of your vacation time listening to a sales pitch to get that good rate.  Finally, sometimes you get lucky and get "normal" discounts, like a senior or junior day discount, so ask for info if you want to save and may be eligible.

There are a few true muni courses in Hawaii, which have much lower greens fees, but also tend to be very crowded and most are fairly basic layouts. The locals pack these courses and play in 5 somes. The Wailua course in Kaui looked to be the best of these.

Almost all courses require carts (usually included in the quoted rate). Some limit carts only to the cart path, others let you drive where you like. Hacking down the left rough with your clubs stuck at the right hand edge of the hole is a frustrating and exhausting experience. Some courses get very windy in the afternoon, others don't. If you care, find out. Courses higher on the hillsides are more likely to get windy than those along the water. Rental clubs vary a lot in quality. All tend to be good to start with, but some suffer from having lots of duffers hacking through the lava fields. Rentals are a good deal though if you only play once or twice and dont want the hassle of slogging your own clubs on airplanes. There are also local golf shops on the larger islands that will rent clubs at a more reasonable rate than the resorts. Worth doing if you play a lot in one place.

We had no problem getting on any course the day we wanted to play, except on Oahu (where we gave up after being unable to locate a place on two different days.) Calling the course for a tee time usually works better than working through your hotel, and you get the same rate.

The free guides at the airports give basic information on golf. At various times there have been island specific or area wide golf guides listing lots of detail (e.g fees, hours, pace of play, brands of rental equipment, etc.) The tourist guides are more more basic. They also tended to have special offers. Again, check with your hotel/condo. Many get discounts at courses even if they aren't directly adjacent to a course.

The biggest challenge for us in playing here was the greens. Greens are generally burmuda grass and have lots of grain, an alien phenomenon to us northerners. Conventional wisdom is that they break to the ocean and to the west, but expect to be surprised. Elevation changes are interesting as well, and often more than you expect, since the whole landscape slopes gently towards the ocean and distorts your sense of perspective.

Some specific experiences

Makena courses (Maui) (2004):

This was a single course, now split into two. Both are nice layouts, with most holes bordered by lava wasteland and two holes on the south course along the ocean. Significant elevation variations and lots of sand traps and water. Standard greens fees were $110 (resort guest) or $135 (others). Good rental clubs. Very little wind at any time of day. In 2001 we played the North course, which has no ocean side holes but several interesting holes and dramatic elevation changes. One (about number 8?) has a fairway split by a ravine, and another (15?) a long par 5 all downhill that's fun to watch your ball roll on. In May 2004 we played the south course.  Less dramatic elevation changes than the North but it inherited the 3 holes with some Oceanfront exposure from the original course.  For a resort course and especially one designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr, I thought this one was tough -- many holes had narrow landing areas and bordered wild land (scrub covered lava) on both sides meaning a lot of lost balls, especially for tourists playing with rental clubs.  No development in play though, which is nice.

Wailea courses (Maui) (2007, 2004, 2001, 1998, 1996 and 1991):

Wailea has 3 courses, Blue, Gold, and Emerald. We played all 3 in 2001 and 2004 The Emerald and Gold are similar in character and share a common clubhouse. Both have great views of the ocean, and Molokini island (in fact many holes seem to have been aranged so the island appears in line with the green, perfect for pictures.)  The emerald is supposed to be a bit easier but doesn't play that way for me.  It has two holes that share a double green.   The Gold course now hosts the Senior Skins game, features GPS equipped carts, and charges a few bucks more to play (but interestingly enough no extra charge to play as a repeat rate).  This one has a couple of short par 4's which can be exciting, and a bit more up and down than the Emerald.  The holes on both courses mostly border other holes or lava hazards, but the layout isn't cramped. The courses are away from the ocean, and relatively flat. There is very little water on these courses. Rental clubs were excellent (Nikes). The Blue course is the oldest and somewhat easier. The blue course is more spread out and has more holes bordering housing, though it isn't opressively close. (There are still  areas of this course that are through wild land.)  Service and amenities at Wailea are the best we encountered.

