Free Golf At Garden Inns

The mid-price hotel chain has a great deal for those who like to hit the links while on the road.

Garden Inn, the mid-price brand of the Hilton stable of hotels, has put together an interesting package for its guests traveling from now through October. Originally geared towards its business travelers, there's nothing saying it can't be used by any guest.

Here's the summary: Stay at a Garden Inn on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday night between now and Oct. 22. At check-in, you'll receive a voucher, good at any of the 338 courses in the US and Canada participating in the program. Guests may play Monday through Thursday after 10 a.m., or Friday through Sunday after 2 p.m. through Oct. 31

The fine print: While the voucher is good for greens fees for 2, all courses participating require the use of golf carts and that fee is NOT included in the voucher. You'll also need to surrender your hotel receipt at the course when redeeming the voucher (I'm sure to prove that the user of the voucher is supposed to have the voucher). But, if you're not sure you want someone having your hotel bill other than you, you might not want to do this program. And if you need a receipt for work -- just ask for a copy to be made at the front desk. Oh, and "proper golf attire" is required.

Bottomline: If you like to play golf while traveling, this may be worth looking into. Sure you're paying for golf cart rental, but it may still be less than the greens fees on their own.

For more info: www.stayhgi.com/golf