Magnolia Grove (Crossings), Mobile, Ala.

This Robert Trent Jones Trail course shouldn't be named Crossings. Sure, train tracks separate the 12th and 13th fairways and players must cross them via cart to get to the 13th tee box, but the tracks have absolutely no bearing on your round.

Instead, this 6,063-yard (from the white tees for wimps like me), playground should bear a name indicative of something that really stands out on the golf course. Take cloverleaf bunkers, for example. There's a ton of them. Their big and they seemingly move in the direction of your golf ball's landing zone.

Let's name the place Cloverleaf Junction, keeping with the train theme.

Regardless, Crossings is a typical RTJ course with plenty of large, undulated greens, sweeping fairways, bunkers in the fairways and obstacles that bring out the target golfer, and long holes that bring out the home run hitters. The course will allow you to use every club in the bag. It has a strong variety of holes, from forced carries to a few doglegs.

The biggest surprise of the Crossings is its surprising undulation. This is Mobile, Ala., folks. Where in the world did these hills come from? The Crossings is very similar to RTJ's Grand National in Opelika, Ala. The only difference is it has very little water, more hills and more than 50 sand traps. Ugh!

Where Crossings lacks water it makes up for in ravines and gullies. A ball into a ravine is the same as a ball into a lake, right? Both are penalties. Water just sparkles and looks pretty.

The Crossings is host to the LPGA Navistar Classic, so it's always neat to play the same greens Natalie Gulbis did.

Word has it that its sister course, the Falls, is more difficult. Wouldn't know. I'll find out one day. Both can be visited online at http://www.rtjgolf.com/courses/magnolia_grove/

The easiest hole on the Crossings is the first, a 364-yard par 4 that's straight as an arrow. Make hay there, because it gets tougher. The third, a 317-yard par 4 features a wicked dogleg to the right. Long hitters off the tee could find themselves in a bunker, so laying up might be an option.

Water comes into play just once on the front nine as the fifth hole's green wraps around a tiny pond that rests at the bottom of the hill. The 378-yard par 4 can be deceiving for those who did not hit long enough off the tee. The hole goes up, then down, and those taking approach shots may not be aware of the wet stuff to the front and left of the green.

Most greens on the back nine are very well-protected by bunkers. Prepare to hit into one, or two, or three. Three traps wrap around the 12th and 13th greens, respectively. Eight bunkers can be found on the 18th hole alone, three on the right side of the fairway.

Two of the neatest holes at the site are the par 3s on the 14th and 17th. The 14th hole, 139 yards, is pretty much and island hole without water. The green is separated from the tee box by underbrush. Shots mildly short of the green can, however, be salvaged.

It's pretty much the same story for the 155-yard 17th, except deep, kidney-shaped traps wrap themselves to the left front and right front of the green. There is little safety here on the tee shot, so bring a mulligan.

After a round of golf at Magnolia Grove, located a few miles west of the city, it's never a bad idea to drive 15 minutes back into town and hit Dreamland, a joint made famous for its BBQ ribs.

Rating (1 to 10)

Fun: The high number of sand traps make it frustrating, but the course is such a challenge and delight, it's impossible not to have a good time. Score: 7

Conditions: Played on a hot summer day, but the greens and fairways were very good. There were some rough spots on select greens, but no big deal. Score: 8

Value: RTJ card-holders get a steal for $39. Otherwise, be prepared for fork over $60 or so. Still, that's not a bad deal considering the high quality of this course. Score: 7

Amenities: Solid. Excellent practice facilities. World-class clubouse. GPS on the carts. Carts and cart paths in excellent shape. Beverage cart visited frequently and even offered cold towels. Pro shop is fully-stocked and hungry folks can dine inside at the restaurant. People at this course, and King and Bear, than any course I visited. Score: 10

Difficulty: Again, the traps bring out problems. Undulation in the fairways and tricky greens with well-placed holes make it tough. There's a reason the LPGA plays here. Score: 9.

Overall: First-class facility that makes the most of its 18 holes without much water. There aren't many flaws. Round was finished in four hours and crowds weren't heavy. Score: 8.6