Yesterday I had lunch in New York with some members of "Wales." I can't say they're with the Wales Tourism Board, because that would be inaccurate. Their business cards simply say, "Wales."

Roger Pride is the "Director of Marketing" of Wales and Maebeth Fenton is a "PR Consultant" for the small country the size of Massachusetts. Wales is a peninsula on the western flank of England with a population of a little over 3 million people.

They had good news: Wales got the Ryder Cup for the first time. (I didn't say it was new news, they won that bid in 2001.) But with that, there's also some potentially bad news: Wales got the Ryder Cup for the first time.

Pride's and Fenton's big-picture mission is simple, and yet complicated. They need to get the word out about the 38th Ryder Cup matches being held at the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, Wales, Oct. 1-3, 2010. But in winning the bid, Pride says it will cost his country $100 million in necessary preparations to the course, the resort, general infrastructure, various marketing strategies and that's not all. They agreed to host four European professional tournaments every year leading up to 2010. They are the Celtic Manor Wales Open on the European Tour in June as well as European events on the Senior, Ladies and the Challenge tours.

Pride is not much of a golfer, but he knows the branding business. He has written books and travels the world giving speeches on the subject. Not only does he need the Ryder Cup to be a success, he needs to use the sporting world's third-most-watched event to help put Wales, sans the letter h, on the map of the masses.

Pride told me a funny story. In a cab ride to lunch the driver asked him, "What do you do for a living?"

"I promote Wales," said Pride.

The cab driver was supportive but of an alternate cause. "I love whales. Amazing animals. Do everything you can for them."

So maybe the work that's already been done hasn't helped Wales distinguish itself from whales to the cab driving community, but the numbers are moving in the right direction, especially amongst golfers.

According to Pride, prior to winning the Ryder Cup bid, Wales was getting 30,000 annual golf specific visitors. Their goal was to get that number up to 100,000 by 2010. The numbers aren't back yet for '08, but Pride says they were already at 90,000 annual golf specific visitors in '07.

Maybe "good news/bad news" isn't the right way to phrase it. Maybe we can simply call the winning Ryder Cup bid a combination of pressure and the spotlight Wales has been longing for.

"An event like this and an investment like this is an opportunity to showcase our country on the world stage for more than just a golf destination," says Pride. "Most of our return will happen the week of the Ryder Cup, but we also want to leave a lasting legacy that we can continue to build on."

Wales, England and Scotland make up the island of Britain. Pride likes to say, "Wales offers the tradition of golf in Scotland and the crack of golf in Ireland, but we can offer it for a lot less."

"Crack," in this case, is an Irish term meaning fun. Golf "for a lot less" is what we're all looking for right now.

I've been on the field for a Super Bowl, in the infield at a Kentucky Derby, inside the ropes of a U.S. Open and attended 11-straight Masters. There's nothing more "cracking" than a Ryder Cup. And it's a great excuse to go see what Pride is promoting. Like it says on his card--"Wales."

--Matty G.

For more information on the Ryder Cup, golf in Wales and the five-star Celtic Manor, check out: rydercupwales2010.com. To book a golf trip, try this site: travelwales.org. Pride suggests the months of May and September to see Wales in the best weather.

I'm back in bone-cold New York City, fresh from Ambush #12 in Nevada where I met up with Chris Cressler and his crew. I surprised them at Royal Links in Las Vegas before we made the 80-mile drive (a posted 75 mph speed limit) to the middle-of-nowhere-Mesquite. With the exception of Fred Funk, it's the straightest drive in golf. And if I were trying to find a witness in the witness protection program, I'd start where I just came from.

That being said, Cressler organized and led his friends from St. Louis on their inaugural buddies trip on the week of the inauguration to the Eureka Hotel because they could get good golf for not a lot of cash. In the April issue of Golf Digest read about where this group played, more about where they stayed, crappy dice rolls by men with swollen ankles in floral skirts using pink golf balls and an interesting spin to the betting game they called "wolf."

--Matty G.    

