In parts of Canada the golf season has already wrapped. Even if you’re still playing occasionally (and trying to find your ball in the falling leaves), you’re going to want to plan a trip somewhere warm. Consider these options for the end of 2019 and the start of next year:
Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, Alabama
Created by a pension fund, this group of courses designed by the great Robert Trent Jones, offers great variety and value, as well as pretty solid weather all year long. Courses on the Trail have hosted PGA and LPGA Tour events, and with 468 holes to choose from, you’ve got a lot of selection—perhaps you’ll have to go more than once!
Horseshoe Bay Resort, Texas
A sprawling resort near Austin, Texas, this resort includes three courses available to guests, all designed by Robert Trent Jones. The resort and courses (Slick Rock, Apple Rock and Ram Rock) were recently renovated, and include holes that run to the picturesque Lake LBJ. With a putting course and incredible facilities at the resort, there’s plenty to go on and off the course.
Myrtle Beach, SC
You’ve probably already been—but perhaps it is time to return. Myrtle Beach has so much variety to offer when it comes to golf that one trip can’t really capture it all. Consider staying in the north end of this golf mecca and sneak over the border into North Carolina to play Fred Couples’ Carolina National, or the excellent Arnold Palmer design, Rivers Edge. You’ll also not be far from the so-called cat courses of Panther’s Run, Lion’s Paw and Tiger’s Eye.
Torrey Pines, San Diego, Calif.
One of the world’s most famous municipal courses, as a visitor you won’t be able to play Torrey Pines as inexpensively as the locals, but you’ll still get a world-class experience. Situated overlooking the Pacific, these two courses—which have been heavily renovated in recent years—have hosted the best in the world on a regular basis for years, and offer one of the rare instances where you can play in the footsteps of the greats like Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods.
Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
Noted for having one of the best Pete Dye designs in the world (Teeth of the Dog), there’s actually three courses at this gated community in the north of the Domincan. But the star of the show is definitely Dye’s Teeth of the Dog, with numerous holes running along the ocean. That said, it is still quite playable—and the views are unforgettable.