MikeBaileyGolf

As memorable as any experience there is at Treetops, this par 3 course proves that you don't have length or a four-hour round to find a memorable golf experience. Every hole is unique, and conditions are as good as any premium golf course. Designed by renowned teacher Rick Smith, this former site of the ESPN Par 3 Shootout, also boasts panoramic views of the mountains. Any trip to Treetops has to include this wonderful short course.

I've said it many times: The most important characteristic of a course is was it fun, memorable and playable. In the case of Granada Golf Club in wonderful Hot Springs Village, I couldn't give it higher marks in those three categories. From the get-go, you've got wide fairways, beautiful views, topography change and memorable holes. Add in great conditioning, beautiful bentgrass greens and sparkling water hazards, and what's not to enjoy? No, they're not going to hold a U.S. Open here, but get on the back tees at almost 7,200 yards, and it's all the golf course you want. Yet., if you play it from the proper tees you have a chance to score.

I got to play this right after the reopening following a renovation this summer. Among the changes were changing the greens to Champion Bermuda, restoring the greens to their original sizes, improving drainage scaling back the paspalum away from the greens. The result is a course that should and did play much faster than before, meaning it can play a little more like the linksy design Norman intended. The course is already in better shape than it was, despite recent heavy rains and a short window for renovation.

Definitely a shotmaker's course, the golf course at Cranberry Course will test you. Although it's just 6,600 yards, it actually feels like it plays much longer since most of the par 4s have a good bit of length to them. Off the tee, you have to be accurate as the tree-lined fairways aren't particularly wide. There are also a fair number of water hazards to contend with, and the views from a couple of the elevated tees are magnificent.

What a terrific experience. This links layout is a blast to play and pretty challenging, so it's important to pick the right tees. There are so many ways you can play the holes. The fairways are generous, so getting off the tee is no problem. The strategy of when to go for it and when not to is key. When we played it, they had mowed much of the tall fescue so it was that much more playable, but there were areas you had to avoid or you were looking at a lost ball. All-in-all, though, I thought about giving this course five stars; it's certainly 4 1/2.

If you're looking for an exceptional golf experience, exceptional playing conditions and a wide variety of fun holes, this is your course. With wide fairways, large undulating greens and a course that progressively more difficult as you get into the round, Cobble Beach is a memorable experience throughout. The back nine, especially, has a lot of character, with a finishing stretch that includes the difficult 16th and signature 17th, which is situated near a lighthouse, Exceptional dining and practice facilities complete the experience.

I absolutely loved this experience. The nine-hole par-32 Sharkbite Course is just right if you're looking for a quick round that won't beat you up. The greens are small, and there are bunkers, so it's not super easy. Still because it's not long, everyone can play it. In fact, from the front tees, it's less than 1,000 yards, so it makes for great family golf. Good players, though, will like it, too, since they can hit every club in the bag.

Wide fairways, interesting greens and not too many forced carries make this course a most resort friendly golf course at a resort/club that offers a wide variety of golf. While the RTJ II Course is very playable, though, it's also a good challenge from the back tees for good players. It's also has a wide variety of holes (including a tree in the middle of a bunker), undulating greens and different looks throughout the course. Combine that with great views and a complete resort, and you've got a great golf experience.

Although the PGA Tour Champions players weren't there long (2004-07), Augusta Pines was still good enough to host tour event, which means you can usually find good conditions on a better than average layout. I really like the par 5s, three of which are reachable in two with big drives, but they do present risk with water hazards in front the green. The 18th, with its island green, is a fun finishing hole. In fact, it's the second consecutive island green on the course, with the par-3 17th also having one. Couple this fun course with great practice facilities, a massive clubhouse and the excellent Massengale Golf Academy, and you can understand why it's a favorite for Houston area golfers on the north side.

