Gaines County Golf Course

After you drive through this flat, barren region of cotton and oil production, you’ll be stunned when you stumble upon this hidden Panhandle gem that played host to Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer in a 1963 exhibition. Originally built as a 9-hole course by Jim Terry in 1953, the facility was updated with another nine holes in 1991.

The layout features good elevation and plenty of trees, especially considering the terrain. The most outstanding amenity is the greens, which are large, fast, and in excellent condition. Sometimes the fairways dry out and the condition is average, but that helps the ball roll and is definitely beneficial when the wind is blowing.

Every par 3 requires a long iron, but the demanding par 4s are the attention-getters. Two par 4s stand out among many that are above average in difficulty for courses in this remote area. The signature hole is No. 8: it’s only 340 yards but requires an approach shot over a pond to a well-bunkered green. Hole 5 also plays tough as a 435-yard dogleg right with an approach into an elevated green. This hole is particularly long into the wind.

Getting there : Drive through Seminole north on Hwy. 385 and look for the signs to the course. The course is set in a large grove of trees on the left side of the highway.