In these days of economic uncertainty, golf vacationers battling record gas prices are especially keen on seeking exciting and challenging courses at affordable prices.

My advice: Hit the trails. Golf trails, that is.

Some of the best public golf, including many award-winners with designer tags like Nicklaus, Player, Palmer and Dye, are available at affordable rates that will leave you a few bucks left over for some of that liquid gold at the gas pumps. 

Here’s a review of some of the nation’s best golf trails (listed alphabetically): 

Audubon Golf Trail (Louisiana)
Named after naturalist/artist John Audubon, the trail has 13 participating courses. All courses are members of the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary for golf courses, a program dedicated to protecting the environment and preserving the natural heritage of golf. If you want to tee up where the pros play, TPC Louisiana in Avondale (photo 1), home to the Zurich Classic of New Orleans and designed by PGA TOUR players Steve Elkington and Kelly Gibson with Pete Dye, is the closest thing to a private nature preserve with golf holes. www.audubontrail.com

Idaho Golf Trail
Idaho golf courses adhere to the marketing mantra of “Nowhere near overplayed.” There are 10 courses on the Idaho Golf Trail highlighted by the Couer d’Alene Resort (photo 2), Circling Raven (photo 3) and Sun Valley Resort (photo 4). Two new additions for this year are Falcon Crest G.C. in Kuna, with majestic views overlooking the Boise Valley and surrounding mountains, and Jug Mountain Ranch in McCall, which is dominated by panoramic views of Jughandle Mountain, natural wetlands, mature forests and rolling hills. www.idahogolftrail.com

Kentucky State Parks Golf Trail
With 20 state park golf courses, there is something for every golfer. The special “Trail Card” season is a great deal giving golfers access to all 20 state owned golf courses, preferred tee times, paid green fees and access to club tournaments. A variety of passes are available including those for singles, couples, families, junior, seniors and more.  Go to their Web site and click on “Trail/Pass Card” for latest rates.  www.parks.ky.gov/golftrail/

Natural State Golf Trail (Arkansas)
Encompassing 15 courses throughout Arkansas, the Natural State Golf Trail is highlighted by Ozark Mountain and delta-golf experiences. You tee up at courses like Sage Meadows in Jonesboro, a Tommy Bolt signature course; Big Creek Golf & Country Club in Mountain Home, which rolls and weaves through stunning Ozark terrain; and the Red Apple Inn in Heber Springs, a scenic beauty situated on a peninsula surrounded by Greers Ferry Lake in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. www.NaturalStateGolfTrail.com

Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail (Alabama)
The granddaddy of the golf-trail concept, the Robert Trent Jones (RTJ) Golf Trail has been saving golfers money since its debut in 1992. Golfers apparently like saving money because the RTJ Golf Trail has evolved to encompass 11 sites, 26 courses, 468 holes and several resorts, including the Renaissance Ross Bridge Resort in Birmingham, Marriott Shoals Hotel & Spa in Florence and Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel & Conference Center at Grand National. The Web site offers a superb trail guide that can be downloaded or sent directly to your mailbox. www.rtjgolf.com

Santa Fe Golf Trail (New Mexico)
One of the newest golf trails, this trail encompasses eight courses located at the destination of the Old Santa Fe Trail. Whether you stay in Albuquerque or Santa Fe, which are 50 miles apart, you’re never more than a 30-minute drive from most courses on the Trail. The distance from the southern-most course, Isleta Eagle, to the northernmost course, Black Mesa, is approximately 90 miles, so it’s possible to play two courses in one day. The Web site offers a “trip preference” that can customize golf packages and provide pricing information. www.golfonthesantafetrail.com

Tennessee Golf Trail
Comprised of 12 courses throughout the state, the Tennessee Golf Trail features four Jack Nicklaus designed layouts named “The Bear Trace.” Nicklaus took some phenomenal state-owned parkland and fashioned a series of courses that are scenic, playable, affordable and fun. The Bear Trace courses are: Cumberland Mountain State Park, 90 minutes east of Nashville; Harrison Bay, 20 minutes north of Chattanooga; Tims Ford State Park, near Lynchburg; and Chickasaw State Park, one hour north of Memphis. Each Bear Trace course has a log clubhouse with a massive stone fireplace, full-service grill, fully stocked pro shop and covered porch overlooking each course. www.tngolftrail.net

Waccamaw Golf Trail (South Carolina)
On the quiet and sedate southern end of the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach, the Waccamaw Golf Trail encompasses 12 golf courses. The participating layouts are Blackmoor, Caledonia, Founders Club, Heritage Club, Litchfield Country Club, Pawleys Plantation, River Club, TPC of Myrtle Beach, Tradition, True Blue Plantation, Wachesaw Plantation East and Willbrook Plantation. The excellent, one-stop Web site highlights a variety of special packages, a trail dining guide and even swing tips.  www.WaccamawGolfTrail.com