Kahili course (Maui 2007)

This course was I believe formerly known as Sandalwood.  It is near Maalea Harbor above the highway to Wailuku on the slopes of the West Maui Mountains.  There are two courses here, Kahili and a private course.  The Kahili course is enjoyable, with most holes playing along the mountainside bordered by other holes or wild land.  No houses are on the course (as of 2007 at least), and the course has mature trees and nice greens.  It is a relative bargain (about $100) for a resort course, though rentals were expensive, they were also excellent quality.  There is more wind here than in Wailea/Makena, but not enough to make play difficult

Challenge at Manele (Lanai 2001):

This is one of two new resorts on Lanai, an island previously devoted to pineapples. It's an excellent layout on cliffs above the ocean, with 3 or 4 holes directly on the tops of the ocean cliffs and the others winding over hillsides. The course condition is first rate. Off the longer tees, most holes have carries of varying length off the tees, but the short tees eliminate almost all of them. There are a couple of long carries in the middle of par 5 holes that may be a problem for short hitters. You can play this course or the other course on Lanai without staying there (The resort hotels on Lanai are priced in the stratosphere), by taking a ferry from Lahina. Still pricy, but the ferry operator packages tee times and transfers to make this easy. One thing we weren't impressed with here was service. The food/beverage cart made only one pass while we were on the course and they had no restaurant open at the golf course. (A problem because it was quite hot there and the course does not adjoin the hotel). Maybe it's better in season when they are busy. Note that when we played (June 2001), there was a lot of construction work on the hillsides surrounding the course which will be sprouting million dollar golf villas like weeds. For the most part these areas are out of play, but they will spoil some of the views. Also in June of 2001 the other (Koele) course was under repair with only 9 holes open.

Kona Country Club (Hawaii 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004, 2007):

This is actually 2 courses, oceanside and Mauka course, in the Kailua area. The holes wander through the resort development, but don't seem crowded by it in most cases (though facing OB on both sides on most holes can be daunting). 2 par 3's and parts of 3 other holes border the ocean on the ocean course and are very dramatic. The Mauka course (also known as Alii country club) is up away from the ocean and has some big elevation changes (and very dramatic views.) The back 9 on this layout is in open land and really spectactular (In 2007 there were a lot of wild goats on this 9).  The Ocean course is more hemmed in by resort development but has 2 or 3 holes on each 9 that adjoin the Ocean, including two par 3's with waves crashing around the green and a par 4 where you tee off over the ruins of a Hawaiian Heiau (temple) and a spouting blowhole.  These courses were uncrowded and a good replay bargain. In 2007 we got a senior day discount (about half price) for being 55.  There was very little wind here at any time of day.  Kona CC has hosted an LPGA tournament and has raised the rates a bit, but still a good bet.

Waikoloa villiage (Hawaii 1993):

This course is well away from the ocean, with moderate elevation changes, lots of sand, and limited water hazards. The environment was a bit disappointing to us as many holes have condos or houses along the sides and it has more the feel of a municipal course than a resort, but the fees are more reasonable ($70 including lunch or breakfast, or $40 for twilight).

Kilohana (Kauai 1996):

This is an older course in the Poipu area. It's a Robert Trent Jones Jr design, and away from the ocean. Many holes border wild land, some border housing. It's relatively short, but challenging and has some interesting archealogical features incorporated in the course. It seemed a bit run-down when we played it (greens in good shape, but tees and fairways rough), and very uncrowded, probably suffering from the building of newer courses on Kauai. We got a 2 for 1 bargain here, though, that made it very affordable and still very interesting.

Puakeah (Kauai, 2004,2007):

This course just opened it's full 18 holes when we played it first. It's on the outskirts of Lihue, between a shopping center and some ravines.  It has good distant views of ocean and mountains, but certainly not ocean front golf.  This is a public course, not associated with a resort, and a good bargain when we played it for the experience, especially for rental clubs, still in good shape but much less than the resorts.  It has some dramatic holes that go into or across jungle filled ravines, and a lot of water (ponds) for a hawaiian course.  In 2007, the shopping center had gotten a bit busier and is an ugly backdrop on some holes, but others play through undeveloped land.

Turtle bay (Links at Kumulina) Oahu 1998:

This course is connected to the turtle bay hilton resort. It's a relatively new Arnold Palmer design and wanders through dune and marshlands. It has LOTS of water, but no adjoining housing and little lava to worry about. This is a busy course and somewhat hard to get onto. Book early. Turtle bay also has a 9 hole course, what seems to be 9 of an original 18, the back 9 of which was sacrificed to the links. This is cheaper and no problem getting onto.

Kaluakoi (Molokai) (2007, 1998):

This is a real undiscovered gem. The island of Molokai is the least developed of the publicly accessible islands, with only one resort area with one hotel and 3 condo complexes, plus the golf course. There are no traffic lights on the whole island, and only prop planes land at its airport. The course is excellent, though the fairways were not in top condition when we were there. Holes wander from ocean side up the hills. About 5 holes border the ocean, and few border any buildings (non obtrusively.) Scenery is spectacular. The best part, though, is that you can get on any time you like, and rarely if ever have to wait for anyone (playing as a twosome we waited 30 seconds to make our approach to the green on the 36th hole). It's also a bargain, $80  for the first round and $1/hole therafter (you can probably play 3-4 a day if you want to.) . It does get windy here in the afternoon, so don't expect to score later in the day. Molokai has another 9 hole course, also rumored to be good and uncrowded, but it's up in the wetter part of the island and often gets afternoon rain.  (Update in 2007 -- The Kaluakoi resort went under late in the 1990s and the golf course was closed for some time, but is now re-opened, even though the hotel has been abandoned  It's still a great layout, though the conditions are less than perfect -- the greens are a bit slow and the fairways a little rough, but it's hard to complain about a place where you can play all day  cheaply with oceanfront holes  and spectacular views on every hole.)

