~~~-~":.- AFFORDABLE ~VILLA VACATIONS 1,000+ DREAM RENTALS IN ITALY, HAWAII, THE CARIBBEAN, FRANCE, SPAIN, MEXICO, AND MORE _ ..

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Rates rellect the lowest double-roornprice during Ihe resort's high season Forgolf. $ = $349 and under, $$ ""$350-$499, $$$ = $500 or more.

NetGoin together.One of theGolflatestCrossevolutionsenthusiastsin golfinhasNeweliminatedZealand holeswhackal• PLAY DOUGH an oval ball into netted goals; when teed up vertically, the egg, as it's called, flies In 2007, Americans true, but when set at various angles, it can be direct- spent $26.1 billion on ed left or right. The nine-hole course at South Is- I _ lid'" land's Rippon Vineyard includes complimentary golf vocations. wine tasting (64-3-443-8084; golfcross.com; round, $20). InTurkey, Cross Golf Cappadocia has its nine nets set amid the striking rock formations of G6reme National Park. The natural terrain is both fairway and rough. Hotel transfers, club rental, cad• dy, and post-game barbecue are included (90-384• 271-23-51; crossgolf.com.tr; round, $370).

O!I!] Adare Manor~:~otel & Golf Resort, County Limerick [ RUN FOR COVER] O!I!] The Cloister, Keri Golf gives the functional-but-boring, clubhead Sea Island, Ca. cover a fashionable twist. Side zips provide snug fit O!I!] JW Marriott Las Vegas down the , and water-resistant fabrics in sun• Resort, Spa & Golf, Las Vegas ny hues and bold prints protect against the ele•

O!I!] Montage Resort & Spa, ments. And as with any great accessory, Laguna Beach, Calif there's a bag to match-they pair perfect• ly with the company's new line of golf bags O!I!] Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix (kerigolf.com; four covers, $75). j

COND£: NAST TRAVELER I cncraveler.com • II • iiii"" r •• - '.'., '.' 81.390.594.193.690.394.784.292.978.192.391.790.297.785.580.093.386.783.988.587.582.482.288.7- 54 Gleneagles•'$$$90.089.S89.391.390.590.6$$$$$$91.289.789.089.9$$91.089.989.789.S91.3$93.293.394.893.692.9Facilities94.193.098.092.390.990.595.087.095.984.488.090.282.887.585.595.191.2$89.089.592.894.791.783.3$90.210089.689.090.393.896.097.392.892.086.393.396.683.377.493.183.980.885.787.891.578.079.084.381.391.382.692.396.293.689.877.692.988.19:90.690.091.788.595.590.595.285.095.094.790.978.882.984.891.286.098.496.793.491.489.594.476.278.685.187.9Foad/84.090.387.0-86.289.6100Dining$$:89.191.490.8Hotel,Activities/90.6Perthshire, Scodand "36010836815463211818542118ResortService "904·277·1100;IFs08.87~~9~2;1407·206·2300;702·567·6000;403-762-2211;480·488·9009;304·536·1110;602·840·3610;858·453·4420;602·468·0700;808·565·2000;869·469·1111;480·948·1700;208·765·4000;808·885-6622; fairmont.comtheboulders.comloewshotels.comritzcarlton.comgrandelakes.comgreenbrier.comroyalpalmshotel.comlodgetorreypines.comfourseasons.comfourseosons.comcomelbockinn.comcdaresort.commaunalani.commo~riOij.~om 99 35= Lodge at Ventana Canyon, Tucson JI 18 • $~90.1 18 $$ 44·1764-662231;iI949.240.2000;1180~11702.770.7100;800·828·~701;866·561·8802;20.i.gr~w.::,ile,;:,c2~gleneagles.comthelodgeolventanoconyon.comritzcarlton.comwynnlosvegas.comseapines.com === 37 Ritz·Carlton;;;;;0;;,;. Lodge,.2749453942 FourDisney'sReynoldsRoyalGrandDromolandSeasonsPalmsGrandWaileaPlantation,Resort,CasHe,ResortFloridian-Resort,-CountyNevis&Greensboro,-Spa,HotelResortClarePhoenix& &44Spa,Ga.Spa,JWMauiOrlando,MarriollI 800.354-5892;Fla.Orlando Grandekierland,;,esort.comLakes, Orlando, Fla. $$ {}0Qe0 54 '1 :1427.~3~8~O~,~5~.;o~82~300£~1.~68144; disneyworl~.comdi~neyworld~comd;m~land.ie = 27 Ritz·Carlton, Phoenix .---- - of Golf Rates SCORE (ourses & Service 81 "~$1 $$ 31 0 334730 InnCoeurRitz·Carlton,at Harbourd'Alene AmeliaResort,Town, Island,HiltonCoeurHead,Ameliad'Alene,S.c.Island,Idaho Fla. ~ 3627423739454849323326 MaunaWynnLoewsCamelbackFairmontTheFourWestinBouldersRitz·Carlton,LodgeWaileaDisney'sGreenbrier,SeasonsLasatLakeKierlandBeachLaniTorreyResortBanHBeachVegas,Inn,LasResort,LagunaLanaiMarriollSprings,Pines,WhiteResortVegas&ClubResortLasGoldenBigatVegasNiguel,Resort,SulphurLaManeleResort,IslandResort&AlbertoJolla,Spa,Spa,DoorDanaOrlando,Springs,CalifLas&ScottsdaleBay,ScottsdaleSpa,Spa,Veg~sPoint,LanaiWYo.Carefree,Fla.MauiCalif Ariz. 11706.467.0600; ritzcarlton.com Holes Room OVERAllDesignof GolfStaff Rooms

