My wife and I enjoy Ross Bridge, a resort in Hoover Alabama, just south of Birmingham. We prefer Ross Bridge over The Greenbriar, that's how much we like it. It is part of the Robert Trent Jones Trail. The Ross Bridge course is over 8,000 yards from the tips, forward tees are more realistic for us amateurs. About 3 miles away is Oxmoor Valley, also part of the Trail, it has two challenging 18 hole courses as well. Ross Bridge has everything we want in a resort, my wife is always busy while I play. It is operated by Mariott I think. They usually have a fall and winter specials, golf and spa setups.

Ross Bridge has the largest greens I have played to, but if you want par you need to be in the right zone otherwise you have one long putt. Plenty of sand, plenty of water, fairways are fairly wide, rough usually not too high. Carts have GPS.

The restaurants all have excellent menus and service is great. Its a fun stay.

Nothing like playing the 18th while a bagpiper plays you in.

Brian,

For your consideration.

Streamsong Resort - south central Florida

Troon North - Scottsdale, AZ
The Phoenician - Scottsdale, AZ

Dv

Hi Brian,
As a Bostonian myself, I too look to escape the tundra we call home in the early months of the year.
My wife and I usually head to Maui (we don't have kids and save all year for it) which is without a doubt my favorite place on the planet. Kapalua is unreal for both golf and spa, and you can't run out of stuff to do on Maui- we've tired. If a 12 hour plane ride is out of the question or Maui isn't in the budget I have some other suggestions.

Pinehurst is phenomenal. The courses, food, staff and accommodations are all first class. I know they have an award winning spa as well. They've got 9 courses and an unreal practice facility so getting to play every day won't be a problem. No.2 is worth the money in my opinion, but they do have more budget friendly tracks down there. There isn't much else around there besides the resort, so if she's trying to hit the town or get off campus, Pinehurst might be a bad call.

If NC isn't warm enough for you, or she needs more than pampering- the Grand in San Diego is a great course and has a sweet hotel. There's a couple nice courses nearby (Maderas and Torrey Pines to name two) if you want to play a different track each day that won't be an issue. It's also not far from the Scotty Gallery or Coronado. There's tons of great beach towns near SD, and lots of stuff to do for couples- more importantly, the golf is first class.

Let us know what you decide!

Kaanapali Beach on the Island of Maua in Hawaii. We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Hotel last fall. There are two courses outside the hotel and lots to do on the island. I know that this will meet both of your needs. Fly directly to Maua and get a rent a car and have fun. Check it out.

Those are awesome suggestions up there for you. Here I'll add what could be good golf/spa/food and relaxation over here.

Come on out and check out southern
California's lower desert- The Coachella Valley or popularly known as the Palm Springs area and look into the PGA West courses for golf near La Quinta Resort SPA- stay there or check out availability with VRBO of some sort.

Good luck and have a great time to wherever you decide to go.

Depending on the weather trends, the RTJ trail also has a resort on the Gulf at the Lakewood Resort. Should be warmer in January than the Ross Bridge (which is marvelous in March/April)

Look no further than The Inn at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton, SC. Beautiful resort, one of the finest conditioned golf courses I have ever played (Nicklaus design), fantastic spa (according to my wife) and a short direct flight to Savannah via JetBlue.

Moon Palace Golf and Spa in Cancun is incredible. Plus it is a Jack Nicklaus signature course. I think it is as good as it gets for what you are looking for. My wife and I loved it there!

Brian,

Here's a few more on the Eastern Seaboard for your consideration:

In Florida

Amelia Island Plantation
Marriot at Sawgrass
Grand Cypress Resort
Walt Disney World
Bay Hill Club & Lodge
PGA National Resort & Spa
Boca Raton Resort & Club
Trump Doral Resort
Innisbrook Hilton Resort
The Resort at Longboat Key Club/Sarasota
Turnberry Isle Resort & Club

In South Carolina

Kiawah Isle Inn & Villas
Port Royal Golf & Racquet Club/Hilton Head
Palmetto Dunes Resort/Hilton Head

In Georgia

cally Gardens
The Cloister/Sea Island Golf Club


Best Wishes,

DV

Thanks, everyone! Plenty of food for thought here. Greatly appreciate all the suggestions.

Come to Napa. You can stay at Silverado Resort & Spa which just hosted the Safeway Open and has two courses. You can also play Chardonnay Golf Club and Eagle Vines in south Napa (15 minutes from Silverado) which are right next door to each other. For your wife, there are several great spas outside of Silverado and you go wine tasting, and eat at more great restaurants than you could ever imagine.