Reasons to play » Two of the most immaculately conditioned and scenic public courses in the mid-Atlantic. Lush fairways, sweeping bunkers, and hard, fast greens. Quality clubhouse and grill. Both courses are severe from the tips, but manageable from forward tees.

Hit the beach » With more moderate winter temperatures than D.C., Virginia Beach is a quick, inexpensive golf destination with a growing list of quality courses that include Signature at West Neck (Palmer), Heron Ridge (Fred Couples), Virginia Beach National (Pete Dye), and Hell’s Point (Rees Jones).

What you’ll love … » That none of the 36 holes are alike and that the two courses have their own separate character.

What you won’t love … » Aside from getting there, absolutely nothing, guaranteed, except perhaps for your score, if you play from tips on a windy day.

SIGNATURE HOLE

No. 5 (Nicklaus) » Par 4 » 459 Yards

Elevated tee offers magnificent view of this hole, named “Old Plantation Light,” which runs along Chesapeake Bay and has signature cart bridge which runs from tees to fairway, over water and marshland. Intimidating approach to a narrow, elevated green, pinched on either side by dunes.  

Best hole » No. 3 (Palmer), Par 4, 460 Yards

Named “Allegood Pond” for the ancient tidal basin that fronts the stone-walled peninsula green, this hole is not only visually stunning, but is extremely difficult, especially if you push your drive into steep-lipped fairway bunker. Dog-leg right hole is bordered on left by Chesapeake Bay.

Paw prints » The slump in the golf course construction industry hasn’t slowed down Nicklaus, who has a growing and impressive list of varied courses within driving distance of D.C. They range from mountain stunner Rocky Gap, to Delmarva classics The Peninsula and Bayside, to spanking-new Virginia private courses Creighton Farms (Aldie), The Presidential (Dulles), and Harbor Station (Woodbridge).