Matt Ginella, The Golf Channel's travel expert, probably threw a few listeners off when he was asked to name the top five states for golf trips. Two heavyweights were noticeably absent when he ticked off Oregon, Arizona, South Carolina and Florida as the top four and a tie between Michigan and Wisconsin for fifth.
Hawaii and California were left out in the cold, probably because California is so vast and its golf expensive and Hawaii feels so remote to most of the country.
Ginella's selections make perfect sense, however. Arizona and Florida are winter hotbeds from November through March. Oregon (Bandon Dunes Golf Resort) and South Carolina (Kiawah Island Golf Resort and The Sea Pines Resort) both boast incredible resorts right on the coast. Michigan and Wisconsin heat up in summer with enough daylight for 54 holes or more.
Ginella said he believes it's getting harder and harder to choose a top five. "Once Sand Valley is done, Wisconsin might leap frog Michigan on this list," he said.
Disagree with these options? Let us know why in the comments below.