Valley International Country Club

Set amongst the tall palm trees and tropical conditions, this 18-hole course was one of the first tracks in the Rio Grande Valley. Built on both sides of the coastal tributary, water comes into play on 12 holes. Beware of the wind, but when it's calm your tee shots will find wide fairways and generous landing areas, and the approaches are into medium-sized greens with an average speed. Get to know the speed of these fair greens and you will start rolling in 10-20 footers with confidence.

Hole 4 is the number one handicap and plays 422 yards from the tips, where water crosses the fairway in the landing area and menaces over the right side of the hole. Other notable holes are the long par 3 10th hole with its peninsula green, as well as the 17th (512-yard par 5), which is loaded with water on the right that crosses in front of the green.

Getting there : On south Hwy. 77, exit FM 802 and turn right. Proceed to McAllen Rd and turn left, where the road eventually dead-ends at the parking lot.