Though in the backyard of the more world-renowned Scotland, Ireland and southwest England, Wales is ripe with its own collection of historic links courses, such as Royal Porthcawl, Ashburnham and Royal St. Davids. Since the announcement of the 2010 Ryder Cup coming to the Celtic Manor Resort in Newport, it’s emerging from the shadows of its more famous neighbors as its own golf destination.

Sweet Spots host Brandon Tucker is fresh off a trip to discover Wales, and speaks with Dylan Williams of Wales Golf Vacations, and Ian Church of Ashburnham Golf Club.

Sweet Spots is supported by Premier Golf. (888) 439-1831

Ashburnham Golf Club on Wales’ southwest coast is realizing what it takes to attract a global golf market.

The southeastern U.S. is certainly crowded with high-profile golf destinations. Between them lies one particular oasis of classic, coastal golf: Georgia’s Brunswick County and the Golden Isles.

Sweet Spots Host Brandon Tucker welcomes TravelGolf.com’s Tim Mcdonald as he highlights Brunswick’s unique, old-school vibe and all the top courses to play. He also says the destination features the prettiest marsh course he’s ever seen.

Sweet Spots is supported by MyrtleBeachGolf.com. (866) 409-2177

Join Sweet Spots host Brandon Tucker as he takes you on a tour of some of Northern Michigan’s best and unique courses.

Fresh off his recent trip to Michigan this summer, Tucker highlights five courses he’s played for the first time and received some of his highest marks.

Some of these courses have received national acclaim, like Tullymore Golf Club and Bay Harbor. Others, like High Pointe, Cedar River at Shanty Creek and Belvedere have their own charm and fly more under the radar.

Tucker calls the Quarry nine at Bay Harbor Golf Club in Northern Michigan one of the most unique settings for a golf course he’s ever seen.

Despite over 100 courses in the Grand Strand, you won’t find very many pure golf resorts compared to the southwest regions and Florida.

Instead, those in the know are going condo during their golf trip, and they have been for years now. Even area hotels have decided to convert.

Sweet Spots host Brandon Tucker sits down with Steve Kim, director of Ambassador Golf & Beach Vacations, as they discuss Myrtle Beach’s condo phenomenon, and he offers some tips and information on how to find the perfect place for your group to stay on the beach.

With summer on the horizon, skiing is about to take a backseat to golf once again in Whistler, Canada. The host of the 2010 Winter Olympic games, there’s plenty of summer action in this world famous ski town as well, including golf resorts that sit on this natural and mountainous terrain in the Pacific Northwest.

Chris Baldwin says Whistler is one of his favorite golf destinations in the world, and he joins host Brandon Tucker on this edition of WorldGolf.com Sweet Spots.

Join host Brandon Tucker as he offers the inside scoop on golf and more in Scottsdale.

In this episode, he welcomes TravelGolf.com’s West Coast Bureau Chief Chris Baldwin knows Scottsdale inside and out and offers some insider tips: like where the locals play, what courses aren’t worth that $200-300 price tag, what the best summer courses are - and takes a dip into the spa scene as well.

Sweet Spots is supported by Arizona Golf Packages.

You don’t have to shell out as much dough as you think to find world class links golf. The Northwest region is a fast-growing golf destination, but you can still play for 50-80 Euro in the high season, about half of many of the Southwest Ireland courses.

Host Brandon Tucker welcomes two guests this edition: Charlie McGoldrick, head professional at Enniscrone Golf Club. And also golf writer Larry Olmsted from the USA Today’s Golfer’s World Blog who is now a member at Ballyliffin.

Sweet Spots is supported by Eire Golf Tours.

Enniscrone Golf Club: links golf doesn’t get much better than it’s par-5 16th.

Is there such thing as a new, historic golf destination?

In the case of Northern Ireland, golfers are rediscovering this gem of links golf. The country has been peaceful for about a decade now, and each summer is bringing more and more back to the North for the likes of Royal Portrush, Royal County Down and others.

