GIG HARBOR. Bring your camera to this exquisitely beautiful course. Plush fairways, always well manicured, are narrow and lined with a number of trees. Mounded, undulating, sloping ­ all terms can be used to describe the demanding greens, which are typically fast and always in great condition. Roll a few putts first to get the feel for the test ahead of you. Only a few bunkers and water hazards come into play. Still, the course is quite challenging.

OLYMPIA. While it's the water you need to avoid on the front nine, narrow, tree-lined fairways are the main concern on the back. Well-played approach shots will find oversized greens that are undulated and tiered. Stray too far off line on approaches and you're almost guaranteed to need a sand wedge, since bunkers surround each of the greens. With multiple tees, this course can be set up to play extremely long, which challenges the best of players. A dress code of collared shirts and tailored slacks is strictly upheld at the Golf and Country Club, as well as in the Embers Restaurant.

REDMOND. With three possible 18-hole configurations, the South/North course stands out at this country club. Water comes into play on occasion, so keeping the ball in play off the tee is important. Hilly fairways will lead to uneven lies for approaches. As the host site for the 1998 PGA Championship, this course has a proven track record of being capable of testing the world's best.

NORTH METRO. This course has been around longer than most and continues to turn heads. Hitting your spots off the tee is important, since overhanging trees can hinder approach shots if you're on the wrong side of the fairway. Water comes into play only on occasion, but it will sneak up and grab you if you aren't paying attention. Stay focused on this challenging course, and you'll be happy with the result.