Olmsted Golf Courses, Buffalo

Sculpted into the sprawling meadows of the Frederick Law Olmsted Parks, the nine-hole South Park Olmsted Golf Course rises and falls across 2,876 yards of immaculate greenery. The fairway chain wreathes South Park lake, which comes into play on four holes, including a forced-carry tee shot on hole four, which could prove perilous for any golf ball without an unrequited love for marine biology. Delaware Park Olmsted Golf Course's 5,359 yards features open fairways and very few hazards throughout the relatively short layout. Medium-size greens await players at the end of each short-grass corridor, challenging golfers with small target areas and tricky breaking putts.

Before each round, players can warm up their short game at the practice green, which facilitates practice for chipping, putting, and Maypole dancing around flagsticks. An onsite pro shop keeps clubbers equipped with the latest in fairway fashions and gear, and a golf house fuels powerful drives with course-side eats and refreshments.