This Week at TravelGolf.com: Oct. 2, 2008

Links golf in the British Isles is on sale!

St. Andrews is slashing its prices! Royal Birkdale is giving away rounds!

Okay, not quite. But as much as you may think the American economy is folding like Sergio Garcia on a Sunday, Europe ain't exactly singin' in the rain. Banks are failing and homeowners are foreclosing.

There is even talking about some kind of economic bailout package. Sound familiar?

So that means the United States' fledgling greenback is actually suffering a little less compared to the British pound in recent years. After floating around $2 to £1, the dollar has gained: at about $1.75 to £1 lately. That's around a four-year low.

So that £200 weekend green fee at Turnberry's Ailsa Course that as late as this summer would have cost $400, now only costs about $350. Or The Old Course's £130 fee is $227 compared to $260 earlier this year.

You just upgraded your dinner with the savings, or have a little extra cash for a pedicure.

October is also "shoulder season" for most golf courses in the British Isles. That means most clubs cut their green fee between 25-33 percent, including The Old Course at St. Andrews, and they don't make you use turf mats on the fairways yet, either.

Come November (through March) it will be the off-season, where rates are about half off across the board, and hotels are cutting deals to fill rooms, just be prepared for spotty weather and roped off fairways and rubber tee mats.

And before you scream "costlier airplane tickets!" you can still find plenty of trans-Atlantic bargains at TravelZoo.com or Orbitz.com. And airlines generally don't charge baggage fees on international flights.

So don't let Wall Street scare you out of your links golf trip to Scotland, England or Ireland or Wales. You might be able to pick up a foreclosed dwelling in Dornoch while you're there.

As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Where to golf during the Dumfries & Galloway's Gael Force festival

The popular Gael Force music and arts festival returns to Dumfries & Galloway this fall. When you're not rocking out in some of Scotland's most scenic and rural areas, be sure to hit the golf course. Stranraer Golf Club, Southerness and St. Medan are nearby, Brandon Tucker writes. And Open Championship venues Turnberry, Royal Troon and Prestwick are just a short drive away.

Also: Great deals on golf in Scotland

Edgewood Tahoe: Tee off in one of golf's most spectacular settings

It's difficult to imagine a more stunning, natural backdrop for a golf course than what the Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course throws at you. It's like playing golf in a travel brochure.

Also: Top golf courses in the Reno/Tahoe area

In Miami, 'wide right' is ancient history - except on the golf course

The Florida State Seminoles' foray into Miami this week may have some hardcore college football fans thinking about the area's golf courses as much as the game itself. Bring your clubs and sunscreen and take on the Blue Monster at Doral Golf Resort & Spa, the muni classic at Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, the Biltmore's Donald Ross course or the Senator at Shula's Hotel and Golf Club, National Golf Editor Tim McDonald writes.

Also: Great deals on Florida golf packages