Montana

Montana has a short golf season but many good courses in the "resort" areas

The Old Works (Anaconda) (2006)

The Old works is a Jack Nicklaus design built on a superfund environmental cleanup site -- an old copper smelter.  The scenery is great (mountain views, remnants of the smelter and mining operations, and the course is well designed and in great condition for a mountain course.  The bunkers are unique -- filled with a black sand derived from smelting slag, but it plays like good normal sand.  The course is a real bargain at $39 (weekday) and travellers will appreciate the good (Calaway) rental clubs for a reasonable rate that includes half a dozen balls.  5 sets of tees make it playable by anyone, and most holes are layed out so that if you pick the right length you have reasonable playing options. 

North Dakota

North Dakota may be the most out of the way state on anyone's golf agenda, but it does have some good courses.

Bully Pulpit (Medora) (2006)

This is a new course built in the North Dakota badlands.  It's a tourist area with access to Theodore Roosevelt National park (the name is a reference to one of Roosevelt's names for the preseidency) .  The first 9 and first few holes of the back are merely good.  Flat but well laid out and reasonably scenic with views of the badlands.  The last 5 are special, routed through the badlands with tees and greens perched on eroding bluffs and fairways in the canyons.  The course is reasonably priced with good rentals and can be walked (though the last 5 holes will challenge your climbing)

New Hampshire


New Hampshire has a short golf season, but as a summer resort area has many good courses.

Bretwood (Keene) (2009)

Keene New Hampshire is one of those out of the way places few people go unless they have a reason (it happens to be where my mother-in-law lived for 35 years)  Bretwood is a public facility, originally 18 holes expanded to 36 in the 1990s.  The two courses are similar, with holes laid out mostly in the flood plain of the Ashuelot river, which comes into play on many holes.  The two courses are similar, with 4 sets of tees on each.  Distances are marked every 50 yards and sprinklers are marked on some holes.  Fairways are ordinary grass with bent grass greens.  There is a range and other practice facilities.  The courses are a bit short by modern standards, but lots of trees and water make up for it and make them challenging for all.  Rates are reasonable and best of all you rarely need a tee time (they don't even take them weekdays).  There is an "all you can play" rate as well as club rentals (real cheap, but don't expect many of your clubs will be of the same make).  The courses are quite walkable and most locals walk. 

Utah

General observations: There are lots of courses in this area, most of which seemed interesting. There are both flatland courses and mountain courses, but all have spectacular views. Most of the courses are walkable and very reasonably priced. All these courses and probably most of the others are now spikeless. Here are the ones I've played.

Salt Lake City Area

Wasatch Mountain (10/97)

(Canyon and Lake 9's) This course is in a beautiful mountain setting. The course itself is relatively flat, scenic, and easily walkable. The holes border eachother or woods (not housing) and are not crowded. It is very playable if you pick your tees appropriately. A great bargain for the price. (Warning -- the road from Park City and Brighton to this area shown on rental car and yellow pages maps is rough dirt and difficult, take US 40, much quicker and easier.

Mountain Dell (10/97, 10/2005)

(Canyon course). This complex has 2 18 hole courses, which appear to be an older 18 that was split and expanded. The older holes are realtively closely packed and flat, while the newer holes are more spread out, bordering trees and brush. The Canyon course is walkable in spite of significant elevation changes. The Lake course has more elevation and is more spread out, but we saw several walkers on it as well. The setting is spectacular except for close proximity to I-80. Also reasonably inexpensive for what you get, but not as well maintained as Wasatch.

Bountiful ridge. (10/97, 10/2005)

This is a new Muni and my favorite of the courses I played. Excellently maintained and routed, the holes are adjacent but not crowded. Green to tee distances are mostly short and it is quite walkable in spite of a couple of significant climbs. The course is a bit tough to find, at the top of the developed area on the foothills in the town of Bountiful north of Salt Lake.  (Get off the freeway at 89 north and just get up the hill, but there isn't a real direct route).  It has great views of Salt Lake and the surrounding mountains.  A real steal at the price.

