Lakewood Country Club, Lakewood, NJ

Taking advantage of a nice winter day, two friends and I decided to hit the links at Lakwood Country Club and ended up lucking out. Along with the great weather and decent conditions for the winter, the course also included a free bowl of soup at Maggie's, their bar and restaurant next door.

Lakewood is a perfect course for someone who wants to play a par 72 but may not have the best control over their ball. The course is very wide open and the most challenging part is the greens. If you put yourself on the wrong area of the green, you will find yourself struggling to putt on some holes, which obviously leads to aggrivation, especially after a solid drive and iron.

Hole 12 is one of the most unique holes I have ever played. Providing the golfer with a view of the 15th hole with the LCC bunkers, not pictured is what's to the left of the bunkers. Teeing off into about 200 yards of fairway, you then face a hill maybe 100 feet (or more) in the air, before reaching the green. The 12th hole's green isn't very easy either, as in some parts you will find what one would call a "revine" making the putt more challenging. Watch your back on this hole as you may find a local roaming the nieghborhood behind you.

Head over to Maggie's after your round to grab your free bowl of soup with your recipt of the round. Broccoli and cheddar was the soup of the day for us, and it hit the spot as the weather got colder as the sun went down. I would recommend this course to anyone looking for a solid round of golf for a cheap price. I would rate this course a 5 on a scale of 1-10 for difficulty.

Additionally, there is a driving range and putting green located on the property. You can also inquire within about lessons.