Briarwood Golf Club

Experience an easily accessible, friendly favorite with today's feature: $18 for 18 Holes with Cart and Range Balls at Briarwood Golf Club in Broadview Heights near Cleveland ($46 Value. Good Any Day, Any Time until May 1, 2013)

Opened in 1967, Briarwood Golf Club is a championship golf course built upon the highest point in Cuyahoga County, which lends hilly features that play longer than the scorecard would have you believe. Centrally located just 15 minutes south of Downtown Cleveland, Briarwood is easily accessible from both I-77 and I-71. But its convenient location is just the tip of the iceberg, as there is much more beneath the surface.

As a par-72, Briarwood tends to play slightly more easy, with a course/slope rating of 69.8/117 from the championship tees. From those tees, the course measures 6,315 yards; however, from the front tees, the distance closes to 5,141 yards. Though not insurmountable, there are certain challenges to overcome, such as the three 500+-yard par-5s. In particular, choose your club wisely on the par-3 No. 9, a 195-yard effort that earned the #3 handicap on the course.

Chief among its many historical anecdotes, Briarwood was host to the "Battle at Briarwood," an exhibition match that featured the on-fire Jack Nicklaus competing against Miller Barber and Bobby Cole on June 7, 1971. In recent tournament play, Jack Nicklaus had won the 1970 Open Championship, the 1971 PGA Championship and finished 2nd in the Masters. Though it sounds strange nowadays, Mr. Nicklaus would win four more PGA events and set a single-season earnings record of ... $244,490.

Back in the modern era, Briarwood Golf Club excels at providing amenities and services that make guests feel at home — something of a lost art. With nature providing a beautiful backdrop, the club hosts informal patio parties In the warmer months, where you can enjoy your favorite cold beverage after a round on the course. The pro shop is fully stocked with the newest from top brands like Titleist, TaylorMade, Cleveland and more, as well stylish shoes and clothing — everything you need to reach their stated goal of "hitting it longer and straighter than your playing partners."

The 300-yard, grass-tee driving range has provides targets for structured practice routines, and three putting and chipping greens give you ample opportunity to practice almost anything you're likely to see out there. And, if necessary, golf instruction is available on-site from experienced teaching professionals, so inquire in the pro shop if you're feeling a little itch for improvement.