Matt, I've read and re-read your latest Maui adventure and can't help but feel you've slighted so much else of the island. Granted, Kapalua is where the Mercedes kicks off shortly, but did you bother to go elsewhere? Having been to the islands a number of times, I've found the folks at Kapalua quite snobbish if you're not a resort guest. Their luxe-level cousin at Hualalai couldn't be nicer, no matter what, but as they say, that's another island. Back to Maui, you missed that Makena South is also going private. And what about Wailea? Typically better playing conditions than Kapalua and the Gold will test your game, the Emerald is great for us normal mid-handicap players, and the Blue, well, even I don't care much for the Blue. My point is, you never left the comfy confines of Kapalua. A normal visitor would and deserves full travel information from you. What about other courses, other beaches, other restaurants (how in heavens did you miss Hali'imaile General Store?) or one of the best ways to see the island's beauty (between rounds) is investing in a Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour. There's so much more on Maui than just Kapalua. You focused so clearly on them I began to wonder if they comp'd your visit? With golf's growth flat and the economy in riggor, how about giving us something other than $500 per night hotels with a $200-plus round golf? The reality is fewer of us can afford it. Golf needs us. Be creative, be resourceful and show us where we can go for fun at a reasonable price.

An interested golfer/traveler,

Dick Griffin
Sharon, Mass.

Dick,

Thank you for your e-mail and thoughtful feedback. I appreciate it.

First, and without getting into how other writers and publications cover the world of travel, it's our company policy that I have to pay, at the very least, a media rate throughout my stay at any and all destinations. Depending on the resort, a room rate for me can be as little as $100 per night and I've paid as much as $325 per night. I'm usually paying full fare for golf, food, drinks, spa treatments and activities such as a zipline tour and ferry rides to adjacent islands. We have this policy so I can sit down at my keyboard and not feel as though I owe anyone undeserving compliments and that you, the reader, can trust my copy.

The word count on the Away Game is roughly 800 for the main text and about 150 words for the Local Knowledge sidebar. Because enticing travel is about both images and information, we like to run four to five pictures with each piece. I'm asked to get a very focused amount of facts in a limited amount of space. You make several great points in your e-mail, but you must've missed the short graph on taking the trip to Lana'i and playing the Challenge at Manele Bay.

Another thing to consider, I'm only on site for three to four days for an Away Game (two days for an Ambush) and I try to create an itinerary that could be copied by a couple, a group of buddies or a collection of couples on vacation. Unlike Ireland, Scotland or Vegas, I figured a foursome of male friends would never leave their loved ones and head for Hawaii, so I structured the Kapalua trip as though I was a couple or a small family and that should be reflected in the activities I highlight throughout the story (zipline, golf school, Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment, children's pool, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.)

We chose Kapalua for the January issue (on newsstands the first week of December) because it hosts the Mercedes for the first tour event in January (which you recognized) and the fact that there was a news hook (the $180 million renovation of the resort).

Another point you make, about the price points of our stories and the economy, is one we are taking very seriously at Golf Digest. In 12 months of travel coverage, I hope you can see some balance. One month might be Kapalua, but the month before it was Vegas and in coming months we will feature Myrtle Beach, Mississippi and Alabama. In the Ambush article, I may surprise a group of guys in Pinehurst and follow it up with a trip to St. George, Utah. A few months ago we brought back the Frugal Golfer column, which will detail cost-saving tips to you and other anxious readers.

As far as the course conditions, I can only write about what I see. I know Kapalua recently hired a new superintendent and when I played the Plantation and the Bay courses in July, they were both in great shape.

I'm only one guy but I have two ears and I'm open to suggestions for future stories so keep your e-mails coming. I'll be back to Hawaii in the near future to focus on another resort on another island, more golf and another set of adventures. Unfortunately I'll leave all reviews of helicopter tours to you.

