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Best New Golf Course

Wildcat Golf Course

The two golf courses at Wildcat are the only ones in the city with real hills. Not only does the terrain provide an interesting test of a golfer's skills, the hilltops also afford spectacular views of nearby Reliant Stadium and the Houston skyline. But it's the reason that Wildcat boasts the highest elevations in Harris County that makes it special: It's built on a former landfill site. Landfills used to be fenced off and forgotten once they were full. There were few ways to reuse the land without disturbing the buried waste. Wildcat is an example of a new trend in "brownfield" reclamation. Here, and at some 70 other former landfill sites around the country, innovative golf course builders have turned what were once ugly, fenced-off wastelands into profitable and attractive green spaces.

Best New Golf Course

Wildcat Golf Course

The two golf courses at Wildcat are the only ones in the city with real hills. Not only does the terrain provide an interesting test of a golfer's skills, the hilltops also afford spectacular views of nearby Reliant Stadium and the Houston skyline. But it's the reason that Wildcat boasts the highest elevations in Harris County that makes it special: It's built on a former landfill site. Landfills used to be fenced off and forgotten once they were full. There were few ways to reuse the land without disturbing the buried waste. Wildcat is an example of a new trend in "brownfield" reclamation. Here, and at some 70 other former landfill sites around the country, innovative golf course builders have turned what were once ugly, fenced-off wastelands into profitable and attractive green spaces.

Best Driving Range

Hermann Park Golf Course

Most driving ranges offer little in terms of obstacles. They're usually just wide open spaces with a few mounds and flags scattered willy-nilly so there's something to aim at. Hermann Park's range boasts a cluster of three tall trees smack in the middle of the field. Now that's useful. It makes the range a place to actually practice skills instead of just firing off a bucket of balls. Also, there's a certain Zen quality to lofting ball after ball over those trees. A seven iron, in conjunction with a canned Budweiser (bought from the clubhouse), works nicely to aid this type of meditation.

Best Driving Range

Hermann Park Golf Course

Most driving ranges offer little in terms of obstacles. They're usually just wide open spaces with a few mounds and flags scattered willy-nilly so there's something to aim at. Hermann Park's range boasts a cluster of three tall trees smack in the middle of the field. Now that's useful. It makes the range a place to actually practice skills instead of just firing off a bucket of balls. Also, there's a certain Zen quality to lofting ball after ball over those trees. A seven iron, in conjunction with a canned Budweiser (bought from the clubhouse), works nicely to aid this type of meditation.

Best Putt-Putt

Celebration Station

Show off, Tiger Woods-style, at Celebration Station's three 18-hole miniature golf courses. You know those panty-waists in the PGA are scared of obstacles like the 20-foot waterfall on the Rio Grande Course, but with a little practice, you could impress a date or even the whole family. (It's only $6 for adults and $4 for kids ages six to ten; kids under five get in free.) Once you've finished a tough 18, get your fill of pizza or a bazillion other health foods, take a spin on a go-kart and just let your inner child off its leash.

Best Putt-Putt

Celebration Station

Show off, Tiger Woods-style, at Celebration Station's three 18-hole miniature golf courses. You know those panty-waists in the PGA are scared of obstacles like the 20-foot waterfall on the Rio Grande Course, but with a little practice, you could impress a date or even the whole family. (It's only $6 for adults and $4 for kids ages six to ten; kids under five get in free.) Once you've finished a tough 18, get your fill of pizza or a bazillion other health foods, take a spin on a go-kart and just let your inner child off its leash.

Best Frisbee Golf Course

Rice University disc golf course

Discriminating disc golf players laud Rice University's object course for having the best variety of surfaces and air clearance. A combination of streets, gravel and lawn, the 18-hole course includes wide expanses where players can really open up and let fly, as well as tight corridors and hazards. The front nine ends at Valhalla, the Rice grad student bar, perfect for chugging cheap beer and upping (or lowering) the level of difficulty. The bar's bulletin board has a course map with par information and scorecards. Keep your wits: Public safety officers have been known to harass off-campus guests, so play friendly.

Best Frisbee Golf Course

Rice University disc golf course

Discriminating disc golf players laud Rice University's object course for having the best variety of surfaces and air clearance. A combination of streets, gravel and lawn, the 18-hole course includes wide expanses where players can really open up and let fly, as well as tight corridors and hazards. The front nine ends at Valhalla, the Rice grad student bar, perfect for chugging cheap beer and upping (or lowering) the level of difficulty. The bar's bulletin board has a course map with par information and scorecards. Keep your wits: Public safety officers have been known to harass off-campus guests, so play friendly.

Best Ice Rink

Aerodrome

Boy, it's not easy picking the best ice rink in Houston. There are just so many...But even without hordes of competitors, the Aerodrome in Sugar Land stands out. It's the practice home of the Houston Aeros, so obviously the rink has to be in top shape. And the connection with the team makes the Aerodrome the best place to go for Aeros and hockey gear (if you ever need a mini-Zamboni with the team's logo, you're in luck). There's also a wide selection of all the stuff you need to be a serious figure skater -- from skirts to scrunchies to crash pads. The public skating sessions are plentiful, and at night the music can range from jazz to country. Even if this were Boston, the Aerodrome would still be a serious contender for top rink.

Best Ice Rink

Aerodrome

Boy, it's not easy picking the best ice rink in Houston. There are just so many...But even without hordes of competitors, the Aerodrome in Sugar Land stands out. It's the practice home of the Houston Aeros, so obviously the rink has to be in top shape. And the connection with the team makes the Aerodrome the best place to go for Aeros and hockey gear (if you ever need a mini-Zamboni with the team's logo, you're in luck). There's also a wide selection of all the stuff you need to be a serious figure skater -- from skirts to scrunchies to crash pads. The public skating sessions are plentiful, and at night the music can range from jazz to country. Even if this were Boston, the Aerodrome would still be a serious contender for top rink.

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