Hello Everyone: My son and I are looking to escape the cold of Canada for a 4 day golf weekend in February. Last year we did Myrtle Beach but it was cool at best and turned very cold on our last day there=we would like to improve on our odds of getting some warmer weather. Can anyone recommend and ideal Florida location for a weekend of golf on a few scenic and challenging courses that are priced reasonably ? Lauderdale,Orlando,Tampa ? Any advise would really be apprecited.

Orlando. It's covered with excellent courses, many at hotels. For example, the Grand Hyatt has the Nicklaus courses with greens fees under $200 for hotel guests; see http://www.grandcypress.com/golf/nor..._east_course/; and the Marriott World has Cupp-designed Hawk's Landing, greens fees around $150. See www.golfhawkslanding.com/

Public courses are also excellent: Shingle Creek is fairly new and alongside the Rosen resort, but it's a public course and you can play there at twilight for $85. We liked that they were up-front with us before we arrived that they would be aerating the greens while we were there. Still a lovely course. Orange County's Panther Lake and Crooked Cat courses run $139-149 when you'd be there and I believe are still ranked 4th and 6th in the state. See www.ocngolf.com/layout9.asp?id=322&page=23478.

Finally, just north of Orlando near quaint Lake Mary is Timacuan, traditionally in the top 20 courses in Fla. and with reasonable greens fees. See http://www.golftimacuan.com/golf/pro...course.htmvery.

Lots more than I could ever name, but these we've played and enjoyed.

FlaAnn's Orlando report is solid. I have enjoyed several golf trips to Orlando. In the Tampa area check out your options at Saddlebrook and Innisbrook. Both are multi course resorts and you might find a reasonably priced package.

Another option is the Cocoa Beach area where there are a number of reasonably priced public courses from Melbourne to Titusville. won't go into detail here, but from a beach front hotel in Cocoa, there are 6 to 8 public access within a thirty minute drive.

Have fun.

Thank -Orlando it is !!

The Greg Norman course between the Ritz Carlton and Marriott is also a great course and the greens fees are not too expensive (although I don't remember what they were). If you've never played a Norman course, the design is very much set to carve the course out of the existing land and uses much of the natural features as hazards.

In terms of lodging, when you picking a hotel, you might want to check into which courses you want to play because some courses, such as courses at the Ginn resort are only available to resort guests (not the case with the Norman course at the Ritz).

OK the flights and the car are booked-any recommendations on accomodations ? It looks like quite a swing in prices-from $29 to $711 a night , I would like something with two bedrooms,, a pool and hot tub not too extravagent. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Any help out there ? Thanks

Do the golf courses mentioned above offer rental clubs?

You can't go wrong with Orlando. We have numerous courses and the weather has been awesome. I don't know your handicap, but there are very challenging and very forgiving courses that are available.

Check out: Orange County National, Bay Hill, MetroWest Golf, Legends Clermont, Stoneybrook West, the list goes on and on..... Hit 'em straight!!! Have fun.