The first thing that caught my eye was how green the golf course was. Most of Yakima isn't that pleasing to the eye (sorry Yakiminians!) Apple Tree is like an oasis in the desert.

The elegant clubhouse sits on a hill, and you can see a lot of the golf course below you as you check in. You will notice the huge sand trap that is shaped like an apple and is filled with red sand. This bunker is one of the biggest bunkers I have ever seen and is built into the side of a huge hill. If you happen to find it, you will be hitting your next shot from an uphill lie to a green that is fifty feet above you.

The course is fairly easy but very dynamic. There is a huge fountain or waterfall on the front nine that looks like it should be on one of Donald Trump's golf courses. It is pretty but seems a bit out of place here.

The real claim to fame is the 17th island green. Your tee shot is hit off of an elevated tee about a hundred feet above this apple-shaped green. The green is huge, so you shouldn't have much trouble hitting it as long as you club down a few clubs to compensate for the change in elevation.

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Stay at the resort and enjoy playing a course that is manicured like no other. The course is extremely long from the tips, but has many tees for all abilities. The fairways are pretty wide open, but the course has lots of water and sand traps.

The par 5s offer many risk-reward opportunities, with of course number 16 being the best one. Big hitters can try to carry the lake that guards the green. Seventeen is a tough par 3 that Arnold recently renovated along with several other holes on the golf course.

Eighteen is one of the coolest holes you will ever see. You may remember it from watching Tiger make it look easy on television. It's a long par 4 around a huge lake.

The lodge also has a golf academy for those of you who want to get serious. And there is a spa and a full service salon to pamper you.

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These courses are absolutely beautiful. The North and the South are my favorite combination with fairways that have drop-offs, hills that look like someone buried an abandoned Volkswagon in them, and greens guarded by sand and water. It'll be a toss-up to see who will be more tired at the end of the day: little Johnny from riding Space Mountain or you from trying to hit that island green.

For a little easier go of it, throw in a nine on the East side. These holes aren't bunkered as heavily, and you can play a variety of run ups. You can mix and match the three nines anyway you want.

The North and South are the original courses, and Jack came back a few years ago and renovated and redesigned many of the holes, making them longer and tougher.

The resort is well-run and beautiful with spacious rooms and plenty of amenities. Tell Mickey I said "Hi!"

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The thing I like about it the best is that the two nines give you a completely different look. The front nine is a narrow, very tight mountain course. Most shots are fired between huge pine trees, and standing on the tee box looking down a hallway framed by monster lodge pole pines will make your stomach churn.

The back nine is completely different. The forest clears, and you are transported to Scotland to play a links-style course. After trying to carve your way through the forest, you will appreciate a little breathing room after you make the turn, although the open vista views of the Rockies are breathtaking.

The clubhouse is pretty cool, too, as they used the original log homestead that was here back when the course was a cattle ranch.

This is a great place for a wedding as well. My cousin Chris was married here several years ago, and for his bachelor party the guys played a scramble.

I like this course, but I like Breckenridge better. It's designed by Jack Nicklaus, and it's a bit cheaper and even more scenic. Breck has three nines, so it's usually easier to get a tee time as well.

For good eats in Keystone after your round, go to the Arapahoe Café in Dillon. Or throw back a few at The Dillon Dam Brewery.

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The course has three nine hole courses: The Bear, The Beaver, and The Elk. They are all very similar winding their way through hilly terrain with beautiful vista views of the giant 14-thousand-foot peaks. Keep an eye out for bald eagles, beavers, and elk.

The course plays tough, as Jack used the natural wetlands and mature pine trees to design a target golf course that puts a premium on accuracy. That's the bad news. The good news is that at an altitude of 9500 feet, your drive is going to go forty yards further then it does back at home.

I recommend this course for everybody. If you are traveling to Summit County in the summertime, don't miss out on this golf experience. Just make sure you take a cart -- the walk is very hilly, and there is no air up there! And of course, don't forget your camera.

For good grub, hit up the Hearthstone in town and try the Jalapeño poppers with a Blue Martini.

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The main reason we like it is that the course is kept in great shape, and the views of Mt. Hood are amazing. In addition, they run specials during the week that include a cart and lunch.