Really, playing the two courses at Blackhorse makes for a great weekend, and the North Course is different enough from the South Course to provide a completely different experience. In fact, both nines on the North have a personality all their own, with the front, perhaps, the most interesting of the two sides. With a couple of holes that work their way around a dominant water feature and one of the toughest par 3s you'll ever play, surviving the front is the key to posting a good score. Course ends with a terrific risk-reward par 5 over around a lake that finishes behind the clubhouse.

One of Houston's most upscale daily fee courses, the green fees are also among the most expensive. Still, this is one of the area's best layouts, and despite some flood damage to the bunkers earlier this year, still a great test. Back nine is super interesting around an old quarry, and the par-5 finishing hole is a good risk-reward par 5.

Loved the whole experience. From the opening tee shot to the last hole and the free mussels after the round, everything about Glasgow Hills is fun. With generous fairways for the most part, large undulating greens and great views, it never gets boring. I particularly liked the ninth hole with its island green, and even liked the par-5 17th, though I understand how difficult it is for players with slow swing speeds to reach the elevated green. Great clubhouse, too.

There's a lot of good to great golf on PEI, but Crowbush, simply put, is the main draw. With ocean views as stunning as it gets, a great variety of holes and outstanding conditions, Crowbush is a very memorable experience. My only criticism is there are a couple of holes that are almost impossible for the less skilled golfer. But then again, I don't believe all courses have to all things to everyone. There are many courses in the top 100 that aren't very playable for high handicappers.

Most who visit PEI know that this is the home of the legendary Anne of Green Gables. In fact, the author of this famous book, L.H. Montgomery, is buried just minutes from the Golf Course that bears the name. So basically, this is a must-play, and while it isn't the best course on the island, it's close. It has the kind of quirks you'd expect from architect Stanley Thompson, most notably greens where you don't want to be on the wrong side of the ball. With lots of bunkers and great views, especially down the stretch, it's a legendary experience.

I had gone into this hearing some criticism from my colleagues, that several holes had been redone, that the course could have flowed better, etc. So I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this golf course. Sure, there are few quirky holes, but there are also plenty of great ocean views and lots of great holes. The two signature par 5s are breathtaking and I really liked the double green shared by 3 and 6. The new 18th hole (though I never played the original) also seems like a great improvement. Formerly a par 4, it's now a terrific risk-reward par 5.

I played in this during the final round of a Golf Channel Am Tour major just a couple of weeks after the PGA Professional Championship, and it was flawless. That was conditioning, of course, but this Fazio layout is pretty much perfect. There's plenty of room to drive the ball, a great variety of holes and some pretty good views. From the clubhouse you can see the majority of the course, which is beautiful parkland layout.

Two of the most important factors in rating a course is how memorable is it and was it interesting? On both accounts, Crumpin-Fox comes through with flying colors. Having just played it, I could remember every hole, and no two holes were alike. Elevated tees, water hazards, interesting greens complex and a variety of doglegs make Crumpin-Fox one of the most interesting courses in New England. Well worth the drive.

If you come to the Omni Mount Washington Resort, be sure to play this course as well as the Donald Ross-designed Mount Washington Course. It's actually older than the Ross Course and has plenty of character. Plus, it's a little more challenging than you might think. With great views and some interesting holes, it's also very family friendly with a second set of 8-inch hole on each green for beginners.

The locals sure know about this semi-private club located on the east side of Rhode Island between Providence and Rhode Island. Always in great shape, there's a real community atmosphere here, where golfers not only love to tackle this moderately difficult course, but hang out at the 19th hole as well. First opened as nine holes in the 1920s, the course is a mixture of solid and quirky golf holes, but very enjoyable. It's not especially difficult, but you do have to manage your game.

Anytime I get a chance to play a Donald Ross design, I'm taking it, but most of the time, those have been on high-end private clubs. Triggs Memorial is Donald Ross for everyman. During peak season, you can play here for less than $40 (and there are senior rates, too), and while this certainly isn't a country club experience, it's special nonetheless. The greens, which were in excellent condition, have those signature Ross slopes, and the bunkering is classicly beautiful. Fairways are generally in pretty good shape, too, and locals love to hang out at the Rescue Pub next door.