One of my favorite vacation spots is Placer County, Calif., not least of all because it's a fantastic area for golf. There are all levels of facilities, ranging from nine-hole Par-3 golf courses to several PGA-level resorts where you can choose which 18-hole course you'd like to play. About half of the 30 or so courses in the area are public, with the other half private. There are also about a half-dozen municipal courses. The public and municipal courses are all call-ahead, although you may be able to walk on for nine holes on a spring or fall weeknight. The private courses admittedly are a bit tougher to get into to play, but most have started public days once or twice a week. Worse comes to worse, call up the pro shop to ask if a member could invite you in to show you the course.

The two most popular and highest-rated private courses, both 18-hole layouts in the town of Roseville, are the Morgan Creek Golf and Country Club on Morgan Creek Lane and the Sierra View Country Club on Alta Vista Avenue.

Morgan Creek Golf and Country Club

The Morgan Creek Golf and Country Club is a par 72 at 7303 yards and features bluegrass fairways. With a great course rating of 75.6 and a slope rating of 143, this spectacular course -- designed by golf pro Kyle D. Phillips -- only opened up in 2003, but it is already considered one of the best in the area. Don't be surprised if the PGA Tour holds a professional tournament there soon. The long tees are especially challenging.

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