Sonebridge. ( 10/2005)

This is a new Links course with a top designer (Johnny Miller), but was a real disappointment for us.  It's a flat layout not too far from the airport and walkable, though there are LONG walks between some holes.  It's "fake links" style, open with a lot of long grass and no trees, but soggy turf that won't play bump and run.  The 18 holes we played play as basically a circle two holes wide around an office park, though OB isn't a real problem unless you are real wild.  Most holes have water to carry or on the side.  The quaint stone bridges described in the literature are really stone facing on concrete viaducts under 6 lane roads that enter the office park in the middle of the course.  The real disappointment though was lousy maintenance, attributed by a couple of locals I played Bountiful Ridge with on the same trip to a recent acquisition by a management company trying to recover the price -- ratty fairways, weeds in the bunkers, and bumpy greens with bare spots in places.  This could be  a good course with a little more care.  Maybe it's better in prime season.

EagleWood. (10/97)

This is a real-estate development course very near Bountiful Ridge (a gravel road connects the two, probably shortly to be paved). It winds through housing, which while not particularly close is definitely visible and occasionally in play. You can walk this course, and I saw a few people doing it, but there is lots of elevation and some long walks between greens and tees (I rode, my second 18 of the day). This course has the most dramatic views, and unusual shots (huge downhills, blind shots over hills, etc.) of the four I played. It was also the most expensive ($28 riding).

Beaver

Beaver Utah is about 100 miles south of Salt Lake City on I-15, and access point for a small ski area and lakes and hiking. They have a unique 9 hole Par 34 layout, which we paid for the princley sum of $9 each (including a 2 bags of rental clubs, no 2 of which were the same brand). The course itself isn't bad at all, a little water, but mainly a flat parkland course, but it's the only course I've every played where one hole plays through a horse racing track. You climb over a low fence (with a sign saying watch for horses) to reach the tee of a par 5, play your tee shot through the infield, then on your second shot must carry the far end of the oval (played like a lateral water hazard) to a landing area near the green. An interesting experience, well worth the price, and probably the only golf for 50 miles in any direction.

Arizona

The Phoenix and Tucson area a large set of high quality courses, including some that are world famous. Rental clubs and tee times are readily available at most, though the famous courses are hard to get onto (not difficult for a single or a standby, though). Courses in this area are VERY expensive to play in peak season (winter) and very cheap in summer. Pricing is very complicated, with the price you pay dependent on season, who you are, who makes your reservations, etc. If it matters to you, get some quotes from different sources. There are several outfits that offer discount cards which get you substantial bargains on playing courses. If you play there often it might be worth checking out. Unfortunately most courses in this area except for a few Muni courses are carts only. Many of these layouts are quite walkable otherwise. There is a lot of variety of style in the courses in this area, with only a few being classic desert golf, with small patches of fairways and greens surrounded by desert wilderness and large elevation changes. Many are bordered by small strips of desert and hemmed in by housing, and some have large amounts of grass and even trees. All grass is bermuda of some variety for summer hardiness, and most courses are overseeded to stay green in the winter. The rough, however, is not overseeded on many courses and is likely to be hard and fast in the winter (expect any ball landing in the rough near water to go in).

Papago Park (4/01)

This is a muni course near the airport. The entrance is difficult to find. It's on 52nd street between Van Buren and McDowel. From the North (McDowel) a small sign points towards it but the actual road is an unmarked and unremarkable lane in a row of commercial buildings. This is one of the top rated muni courses in the country and deserving of the reputation. The holes are routed through scrubland, with no adjacent buildings, and while only 2 holes have water, the wastelands on both sides of just about every hole will give you plenty of trouble. While the desert landscape isn't as dramatic as some of the pricier courses, it's interesting and there's plenty of wildlife, and the course has many mature trees. The course has little elevation changes. Greens, tees, and bunkers were in excellent condition, and fairways good. The best playing advise is as usual stay on the fairway and you will stay out of trouble easily.

You can easily walk this course, and the greens fees are surprisingly affordable for Arizona. I rented clubs (reasonably good condition off brand, with an interesting twist -- they give you a beat up club to use if you play from the rocks and urge you not to beat the rest up. The guides say this course is difficult to get on, but I did not find this the case (midweek). I showed up early (5:15) to be assured of getting on early as a single, and went out with the first group. I noticed many 2 and 3 somes on the course during my round so there would be plenty of opportunity for people coming out to play as singles to get on.

Aguila (11/2001)

35 Ave and Baseline, Phoenix. This is a new (2000) Muni course south and west of Downtown. The entrance is on 35th avenue (west of central, not 35th street), south of Baseline Rd. As a new course it has no mature trees and the desert landscaping is still a bit rough, but it is an excellent layout and a super value. Like Papago, if you want to play as a single show up before dawn and take a number. This course is not as busy though. Strips of desert separate most holes though the desert here is only a modest hazard most places (watch out for washes though which eat errant shots. The biggest hazard here is the deep fairway bunkers which are difficult to escape. There are a couple of short par 4s tempting a long carry over water to the green. The course has 4 sets of tees, practice are and range, putting greens, and a modest clubhouse snack bar. Greens fees are a real bargain and good all day (walking). The layout is very walkable.

