Just a twenty minute drive across the bay from Destin, Eglin AFB Golf Course offers a dramatic shift in terrain from the flatland layouts next to the beach.  Rolling hills and significant elevation shift are key features of the two 18-hole courses.  The signature hole is a monster par 5 (should be a par 8) on the Falcon course.  There is always a tee time avaiilable on the Falcon.  The slightly more hospiitable Eagle course is frequently filled up. Both courses feature undulating greens, tough to get to from the side-hill lies that are the norm in the faiirways (not much earth moviing was done to create this course).  Long hiitters and those with handicaps 15 and under will enjoy the challenge, but there is not much forgiveness from the ladies tees.  The price is right. Very reasonable green fees, and visitors are permitted.  If you have been out of the military for a while, you may get some remiinders of why you left.  Reserved parking spots for officers are closer to the pro shop than handicapped spaces, and there is a severe warning on the driving range against hitting non-regulation yellow-and-black range balls.  Active military personnel get a discount in the pro shop, so briing your I.D.  There are lots of retired military folks using the course, so you can almost always get paired with an affable and interesting playing partner.  But, keep your wallet in your pocket---the locals know the greens way better than you do.

Destin, Florida is a quick wiinter getaway spot for us in Middle Tennessee.  Beaches are good, resturants are nice, and there is plenty of golf.  For the past two winters, we have included Indian Bayou in our golf itinerary.  Green fees are reasonable, the staff is cordial, and the course is in excellent condition, especially the greens.  The layout is hospitable to all levels of golfers, depending on which tees are chosen.  There are 27 holes, and the Seminole 9 and the Choctow 9 offer the most fun for a holiday golf venture.  Avoid the Creek 9 if your game is not spot on.  If you want to take a break from the beach and get some golf in Destin, Indian Bayou is definitely worth a look.

What's a trip to the Magic Kingdom without golf?  Well, we golfers know that you can have your fun with whipped cream on top.  It's easy to add a golf outing to your Disney World experience, and we did just that.  The Disney courses are very nice (we played the Magnolia course on an earlier visit), but this trip found us on a budget.  Just a few minutes away in the north Orlando suburbs is the Legends, a middle of the road daily fee layout that was fun for all.  The forward tees were especially lady and junior friendly.  Rolling hills, wide landing areas, and only a few water hazards distinguish the Legends from the typical Florida layout.  The greens were in great shape, very receptive, and rolled true.  The winter-time fairways were sparse and gave us some very tight, side-hill lies with unpredictable results.  They say golf is a game of recovery, and third-shot skills were on demand on a few holes.  Orlando was not experiencing global warming during our visit.  It was 25-degrees below normal.  The warm reception that we received from the staff at the Legends made up for the cold day.  If you are thinking of combining your roller coaster ride with some golf, check it out.

It's a short day's drive to Destin in the Florida panhandle and plenty of great golf.  The Sandestin Resort is a great headquarters spot.  It boasts four golf courses, including one advertised as "family friendly."  We played the Raven, a former venue for the PGA Champions Tour.  It had a very good practice facility that we needed for warming up because our day began in cool, windy weather.  The course was in great condition for winter play and the setting near the bay was beautiful.  The greens were very receptive and easy to putt, but getting to them was an issue.  Every drive was challenged by water or sand, and we found both.  Being patient off the tee and aware of the wind are the keys to success at the Raven.  There were no GPS units on the carts, and bringing your own is highly advised.
There is a mini-golf course on the resort property, a shopping center with decent resturants, and the beach is a short shuttle ride from the golf course.  A short jog down the Emerald Coast Parkway is an outlet mall large enough to keep non-golfers occupied for a full day (and a return trip to cash in the coupons collected).  Resort rooms include kitchenettes so visitors can make their own breakfasts and be ready for an early tee time.  Good lodging, good food, good fun, and golf---who can complain?

Dessert Springs, part of the Marriott resort adjacent to Palm Springs, California, offers a classic resort golf experience.  Two courses are featured, the Palm and the Valley.  We played the Valley course.   It was in exceptionally good condition in December, and the majestic Santa Rosa Mountains provided a marvelous backdrop for a beautiful day of golf.  The course layout was unusual for dessert golf.  It featured rolling terrain, generous landing areas, and limited use of dessert waste areas.  There were also some surprising water features that demanded decision-making about laying up or going for the greens.  The multi-tiered greens presented a challenge because being on the wrong side of the pin almost guaranteed a three-putt.  (If only my iron game matched the precision of the golf cart gps!)  Around the greens there were more than enough pot bunkers to test one’s golfing expletives.  An unsympathetic course marshal didn’t help.  If you go, dress in layers.  There was plenty of sunshine, but the morning dessert wind is cold.  Fortunately, you can warm up after the round in the resort’s very hospitable restaurant and share your golf stories with a colorful collection of live parrots.  All in all, a good trip.