If you want to ask Travelin' Joe a question, e-mail him at askjoe@golf.com.
Hi Joe,
We are planning a golf trip near the Lake Winnipesaukee area in New Hampshire. Can you recommend a couple of courses in that area?
Laurie Kirby, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Check out Owl's Nest Resort & Golf Club ($44-$82; owlsnestgolf.com) in Campton, a handsome, 10-year-old, 6,818-yard test. It sits northwest of the lake, some 20 miles up I-93. The mixed backdrop of mountains, meadows and forests is enthralling. On the south side of the lake is Lochmere Golf & Country Club ($32-$65; lochmeregolf.com) in Tilton. The site of the 2008 State Amateur sports large greens and wooded fairways. It's only 6,697 yards from the tips, but it plays longer.
Dear Joe,
I am planning a work trip to Boston and would love to play golf but I don't want to pack my clubs for just any public course. Could you name me a couple of places to play that will make me happy I put forth the effort?
David Byrd, Missouri
There are no Pebble Beaches or Bethpage Blacks to be had in Greater Beantown, but there are a handful of tracks worth lugging your clubs for. Start with the Granite Links at Quarry Hills ($110-$125; granitelinksgolfclub.com), seven miles south of Boston. It's not inexpensive, but Twilight rates (after 4 pm) are roughly half the going rate. Variety is the buzzword here, with some holes edged by trees, others that roll over open ground and a few with great Boston skyline views to the north.
Well worth the 35-mile drive west on Rte 2 is Red Tail Golf Club ($70-$105; redtailgolf.net), a superb Brian Silva design that will host the 2009 U.S. Women's Amateur Public Links Championship. General Patton once taught warfare tank maneuvers on the site before heading off to Europe to fight World War II and genuine leftover ammunition bunkers line the 17th fairway. The battle on the other 17 holes is spirited as well.
Hi Joe,
I am planning a trip to Albuquerque for 4 to 6 couples this summer to play golf and also check out Santa Fe. Would you provide some recommendations for golf courses and accommodations?
Dale D. Tucker, Via email
If you like a little casino action with your golf, then Sandia is the safest bet in Albuquerque ($49-$85; sandiagolf.com). The golf course is pure fun-long, but wide open with marvelous views of the Sandia Mountains. The Sandia Resort features the Green Reed Spa and an adjacent casino.
For a more traditional Southwestern getaway, try the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa (hyatt.tamaya.com), a GOLF Magazine Silver Medal property in 2008. Excellent restaurants, a terrific spa and dozens of recreational options can be had here, including the on-property Twin Warriors course ($80-$145; twinwarriorsgolf.com), a rugged, scenic 7,736-yard test. Santa Fe is loaded with great hotels. One of the best is the Eldorado Hotel & Spa (eldoradohotel.com), situated two blocks from the Plaza and across the street from the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum.
Finally, don't miss Paa-Ko Ridge ($59-$99; paakoridge.com), New Mexico's best public course, which is closer to Albuquerque, but is accessible from Santa Fe as well.