Whirwind (11/2001)

Gila River Indian Reservation, south of Phoenix. This is a new (2000) resort course not yet priced like Scottsdale. A second course as well as hotels are planned here so it is sure to get busier. The course is near I10 south of Phoenix, exit Maripoca road south and look for a side road opposite the race track marked towards the golf course. This is an excellent layout with generous fairways and strips of desert separating the holes. 4 sets of tees are in play. The course is well marked and easily playable if you stay away from the bunkers and the desert. Most holes require short carries of desert off the tees and some have short strips of desert across fairways, but good planning will allow any lenght player to negotiate all of them. There is very little water here. The course is easily walkable though there are some long green to tee distances, and one price walking or riding. (On the day I played Our group seemed to be the only ones walking even though with carts restricted to the paths, many people riding were getting a lot of excercise trudging accross fairways to play shots from the far side.) The course has a putting green and range (range balls are included in your greens fees as is a useful yardage guide booklet.) and an excellent restaurant.

The Pointe at Lookout Mountain (12/97)

(Tapatio Cliffs Hilton, entrance off 7th street just south of Thunderbird). This is a resort style desert golf course. Houses are in sight on some holes, but never close, and most holes are routed through desert preserve (North mountain park). Several holes have huge elevation changes. Some holes require long carries off the back tees, but the forward tees are very playable. Several holes offer birdie possibilities. This course was totally overseeded and green in December.)

Stonecreek GC (12/97) (North Phoenix, Entrance off Thunderbird at about 50th street).

This is a mid price public course routed primarily in the flood plain of a mostly dry creek. There is little real desert on this course, but more water than is typical and the dry creek (full of rocks) is a hazard on many holes. Accuracy is most important.

Rancho Manana (3/2001) (Cave Creek, 20 miles north)

This course is in the hills in a housing development, but only about half the holes have housing bordering. It's relatively short par 70 course, but narrow and difficult enough to be challenging. Play the blues if unless you are a short hitter and bring a lot of balls. The front 9 wanders up a hillside and has 2 par 3's which play dramatically downhill. The back side is flatter with 3 par 5's. Again Accuracy and staying out of the desert is more important than distance -- leave the big dog in the bag and you will enjoy this course. They have a range, putting green, and snack bar. The course is not far off Cave Creek Road, but you can't see the holes from the road and the entrance is not well marked.

Tatum Ranch (12/97) (Cave Creek, 20 miles north).

This is an upscale public course in a housing development. Houses border most holes, but there is a buffer of desert. Fairways are reasonably narrow. The desert is raked and groomed here, making it easier to play out of and find balls in that on courses with raw desert. This is a very pretty course, with lots of interesting desert vegetation and some wildlife, and is excellently kept. You have to be able to hit straight on this course as even a modest fade or draw will take you accross the fairway.

The Legends at Arrowhead (2/99) (Glendale about 4 miles west of I17 and 2 miles north of 101. Entrance is off 67th street.)

The clubhouse is an unimposing trailor, presumably temporary. This is a nice upscale layout, but all holes are lined by housing. The course sprawls through several housing areas, and is definitely "carts only" (long distances to tees in some cases). Fairways and adjoining rough are reasonably generous, so errant drives rarely wind up in back yards. The course has a lot of water, some forced carries. The most interesting feature is the greens, which feature multiple tiers, bumps, and breaks, but they are well maintained and putt true. The rough (bermuda that goes dormant in the winter) was very dead when I played (late February), and anything near a pond would roll in. This course was easy to get on mid day as a single, probably typical in price for Phoenix in winter ($80-$100, cheaper very late). 4 sets of tees are in play. The course had a full size range and decent practice greens for putting and chipping.

The 500 Club (11/01) (Glendale, off Pinacle Peak road, about 2 miles west of I17.)

This course is a gem. Well maintained and interesting, with no adjoining housing. Fairways either adjoin desert at the edges of the course, or are separated by rough desert areas. Relatively inexpensive for Phoenix area in winter, with an inexpensive replay rate. Best of all it is easily walkable (only one significant hill climb and no long walks to the tee) and walking is allowed. The staff is accomodating and seems genuinely interested that you enjoy the course. The course has little water and no forced carries, though watch out for the lake between 1 and 9 (which can't be seen from 9), and 3 small ponds between 10 and 18) 3 sets of tees are in play. If you are playing with locals, ask about potential hazards as several greens have grass bunkers which are not visible from where you hit your approach and make it difficult to run the ball onto the green. If you don't play the back tees, at least look at the view off the elevated tees at #4 and #12. The course has a full size range and good practice facilities, as well as a snack shop. The unusual name reflects the fact that one of the owners is race car drive Tom Sneva.

