New Orleans

So many gastronomic treats, so little time. How about this for a perfect day? For breakfast, beignets at Cafe Du Monde. For lunch, a muffuletta at Central Grocery. For dinner, barbecued shrimp at Mr. B's. This doesn't even include the fabulous staples of the area gumbo, jambalaya, steamed crawfish, and shrimp etouffee.

New Orleans' public golf selection isn't quite as dazzling, but it does include all four of the tracks that have hosted the city's PGA Tour stop. TPC of Louisiana, current home of the Zurich Classic, is a Pete Dye track that reminds many of Sawgrass with its sand, water and risk/reward. English Turn Golf & Country Club, a Jack Nicklaus design with water on every hole, is a private course that allows limited public play. Lakewood Country Club, a former private turned public, hosted the PGA from 1963-88.

Don't dismiss the Golf Club at Audubon Park (par 62, 4,220 yards) for its executive length. This high-quality track is one of the best in the nation in an urban setting. Other courses to consider are Belle Terre Country Club by Pete Dye, and the Links at Stonebridge Golf Club, a 27-holer with the nines named after New Orleans jazz legends Louis Armstrong, Pete Fountain and Al Hirt. Louisiana native David Toms has two designs in the area, LaTour Golf Club and Carter Plantation Golf Course.