Sink a birdie or ogle the trees

AS autumn nears and hurricanes threaten tropical cruises and resorts, many Americans turn to low-cost golf vacations and mid-priced foliage tours.

In late summer and early fall, golf is unusually low-priced in several key locations, including Palm Springs.

In winter, you’d pay as much as $135 per round at the Golf Resort at Indian Wells; in August and September, the same round will cost $45 midweek on the resort’s East Course (www.golfresortatindianwells.com).

Other great deals can be found in Myrtle Beach, S.C., which has more than 100 public golf courses, said to be the largest concentration in America. Go to www.golfholiday.com for a list of seasonal specials. Among those offered in August are a $99 special that offers three rounds at various courses; and another that includes an overnight motel stay and one round of golf starting at $39.

Other deals can be found in Auburn and Opelika, Ala., which have many challenging, scenic courses, for which you’ll pay $129 for three days of unlimited golf (www.rtjgolf.com). These are part of the popular Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, laid out by the famous master of courses and considered one of his greatest achievements.

Starting Oct. 15, a similar bargain can be found at John Jacobs’ Golf School at the Painted Mountain Golf Resort in Mesa, Ariz. (www.jacobsgolf.com). As little as $845 will buy you three nights’ lodging, meals, two cocktail parties and five hours of instruction per day for three days.

Throughout autumn, if you’re willing to wait until the day before or the morning of play to book your tee times, you can save up to 60% on greens fees by using such websites as www.teetimeamerica.com or www.lastminutegolfer.com.

In a recent scan of these sites, an associate found courses in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., that usually charge $139 with rates of $43; $77 greens fees in Charlotte, N.C., selling for $54; and $65 greens fees in the Seattle area marked down to $35.

New England fall foliage tours -- in your own car or a rental -- are another popular seasonal trip for Americans. For budget accommodations, try using bed-and-breakfast rooms in private homes listed at www.bedand-breakfast.com, CraigsList or the tourist offices of the areas you plan to visit.

How can you determine when the foliage will be at its peak? Traditionally, the best time for Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont is the last week in September and the first two weeks in October. If you’re planning on visiting Massachusetts, upstate New York, Connecticut or Rhode Island, the time right around Columbus Day is usually prime.

Don’t forget that the colors will be changing in other areas too. Aspen, Colo., sees a big dip in tourism in the fall but gets stunning colors. There are also fine colors near Traverse City, Mich., and in Asheville, N.C.