Lake Powel National (6/2005), Page AZ

This is a muni course recently built, which sprawls over the cliffs that surround the town. All holes have dramatic views of the lake, Glenn Canyon Dam, and surrounding red rock country. Houses adjoin a few holes but are not in play. Some holes have dramatic elevation changes (mainly playing way downhill, including a par 3 with probably 200-300 feet of drop). Desert vegetation is also spectacular. Page has a year round season, hot in the summer and frosty in the winter, but playable. The course is a muni with 27 holes. The 18 hole course (which we played, is dramatic, new, and moderately priced for what you get (we paid $45, including cart, using a coupon from a flier we got in town). This course could be walked, but there are long walks between tees and greens in 2 or 3 holes, and the sun in the summer can make it seem even longer. The 9 hole course is older and very inexpensive, originally built as recreation for dam construction workers, not tourists. (Note in 2005 it wasn't clear the 9 hole course was still open) This one is more easily walkable and flat.

Toronto Canada

The Toronto area has many good courses. While the season is short by US standards, it's often playable through October. Toronto also is Canada's most congested metropolitan area, so keep in mind travel times when making tee times.

Lionhead (10/98) (In Brampton, about 40 miles west of Toronto)

This is an upscale course complex with two courses. Carts only at all times, but some break playing both courses in one day as we did. This facility bills itself as Canada's finest public golf, which it may be. Excellent clubhouse, rentals, and pro-shop. The courses were both in excellent condition, even in late October. The Master's course is somewhat easier, Links style, with extensive mounding and not many trees on myst holes. The Master's has few forced carries, but does have water on about 8 holes. The Legend's course is a monster, many forced carries over a river that plays much wider than it looks. Also many holes with trees or water fringing both sides and requiring precision.

Western Canada

The resort areas of the Canadian Rockies and Okanagan Valleyof British Columbia have many good courses.  Conditions will vary with season and altitude (the canadian rockies courses have short seasons and lots of wildlife that can be tough on courses, but spectacular scenery.  The courses in the lower Okanagan region have longer seasons and less challenging growing conditions.

Silvertip (7/2009) Canmore Alberta

This is a resort course just east of Banff and enjoys spectacular mountain scenery framing just about every shot on every hole.  The course has abundant wildlife and a variety of tee options that make it playable by anyone.  It's definitely carts only (some very long distance between holes and LOTS of elevation changes).  Best advice here is not to try to overpower the course but play strategic layups off most tees to keep the ball in play.  Anything off the fairway is likely to be lost and certain to be dead.  The course is pricy, but as a one time experience it's memorable.

The Rise  (7/2009) Vernon, BC

This is a a housing development course just west of Vernon at the edge of Canada's wine country.  It's a Fred Couples design, opened in 2008 (no clubhouse yet in 2009), and definitely carts only (LOTS of elevation changes).  Nevertheless the course was a good bargain for spectacular views and interesting holes, with very good course conditions for a 1 year old course.  The only real complaints here are that there are lots of blind shots, and Freddy clearly believes mere mortals actually get more distance off the tee than golfers in the past, since while overall hole lengths are moderate, many holes have long carries to the fairway off the tees, especially on the front 9.  Best advice is move up a set of tees if possible unless you are a long driver for your handicap.

The Bear (7/2009) Kelowna, BC

This is a a resort course in an older resort including hotel and real estate development outside of Kelowna (actually north of Kelowna across from the airport.  There are two courses here, the Bear, by Nicklaus, and the Quail by a renowned Canadian architected.  The Bear is said to be easier, but it's plenty tough.  It's walkable, but just, with lots of severely elevated tees that make for tough climbs between holes and a couple of long green-tee walks.  The front 9 plays through pine forest and accuracy is essential.  (Remember of course that Nicklaus played a fade and designs holes to accomodate that shot shape).  The back is mostly more open with some water holes.  The facility has a full range, putting greens, and extensive pro shop and restaurant.  The complaints here are that they don't seem to get out all that early to maintain the course (hence you can face footprints from the previous day in the bunkers at 11AM and greens that are stomped up at any time.  (The greens are alas, Poa, very fast and somewhat unpredictable).  The last 3 holes are a tough finish for a resort, two 420 yard 4's and a monster par 5 all with tough green areas.  Not what resort guests want to finish with.