In the April travel Q&A I speak to Jack Nicklaus. He tells me about a few close calls in small aircraft. Over the years he has had to ask some of his helicopter pilots to set it down in backyards of unsuspecting strangers due to bad weather. I've often said, small planes and helicopters are how cool people die. Which isn't to say I'm cool, but I do have a cool job and I'd like to keep it as long as I can. Remaining amongst the living would be a good place to start. Strapped in and suspended from a sturdy cable (pictured) is about as far as I'll go to getting an aerial vantage point of Maui.

--Matty G.

(If you have a comment or concern, a question or suggestion, you can e-mail me at: http://www.golfdigest.com/contact/mattyg)

I reorganized my two posts counting down my top 20 of 2008 so it's in one spot and in sequence.

After hitting over 25 states, playing a little less than 200 rounds and logging millions of miles (slight exaggeration), here's my list of my favorite public golf courses I've played in the past 12 months. This is based on quality, condition, service, overall experience and value. Not to throw out a political disclaimer, but obviously these are all great courses. When you put them side-by-side and insist on picking a winner, it makes for great golf conversation.

No. 20-Torrey Pines (South Course) in San Diego, Calif. [$181] To play where the pros play--that's what we all like to do, right? We also like to hit shots on courses with oceanside views in a section of the country that's allergic to adverse weather. The conditions of the original design by Billy Bell Sr., built by his son and renovated by Rees Jones, weren't great the day I played (the fairways were burnt-out) and the fog was so thick that I can't really say I played the front nine, so I'll try to go back again and give it another look next year.

No. 19-Tidewater Golf Club and Plantation in Myrtle Beach, S.C. [$209] Here's more memorable holes along the water for not a ridiculous amount of money. Designed by Ken Tomlinson, the third and fourth holes are two of my favorites I played all year.

No. 18-TPC of Myrtle Beach in S.C. [$185] I'm putting it a notch ahead of Tidewater because the clubhouse and the golf course (designed by Tom Fazio and Lanny Wadkins) are both bigger and better. My story about Myrtle Beach is coming out in the February issue (on newsstands the first week of January).

No. 17-Old White at the Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, W.V. [$225] A clear indication you like a golf course is when you putt-out on 18 and all you want to do is go back to the first tee and play it again. That's the feeling I had when I played Old White (an original Seth Raynor, recently restored by Lester George).

No.16-Chambers Bay in University Place, Wash. [$171] It's brand new and yet it's impressive (an old rock quarry turned hole in the ground, turned championship caliber golf course by Robert Trent Jones II) and I can see why they gave it the U.S. Open in 2015, but at some point in the near future they'll need to fix those funky greens (they roll at about a seven on the Stimpmeter).

No. 15-Dunes Golf and Beach Club in Myrtle Beach, S.C. [$200] It's as public as Pebble Beach (there's a lot you have to do and pay to play) but the golf course, designed by Robert Trent Jones, may be the best of "the Grand Strand." The only thing in need of a redesign at the Dunes Club is the hospitality of some of the staff, who tend to may more attention to the "members" than the paying public.   

No. 14-Bandon Trails in Bandon, Ore. [$265] I put it at No. 14 for a reason. Until Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw fix their 14th hole, this is as high as it will get on my list. The course starts out (holes 1, 2 and 3) and finishes (holes 16, 17 and 18) slightly better than either Bandon or Pacific Dunes, but that 14th hole is a deal-breaker for me. I've played it six times and I still can't figure what to hit off the tee, where to hit it off the tee, and trying to land an approach shot on that dining room table of a green is as much fun as an intimate evening with Steve Williams.

No. 13-Pinehurst No. 2. [$379] This is a tee time once every 10 years for me. I mean no disrespect to Mr. Donald Ross, and deep down (literally) I know he couldn't care less about what I think, but I don't hit enough good shots in a round to have them trickle off the front (and the back) of every green. I can see why the professionals like it, because they're so good they're always in search of a challenge, but I'm better off taking my amateur act to Pinehurst No. 4, No. 8 or down the road to Pine Needles.

No. 12-PGA West Stadium Course in La Quinta, Calif. [$235] Are you feeling good about the game of golf? You've had a run of good scores and you're walking around your home course with the swagger of a New York City pigeon. Well then, take your chest feathers to La Quinta and meet the cat they call humility in the form of the Stadium Course. Pete Dye brings the best to their khaki covered knees every year for the final stage of Q-School. He will do the same to you.

