A World of Golf: One Month At A Time

Brandon Tucker, TravelGolf.com senior writer, has seen a few of the finest resorts and courses in his time and would be an ideal travel guide for this monthly golfing experience. Take it away, Brandon.

By Brandon Tucker, Senior Writer

if you haven't started planning your 2010 golf vacations, it's time to quit slackin'. To help, I've compiled my own dream golf travel calendar: One world-class golf destination each month, from coast to coast and beyond the U.S. borders.

January Golf Destination: HAWAII

Right about now, you're sick of the snow, the clouds and the early darkness. That's exactly why the United States acquired Hawaii - or so we can assume. Each Island of Aloha presents a unique, though usually perfect, environment, from the volcanic, black sands of the Big Island to Kauai's lush mountains. So it's best to island hop between at least two during your trip.

Favorite Hawaii golf courses:

Poipu Bay
Prince Course at Princeville
Puakea.

February Golf Destination: SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ.

Scottsdale's spring golf season offers something as close to perfection as you'll find in the game of golf: Dry, temperate weather, lush, green conditions, top-notch service at outstanding resorts with spa and dining amenities. Visit for a long weekend, and chances are, you'll retire here.

Favorite Scottsdale golf courses:

We-Ko-Pa (Saguaro)
Troon North (Pinnacle)
Grayhawk (Raptor)
Boulders (North)

March Golf Destination: LAS VEGAS, NEZ.

The weather is nice, usually with temperatures in the high 60s or low 70s, but the real draw to Las Vegas in March comes away from the golf course. The NCAA's March Madness, which starts this year on March 18, provides a load of sportsbook hoops action to go with the golf, not to mention all the other mainstay attractions of a Las Vegas golf trip.

Favorite Las Vegas golf courses:

Rio Secco,
Revere at Anthem (Lexington)
Bali Hai Golf Club.

April Golf Destination: SOUTH CAROLINA: (Myrtle Beach, Charleston, Hilton Head)

Bandon Dunes golf course - hole 6A lot of northerners head to the South Carolina coast as early as February or March, but the course conditions blend perfectly with the weather in April. The days are longer. Frost delays are an afterthought, and you beat the summer beach crowds, which helps lower accommodation costs.

Favorite South Carolina golf courses:

Kiawah Island (Osprey Point)
Dunes Golf & Beach Club
Caledonia Golf & Fish Club
Palmetto Dunes (Jones)

May Golf Destination: SCOTLAND

The biggest crowds to Scotland's links arrive from June through August, so if you want a better chance to score top tee times and accommodations, go in May. The weather is as spotty as ever, but the days are long, and the golf courses are in good shape.

Favorite Scotland golf courses:

St. Andrews (Old) North Berwick
Royal Dornoch
Turnberry (Ailsa)

June Golf Destination: CANADIAN ROCKIES

Summertime golf in Canada is special. And Alberta's Canadian Rockies, home to remote, mountain scenery and more roaming wildlife than you can wave an 8-iron at, provides some of the best golf. Don't spend a minute indoors here, unless a grizzly appears at your cabin's window.

Favorite Canadian Rockies golf courses:
Jasper Park Lodge
Banff Springs,
Silvertip
Stewart Creek

July Golf Destination: MICHIGAN

Days in scenic northern Michigan are long. The golf is everywhere, and it's never expensive in comparison to other top spots. In July, 36-hole days are the norm - even 54 are possible - so get your golf muscles primed.

Favorite Michigan golf courses:

Dunmaglas
Cedar River at Shanty Creek
Tullymore
Bay Harbor

August Golf Destination: OREGON (Bandon, Bend, Portland)

Bandon Dunes Resort is the real draw. But if you visit this corner of the country, stay and see all of Oregon during this beautiful time of year. Take in the mountains of the Cascades, the high desert of Bend and the outstanding microbrews in exciting Portland.

Favorite Oregon golf courses:
Pacific Dunes
Pronghorn (Nicklaus)
Great Blue at Heron Lakes

September Golf Destination: IRELAND

It's a tough call, deciding between the Scotland and Ireland links. Come back to the isles in September, the last month of peak summer season, for a taste of Eire. Here, the Guinness is fresh, the dunes are towering, and the hospitality is first class.

Favorite Ireland golf links:

Royal County Down
Lahinch
Royal Portrush

October golf destination: COSTA DELSOL, SPAIN

The yachts and jet-setters have pulled out of Puerto Banus by October, and the coast transforms again into the Costa De Golf. With a golf course for every taste and budget, plus wonderful sights and delicious wine and tapas, you'll go to bed every night stuffed, drunk, and eager to tee it up in the morning. Or more accurately, in the afternoon.

Favorite Spain golf courses:

Valderrama
San Roque (Old)
Finca Cortesin Golf Club
Arcos Gardens Golf Club & Country Estate

November Golf Destination: TEXAS HILL COUNTRY Hill (San Antonio and Austin)

San Antonio and Austin, separated by just a one-hour drive, can both make a case as the best golf destination in Texas. It makes perfect sense, though, to combine the cities into one trip. Head to family-friendly San Antonio for the Riverwalk, the Alamo and the new TPC San Antonio and JW Marriott Resort. Check out the capital city for its "Keep Austin Weird" downtown sights and sounds. Besides, you're here during football season, so consider skipping a Saturday tee time for a tailgate.

Favorite Texas golf courses:

Horseshoe Bay (Apple Rock)
La Cantera Resort (Palmer)
Barton Creek (Cliffside)

December Golf Destination: THAILAND

A trip to Thailand, the jewel of Asia's golf scene, consists of daily massages, caddies, dynamite cuisine and plenty of off-course activity that assures a relaxing, yet never dull, vacation. Sure, the plane ticket might get into four figures, but you'll be treated like royalty for a mere pittance. Additionally, December offers some of Thailand's best weather, though you can almost always wear shorts, even at night.

Favorite Thailand golf courses:

Banyan Golf Club,
Siam Country Club,
Thai Country Club

Opinions expressed above are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of BC Golf News. The information in this story produced by TravelGolf.com was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the golf course or resort before making reservations and/or travel plans.