HICKORY HILL COUNTRY CLUB AND RESORT

The Mississippi Gulf Coast humidity hangs thick over this rolling layout where towering pines frame generous fairways and strategic water hazards demand course management over raw power. Jerry Pate's routing takes full advantage of the natural elevation changes, particularly on the back nine where doglegs through native hardwoods test your ability to shape shots around centuries-old oaks. The Bermuda greens roll true year-round, and the risk-reward par-5 finishing hole—with water guarding the left side of a two-tiered green—separates pretenders from players who understand Gulf Coast golf.