No. 11-The Classic at Madden's on Gull Lake in Brainerd, Minn. [$109] The golf course was already there, they just cut some trees, mowed some fairways and greens and stuck some flags in the ground. Scott Hoffman hardly moved a mound of earth to build it and it was one of the more enjoyable walks I had all year. At $109, it was also one of the biggest bangs for my company buck.

No. 10-Bandon Dunes in Bandon, Ore. [$265] I couldn't keep the best of David McLay Kidd out of my top 10. To get links land, bump-and-run shots and fast flying weather systems without having to cross "the pond" feels like you stole something. Critics argue the British Isles is an easier trip than getting to Mike Keiser's personal playground, but I happen to think the pilgrimage to the remote part of the Oregon coast is an enjoyable part of the process (and it weeds out the golf wannabes).

No. 9-Sea Island G.C. (Seaside) in St. Simons Island, GA. [$325] My favorite Tom Fazio (so far). The wow factor of the fourth hole is one of the best in golf. I remember thinking; I have to get all the way over there in two shots? You can't beat the practice facility, the setting and the over-the-top southern hospitality.

No. 8- Caledonia Golf and Fish Club in Pawleys Island, S.C. [$195] When I go back to Myrtle Beach, I'm going to build my trip around 36 holes (minimum) at Caledonia. This was my first time playing a Mike Strantz design, but it won't be my last.

No. 7-Kapalua G.C. (Plantation) in Kapalua, HI. [$295] I caught this course, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, on a day when wind wasn't a factor and I had my best round of the year, (which always affects an opinion of the place you play). For as much attention that's passed out about the back nine, specifically 17 and 18, I was just as impressed with the front nine.

No. 6-Pine Needles Lodge and G.C. in Southern Pines, N.C. [$235] There's nothing to dislike about Pine Needles and there's no way you could spoil this walk around my favorite Donald Ross. Be sure to build it into any and all Pinehurst itineraries and give my best to my innocent crush and owner--Peggy Kirk Bell. She'll be around and if you're lucky, she might give you some Hall Of Fame swing tips.

No. 5-Pebble Beach Golf Links in Pebble Beach, Calif. [$475] There are reasons why it's at No. 5. on this list, beyond the fact it will cost you your first born and a traveling nanny to tee it up. From the punched greens (no warning from the pro shop), a lame caddie (he needed a caddie for his stamina and attitude), the delivery cars and trucks that rolled up the service roads at 16 and 17, and the price for all of the above, it all left me with the sinking feeling you get when you lose your wallet. I leave it in my top five because it's still Pebble and it has seven of the most scenic holes in the world, but "the best" should always be held to highest of high standards. A plea to the people of Pebble; Don't forget to care about your paying customer or we'll pay to go somewhere else. As my mom always told me, "The minute you think you're irreplaceable--you're replaceable."

No. 4-Spyglass Hill in Pebble Beach, Calif. [$315] It's the most complete test of every club in your bag, course management, patience, temper, and your inner-Eldrick. It's No. 4 on my list because it's so more expensive ($330) than Bethpage Black ($120), but if value weren't a factor, Spyglass, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., would be in my top spot.

No. 3-Pasatiempo in Santa Cruz, Calif. [$200] I'm factoring in value, an original Alister Mackenzie design, a Tom Doak redux and a first through the18th hole assessment of golf quality. It was a pleasant surprise tucked into a residential spot in Santa Cruz. I'd suggest making this a priority on your to-play list and don't leave without swinging by the Hollins House at the top of the property for a cold beer.

No. 2-Pacific Dunes in Bandon, Ore. [$265] The ongoing debate on which of the three courses is better (Pacific, Bandon or Trails) may be irrelevant (or not) with the arrival of the fourth course (Old Macdonald in the summer of 2010). For now, Pacific Dunes, designed by Tom Doak, gets the top block of this golf-on-the-Oregon-Coast medal ceremony.