The course is tough on the average golfer. From the first tee, it doesn't look that bad with the first few holes being wide open with the exception of a few bunkers. Enjoy the start, because shortly after, the course turns into heavily wooded areas that require accurate tee shots.

The back nine is tougher then the front, loaded with some really tough holes that are relatively short but with hazards on both sides. The 18th hole is a fantastic par 5 that is reachable by you big hitters if you can avoid the big fairway bunkers.

I recommend this course for everybody. The greens are big and kept in pristine shape. The lower handicappers will enjoy the challenge of this "target" golf course, and the higher handicappers should definitely take advantage of playing the forward tees.

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The rough here is what kills you. In Florida, there are about nineteen thousand different kind of weeds and grasses, and here at The Majors, they all grow together to form this thicket of nastiness that is hard to walk in, let alone hit your golf ball out of. What's more, a lot of the tee shots require you to carry your ball over this tropical golf ball purgatory.

Once you find your way to the green, make sure you know how to read the grain. "Grain?" you ask. I'm with you... I thought grain was something I was supposed to be eating to stay regular. In Florida, it's the way the grass grows, and knowing it is the key to not three-putting or even four-putting.

I'm being a little rough on the Majors (no pun intended.) This is a beautiful golf course that is maintained like a country club course. There is a lot of wildlife, including alligators and many types of waterfowl. And finally, they have great weekly specials.

So go test your skill against this difficult course -- just make sure you bring along plenty of golf balls.

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Speaking of lost in the woods, most of the holes are tree-lined with tall pine trees. This is a target golf course, and any missed fairway will result in a punch-out off of pine straw. In addition, the greens are pretty small and very undulating.

But look at the bright side: first of all, they keep this course in terrific shape year-round. The golf carts have nice GPS systems to give you exact yardage. What's more is the golf course is crawling with all kinds of cool tropical creatures like alligators, sand cranes, and wild turkeys. Speaking of Wild Turkey, the restaurant and bar have good food with a nice view of the 18th green.

After your round, for a more fancy dinner spot I would head into Cocoa Village and check out Café Margaux for some fresh seafood. Eat out on the patio if the weather is nice.

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Currently, the course is in the best shape I've ever seen it. All of the greens have been redone and are rolling lightning-fast. There are three different 9-hole courses: The River, The Dolphin and the Lakes, each of them unique in their own right. All the courses have lots of wildlife -- including huge alligators!

The River Course: If you can only play one 9-hole course, this is the one to play. As you may have gathered from the name, it runs along the Banana River. It's very scenic with many panoramic views of the river and mangrove islands. It is not uncommon to see dolphins and manatees swimming by the banks. This is also the most difficult of the three courses because it is the tightest.

The Dolphin Course: This is the second best nine to play, so if you are playing 18 holes, call ahead and tell them you want to play The River/Dolphin. The Dolphin is easier than The River and still has some great views of the Banana River.

The Lakes Course: The Lakes doesn't stack up to the other two, but it's not a bad nine -- especially if the other two courses are packed. For me, it's nostalgic to play this side because it contains a few of the original holes from the good old days before they added a third nine.

Finally, bring along some patience if you decide to play here on a weekend in the wintertime. It's a beautiful course, but it's really not managed that well. The starters and rangers can be a bit ornery, so just smile and wave and enjoy the views. When you are done with your round, go have beer at Coconuts on the beach and try their sweet potato fries!

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Ute Creek is a challenging golf course that has around a million bunkers. Most of the greens are surrounded by nothing but white sand. The course is pretty long -- over 7100 yards from the tips. The greens are big, undulating, and usually run very fast.

The maintenance crew does an incredible job, and this course is usually in great shape. This is by far one of the best golf courses you will play in Northern Colorado, but remember it is still a muni course. The restaurant and clubhouse leave a lot to be desired. And the bathrooms are few and far between.

As far as my round with "Guges" went... well, he struggled a little bit with the course. He hits the ball far, but not necessarily where he was aiming (like most of us) and found many of those sand traps. The back nine is harder than the front, and we were both worn out by the end of the day.

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