MikeBaileyGolf

Of the two courses, Pine Needles and Mid Pines, Pine Needles is certainly the more playable and perhaps more fun. There's no shortage of great holes out there, and the greens are certainly a little less severe. Like Mid Pines, it's been wonderfully restored in recent years and is a classic Sandhills experience through and through, from the great old clubhouse and practice facilities, old school locker rooms and dining room to the golf course. In short, I liked every hole out there, from the great variety of par 3s to the finishing stretch.

Next to Pinehurst No. 2, it’s hard to beat Mid Pines, another classic Donald Ross classic course that has been restored to perfection. Mid Pines is actually less subtle than No. 2 and certainly has a different look, one that’s definitely all its own. If you’re a fan of Ross, you’ll love the greens complexes, of course, and probably get victimized a time or two by them if you don’t find the right part of the greens on your approach or miss a five-footer you simply couldn’t read. There are false fronts, of course, and greens that run away from you, meaning you definitely have to think your way around this golf course.

This newer addition is a change of pace from all the rest of the courses at Pinehurst, but certainly a worthy play. There's no doubt it has Jack Nickluas' imprint all over it, from the shape of the fairways, undulations, water hazards and difficulty of the tee shots and approach shots. With lost of elevated greens complexes and difficult bunkers, this is all the course you can handle and certainly presents a worthy contrast to the rest of golf at Pinehurst.

This might be one of the best hours you can spend on a golf course. Conditioning like the championship layouts at Pinehurst, but playable by all levels, including expert players. That's right, you'll enjoy it if you're a good player and if you're not. It'd be pretty difficult to lose a ball on The Cradle, and there's nothing boring about it, despite the holes ranging from 50 yards or so to about 120 yards. And if you''ve never had a hole in one, this might be the course for you since there will undoubtedly be a pin position or two set up to catch a tee shot off a slope. Oh, and did I mention the course is beautiful. It's $50, but you can play it as many times as you want for the day (based on tee time availability).

If you love golf and appreciate the nuances of classic design, then No. 2 is a must, especially after the renovation/restoration a few years ago by Coore-Crenshaw. This is a golf course that has truly withstood the test of time. Of course, this isn't a course for novices. You don't have to be single digit, but you do need to be able to stop the ball on these upside-down saucer-like Donald Ross greens. I was able to do that, but I also putted one into a bunker, too, so you have to pay attention. And that's the beauty of a golf course like this. It's a whole new ballgame once you get to the greens. And this is where the caddie really helps, especially with reads and just determining whether a putt is downhill or uphill (it's really not that easy to tell at times).

This is another golf course that I'd like to give 4 1/2 stars if that option were available, because Tom Fazio's No. 8 design is certainly that good. It's a modern golf course, no doubt, but it fits the sand hills terrain perfectly, albeit with a few more water hazards than 1-5 at Pinehurst. There's nothing boring about No. 8 and it'll challenge the best players from the rearward tees. Like all the courses here, you can almost always expect great conditioning, including the greens surfaces.

Designed by Davis Love III, Anderson Creek sits on a beautiful piece of property, meaning the course has a number of picturesque holes. It's also as difficult a course as you want to make it, depending on the tee selection. Besides the rolling topography, greens complexes are probably the most interesting part of the course with plenty of undulation and interesting pin placements.

This is the first time I've played the course after its. Recent renovations necessary, and I liked what I saw. In fact, I think it might be an improvement (several holes were changed, and a couple of new holes were created to accommodate resort expansion plans). Location is also terrific considering it's right behind the massive Orange County Convention Center and is just a block away from International Drive. Overall, I'm struck by the beauty of this golf course with several holes that use the magnificent Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel as its backdrop. Water features are striking and strategic, and the fairways are plenty generous, making the course playable by all levels. Still, the greens can be a challenge with their slopes, meaning that a good short game is critical if you want to shoot a good score and birdies won't come easy. Overall, if you come to Orlando and you've never played Shingle Creek, you should give it a look.

