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Westin La Paloma
Tucson, Arizona
If mountains, cacti and 27 holes of Jack Nicklaus target golf sounds good, check out the Guys' Power Golf Weekend Package, which includes a welcome amenity of beer and chips for two, $50 off a round of golf (one per room) and a 4 p.m. late checkout, based on availability. Rates start at $319 per night, prepaid, based on double occupancy.
520-742-6000, westinlapalomaresort.com
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Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
Orlando, Florida
The home to the Del Webb Father/Son Challenge offers family and friends their own brand of fun via the Unlimited Golf Experience, which features room, breakfast at Trevi's, transportation to Disney attractions and unlimited golf on two Greg Norman designs and the lighted par-3 course. April rates start at $602.10, based on double occupancy.
407-390-6664, omnihotels.com
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Amelia Island Plantation
Amelia Island, Florida
Swing into spring with Amelia's Unlimited Golf Package. Included are lodging, unlimited golf on three courses and a bag tag and ball-mark tool. Rates start at $371 per person, per night, based on double occupancy and a two-night minimum stay.
888-261-6161, aipfl.com
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Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate
Orlando, Florida
The Unlimited Golf Stay & Play Package features room, breakfast at Trevi's, transportation to Disney attractions and unlimited golf on two Greg Norman designs as well as the lighted par-3 course.
Rates start at $386.86 based on double occupancy.
407-390-6664, omnihotels.com
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Amelia Island Plantation
Amelia Island, Florida
Amelia's Guilt-Free Golf Package features lodging, one round per day on Oak Marsh, Ocean Links or Amelia River, 25 percent off recreation, including green fees, a golf amenity upon arrival, pizza and beer on the second night, a complimentary drink at Falcon's Nest and a Guilt Gift to take home to that special someone for letting you take the trip.
Rates start at $247.50 per person, per night, based on two adults per bedroom and a two-night minimum stay.
888-261-6161, aipfl.com
If you want to ask Travelin' Joe a question, e-mail him at askjoe@golf.com.
Dear Joe,
I’m going to Las Vegas in January and wanted to get a round in. I live in Tennessee but really like desert courses. Wolf Creek in Mesquite seems like a good alternative, but it seems like a hike from Vegas. I know you’ve been asked a million times, but let me know your thoughts.
Brock Sturdivant
Tennessee
You’re right — I get asked this a lot — and for golf in the raw desert, I’ve been recommending Badlands ($70-$150; 702-363-0754, badlandsgc.com), a 27-hole Johnny Miller target course that merges the spectacular with the unplayable and Rio Secco ($115-$225; 702-889-2400, riosecco.net), a Rees Jones design with holes that plunge through scrub-filled canyons. Also, watch for glimpses of Natalie Gulbis on the lesson tee with Butch Harmon.
Two other worthy choices are any of the three Pete Dye courses at Las Vegas Paiute Resort ($79-$159; lvpaiutegolf.com, 800-711-2833) and The Chase at PGA Golf Club Coyote Springs ($140; coyotesprings.com, 877-PGA-VILL). Both require 45- to 55-minute drives from the Strip through barren desert. I like the Wolf course at Paiute, though I don’t know that it’s $30 better than its siblings. The good news is that each is under $100 after 12 noon. The Chase is a superb new Jack Nicklaus track that earned a No. 4 ranking in our 2008 Top 10 New Courses You Can Play. It’s worth the drive.
Hi Joe,
I’m looking for a couple of easy courses in the Orlando, Florida area. I don’t want to pay good money and have a bad score. My handicap is 18.
Steve Smith
Via email
Since most of us equate “easy” with “boring,” what I’m guessing you’re looking for are some fun, interesting layouts that won’t beat the stuffing out of you.
