There you are standing on the first tee and enjoying those warm tropic breezes as you drive your ball down the middle of the Fairway. But did you ever take a moment to reflect on what is back in Saratoga County? Maybe that the most recent report you received predicted a true Northeaster with freezing temperatures. And there you are standing in the middle of a plush, green fairway. Don’t you feel guilty?  Hopefully not! Remember you have earned these warm, bright days in the sun. Years of hard work should be rewarded and take you away from the ravages of winter.

But, maybe, you have never been to the Carolinas North or South. They can be a very pleasant respite in escaping our winter doldrums. There are winter golfing meccas all over our fair country. Each has their own unique opportunities You can travel far distances including Palm Springs, Calif., Phoenix, Ariz. or Orlando, Fla., but I enjoy the Carolinas for its proximity to Saratoga Springs.  It’s an easy and comfortable three-hour flight from Albany or a reasonable drive if you have ample time.

There are a variety of golf courses in each state to meet the most discriminating tastes. And each state has a visitor’s bureau that can help you in making up your vacation plans.  Both have Websites and telephone numbers that I will share with you later on.

There is no better golf to be found in our country than in the Pinehurst -- Southern Pines North Carolina area.  It is known worldwide as the Home of American Golf. That honor was bestowed on them with the development of the Pinehurst Resort as the first destination golf resort in the country. Also it was the winter home of Donald Ross the foremost architect of his time and his work is displayed all over the county.

The Pinehurst Resort boasts of eight golf courses on its premises.  The most famous is their No. 2 course that is difficult and expensive, at $375 a round. It scares many golfers away.  When I played it, I hit so many three woods I felt like Paul Bunyan trying to clear the Sequoia National Forest with his ax. Like many golfers, I consider my status as recreational.  Number 2 as not for me, but best suited for the more accomplished golfer who loves a challenge. 

However, within a 15-mile radius of Southern Pines there are 39 other golf courses that are much better suited for my game. For example, The Pit is a nifty little course with lots of purposely tricked up holes to enjoy and if you like The Pit you will love Tobacco Road a half hour North of Southern Pines. Golfers in the know refer to it as The Pit on Steroids. It is one of my favorite courses, ever.You will never go astray playing two great Donald Ross golf courses across the street from each other. There is no better golf in the country than at the Mid Pines Inn and Golf Club., and the Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club. Pines Needles recently hosted the 2007 Women’s Open.

There is an abundance of literature available from their very efficient visitor's bureau. Tell them about yourself; budget restrictions, golfing ability, available dates, etc. Let them do all the planning for you. Website is  www.homeofgolf.com/index.htm or phone 1-800-346-5362.

As much as I enjoyed the tranquility of the pastoral environment of the Pinehurst area, there is an entirely different atmosphere in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The biggest difference is the availability of the Atlantic Ocean and seemingly endless miles of sandy beach that extend for 60 miles on what is called the Grand Strand. And if you are a night person or joining that ever growing list of grandparents (as we are) there is so much more to do if golf is not your only purpose for living. The beach, amusement parks, world class entertainment, etc., it's all there. 

Myrtle Beach is considered one of the top golf destinations in the world with over three million visitors a year.  And why wouldn’t it be? There are at last count, 101 golf courses to choose from.  They run the gamut from the very expensive, beautifully groomed Grand Dunes to many other layouts that are well maintained and best suited for the recreational golfer’s budget.

When making your  plans to play golf in Myrtle Beach you should start by contacting Myrtle Beach Golf Holidays, a non-profit organization that represents 76 golf courses and 80 golf packages. They don’t make reservations for you, but they do provide you with a wealth of material that allows you to make a wise choice. And you will want one that will fit your pocketbook. Web-site www.GolfHoliday.com, phone 1-800-833-8798.

The Grand Strand has approximately 400 hotels and 60,000 rooms available. Each hotel has access to most of the golf courses and offer very attractive, discounted golf packages through their concierge services.  With a hotel on the beach and 100 golf courses close at hand, it doesn't get much better than that.

Most times when I play golf at a notable golfing Mecca I come away with my favorite course.

With so many courses available in Myrtle Beach that decision becomes more difficult. If hard pressed, I would have to say Caldonia. It is a terrific layout designed by Mike Strantz who incidentally was the architect of Tobacco Road, my favorite course in North Carolina.

Unfortunately, his genius is lost to the world. Two years ago he succumbed to cancer at the age of 50.

Anyone who plays golf in Myrtle Beach comes away with their favorite course. Tidewater is always mentioned along with True Blue, another Strrantz creation.  If you are fortunate to get to play The Dunes, the first golf course built in Myrtle Beach, you are in for a rare treat. Or if you are a resort person and love your golf self-contained, you can do no better than Pauley’s Island or Litchfield Resorts.  Both resorts offer all the amenities without traveling from course to course along the Grand Strand.

Now that you have explored the wondrous golfing opportunities available in North and South Carolina with me, it is time to get started.  Either Website or phone, it’s so easy even a caveman can do it. (Did somebody else say that?)  Nothing could be finer than -- heck, you know what I mean and don't feel guilty.