Destination: Ireland

Golf may have been created next door in Scotland, but Ireland's golf heritage dates back to the late 19th century as well, as golf clubs popped up in Dublin and up the coast to Portrush towards the end of the 19th century.

But it's also a destination that has gotten significantly better in the last 20 years with new golf links such as Doonbeg, European Club and Old Head.

Though small enough to experience on one extended trip, there are scores of more centralized tours that can keep driving to a minimum. The southwest coastline in the counties of Clare and Kerry is the country's most popular tour, anchored by Ballybunion and Lahinch. Northern Ireland boasts the country's best one-two punch however, Royal County Down and Royal Portrush, plus a handful of other 19th century links clubs to fill out a golf vacation.

Ireland's emerging region for golf vacations is the northwest, home to remote, affordable but still world class links such as Rosapenna, Ballyliffin and Enniscrone.

And if you want to take in the pubs and sights of Dublin, there's plenty of golf in the surrounding areas, from Royal Dublin to the new European Club.

Shannon Airport is little more than a five-hour flight from America's east coast, and North America's rich Irish heritage makes Ireland feel just like home. For many of our families, it once was.