Canoe Creek (7/2009) Salmon Arm, BC

This is a new course that for the moment has neither a resort nor a real estate development.  It's a walkable course with a bit of a scottish links feel (deep pot bunkers with sod faces around the greens, long grass in the far rough, and most holes suitable for a bump and run game).  The course was in great shape, and not crowded (played alone and unhurried starting at 8AM on Sunday).  The tees are a bit awkward (nothing between 4600 and 5600 and nothing between 5600 and 6600), but because of the ability to run the ball a bit things don't play as long as you would think.  The first 4 on the back 9 are very different in style (tough holes you have to position the ball well on).  The staff is freindly (free yardage guide and lots of advice).  It's not an easy walk given the elevation, but there isn't much artificial, and a good bargain

Pheasant Run (10/98) (In Newmarket, about 40 miles North of Toronto)

This is a semi-private club with 3 nines. The nines vary somewhat in character, but all run through woods with lots of elevation. I played the Uplands and Highlands. All are easily walkable, though you will get exercise climbing the hills. This course was a relative bargain. Some holes are very tight, with deep woods on both sides.

Alaska

Yes, you really can play golf in Alaska, and at the right time of year you can play 24 hours a day. There are not many courses, but there are courses in the Anchorage area, in the Palmer-Wasialia area, and in Fairbanks, along with at least a couple on the Kenai peninsula and a 10 hole pitch and putt near Denali park.

Kenai muni course (1997,2002) Kenai

This is a real bargain for a very challenging course. Fairway grass isn't perfect in this climate, and you can be playing "winter rules" in July, but the greens are reasonable, if slow, and hole layout is excellent. Be warned that the rough is likely to be very rough (bog, uncleared forest land, tundra, foot high grass, etc.)  In July of 2002 the fairways in this course were in bad shape, but again this is Alaska, and the greens were just fine.  The course plays quite long for shorter hitters with lots of long par 4's.

North Star Golf Club (2002) (Fairbanks)

This course claims to be the northern most USGA rated course.  It's one of two in Fairbanks that advertise to visitors.  Greens are slow and rough (think astroturf with gravel filling in the spaces), but playable.  Fairways have lots of undulations and uneven grass.  It's clear that this far north they have a serious problem with Permafrost.  On one hole (8?) the green is all humps and gullies and has a sign indicating that it was built flat  a few years ago but the permafrost has shifted.  Never mind though, this is an experience, and a pretty good deal.  They have a package for visitors including rental clubs, cart if you want it (the course isn't hard to walk),  greens fees, and souvenir towel (a nice one) and ball for $49.  The holes are mainly bordered by long grass or in some cases wet tundra (don't go there).  It was a good experience for us, once you got used to how hard you had to hit a putt.

Australia

Austrailia has many fine golf courses and an avid population of Golfers.  American visitors are welcome on most courses, but check ahead.  Club rentals are available most places, especially in resort areas.  Carts are common in resort areas, not necessarily elsewhere.  For the most part, you play just the same way you do elsewhere, but there are some things to note.  Australian courses are measured in Meters, not Yards, so that 150 marker is really about 165 in yards.  Many courses have freqneunt competitions, and visitors can sign up, though you may have some trouble establishing your handicap.  While playing, we encountered some terms we hadn't heard before, probably the most significant was "Ambrose" competition.  This is what American's call a Scramble, with everyone in the group hitting from the same spot and then picking the best shot for the next one.
We found in general that early morning tee times were more available than we expected and suspect Australians and maybe especially resort guests aren't as likely to be dew sweepers as Americans.

The Vintage (2003) Hunter Valley

This is a new course in the Hunter Valley area (Pokolbin).  We had a great time, in spite of high winds that made scoring difficult.  Pace of play was relatively slow, probably also because of the wind and a competition on the course in front of us.  The most notable feature of the course is the deep bunkers which appear everywhere, and long grass, which might remind you of scottish courses.  There is also water everywhere off the course, so expect to lose a few balls..  Rental clubs were available (excellent quality).  Housing is being developed with the course, but it doesn't seem to be intruding on the course.

Royal Pines Resort (2003) Gold Coast

This is a golf resort in the Gold Coast area south of Brisbane.  It's a hotel with 2 courses, one of which hosts the Australian Ladies Masters.  The east course is the most famous, hosting the tournament, but we liked the West course a bit better because it has a bit more elevation.  Both courses have wide fairways and a fair amount of water if you get too far off line.  Pace of play was good on both courses.  Rental clubs are available (brand X, but servicable.)  The resort is in the Gold Coast area but away from the coast.  A good place to stay if you don't like the crowds and noise of the beach district.  It also clearly caters to Japanese visitors.  Expect to see lots of water birds on this course.  Greens and fairways from here and just about everywhere in Queensland are Bermuda grass so expect surprising breaks.

