Cambrian Ridge, Greenville, Ala.

Good God oh mighty! Robert Trent Jones came to Greenville, Ala., and carved one of the most beautiful golf courses in the South.

What stands out about Cambrian Ridge, located approximately 45 miles south of Montgomery, are the elevation changes and scenic changes from one portion of the facility to the other. Cambrian Ridge is comprised of three 9-hole championship-style courses and another 9-hole par 3 layout.

Want to check them out? Go to the Cambrian Ridge Web site at www.rtjgolf/courses/cambrianridge.com and see for yourself.

The Sherling nine (par 36, 3,659 yards from the tips) is far more secluded than the rugged Canyon nine (par 36, 3,746 yards), which is deceptively tighter than it looks, though you can see several holes from many vantage points. Both feature elevated tee boxes and an occasional elevated green, while water comes into play on just three holes each.

The Loblolly nine (par 36, 3,551 yards), not played on this day, is considered the less demanding of the three. Loblolly, named after the gobs of tall pine trees that line the fairways, does feature four water holes. RTJ Trail folks claim Loblolly has an "Augusta-like" quality, considering the pines and terrain.

I was told the Sherling-Canyon combo at Cambrian Ridge would be more difficult than either Grand National Course in Opelika. It wasn't, but it was close. The hilly terrain ranks with the most undulated courses on the RTJ Trail, but the rolling hills were not as severe as warned and made the place a fun, picturesque challenge without making golf unbearable.

Three holes stuck out on Sherling. The par 3, 169-yard fourth hole is a beauty. You must carry nearly 150 yards of water from the tee box to reach the green, which is protected in the front by a bunker and crane or egret, which enjoys white golf balls. Pine trees tower above the hole from the rear and side. It's a real sight, unless you're in the water.

The par 5, 601-yard eighth hole (yes, 601 yards, 636 from the tips), features a pair of punishing fairway bunkers that do not reward a good shot off the tee. Best bet is to split the bunkers down the middle. Good luck with that. If you clear the sand traps, take note that water not visible from the center of the fairway looms in front of the green. A powerful second stroke can wind up in the creek, which comes in from the left. This hole runs uphill-downhill, so many players will take their second stroke unable to see the green, or what lays in front of it. Local knowledge sure helps.

There's a reason why the Canyon Course gets its name. A 50-yard gorge, or canyon, splits Sherling's ninth hole and Canyon's 18th as both fairways race uphill to share a large green just below the clubhouse. On Sherling's par 4, 349-yard ninth hole, you must clear the canyon from the tee -- hitting uphill. Obviously, this hole plays longer than the yardage indicated. The fairway shot to the green is also uphill, and beware hitting the ball to the right -- or that canyon will eat your Top Flite for lunch.

Canyon is far different from Sherling, as stated above, because you can see several holes at one time -- particularly the final four holes. Folks say Canyon is the most difficult of the three courses.

It is.

One tricky hole is the par 4, 421-yard fourth, a dogleg to the right. It's the Sherling-Canyon combo's only true dogleg. A strong, straight, tee shot can spell trouble, so using a three-wood or five-wood might be a suggestion. It's best the hit your tee shot just right of the center of the fairway, which begins a downhill turn just beyond the dogleg.

A truly fun hole is the par 4, 374-yard sixth, where water hugs the length of the fairway to the green down the right side. An errant tee shot can be wet. So can an errant second shot, and so forth. Water wraps the green from the front around the right side to the rear in a semi-circle, so either stick your approach shot, or go left.

Another water hazard awaits on the par 3, 237-yard eighth hole, 258 from the tips. That's a bit long for a par 3, don't you think. And then there's water, which much be carried the length of the tee shot.

As all RTJ Trail courses, Cambrian Ridge will cost those with trail cards only about $40 for a round. Those without cards must pay nearly $70. Check the Web site, listed above, for seasonal rates. But this is about as nice a course as you'll find in Alabama, and it's not too crowded either.

Rating (1 to 10)
Fun: If you're into great scenery and excellent golf, this is the place to go. This course tests your power, precision, and ability to hit uphill and downhill. Great test. Great Fun. Score: 9.

Value: Depends if you carry a RTJ Trail Card. For $35 to $40 with a card, you can't beat it. For $60 to $70 without one, that's getting up there. Score: 8.

Conditions: Perfect. Played after a rainstorm and the course drained really well. Greens were perfect and sand traps well-manicured. Typical RTJ facility. Score: 9.

Amenities: Nice clubhouse with well-stocked pro shop and restaurant. Nearby driving range and putting green. Driving range seemed like a long walk from the clubhouse, so a cart may be necessary. Score: 8.

Difficulty: Nice challenge. Will test your ability on some elevation changes and water. Not terribly tight, but not wide open either. Course can be your friend, or eat you alive. Score: 8.

Overall: Beautiful facility in very small market. Small crowds can lend itself to fast, more enjoyable golf. Changes in scenery make you feel like you've played at two places in one day. It's a must-play in Alabama. Score: 8.4

Indian Pines, Auburn, Ala.

