Robinson Ranch Mountain and Valley golf courses

Robinson Ranch in Santa Clarita, Calif. encompasses two 18-hole golf courses, the 6,508-yard Mountain course and the 6,903-yard Valley . Both Ted Robinson Jr. designs share some features - a mix of tight and wide-open tee shots, big, dramatically undulating greens - but the difference suggested by their names is genuine.

The Mountain course snakes up the hillside overlooking its sibling then tumbles back down again. The modest length guards the course well from the bomb-and-gouge strategy. Landing areas feed into the sage scrub lining every hole, with countless humps and bumps that can send even a well-struck drive scooting off to its death. The Valley has arguably one of the oddest holes in the Los Angeles area, a 429-yard par-4 ninth with an enormous ancient oak smack-dab in the middle of the landing area. Your drive must either carry the majestic crown (approximately 290 yards) or miraculously skip beneath the branches.

Both golf courses are impeccably conditioned and provide memorable vistas and outstanding shot values.