I'm planning on a road trip in March from Madison, WI to New Orleans, LA and was wondering what courses were worth checking out on the way. We'll be heading down I-55 mostly, through southern Illinois, Memphis, and a good deal of Mississippi. Any recommendations are welcome!

Whatever you do, don't miss Highland Road Park just outside of Baton Rouge. It's located very conveniently only 2 miles or so from the highway leading to New Orleans. It's right on your way!

There are 3 sets of tees at Highland Road: blue tees for novices, orange "regular" tees and yellow pro tees. From the orange tees, the course is an excellent mix of short and long holes over nice rolling hills with moderate elevation changes, which is rare in that part of the country. There are plenty of deucable holes, honest par threes and 3 legitimate par fours. (Holes 2,4 and 8) A few holes play over a creek, and a few holes play through some areas of heavy vegetation. Most play in the open, and since the park service keeps the grass cut very low you can throw rollers on many holes. I think the course would be considered world class and have a wider reputation if permanent tee pads were installed. The yellow pro tees are awesome � they don�t always add length to the hole but they always make the tee shot that much more difficult, especially when they take away the easy deuce on holes such as 3, 9, 11, and 13. Don't miss this course!

Last March on a business trip to Memphis I played Meeman Shelby and the course in Germantown. Meeman Shelby might be a little off the beaten path (I-55) but is the better of the two. Meeman Shelby might be 27 or 36 holes. I'm not sure because I only had time for 18. I'm sure the trees will create more of a challenge in the summer vs. March.
Germantown is a nice course but only 9 holes. They did a nice job with the limited space they had. If I recall correctly, 3 of the holes play around or over a man made pond.

Have fun. :D