(Do you take a buddies trip and think it's worthy of our readers? Send in an itinerary and some anecdotes. We're picking a winner every month.)

I received a press release about the latest and greatest from Pete Dye in French Lick, Ind. The picture and the information were worth passing on. I also called Mr. Dye and asked a few follow up questions. He was on site and in the snow in French Lick. Scroll down to the quick Q&A at the end of the release.

New dramatic Dye course will open April 24, 2009

French Lick, IN--Not since the opening of Whistling Straits in Wisconsin has there been a more anticipated golf course opening in the Midwest. Hall of Fame architect Pete Dye is responsible for both. The new Pete Dye course at French Lick Resort will open to the public on April 24, 2009.

French Lick Resort, one of America's premier resort destinations, is situated on rolling hills overlooking the Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana. The historic resort is located in the small town of French Lick, where for over two centuries the Pluto Mineral Springs has attracted visitors. (It's also known as the hometown of basketball legend Larry Bird.)

Since the early 1900's, golf has been an integral part of this resort area. Tom Bendelow designed the first course here in 1907 followed by the great Donald Ross ten years later. In 2009, however, French Lick moves to an entirely new level with the opening of the spectacular new Pete Dye course.

Dye, an Indiana native who recently was inducted into the Golf Hall of Fame, is famous for his innovative course designs. In 1982, Dye introduced stadium golf at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. What followed were a series of Dye signature designs including the Ocean Course at Kiawah, PGA West in California, Whistling Straits in Wisconsin and now this new course at French Lick Resort.

"I've spent the past five decades designing golf courses all over the world, including courses on great coastal sites," Dye explains. "This new project at French Lick Resort brings great excitement to Alice and me because the course is on arguably the best inland site I've ever worked on."

Integrating the advances in modern equipment, golf balls and player fitness, Dye has designed a golf course that stretches over 8,100 yards from the professional tees. However, this new creation welcomes all levels of players. With five sets of tees, yardages begin at 5,100 yards from the forward tees. (Alice Dye always makes sure the courses play well for women.) Most players are expected to play from either 6,100 or 6,700 yards.

This new course is already gaining national recognition. In 2010, the PGA of America will play its PGA Professional National Championship on the new Pete Dye course. This is expected to be the first of several high profile professional events to be hosted here. 

The new Pete Dye course will also mark the return of caddies to French Lick Resort for the first time in 45 years. The resort's new caddie program will give young people from the area the opportunity to learn the game and qualify for college scholarships. The resort will work with the Western Golf Association in developing the caddie program. While caddies will be an option, forecaddies will be required upon opening.

Complementing the new Pete Dye course at French Lick Resort is the historic Donald Ross course, which has just undergone a $4.6 million restoration project that has brought the course back to Ross's original plans.

French Lick is now the only resort in the world that combines the classic history of Donald Ross and the modern day design of the legendary Pete Dye. This combination is a spectacular opportunity for golfers to experience two of the best designers who ever shaped beautiful landscapes into golf courses.

For more information about the $500 million historic resort renovation and casino development go to: www.frenchlick.com.

Q&A with Mr. Dye (1.26.09)

You say in the release that it's arguably the best inland site you've ever worked on. Why?
It's built on the highest point in Indiana, which is about 900 feet. When you play the course you get some spectacular views and you can see for about 30 or 40 miles. We've worked on this for two years and most mountain courses you get a few good views but you can't walk them. I've walked this entire course today in the snow.

You're 83 and you walked the course today in the snow?
It was colder than hell, but I did it.

How did you go about getting the 2010 PGA Professional National Championship before you opened the course?
Well, they gave Kiawah the Ryder Cup before we even broke ground. [Laughs.] Kerry Haigh came out here in the fall. It wasn't playable, but he could see where we were going.

I see the tips could play as far back as 8,100 yards. Did you ever imagine building a course that big?
No. Never. I had enough room out here for 9,000 yards. The back tees are ridiculous, but how do I know what people are going to do in 10 or 15 years? So there's room to keep going back if necessary. The white tees will play at about 6,100 yards. The blue tees will play at 6,700 yards and the pro tees, which I call the gold tees, will play at 7,100 or 7,200 yards. But we could go back to 7,500 or 7,600 yards real quick.

