City Club, Marietta, Ga.

Built on the former site of the Georgia Military Institute, City Club Marietta (http://www.cityclubmarietta.com/home.htm) offers players a variety of challenges in a pleasant setting. The course offers rolling hills, elevated tee boxes, a few water holes and fine landscaping, nestled beneath the Marietta Resort and Conference Center, which towers above, and Kennesaw Mountain, which rises in distance.

Look above and you might just see a few fighter jets or B-52 bomber taking off from the adjacent Dobbins Air Force Base.

At just 5,721 yards from the back tees, City Club doesn't burden you with length. Instead, it's a shot maker's course that plays uphill, then downhill, with a number of blind shots off the tee. Many fairways here are forgiving and wide, giving the less experienced player a better chance at success. But undulated fairways and a number of uphill holes that play far longer than their actual distance present a stern test, particularly with your mid-to-low irons.

One thing that's interesting about the course is from many vantage points, one can see a number of holes as much of the course is designed around a massive lake, which serves more for aesthetic purposes and as a geese habitat than anything else. The lake, which figures to be the centerpiece of the facility, actually comes into play on just two holes.

Marietta features just 24 sand traps with some holes having none and others having multiple traps. Hole No. 15 offers three fairway traps by itself.

From the view of the hotel and conference center, pictured above, one can watch hole Nos. 1, 9, 10 and 18 -- a series of down-and-back tee to greens. They're relatively shaped the same with Nos. 1 and 10 downhill off the tee and front and back finishing holes 9 and 18 uphill. Sure, 346 yards doesn't seem like much for a par 4, but that uphill climb makes it difficult, forcing you to hit a good mid- to-low iron shot to even come close to the green on No. 18.

There are a number of opportunistic holes. the par 4 hole No. 2 teases the longball hitter as it rests just 252 yards -- uphill -- from the second tee. Chances of reaching in two are good, giving the player an excellent chance at par. However, the hole veers to the right. A straight shot off the tee will go into the woods. A slice to the right is in order.

The 11th hole, a 285-yard par 4, offers a similar opportunity. The hitch, however, is the player must carry roughly 150 yards of the centerpiece lake. A long bridge, decorated with roses, separates the tee box from the fairway.

One interesting hole is the 472-yard, par 5 fourth. The fairway rises above the tee box, crests at about 200 yards, then sharply drops another 250 yards down to an inviting green. It's difficult in the tee box when you cannot see your desired target. Best bet here is simply hit to the center of the fairway, then hope your ball bounces over the crest of the hill down for extra distance. The second shot, which should be all downhill, gives players a decent shot at reaching the green in two, but the slope doesn't make striking the ball easy.

Another blind shot awaits on the sixth hole, a 370-yard par 4. Beyond the sightline of players on the tee box, below the crest of the fairway, is a bell. Groups are asked to ring the bell, alerting those behind them that they have cleared the area and it is safe to hit.

The par 3, 180-yard 12th hole offers a taste of Augusta National. The green is bordered by tall pine trees and well-manicured shrubs to the left and rear, while water lurks to the front of the green. Just add a few azaleas and dogwoods and we're in business. Also, this green ever so slightly slopes back toward the pond.

The 15th hole, a 320-yard par 4, doesn't appear difficult on paper, but the fairway bunkers to the right, a slight dogleg to the left, and a rock-laden creek in front of the green provide plenty of obstacles.

City Club Marietta is a pretty course that offers a number of different challenges. It's one worth trying, then trying again once you learn what's over the fairway hills.

Rating (1 to 10)

Fun: Great variety, views make this course a must-play. Score: 8

Value: Standard rates vary from $48 to $58 depending on the day. This may venture on to the pricy side, particularly the $7.75 for 70 range balls. City Club could do better here. Score: 5

Amenities: Carts offered not just GPS, but an incredible map of each hole with yardage and detail of where each cart was -- warning players of groups ahead. Nice driving range, putting green nearby. Pro shop well-stocked with mini-restaurant next door. Heavier food can be found just yards away at the hotel and conference center. Score: 8

Conditions: Fairways were decent, greens had no flaws and the few sandtraps were white and fluffy. Some areas in the rough could use more work with very hard ground. This place likes to use mulch in the rough. A lot of it. Score: 7

Difficulty: Not long, but hilly terrain and a few wild doglegs can keep you guessing. Greens were not elevated, nor strongly undulated. Score: 7

Overall: This facility is one that golfers across the South should check out when visiting the Atlanta metro area. If offers dynamic views and a strong variety of hole types. Score: 7.0

Moore's Mill, Auburn, Ala.

