With eight pristine courses and a tradition that stretches back to 1895, Pinehurst has become known as the unofficial home of golf in America. Tee off among gently rolling sand hills, on holes framed by tall longleaf pines. The dramatic No. 2 course is Donald Ross’s masterpiece–plan on playing it at least twice.

2. Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Along with miles of private beach and forested paths, this 3,000-plus-acre coastal retreat has five spectacular courses. The main attraction, though, is the Pete Dye-designed Ocean course. To fully appreciate the scenery, ditch the cart–and play it on foot.

3. Pebble Beach Resorts

The Monterey Peninsula’s power trio of courses forms truly hallowed ground. Spyglass Hill’s course winds through a pine forest; Spanish Bay’s undulating fairways are parted by man-made dunes; and Pebble Beach’s breathtaking cliff-top holes culminate in one of the game’s greatest finishes.

4. Kapalua Resort

Overlooking the Pacific, this former Maui pineapple plantation encompasses both a classic Ritz-Carlton hotel and the world-class Plantation course (site of the PGA Tour’s Mercedes Championships). Be sure to crush a drive at the tumbling 18th hole.

5. Princeville Resort

On the north shore of Kauai, two Robert Trent Jones, Jr.-designed courses comprise this sprawling resort. The Prince course, one of the toughest in Hawaii, pitches and careens some 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

6. Bandon Dunes Golf Resort

This resort’s three courses snake along Oregon’s blustery southern coast; the oldest, Bandon Dunes, is still a don’t-miss. Scottish designer David McLay Kidd carved his links along cliffsides and rolling grassy hills–and the result feels equal parts Scotland and Pacific Northwest.

On this beautiful course, be prepared to see deer and other wildlife as you play in the early mornings. Also be sure to check the sand traps for alligators, our party saw two, who enjoy sunning themselves on the course. The 18th hole is rated the fourth-toughest hole on the PGA Tour. This course is rated one of “America’s Top 75 Resort Courses”.

Enhance your on-course experience with the latest GPS Technology. This state-of-the-art service offers realistic images of course fairways, greens and hazards that add a new dimension to the golf experience. Other GPS Technology features include detailed 3D views of each hole, precise yardage to different fairway and green locations, professional tips that aid course strategy, and the ability to monitor pace of play and communicate to course management.

We found the course to be in great shape! The greens were cut thin and the fairways were very well manicured. One suggestion, do not go after your golf ball if it goes into the “woods.” They’re not kidding when they say there is wildlife and some of it not so friendly. We enjoyed the water hazards as well as the fluffy white sand traps. I must say that I wanted to see a little more “Disney” in the course. The Mickey heads for the tees were nice, but I just wanted a little more fun. As a Disney World Guest, we were able to reserve a tee time 60 days in advance - great for us A-personality types. Day Guests can reserve tee times 30 days in advance. They also offer free taxi vouchers for all Walt Disney World Resort Guests.

Carefreetrip.com gives Walt Disney World’s Palm Course out of 5 suitcases.

Named for Prince Albert, son of Hawaii’s King Kamehameha IV and Queen Emma, Golf at the Prince Golf Course is truly a royal experience. This 18-hole, par-72 Golf Course climbs slopes and careens down hills as a demanding layout that calls for your best-planned shots. Five different tees at each hole allow you to customize the game to meet your own skill level. The Prince Golf Course enjoys magnificent views from 300 feet above the Pacific Ocean.

I found this course an amazing blend of target golf with the feel of a links course. The greens are hard and very difficult to read, at least for me. It was hard to zero in on the distance with the rolling slopes. The cost was a bit hard to swallow, especially if you don’t stay at their resort. I was hoping the fairways would have been a little bit better maintained.

The staff was very helpful and even offered tips like the ball always breaks towards Bali Hai and expect it to rain at least twice - this is true! It was amazing to see the multiple water falls form when it only rained for 10 minutes - spectacular.

Princeville also features the Makai Golf Course, making up a total of 45-Holes designed by Robert Trent Jones, Jr. to enhance the natural habitat of Kauai’s North Shore while providing strategic variety for Golfer’s of all skill levels. Make time to treat yourself to one of “America’s Top 100 Golf Courses,” a masterpiece of design in a majestic setting in the middle of paradise - you won’t regret it!

Carefreetrip.com gives the Princeville Prince Golf Course our of 5 suitcases.

