WillGrayGC

Got out for a twilight round at Stevens Park, and I thoroughly enjoyed my round. Just outside downtown, it's a tight but interesting layout that features both back-to-back par 3s (Nos. 7 and 8) and back-to-back par 5s (Nos. 9 and 10). The yardage makes it seem shorter than it plays, with a total of 6 par-3s and a par of 70. Nos. 15 and 16 offer great views of the Dallas skyline. When I played it, the course was in good shape but the greens - most of which are square in shape for another distinct feature - were rolling slower than expected.

There are a couple holes where local knowledge helps in terms of knowing how the hole is routed, specifically the par-5 6th that features a steep drop off near the fairway, the par-5 10th that is tough to see despite an elevated tee box and the short par-4 13th that plays around a creek. There's not much margin for error off the tee, especially on the par-5 ninth that tips out over 600 yards from the back.

Overall it was a fun track in a unique setting, and one I'd definitely look to play again if in the area.

Cascata is a bit of a drive from the Las Vegas Strip, probably 30-40 minutes depending on traffic. But it's certainly worth the detour regardless of how long you plan to stay in Sin City.

This was the second time I had played, and the layout was just as immaculately maintained as it was the first time around. The course features several water hazards and running creeks - certainly a rarity for desert golf - and the natural slope of the mountain terrain creates several scenic vistas and undulating holes.

If you're like me and you like slick greens, this is definitely your spot. The pro shop advertised 11.5 on the Stimp for our round, and the putting surfaces played every bit of that. Expect to encounter at least one putt where you're turning your back to the hole because of the severely-sloped greens.

But at Cascata, the emphasis is on "experience" and that's where they shine. From the moment you walk into the doors of the pro shop and hear the booming sound of a rushing river beneath your feet while looking out onto the practice facility, you know you've encountered a special place. The golf carts are housed inside the same pro shop/clubhouse structure, meaning that when the wooden doors fly open to begin your round it's akin to a ride taking off at a theme park.

Our group played as a fivesome (all single digit handicaps), and taking two caddies the course was able to accommodate us. The caddies certainly saved each of us a stroke or two over the course of the round and supplemented the experience from storytelling to staging photo ops.

Like most desert courses, the biggest defense is the wind and when the breeze blows, Cascata can become a beast. But we caught it on a relatively calm day this time around, allowing for an enjoyable stroll around some of the prettiest ground you'll encounter in the Vegas area.

The course offers relatively wide fairways, although the penalty for a miss is usually a trip into the rocks and a chip out at best. Keep it straight and you'll have plenty of options, as the four par-5s are each distinct and offer plenty of character while short par-4s like Nos. 6, 11 and 14 can still test your skill. When you get to the green at the par-3 12th hole, don't be surprised if you're like our group and spot a mountain ram grazing next to a greenside bunker.

Be sure to snap a pic behind the 13th green overlooking the 14th fairway, perhaps the prettiest spot on the course, and the third tee box is also great for a group photo if the sun is pointing in the right direction.

My recent trip to Bay Hill was great, as we played the course just weeks after the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the conditions were superb. The greens were running very true and the rough was still menacing in many parts of the course.

The course is a challenging one, and presents several holes that stand out visually: Nos. 6, 17 and 18 specifically. While some of the other holes can blend in a bit - 3 looks a lot like 11, 7 looks a lot like 14, and the par-3s are all of similar length - it's still a great test in terms of Florida, resort-style courses. You definitely have to think your way around many of the holes and the mix of hazards - sometimes it's water, sometimes it's trees, sometimes it's rough and bunkers - adds a fun element.

Bay Hill will always be a course where you can count on pristine conditions, and my trip was no different.

Had a great time getting out to Pinehurst No. 2 last month, and it was my first chance to see the course since the Coore/Crenshaw re-design. The course is in great shape, and the lack of rough presents both a unique look and challenge, even among the top-tier layouts in the U.S.

As with many Ross designs, the greens are the true star and that is certainly the case with No. 2. Turtlebacks and shelves wreak havoc on your approach shots, and they certainly test your short game. But it's a refreshing change from long rough and lob wedges from around the greens.

The sandy waste areas do a great job now of visually shaping the holes from the tee box, and lending a backdrop to a wonderful venue. Listening to your caddie on where to aim will certainly save you some strokes.

Pinehurst's facility is nearly unmatched in the U.S., and No. 2 is the star of the show. Certainly a great bucket list course and one that I look forward to seeing again.

Played early on a Monday AM and the course was in good shape - well manicured, greens running smooth and consistent which is not always the case in mid-August. I enjoyed the layout, although there are a few holes (15 & 16 especially) that are pretty blind and tough to know where to put the ball if you've never played there before. Nothing especially memorable about the course but it's a pretty typical Florida layout...more often than not you can give it a rip with the driver and go find it from there.

Only big issue was that although it hasn't been especially rainy the past few days, the course was SIGNIFICANTLY under water in places. Several bunkers had 10-20 foot ponds in them, and 1-2 fairways had sizeable portions that were entirely under water. For the most part the course was in "cart path only" mode where even the better fairways were pretty squishy. We lost a couple balls in the fairway and light rough because they had plugged so deep on the fly that they just disappeared after it looked like they were in good shape. Again not a huge deal, but definitely surprising for this time of year.