Country Oaks Golf Course in Thomasville, Georgia

Country Oaks Golf Course in Thomasville, Ga. is only 6,200 yards from the tips, but it is a tough 6,200 yards.

Its difficulties are many, however, starting with the shot that starts the whole thing - your drive. The fairways are narrow and landing areas frequently squeezed by thick trees on one side or both. The driving corridors are awkward, with hazards of various sorts intruding - bunkers, water, rough - so that using your driver will often get you into dire situations. You rarely have a wide-open, swing-away look.

Then there are the greens. They are unusually difficult for a small, municipal course. Country Oaks has some multi-tiered greens, and almost all of them have harsh slope and undulation, and frequently fall off to other hazards.