This Week at TravelGolf.com: March 26, 2009

Rediscovering the simple joys of little pitch-'n-putt, err, executive golf courses

When's the last time you and your buddies grabbed a wedge and a putter and teed it up at a dinky ol' pitch 'n putt?

I played one last weekend, Butler Park right in the heart of Austin, Texas and I can't believe it's taken me so long to get back to these little ditties.

Butler Park is a local institution that's always packed on a nice day. The conditions are - compared to what I regularly see traveling around to visit the world's best golf courses - awful. The tee boxes are bare dirt and the greens are bumpy. There are enough novice golfers shanking balls all over the place you feel like a helmet should be required, not to mention dogs running around.

But it's $7 for nine holes ($20 to play all day), and throw a few beers into the mix and you've got yourself a wonderful little afternoon with buddies, especially if a couple of them don't play golf much and you don't want to see them miserably hacking away for five hours.

There are some fabulous par 3 resort courses out there. The Threetops course at legendary Treetops Resort in northern Michigan may be the best outside Augusta National. There's a great little 12-hole pitch 'n putt on the front lawn of the Westin Turnberry in Scotland that's perfect for betting a few quid while digesting your dinner. In fact, many golf clubs in the UK have executive courses complementing their links.

Myrtle Beach, S.C. is home to loads of pitch 'n putts, some of which are even lighted. You can play lighted par-3 golf at Tupelo Bay just south of Myrtle Beach, much like you can at the excellent Callaway Golf Center's pitch-'n-putt right on the Las Vegas Strip.

This weekend I'm hosting a bachelor party here in Austin. Some of the guys are avid golfers, others have never touched a club. Guess where we're going when they roll off the plane Friday morning? Back to the dinky little Butler Park par 3 with a case of beer. And I'm sure they'll love it.

As always, TravelGolf.com welcomes your comments.

Myrtle Beach golf's most exclusive stay-and-play: Grande Dunes resort's Members Club and Marina Inn hotel

Even golfers who come to Myrtle Beach each year may have never heard of the exclusive Members Club at Grande Dunes resort - or have, but assume there's no public play. True, it's a private golf club, but guests of the resort's Marina Inn are welcome to play throughout their stay.

Also: Best of Myrtle Beach golf in photos

Golf and the economy, golf in Spain (part 2), the ruletwentyone golf towel

Podcast host Dave Berner talks to WorldGolf.com's Mike Bailey about how the economy will affect golf. More from Brandon Tucker about golf in Spain. And Joe Borgenicht talks about his company’s new ruletwentyone golf towel.

Blog: OMG!! Tour Edge Golf going live on Twitter!! LOL!!

Test your computer golf game skills in the World Golf Tour's LasVegasGolf.com Challenge

A quick round in the LasVegasGolf.com Challenge on the virtual Bali Hai Golf Club could bring you fantastic prizes. First prize is a $100 Visa gift card embossed with the LasVegasGolf.com logo.

Also: Check out the real Bali Hai

Picture perfect: The Joann Dost Golf Lifestyle Gallery in Monterey, California

Few people can appreciate golf course splendor more than renowned photographer Joann Dost. In 1977, Dost transitioned from shooting low scores in LPGA competition to shooting golf courses with her camera. Now you can see her work at the new Joann Dost Golf Lifestyle Gallery in Monterey.

Also: Top-rated California golf vacation deals