No.1-Bethpage Black in Farmingdale, N.Y. [$120] The Black is the endzone for blue-collar golfers playing a course admired and utilized by the blue coats of the USGA (Bethpage Black is hosting another U.S. Open in '09). New York residents pay $52 during the week and non-New Yorkers pay $104. Like a Spyglass or Stadium Course at PGA West, if you don't bring your relative A-game, by the end of the round, you may want to quit the game. But, at the same time, the best part about the Black and the definition of what I consider a fair challenge--if you play it from the right tees (whites are plenty) and stay within yourself (whatever that means), you feel like a good score is attainable. Go 4-4-4 through holes 10, 11 and 12, the toughest stretch of par 4s in the Northeast, and you should buy yourself something special. I've never slept in my car to get a tee time to play the Black--but I would.

This grouping of golf is like trying to judge a Ms. Hawaiian Tropic contest, but I've worked it up in the spirit of discussion.

--Matty G.

From Ambush to overseas, Billy Andrade to Arnold Palmer, the economy and alternate shot, on Saturday I spoke again with "Let's Talk Travel" host, Sandy Fenton.

In a recent post (Let's Talk Travel Part 1), I told you about going, by way of train, to Harrisburg, Penn. for a radio interview to talk about my job, the culture of Golf Digest and some of my favorite courses I've played this year.

To get to the links to the five segments which aired last Saturday (and the Saturday before that) go to this page of WHP580's website, scroll down, and on the left side of the page, just below a bunch of pictures of Fenton with past guests, there's an option of "Listening To Past Shows:"

The show I just did is under the heading, "12/20/08 Part 2 with Matt Ginella from Golf Digest." Right below that are the links to the show that aired on 12/13/08.

--Matty G.


(photograph by Getty Images)

In the January issue of Golf Digest I wrote about a trip I took with some friends last March to Las Vegas to play golf by day, watch the first round of the NCAA basketball tournament by night. I'm not a big fan of Vegas, don't really do strip clubs (my mom reads this blog) and I don't even like staying on the strip. My new favorite place to stay if and when I go to Vegas is the Red Rock Casino, 20 miles from the airport, it has everything you need under one roof. It has a modern motif, several choices for food, gambling and a pool scene that you'll need to see for yourself. (When you do see it for yourself--no need to thank me.)

That being said, the week to go to Vegas, to stay on the strip and do what my friends and I do every year, is the first week of the NCAA tournament. It takes March Madness to a different level of social insanity. Lock it in for life. Play an early round of golf, get back to the casino for some food and settle into a big chair in front of a wall of flat screens, order drinks and let the drama unfold before your bloodshot eyes. This is one of those trips where you think about sleep and then remind yourself and your friends, "We'll get plenty of sleep when we die."

Sin City is not recession-proof. I received this information worth passing on about some potential deals out there:

Las Vegas has a reputation for being a very high-priced golf destination, but currently, due to the holidays and the economic crunch, there are deals available for tee times at Las Vegas golf courses or Las Vegas golf packages. And we're not talking savings on twilight rates for a few dollars, but tee times at peak times are currently available at huge savings, sometimes totaling hundreds of dollars per player or foursome.

You can go to the official websites of Las Vegas golf courses, or the websites of official partners of the Las Vegas golf courses. For example, GolfLasVegasNow.com links directly to the official websites where readers can make tee times or reserve golf packages.

One of the top deals available right now is you can play golf at three themed Las Vegas golf courses for just $125 each when you book all three. The courses are Royal Links (inspired by British Open courses) Bali Hai (tropical golf on the Las Vegas Strip), and Desert Pines (Carolina in the desert)--all recently ranked in the top 50 by readers of Golf World. Taking advantage of this deal can potentially save you more than $400 per player.

The Johnny Miller-designed Badlands Golf Club is offering a $59 green fee and a room at the Suncoast Hotel.

There is unlimited golf available at the Las Vegas Paiute Golf Resort (three Pete Dye courses), where you pay $125 for all the holes you can play that day.

You should also look into the Golf Card. For $249 you get your first round free at TPC Las Vegas, Bear's Best Las Vegas or Rio Secco for free. With the Golf Card you get 20% off green fees for all three of those courses as well as Cascata.