[ MEASURE FOR MEASURE] [lID] The Cloister, Sea Is/and. Ga. The new generation of range finders in the pros' bags this year (in 2006, the USGA approved the [lID] Four Seasons Resort, use of range finders during play) are also well suit• Punta Mita, Mexico ed for your next golf outing. With a downloadable [lID] JW Marriott Las bank of 17,000 courses in 45 countries, SkyGolfs Vegas Resort, Spa & Golf, SkyCaddie SG5 has GPS capability that can mea• Las Vegas sure distances between you and up to 40 targets ~ Four Seasons Resort within one yard, and gauge the shape of the green at Wailea, M aui from any approach angle (skygolfgps.com; $430).

STATE BUDGET with an average of $95 a round, Hawaii is the most expensive state in which to play golf.

[ THE WRITE STUFF]

Keep a running record of your play on the world's most memo• rable courses in Smythson's Panama Golf Notes book, hand• made in England. The 64 gilt-edge, featherweight leaves are bound in sky blue or navy lambskin, dignifying your scores even if you're marking more bogeys than birdies (smythson.com; $75).

CONDE NAST TRAVELER / cntraveler.com 76.8 • 18IBacoraWestinRitz-CarltonThe84.584.288.985.585.286.484.488.388.287.585.8$$$84.984.683.683.584.0$$$$83.588.286.986.084.380.990.080.0$itOz88.292.194.793.690.486.790.698.693.067.594.488.983.183.384.297.887.085.7Homestead,$77.876.910079.479.594.171.690.875.678.372.279.072.790.091.888.086.783.388.983.094.085.779.692.175.788.293.991.287.586.589.284.289.582.184.687.278.782.468.886.387.885.684.993.093.892.985.292.382.986.196.092.068.076.575.073.389.181.887.077.386.476.288.7Food!86.080.080.781.584.086.287.180.585.583.873.976.985.0Dining10092.9100TurnberryResort86.075.5!.dMiisGolf& HotSpa,&Resort,92.0SpaSprings,SantaResort,Ayrshire,Barbara,Va. RoseScodandCalifHall, Montego1443645902781185418ResortServiceBay,jamoica44-1655-331000;540-839-1766;805·968·0100;:1805-646-1111;11949.234·3200;iI876-953-2800;910-235·8507;407-407-934·7639;808-679-0079;888-345-6008;480-941-8200;808-880-1111;242-363-2501;724-329-8555;800-741-7333;650-712-7000;800·576-1570;876-953-2211;520-299-2020;561-655-6611;827-1100;thehomestead.combacararesort.comturnberry.co.ukhapunabeachprincehotel.comdisneyworld.comoiairesort.comstregis.compinehurst.comihilani.combandondunesgolf.comoneandanlyresorts.comoceanreef.comritzcarltan.camkiawahresart.comhalfmoon.comlaewshotels.comthebreakers.comphoenician.comnemacolin.comritzcarlton.comdisneyworld.com Vancouver Island {}Q~(11)I 407-239-1234;704-248-4000;808-826-9644; grandcypress.hyan.camballaniyneresort.comprinceville.com 18 II $$ I 85.8 L _ ~{G~l{ R~\e\ SCORE Courses & Servile Dams 0e0 250-391-7160; bearmauntain.ca Holes Room OVERAllOesignof GolfStoff R 57 ·"I~ 7374535461596675566972587152 HalfHapunaLodgeBallantyneSt.Disney'sOne&OnlyO;aiKiawohBandonPrincevilleOceanTheHyattRegisPhoenician,Breakers,Moon,ValleyatReefRegencyIs/andDunesBeachSarotogaMonarchNemacolinResort,Resort,OceanRoseInnClub,PalmGolfPrince&ScottsdaleGrandHall,KeySpa,KauaiCharlocte,SpringsClub,PoradiseBeachBeach,Resort,WoadlondsLargo,Fla.Hotel,MontegoOjai,Cypress,Resort,Fla.ResortCalifKiowahBandon,N.C.BigBay,jamaicoIslandIsland,Resort,DanoOrlando,&Island,Ore.Spa,PaineBahamasFarmington,Flo.S.c.Orlando,Calif Fla.Pa. 64 Pinehurst Resort, PinehurscN.c. 6364687066 JWRitzLoewsWestinDisney'sMarriottCarlton,VentanaBearYachtMountainIhilaniHalfClubCanyonMoonResortResort,VictoriaBay,Resort,&Orlondo,SpaHalfGolfTucsonMoonat Fla.KoResortBay,Olina,CalifandOohuSpa, ()

Rates reflect the lowest double-room price during the resort's high season for golf. $ = $349 and under, $$ = $350-$499, $$$ = $500 or more.