The 18-hole Beach Course at the Waikoloa Beach Resort Golf Course facility in Waikoloa, Hawaii features 6,566 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 70. The course rating is 71.5 and it has a slope rating of 133. The signature hole is the 502-yard, par-5 12th — known throughout the islands as the most spectacular oceanfront par-five in Hawaii. If you are lucky, the sight of humpback whales playing the Pacific can help you ease the pain of this brute. acilities include a golf Shop, restaurant, and driving range.

If you like the challenge of playing over and near water, you will love this course. Water comes into play on 5 of the front nine holes, playing over water on four of them. The reward on the back nine is the spectacular ocean view on the 12th hole assuming you have successfully traversed the lava fields. If you hit a ball into the lava fields, you will enjoy a pin-ball like game with your lost ball.

Carefreetrip.com gives the Waikoloa Beach Course out of 5 suitcases.

“Coeur d’Alene is what every resort should be. It’s not just upscale, it’s posh. You aren’t just pampered here, you’re spoiled. It’s not just an escape, it’s an experience…” writes Golf Digest.The Coeur d’Alene Resort has been christened “America’s Greatest Golf Experience” based on amenities both seen and unseen, that golfers enjoy at this Northwest Gem.

Designer Scott Miller’s vision was to create a golf course that offered a stimulating round of golf, surrounded by a park-like environment. The result is fairways that play from tee to green on lush carpets of Bent Grass, accented with beds of brilliant red Geraniums, acres of fragrant Junipers and the mountain water challenges of Lake Coeur d’Alene and Fernan Creek. The 6,803 yard, par 71 course is designed around four distinct geographic features: an expansive lakeshore, a forested ridge, gently rolling woodlands and Fernan Creek, a revitalized trout stream. Chip Beck, PGA Tour Player and winner of the 1992 Merrill Lynch Shootout at the Coeur d’Alene Resort, called the Idaho course one of the finest he has ever seen, lauding it as a course playable for families, yet challenging enough to test the pros.

Each hole offers five tees providing each player ability level with a challenging, yet playable golf course. You are transported from The Resort to the golf course via handcrafted mahogany lake shuttles, dubbed The Eagle & The Double Eagle. Once at the golf course, you are greeted at the dock by your group’s personal forecaddie for the day. Each group of players is then accompanied to the pro Shop where you will find your clubs cleaned and preloaded on state-of-the-art custom golf carts, complete with all the amenities. Then it’s off to the scenic over-water practice facility to warm-up the golf game and your body with a complimentary sports massage. As you play the golf course, you will soon be enveloped in finely manicured green grass, vibrant red geraniums, and the fresh aroma of North Idaho Pine Trees. The font nine takes you through scenic elevated par 3’s set on a woodland hillside with panoramic vista views of Lake Coeur d’Alene and finishes with a long, yet open 601 yard par 5.

Play continues through the 9-hole turn where your lunch order is taken by your caddy and faxed in to the Floating Green Restaurant. Lunch is delivered in a hand-woven picnic basket as play continues. The next four holes are some of the most breathtaking you will ever play, as the anticipation builds towards the world renowned 14th hole, the worlds only par 3 floating movable island green. Don’t be intimidated by the 15,000 sq. ft. putting surface as it beckons your challenge, quietly floating 150 yards off the lakeshore. Confidence is your key to success. Board the Putter Boat shuttle, and enjoy the short ride over to finish the most unforgettable island golf green in the world. Don’t misread your putt (hint: everything breaks towards the water). Return to the Putter Boat and receive your Certificate of Achievement, complete with your name, date and score to commemorate this historic feat.

Upon completion of your round of golf, you are treated with a custom bag tag engraved with your name as a gift to remind you of one of the best golf experiences you will ever have. Their motto is “at The Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course every Guest is a Member.”

Carefreetrip.com gives the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course out of five suitcases. Put this course on your “courses I have to play” list today!

The signature hole is the par-3, 12th hole that has an elevated tee box that sits on a rock garden with a cascading waterfall. If that isn’t enough, the 18th has seven pools that begin on the right side of the fairway and slope down towards the lake. There is a beautiful waterfall on the left side of the elevated green.

Ko Olina has been listed in Golf Digest’s “Top 75 Resort Courses in the U.S.” and was the former host of the Senior PGA and LPGA (Hawaiian Ladies Open, Fields Open in Hawaii). This is a must play course when you visit Oahu that boasts an excellent pro Shop. The GPS system with the course map, yardage and pro tips help a lot - especially if you have never played the course before.

Carefreetrip.com gives the Ko Olina Golf Course out of 5 suitcases.