Lake Las Vegas Resort is the home to both a Nicklaus resort course (Reflection Bay) and a Tom Weiskopf resort course (The Falls) and you can play either for just $125. Lake Las Vegas offers a true destination golf resort where the award-winning courses are located just steps from your room.

That's assuming you're actually in your room when you're in Vegas.

--Matty G.


(photograph by Getty Images)

I spent some more time cluttering up the airwaves (again) last weekend. I went on Sporting News Radio and specifically the show, Golf World On Air (Saturday: 7 AM--9 AM ET), hosted by Mark Wood, Tim Rosaforte and Randell Mell.

Wood is an instructor who's ranked by Golf Digest as one of the top teachers in the country. He works with Stewart Cink, Dudley Hart and Bo Van Pelt.

Mell's a senior writer for the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. I've never met him and he didn't say much during the interview but I'm sure he's a cool cat.

Rosaforte, of course, is the ultimate modern-day (golf) journalist. He's everywhere, blurring the boundaries of print, Internet and TV. Not only is he in the pages of Golf World and Golf Digest, he's all over golfdigest.com and espn.com, he's a regular on the Golf Channel as well as NBC throughout their major golf broadcasts. I might also mention he has been (one of many) valuable mentors and friends I've gathered as I've worked in golf at Sports Illustrated and Golf Digest.

Here's a link to the 10-minute segment in which we spoke about some of my favorite courses in the country, the Ambush, and how this economy will affect the game and the traveler in search of great golf. I also finally caught up with Boo Weekley for an upcoming travel Q&A. I give an anecdote or two from our conversation. It turns out Weekley's representation may have been running interference for him a few weeks ago but once I got to speak to Boo directly, he was nothing but, well, Boo.

--Matty G.

I just wrote a Frugal Golfer column for the February issue of Golf Digest about websites that can help you save some money on tee times to some of your favorite local courses.

Here's an e-mail I received about a website that can help you book a trip to stay and play golf in New Mexico. Which, if you haven't been, is worth looking into.

Golf The Santa Fe Trail, a cooperative group of eight world class courses in New Mexico, unveiled a new website. Most importantly golfonthesantafetrail.com offers the ability for golf travelers to create and plan their own customized golf vacation on-line.

"We're pleased to announce that the new site is now live," said Matt Molloy, General Manager for Sandia Golf Club and current Santa Fe Trail President. "Not only is the site more aesthetically pleasing, but it offers a number of functional features that are certain to be popular with traveling golfers looking for information on how to golf the Santa Fe Trail. Visitors can sign-up to receive the monthly newsletter and be automatically entered to win a golf vacation that is given away at random each month," added Molloy.

Golf The Santa Fe Trail features eight high desert golf courses that are nestled along a 100-mile swatch of the Rio Grande River Valley. It's a collection of New Mexico's premier and tournament level courses that are easily accessible between, or close to, Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The list of courses are: Paa-Ko Ridge G.C., Santa Ana G.C., Twin Warriors G.C., Sandia G.C., UNM Championship Course, Isleta Eagle G.C., Black Mesa G.C. and Towa G.C.

I looked up each course rating in Golf Digest's Places to Play as well as some peak season green fees. Here's how they scored (out of a possible 5 stars):

-Paa-Ko Ridge G.C. (5 stars; Green fee: $79)

-Santa Ana G.C. (4.5 stars; Green fee: $45)

-Twin Warriors G.C. (4.5 stars; Green fee: $145)

-Sandia G.C. (4.5 stars; Green: $85)

-UNM Championship Course (4 stars; Green fee: $67)

-Black Mesa G.C. (4 stars; Green fee: $64)

-Isleta Eagle G.C. (3.5 stars for Lakes/Arroyo; Green fee: $55)

-Towa G.C. (No star rating yet; Green fee will be something close to $75 on weekdays and $90 on weekends.)

