Number Seven Green

The scorecard reads like the credits from a PGA highlight reel with simulations from: Harbor Town, Bay Hill, Pinehurst, Inverness, Augusta National, La Costa, Sawgrass and that's just the front nine. You start the day on a replica of Harbor Town's famous finishing hole. Then it's on to a model of Bay Hill's hole six, a par five that favors big hitters and punishes anyone who tends to push shots to the left. Hole number three also happens to be a remake of the third hole at Pinehurst, a short par four that is one of the most scenic if you have an early morning tee time. Don't let the picture on the score card fool you, there are plenty of mistakes to be made in the fairway valley and numerous bunkers on hole number four (inspired by hole eighteen at Inverness).

 

Number Nine's Island Green

Next come simulations of the three holes that make up Augusta National's Amen Corner. Hole number five (Augusta number eleven) treats you to a nearly blind tee shot and a second shot that doesn't play nearly as long as it looks; be sure to club down and check out the scoreboard to the left. Next is Augusta's number twelve, a demanding par three that all but promises to leave your tee shot wet, sandy or in the flower bed. Amen Corner finishes out with hole number seven, one of the most enjoyable holes of golf you'll ever play, a beautifully landscaped par five that will reward you for keeping it out of the creek on both your tee shot and your approach. Amen indeed.

Hole number eight transports you to number four at La Costa in San Diego, a short par four that gives you one of your few opportunities to get a stroke or two back. And finishing the front nine is a perfect clone of the island green at Sawgrass's number seventeen. If you aren't proficient at getting on the dance floor from 100 to 130 yards away, then you might want to break out the cheap balls; this hole has made for many a long day.

Simulated Curch Pew Bunker on Number Fourteen

Nobody in our group found the replicated "church pew" bunker to the left of the fairway on hole number fourteen (a likeness of Oakmont's number three) though we all probably wished that someone had. Then on to the sand-infested remake of Shinnecock Hill's hole number eight, a par four that's a lot more fun if you manage to keep your ball to the left. Next is another simply gorgeous hole, a facsimile of the eleventh at Merion; you'll love this one if your drive tends to be short, but fairly straight. Number seventeen is the twin of the unassuming par three number eight at Oak Tree; the best part of this hole is standing on the tee box and watching the group directly behind you throw clubs at the island green on nine. The course finishes up with a perfect representation of Doral's hole number eighteen, the "Blue Monster".

Even though the holes are the stars of the course, Tour 18 Houston has quite the supporting cast of amenities. If you get there early enough, you'll want to grab breakfast at the restaurant; they make the best sausage, egg and cheese sandwich you'll ever eat. And their hamburger on a sourdough bun is almost worth the trip itself. Then it's on to the driving range where you can tune up on grass or driving mats with all the balls you can hit. The carts are decked out with on board computers that act as digital score cards, yardage indicators, offer hole by hole description and the ability to beam your lunch order straight from the cart to the kitchen. Also on each cart are portable ice chests. And of course the pro shop is stocked with top of the line merchandise and Tour 18 memorabilia. Be sure to eat lunch on the deck, it's another great opportunity to watch the tortured souls on number nine.

Special assistance provided by Mike Stark, Craig Simpson and J. Kevin Tumlinson. To view more pictures of Tour 18 Houston, click here.