Planning your golfing trip to North Carolina

THE BEST WAY

From LAX, Southwest and US Airways have direct service (stop, no change of plane) to Raleigh, N.C. AirTran, American, Continental, Delta, Northwest and United have connecting service (change of plane). Restricted round-trip fares begin at $318.

Tobacco Road is an hour from the airport. Discounted package rates available at www.tobaccoroad. Directions at www.tobaccoroadgolf.com.

WHERE TO STAY

Pine Crest Inn, 50 Dogwood Road, Pinehurst, N.C.; (800) 371-2545, www.pinecrestinnpinehurst.com. This inn, half an hour south of Tobacco Road , is the best place to stay. The homey inn lies in the village of Pinehurst, the granddaddy of American golf resorts, and many of the game’s legends have hoisted a glass at its old oak bar. Rates from $100 per person, per night, including breakfast and dinner.

Pinehurst Resort, 1 Carolina Vista Drive, Pinehurst, N.C.; (800) 487-4653, www.pinehurst.com, also puts you near many fine courses. Rates from $276 per person, per night, including breakfast and dinner.

WHERE TO EAT

Jackson Brothers, 2424 Jefferson Davis Highway, Sanford, N.C.; (919) 776-8887, www.jacksonbros.com. Stop here to sample some traditional North Carolina pork barbecue. Locals take barbecue so seriously that there’s a busy blog called North Carolina Barbecue Musings devoted to its fine points, ncbbq.blogspot.com.

TO LEARN MORE

North Carolina Division of Tourism, 301 N. Wilmington St., Raleigh, NC 27699; (800) 847-4862, www.visitnc.com.