These days more and more women are taking an interest in golf, and resorts have picked up on the trend, courting women to the green with special spa-golf combo packages, and gender-specific classes and programs to introduce ladies to the fun challenges of golf. Traditionally, golf has been a men's game, with women comprising only 18 percent of the "core golf" market. But the times they are a-changing. As pinpointed in a recent CNN article, the upward trend in women's interest in golf has spawned a slew of new packages at resorts across the nation:

At Pinehurst, a sprawling 144-hole golf resort in central North Carolina, instructors created a daylong course called Discover Golf that aims to get beginners -- both men and women -- whacking balls before they learn the ins and outs of the game…Though designed for either sex, the classes have attracted far more women than men so far… all but two of this year's 40 students were women.

The women attendees have raved about the program as great fun, and an excellent opportunity for networking. And you can't beat Pinehurst Resort for the place to learn and perfect your game: the resort is legendary, with eight pristine championship golf courses where the best players in history have all gone before. This is the site of more championships than any other golf course in the country. (With fine luxury spa facilities to boot.)