Based on degree of difficulty and if I'm a 7.0 Index, which tees should I play?
The white tees. [Laughs.] I'm a seven handicap and that's where I would play. But the white tees can be played between 6,200 yards and 6,500 yards.

So there's a renovated resort and 45 holes including 18 by Ross and a new 18 by Dye? Can you say buddy trip?

--Matty G.

From Hollis Wineland of Blackwood, NJ: I know it's very hard to get a tee time on Bethpage "Black". It seems to me I read somewhere that a person could submit your name to Bethpage on the Internet and they would put it on a list. When your name came up they would inform you what day and time to be there. You should be ready on short notice. Like they would inform you say Tuesday evening to be there Wednesday morning. Or did I just dream this? Thanks.

Hollis,

Thank you for your e-mail. My guess is you weren't dreaming, you were just traveling down a conscious dark path in order to try and get a tee time to play the Black. I don't blame you. I ranked it my favorite public course I played in 2008 in a recent blog. However, I've looked into your question and I suggest you turn around and go back the other way.

"No way. Not true at all. You have to make your reservation through us," said a spokesperson for Bethpage. "What you're referring to is not really legal and we do not permit this."

From what I understand, people get tee times and then try to sell them through the Internet. This is why you have to be ready on such short notice. Out of state residents can only book a time two days in advance. In state residents can book up to one week in advance. If someone gets two or four spots, they try to sell the extra spots to you or other unsuspecting fans of the Black. The person who gets the tee time would have to be present and play with you in your group and my guess is, you'll be paying more than the $54 weekday rate for New York state residents, or $104 for out of state residents if you go the route you were referring to.

For more legal and accurate information about how to get a tee time to play the Black, click here.

Trust me, the Black is hard enough. The last thing you need to be thinking about as you swing out of your soft spikes trying to reach the 10th fairway is the authorities.

--Matty G.

(Do you have a question, comment or complaint? Reach me through this blog in the "comments" box below, or send me an e-mail by clicking on this link.)

As a subscriber to Golf Digest, I especially enjoy the travel section of your magazine.  I enjoy reading about golf destinations, especially when I've visited the locations. I've always thought that the destinations in your travel section were interesting, but typically out of my price range. These thoughts were confirmed in the February issue about Myrtle Beach edited by Matt Ginella. The article states, "I ordered a sampler platter of some of the best Myrtle Beach has to offer the unpretentious, bottom line-conscious golfer." In many ways your travel section needs a reality check.

I'm a bottom-line conscious golfer with many golf trips under my belt (including three to Myrtle Beach). Of the six courses listed (all top quality I might add) the cheapest green fee is $125 with the average green fee of $189. I'm an avid golfer and I can count on one hand the times I have spent more that $100 on a green fee. Even with the package price of $1,099 quoted in the article, the cost of this golf trip along with travel and incidentals, would be in the $1,500 range. Though my golfing friends and I would love to take this trip, the trip is not for the bottom line conscious golfer. The trip is for the upscale golfer.

Mike Jamieson
Bloomfield Hills, MI.

Mike,

Thank you for your letter and I appreciate the fact that you appreciate the travel section. As you might imagine, it's a fun set of pages for my colleagues and I to fill each month.

I also appreciate your concern for the price points of the courses I played in the February Away Game to Myrtle Beach. But in terms of a reality check, pardon me for getting real for a minute.

First, I did say that I was going "to play the best Myrtle Beach has to offer the unpretentious, bottom line conscious golfer." I don't want to make a blanket statement but I will in this response. Anyone who plans a golf trip to Myrtle Beach is an unpretentious, bottom line conscious golfer. The "upscale golfer" plans trips to Pebble, Pinehurst or Sea Island. Myrtle's market is the other end of the spectrum. That being said, and even though prices of all golf will continue to come down, you still have to pay to play the greats, regardless of where you are. Off the street in peak season, the greats are only $200 in Myrtle and $500 at Pebble.