Two that I have in mind are MetroWest Golf Club ($80-$129; metrowestgolf.com, 407-299-1099) and Hawk’s Landing Golf Club ($169; golfhawkslanding.com, 800-567-2623). From the tips, MetroWest actually is far from easy, but this 1987 Robert Trent Jones Sr. creation is traditional golf, with no gimmicks. There are elevated greens and bunkers galore, yet plenty of fairway room and only a handful of lakes make it playable for all. The 6,104-yard middle tees (the tips go 7,051 yards) check in at a comfortable 68.8 rating and 123 slope.
Hawk’s Landing is a Bob Cupp redesign of a mid-‘80s Joe Lee course that stretches only 6,600 yards, with a slope of 131, and features shorter tees of 6,165/5,601/4,746 yards. It’s pricey, but couldn’t be more centrally located, right at the Orlando World Center Marriott Resort.
Dear Joe,
I’ll be in Lisbon, Portugal and I’m looking for courses to play. I have two days set aside for golf. Would you have any suggestions and contact numbers?
Dave Oravets
Via email
Absolutely worth the splurge is Oitavos Dunes (60-150 Euros--$75-$195; quintadamarinha-oitavosgolfe.pt, 011-351-214860600), 20 minutes from Lisbon in Cascais, on the Estoril Coast. With holes edged by umbrella pines and scrub-covered dunes, this Arthur Hills-designed seaside layout is annual host to the European Tour’s Portuguese Open.
A shorter, hillier, more traditional parkland test is Golf do Estoril (65-71 Euros--$85-$95; palacioestorilhotel.com, 011-351-289300680), one of Portugal’s oldest courses, a semi-private club that’s affiliated with the Palacio Estoril Hotel.
If you want to ask Travelin' Joe a question, e-mail him at askjoe@golf.com.
Hi Joe,
I'm heading to Las Vegas in November and I'd like to know what you recommend for a true "desert golf" experience. I want to play a type of course I can't get here in Georgia. I'm even willing to drive up to Mesquite while I'm there.
Paul Allmon
Atlanta, Ga.
Hey, this is Vegas-you can get anything your heart (or wallet) desires here. If you're willing to splurge, you'll be captivated by the back nine at Butch Harmon's haunt, Rio Secco ($115-$225; 702-889-2400, riosecco.net), where the holes dip into and out of scrub-filled canyons. A worthy alternative is the Badlands ($70-$150); 702-363-0754, badlandsgc.com), a 27-hole Johnny Miller desert target design that has plenty of quirky touches and a nice "wow" factor.
Hey Joe,
I'm headed to Phoenix with my wife in December and want to play somewhere scenic, but one that won't beat us up, if you know what I mean.
George Kent
Richmond, Va.
Say "Hi" if you see me strolling the fairways of my hometown! Try any of the three nines at The Phoenician ($115-$175; 480-423-2449, thephoenician.com) The Oasis loop offers a touch of Florida thanks to the landscaping and lakes, while the Desert and Canyon nines embrace cactus and mountain themes. All three nines are pretty short but eye-catching.
Hi Joe,
I'm a Spanish pro and going to Orlando next winter. Which are, in your opinion, the top 10 golf courses to play in Orlando?
Mario Fernandez Cobo
Spain
Travelin' Joe hasn't played them all, but taking in the feedback I've received, plus my own subjective whims, here's your Orlando area Top 10.
1. Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club, Orlando (private-resort)
2. Sugarloaf Mountain Golf & Town Club, Clermont (private-resort)
3. Southern Dunes, Haines City (public)
4. Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, Orlando (private)
5. Isleworth Country Club, Windermere (private)
6. Ginn Reunion Resort (Independence), Orlando (private-resort)
7. Grand Cypress Golf Club (New), Orlando (public-resort)
8. Walt Disney World (Osprey Ridge), Lake Buena Vista (public-resort)
9. Orange County National (Panther Lake), Winter Garden (public-resort)
10. Orange County National (Crooked Cat), Winter Garden (public-resort)
Many private courses are receptive to allowing play from visiting professionals, on a space-available basis, so call or write ahead of time. If that doesn't work, mention Sergio's name.
