NEW ORLEANS - There's a trail of money being left all over the United States by golfers. That's right, trails that stretch from California to Virginia are being paved with the billions of dollars - $30 billion (U.S.) last year alone, according to American statistics - that golfers are dropping while enjoying their favourite sport.

PINEHURST, N.C. - Playing golf by yourself while on vacation is not very rewarding if there’s no one there to appreciate your accomplishments - or to verify them!

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - The young attendant greeted us to Kiawah Island’s magnificent Ocean Course with a “howdy” and “did you bring enough balls?”

PINEHURST. N.C. - My dream-come-true round of golf on the legendary No. 2 course at Pinehurst Resort was about to reach a painful conclusion thanks to the set of blisters that had attached themselves to my hands during the game.

ESCANABA, MICH. - As our small jet dips its wings on approach to this Northern Michigan outpost, I’m struck by the sight of puffy white clouds being reflected in a crystal-clear lake that’s framed by an evergreen forest. It’s a masterpiece only Mother Nature could paint.