Tour 18 Houston

Parlaying the successes of the Dallas-area Tour 18, Houston's version of America's greatest holes has become one of Harris County's most popular golf destinations. This one takes advantage of the Southeast Texas pines, with towering trees lining every hole, and the impressive conditions that have made both Tour 18s popular with the public.

Two holes stand out on the front side, and they're not the replicas of Augusta's Amen Corner (5-7 on this track). No. 1 is perhaps the most difficult on the course, intimidating off the tee because it is surrounded by wetlands. You'll need a solid drive to start well on this narrow, 440-yard hole. Bay Hill, La Costa, Inverness, and Pinehurst are also modeled, but the other great hole on the front is No. 9, a version of TPC Sawgrass's island hole.

Texas' own Colonial's third hole makes a showing on No. 12, and you'll get to see what Pebble Beach might feel like on No. 13. And those who've played the Dallas track know that the crew can sometimes get diabolical with their stimp-meter readings and pin placements, which is similar to what happens on No. 15-a replica of Shinnecock Hills' 8th hole. The green on this one slopes so heavily toward the front that a three-jack is almost certain.

Doral rears its head on No. 18, the perfect finishing hole for this track. Play the approach to the right side of the green, away from the water left, just like the pros do when they're protecting that precious lead.

Getting there : From US 59 north, turn right on FM 1960 and drive east for about 2 miles to the course entrance.