I only had time to play one course during my quick stay and Grand Cypress Resort, and although it was a tough decision, I'm never disappointed when the course I play there is the New Course, Jack Nicklaus' tribute to St. Andrews. The first and the 18th holes are basically replicas of the same holes on the Old Course at St. Andrews, but everything else in between is Nickluas' own creations, offering a tribute to Scottish links courses. While the fairways are forever and you can seemingly hit it anywhere, there really is strategy to scoring well here, and most of all, it's just plain fun. Try to avoid the pot bunkers, take a few risks and have fun with these massive, sloping greens, and you've got quite a thrill ride. Best of all, it's completely opposite to the other nines at Grand Cypress, which represent the best in Florida golf. Together, the new and the other layouts help Grand Cypress maintain its status as one of Floirida's most storied and best golf resorts.

"Don't let the yardage fool you," I was told, and he was right. While it's just 6,200 yards or so from the tips, there's a lot to this older Arnold Palmer design. Lots of doglegs, water, some narrow fairways and tough par 3s make this a real challenge. And though it works its way around a development, there really are some pretty sections of this course, too, where several holes are framed around water And mature trees. The course also makes for a good contrast to the other course, the Saddlebrook Course, which has a completely different look. For a resort known for its tennis, the golf here is surprisingly good.

After playing all three courses at Streamsong, I'm torn on which one is my favorite, but the Blue Course is definitely a candidate. Designed by Tom Doak, I love the way this course flows from the elevated tee shot on 1 to the difficult par-4 18th and everything in between. It definitely has a "miminalist" links feel to it with beautifully sculpted greens complexes, a great variety of par 3s and never a dull moment. You can play bump and run or fly it to the hole, which means there are endless possibilities.

Different from the other two golf courses in scope and design, but consistent with the use of the unique topography at this former phosphate mining site between Orlando and Tampa, the new Black Course at Streamsong Resort is a perfect complement to the golf already there and it already has its own identity. Designed by Gil Hanse, who also did the Olympic Course in Brazil as well as several other excellent designs as of late, the Black gives Streamsong a trio of courses designed by the some of most respected teams in the modern era. The other two courses are designed by Tom Doak (this one, the Blue, is more links-like than the other two) and Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore (Red). Hanse and his partner Jim Wagner have created a layout that is all their own with the Black. With 11 acres of greens that run seamlessly into the fairways and large bunkers, the course can be played just about any way you want, on the ground, in the air, or a combination of both since the greens are large and undulating, but also receptive. There are drivable par 4s, a cool, short par 3 and four par 5s that are all very different from each other. The new course also comes with its own clubhouse, which fits into the overall contemporary design of the resort. All-in-all, the Black is worth another trip out to Streamsong, and if you've never been here before, you'll want to play all three.

While I think there could be a few improvements in design (I'm not wild about blind lay-ups on par 5s), I always enjoy playing here for so many reasons. First off, the Links Nine (eight holes are linksy in nature) is gorgeous, with great views of Lake Michigan, almost Pebble Beach-ish. The Quarry Nine is also stunning with plenty of interesting holes, including a terrific downhill drivable par 4 that only players who are long and accurate should try to drive. Kudos, though, to the renovation on the short par-4 fifth hole on the Links. Opening it up over the giant bunker on the right makes it so much more playable. All-in-all, Bay Harbor is a bucket-list type experience because of the setting, the conditioning and the overall experience.

I love this golf course. Not enough to give it five stars, but almost. Here's what I like: All the holes are interesting and most are memorable. It's not overly difficult, but isn't a pushover either. It's almost always in great shape. The scenery is terrific. And I love the par 4 18th. With the irrigation lake on the tee shot and approach, its formidable. Always plays longer than advertised. Overall, super enjoyable.