The Auburn/Opelika area is considered by Golf Digest as the best small municipality for golf. The area is blessed with the taj mahal, Grand National, and swanky Moore's Mill and Auburn University Club, but it all started at Indian Pines.

Previously named Saugahatchee, this fun, par 71, 6,411-yard course (from the tips) has been serving customers adjacent to the Auburn-Opelika Airport since 1977. Saugahatchee is now a private club on the south side of Interstate 85. Indian Pines is purely public and features the most affordable golf in Lee County.

Rates at Indian Pines are nearly $30 for 18 holes and a cart. Those who choose to walk play for far cheaper.

"The Pines" as the locals call it, is considered by many as arguably the least difficult golf course in the Auburn-Opelika area, and it is. But least challenging does not make it not challenging at all. Indian Pines offers a number of tricky challenges that require precision. It also features smaller greens, so bring your A-game when chipping.

The knock on Indian Pines is conditions aren't always as pristine as other links. The rough, littered with roots and some rocks, can be hazardous to your clubs. In this case, moving your ball to a safer lie should be acceptable. If it isn't, do it anyway.

After an easy, straight-ahead 367-yard par 4 to kick off your round, the second and third holes provide fun challenges. Your tee shot on the 372-yard par 4 second hole features a straight fairway, but your approach shot offers a challenge. Part of the course's lake separates the green from the fairway, requiring the player to carry the water or lose a ball. If your tee shot falls short, you may be faced with a tough decision on shot No. 2: go for the green, pictured above, or lay up.

The third hole is reminiscent of TPC Sawgrass' 17th. It's a par 3 island hole, minus a few palm trees and prestige. There is no fairway, only tee box and green. Between is 140 yards of water. The wind can be very tricky on this hole. This would be a fun hole to practice 100 shots on, just to see how many you can land on the green.

Perhaps the most interesting hole on the course is the 497-yard, par 5 12th. The hole goes straight ahead, except for the green, which seems detached and off to the left beyond a cluster of trees. The second shot is vital here in order to set yourself up for a good approach shot. Otherwise, your third shot is wasted just trying to get yourself in better position with hopes of saving bogey.

The 13th and 14th holes offer the area's only sets of pulpit-style fairway bunkers. Both are located to the right, and both can be reached from the tee box. Slicers beware.

The par 4, 355-yard 17th is another odd-shaped hole with a sharp logleg to the right. Long hitters off the tee might want to consider an iron, otherwise a John Daly-style longball may fly straight into the trees.

Overall, Indian Pines is a place where many players can achieve lower scores and leave feeling better about their game. Then again, this course can be sneaky hard. If you can't hit the ball straight, chip, or putt worth a darn, it doesn't really matter how difficult a course is. If your on top of your game, The Pines can be a place to really attack the greens and go for personal bests.

That's easier said than done. I've never achieved a personal best at this course and struggled to have a 50 for nine holes the last time I played it. Like I said, it's sneaky tough.

Indian Pines is located at 900 Country Club Drive in Auburn, just off of East University Drive and not far from the Village Mall. It had no Web site at the time of this writing, but you can call the pro shop at 334-821-0880 to set up tee times or get rates for the day.

The course features one of the best pro shops in town and has an excellent assortment of new and used golf clubs, as well as anything else golf-related. The clubhouse was torched in a fire about five years ago, but today's clubhouse may be small, but in very good shape. The course also has a snack bar, driving range and small putting green.

Rating (1 to 10)

Fun: That's probably the best quality about Indian Pines. There are a number of challenges, long and short. The average player can break 100 here. That's fun, right? On a down side, Indian Pines is often very crowded, which can create long rounds. It's crowded for a reason. Score: 7.

Amenities: Driving range is in decent shape, but a long walk from the clubhouse. Thankfully, a net catches the long drives from pelting players on the 13th fairway. Putting green nice, but small. Didn't see a chipping green. Saw a beverage cart person before my round, and after my round, sitting at the first tee box talking to the starter. Not good. Snack bar was decent. Not luxurious, but decent. When I'm sweaty, I don't need luxurious. Score: 6.

Difficulty: Arguably the least challenging course in Auburn. But that's a good thing. A few doglegs present a challenge, and the water holes on Nos. 2 and 3 can raise those scores. There are only three water holes on the course, all on the front nine. The scorecard says the fourth hole is a water hole. I don't consider driving over a 10-foot slew a water hole. Score: 6.

Value: Anytime you can play golf for less than $30, that's a deal. Score: 8.

Conditions: Fairways and greens were average. Nothing fancy. No big weeds or dead spots. Areas in the rough were highly uninviting. Score: 4.

Overall: Indian Pines isn't in the same league as some other famous courses in the state, but that doesn't make it not worth playing. It's a fun course. That word keeps coming up. Fun. The greens aren't highly elevated and the sand traps won't hold you prisoner all afternoon. Go to Indian Pines, don't break the bank, and have fun. Score: 6.2