As mentioned previously, my buddy, Clay, the golf package pro from Myrtle Beach Seaside Resorts, has a great understanding of Myrtle Beach golf courses. After years of some good (and some very awful) golf-filled weekends, he’s become an unofficial authority on the topic of what to play, and what to avoid at all costs. At my request, again, Clay stepped up to the plate to offer his suggestions for the Most Fun golf courses to play in Myrtle Beach. Keep in mind, there’s approximately 83 golf courses along the Grand Strand as of Spring 2008 (we’ve lost a few over the last couple of years thanks to the real-estate development boom and an over-saturation of courses that offered more than the current demand of rounds during that time), so narrowing the field to five is quite a task. But, Clay, ever the one to have a very distinct opinion about everything, pretty quickly drafted up his picks. With only one slight waver between in which order to rank two, he had his picks back to me in a matter of about nine seconds.

Clay’s Top-Five Most Fun to Play Golf Courses in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

5. Man O’War. Not only is it fun—-it’s beautiful. An 80-acre lake winds along, inside and around the course at every turn-creating a truly inescapable foe that’s a blast trying to best. A Dan Maples masterpiece, Man O’War offers back-to-back Bentgrass island greens and a very cool island ninth you won’t find elsewhere.

4. Barefoot Love. Interesting, scenic and once voted first-place in Golf Digest’s list of “Top 50 Courses in Myrtle Beach.” The Love Course (designed by Carolina native Davis Love III) is the jewel in the crown of Legend Golf Courses at Barefoot Landing in Myrtle Beach. Generous landing areas, wide-open fairways and complex greens are the hallmark of this 7,000-yard , 72-par course.

3. Shaftesbury Glen. Capturing the essence of Augusta National and Winged Foot, Clyde Johnston has carved a delicious treat that includes every delicate facet of golf. A beautifully flowing layout, Shaftesbury Glen goes beyond offering traditional wide fairways and elevated Bent greens to flat-out demanding doglegs and make-you-want-to-cry traps. Seriously, some of the finest holes along the Strand.

2. Pine Lakes. (Take note on this one–Pine Lakes–the oldest golf course in Myrtle Beach, is now temporarily closed for renovations geared to maintain the historical relevance of this legendary course. The expected re-opening is 2009.) Designed by Robert White, the PGA’s very first president, and the birthplace of Sports Illustrated magazine, Pine Lakes features starters clad in Scottish Kilts, is sloped at 130 and has 6,200 yards of glorious South Carolina elegance. Since there are some slight modifications being made to the design, I won’t go into to much detail that could become inaccurate in the future.

1. World Tour. Play Augusta National, Cypress Point, St. Andrews, Royal Troon, and so many more, all in one day. At the World Tour, every single hole has been designed based on a famous Championship course hole from around the world. Not only are the individual holes a challenge—but the scenery is ever-changing and filled with manicured fairways, exciting hazards and surprises around every corner. Your game will be challenged, your mind will be working and your sense of satisfaction will be well-met after a round on this entertaining Myrtle Beach favorite. Expect the price per round to reflect amount of fun you’re likely to experience—but, it’s worth it.

A Long. http://www.ttimesonly.com

A Long. Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. anglong616@gmail.com

Sonja Lyubomirsky’s new book, THE HOW OF HAPPINESS, is largely an outgrowth of her research into the area of happiness. Despite the author citing a great many studies, the book is extraordinarily friendly for people who need or want practical suggestions on how to be happier in their lives. No cookie cutter recommendations. Rather, you are asked to take an assessment that Lyubomirsky has created in order to determine the kinds of activities that would gratify you on the road to greater happiness.

After completing the person-activity fit diagnostic, which takes only a few minutes and is easily scorable, you identify the four categories of activities that represent your top interests. There are sections in part 2 that are devoted to activities that fall into each of the 12 categories of activity covered by the diagnostic assessment where you can pick the specific activities in which you want to engage.

The assessment with individualized sections in six chapters of part 2 is a wonderful feature of the book. When I did the diagnostic I was happily surprised to see how closely the results represent the kinds of things I already like to do but on which I had not had my energy sufficiently focused. I was easily able to be more involved in what I was doing as well as pick new activities in which to engage.

Another great feature of the book is the author’s emphasis on NOT overwhelming us with too many happiness activities. The recommendation is to pick no more than three of the four areas identified by the diagnostic. And, it can be only one activity. Lyubomirsky makes doing happiness activities very manageable as well as fun.

Despite the fact that Sonja Lyubomirsky believes that THE HOW OF HAPPINESS is a book for everyone, she does address the special needs of people who are depressed. Though she highly recommends doing the activities in the book, she does as well emphasize the need to seek professional help.

THE HOW OF HAPPINESS is not exclusively a how-to book. It will satisfy you if you’re hungry to know how Lyubomirsky’s and others’ research led to the pragmatic suggestions presented. Mostly, this book is not just another book on how to be happy. Despite the amount of research presented and the necessary focus on depression, this book is easily readable and practical for the person who is in search of more happiness in their lives. I highly recommend it.

Betsy Landau is a licensed psychologist, a Mentor Coach certified life and writing coach, adjunct professor of psychology, author, and publisher. Her book Mirabelle’s Memoirs: a feline tale is available on amazon.com. Her passion is helping people change their lives. To find out more about coaching with Betsy Landau, and to sign up for her free newsletter, go to http://www.betsylandau.com