Good news for golf travelers. Southwest is trying to get your business. They have a dedicated golf landing page, the ability to book tee times, purchase golf merchandise and are currently running a golf themed faire sale.

They’ve also got a Golf Bags Fly Free promotion.

I can’t afford to fly anywhere, but maybe I can send my clubs in my stead.

Press release follows:

I’ve written in recent weeks about how golf is, increasingly, the world’s game. The amateur and pro games span the continents,

A recent contact brought to my attention yet another venue I had not thought about: golf in Switzerland.

Switzerland has for me always been associated with skiing, but the mountainous country also has some 60 courses and 50,000 associated golfers. The oldest course in Switzerland is the Samedan, which dates to 1892.

Interestingly, although it was once the highest course in Switzerland, it is quite flat.

The Golf Club Crans-sur-Sierre, Valais, Switzerland is the home of the European Tour’s only stop in Switzerland, the Omega European Masters. The scenery at this one is also spectacular:

Finally, I think that no one can fail to be impressed with the scenery around Lake Geneva. The only Pete Dye course in Europe, the Domaine Impérial Golf Club is on the lake. The course looks to me like a slice of heaven.

Of course, Lake Geneva also is where Mary Shelley wrote Frankenstein and John Polidori created The Vampyre, so it must have its dark side.

In any case, put Switzerland on my bucket list of places to play.

Saddle Creek GC Hole 10

Saddle Creek GC Hole 11

For your enjoyment, a couple of stunning photos from Saddle Creek GC, which has been ranked as a top 10 course in California by Golfweek. It just looks amazing.

Press release follows:

A guest post from the Mississippi Gulf Coast:

If you love the game of golf, then you’ll love visiting the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Whether you’re a novice, amateur, or professional, the Mississippi Gulf Coast golf has nearly 20 different golf courses that can accommodate every skill level and budget.  These courses have also made the Mississippi Gulf Coast “Golf’s Best Kept Vacation Secret” according to publications including Golf Digest, Golf week, Golf Magazine, and Forbes Magazine.  Many of the courses were created by the top course designers and players of the world including Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Davis Love III, Mark McCumber, Jerry Pate, Tom Bendelow, Jack Daray, Early Stone, John Lafoy, and Tom Fazio!

The courses offer a scenic beauty that you will not be able to find at just any old country club.  Unlike some parts of the country, Mississippi Gulf Coast golf is a year round sport.  Located in between Louisiana and Florida, the “Golf Coast” boasts a subtropical climate which allows players to play18 holes while wearing short sleeves.  Players will also have the luxury and opportunity of being able play at night.  The annual average temperature is around 68 degrees; with an average temperature of 52 degrees in the coldest months and an average temperature of 82 degrees in the hottest months.

Along with the great golf courses, the Mississippi Gulf Coast is also home to some of the most luxurious resorts and exclusive country clubs in the nation.  Many of the resorts are “Vegas” style and have amenities and services that you will make you feel like royalty.  Don’t forget to enjoy the fine dining or casino action that each resort offers.  So if you ‘re looking for beautiful place to play some golf and experience some “Southern Hospitality”, go visit Mississippi and book one of the Gulf Coast vacations that they have to offer!  It’ll be a trip of a lifetime!

Bali’s New Kuta Golf Course, site of the 2009 Indonesian Open.

More here.

I was struck by the beauty of The Barton Creek Resort and Spa when I received a notice about their 25th Anniversary event. I’ve been to Texas just once—as a guest of Crowne Plaza for their Colonial Invitational Pro-Am—but I was much impressed with what I saw.

The place has TWO Fazio courses, a Crenshaw and a Palmer. All look wonderful. I’m thinking I want to take four days there and play them all.

Barton Creek is offering a couple of good looking golf anniversary packages:

Golf Packages
In honor of the resort’s 25th anniversary, the resort is offering a “25th Anniversary Golf Package.” Starting at $265 per person, per night for 2 nights, the package offers:

Just this past summer The GolfBlogger family made its first trip to Myrtle Beach for a week’s vacation of sun and shore. And, of course, I got in a little golf. Unfortunately, none of the Myrtle Beach tourism sites were at all helpful in helping me find the “must-play” courses I was looking for. The sites are basically just pages of classified ads, and none responded to my emails. In the end, I made my best guesses and ended up at Barefoot Landing’s Norman Course and Glen Dornoch. Neither disappointed.

But just recently, I got this infographic from Marriott offering their take on which courses to play. The lesson may be that I should have contacted a hotel rather than relying on sites like myrtlebeachgolfcourses and myrtlebeach dot com.