Hamilton Farm Golf Club (The Highlands)

Soon after Hamilton Farm was established in 1911, the owners constructed an enormous 50-stall equestrian stable, turning it into one of the most important horse centres in the country. Indeed today, it serves as the headquarters for the US Equestrian Team, which uses the facility for Olympic competition training.

Adjacent to the stables lies a rather unusual golfing configuration that was crafted in 1998 and it features an 18-hole championship course, called The Highlands, and a short 18-hole layout named The Hickory, which is the only USGA rated par three course in the country.

With holes measuring between 127 yards at the 12th (“Evergreen”) and 229 yards at the 17th (“Homestretch”), the Hickory is well worth a play, even as a relaxing warm up for the main course.

On The Highlands layout, the best is kept until last on the front nine as the 559-yard 9th (“Waterjump”) is a wonderful par five that culminates in an approach across a wetland area to an offset green that slopes from back right to front left.

On the inward half, the 196-yard 17th, “Calamity,” emulates its namesake, the par three 14th hole on the Dunluce course at Royal Portrush, as pushing a tee shot into the severe drop off to the right of the green will almost certainly result in a scorecard disaster.