Mauna Kea Golf Course - hole 3
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Mauna Kea Golf Course - hole 3
The signature par-3 third at Rees Jones-restored Mauna Kea Golf Course on the Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most beautiful holes in the world. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Black Mesa Golf Club - hole 18
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Black Mesa Golf Club - hole 18
Black Mesa Golf Club near Santa Fe, New Mexico is a beautiful escape. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Half Moon Bay Golf Links - Old Course - hole 18
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Half Moon Bay Golf Links - Old Course - hole 18
There are few views better than the 18th on the Old Course at Half Moon Bay Golf Links. Courtesy of Ritz-Carlton
Threetops golf course at Treetops Resort - hole 6
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Threetops golf course at Treetops Resort - hole 6
Threetops Golf Course, the par-3 design at Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Mich., is a delightfully quick and fun experience. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Pound Ridge Golf Club - hole 16
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Pound Ridge Golf Club - hole 16
Pete Dye's Pound Ridge Golf Club in New York is as beautiful as it is difficult. Courtesy of Jim Krajicek/Pound Ridge
Pronghorn - Nicklaus golf course - 13th
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Pronghorn - Nicklaus golf course - 13th
The 378-yard, par-4 13th is arguably the signature hole on the Nicklaus Course at Pronghorn Club & Resort in Central Oregon, a terrific golf destination. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Myrtle Beach National - King's North GC - hole 17
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Myrtle Beach National - King's North GC - hole 17
There's plenty of natural beauty at the King's North Course at Myrtle Beach National in South Carolina. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Walkabout Golf Club - hole 18
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Walkabout Golf Club - hole 18
There are a lot of cool holes, such as the 18th, at Walkabout Golf Club on the Space Coast of Florida. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
CostaBaja Golf Club - hole 15
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CostaBaja Golf Club - hole 15
There are ocean views on almost every hole -- including the par-4 15th -- at CostaBaja Golf Club in La Paz, Mexico. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course
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Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course
Palm Beach Par-3 Golf Course is an extraordinary par-3 course with views like few others. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Big Island C.C. golf course - hole 6
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Big Island C.C. golf course - hole 6
Big Island Country Club has an entirely different look than most golf courses in Hawaii. Courtesy of Big Island Country Club
Black Lake Golf Club - 16th hole
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Black Lake Golf Club - 16th hole
Black Lake Golf Club, which is owned by the United Auto Workers and is located in northern Michigan, is a real treat to play. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
12 Images

A year in pictures: A look back at the best golf photos of 2012

The job of a golf travel writer certainly has its perks, and 2012 was no exception. As has been the case for the past five years, I got to travel coast to coast, north and south and even across the border and the Pacific, covering most areas of the United States and a little beyond.

What follows are 12 of my favorite pictures -- one for every month -- from the public or resort golf courses I visited this year. In no particular order, each is special in its own right, and they're not all at high-dollar venues. I even included a couple of par-3 courses.

-- Mike Bailey

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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A year in pictures: A look back at the best golf photos of 2012