Santa Fe is one of my favorite cities in the country. The views of the red rocks, the food, the people and the golf all get high marks. Like Myrtle Beach or the Robert Trent Jones Trail in Alabama, in New Mexico you're going to get good golf for great value. The peak season in New Mexico (give or take a week) is March through early November. According to weather.com, the forecast today for Santa Fe is not good; Mid-30's with some snow but going up to the low 50's by Christmas Day.

--Matty G.

Last week I jumped a train from New York City to Harrisburg, Penn. My apologies to Amtrak for not using their services more often for trips within a three to four hour radius of where I live. What's not to like about getting to the station 15 minutes before departure time as opposed to two hours? There's no need to strip down to your undergarments, you can carry on medium sized portions of a grooming liquid or just general refreshments, there's no middle seating, no cranky flight attendants, there are outlets for plugging in laptops or phone chargers, I never felt turbulence and didn't have to put seats forward or tray tables up on takeoff and landing. I started at Penn Station and the last stop was Harrisburg. The trip took just over three hours and the ticket cost me $45, one-way. Once I arrived at the station I was driven to Hershey, which is a growing town, that on a calm day, smells like chocolate. More on Hershey, the hotel, the golf courses, the "grand expansion," chocolate and some of the people I bumped into while I was there in a upcoming post.

The reason why I went to Harrisburg was to meet up with my new best friend, Sandy Fenton. Fenton, who could be the pace car for a race of Tasmanian Devils, has been talking travel on the radio for the past 15 years. She has more energy than General Electric and is an expert at getting to and from the best point B's in the business. Fenton hosts a talk show on Saturday afternoons on WHP580, "Let's Talk Travel," where she discusses just what she advertises with other frequent travelers. Today and next Saturday I spoke to Fenton about golf courses, resorts, restaurants and golf personalities. Both shows are an hour, so it's a commitment, but I wouldn't send you there unless there was some useful information about where I've been and who I've talked to so far as the Travel Editor at Golf Digest, as well as some behind-the-scenes of how I do my job and the culture of where I work.

To get to the links to the five segments which aired today, go to the this page of WHP580's website, scroll down, and on the left side of the page, just below a bunch of pictures of Fenton with past guests, there's an option of "Listening To Past Shows:"

The show I just did is under the heading, "12/13/08 The World's Greatest Resorts: Part 1 with Matt Ginella from Golf Digest & Golf World." Didn't get enough? There will be another one next week under 12/20/08.

This week we talked about, among other things: Pebble, Pinehurst, Sea Island, Bandon Dunes, the Hotel Hershey, the Greenbrier and playing golf with Phil Mickelson.

--Matty G.

Need last minute plans for the holidays? Let me invade my little brain and see if I can come up with some ideas. There's no way you could be pulling gap wedge on a windless day on the seventh, convincing yourself to release the club on your over-the-canyon-approach at eight, trying to chip-in from the thick rough just left of 17, or hitting it so hard and far off the tee at 18 you'd consider going for it in two at one of the most famous walks in all of golf. Pebble Beach is out of the question. Maybe, if you call today, you could wrestle a spot (one, not two) for a day in 2020. Pebble Beach has been sold out, as my friend Jack McCallum likes to say, since Christ was a sophomore. And, regardless of the state of the economic affairs, will be until further notice.

Wrong! Wrap your limbs around this information:

A Tournament Golf Experience at Pebble Beach to Celebrate the Season

For that special golfer on your gift list, consider a tournament package outing at Pebble Beach Resorts. Choose from two packages each with a challenging golf tournament, luxury overnight accommodations, special holiday rates, shopping and spa discounts. The New Year's package includes a New Year's Eve party.

