By Chris Baldwin

Senior Writer, Golf Publisher Syndications

updated 12:26 p.m. ET May 14, 2007

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. - It happens everywhere from the coffee shop to the sushi place. PGA Professional Tim Hurja, whose company sells Southern California golf travel packages, will be talking to a golfer lamenting how he's always wanted to play the Bighorn Golf Club but knows he'll never get the chance.

After all, Bighorn is as private as Fort Knox and about as inaccessible to nonmembers.

"I can get you on," Hurja will reply.

Someone from a nearby table or the next spot in line will excuse him- or herself for eavesdropping and ask, "How?" Or, "What are you talking about?"

"A lot of times, it will be a Bighorn member," Hurja laughs. "And they'll want to know how the heck I can get golfers on their courses. You have to be pretty diplomatic."

Diplomatic because insiders are as unaware of the secrets outsiders use to gain access as us outsiders. There are tricks though, more tips than hardware in Tiger Woods' trophy case, that can make the difference.

It's often about how much you know rather than who you know.

"Being a smart traveler gives you a huge edge," said Joe Lipcorm, who frequently takes golf vacations. "Because let's face it, most travelers aren't that smart."

Consider this a course in golf traveler IQ.

"That's the thing," Lipcorm said. "No one thinks they're the dumb traveler. It's like how everyone thinks they're a great driver."

Local experts equal great golf access
Getting on at Bighorn usually requires the work of a local. This is where packagers like Hurja come in. They sell golf and hotel packages to an area, and they know the region's head pros and general managers. Not all packagers are created equal though.

PGA Professionals or former pros are more likely to hold the pull that opens gates.

Don't expect to see the great white whale of courses advertised by even well-connected packagers though. Members of big-dollar private clubs do not want to see tee times to their courses advertised.

This is an ask-and-don't-tell situation. It doesn't work everywhere either. Forget a tee time at Augusta National or Pine Valley. Unless your name is Steve Spurrier.

You'll be surprised by the golf courses where it is possible to get on, though.

A more conventional door opener is staying at a resort with special access. Choose a hotel like the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, and you can play a Scottsdale course (Gainey Ranch) the general public is not welcome on. Suddenly, jammed tee sheets in that golf Mecca aren't your problem.

There are hotels like this worldwide. Sometimes they're not the best known. Take the Indian Wells Resort Hotel in the Palm Springs valley. This midprice spot gives guests access to the $25 million-clubhouse Indian Wells Country Club.

Researching hotels in your spot of choice is usually all it takes to find resorts with pull on private courses.

Getting hotel room upgrades
The price difference between categories of rooms at hotels can be larger than the jump from a coach-class to first-class plane ticket. Serious money's on the line - at least one green fee's worth.

Yet, it's the easiest area to get a free upgrade.

Often all it takes is being nice. Be kind to the front-desk clerk, who probably isn't making much more than minimum wage. Mention how this is a special occasion, that you've been waiting for this vacation for a long time. Say you're hoping for a "nice" room.

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