After playing this course a couple of times, I can't wait to see how PGA Tour players handle it. This is unlike anything else on the PGA Tour, which makes this links-like creation by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw immediately interesting. And it was certainly intriguing for me when I played it. This course is all about options – come in from the right side or the left, putt it or chip it, fly it in the air or run it up on what are usually firm, fast conditions. Then there's the beauty of this place. Rolling topography that plays differently every time you tee it up. And weather certainly plays a roll, especially the wind. This is a course that I could play every day and never get bored doing it.

First off, this course has some fantastic views of the Rocky Mountains and some beautiful holes. It's in pretty good shape. And perhaps if I hadn't played the Mountain Course (recently completed) at Glacier Club, I wouldn't be so critical. But there are several holes on this course that don't make sense to me from a playability standpoint, and it starts with the first hole. While the second shot is gorgeous, the tee shot is uninspiring. Plus you have to lay up, and there's very little target with death (lost ball) both right and left. Not a good way to start a golf course. There are other holes that are too difficult for resort golf. The par-5 "Lone Pine" is one of them with too much heavy rough on the right (where it's impossible to chip back to the fairway) to that bothersome tree blocking the green. I would imagine 8 is the average score on this hole. The 14th is even worse. A short downhill dogleg right, you can't see the green, and it's almost impossible the first time out to figure out your line. That hole could be very good if it was cleaned up a little. And finally the 18th has two hazards on the right, except the second, which is quite reachable, is also quite blind. That hole is hard enough as it is without creating blind tee shots. There are other examples, too, too much tall grass real close to greens (I hit a shot pin high just off the green on the 10th only to have a lost ball and make double, while my playing partner hit his approach fat and short and was able to make par.) Some renovations here and there would really elevate this course.

Initially I was going to give this course just four stars instead of five because I felt like the fact that there are substantial distances between tees took away from its flow. But after hearing architect Todd Schoeder talk about difficult it is to build mountain courses -- and this one was particularly difficult -- I decided to give this one a pass. Courses that are built on mountains (not in the valleys) have special challenges. Why I like this course so much is that every hole is memorable and well thought out. If you're not wild with your shots, you will find your ball and be able to hit it again. The greens are interesting and this course is downright stunning. The backdrops of the Rockies are incredible. It is indeed one of the most fun golf courses I've ever played, and I rate fun as my no. 1 factor in reviewing a golf course.

This is what golf is all about -- interesting holes, great conditioning, imaginative greens and tradition. Nothing is tricked up here; and you can appreciate the natural contours from building courses during the golden age of American architecture. It's a course that you instantly get to know, but never truly learn, and each time you play it, there are different shots you must hit. It will test your long game, but really test your short game and putting skills. The 16th is one of Tom Watson's very favorites because its unique green, and it's one of my favorites, too.

Definitely the more playable of the two courses at Grand Traverse Resort, the Wolverine is both beautiful and well-conditioned. It's also very fair with generous fairways, moderate greens and no excessive hazards. This is a course that doesn't penalize every marginal shot. There are ample opportunities to save par if you miss the green. And speaking of the greens, they roll true and they're not crazy, so you can make putts.

The most remarkable thing about playing The Loop both ways (it's reversible) is that they really do seem like two entirely different golf courses. Sure, I recognized some of the features from playing it the other direction the day before, but if I didn't know any better and someone drove me around after playing the Black Course, then placed me on the first tee of the Red, I would think I was on an entirely different golf course. And that's remarkable. Perhaps it's just the genius of the forward thinking of Tom Doak, who certainly doesn't do any cookie cutter courses. In this case, the Red Course, though, seems like the more natural of the two layouts on The Loop. It seemed like there were fewer hidden bunkers and the shots seemed a little more out in front of you. By no means, though, is this course straightforward. A caddie the first time around on this walking only course is a must, not only to help you find the lines off the tee but advise where you want to land it on or in front of the greens. It's not for everyone, I suppose, but I like it.