Meadowbrook Golf Club in Gainesville, FL

Meadowbrook Golf Club in Gainesville, Fla. is one of those golf courses you play and dream about what could be. Built on beautiful, rolling terrain on the outskirts of Gainesville, it has a well-regarded architect (Steve Smyers), a challenging up-and-down layout, good hole variety and abundant wildlife around its natural ponds, streams and valleys.

But the course is in dire need of some tender loving care. The Bermuda Bahia rough is too deep and penalizing, weeks and unmown areas dot the course, and the drainage needs serious attention. The large, sloping greens, which could be some of the best in the area, are slow and grainy. Of course, it must be said that fixing up the course as it should be would no doubt mean raising the very reasonable green fees ($29 weekdays, $36 weekends, including cart).