This Week at TravelGolf.com: Dec. 20, 2007

Dollar's doldrums good news for European golfers heading for the U.S.

The Europeans are coming! The Europeans are coming! Not for anything malicious, of course. You see, the slow descent of the U.S. dollar means that Europeans and other folks from around the globe are heading to the U.S. to take advantage of the buying power of the euro and other currencies that have made historic gains against the sickly dollar.

And while the idea of a weak dollar is frightening and frustrating to some, to others it's a bonanza. Take the golf tourism industry, for example. Because while economic woes may cause some Americans to travel less, foreigners are quickly filling the vacancies. Because remember, while American golfers have fantasies of playing legendary golf courses in places like Scotland and Ireland, there are plenty of European golfers who have long eyed a golf trip to sunny spots like Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas, or Florida. And with the euro at record highs against the dollar, the newest European invasion is already beginning. Golf-rich states have already started laying down the welcome mat for their foreign visitors.

California has pumped $21 million into its Travel and Tourism Commission to attract international travels. Other states are also enacting programs to attract foreign money, and golf destinations such as the Gulf Coast, Palm Springs and even Michigan are seeing the benefits of a strong dollar as foreign duffers come try out golf on the other side of the pond.

The golf real estate market is also already seeing benefits from a strong euro. With housing slumping, many real estate brokers are looking overseas for buyers.

From the Wall Street Journal:

Moutaz Kaissi, an executive with the Al Fahim Group in Abu Dhabi, and his wife, Fawzia, see opportunity in the troubled Las Vegas

market.

The Kaissis just closed on a bank-owned two-bedroom house on a golf course in North Las Vegas.

The Kaissis paid $295,000 for the home, a price more than $100,000 lower than the original owner paid for it new.

So while a weak dollar may seem like a cause for concern, for big golf destinations, it seems like a cause for celebration. Because in 2008, you can just bet that hot spots like Myrtle Beach, Las Vegas and Florida won't see any drop off in visitors. It's just that a higher percentage of them will make the trip there from another country.

As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.

New Leopard's Chase course takes on Tiger's Eye at Ocean Ridge Plantation near Myrtle Beach

Leopard's Chase is the newest course at the sprawling Ocean Ridge Plantation, and some say it's even better than Tiger's Eye, the facility's other marquee layout. But those who swear Tiger's Eye is better, Leopard's Chase fans whisper, only say that because the older course is easier. It is. Tiger's Eye has wider fairways, for example. Leopard's Chase, on the other hand, was designed to make you think, especially when you're standing on the tee box.

Also: Stay and play in Myrtle Beach for less

Column: Time spent golfing a sure-fire cure for "Mommy Brain"

Some call it momnesia. Some call it pregnancy-induced short-term memory loss. In her latest "A Girl's-Eye View" column at TravelGolf.com, Jennifer Mario calls it Mommy Brain. All you mothers out there know what she means. Golf very well may be the only cure. "The next time I have a 'mommy brain moment,' I'm taking my overtaxed cerebrum to the golf course."

Also: When you golf with your kids, it's a good parenting day

Clifftop views, strong finish highlight Cardigan Golf Club in southwest Wales

There are some links in Wales where the history of the club is a big attraction, that have seen the greatest names in golf grace their links. Then there are other clubs that are simply a joy to play. Cardigan Golf Club on Wales' southwest coast is one such course. You may not see many plaques or famous faces in black-and-white photographs here, but Cardigan may be the most enjoyable round during your Wales golf trip.

Also: Hear Brandon Tucker on golf in Wales