[VISION STATEMENT] The Best in Food I Dining

You'll see the flight of your ball in (m!] Adare Manor Hotel & Golf HD when wearing Oakley's Radar Resort, Counry Limerick Range, Pitch, or Path sunglasses, (m!] Dromoland Castle, each style available in two lenses: The Counry Clore tungsten iridium lens reduces glare in bright sun, while the rose tint lens enhances con• (m!] Four Seasons Resort Hualalai, Big Is/and trast in flat light. No matter which lens conditions dictate, they'll keep smudge-free with water- and oil-repellent coatings. And the close fit means (m!] Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita. Mexico they'll stay in alignment whether you're hacking out of the rough or staring down at a birdie putt (oakley. com/radar; $175).

In its I0 I-ye~r history, Pinehurst No.2 has hosted the most Ro u n dAd vie e champIOnshIps In the United States. We caught up with ROAO TRIP Eddie Mackenzie, who has 19 years' experience caddying No.2, to When it opens this get his tiPs for playing the Donald Ross-designed course. year, Nullarbor For~et : "The average score from the white is about will be the world's 105.You gotta play No.2 one shotata time." Course manage• ment: "The greens are elevated and the crowning can be severe, longest course, and that usually involves layingup and then a chip-and-run up the spanning 800 miles hill-like at St. Andrews. Ross was a Scotsman, after all." Favor• in Western and ite hole: "Everybody loves 18.On Sundays, the hole is in the South Australia. same spot it was when Payne Stewart nailed the IS-foot putt to win the 1999 U.S. Open."

80 CONDf: NAST TRAVELER I cncravelcr.com 000Q e ~ e (11) (:) Holes RoomOVERAllDesignof GolfStoff R Resort Food/ Activities/ ofGolf Rotes SCORECourses& Service ooms Service Dining Focilities

77 Portmarnock Hotel & Golf Links, County Dublin 353-1-846-0611;porlmarnock.com 18 $$$ 83.4 88.0 88.0 85.0 90.5 81.0 65.0

78 Fairmont Chateau Whis~er, Whisder, B.C. 60~938-8000; fairmonl.c.~m0 n 18 iI $ I 83.3 87.9 82.4 83.3 87.1 78.1 80.0

78 Grand Del Mar, Son Diego 858-314-2000;granddelmar.com 18 $$$ 83.3 72.2 83.3 88.2 88.2 88.2 83.3

78 Ritz·Carlton, Sarosota, Flo. 941~309.2~OOO;~itzcarlt~~;: -~ 18 " $$ I 83.3 94.1 76.5 88.9 77.8 88.9 72.2 81 Desert Springs lW Marriott Resort & Spa, Po/m Desert,Calif ~~~-341-2211;des:rlspringsresort.com 36 ...n.t. 82.9 85.3 89.3 81.6 84.4 74.4 79.7 82 Ritz'Carlton Orlando, Grande Lakes, Orlando,Fla. 407;2~-~400; rilz;arll~~=om - - .,.,.".:. 18 "", f' 82.8 76.0 80.0 88.5 88.9 88.5 78.3 83 Hilton Waikoloa Village, BigIs/and 808-886-1234;hillonwoikoloavillage.com 36 $ 82.S 82.8 89.1 79.4 75.8 80.3 85.7 II 84 Hilton Head Marriott Resort & Spa, Hikon Head, S.c. 843-686.8400;hiltonhead~arrion~o~ S4 $ I 82.4 83.3 88.9 82.4 88.9 62.5 85.7 85 Hyatt Regency Resort and Spa at Goiney Ranch, Scottsdale 480-444.1234;;;;;;;.sconsdale.hyan.com--- - - 27 i"·$ 82.1 83.7 83.7 71.4 87.8 80.0 85.1 800-257.7544;foirmont.com " 36 " $ I 81.9 89.3 78.6 92.0 79.2 74.1 77.3 86 Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & C/ub,Aventuro,Fla. ~ ::-:. III' • 520-742-6000;weslinlapalomaresorLcom 27 $ 81.8 94.6 88.9 78.4 74.4 71.8 76.3 87 Westin La Paloma Resort & Spa, Tucson ::;: ,;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; I;" 88 Four Seasons Resort and Club Dallas at Las Colinas, Dallas,Tex. 972-717-0700;fourseasons.com 18 $$$ 81.6 81.0 86.4 76.2 81.0 77.3 86.4 __ ~ ~ ~ ~_."'= ~ I

