THE CLUB AT CARLTON WOODS

The Nicklaus design threads through towering East Texas pines with enough elevation change to make you forget you're in Houston's backyard. Water comes into play on nearly half the holes, but it's the par-3 17th over a crystalline pond that separates weekend warriors from single-digit handicaps. Dense forest corridors demand precision off the tee, yet generous fairway landing areas reward aggressive play when you find the right angles.