Golf on the fly: got some time to kill before your flight? Don't just sit there—tee it up. Here are the top public courses near America's busiest airports

Golf Digest, April, 2005 by Ron Kaspriske

You've adjusted your seat back, and the tray table is in the upright and locked position. Now there's only one thing left to do as you prepare to land: stare out the window, looking for golf courses.

There's something irresistible about that spy-plane view of fairways and greens. But have you ever done anything about it? Have you ever actually made a little time on either side of a trip to sample the courses near the airport?

We think it's high time you did.

We have identified nine of the busiest airports in the country and--with help from our course-rating panelists, Golf Digest's Best Places to Play guide and local club pros in each market--picked the best public-access courses within 20 miles of each. Whether you're facing a long layover because of "equipment problems" (translation: the pilot overslept) or you're trying to get in a quick round before your flight, here are the courses for you. (Airports are ranked in order of the quality of golf nearby.)

1 Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport

REALLY CLOSE BY: **** ASU Karsten G. Cse. (1125 E. Rio Salado Parkway, Tempe; 480-921-8070; 10-minute drive, five miles from the airport; $75-$89) can be seen from Sky Harbor. Designed by Pete and Perry Dye, the course is a great option on getaway day because there also are several gas stations and restaurants in the area for fueling your car and belly before a flight. The 18th hole, with a lake guarding the left side of a dogleg-left par 4, might look familiar if you've ever played Dye courses such as TPC Sawgrass, PGAWest and Blackwolf Run.

BEST VALUE: **** Papago G. Cse. (5595 E. Moreland St.; 602-275-8428; 10 minutes, five miles; $17-$34) is a favorite among locals. The muny twists and turns through red-rocked foothills.

ALSO WORTH CONSIDERING: ****1/2 The Raven at South Mountain (3636 E. Baseline Road; 602-243-3636; 13 minutes, seven miles; $159). **** The Legacy G. Resort (6808 S. 32nd St.; 602-305-5550; 11 minutes, six miles; $89-$99). **** Vistal G.C. (701 E. Thunderbird Trail; 602-305-7755; 19 minutes, nine miles; $24-$109).

AIRPORT CONFIDENTIAL: Sky Harbor once had rental cars on-site, but now everyone is bused to a huge center on the outskirts of the airport. In addition, the security lines here seem to move slower than at other major airports. So give yourself an extra 30 minutes.

2 Las Vegas McCarron International Airport

REALLY CLOSE BY: Bali Hai G.C. (5160 Las Vegas Blvd. S.; 888-427-6678; seven minutes, four miles; $245-$295; not yet rated) is so close to the runway, you feel as if you need to hit knockdowns to avoid the planes. Caddies are available at Bali Hai, which features 2,500 planted palm trees and brilliant white-sand bunkers. On the downside, it's one of the most expensive courses in the country and too cramped for a driving range.

WORTH CONSIDERING: **** Vegas National G.C. (1911 E. Desert Inn Road, Henderson; 702-734-1796; 11 minutes, five miles; $125-$150) is cheap compared to Bali Hai, and some say better. But it falls short in terms of conditioning. It gets a lot of play, so call ahead to make sure you can get a time.

IF YOU HAVE A LITTLE EXTRA TIME: **** Rio Secco G.C. (2851 Grand Hills Drive, Henderson; 702-777-2400; 16 minutes, 10 miles; $225-$275) is headquarters for Butch Harmon, ranked No. 1 on Golf Digest's list of America's 50 Greatest Teachers. Although expensive, the course is terrific, winding through rocky canyons and desert scrub.

LOOKING FOR A GOOD RANGE? Callaway Golf Center (6730 Las Vegas Blvd S.; 702-896-4100; six minutes, four miles) is a lighted practice facility very close to the airport with a par-3 course, putting greens and driving range.

AIRPORT CONFIDENTIAL: No matter what time of day, it always seems like there are huge lines here. Money talks in Vegas, so drop $10 or $20 on a skycap for quicker service when time gets tight. He'll get you checked in within seconds, yelling "special passenger!"

3 Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

REALLY CLOSE BY: **** Bear Creek G.C. (3500 Bear Creek Court; 972-456-3200; nine minutes, six miles; $50-$65) has 36 holes practically on the runway. If you can handle the noise of jet engines, it's definitely worth your time.

EXPENSIVE BUT WORTH IT: **** Cowboys G.C. (1600 Fairway Drive, Grapevine; 817-481-7277; 10 minutes, five miles; $140) claims to be the world's first National Football League-themed golf course, but even if you don't care for Jerry Jones, Roger Staubach or Emmitt Smith, you'll love the well-manicured fairways and greens. The layout is visually interesting with tree-lined holes and sizable elevation changes.

BEST VALUE: *** Grapevine G. Cse. (3800 Fairway Drive, Grapevine; 817-410-3377; 19 minutes, 13 miles; $23-$27) is a low-cost alternative to Cowboys that's right up the street. Another good value is ***1/2 Riverchase G.C. (700 Riverchase Drive, Coppell; 972-462-8281; 19 minutes, 10 miles; $39-$49). This course might not be as well-conditioned as Cowboys, but its wide fairways will help keep your drives in play and put a smile on your face for the flight home.