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5 Great Greens Designed by Pros

"Pro golfer" looks pretty good on a resume. "PGA Tour winner" looks even better. But some champions aren't content to just be stars on the courses-they're turning their attention to being the masterminds behind the courses as well, by picking up a sketch pad and designing. Players like Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam will soon be in the game, but many have already jumped in and created well-loved links across the country. Here are five of the best, designed by some of golf's best.

1. The Falls Golf Club, Las Vegas, Nevada

This Tom Weiskopf-designed 7,250-yard, par-72 gem, located at Lake Las Vegas Resort, is known for its beautiful views of Lake Las Vegas and the Strip. And it's something like your home on the rangeâ€”yes, where the deer and the antelope play. Tournament coordinator Justin Marsh says golfers at the Falls get plenty of peeks at coyotes, tortoises, and bighorn sheep. Elevation changes keep things interesting; you'll notice these shifts are subtle on the front nine, then you're in for some mountainous terrain on the back nine. Holes 11 and 17 are can't-miss: Each boasts a waterfall that measures over 150 feet. After taking in the scenery and putting in a hard day's work on the links, relax in the elegant clubhouse, modeled after a Tuscan winery. Amenities include a full-service locker room, a dining area, and a large pro shop.

Weiskopf, a successful player in the 1970s who won the British Open, designed the course in 2002. It has won a number of awards, including being named one of America's Top 100 Golf Communities in 2007 by Travel+Leisure Golf and one of the Top 75 Best Golf Destinations in 2006 by Golf Magazine. A couple of other fun facts: Numerous commercials have been shot at the course, and the Falls appears on the Tiger Woods PGA Tour 07 video game. For more information on The Falls, visit www.lakelasvegas.com.

2. Turtle Point Golf Club, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

Ocean views and a challenge draw golfers to Jack Nicklaus' Turtle Point, and they don't leave disappointed. "They say this is the second toughest golf course on the island because it's so narrow," says golf shop attendant Matt Noel. "There are very narrow fairways; add the wind, and it makes it even tougher."

It's no surprise this course puts golfers' skills to the test, considering it was designed by perhaps the greatest professional golfer of all time (Nicklaus won a record 18 championships on the PGA Tour). The 18-hole public course is one for thinkers-you'll need all the clubs in your bag, and you'll need some strategy, too. Along the way, you'll play the front nine, which goes through the trees, then you'll come to the back nine, which has three ocean holes: two par-3s and a par-4. To finish up, you'll swing your way through villas and lagoons on holes 17 and 18. The clubhouse is only a few years old, and it offers a locker room, a sports bar and grill, a pro shop, conference rooms, and a snack bar. Learn more details about this course at www.kiawahresort.com.

3. Tiburon Golf Club, Naples, Florida

Golf enthusiasts looking for quality courses often head to Naples, Florida, one of the most popular spots for year-round playing. Two of the best courses in town can be found at the Tiburon Golf Club, host of the Merrill Lynch Shootout. When Greg Norman, an Australian golfer who spent 331 weeks as the No. 1 player, was designing Tiburon, he wanted to take advantage of the natural beauty in the area. The defining characteristics of the Gold and the Black courses, which alternate each day for public play, are sod-stacked bunkers, tangerine-toned coquina sand, and no rough. Golfers of all levels will enjoy hitting shots through the 800 acres of land the Tiburon encompasses, and a choice of five tee boxes per hole keeps things challenging. The Black course is a par 72 with 7,005 yards of golfing pleasure, while the Gold course spans 7,288 yards and is another par 72. If you need a little refresher before heading out to the links, a full-service practice area with chipping and putting greens is available, and there's even a top-ranked golf academy on-site for those who want to improve their game with the aid of an instructor. And for a little rest and relaxation, golfers can wind down in the 27,000-square-foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse. Visit the Tiburon's web site at www.tiburongcnaples.com.

4. Whisper Rock, Scottsdale, Arizona

Spread over 200 acres of desert, Whisper Rock is a course for the serious golfer. And getting to play is serious business-membership is by invitation only. Phil Mickelson, winner of three major championships, was the mastermind behind the Lower Course (the Upper Course, designed by Tom Fazio, was added a few years after the original was built in 2001), and accolades include a ranking as the 67th Best New Modern Course by Golfweek in 2006. Here, most holes are recessed into the land, the bunkers are shallow, tee boxes are at ground level, chipping shots are common, and there are lots of trees. What you won't find are bottlenecks, because Mickelson prefers fairways that stay consistent in width. Designing a course was a long time coming for the proâ€”he began to sketch courses in his teens. The experience of creating his first course was so positive that he's announced plans to design more. Look for courses bearing his stamp to pop up in California, North Carolina, Hawaii, Mexico, and the Caribbean in the coming years. For more information about Whisper Rock visit www.whisperrockgolf.com.

5. Palmer Lakeside, Austin, Texas

If while in Austin you want to take in gorgeous views of Lake Travis and get a little recreation in at the same time, Palmer Lakeside is the place to go. Arnold Palmer, who designed the course, has created quite a name for himself in both golf and the business of golf. He has more than 90 professional wins to his credit, and the Arnold Palmer Design Company has 180-plus courses open, with more projects being developed all the time.

At this one, the par-3 11th hole is the signature, and it encapsulates much of the beauty of the course, with a cascading waterfall and native plants. Other notable holes are the 12th (par 5) and 13th (par 4), both doglegs with sloping fairways. Those who aren't quite as adept at golfing as, say, Palmer is will still have a good time here. "It's a fair course, and it's one of those that you get to use just about every club in the bag," says Todd King, who works at Palmer Lakeside. Since opening in 1986, the private course has been especially popular with big hitters and those who love a good panorama. In the clubhouse, golfers will find a fitness center, a bar, a dining room, and locker rooms. Learn more about the Palmer at www.bartoncreek.com.