Twin Waters (2003) Sunshine Coast

This course is part of a development in the Sunshine coast area north of Brisbane.  It's loosely attached to a Novotel resort but open to all.  This had a more casual feel than the other resort courses we played, with lots of local play.  The course was challenging, but forgiving if you planned your shots carefully and not one where you lose lots of golf balls.  Many holes though are separated by wet forest areas so you will lose them if you miss badly enough.  There are many birds on the course and if you play early you will probably see Kangaroos grazing on some holes. Many holes here require strategic decisions, laying up to the best spot on the fairway or planning multiple shots to reach a hole without risking bunkers and ponds.

Brampton Island Resort (2003)

By normal standards this would certainly make the list of  the worlds worst golf courses, a 6 hole pitch and putt with matts for tees and weeds for greens and fairways, but it's still a blast to play.  The course is part of the Brampton Island resort, which occupies an island in the Whitsunday region that is mostly national park wildnerness area.  Most of the holes are about 70 meters with one l50 meter hole and several the require shooting over or around trees.  The fairways and greens are covered by some kind of tropical weed that passes for grass, making putting an adventure, as does the ubiquitous kangaroo poop.  The resort supplies a 6 club set free to guests to play any time, and even organizes night golf from time to time.  (really fun because at night the course has about 100 kangaroos grazing on it).  Don't see it as a golf course, but as a way to get some excercise and an opportunity for some fun matches under unusual conditions.

France

Few people would think of France when thinking about golf, but actually France has many courses and the French are very enthusiastic players.  We took the opportunity to play a round while attending a conference.

Golf du Medoc (2007)

Golf du Medoc is a 36 hole mini-resort in the French wine country outside of Bordeaux.  The courses aren't in the Vineyards, but very near the Medoc area growers and the courses are very convenient to Bordeaux.  The two 18's are similar, links style courses with firm turf and little water surrounded mainly by scrub vegetation (mostly thorny and/or toxic, don't even think about collecting a ball hit into the Gorse).  The greens were moderate (not real fast) and very undulating.  Time spent on the putting greens before the round won't be wasted.  Many holes dogleg and there are enough trees to make it desirable to be able to work the ball on some holes, but the fairways are generous and just playing down the middle won't hurt you.  Both courses are very walkable and most players do walk, though electric carts are available if you must ride.  Pace of play was good (4 hours on a busy Sunday).  Some curiosities for players from the US:  Distances are marked, when they are marked at all, in Meters, with a giant Wine bottle marking 135 meters (about 150 yards) on most holes.  There are no bathrooms or snack bar on the course and the only water is a couple of faucets labeled "Eau Potable" (drinkable water), but there are no cups to drink it with.  Make use of the clubhouse when you are close to it.  Four sets of tees are available.  You can rent clubs (but be sure to warn them, I don't think they have many sets), and we had excellent rentals with good quality stand bags.

Golf de Pessac (2008)

Golf de Pessac is a public complex with 36 holes near the Bordeaux airport.  They have a nice restaurant (but don't expect anything cheap or speedy there) and practice facilities.  The holes are a reasonably good variety and on mostly flat terrain with some creeks and ponds.  There are buildings or houses along some holes at the sides, but that's rare.  The course seemed adequately maintained (as well as expected in late October).  We rented "demo" clubs, each a reasonable set of clubs in a decent stand bag.  Again, almost everyone walks here, many with pull carts, though there were a few riding carts on this course.  Distances are marked by poles at 135 meters (about 150 yards) and markers in the fairway and 50, 100, and 150 meters.  There was no snack bar, restrooms, or water on this course, so use the clubhouse.  They had 4 sets of tees.  Pace of play was reasonable.

Golf de Camyrac(2008)

Golf de Camyrac is a semi-private club which seems to be played mostly by the membership.  They have an 18 hole championship course and a 9 hole "executive" course.  (People tell us that you need to pass a proficiency test to play a normal 18 holer in France, though they don't apply that requirement to tourists.  We had a strange experience here, playing behind a "competition".  The competition was groups of four players with two pairs each playing scramble rules.  Most of the pairs seemed to be husband/wife.  Everyone was walking with pullcarts, and from what we could see most were decent golfers, but the pace of play was dreadful -- over 5 hours.  The only compensation was the group ahead  of us, the last in the competition, took pity on us and allowed us to share the refreshments (wine, cheese, bread, fruit) provided to the competitors on about the 15th hole.  The course itself is very tight, with a lot of holes that have houses to one side or the other.  I never felt in serious danger of hitting a house, but it was tight hitting the fairway on many holes.  One hole has an island green, and there are other water hazards.   4 sets of tees were available, two mens and two women's.  The rentals here were not so good, but cheap.  You got a half set (3W, every other iron and a putter) and a carry bag.  I think carts were available here but we saw nobody riding on this course.  They too have a restaurant and bar, but on the day we played the competition had it locked up.

Warren Montgomery