Hoover Country Club

Though there are more prestigious private clubs in Birmingham, local golfers in the know will tell you two things about Hoover: 1) There are more "better players" here and 2) There are more walking golfers here. Both of which make for an excellent membership.

For a parkland layout, Hoover has no monotonous holes and offers an excellent variety.

The front nine features three par 3s, three par 4s and three par 5s. A large canal wind said through the course and comes into play on many holes. The front is highlighted by the par-3 eighth, which though not quite a redan design, plays like one, and the strategy-rich par-5 ninth. This can be a two-shot hole for the best players, but those who choose to lay up have to think their way throughout, as the canal crosses the hole twice.

As good as the front nine is, the back nine offers an even better set of holes. The short par-4 10th hole plays uphill before giving way to one of Hoover's best holes: the par-5 11th. It is a 90-degree dogleg left and the tee shot is critical. Though downhill, the best play is to favor the left side and try and clear two large hardwoods. A bunker guards the right side and one can drive it through the fairway, rendering a side hill lie. A small creek guards the green, making second shots risky.

The par-4 16th is another standout hole. The 90-degree dogleg left requires an iron off the tee for most players, before crossing the creek with a short approach.

The bentgrass greens are as good as any I've played in months. They are pure and really fast. There are a variety of large and small greens and there is a lot of movement in them. There are many that are elevated as well, making some approaches blind, or at least subtlely hidden.

The bunkering is fantastic here and the sand is excellent and consistent.

Chipping can be scary as most areas around the green are closely-mown and still thin.

Hoover boasts one of the best practice areas in town, particularly the short game area.