Four Seasons Resort Lanai at Manele Bay Lanai, Hawaii
Medal History: Seven consecutive Gold awards
Why It's Worth It: This was a longtime Gold medalist even before the Four Seasons brand took over last year. the result is a ramping up in service and amenities. The Nicklaus course doesn't need much work--the cliff-top setting is so dramatic that Bill Gates chose to get married on the tee at No. 12.
Contact: 800-819-5053, fourseasons.com/manelebay
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North Scottsdale, Ariz.
Medal History: Debuted Gold in 2002
Why It's Worth It: You can't get any closer to the Sonoran Desert this side of a tent and sleeping bag. Both courses here are on our Top 100 Courses You Can Play: the Monument (No. 21) and Pinnacle (No. 64) tracks.
Contact: 800-332-3442, fourseasons.com/scottsdale
Grand Wailea Resort
Maui, Hawaii
Medal History: Elevated to Gold in 2000, Silver prior
Why It's Worth It: The Gold, Blue and Emerald courses are the jewels here, but the real bauble for guests is the Spa Grande, where you can get massaged and scrubbed with everything from seaweed to sea shells.
Contact: 800-888-6100, grandwailea.com
The Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs, W.V.
Medal History: Gold since 1988
Why It's Worth It: You'll feel like landed gentry at leisure here with amenities like falconry, skeet shooting and off-road driving. The Greenbrier course hosted the 1979 Ryder Cup and Old White course, designed by C.B. Macdonald, is nearing the end of a major restoration. Sam Snead made his final ace here on the par-3 18th hole in 1995.
Contact: 800-888-6100, greenbrier.com
The Homestead Hot Springs, Va.
Medal History: Only once, in 2000, has the resort been less than Gold standard
Why It's Worth It: The resort is celebrating its 240th birthday by restoring the superb Cascades course--No. 56 on GOLF MAGAZINE's Top 100 Courses in the U.S.--to its original 1923 design by William Flynn, who also designed Shinnecock Hills. The Cascades reopens in May.
Contact: 800-838-1766, thehomestead.com
Inn & Links at Spanish Bay Pebble Beach, Calif.
Medal History: Medalist since 1988; this is its fifth Gold medal
Why It's Worth It: A standout new restaurant has elevated Spanish Bay to equal status with its sister property, the Lodge at Pebble Beach. The homemade pasta at Peppoli is matched only by the Pacific views. You can feast on the golf, too. The links offers a stirring prep for the other courses to which you have access, Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill.
Contact: 800-654-9300, pebblebeach.com
Evan Schiller
The Emerald Course at Wailea Golf Club in Maui.
Medal History: Solid Gold since 1998
Why It's Worth It: The golf here shows the first stirrings of the Bear--two early Nicklaus designs that can maul you, most notably the Kiele layout, which is No. 78 on our Top 100 Courses You Can Play. But rest easy, the pillows on the beds feature more feathers than a Purdue chicken farm.
Contact: 800-220-2925, marriott.com
Kiawah Island Golf Resort Kiawah Island, S.C.
Medal History: After eight Silvers Kiawah gets its Gold
Why It's Worth It: No property storms this year's Gold Medal podium with more force than Kiawah, which in 2005 opened the South's finest new hotel, the Sanctuary at kiawah Island. Now, the resort has the luxury accommodations to match its Gold Medal golf, most notably Pete Dye's Ocean Course, the 19991 Ryder Cup venue. Sweeping staircases off the lobby suggest a Gone With the Wind elegance but the comfort level is pure Southern charm.
Contact: 800-576-1570, kiawahresort.com
