Golf Guy's Offseason Hot Spots

Hawaii:  This is a no-brainer ... if you can afford it. The Hawaiian Islands are God's gift to the world for anything having to do with outdoor activities. Jaw-dropping beautiful golf –  check. Incredible beaches –  check. Surfing, windsurfing, snorkeling and boogie boarding –  check, check, check and check. The hardest part about heading to the islands is picking which island to stay. But then again you can't go wrong with whatever choice you make. My personal favorite? Maui, home to the annual season-opening PGA Tour stop at Kapalua, world famous Big and Little beaches (Little Beach is au naturale), and sensational sunsets. The picture below, however, is of the Mauna Lani Resort South Course on the Big Island. Like I said, a no-brainer. More on Hawaii.

Cabo San Lucas:  Quite the breathtaking view, huh? And this is just from the golf course, as my editor wouldn't allow me to show any pictures from the legendary nightlife. But back to the golf: there are three Nicklaus-designed golf courses in Los Cabos, plus the Robert Trent Jones II-designed Cabo Real Golf Club, and the Tom Weiskopf-designed 18-hole Desert Course at Cabo del Sol, with most of the courses running along or near the beautiful Sea of Cortez. Oh, and did I mention the nightlife?

Australia:  Hey, even Tiger is going there during his offseason. Now I have to admit, I've never been fortunate enough to make it to the Land Down Under, so let's just call this dream trip the top entry on my Bucket List. Besides the golf – Barnbougle Dunes (pictured below) comes highly rated – there are plenty of great places to visit: the Sydney Harbour, the Great Barrier Reef and the Men at Work museum (not really). And here's the final topper –  it's the home of Elle Macpherson. But that's a different Golf Guy Top-5 list.

Scottsdale:  Which PGA Tour event do you think is the Golf Guy’s favorite? You guessed it, the FBR Open, a.k.a. The Greatest Show on Grass. Not only does Scottsdale know how to party, they love their golf, too. Troon North, TPC Scottsdale, Talking Stick, Grayhawk ... and the list goes on. The cherry on top: More than a few PGA Tour players hibernate in this golf Mecca for the winter, and what could be cooler, say after one of your rounds, than bumping into Geoff Ogilvy and his wife at the grocery store in the produce section?

Mississippi Gulf Coast:  Mississippi, what? Hold on, let me ask you:  What’s the only thing better than casinos and golf courses? Enjoying both in the same weekend! And along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast the Golf Guy can do both. The Beau Rivage Resort & Casino is like a mini Bellagio, and Fallen Oak Golf Club (pictured below) is quite possibly the best casino golf course in the world. Enough said. We’re going to Biloxi, baby! Trust me on this one, but bring a little extra cash – I can't promise you any luck in the casino. More on Mississippi.

.