We've all been to a public golf course. You go up to the prop shop, pay, and off you go. Public courses tend to be well-kept depending on the course. Most are pretty cheap. They're usually locally owned, sometimes by families, businesses, or corporations. Some from around here are Lindenwood, Frosty Valley, and Scenic Valley.

Private clubs are well, private. So that means only members who belong there can play there. They're usually country clubs with pools, tennis courts, a gym, and other things along those lines. You pay a monthly fee to belong. Private clubs are very well looked after. Some examples are Augusta National (where the Masters is held) and from around here Hickory Heights and Mon Valley.

These are the big ones. The multi-million dollar resorts with fabulous golf courses. Most resorts have one to two golf courses. You can stay on the premises at the resort hotel. There, there is always a slew of other activities such as hiking, biking, running, pools, gyms, and sometimes, a spa. These new mega resorts are the wave of the future. Some around here are Seven Springs Mountain Resort, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa, and Hidden Valley Resort.

Municipal courses are different in that they are owned by the county, such as Allegheny County. Which means the course is taken care of by county workers. Municipal courses are also public, so anyone can play there. They're cheap and usually not very difficult. Some around here are South Park and North Park

Driving ranges are more popular than ever today. They are practice facilities where you can hit balls. There are usually targets for you to aim at. A driving range may or may not have a short game area where you can practice your chipping and putting. Some in this area are Cool Springs Golf Center, Sunset Golf, and Scally's Golf Center.

Mini golf is probably the most golf anyone ever plays these days. It sounds easy. All you do is putt. But you would be surprised at how many people can make fools of themselves with the way they play mini golf. But who could blame them? With obstacles like rocks, windmills, tunnels, life-sized animals, and waterfalls, it's bound to get tough!