Places To Play

It's that time again: Tell us about the courses you've been playing-the good, the bad and the ugly

Whether you play 50 different courses a year or just one, whether your travels take you to Pebble Beach or Goat Hills, we'd love to hear from you. We want to know what you think of all the places you've played, warts-or divots-and all.

With your help, Places to Play has developed into the definitive guide to public and resort golf.

Two years ago, almost 20,000 subscribers evaluated 5,300 courses in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean, resulting in the current edition of Places to Play (now in bookstores or available by calling 800-765-7789).

This year, we're being even more ambitious. We want Places to Play to include more information on more courses-6,000, to be precise. The book will be available in the spring of the year 2000, and as usual will be heavily excerpted in the magazine.

Filling out the ballot is simple. We're asking you to evaluate each of the courses you've played on five criteria:

* Overall Rating. How positive an experience was your round of golf? Was it an enjoyable visit? The quality of the golf course is likely the most important factor, but everything-from pulling into the parking lot to tossing your clubs back in the trunk-may be considered.

* Course Condition. What kind of shape was the golf course in when you played it, especially the greens?

* Pace of Play. Was the time it took you to play 18 holes acceptable?

* Service. Were you made to feel welcome at the facility? Were the golf pros, starter, course rangers, restaurant/bar personnel friendly, or were they rude?

* Value. Was the green fee in keeping with the standard of the facility? Did you get what you paid for? Or did you get more-or less?

Each of the above criteria should be rated on a scale of 1 to 5, as follows:

1-Poor

2-Acceptable

3-Good

4-Very Good

5-Outstanding.

You are also invited to write brief comments on each course you have rated in the space provided. Comments can be on any memorable aspect of your visit-both the good and the bad.

A list of public-access golf courses in or near your part of the country follows. Please fill out the ballot using the correct course codes, as listed, tear out the page, fold and mail to us by March 31, 1999.

By sending us your ballot, you will automatically be entered into a sweepstakes. The first prize is a three-day Golf Digest School at The Cloister, Sea Island, Ga., site of the state-of-the-art Golf Digest Learning Center. The first 50 runners-up will each receive the new, complete 4th edition of Places to Play. The next 50 runners-up will each receive a Golf Digest instructional videotape.

So cast your mind back to the courses you've played in the last year. This is your opportunity to reward the good and complain about the bad-and to be a part of the ultimate guide to public golf. It's a chance to let your voice be heard.

Thank you for your participation.

COPYRIGHT 1999 New York Times Company Magazine Group, Inc.
COPYRIGHT 2000 Gale Group