Here's another spoon full of real soup. I can't imagine Digest subscribers want to read about the worst Myrtle has to offer, or even three pages on the cheapest golf Myrtle has to offer.

One set of prices I quoted in my story are walk-in rates during peak season, but you'd never go to Myrtle Beach and just walk-in from off the street in April. Having been to Myrtle a few times I'm sure you know this, but you'd always contact one of several golf-package booking services. (I worked with golfdesk.com, but there are others). When you book through a service, you get more access for less money.

Destinations like your backyard in Michigan, the RTJ Trail in Alabama or the Grand Strand of Myrtle Beach are known to be the value golf hubs of the country, if not the world. Although I'm the travel editor and I had been to Myrtle Beach in the past, I had not played a lot of golf down there (zero of the roughly 1,800 holes to be exact). So, for this trip, I decided to try and see six of the best it had to offer and to see two courses in each of the three sections of the 60-miles of golf. I played two in the north, two in the middle and two in the south.

In this case, I would not recommend doing what I did (six rounds in three days and cover that much territory in such a short amount of time). Ultimately, I hope a reader can play one or both of the courses in a particular section I played (north, middle and south) and build a trip around them, filling in the gaps of an itinerary with some less expensive courses in that area.

I've heard Myrtle Beach gets doused by the occasional bad bit of PR because of the strip clubs and strip malls, but it far exceeded my expectations. From the small and efficient airport, Greg Norman's Steak House, the lodging options and the hospitality, it was clear the area was built for the manic hacker looking to get more bang for his buck. Even if you did dare to do the same trip I did, priced out at $1,099, which included those six rounds of great golf and four nights at the Barefoot Resort Golf Villas, that's averaging a little more than $100 per round of golf and $100 for each night of lodging. And again, none of those courses were less than four and a half stars and Barefoot's lodging is some of the best in the area. I'm sorry, if reality is what you're looking for, that's a real good deal.

--Matty G.

(Do you have a question, comment or complaint? Reach me through this blog in the "comments" box below, or send me an e-mail by clicking on this link.)

Does this sort of stuff interest you?

Orbitz sends me (and I assume the rest of the world, which might already include you) this e-mail every week:

"Top 10 Deals Of The Week"

Here's the link to Orbitz.

The deal at Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas looked interesting: "Save 25% off 4+ night stays through March 31st. I also received an e-mail from them the other day talking about a different offer: "For every two nights you stay with us, receive a complimentary night."

Here's the link to the Hard Rock invitation.

--Matty G.

In the February issue of Golf Digest you may have noticed there was no Ambush article. There's also a good chance you didn't notice its absence, in which case, our friendship is in question.

If you were wondering about the Ambush, we held it because we had run the short story celebrating a buddies trip for 10 months in a row, and for space considerations, it was the Ambush's turn to hold. We do that from time-to-time with almost every section of the magazine. It was nice to get several letters of concern.

The Ambush will be back in March with "Canadian Migration," a story about Russ DaSilva and 95 of his friends making a 22-hour drive from Ontario to Panama City Beach, Fl. for the 16th straight year. It involves endless hospitality, one tough Hombre, a mean game of hold 'em, a big meal at Hooters and an unbelievable bang for their Canadian buck.

In this blog I thought I'd share some thoughts about what I'm looking for each month. I also wanted to remind you that if you were one of roughly 3,000 itineraries submitted last year, and your group didn't get picked, don't hesitate to enter again. We're planning another season of surprises.

I always get asked, "Do you pick the winner?" Yes. I pick the winner. I consult with an editor or two, but ultimately the Ambush is my project and my responsibility each month.

I also get asked, "What are you looking for?" At the start of every month I gather the batch of trips taking place in the next four weeks and I read each one. I'm looking for, among other things, a unique destination. Not necessarily a remote location, I mean a place I haven't covered in the travel section so far. For example, I've Ambushed groups in Alabama, Atlanta, Pinehurst, Orlando, Scottsdale and St. George, Utah. I've been to Sea Island, Destin, South Carolina and Garland, Mich. That's not to say I can't go back to any of those places, I just won't go back in consecutive months and probably would only try to hit those spots once in a calendar year. (I also believe there are exceptions to every rule.)

