Fairways and Football

Cooling temperatures, changing leaves, golfers scrambling to make tee times accommodating their favorite football team's schedule - all tell-tale signs of fall. For sports fans, the seasonal combination of golf and football is one of life's true pleasures. In fact, if Vivaldi were alive today, he'd probably rework the "Fall" concerto of "The Four Seasons," replacing the violins with a cacophony of crisply struck 9 irons and John Madden audio clips.

The convalescence of two of the world's greatest games is further enhanced when the football is witnessed live and in-person. So, load up the sticks, make sure the beer's cold, the chili's warm, and check out the below combinations of fairways and football.

The Old American Golf Club (The Colony, Texas)

The Old American is to golf as Jerry Jones' new Cowboy Stadium is to football. Both are relatively new and already being lauded as one-of-a-kind experiences. Opened in September 2010, The Old American is creating a buzz not felt in "The Big D" since the days of Aikman, Irvin and Emmitt. Acclaimed architect Tripp Davis and PGA TOUR star Justin Leonard were inspired by the "Golden Age" of golf course architecture (1911-1937) when designing this North Texas gem. The result is 18 electric holes and an experience reminiscent of Shinnecock Hills, National Golf Links, Prairie Dunes and Crystal Downs. www.theoldamericangolfclub.com

Pound Ridge Golf Club (Pound Ridge, New York)

It's hard to believe, but New York has three times more NFL teams (Giants, Jets, Bills) than Pete Dye-designed golf courses. Pound Ridge Golf Club, a short drive from both Manhattan and MetLife Stadium, is Dye's only contribution to the Empire State's golf playbook. Meandering through the cliffs, streams and wooded hills of Westchester County, Pound Ridge is right next to Bethpage Black on the list of NYC-area "must plays." Dye left dramatic rock formations and boulders onsite, creating a venue as visually stunning as it is challenging. Finally, something G-Men and Gang Green fans agree on. www.poundridgegolf.com

PGA National Resort & Spa (Palm Beach Gardens, Florida)

Contrary to what many purists believe, tailgating doesn't have to involve frozen tundras and fried food. PGA National Resort & Spa, just north of Miami, is proof sunshine and seafood is a viable alternative. Featuring five championship golf courses, a premier spa and a fine-dining restaurant, PGA National is the place for pigskin fans who want pampering. The resort's Champion Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus, hosts the PGA TOUR's Honda Classic. If golf resorts were football teams, PGA National would be the 1972 Dolphins (a perfect 16-0!). www.pgaresort.com

SouthWood Golf Club (Tallahassee, Florida)

Florida State is one of the most decorated college football programs in history. Located just a pitching wedge from Doak Campbell Stadium is SouthWood Golf Club. The Fred Couples and Gene Bates design is widely regarded as one of the premier venues for college golf in the U.S., hosting the annual Seminole Invitational. The SouthWood House, an antebellum-style home, and quaint on-site cottages complement the course and provide the pageantry and tradition for which Seminole football is so well known. www.southwoodgolf.com

Longaberger Golf Club (Nashport, Ohio)

Ohio State fans are accustomed to seeing their Buckeyes ranked among the top teams in the nation. The Buckeyes' consistency pales in comparison to that of Longaberger Golf Club, named Ohio's No. 1 public course by Golfweek for 10 years running. The Arthur Hills layout in the heart of Big Ten country has been a favorite among OSU and visiting fans since it opened in 1999. Longaberger offers myriad stay-and-play options for those looking to pack in as much golf as possible. www.longabergergolfclub.com

Bear Creek (Dallas, Texas)

North Texas is busting at the seams with great football. With TCU, the annual Red River Rivalry game between Oklahoma and Texas, and a bevy of high schools that play like colleges, how could a second Dallas-area course not make the list? True to Texas' "bigger is better" bravado, Bear Creek Golf Club features 36 holes of championship golf. The two distinct layouts - the East and West Courses - pack a one two punch that has earned Bear Creek a place among Golf Digest's "Top 50 Resort Courses in America" and The Wall Street Journal's "10 Great Places to Golf." In the immortal words of "Friday Night Lights'" Tim Riggins: "Texas Forever." www.bearcreek-golf.com