A year in pictures: A look back at the best golf photos of 2012

The job of a golf travel writer certainly has its perks, and 2012 was no exception. As has been the case for the past five years, I got to travel coast to coast, north and south and even across the border and the Pacific, covering most areas of the United States and a little beyond.

What follows are 12 of my favorite pictures -- one for every month -- from the public or resort golf courses I visited this year. In no particular order, each is special in its own right, and they're not all at high-dollar venues. I even included a couple of par-3 courses.

-- Mike Bailey

Mauna Kea Golf Course - hole 3

The signature par-3 third at Rees Jones-restored Mauna Kea Golf Course on the Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most beautiful holes in the world.

Mike Bailey/TravelGolf

Black Mesa Golf Club - hole 18

Black Mesa Golf Club near Santa Fe, New Mexico is a beautiful escape.

Mike Bailey/TravelGolf

Half Moon Bay Golf Links - Old Course - hole 18

There are few views better than the 18th on the Old Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links.

Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton

Threetops golf course at Treetops Resort - hole 6

Threetops Golf Course, the par-3 design at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich., is a delightfully quick and fun experience.

Mike Bailey/TravelGolf

Pound Ridge Golf Club - hole 16

Pete Dye's Pound Ridge Golf Club in New York is as beautiful as it is difficult.

Courtesy of Jim Krajicek/Pound Ridge

Pronghorn - Nicklaus golf course - 13th

The 378-yard, par-4 13th is arguably the signature hole on the Nicklaus Course at Pronghorn Club & Resort in Central Oregon, a terrific golf destination.

Mike Bailey/TravelGolf

Myrtle Beach National - King's North GC - hole 17

There's plenty of natural beauty at the King's North Course at Myrtle Beach National in South Carolina.

Mike Bailey/TravelGolf

Walkabout Golf Club - hole 18

There are a lot of cool holes, such as the 18th, at Walkabout Golf Club on the Space Coast of Florida.

Mike Bailey/TravelGolf

CostaBaja Golf Club - hole 15

There are ocean views on almost every hole -- including the par-4 15th -- at CostaBaja Golf Club in La Paz, Mexico.

Mike Bailey/TravelGolf

Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course

Palm Beach Par-3 Golf Course is an extraordinary par-3 course with views like few others.

Mike Bailey/TravelGolf

Big Island C.C. golf course - hole 6

Big Island Country Club has an entirely different look than most golf courses in Hawaii.

Courtesy of Big Island Country Club

Black Lake Golf Club - 16th hole

Black Lake Golf Club, which is owned by the United Auto Workers and is located in northern Michigan, is a real treat to play.

Mike Bailey/TravelGolf