Bring your shoehorn and lucky penny to Moore's Mill. This place is tight and full of treachery.

This course, opened in 2001, challenges a player's technical side with countless ravines, marshes and tight fairways. Though it plays at 6,871 yards from the tips, Moore's Mill is not a longball hitter's delight. If you can't hit it straight, your dead meat. Plain and simple. It's like a narrow, winding country road with plenty of scenery along the way. Don't mash the gas and overplay your shots or you'll be adding plenty of penalty strokes to the scorecard.

Built as a public course taking club memberships, Moore's Mill has become semi-private. Part of the exclusive Honours Golf family of courses, memberships are becoming limited.

For those of us not into dishing out a few thousand bucks for an initiation fee, it's best to play Moore's Mill as a member guest. Guest rates for 18 holes is $80 on weekends and $50 on weekdays.

Located near Ogletree Village and the Grove Hill subdivisions just south of Interstate 85, this course is slowly becoming populated by upscale homes. However, these scenic real estate beauties in no way interfere with a round of golf. One would have to be a horrific player to shank a Top Flite through a window. Despite a few high society homesteads, Moore's Mill lies in a very natural setting.

Fairways are lined with creeks, ravines and trees, with some undulation. Landscaping borders on the immaculate with a number of classy rock walls near select greens. Greens are well-kept and challenging.

The difficulty in Moore's Mill lies in its unforgiving nature. With obstacles right and left, one cannot afford to hit the ball anything but straight. Also, there are many instances which the player should lay up. Navigate this place with caution until you've mastered the joint. One bit of breathing room comes in the form of bunkers, or lack thereof. Eighteen holes bring just 28 sand traps and only two holes, the second and fourth, with fairway bunkers.

You get a feel for Moore's Mill's thin nature right off of the first tee, a 529-yard par 5. A narrow fairway, with a creek down the left side and small "fairway pond" to the right offers an excellent shot at a mulligan on your first shot. The fairway actually narrows the closer you arrive to the green.

Whereas the par 3 fifth hole (168 yards) and par 4 sixth (390 yards) offer an abundance of water, its the par 4 eighth (550 yards) that creates frustration. Long holes bring out the heavy hitters in most. That can be a problem here. Don't hit it too far off the tee or you'll plow right into the water, which splits the fairway.

The back nine is equally as scenic and challenging. Another tough hole is the par 5, 522-yard 13th. The landing area off the tee isn't as tight as some, but a hook will send your ball into a muddy creek and a slice will put you into the trees. What you decide to do on your second shot greatly depends on how you hit your first. The creek eventually splits the fairway ahead, forcing you to either lay up or take a daring chance and go for the green. A perfect risk/reward situation.

Moore's Mill's finishing hole (par 4, 447 yards) is as difficult as it is picturesque. The old-school English style cobblestone clubhouse rests beyond the 18th green, giving the hole a St. Andrews look. Don't get lulled by its beauty, though. Another darn winding creek awaits roughly 350 yards from the tee. If the tee shot isn't strong, the player must again decide to either lay up or go for the gusto.

In all, Moore's Mill is among the most challenging courses in east Alabama and could very well rival any Robert Trent Jones course for difficulty.

Aside from playing 18, Moore's Mill offers one of the most advanced golf instruction facilities in the state for all ages.

For more on this club, visit its Web site at http://www.mooresmillclub.com/

Rating (1 to 10)

Amenities: Excellent putting green, nice driving range, top of the line golf school, well-stocked pro shop with attractive clubhouse make this place stand out. Score -- 10

Value: For $50 on weekdays or $80 on weekends, it's on the high end of affordability, and you can get on only if you're a guest of a member. However, you get what you pay for, if you're paying for challenging golf on an excellent course. The difficulty lies in actually getting on the course. Those darn private clubs! Score -- 5.

Fun: Depends. If you're really good and want a challenge, you've got one. If you're an Average Joe and don't need a confidence-killer, it can be frustrating. Fun here is up to the person. Score -- 7.

Conditions: Primo. Of course, I figure it's easier to manage out of bounds areas when they are wetlands rather than woodlands. Fairways in great condition. So were the greens. Score -- 8.

Difficulty: It's tight. It's got water. It makes you think. Grip it, rip it, close your eyes and pray. Greens not as difficult as other joints. Fairways make up for that. Score -- 9.

Overall: It's a shame that few can enjoy this place due to its exclusive clientel, but that's the nature and right of private clubs. Architects made great use of the wetlands and built in a few forgiving holes to make up for the triple bogeys. Score -- 7.8