Forget San Antonio's River Walk during Final Four weekend! Hit the golf course

Visitors to San Antonio spend as much time with the River Walk as Ryan Seacrest does with his makeup artist. But if you're in town for the NCAA Final Four this weekend, the River Walk won't be enough to keep you entertained during down time. Not to worry, there's plenty of excellent golf in San Antonio at courses such as Westin La Cantera Golf Club and Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa.

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Indian Wells Golf Package at the Indian Wells Resort

Dates: March 17, 2008 - May 30, 2008

Enjoy a 2 night stay at Indian Wells Resort and play 2 rounds of golf choosing from Rancho Mirage Country Club, Mountain Vista, Palm Desert Resort Country Club, Woodhaven or Cimarron, starting from $265.

Price Range: $265 - $1653

For more information, please call 1-866-351-1688 or click here.

COURSE REVIEW

Austin's Avery Ranch Golf Club is more than just a pretty Texas face

Avery Ranch Golf Club in Austin was only built in 2001 but its notoriety belies its youth. Various golf publications have lauded the course for its superb conditions, its club, its dining area, its overall design and even its cart girls. And though Avery Ranch needs a tweak here or there to take its place among the best in Austin golf, a round here is extremely enjoyable and well worth a second play.

Also: Houston bargains | El Paso next for Fazio

On the Spot

The great Green Golf swindle

Golf is trying to take a page from the Whole Foods playbook and convince us golfers that "earth-friendly courses" with worse conditions and higher green fees are the noble, righteous play.

Fazio, Crenshaw and Palmer a magic combo at Barton Creek Resort & Spa in Austin

Located in the heart of the glorious Texas Hill Country, Barton Creek Resort & Spa combines impeccable service with its classic brand of Austin casual elegance set in luxurious surroundings. And for golfers, it gets even better as Barton Creek is home to the two top rated golf courses in all of Texas, and offers instruction from one of the top 10 golf teachers in the U.S., Chuck Cook.

Golf courses and grassy knolls: Dallas perfect for conspiracy-minded golfers

Courses like Cowboys Golf Club and the TPC course at the Four Seasons Resort make Dallas a magnet for convention-going golfers. Dealey Plaza and the grassy knoll of JFK-assassination infamy make it pretty good for history and conspiracy buffs too. We headed to the city's most infamous attraction to ask the guy in a fatigue jacket and camouflage hat selling "Who Shot JFK?" t-shirts the one question even Oliver Stone was afraid to address: Do conspiracy theorists golf?

Lead by Falconhead Golf Club and The Golf Club at Star Ranch, Austin golfers have strong public courses

Thanks in part to Austin's choice demographics, its weather and its continuing residential boom, there are 24 public golf courses within a 20-minute drive of the state capitol building, Steve Habel writes. Golfers visiting Austin could schedule a round per day every day for two solid weeks and have a different golf experience with each outing because of the area's varying terrain, the affect of differing wind conditions and different types of putting surfaces.

Famed Dome Bar makes Camino Real the top choice for an El Paso golf stay

El Paso may be the 21st largest city in the U.S., but it feels more like a Mexican town than a modern Sun Belt metropolis. Many people come here just to cross over into Mexico, but the Camino Real hotel with its acclaimed Dome Bar might make you think twice about hopping the border. Combined with a low-cost golf scene anchored by a new Tom Fazio course and you've got reason aplenty to stay in El Paso.

Cowboys Golf Club: NFL gimmickry hides Dallas' best public course

It might be hard to believe that the best golf course in Dallas is owned by the Dallas Cowboys, but it's the truth. Filled with enough blue stars to make anyone but Troy Aikman sick, Cowboys Golf Club is a billboard for the football team - but also a flat out terrific golf course in outstanding condition. Bottom line: you'll have to look hard to find a better golf course in Dallas than this 7,017-yard Jeff Brauer design.

Teravista Golf Club's reputation is well-served in Round Rock near Austin

Teravista Golf Club in Round Rock is a course that will challenge golfers of all ages and abilities without being overly punishing, meaning that good shot-making is rewarded by excellent chances to score. And thanks to the attention to detail and the prime condition of this George Clifton design, you can bring your best game and expect to be rewarded handsomely. Teravista is truly one of the best public golf courses the Austin area has to offer.

Falconhead Golf Club brings PGA Tour brand to Austin, Texas

Play golf long enough, and you'll come across courses that leave a lasting impression, courses you'll wind up calling home. The three-year-old Falconhead Golf Club just outside Austin, Texas, is such a course. This is a track you'll revisit in your mind's eye after you've played it. Built as the first course in a PGA Tour Signature Series, Falconhead Golf Club is fun, it's challenging for any skill level, and it's fair.

Shadow Glen Golf Club a shining jewel for Austin golfers

If you are used to playing golf at top golf resorts or highly rated, daily-fee courses, the 2 1/2-year-old Shadow Glen Golf Club near Austin is going to be right up your alley. Shadow Glen takes no prisoners, nor asks any quarter. Once you get the ball on the immaculate and smooth rolling greens, the golf course rewards you if you can judge speed and line. It's just getting to the greens that can be arduous.

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