I'm detecting a two trends with President Barack Obama's golf habit.

1. If possible, play golf in Hawaii.

2. If not in Hawaii, play golf course that feels closest to Hawaii.

I'm convinced we won't be seeing much of Obama in Ireland, gutting out the wind and rain of Ballybunion Golf Club's Old Course like President Clinton did back in 1998. Early indications are that Obama is more of a resort-type, sunshine golfer.

The newest island-style course endorsement of Obama comes from Golf Digest's latest issue, chronicling the President's golf history. And it appears that when he was in Las Vegas for early campaigning, the Obama camp found time for a quick nine at Bali Hai Golf Club off the Vegas strip. Click here for the article.

Suffice to say I'm not shocked Obama didn't opt for British Open-inspired Royal Links Golf Club down the road.

First off, Bali Hai is one of the Strip's most convenient courses, and it has returning nines, so you can play nine holes in the waning daylight and finish off next to the parking lot. The course is also across the street from McCarran Airport and private helicopter launches, so you can make a quick escape to your next town hall meeting.

As for the golf course, there are thousands of palm trees, creating a tropical setting about as close as you'll find to Obama's childhood home anywhere around Vegas. Also, the fairways are generous given the small acreage of prime real estate next to Mandalay Bay, so it will give any presidential candidate a little confidence boost.

Obama is the latest in the list of Presidents (or in this case, future Presidents) to play golf in Las Vegas, which also includes Clinton, Gerald R. Ford and George H.W. Bush. Click here for a great column on Vegas resident Jack Sheehan teeing it up with former President Bush at Shadow Creek.

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