I'm looking for unique traditions. I like to meet up with annual getaways inspired by a desire to stay in touch with college friends or a group escaping the winter weather in the north. I like trips that honor a fallen family member, major milestones (50th birthdays), or a wife looking to send a husband on a dream trip because she's one of the "good ones" and she wants to make her husband unconditionally happy. I like odd trophies such as old and broken down $5 green jackets or very expensive Claret Jug replicas ordered from a small store in St. Andrews. I also believe a reader might be looking to this page of the magazine for tips, hints and ideas about how they can save money when they coordinate their next buddies trip. That's why frugal, efficient and organized also factor into the selection process. Any and all odd anecdotes are welcome and tend to catch my eye.

Here are a few clips from entries I'm looking at for the April issue of the magazine:

From Rob Sciabica of Henderson, Nevada: We had a foursome that played together as part of a local Cadillac charity event in Las Vegas. My team won the scramble, which was great (it also happened to be my 40th birthday), but we were told that as the winning team, we were entered into the Cadillac Invitational at the TPC Sawgrass. We weren't aware that this was part of the local tournament and we were skeptical that we would actually get to play TPC Sawgrass. None of my team (Tom Osborne, Darren Coughlin and Joel Larson) has ever played Sawgrass or the sister course at Dye Valley, so it would be great to make an Ambush at this event and help the charities out at the same time. If you want to Ambush us at the 17th at TPC Sawgrass, you could add a little extra pressure over one of the most intimidating shots in golf.

From Rob Rusznak of Calgary: Hello, I'm a CPGA Head Golf Professional at a private golf course (Carnmoney Golf Club) in Calgary and for the past eight years we've taken a group of our members on a "Mystery Tour." We plan the entire trip and the guys find out where we're going when we meet at the airport. We've been to: Alabama, Florida, California, Arizona and Nevada and we've always had an amazing experience. Each year we try to include a "signature" golf course so that the guys can watch the PGA Tour on TV and remember the trips. This year I've planned the trip for the third week of January and we are going to . . .[opting not to spoil the surprise]. I read your Ambush Article in the September issue and thought that this would be a way to again take our trip to another level. I really hope to hear from you. We're all huge Golf Digest fans and would love to have our story in your magazine.

From James Huston in Hanover, Pennsylvania: We've just completed the itinerary for our 12th annual "Golf Trek to Arizona." Sixteen golf buddies will be heading out to Arizona for a week of the best desert golf, great food and camaraderie. Ranging in ages of 48 to 76 and handicaps of four to 20, we even have a waiting list just in case. There's a Calcutta every night for blind-draw twosomes. Foursomes compete for best-ball, three best-balls, birdies, greenies, sandies, pars, skins and snakes (three putts on the ninth and 18th greens). We will play: Eagle Mountain, Troon North, We-Ko-Pa, Tanto Verde, Gold Mountain and the Boulders. All are courses we've played before and have the highest "return-to" rating. We'd love to be Ambushed!

From Chris Cressler of Webster Groves, Missouri: This is our first golf buddies trip and there's nothing really unique about this trip except that we were inspired to plan a golf trip because of your Ambush columns. I decided to talk with the two other guys that I golf with regularly. I've played Wolf Creek in Mesquite, Nevada, last November and was blown away by the course. So, we decided rather quickly, that Mesquite was the destination. Well, our three-person golf trip is now up to 12 guys. We'll be flying into Vegas and playing the Royal Links Golf course. Then, it's on to Mesquite where we're hoping to play 36 that day at Wolf Creek. On Saturday, we tee off at Falcon Ridge. Then on Sunday, we play the Palmer course at the Oasis Resort. I believe that the Golf Channel's Big Break Mesquite was filmed at the Palmer course. Anyway, this is our first golf buddy trip and I realize it's not full of history or stories but this entire idea of a trip was a direct result of reading your columns. Thanks for the great ideas.

