What's in a name? "Names" are usually given to distinguish one from another. When it's applied to golf course or club most try to be true to the origin of the land or namesake of where the course resides. This can be a person who owned the land before the course was there or the city or county the course serves.

But sometimes the name is more than just a "distinguishing attribute". A name if well thoughtout, can exude its own essence capturing an innate feeling present when you fully experience everything a course or club has to offer. Recently we made our first trip to Hidden Creek Country Club in Reston Virginia and I personally can't remember any course I've previously played with a more appropriate name.

If you’re familiar with Reston then you know its more city than suburb and green space is a dwindling commodity. But perfectly "hidden" amongst the bustling life of the surrounding area, resides Hidden Creek a true oasis where the tensions of the life just seem to slip away.

On the course you're "hidden" from the outside world by a multitude of hardwood trees that surround the course. It feels like you've been whisked away to the remote countryside but in reality you're only a few miles from the beltway.

The classic design provides a mature test of skill with a plethora of variety. There's the short 359-yard Par 4 14th where accuracy off the tee is paramount and then there's the monster 473-yard Par 4 6th where par feels like a birdie.

There's the expansive 571-yard Par 5 5th where three shots to the green is norm and then there’s the 496-yard Par 5 11th where a good drive leaves a reasonable shot at the green in two.

Like any great design the reward and challenge of Hidden Creek Country Club is intricately intertwined creating a perfect recipe of highs and lows so few courses get right. If done right however, it makes for an “ever-changing" course that can play differently each time you tee it up.

This is the most important factor to look for when becoming a member at any club or course you’ll play for years to come.

The second part of the clubs name that is ever present is a small creek that crisscrosses and intersects many holes. Sometimes you're aware of its presence and other times it lurks just out of sight. The routing makes full use of this tributary. It's an ever present guard flanking the side of a fairway, lying in wait behind the green or intersecting a fairway providing one more obstacle to think about prior to teeing off.

If you're in the market for a membership or looking for a great place to have an outing, it just doesn't get any better than the quality club and golf experience at Hidden Creek Country Club. Sometimes everyone needs an escape, we all need a place to hide-a-way and Hidden Creek Country Club is the perfect choice!

Amigos Favorite Hole: On the front nine at Hidden Creek the 4th, 5th and 6th hole is one of the most challenging stretch of holes you’ll play anywhere. The last of the three, the 473-yard Par 4 6th was our choice as favorite.

At the tee you're greeted with a guarded fairway with trees along the left side. A good tee shot will leave you behind the creek that splits the fairway. Based on your length off the tee you’re left with a decision. Go for it and play a fairways wood or hybrid to a partially hidden green or lay-up to a reasonable chip distance to protect yourself against what you can't see around the hillside hiding half of the green.

I suggest you play the second shot here based on how your ball striking is that day. If you’re hitting it well then go for it. If you’re spraying the ball, then your best bet is to lay-up and take your chances with a good chip and par save. At worst the second option protects against a really big score where bogey is the worst possible outcome.

Be aware of the small creek bisecting the fairway. This hazard runs all the way up the right side of the hole and protects the right side of the green. If you pull the ball left, you'll likely have a slightly downhill lie in the rough making for a very tough chip.

Like the two holes prior to the 6th a par here feels like a birdie. Run to the next hole and feel grateful that the toughest part of the course is behind you.