Sandestin Beach & Golf Resort
Photo Courtesy Sandestin Beach & Golf Resort

I can remember a time when Sandestin was little more than a strip of dusty, oceanside road just to the south of Destin with a single frame-built motel. Today, Sandestin is all things to all people: the beaches are beautiful, almost beyond description; the shopping is varied and extensive; the golf... well, the golf is superb, especially at the Sandestin Beach & Golf Resort.

You can learn more about the resort, accommodations, golf etc., by checking out my complete review of the Sandestin Beach & Golf Resort, and please feel free to leave comments of suggestions.

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6th Bobcat Trail Golf Course Florida
Photo Courtesy Bobcat Trail

Have you made plans for your winter golf outing yet? No? Well maybe you should: the southeast, southwest, Mexico and the Caribbean all await and there are some great Golf Travel deals to be taken advantage of. So, with that in mind, I've been revisiting some of my favorite golf courses where the weather is still balmy, the grass is still green, and the golf is a joy to play.

You can learn more by visiting my photo gallery of Favorite Golf Courses, please feel free to leave comments of suggestions.

And don't for get those Golf Travel Special Packages, they can and will save you some serious travel cash, and that always a good thing, right?

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Ti-Ming & Tem-Po - The Gods of Golf
Photo Courtesy of Puttential Unlimited

It's that time again, folks. The Holidays are just around the corner; I've done all my traveling for the year, well... almost, and am settling in for the cold weather ahead... nah: Mexico, The Islands and the Southwest await. But I digress, it's also time to be thinking about gifts for friends and loved ones, especially those that play golf. And most of my friends ARE involved in golf in one form or another so it makes sense to give them golf-related gifts. As for loved ones: well, they've all had enough of my golf stories for one year, so I'll need to do something different for them. For you golfers, I have a whole list of goodies for you to browse through, three lists, actually.

You can find all sorts of holiday gifts, golf related of course, by checking out my lists of of:

• A Wish List for the Holidays

• Top 10 Golf Gifts for Men
• Top 10 Golf Gifts for Women

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The 6th at Bobcat Trail Golf Club

Florida is, without doubt, one of the most popular golf destinations in North America, and no Florida destination is more popular than Fort Myers and the surrounding area. The weather is almost always good, the sun almost always shines, and the golf is ALWAYS as good as it gets. My listings of Fort Myers golf courses and resorts continue to grow. New venues are being added each week. These include course descriptions, green fees, and places to stay. Those I've listed so far, and I added two more just this week - Old Corkscrew Golf Club is Estero and River Hall Country Club in Alva - include the world famous and the not-so-well-known; all are, in my opinion, well worth your consideration when planning your trip to southwest Florida. This is a destination your whole family will enjoy. Please check out my listings of Golf Courses in Fort Myers

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The Kingston Plantation. SC
Photo Courtesy of the Kingston Plantation. SC

Ok, so right about now, maybe it's time to head for Myrtle Beach and a few lazy, end-of season days at one of golf' most popular resorts, the famed Kingston Plantation. The weather is still quite mild, and now that we are on daylight saving time, we can still hit the first tee fairly early in the morning. You and your group can share a two-bedroom unit right in the heart of Myrtle Beach at the Kingston Plantation and enjoy a terrific golf vacation value.

For all the details, rates and booking info, please read my full review of the Classic Golf Special at the Kingston Plantation. SC, and please feel free to leave comments of suggestions.

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Westin Mission Hills Resort
Courtesy of Westin Mission Hills Resort

With more than 300 sunny days a year, the weather is near perfect for golf six months of the year. From November to March, highs in the mid-70s are the norm. Even April and May, when the desert begins to warm, are more than bearable. Palm Springs provides golfers with the perfect opportunity to play 36 holes a day. The summer season brings triple digit heat, but it also means you have a rare opportunity to sample some of the region's upscale resorts and courses for about half the peak season rate.

• You can book their Fairways to the Spa special which includes two rounds of golf and a 60-minute spa treatment
• Or you can play unlimited golf on the Pete Dye and Gary Player courses,

For complete information, rates and booking, please check out my review of the Westin Mission Hills Golf Special, please feel free to leave comments of suggestions.

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9th at the Palmer Course, La Cantera
Copyright © Blair Howard 2009

If you've not yet discovered San Antonio, it's about time you did. San Antonio offers all the necessary ingredients for a great golf destination, and The Westin La Cantera is the place to begin. Home of the Valero Texas Open, The Westin La Cantera has two amazing golf courses, the Palmer and the Resort.

Special Includes:

• 3 nights' accommodations at The Westin La Cantera.
• 2 rounds of golf with cart on the Palmer Course and the Resort Course.
• All applicable taxes.

For complete information, rates and booking, please check out my review of the Texas Two Step Golf Special, please feel free to leave comments of suggestions.

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The Raven at Dawn
Photo Courtesy The Raven Golf Club

As Florida golf courses go, they don't come much better than The Raven at Sandestin. Voted "Best New Course in Florida in 2000" by Florida Golf News, the Raven Golf Club offers a truly dramatic and enjoyable experience, no matter what you level of play might be. It's "a natural wonder that presents drama and strategy on every tee." And that's so true. If you're in the Destin area, this is a course you really aught to try; you won't be disappointed. I love this course, especially in the early morning sunshine.

You can learn more about the Raven by checking out my complete review of the Raven Golf Club, and please feel free to leave comments of suggestions.

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The 2nd at River Course
Rio Mar, Puerto Rico
Copyright © 2008 Blair Howard

With two championship golf courses, Rio Mar stands out among its peers on Puerto Rico. The Ocean Course is a classic Tom & George Fazio creation: wide landing areas, strategically-placed bunkers, elevated greens and four sets of tees, while the River Course is typical Greg Norman. If you're looking for a challenge along with spectacular scenery, on your golf vacation, Rio Mar might be just the place for you.

Learn all about Rio Mar by reading my complete review and photo gallery .

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The Pool at Sanctuary Cap Cana
Copyright © 2009 Blair Howard

Sanctuary Cap Cana is the Dominican Republic's newest luxury resort. Having first opened its doors in January of 2008, it now seems poised to become the Republic's premier destination. With the first of three Jack Nicklaus signature courses already open for play, and having already hosted the PGA Champions Tour in April 2008, Cap Cana is also destined to become a major golf destination - the highly acclaimed Punta Espada Golf Course opened for play in April 2007 and is already ranked among the top 100 courses outside the U.S. by Golf Digest. Please read my review and visit the photo galleries of the golf courses and resort: Sanctuary Cap Cana

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