Course architect Gil Hanse has had the hot design hand of late. There was the Olympic Golf Course a year ago, followed by Streamsong Black more recently. Along the way he whipped up his latest offering — The Cradle, a nine-hole short course at Pinehurst Resort — in five months time.

“I have a really good friend that talks about golf courses being happy places and not happy places, so we rate them on a scale of happiness, and this is a really happy place,” said Hanse at the opening in September.

Location: Pinehurst, N.C.  
Course architect: Gil Hanse  
Opened: 2017 
Par: 27 
From the tips: 789 yards
Rating: n/a 
Slope: n/a 
Saturday Morning Green Fee: $$ ($50-$99. Juniors age 17-and-under play for free with paying adult.)    

THE REVIEW
Starter: The Cradle scorecard has a quote from famed architect Donald Ross saying, “Golf should be a pleasure, not a penance.” Pinehurst Resort's new short course delivers that motto in spades. Only three clubs are needed to attack this Gil Hanse gem, which was designed masterfully in tight quarters. Golfers have been begging for years for a shorter time frame on the links, and this is an answer, while still presenting a challenge on a unique scale.

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One of the most famous regions in Italy, Lombardy has 28 golf courses in and around the lakes of Como, Garda, Maggiore and the cosmopolitan city of Milan.

Learn more about the beauty in Lombardia and plan a trip today.

Balsam Mountain Preserve is all about the land. So much so that nearly three-quarters of the western North Carolina property is protected and guided by a land trust. Not only does this trust make sure the land is here for generations to come, but it also offers a unique opportunity for residents to become involved in something bigger than a private community.

Given Balsam Mountain Preserve's close proximity to the Blue Ridge Mountains, the community has a national park air that it embraces through education and preservation.

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CORRECTION
The Wednesday, Oct. 25, issue incorrectly stated Waveland Golf Course, located in Des Moines, Iowa, as being the oldest course west of the Mississippi River. 

Troon and CaddieMaster have expanded caddie programs to 11 more Troon-affiliated facilities in Arizona for the November-April season. The move follows the 2016 launch of caddie programs at six Phoenix/Scottsdale-area clubs.

Tour operator Carr Golf will play host to its 11th annual World Invitational Father and Daughter Tournament on July 23-26 at Waterville Golf Links in Ireland. The event includes three rounds of golf at Waterville.

GolfTec will offer one complimentary lesson Nov. 6-12 to anyone who first makes a donation to PGA Reach, the PGA of America’s charitable foundation. The suggested donation is $25; lessons are valued at $85. Signup is available at pgareach.org/golftec.