Amid all of the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas, one of the hidden treasures when it comes to quality golf where families and groups are catered to is the Angel Park Golf Club in the suburb of Summerlin. Although perhaps flying under the radar--and it isn’t operated by one of the big-name casinos in town-- Angel Park offers an array of Stay and Play Packages with local hotels and in itself is an outstanding 36-hole facility that offers two Arnold-Palmer designed 18-hole tracks—the Palms and the Mountain Courses—plus a 12-hole short course that is excellent for beginners, families or short-game tune-ups, plus an expansive, lighted practice tee and a natural grass putting course that rivals anything in the area.

Over the years I have traveled extensively throughout the US and the world.  I have always looked forward to visiting a new city, a new country and playing new golf courses.

One of the most popular upscale courses in the golf-rich Las Vegas area— Badlands Golf Club-- offers a definite western desert theme for vacationers looking for a fun track and a memorable experience.

Why would anyone want to play the same golf course over and over again? Now, if we’re talking Augusta National, Cypress Point, Pine Valley, Muirfield and the like, I can understand it.

People searching for the ideal vacation destination no longer have to trek from coast to coast for challenging ski slopes, championship golf, hiking, biking or fishing. Situated in central Idaho, Tamarack Resort – the country’s first four-season destination to feature golf and skiing in nearly 25 years – meets every vacation need.

Gene Bates, Scott Miller, John Harbottle, III. Not names that jump out at you. Not names the average golfer is familiar with unless that average golfer happens to be knowledgeable about golf course architects. These three men may not even know each other but they will forever have their names linked together in my mind following my recent golf outing to Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington.

It’s the only place I know where you can drop down and get to Heaven.

Golfers are always searching for a golfing destination that others may not have discovered, but when they do it's difficult to keep a hidden gem secret for very long. They have to tell others and the word quickly spreads.

In the old days the trick-your-eye greens of The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs were challenge enough for major championships like the 1959 U.S. Amateur won by Jack Nicklaus, the 1982 U.S. Women’s Amateur taken by Juli Inkster, or the 1995 U.S. Women’s Open won by Annika Sorenstam. But in today’s world of long-hitting technology and conditioned athletes, this summer’s 2008 U.S. Senior Open Championship has decided to add another wrinkle - fairways so narrow, about 28 yards on some par fours and fives, you might want to bring a pool cue.

So, I was wrong! For years, my best friend in the world has been telling me that Snowmass not only was the best mountain he ever skied, but also had some of the best golf around.  As a resident of Park City, which boasts three of the nation’s Top 15 ski resorts and five world-class golf course communities, I was flat-out skeptical.

Traveling golfers in search of world-class mountain golf next season might be surprised to learn that a Rocky Mountain high is only a direct flight away from most major U.S. airports. The Raven Golf Club at Three Peaks, 60 miles west of Denver in Silverthorne, is one of Colorado’s highest – and highest- rated -- golf courses.

Like peanut butter and jelly, ham and eggs, tea and crumpets, Sonny and Cher, Lennon and McCarthy, Brooks and Dunn, Tarzan and Jane, Donald and Daisy, David and Goliath, “Golf” and “Casinos” have entered the lexicon as ideal combinations. Las Vegas excluded, below are the five best casino golf course destinations we’ve played in the USA.