From Tom Walsh of High Point, North Carolina: "Weaver Golf" has been in existence for 12 years now. It started as golf starved guys in N.C. trying to escape or ignore bad January weather and post-Christmas credit card woes and get away for a long weekend. We've been to Myrtle Beach regularly the first three to four years, but then ventured to Florida, Arizona, and last year we went to Mexico. This year, primarily due to the economy, we're returning to our roots and heading back to Myrtle Beach for four days. This is a devoted group who lives for this annual weekend. Our source of great embarrassment (other than our golf games) is a dinner jacket designed by a member of our group which is a hideous shade of (non-Masters) green, decorated with a patch on the left lapel (containing symbols of our adventures and a Latin saying), which we are all required to wear out one night for dinner. Next to the jacket, our golf games don't look so bad!

Click here to submit an itinerary of your own. You never know--you might be next.

--Matty G.

I'm back in New York (at least for now). I just returned from the North Shore of Oahu, which is where I spend Christmas and New Year's with my brother and his family. I'm struggling with re-entry into reality. I know you don't care because my reality is a fantasy land and trust me, I have an attitude of gratitude, but I'm sleeping like a baby--waking up every 30 minutes and not able to fall back to sleep due to the five hour time change.

While I was in Hawaii I played multiple rounds at Turtle Bay. They have a George Fazio and an Arnold Palmer course, which is where they play an LPGA and a Champions Tour event every year (at least for now). My brother and I always say our ideal 18 holes on property would be starting on the back nine of the Fazio and then playing the back nine of the Palmer.

The burger and the ribs at Lei-Lei's restaurant next to the pro shop are all-time and a must sample if you're out there. Take a look around. You might bump into: Sean Penn, who bought property on the North Shore. Terry O'Quinn of the hit TV show "Lost." Or Kelly Slater, the nine-time surfing world champion--who's also a scratch golfer.

I wrote in an Away Game about a year ago (April issue) that the Turtle Bay Resort was for sale and that the state was interested in buying it. This recent article by Kristen Consillio in the Honolulu Star Bulletin tells us that won't be happening (at least for now):

"State fails in attempt to acquire Turtle Bay"

Lenders reject Turtle Bay offers

The state has been unsuccessful in its attempts to purchase the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu's North Shore.

Gov. Linda Lingle's office said in a statement yesterday that although two offers were rejected by resort lenders, the state is prepared to negotiate further for the pristine 858-acre property.

However, the resort's interim manager said a government acquisition with public funds would not be prudent, especially in the ailing economy.

"Given our economic outlook in the near term, money should be expended and deployed for better uses," said Stanford Carr, who was selected last year by lenders to sell the property as part of a foreclosure settlement with owner Oaktree Capital Management LP.

Here's the complete story.

--Matty G.

OK, this is my last post about Maui before I move on to Myrtle Beach and the upcoming Ambush.

When I went on the four-hour zipline tour at the recently renovated Kapalua Resort (tours start at $130 per person) I brought my nephew with me to celebrate his 16th birthday. The white-knuckle rides aged his Uncle Matt.

Check out the video, and pardon the French.

Read the full story at: www.golfdigest.com/courses/2009/01/awaygame_kapalua

To view the video in high quality, hit this link and click on "watch in high quality" at the bottom right corner of the window.

--Matty G.

