In this issue:

• Spotlight on Mesquite, Nevada: Surreal Golf Rules the Day
• Sand Hollow Resort: A Triumph, by (St.) George
• Moderately Wild About Wild Dunes (plus nearby Rivertowne Country Club)
• Pound Ridge: Live and Let Die near New York City
• Secrets From the World of Golf Travel: Survival tips for playing in the rain; preview play on Bandon's new course; top golf apps for the iPhone; and hot deals from Troon Golf, Stein Ericksen Lodge and Hawaii's Princeville Resort

With its stunning canyons and fantastic elevation changes, Wolf Creek leads the way at a bargain destination full of extreme golf. Mesquite makes for a thrilling day trip from Las Vegas or a convenient base for playing still more rousing courses.

Just past St. George, in Utah's red rock country, designer John Fought has created one of the most gorgeous desert courses we've played at Sand Hollow Resort. Still better, the green fee is about half the price of Scottsdale's top layouts.

With its two early Tom Fazio designs, Wild Dunes, the golf, tennis, and beach retreat provides a Charleston-area alternative to Kiawah. See how you can maximize your day while paying less during your stay. While at Wild Dunes, you can also visit RiverTowne Country Club. This private Charleston-area club, once home to an LPGA tournament, is fun, challenging, and welcoming to visitors.

Outside of tough-to-access Bethpage Black, the New York City area has long been short on premium daily fee venues. The newly-opened Pound Ridge Golf Club by legendary architect Pete Dye and his son Perry attempts to step into that void. We let you know the degree to which they have met the challenge.

Secrets of the Golf World includes our top survival tips for playing in rainy weather, our recommendations on some of the best (and worst) iPhone apps for golf, the secret to getting a sneak peak at Bandon's fourth course and some hot deals at Stein Eriksen Lodge, Hawaii's Princeville resort, and at Troon-managed golf courses nationwide.