If planning a golf vacation seems too daunting, don’t forget that some public courses can offer a similar experience for a fraction of the price and time commitment.
And some of them rival even the priciest private courses.
Sloane Cooper picks three destinations with easily accessible courses, so the next time the golf bug strikes, you can hit the local links and go public.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Just 45 minutes away from Los Angeles, Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles is located in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. It is a public course with a private club
feel, and some of the best rates for afternoon ($160 a round) and twilight tee times
($80 per round).
Ask about a VIP membership if you plan to visit often, and get preferential tee times and discounts. There are spectacular views of the coastline, immaculate fairways, and the greens will challenge even the best putters. Remember to bring your own clubs, because rental fees can be as high as $80 a set (including two sleeves of balls). After all, who doesn’t want to “Play Trump?” 310-265-5000, www.trumpnationallosangeles.com
Industry Hills Golf Club at Pacific Palms Resort is another drive-to public course with a destination resort feel. There is a $50 Mega Monday rate (on available tee times) and great rates for seniors (ages 50 years and older).
Located about 25 minutes from downtown LA, in the heart of San Gabriel Mountains, Industry Hills offers two recently renovated championship courses.
“The Ike” is a long, tournament-style course, and “The Babe” is more of a resort style course. If you really want to make your golf outing feel like a golf getaway, spend the night at the Pacific Palms, located onsite, and get a discounted rate on tee times. 626-810-GOLF, www.pacificpalmsresort.com
Get more ideas in our Golf Travel section.
SOUTH FLORIDA
Doral Golf Resort and Spa is a get-away destination for out-of-towners, but locals can benefit from great rates with a 30-day booking window for their “getaway”. With five fabulous courses to choose from, the challenging fairways and beautiful scenery will make you feel like you are on a tropical island. The famous 18th hole on the TPC Blue Monster Course boasts one of the top 100 holes in the world according to Golf Magazine. In the off-season months, (May 1 - Oct 
Doral offers a Florida resident rate, and a special deal for the military, which are each 25 percent off rack rate. You can get the best prices on the Gold and Red courses, with a twilight rate of $95. 800-713-6725, www.doralresort.com
Deer Creek Golf Club is conveniently located in Deerfield Beach between Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The course is just 5 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, which make it possible to play a full round in the morning and spend the afternoon at the beach. Known for its four-hour rounds and exceptional course conditions, the club offers a similar experience as an upscale private clubs. Off-season rates run through December 23, and twilight fees drop as low as $40 long into the winter. Sign up for a membership online and receive coupons for golf discounts, ProShop discounts, and coupons for range balls, along with other great deals. 954-429-0006, www.deercreekflorida.com
ARIZONA
Grayhawk Golf Club, located in Scottsdale, offers two courses for play: Talon and Raptor. If the desert is your thing, these are among the most challenging and visually exciting desert courses you will play.
The Clubhouse feel takes you far away from the hustle and bustle of Scottsdale, and the courses are so lush you may forget where you are completely!
If you can’t get enough golf, Grayhawk offers a special $300 rate for 36 holes, but there are also great bargains available for 18 holes. Join the Nothing But Net (NBN) program and receive 50 percent off all posted rates and a free round for every give played. There is a $595 fee ($695 as of January 1, 2010) to become a member, but for frequent golfers, this can work out to a great deal. 480-502-2075. http://grayhawkgolf.com
Trilogy Golf Club at Power Ranch located in the southeast Phoenix Valley is a family-owned club in Gilbert, Arizona. For short getaways, the stay and play package includes three rounds of golf and a three-night stay from $389. A great value is the prime time tee times at $75 a round including cart fees. Immaculately maintained courses and fine food at the club house make this a value-packed getaway just 20 miles from Phoenix. Trilogy also offers an annual pass programs that allows further golf savings and discounts on merchandise. 480-988-0004, www.tmtgolf.com.
By Sloane Cooper for PeterGreenberg.com. As a television veteran with more than 20 years in the industry, Sloane has played golf courses all over the country.
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