Being an avid traveler and an avid golfer is a match made in heaven. Beautiful scenery is an important part of any great travel experience and some of the best scenery anywhere can be found on the golf course. To be experiencing this wonderful and sometimes maddening game in an exotic location creates lifelong memories. When you play a famous course that is also a PGA Tour stop, you will never watch that golf tournament the same way again.

I had a memorable birdie on the par 3, eighth hole on Kapalua’s beautiful plantation course. Now every January, I tune in to see how many pros I beat on that hole. Matching your trials and tribulations against the best in the world is very entertaining. (By the way I think Tiger parred that eighth hole the last time I watched.)

Golf is one of those rare activities where a world-class experience is available to all of us. Granted it is usually not inexpensive, but a knowledgeable travel professional can help take a few strokes off of your wallet. Most of the famous golf resorts in the world have some sort of inclusive packages available. Combine these options with off-season travel and some of the most legendary venues can be surprisingly affordable. For instance, Doral Resort in Miami, home of the Blue Monster has a May through October stay and play package. For $189 per person per day you get accommodations, breakfast and unlimited golf on all five of the courses, including the Blue Monster.

If your spouse is a non golfer, consider a vacation that includes golf. While you’re enjoying the links, he or she can be pampered at the spa. I think one of the great options for this is in Punta Cana. This island is one of the up-and-coming golf destinations in the world. It also has several luxurious all-inclusive resorts on gorgeous beaches. Five nights at one of this style, the Melia Caribe, is $476 per person plus airfare. Included is room, tax, beverages and golf green fees.

Of course there are the “bucket list” golf trips such as St. Andrews in Scotland—here Chris Holman is an expert. If I am not mistaken he makes a yearly pilgrimage to this holy golf site. I am sure he and his fellow travelers will enjoy every hole of the British Open as they recall all their much talked about great shots. You can do a seven-night self-drive package with accommodations and rounds at the old and new course for under $1,500. You can also play where the pros play pre-British Open, Ireland. This wonderful country and golf paradise has four night packages with three rounds in Shannon and Ballybunion for under $700. You will need to add airfare; but if you are really good this year, maybe Santa will bring you one of these trips for a holiday gift.

You don’t have to travel great distances to have a unique golf experience. We are fortunate here in Michigan to have some of the best courses in the country within an easy driving distance. Whether it is a day trip to The Majestic or an overnight at TreeTops, great golf is here in our backyard. But for those of us who want to venture out a little further the possibilities are limitless. Golf safaris in South Africa, crazy caddies in Jamaica, stunning views of the Alps and the Mediterranean at the Monte Carlo Golf Club. The world of golf is vast and exciting with new adventures awaiting every globetrotting hacker. You can even tee it up in the shadows of the pyramids of Giza; talk about a sand trap.

Golf, like other activities that we enjoy, becomes more memorable when we travel. Diving, hiking, tennis, working out, even shopping seem more eventful away from home. So don’t put off experiencing your hobbies in a location you have always dreamed of; you will never regret it.

		Joy Thrun is president of Classic Travel in Okemos and has owned and operated the company for 26 years. She oversees many multimillion-dollar corporate travel accounts.