GolfCarolina.com:
Golf Comes Alive in South Carolina

Related Links • This Week at TravelGolf.com (April 16-22) • Archives: This Week at TravelGolf.com

Nobody knows the South Carolina golf scene better than senior writer Shane Sharp, so he's the perfect guide for this week's look at the state of the sport in South Carolina's York, Lancaster and Chester Counties. And what a tour it is. As he writes, "Golfing in three counties can take you on a historical journey down the Donald Ross-designed fairways of Fort Mill Country Club, or for a scenic ride through the rolling hills of the newly-opened Springfield Golf Club." Only one new course (Springfield Golf Club in Fort Mill) will open in the area this season, but there's still plenty of options available, especially with a total number of 14 regulation layouts in the region. And, of course, there's still more than 70 tracks within an hour's drive of Charlotte. Chances are, Sharp will visit several more of them just this week.

GolfFlorida.com: Building its Own Tradition

Ray Floyd has called the TPC of Tampa Bay one of the best courses on the Senior PGA Tour. We're not usually ones to disagree with Ray Floyd, but we sent staff writer Jay Mankus to confirm the report. Consider it verified: Mankus calls the course a must-play. The course at the TPC of Tampa Bay is a Bobby Weed design, with Chi Chi Rodriguez as the player consultant. The team has combined to create a course that challenges you at various points throughout the 6,898 yard, par 71 layout. Writes Mankus, "Two major themes of the TPC of Tampa Bay are spectacular views and collection areas. The views at this Tournament Players Club are enhanced by elevated tees, exotic fairway bunkers, gentle rolling hills, scenic wetlands and deep greenside bunkers that are often tilted at an angle to highlight their physical features." Sounds like Ray Floyd knew what he was talking about.

TravelGolf.com: Bite Shoes Stand Apart

So you didn't get that new pair of golf shoes you were hoping for at Christmas. It might just be time to start looking for another pair. In our featured product review of the week, yours truly takes a look at Bite Shoes, which are both extremely comfortable and waterproof. Bite describes its shoes as "so close to being normal, but with a little flair that lets everyone know that you appreciate the differences in life. You don't mind playing by the rules, adhering to etiquette, but you're not everyone else" They're definitely make a quality style statement, they're comfortable as walking shoes, and your toes won't go numb from moisture. You might as well get them now. After all, next Christmas is still seven months away.

OrlandoGolf.com: The Magnificent Magnolia Course

Staff writer Elaine Gallant continues her series on the Magic of Disney Golf with this week's review of the Magnolia course, which has hosted the final round of Disney's National Car Rental Golf Classic for the last 30 years. Featuring elevated tees and greens with wide and generous fairways, the Magnolia supports a great abundance of wildlife. At any given time, you're likely to see deer, osprey, alligators and turtles. "For many players, all this natural beauty with its many challenges is a reminder that the Magnolia is a living, breathing ecosystem," Gallant writes. Located within a five-minute drive of the Magic Kingdom, the magnolia course is a sure-fire way to get your day off to a magical start. For part one of this series, be sure to check Gallant's review on the Palm championship course, where the fairways are crafted through a pine forest of mature, natural woodlands.

GolfArizona.com: A Long and Challenging Course

Interested in playing the longest course in Arizona? Then check out where Willie Mays and John Wayne used to tee it up. Join senior writer Scott Behmer for a look at the Francisco Grande Resort and Golf Club, built in the 1950s by San Francisco Giants owner Horace Stoneham. Because of its length, it's a forgiving course off the tee and then very demanding at greenside. Located 45 minutes north from Tucson in Casa Grande, the resort's parking lot is in the shape of a baseball diamond and the flower beds are shaped as either bats or balls. Behmer came away from his day at Francisco Grande with plenty of praise for this legendary resort. "Francisco Grande is perfect for an individual looking for a fun round or for a group retreat," he said, adding that nothing can beat the summer deal of unlimited golf plus a night's stay for $40.

From the Rough

In case you missed last week's report, be sure to catch GolfTexas.com senior writer David R. Holland's review of the Hyatt Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. If you're looking for a golf course without home construction and noisy carpenters, this is the one. "The Hill Country Resort is selling Texas hospitality," Holland writes. "Charlie Kent, director of golf, thinks that's enhanced by the history of the ranch being told at every turn in the hotel." Indeed, the history speaks volumes. While you're reading Holland's review of the course, be sure to check out his brief overview of the Hill Country at the end of the piece. Some call the Hill Country a state of mind, and it's hard to disagree after learning about the Hyatt Hill Country Resort.

As always, if you disagree with our reviewers on a certain course or just want to sound off about the latest from the PGA Tour, be sure to visit the TravelGolf.com forum, a series of message boards where visitors can write about everything from the Myrtle Beach golf scene to new equipment. There's also a free classifieds section where golfers can advertise that old set of clubs they've been meaning to sell for years. And if you haven't checked it out already, be sure to visit the new TravelGolf.com Pro Shop, a joint venture with The Golf Warehouse. With all of this at TravelGolf.com, there's no need to go anywhere else on the Web.