More than No. 2 at Pinehurst

Pinehurst No. 2. It's where Payne Stewart won the Open in 2000 in dramatic fashion, and site of so many other great moments. It's one of those courses, like Augusta National, St. Andrews, and Pebble Beach, that all golfers have on their list of "Top Places to Play Before I Die." Deservedly so, but there's so much more to Pinehurst, six more courses, to be exact.

Pinehurst No. 1 was built in 1898 and, despite it's just over 6,000 yard layout, is challenging. No place for anything but a straight drive, Donald Ross has made sure of it.

Pinehurst No. 2 and No. 4 hosted portions of the 2008 U.S. Amateur. There's also the Jack Nicklaus-designed Pinehurst National that deserves recognition.

If it's your first trip to Pinehurst, you certainly want to play No. 1. As one of golf's "pilgrimage destinations," my goal is to keep returning to Ol' Caroline until I've finished them all.

Sharing Travel Experiences

Potentially the best way to find out if you will like a place you've never been is to hear what others say, see their pictures, vicarously explore the places they went. None of that was possible a few years ago, at least it wasn't easy to find.

The Travelpod blog makes it easy to do all those things and more. If you're wondering what the new golf course near Hilton Head is like, chances are a Travelpod user has been there.

Avoid Spending the Holidays in an Airport

Here's a great article on how to avoid increasingly ubiquitous airport hassles. Tip: Take a deep breath and remember the reasons it takes so long to get through busy security checks. Airline problems, themselves, are another story.

"How to Avoid the New Holiday Airport Hassles
Traveling home for the holidays just wouldn't be the same without crowded airports, delayed flights and long waits in the terminal. This year, the annual purgatory that travelers experience will be even more profound..."

Read the full Smart Money article here

Hotels.com's "Visualiser"

Popular hotel booking site Hotels.com has introduced the Visualizer. Where a few pictures and some text would have been the old way to research a hotel, golf course or vacation spot, Visualizer is a Travel 2.0 concept. Provide some information about preferences, travel companinions (kids, adults, number, etc), activities, etc., and visual collage is presented.

Pretty neat, but does it replace the often boring methods of online vacation research? You decide. Take a look.

Specialists in British Isles Golf Travel

As much as I write about golf, here and elsewhere, I always enjoy discovering something new about the game.

Recently, I came across a travel agency specializing in golf travel to the British Isles (Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales). In business as Pioneer Golf for over a decade, and with decades more experience beyond that, they are set apart from other golf travel agencies by their in-depth knowledge of their chosen destination specialization.

Pioneer Golf is located in Austin, Texas, but their roots begin in Scotland. Founder and President, Peter Hazelton, was born in Scotland, as was his son, Mark, who is the company's vice president. Few other travel agencies have as much first-hand experience with the destinations to which they send their customers.

Pioneer specializes in the British Isles, but they are also experienced in catering to groups of four to twenty people or more. Their website assists golfers by providing maps of the Isles and a comprehensive listing of courses. A simple mouseover will reveal each course's location and a click will display a course description. With the features offered on the website, you can have your itenerary planned before you even speak with them. That way, Pioneer can concentrate on the things that will make your trip special.

Right now, golfers can book guaranteed tee-times at the Old Course, Muirfield and other popular and historic courses. Also, a golf trip to Scotland in 2009 is about 15% less expensive than in 2008. A strengthening dollar is also making a golf pilgrimage more affordable than at any time in recent years.

Poor Economy Makes Great Airfare Deals Imperative

As yet, we haven't seen significant changes due to our economic slowdown, but it's only a matter of time. According to some analysts, a downturn of epic proportions could be on the horizon. If you're still planning to travel, for golf or otherwise, it's only prudent to seek out the best deals. That few-hundred dollars saved may come in handy down the road.

Airfare is going through the roof, but there are great deals to be had. Websites like Priceline.com, Orbitz, and Travelocity, as well as e-books and programs in which the authors have done meticulous research into little-known ways of finding great deals.

AAA is always a great resource, and if you find the right agent, one that understands how we all need the best deal possible, he or she will make your vacation planning a little easier.

Sometimes, when demand for air travel drops, so will airfare. But, with fuel costs, a poor business climate, and dropping share prices, the price of a ticket won't drop.

Walt Disney World Savings, Not Just for the Kids!

After being home for only three days after a trip to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, I can honestly say that it isn't simple for the kids. Aside from a magical week at the Magic Kingdom and multiple trips through the Pirates of the Carribean and Haunted Mansion, the golf at Disney World is fabulous.

One daunting problem with a Disney trip for most families is the cost. Disney obviously knows people are going to come and they charge a premium for everything.

That's why a new program I've discovered is fabulous and can be a real moneysaver for travelers. It is written by a former Walt Disney World Cast Member(employee), Beth Haworth, and it may make your dream trip to Disney World a reality.

The Ultimate Disney World Savings Guide 2008 is full of legitimate ways families can save on their trip. From Disney World resorts, to airfare, to golf to park tickets, it can save you a bundle. The book is priced at $29.95, which is a good trade for potentially thousands in savings.

It's worth a close look. If you want to read more about it and see some certified testimonials, click here. I wish I had discovered this before our trip.