Paul - I'm right there with you - Australia/NZ.  Only I'd take Santa's week and add another on my own dime.

 

BUT... for me that's because I've already experienced all that I need to - pretty much - in Scotland and Ireland.  If I hadn't done that yet already, it would be one of those.

TH

Whoa... AGC makes a great caveat... If full access no matter what was part of Santa's gift, then for me it would be tough to turn down a full week at Augusta.  Failing that I'll take Long Island, NY or Clementon, NJ thank you very much.

 

I am surprising myuself by saying this, but if given full access anywhere, I'd probably skip Augusta. I've walked it a number of times and as much as I admire it, I could not say it would be my once in a lifetime destination.

On the other hand I would take the tour of Long Island (full access) or I would very much like to swing through New Zealand, Australia, and Tasmania.

Thanks Santa, you've made a believer out of me.

Paul, with all due respect to Mr. Doak and with full love and admiration for all Aussies, well... the best course on this planet is in Mullen, Nebraska.

 

But the lure of Royal Melbourne is powerful.

I'm just not sure how logistically feasible it would be to play RM + the several other greats near it in the sandbelt area + the great new courses in Tasmania and NZ, all in one week.... Thus my willingness to add to Santa's gift on my own dime.  

In any case, 7 days on the ground golf time in Scotland could be spent VERY well, and could easily include Royal Dornoch.  You fly into Edinburgh, play whatever you wish around that area, move northward and play any or all of Royal Abderdeen, Cruden Bay, Nairn, Lossiemouth, etc... end up at Royal Dornoch, fly out of Inverness.

One could also make a great circle of Ireland in that time frame.

Kinda hard to have a BAD trip however one does this!

TH

Tough question...but assuming that the time of year weather issues were not a factor, I'd take Long Island...so much GREAT golf in a relatively confined space means lots of choices day after day for that week.

If the trip had to happen RIGHT NOW and current weather patterns DID have to be taken into consideration, then I agree that Australia/New Zealand might be just the ticket.

Long Island is another great idea...man what a neighborhood for golf that is, which is only getting better with Sebonac...

Instead of rushing from course to course I would love to play 36 a day at Pine Valley for a week.

What a great oppourtunity to gain a deeper sense of all the unique nuances of this particular course.

Great question. Long Island is my answer and is tough to think of a second, maybe San Francisco. Olympic, San Francisco, Harding Park and Lake Merced. I think that would keep me busy until I run up to Pasatiempo and the Peninsula

Fun question.  I would probably choose Scotland or Ireland first, then Long Island....the experience one gets after 36 holes each night in a Scottish or Irish pub trumps most anything I can think of on Long Island.  

I'd agree with that trumping... but then again I spent a memorable - and un-rememberable - hammered night with two gents in Southampton who shall go nameless for now.  Add them or those like them to my LI week and it's right up there with the great pubs of anywhere in Ireland or Scotland.

But that is a VERY valid issue, in any case.  Man does not play golf at night.  At least not on purpose.

 

I've never been to Europe so I would probably go to Scotland.  Of course I havent been to the Monterey Peninsula or Australia either...

Given the time of the year, Aus/New Zealand is the place I would like to go

Initially Oz tripped out of my mouth.  However, travelling 20+ hours each way for one week is out of the question.  

This brings me to Long Island and thereabouts.  I have always held Shinny as one of the three ultimate American must sees.  There are loads of other courses that can be had nearby.  Almost seems like a dream come true.  Yet somehow, I still have some doubts.  Would it all become just a blur?

There is London.  The mix of links and heather is very appealing.  Plus, I can get a few decent meals in a grand city which I have grown rather fond of.  There are so many courses, much like Long Island, that I may feel obliged to make the rounds a bit too much.  Fighting traffic would be a drag as well.  No, I certainly need to be somewhere where I travel in my time.

Playing North Berwick and Muirfield for a week is also a mouth watering proposition.  Hanging out in Edinburgh is no hardship either.  The problem is that I have played these two many times over.  There would be few surprises.  

I spose there is always the option of playing one course for a week straight.  Maybe Sand Hills would do the job.  Does the club have on site accomodation?  Is there a pleasant bar where old world wine can be had?  Does the bar have views?  Is the membership a load of happy chappies?  The right three affirmatives would probably settle the question for me.


Ciao

Sean