Southeastern roundup: 3 golf meccas

From the piney woods of North Carolina to the coastal beauty of South Carolina and warm winters of Florida, the Southeast beckons golfers from across the globe each year.

Before you pack up the clubs for your next golf getaway, check out the latest openings, specials and insider’s tips on where to find your best round.

Orlando, Fla.

In the heart of the Sunshine State, the Orlando metro area offers more than 170 golf courses, according to Thomas Parke of the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club. The Waldorf Astoria course is the latest jewel, sitting on 482 acres, 175 of which were part of a nature preserve. Famed golf course architect Rees Jones designed the course with a focus on immersing the senses in the natural beauty of untouched landscapes.

Play like a pro: Waldorf Astoria Golf Club offers championship golf with several challenging holes. Summer games, from June 1 to Sept. 30, range from $45 to $85 for resort guests and $55 to $100 for the public. Advance booking is recommended; discount for booking 60 days in advance. 14224 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane. 407-597-3783, www.waldorfastoriaorlando.com/golf

For budget duffers: Cleveland Heights Golf Course offers 27 holes of golf and a rich history, dating back to 1925. Fred Ridley, president of the United States Golf Association, grew up nearby and spent hours perfecting his swing on its greens. The municipal facility offers "a very fun course with small, pop-up greens," General Manager Brock Witmyer said. Costs vary by season, ranging from $22 to $25 during the summer, with a twilight golf special for $18 after 3 p.m. 2900 Buckingham Ave. 863-834-2377, www.lakelandgov.net/chgolf

Off the course: Check out Orlando's thriving arts scene along the Cultural Corridor, an 8-mile stretch along Interstate 4 from downtown to historic Winter Park. A new Web site, www.redchairproject.com, offers a growing number of art and resort packages, and information about festivals and local galleries.

Stay: Veranda Bed and Breakfast. In historic Thornton Park in downtown Orlando, this quaint inn is  within two blocks of 12 restaurants. $99 to $209. 707 E. Washington St. 407-849-0321, www.theverandabandb.com

Eat: Hue Restaurant. This New American eatery serves  "the best sea bass in Orlando," according to Veranda Bed and Breakfast co-owner Carlos Gimenez. Entrees $24-$36. 629 E. Central Blvd. 407-849-1800, www.huerestaurant.com

Info: Orlando/Orange Country Convention and Visitors Bureau, 407-363-5872, www.orlandoinfo.com

Hilton Head, S.C.

Hilton Head is an eco-planned resort rich in beaches, lagoons and architecture that takes into consideration the natural scenery. More than a million rounds of golf are played on the island's 24 courses each year, said Hilton Head Island Visitors Bureau spokesman Charlie Clark. From the famed 18th hole at the prestigious Harbour Town Golf Links to the courses by golf design greats Arnold Palmer and Pete Dye, Hilton Head is a must-play on any golfer’s list.

Play like a pro: When it opened in 1969, Harbour Town Golf Links was immediately thrust into golf's spotlight hosting the first PGA Tour Heritage Classic that fall, director of sports Cary Corbitt said. "The Golden Bear," Jack Nicklaus,helped design the demanding course. Harbour Town golf-only rates range from $145-$250. 11 Lighthouse Lane. 800-732-7463, www.seapines.com/golf/golf-courses.asp

For budget duffers: Port Royal Golf Club offers three 18-hole courses set against the Atlantic coastline. The courses were designed by golf architects George Cobb, Pete Dye and William Byrd. The Planter's Row Course, has hosted the Hilton Head Seniors International Golf Tournament, a former senior PGA Tournament Event. $80 to $130. 10 Clubhouse Drive. 843-681-1760, www.portroyalgolfclub.com

Relax: Faces Day Spa. Voted Best Day Spa by readers of The Island Packet newspaper for the last five years, Faces Day Spa offers specials such as The Golf Widow's Revenge ($250), with a facial, massage, scrub and pedicure, all of which takes about the same amount of time as a round of golf. 1000 William Hilton Parkway. 843-785-3075, www.facesdayspa.com

Off the course: Children's songwriter Gregg Russell continues a summer tradition with free concerts and children's activities under the Liberty Oak tree in Harbour Town at 8 nightly, except Saturdays, June 6-Aug. 27. www.greggrussell.com/bubblegum/index.html

Stay: The Inn at Harbour Town offers the ambience of an upscale, European boutique hotel, and overlooks the scenic Harbour Town Golf Links. The AAA Four-Diamond hotel offers butler service, breakfast, valet parking and complimentary trolley transportation to Sea Pines' other facilities in the resort. 32 Greenwood Drive. 866-561-8802, www.seapines.com/accommodations/inn-at-harbour.asp

Eat: Old Fort Pub Restaurant. Romantic dining with stunning views of the coast framed by moss-draped live oak trees. New Southern fare with global influences. Entrées $22 to $36. 65 Skull Creek Drive. 843-681-2386, www.oldfortpub.com

Info: Hilton Head Island Bluffton Chamber of Commerce. 843-785-3673, www.hiltonheadisland.org

Sandhills, N.C.

Golf Digest has ranked the Pinehurst, Southern Pines and Aberdeen area of North Carolina among the best places in the world to play golf. From the peaceful, New England-style village of Pinehurst to the abundance of courses designed by golf legends, the area is a relaxing golf retreat for players of all levels.

Play like a pro: Pinehurst Resort offers championship golf and endless play options, with eight courses to accommodate all skill levels. Course 2 will host the 2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women's Open Championships. Courses 1, 3 and 5 are not as long or challenging. Because Pinehurst has hosted the U.S. Open, the greens have seen all the big-name players currently in the game, including Tiger Woods. Pinehurst is a stay-and-play facility so all golfers must stay at one of the Pinehurst resorts. Summer rates start at $299 for a round of golf, guest room and breakfast. 80 Carolina Vista Drive. 800-487-4653, www.pinehurst.com/north-carolina-golf-resorts.php

For budget duffers: Hyland Golf Club is also known as "the gym of the sandhills," according to pro shop manager David Wiggins. Doug Thompson, a registered pro, plays at the club. Several golf schools offered for beginners. $35-$72. 115 Fairway Ave. 910-692-6400, www.hylandgolfclub.com

What's new: Pinehurst Golf Club offers kid-friendly playing options with tees for children on most courses. It also features teen spa programs, pool parties and a 200-acre lake where guests can glide on pontoon boat rides.

Off the course: Stroll through time to the Village of Pinehurst, within walking distance of the Pinehurst resort, for its specialty shops, restaurants and galleries. The village is a replica of a New England town from the 1900s, charming visitors with its slow pace, Colonial-style architecture and quaint atmosphere. 395 Magnolia Road. 910-295-1900, www.villageofpinehurst.org

Stay: The Carolina Hotel, a National Historic Landmark, was built in 1901, and is the epicenter of Pinehurst resort. The hotel oozes Southern charm, with wide verandas and colonial architecture. 1 Carolina Vista Drive. 800-487-4653, www.pinehurst.com/historic-hotel-north-carolina.php

Eat: Wolcott's Restaurant offers freshly made fare from lobster risotto to grilled pastrami sandwiches, as well as an ever-changing selection of wines. Entrees are $8-$28. 160 West Penn Ave. 910-695-1551, www.wolcottsrestaurant.com