Ocean course at Hokuala - views
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Ocean course at Hokuala - views
The Ocean course at Hokuala has the most consecutive holes on the ocean as any golf course in Hawaii. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Jack Nicklaus - Champion Course at PGA National
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Jack Nicklaus - Champion Course at PGA National
Jack Nicklaus, who is always tweaking the Champion Course at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., was on hand in the fall of 2014 to unveil the latest renovation after he redesigned the 14th hole. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
TPC Cartagena GC - No. 16
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TPC Cartagena GC - No. 16
I had to go all the way to Colombia to play the 33rd and newest course of the TPC Network -- The TPC Cartagena at Karibana Resort on the northern coast. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Bear Mountain Resort - Mountain Course - 14th
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Bear Mountain Resort - Mountain Course - 14th
A fall trip to Victoria, B.C., Canada on Vancouver Island brought me one of my favorite Nicklaus designs, the Mountain Course at Bear Mountain Resort. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Russell Hiatt
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Russell Hiatt
My 2014 golf travels took me to Mt. Airy, N.C., the inspiration behind Mayberry of TV fame. Pictured is Russell Hiatt, who owns Floyd's Barber Shop and the inspiration behind the Floyd character in the Andy Griffith Show. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Greenbrier Old White TPC
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Greenbrier Old White TPC
Another 2014 highlight was playing Greenbrier's Old White TPC, home of the PGA Tour's Greenbrier Classic. The course turned 100 this year. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Nakoma Resort - Dragon golf course - no. 1
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Nakoma Resort - Dragon golf course - no. 1
On a summer trip to the Reno-Lake Tahoe area, I had the opportunity to play the Dragon at Nakoma Resort, one of the most beautiful and difficult golf courses in the region. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Cog Hill - Dubsdread golf course - 5th
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Cog Hill - Dubsdread golf course - 5th
With its bunkering, difficult greens and deep rough, the Dubsdread Course at Cog Hill near Chicago is an unrelenting test, but a highlight of summer of 2104. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Erin Hills G.C. - 7th hole
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Erin Hills G.C. - 7th hole
A 2014 trip to the 2017 U.S. Open host Erin Hills in Wisconsin revealed how difficult but super interesting this course is. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Whistling Straits - Straits golf course - 1st
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Whistling Straits - Straits golf course - 1st
My most memorable golf experience in 2014 occurred on the Straits Course at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wis. Stunning in every way and never boring, it really was a walk unspoiled. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Bethpage - Red golf course - 18th
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Bethpage - Red golf course - 18th
My first trip to play Bethpage in New York didn't include the Black Course, but I was told by locals that the Red may be just as good -- and cheaper to play. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Bella Collina sunset
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Bella Collina sunset
One of the gems I discovered early in 2014 was Bella Collina Golf Club near Orlando, Fla. Originally designed as private club for the wealthy, the course is open to the public for limited tee times. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Presidio Golf Course - hole 4
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Presidio Golf Course - hole 4
A quick early year trip to San Francisco provided the opportunity to play Presidio Golf Course for the first time. A great history and cool setting on well conditioned layout makes it one the Golden Gate City's best. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Augusta National - 12th hole
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Augusta National - 12th hole
One of the best ways to see Augusta is during a practice round and the par-3 tournament. You can take pictures and the players are way more relaxed. Thanks for the Mercedes VIP Experience, I got to do just that this year. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
Tommy Chong
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Tommy Chong
Early in the year, I got to play in Patrick Warburton's Golf For Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament at the JW Marriott Desert Springs. The tournament benefits St. Jude Children's Hospital. Yep, I got to hang out with Tommy Chong. GolfAdvisor
Chambers Bay golf course - No. 14
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Chambers Bay golf course - No. 14
Where the land meets the sea: I got to check out Chambers Bay near Seattle, which is where next year's U.S. Open will be played. Mike Bailey/GolfAdvisor
16 Images

From New York to Kauai: Best pictures from my 2014 golf travels

While I may not have gone to some more of the more exotic locations of year's passed, the list of golf courses and experiences were five-star. There were three U.S. Open courses, a VIP Masters experience, a chance to meet some of my favorite celebrities in Patrick Warburton's charity golf tournament in Palm Springs and a trip down memory lane in Mayberry country in the mountains of North Carolina.

I got to interview Jack Nicklaus about travel after he dedicated the new 14th hole on the Champion Course at PGA National in south Florida, played the Greenbrier's Old White TPC Course during its 100th anniversary and made my fifth trip to Hawaii.

Courses spanned every imaginable style, from the linksy 2015 U.S. Open host Chambers Bay near Seattle to Bethpage Park in New York to spectacular coastal views on the peaceful island of Kauai.

Here, then, is a glimpse of my travels in 2014.

Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.
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From New York to Kauai: Best pictures from my 2014 golf travels