Dust off your little black book of golf contacts and leverage every angle to score a round at the private Canyata Golf Club (Canyata.com, 217-826-9500) in Marshall, Illinois. Owner Gerald Forsythe originally intended to build only three holes (a par-3, a par-4 and a par-5) for the use of friends and family. However, it soon became apparent to Forsythe and course architect Michael Benkusky that the land had the potential to yield a word-class design.
    Benkusky benefitted from a varied landscape that contains mature woods and wide, lush meadows bisected by streams and rocky ravines. This distinctive property led to a course that—amazingly—can be reminiscent of a true Scottish links at times and evocative of Pinehurst at others. 
    Wide fairways (they average more than 50 yards across) and 7,000-square-foot greens make Canyata somewhat forgiving for average players, but to score well, one must hit precise targets to set up ideal playing angles.
    You won’t have much time to ease into your round here. The ravines first come into play on the 583-yard, par-5 second hole. You’ll face a difficult tee shot with a forced carry (over a ravine) of 175 yards. A huge swale in the green will have you thinking of the famed ninth at C.B. MacDonald’s Yale Golf Club. And good luck choosing a club at the 221-yard par-3 third, which plays 40 yards downhill into the prevailing wind. 
    These holes—as well as No. 12, a par-3 which plays almost 250 yards across a dramatic, fescue-covered chasm—are in stark contrast to others (Nos. 7, 8, 11 and 16 are examples) which are laid out over wind-strewn plains. As at Cypress Point, the golfer is treated to a variety of natural settings with enhances the overall experience.
    If you happen to come across Mr. Forsythe, make sure to offer a friendly handshake. Membership comes only at Mr. Forsythe’s invitation.

Across the state in Galena, you’ll find the Eagle Ridge Resort and Spa (EagleRidgeResortOnline.com, 800-892-2269), set on more than 6,800 rolling, wooded acres. Variety is the name of the game at Eagle Ridge, from the accommodations to the activities and the golf itself.
    First, the accommodations: You have the choice of staying at the charming Inn near Lake Galena. The Inn is convenient to the Stonedrift Spa and a number of dining options. Villas and townhomes are also available, with one, two or three bedrooms. Finally, you can reserve one of the Eagle Ridge Distinctive Homes—three, four, five and six-plus bedroom homes are available.
    As for activities, you can spend your time on land (playing golf at one of the four courses on property), on the water (on the 228-acre Lake Geneva) or in the air (hot-air ballooning is a favorite activity).
    Now to the golf itself. The North Course is relatively open, with long vistas, rolling fairways and large greens. The South traverses a wooded valley, with a stream coming into play on 11 holes. The East is characterized by elevated tee shots to narrow fairways, while The General is Eagle Ridge’s strongest design. Roger Packard and Andy North were the architects of The General, which occupies the most commanding location on the property. Nos. 9, 14 and 18 are highlights. The ninth requires a tee shot carrying a gorgeous wildflower ravine with the distinctive silo at the clubhouse as an aiming point. The tee at 14 offers the most spectacular view on the course while options abound at the par-5 finisher, which has a split, two-tiered fairway and a dramatically undulating green. If you’re not going for the green in two, favor the right side of the fairway to set up the best angle into the green for your approach.