Biloxi, Mississippi's best golf courses among the nation's best according to 2009 Golfweek rankings

A year or so ago my aunt and uncle asked me about a possible golf and gaming destination for their anniversary. Something affordable, but they wanted top notch golf, casinos and eats. No settling.

With little hesitation, I directed them towards Biloxi, Miss.

Golfweek’s new rankings have listed five Mississippi golf courses among the nation’s best, four of them located around the Biloxi area on the coast.

One signature of Mississippi golf is the sheer acreage of natural forest and wetlands these courses are set on. It’s normal to find a course here on 400, 600, even 800 acres. The result is plenty of space (Grand Bear’s fairways could land a Dreamliner) and you don’t hear a peep out there that isn’t coming from some little woodland critter.

And the second signature is the value. This part of the country, much like the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail next door in Alabama offer as good of a bang-for-the-buck as anywhere - even in peak season.

I’ve played four of the five ranked courses in Mississippi, and they’re exceptional. Four courses here are as good as four courses just about anywhere. The big, bold Fallen Oak checks in at No. 1 - a Fazio masterpiece that’s an exclusive amenity to the Beau Rivage Casino and Hotel that even includes limo transfer to and from the golf course.

Now, Fallen Oak is a great value compared to say, the best courses in desert destinations like Las Vegas or Scottsdale. But the rest of the courses here are more than half it’s $250 sticker. I especially liked Shell Landing (it’s where I sent Aunt and Uncle to play; read my review here) and peaks out at $109 weekends, where you play through natural wetlands and the greens are large enough to be their own golf course.

I think The Preserve Golf Club may be even better (and tougher), but we were called in after nine holes due to weather.

I’m starting to go through this Golfweek state-by-state a little more and have some of my own thoughts on them, especially in Michigan and South Carolina. Stay tuned for more critiques …

The Preserve Golf Club: A Jerry Pate design in Biloxi ranked among Mississippi’s top five by Golfweek.

(BTW, here are some great deals on Mississippi golf packages.)

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