89 Barton Creek Resort & Spa, Austin, Tex. 866-572-7369;barloncreek.com S4 $ 81.S 96.7 82.8 70.4 75.9 79.3 78.6

90 lW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix I480-293-5000;iwdesertridgeres~co: -, 36 '''$1~ 81.3 87.0 83.3 82.7 84.3 71.2 77.0

91 Old Course Hotel, Golf Resort & Spa, St Andrews,Scotland 44.1334-474371;oIdcoursehotel.co.uk 18 $$$ 81.1 91.9 90.2 77.4 78.7 71.7 70.2 I' >. 92 Casa de Campa, LaRomano,DominiconRepublic ~2.9~23-3333;c~deco~~o.co~m .2: S4 L ~$ 81.0 96.8 87.1 76.7 73.3 70.0 75.0 93 Fairmont Orchid, BigIsland 808.885-2000;foirmonLcom 36 $$ 80.8 81.1 78.4 83.8 89.5 68.4 84.2

94 Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, Hollywood,Fla. 954.602-~000;d~:r:~o!!~<;,~;;;;; "",:ji 18 :~$~I 80.6 76.7 82.8 87.1 90.0 77.4 70.0

95 A~antis, Parodise Island,Bahamas 888-528-7155;ollontis.com 18 $$ 80.5 77.8 77.1 79.4 88.2 74.3 87.9

96 Langboat Key Club and Resort, LongboatKey,Fla. 88.8}.37.5545;1~~:~eYclub.c; __ ••: 4S It $ : 80.4 70.0 75.0 85.7 85.7 85.7 85.7

96 Quail Lodge Resort & , Carmel, Calif 888-8~8-8787;quaillodge.com 00 •• 18J$ 80.4 76.3 89.7 85.0 81.0 80.0 68.6

98 Myrtle Beach Marriott Resort at Grande Dunes, MyrtleBeach,S.c. 843-M9-88~~:myrtlebe;hm':.'riottr;so-;;.~, 18 it $ : 80.2 84.9 84.9 73.3 78.1 75.0 81.8 99 Hyatt Regency Resort & Spa, Mou; 808-661-1234;maui.hyan.com 36 $ 80.0 70.4 75.0 81.5 84.6 81.5 92.0

100 Fairmont Southampton, Bermuda i41~238.8000~f~ir~on~com•••••.•.••• ii 18 '1"$$1 79.5 79.2 79.2 78.3 82.6 75.0 83.3 Rates reflect the lowest double-room price during the resort's high season for golf. $ = $349 and under, $$ = $350-$499, $$$ = $500 or more.

~ We tabulated the responses of 2,805 Conde Nast Traveler readers who were asked to evaluate 477 golf resorts that they had visited in the past three years. Properties were rated on six criteria --Design of Courses (20 percent of score). Golf Staff & Service (20 pe"cent), Rooms ( I5 percent), Resort Se,'vice (15 percent), Food/Dining ( IS percent), and Activities/Facilities ( !5 peITent)-using a five~pojnt scale: excellent. very good, good, fair. and poor. Each score represents the percentage of respondents who rated a particular feature excellent or very good. Only properties that received a required minimum number of responses were included in these rankings.

GAME ADVISORY The word fore originated in the II!I!] Bandon Dunes Golf II!I!] Ritz-Carlton, Resort, Bandon, Ore. Palm Beach, Fla. Scottish military, where it was used to warn troops in forward II!I!] Falling Rock at II!I!] Wailea Beach Marriott Nemacolin Woodlands Resort, Maui positions of incoming artillery fire, Resort, Farmington, Pan II!I!] Westin Resort & Spa, II!I!] Four Seasons Resort, Los Cab as, Mexico Punta Mita, Mexico II!I!] Westin Turnberry II!I!] Mauna lani Resort, Resort, Ayrsh ire, Scotland Big Is/and

[ PUTTING 2.0 ]

Spending hours on the putting green will only benefit your score ifyou're cor• recting your bad habits. Working out the kinks is a cinch with "1dams Golfs DiXX Digital Training . The detachable computer measures the

~P_m )~ I1J p~th, imp~ct position, and face a.ngle ofy~ur. putts (se~ On .~'"" • .;~ right), while other sensors mOnitor details like hand VI- brations. And it will track the progress of your swing as you improve (see left). The putter, available in mallet and blade styles, is USGA approved for course play when the computer is removed (adamsgolf.com; $4001 .

• Reported by Alex C. Pasquariello