Matt, I've read and re-read your latest Maui adventure and can't help but feel you've slighted so much else of the island. Granted, Kapalua is where the Mercedes kicks off shortly, but did you bother to go elsewhere? Having been to the islands a number of times, I've found the folks at Kapalua quite snobbish if you're not a resort guest. Their luxe-level cousin at Hualalai couldn't be nicer, no matter what, but as they say, that's another island. Back to Maui, you missed that Makena South is also going private. And what about Wailea? Typically better playing conditions than Kapalua and the Gold will test your game, the Emerald is great for us normal mid-handicap players, and the Blue, well, even I don't care much for the Blue. My point is, you never left the comfy confines of Kapalua. A normal visitor would and deserves full travel information from you. What about other courses, other beaches, other restaurants (how in heavens did you miss Hali'imaile General Store?) or one of the best ways to see the island's beauty (between rounds) is investing in a Blue Hawaiian helicopter tour. There's so much more on Maui than just Kapalua. You focused so clearly on them I began to wonder if they comp'd your visit? With golf's growth flat and the economy in riggor, how about giving us something other than $500 per night hotels with a $200-plus round golf? The reality is fewer of us can afford it. Golf needs us. Be creative, be resourceful and show us where we can go for fun at a reasonable price.

An interested golfer/traveler,

Dick Griffin
Sharon, Mass.

Dick,

Thank you for your e-mail and thoughtful feedback. I appreciate it.

First, and without getting into how other writers and publications cover the world of travel, it's our company policy that I have to pay, at the very least, a media rate throughout my stay at any and all destinations. Depending on the resort, a room rate for me can be as little as $100 per night and I've paid as much as $325 per night. I'm usually paying full fare for golf, food, drinks, spa treatments and activities such as a zipline tour and ferry rides to adjacent islands. We have this policy so I can sit down at my keyboard and not feel as though I owe anyone undeserving compliments and that you, the reader, can trust my copy.

The word count on the Away Game is roughly 800 for the main text and about 150 words for the Local Knowledge sidebar. Because enticing travel is about both images and information, we like to run four to five pictures with each piece. I'm asked to get a very focused amount of facts in a limited amount of space. You make several great points in your e-mail, but you must've missed the short graph on taking the trip to Lana'i and playing the Challenge at Manele Bay.

Another thing to consider, I'm only on site for three to four days for an Away Game (two days for an Ambush) and I try to create an itinerary that could be copied by a couple, a group of buddies or a collection of couples on vacation. Unlike Ireland, Scotland or Vegas, I figured a foursome of male friends would never leave their loved ones and head for Hawaii, so I structured the Kapalua trip as though I was a couple or a small family and that should be reflected in the activities I highlight throughout the story (zipline, golf school, Jean-Michel Cousteau's Ambassadors of the Environment, children's pool, kayaking, snorkeling, etc.)

We chose Kapalua for the January issue (on newsstands the first week of December) because it hosts the Mercedes for the first tour event in January (which you recognized) and the fact that there was a news hook (the $180 million renovation of the resort).

Another point you make, about the price points of our stories and the economy, is one we are taking very seriously at Golf Digest. In 12 months of travel coverage, I hope you can see some balance. One month might be Kapalua, but the month before it was Vegas and in coming months we will feature Myrtle Beach, Mississippi and Alabama. In the Ambush article, I may surprise a group of guys in Pinehurst and follow it up with a trip to St. George, Utah. A few months ago we brought back the Frugal Golfer column, which will detail cost-saving tips to you and other anxious readers.

As far as the course conditions, I can only write about what I see. I know Kapalua recently hired a new superintendent and when I played the Plantation and the Bay courses in July, they were both in great shape.

I'm only one guy but I have two ears and I'm open to suggestions for future stories so keep your e-mails coming. I'll be back to Hawaii in the near future to focus on another resort on another island, more golf and another set of adventures. Unfortunately I'll leave all reviews of helicopter tours to you.

In the April travel Q&A I speak to Jack Nicklaus. He tells me about a few close calls in small aircraft. Over the years he has had to ask some of his helicopter pilots to set it down in backyards of unsuspecting strangers due to bad weather. I've often said, small planes and helicopters are how cool people die. Which isn't to say I'm cool, but I do have a cool job and I'd like to keep it as long as I can. Remaining amongst the living would be a good place to start. Strapped in and suspended from a sturdy cable (pictured) is about as far as I'll go to getting an aerial vantage point of Maui.

--Matty G.

(If you have a comment or concern, a question or suggestion, you can e-mail me at: http://www.golfdigest.com/contact/mattyg)