As everyone knows you can't find a better assortment of public courses to play than in Northern Virginia. The mild climate, large customer base and rolling terrain make the area ideal for any course to thrive.

But with the ever-growing competition of new course development in the area it makes you wonder how these courses continually keep golfers coming back. 

Well near the Dulles Corridor the South Riding Golf Club uses a pretty simple two-part formula to keep its customer base coming back time and again.

The fundamental first part of the formula starts with a great design. South Riding is the only Dan Maples design in Northern Virginia and is a unique collection of 18 holes surrounded by hardwoods that weaves its way through a housing development.  Yes, I said housing development and I like most purists are very course/housing development adverse but the houses do not impeded on play in any way. It seems that ample thought was put into the design so it could flourish and work in harmony with the community it shares.

Like all great designers Mr. Maples makes a course that is approachable for all playing abilities. There's equally enough challenge and at the same time fairness for all to enjoy their round. South Riding is a perfect example of this trait, which is a delicate line to make a course playable for all.

But for the more accomplished player the course always makes you think and use course management. Hazards lurk in many different forms and can come into play with every shot.

At each tee you're given a variety of choices on how to play each hole. The Par 5's offer opportunity for scoring, yet at the same time keep you in check if you try to get to aggressive. Great designs make you think and you hae to think to have any chance at posting a good score at South Riding.

The second part of the formula that makes South Riding stand out from the crowd is exceptional conditions. From tee to green the quality and attention to detail is paramount. Each tee box is perfectly manicured; very divot in the fairway is filled with sand and the sand in each bunker is freshly raked.

It doesn't get much better than the two-part formula that keeps golfers coming back to South Riding. And if your looking for an a change of scenery for your next round you should definitely give it a try.

Amigos favorite Hole: With a number of holes contending for favorite we decided that the short 345-yard par 4 number-8 was our choice at South Riding.

From the tee the hole starts with a heavily contemplated choice of shot.

You have to choose how much of the severe dogleg you want to bite off. If you're an aggressive player you could hit driver and be set up for a good chance at birdie. If you're a conservative player you could go with a long iron.

Or if you're a real gambler you can head straight over the trees and see just how accurate your driver really is. Most golfers should take a high iron or 5-wood to the large fairway landing area. It's the safe play but should still set up a good run at birdie.

Once on the green you will find the putting surface with a moderate amount of slope. Pin placement will ultimately dictate if the putt should be a lag for par or a run at birdie.