Best Places to Tee It Up

Author Chris Santella will be publishing a book that examines some of the very best places to play golf out there, and that includes some surprising locations! From the vistas spied along the rough to the fairways, golf courses offer some spectacular views along with perfected playing grounds. Santella lists 50 Places to Play Golf Before You Die, and that means you're going to be developing a new sports bucket list to accommodate all the new places to call out "Fore!" Santella asked experts like golf journalists and sports pros where they've enjoyed their 18 holes, and named ones that aren't well-known along with general consensus selections, too. Since many golfers have a special wish-list of places they've heard about as well as countries they'd like to explore, why not have a peek at some of their collective golfing dreams? From inspiration derived from a magazine or catalog to a previous vacation close to a nearby resort, this carefully-honed collection is bound to impress the avid player.

If you're looking for a place to start, why not go with the substantial deals offered by WhataHotel.com's partners, who offer Exclusive Complimentary Perks when booking your stay on the site to enhance the value of your booking? Have a look at some of Santella's suggestions, and start running through the list by calling a travel agent who can research savings along with the best time of the year to head to your resort of choice. After all, there's nothing worse than packing up the clubs and then realizing that you've arrived in the middle of monsoon season, wouldn't you agree?

Playa del Carmen, Mexico is one such place that's attracted special attention over the past few years. The Yucatan Peninsula, weather-wise, is near perfect when it comes to sunny days and balmy climes, and Greg Norman's El Cameleon design is home to the Mayakoba Gold Classic. Complete with varied layouts of limestone, jungle, and swamps, you even get to fly one of the canals that stretches across the impressive landscape. Banyon Tree Mayakoba is located close enough to Mayakoba's El Cameleon golf course, which hosts the world's first PGA tour outside of the USA and Canada. Crystal waters surround the famous location in a totally picturesque layout, but if you crave those perks, another luxury hotel option is the Fairmont Mayakoba, which gives you a much-needed break as you watch the sun set over the Maya River and luxuriate in your nicely turned-out hotel suite, stuffed with amenities.

Bob Weeks, the Editor of Score, has also made golf enthusiasts open up their eyes when it comes to Canada. Despite the fact that the U.S. boasts many important golf courses, word has it that Alberta's Jasper Park Golf Club has exceeded professional expectation with its beautiful expanse of green that's as mesmerizing as it is challenging. When Weeks spoke of his experience at Jasper, he said that “The sun was shining, the scenery was incredible, the layout of the course was great. I recall thinking that if a golf nirvana existed, this was it; it was as close to perfection as I'd experienced. And I don't even remember how I played!” If that's won you over, why not check out the Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, which is one of the largest and highest-ranked luxury resort locations in all of North America. Cabins and suites await with plenty of other sports offered year-round, plus Exclusive Complimentary Perks. After you've taken in the golf course, other sports options include tennis, hiking, biking, horseback riding, and fishing.

There's only one thing left to say: fore!