This summer will mark the 24th time I’ve played in the HGGA Championship, AKA my annual buddies trip. It’s a yearly tradition that dates back to my freshman year in college (yep, I’m that old) and has provided me with countless amazing memories—especially those five instances I’ve been fortunate enough to slip on our coveted green jacket, given to the winner of our weeklong competition.

Through the years, my group has been lucky enough to play and stay at some of the best golf resorts in the country, but we often like to alternate “big-ticket” destinations with places steeped in value, especially if we can get there by driving.

To that end, I’ve made a list of five sneaky-good spots well worth visiting. Hopefully, we get back to all these multiple times in the next quarter century, and maybe we’ll see you out there.

—Alex Myers, Golf Digest Senior Writer