Golfing away from it all: IBJ readers reveal their favorite golf vacation spots.

When it comes to World Class golf courses, Indiana is at a disadvantage. While there are a number of great courses throughout the state, there aren't any oceans or mountains to take them to the next level. So it's not surprising that when Indiana golfers head off on vacation, they seek out courses unlike any Indiana has to offer.

That's the finding of a recent e-mail survey of IBJ Daily readers. The survey, which asked readers to choose their favorite course to visit during a golf vacation, found respondents preferring warm, scenic locations such as California, Florida, Arizona and South Carolina.

The survey also found that a vast majority of readers prefer to travel to one location where they can play more than one course, such as Hilton Head or Myrtle Beach in South Carolina, Scottsdale or Phoenix in Arizona, or numerous locations in Florida and Michigan.

Most of our respondents say they only get to play golf outside the state once a year, although a surprising few were able to get away twice. A lucky handful even took three or more golf vacations a year.

As for the favorite courses, more than 50 different ones received multiple votes, but only a half-dozen or so emerged as clear favorites. Half of the top six courses do have a major Hoosier connection: They were designed by legendary designer and Indianapolis-area resident Pete Dye.

Following is a look at the favorites:

1. Pebble Beach Golf Links, Pebble Beach, Calif.

This legendary course, which hugs the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline, has been capturing the hearts of golfers with its majestic beauty since 1919. The …