PRE-CHRISTMAS

Pebble Beach Annual Team Championship Dec. 19-21 includes:

-    Accommodations for two nights at The Lodge at Pebble Beach or The Inn at Spanish Bay   
-    One championship round at Pebble Beach Golf Links   
-    One championship round at The Links at Spanish Bay.   
-    One complimentary practice round (either The Links at Spanish Bay or Del Monte Golf Course)   
-    Welcome reception  (golfer and one guest)   
-    Cocktail reception  (golfer and one guest)   
-    Tee gifts and awards   
-    20% retail shop discount   
-    10% discount at The Spa at Pebble Beach   
-    Package rates from  $1,350 per player includes all of the above

CELEBRATE THE NEW YEAR

Pebble Beach New Year's Tournament Dec. 30-Jan. 1, 2009

-    Accommodations for two nights at The Inn at Spanish Bay   
-    One championship round at Pebble Beach Golf Links   
-    One championship round at The Links at Spanish Bay.   
-    One complimentary practice round at either The Links at Spanish Bay or Del Monte Golf Course.   
-    Reduced rate practice rounds at Spyglass Hill Golf Course ($200 per player) on space available basis.  -    Welcome reception  (golfer and one guest)   
-    Cocktail reception  (golfer and one guest)   
-    Tee gifts and awards   
-    10% discount at The Spa at Pebble Beach   
-    New Year's Eve Blast Party at The Inn at Spanish Bay December 31 (golfer and one guest)   
-    Package rates from  $1,550 per player includes all of the above

RESERVATIONS

Call Brittany Cooley 831-625-8575 or Margo Daniels 831-625-8556 at Pebble Beach Resorts.

So, what's the catch? You get tee times, lodging, receptions and reduced rates (by several hundreds of dollars) at the number one public course in the country. I called Pieter Ruig, Vice President of Murphy O'Brien (the PR firm that represents Pebble Beach) and asked him how long these deals have been going on and if offering these packages had anything to do the slumping economy. "Stay and play packages are completely normal at Pebble Beach," says Ruig. "It might be a better time now than a year ago to try and get a tee time but I still think the hardcore golfer, who has Pebble on the top of their list, is still coming out to play."

Ruig told me the New Years party was originally designed for their VIP guests, but this will be the third year it has been open to the public. This is the first year they've offered a pre-Christmas tournament. Ruig says the course is in good shape but that they're already making some adjustments in preparation for the 2010 U.S. Open.

If you're still searching for plans and have a little extra money in the mattress, Pebble isn't a bad option for a holiday bailout plan. Other than you and me, who's not taking advantage of one of those these days?

--Matty G.

I received an e-mail asking how Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, Pa. could get the word out that tickets are now available for the 2009 Walker Cup. The Walker Cup is an amateur version of the Ryder Cup where a team of U.S. amateurs play against a team of amateurs from England, Ireland and Wales and it's been held every two years dating back to 1921 (with a break during World War II). So, I'm blogging about it.

These matches have recently been as tight as Jesper Parnevik's pants. The last three Walker Cups have been decided by a point. U.S. won two out of those three, and leads the series 33-7-1.

The venue for this biennial tilt has never been exactly low-brow. This will be the first time the Walker Cup has been held at Merion but it has been to the Old Course of St. Andrews eight times, and courses like Pine Valley twice. Merion will be the site of the 2013 U.S. Open and was the setting for arguably the most famous golf picture--Hy Peskin's shot of Ben Hogan hitting a 1-iron approach shot to the 18th hole during the fourth round of the 1950 U.S. Open, which Hogan went on to win in a playoff.

This year's Walker Cup will be held on Sept. 12 and 13. Buddy Marucci, a Merion member, will captain the 2009 United States team, as he did for the winning 2007 U.S. team at Royal County Down in Northern Ireland.

Some suggested lodging in the area: Radnor Hotel or the Philadelphia Marriott West.

The ticket information: Tickets can be purchased online with several combinations available. Tickets give the bearer and up to two children, under the age of 17, access to the event.

Daily grounds tickets for each of the two days of competition on Sept. 12 and 13 are priced at $40. Daily grounds tickets at $20 each are available for the practice round on Sept. 11. If you want to attend the entire event, you can purchase a three-day ticket for $90.

Merion is also offering a Season Trophy Club Ticket, which gives the bearer access to the grounds on all three days as well as access to the Trophy Club hospitality tent for all three days of the Walker Cup. The Trophy Club Ticket is priced at $225.

They say corporate hospitality tents are also available. My guess is every golf tournament for the foreseeable future has corporate hospitality tents available.

--Matty G.