Sweet Spots host Brandon Tucker is fresh off his return from Northern Ireland, and he spoke with several personalities, who offer their insight on the area: where to play, and why golfers are flocking back.

Sweet Spots is sponsored by Eire Golf Tours.

One of the North’s hidden gems: Castlerock Golf Club.

The 2005 hurricane season is a distant memory for Mobile golf courses. Some had opened just days after Hurricane Katrina, and now the entire destination’s golf seems to be running on all cylinders.

TravelGolf.com’s Tim McDonald shares his thoughts on the area’s value-laden golf, it’s differences to neighboring destination Biloxi, as well as where to stay and play.

Winter just doesn’t look like it’s ending anytime soon, does it?

It can feel that way in the Midwest and Northeast U.S., where blizzards and sub-zero temperatures have been all to common during the last few weeks.

Luckily, refuge can be found in the States’ neighbor to the south: Mexico. And Cabo’s golf offerings (and always toasty weather) will hit the spot like a warm brandy in front of a crackling fire.

TravelGolf.com’s Chris Baldwin joins host Brandon Tucker to talk about the Mexican Riviera’s crown golf spot.

The PGA Merchandise Show is an entirely different kind of Sweet Spot - a haven for the equipment and tech guru.

On this special edition Sweet Spots, host Brandon Tucker welcomes TravelGolf.com’s Tim McDonald and Chris Baldwin on location at the Orange County Convention Center, as they chat about the hits and misses of the show, and everything else in between.

Also: Click here to watch a special WorldGolf.com video from the show’s Demo Day.

Which drivers were studs, which were duds? McDonald tells all on Sweet Spots.

Scotland’s next two British Opens will come at Carnoustie (2007) and Turnberry (2009). They’re both multi-course facilities with luxury accommodations, but aside from that, the two have little in common for the regular amateur.

Sweet Spots’ Brandon Tucker stayed and played both recently, and hopes to shed some light on the differences, and help you choose which facility you might prefer.

WorldGolf.com Sweet Spots is supported by St. Andrews Links Tours.

If you haven’t taken your Scotland golf pilgrimage yet, you might have some assumptions of the place.

Brandon Tucker had his and heard others, and after his recent trip he’s ready to set the record straight.

From the “bunker myth” to how good you must be to the arrogance of certain Scottish clubs and more, Tucker rectifies five Scotland myths and misconceptions.

And for the record, you aren’t hitting over a hotel on the Road Hole…

Sweet Spots is sponsored by St. Andrews Links Tours.

Bull and sheep

Tucker thought he would see lots of sheep on the side of the road in Scotland…well, that was true.

It’s not the Algarve south of Portugal, and it isn’t trying to be the Algarve.

The west coast of Portugal on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean offers a totally different kind of golf trip: fewer courses but added convenience just minutes from Lisbon and the main airport, as well as plenty more to do on the edge of Europe.

Since Oitavos Golf Club at Quinta da Marinha opened in 2001, the quality is second to none as well.

Special guests Drew Rogers from Arthur Hills & Steve Forrest Design Associates and Director of Golf at Oitavos Frederico Champalimaud join host Brandon Tucker on location in Portugal for this special Sweet Spots Podcast.

WorldGolf.com Sweet Spots is supported by Golf Vacations UK

The 18th at Oitavos, sight of Barry Lane’s infamous nine.

Getting on the Old Course in St. Andrews may be easier than you think.

That’s the message the St. Andrews Links Trust wants to tell the golfing public, who hear tall tales of multi-year waitlists and improbable lottery odds.

During his recent trip to Scotland, Brandon Tucker had a chance to find out just how hard it is to get on the Old Course. The results are surprisingly easy.

John Stewart of the Links Trust joins Tucker on this podcast, and tells us everything you need to know about getting a tee time on the prestigious Old Course.

This podcast is supported by St. Andrews Links Tours.

Getting a tee time on the Old Course is almost as easy as finding the generous fairway on the 18th hole.