Lakewinds, Alexander City, Ala.

I wasn't sure what to expect upon arriving at this rural course in Tallapoosa County just a stone's throw from Lake Martin. I knew Lakewinds, located along U.S. Highway 280 beyond Jackson's Gap, wasn't exactly going to be Augusta National, but I don't need a plush course to have a good time.

What I found was a golf course set on a hilly terrain with extremely small greens, brown grass in the fairways and locations in the rough that weren't fit for hitting a golf ball. The rough was hard in some locations -- either rocky or filled with above-ground tree roots. No problem. I just moved my ball to safer spots. Is this cheating? Maybe. But I didn't bend my 4-iron.

But let's get past this course's maintenance blemishes and tough terrain. It's a fun little course that offers a ton of challenges. The hills create pretty views from the tee boxes -- some uphill, some downhill.

There isn't a lot of water to navigate, but you must carry the water off the tee on three holes, including the par 3 No. 14, which is pretty close to being an island hole. My favorite hole was the par 4 No. 15, which offers a sharp dogleg to the left.

Another interesting hole is the par 5 No. 8, which offers a long, straight fairway with woods to the left and water to the right before forcing the player to turn his focus beyond the lake to a green located on a hill to the right.

The par 5 16th forces you to carry the ball 150 yards over water before climbing a sharp hill on the second shot. But players cannot see what lies on the other side of the hill, which can make for an interesting second shot. Beware of the lake to the left on your approach.

The par 70 Lakewinds has two distinguishing characteristics: it's very short (5,500 yards from the back tees) and it has some of the smallest greens I've ever seen. The small greens really put a premium on your approach shots and wedges.

Greens fees are reasonable, $23 for 18 holes with a cart. There is no driving range. Lakewinds won't make Golf Digest, but it's a unique challenge worth taking on a Saturday afternoon.

For more information, check out the course's Web site at http://www.alexcitypr.com/golfcourse.htm

Fun: 8
Value: 8
Conditions: 3
Amenities: 3
Difficulty: 7
Overall: 5.8

Grand National Links Course, Opelika, Ala.

I've said this more than once in the past week, Grand National Links is the most beautiful golf course I have ever played. Yes, it can be treacherous. Yes, there is no club house after the ninth hole. And yes, an overload of patrons can create long waits.

But this place, all 6,574 yards of it, is a masterpiece.

Why?

First, fairways and greens remain in pristine, green condition despite the winter cold, while grass in the rough turned a light shade of tan. What you get is a neat contrast of green, tan, green, tan, etc.

Second, Lake Saugahatchee provides a natural obstacle on 11 holes. There are a number of forced carries, but much of the lake outlines either the left or right side of the fairways, so it's a good thing to keep your shots straight. The lake's north perimeter is very marshy, giving it a different look.

This is a long course that demands accuracy off the tee and in your approach shots. Few of the holes are straight, and those that are offer other challenges ... like sand traps, and large greens that can't decide to slope to the left, to the right, or both.

It's been said the course's "signature" hole is its 427-yard, par 4 18th, where players must clear the lake and a large rock embankment in order to reach the green in two and have a chance at birdie. It might be a good call to simply aim to the right of the green and not gamble losing your ball. Or you could do what I did and launch your ball down the cart path, all the way to the edge of the green. Yeah, I got lucky.

Three other holes, however, stick out.

The 509-yard, par 5 second hole features three fairway bunkers. You could land in one, hit yourself out of it, and find yourself in the next one. That's what i did.

Links' sixth hole, a 499-yard, par 5, gives players the choice to go for the green in two (or three depending on your power), or lay up and avoid the risky marsh, which separates the fairway from the green by about 80 yards. I layed up and used an 8-iron from there. It was a terrible shot -- a line drive that crashed hard into the swamp -- then skipped back into the air and on to the green. I couldn't do that again if I tried.

Perhaps the most attractive hole on the course is Links' par 3 11th, a 195-yard beast that lulls you to sleep with its beauty. Two fingers of the lake create hazards between the tee and green, which is surrounded by pine trees. A small bridge to the left allows carts to cross the water. It's like Rae's Creek at Augusta, minus the azaleas and tradition.

If you don't mind playing 18 without benefit of a club house after nine holes (the course meanders out and back in true links fashion), I strongly recommend this 18. There are four bathroom opportunities along the way, so that's no big deal. Besides, there are plenty of trees too.

Those who have Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail cards can play 18 here for $43. Fees for non-trail card holders will approach $60 to $70 once golf season gets in full swing.

Grand National features a large clubhouse, pro shop, restaurant, bar, veranda, ample parking and one of the best practice facilities around. The place is a must for any golfer.

Check out the Robert Trent Jones' Grand National Web site for more information. http://www.rtjgolf.com/courses/grand_national/

Fun: 8
Value: 8
Conditions: 9
Amenities: 9
Difficulty: 9
Overall: 8.6

Golf course reviews to begin soon

The future purpose of this blog is to review as many public golf courses as possible, one mulligan at a time, to give an audience a taste of facilities they might one day wish to play.

The review will discuss each course's most challenging holes, signature holes, what's good, what's bad, greens fees, and anything else that comes to mind.

I prefer to review courses that appeal to the average golfer -- courses anyone can step foot on without refinancing their home to pay annual club dues. Whether the course is pristine from the tee box to the sand traps, or its fairways are littered with rocks and greens are cracked and brown, I aim to review it.

How long will this project take? There is no timetable. The goal is to add a new course or two each month, with a special emphasis on facilities between Atlanta and Montgomery. Courses outside of these parameters are fair game too.

Courses soon to be reviewed: Grand National Links (Opelika, AL), Grand National Lake (Opelika, AL), Auburn Links (Auburn, AL), Callahan Golf Links (Waleska, GA), and Riviera (Ormond Beach, FL). Others on the radar include Moores Mill (Auburn, AL), Indian Pines (Auburn, AL), Capitol Hill Judge (Prattville, AL), Cambrian Ridge (Greenville, AL), Lakewinds (Alexander City, AL), Lakewood (Phenix City, AL), Bull Creek (Columbus, GA), The Oaks (Covington, GA), Bobby Jones (Atlanta), Stillwaters (Dadeville, AL), Daytona Beach (FL) Golf Club, Marietta City Club (Marietta, GA), and Kiawah Island Beach Course (Kiawah Island, SC) if anyone can get me on the course for cheap.