There are many qualities in golf that make the game special. It’s the only game that can never be perfected. We go our entire lives working on our swing, short game and putting and there’s always room for improvement

But the most defining characteristic of the game is the ever changing course.

Football plays the same because the field never changes; it’s always 100 yards in length. Baseball fields have some different shapes and lengths but overall are very similar. Golf is the only sport where the course can dramatically affect how the game is played and the level of difficulty.

But after years of lessons and hard work your game improves. Your handicap goes from 20, below 15 and for some in single digits.

Once you go below 20 your mind set changes and so does the type of “course” prefer to play. The game teaches you to appreciate a good “test” of your playing ability. You look forward to battling against a worthy opponent.

Well if you’re looking for a "worthy adversary" that challenges every fiber of your golf being, then look no further than Stonehouse Golf Course in Toano Virginia.

Built in 1999 the course is carved though wooded Virginia countryside with a never ending variety of hilly contours placing a premium on accuracy. The fairways weave a battle requiring a solid game from tee to green.

Trusting your shot without seeing the target is one of the biggest challenges at Stonehouse. The course has more blind shots than most and the yardage book is a must for you first round at the course. Part of becoming a good golfer is the ability to trust your swing. Every golfer needs to learn to rely on their instincts and judge distances at times with the elusive target.

The greens at Stonehouse are among some of the largest you may ever play. The ability to visually gauge distance to the pin is important, relying solely on yardage to the center of the green will make for some tough putts. Placing the ball on the correct tier and portion of these behemoths is key to keeping your scorecard in check.

The course is real treat in every regard, if you’re a “real golfer” that is part sadomasochist as most of us are, then you will love Stonehouse.

Amigos Favorite Hole: The how we liked best at Stonehouse was the Number 2 426-yard Par 4. The hole actually has two sets three tee sets. One on the opposite side of the river and one on the hole side of the river. Just a great idea that could make the hole play very differently no matter how many times you’ve played the course.

The hole actually has two sets black and championship tees. One set on the opposite-side of the river and one on the hole-side of the river. A great idea that can make the hole play very different no matter how many times you’ve played the course.

During our round the tees were on the hole-side of the river leaving a tee shot to a very wide and open fairway. There is a bit of visual deception at the tee leaving you to think the fairway ends only 30 or to 40 yards past the 150-yard marker. We decided to play conservatively and hit hybrids off the tee leaving us at the 150-yard maker. Once we made our way down to the fairway you could see plenty of fairway past the 150-yard maker but luckily bombing a drive is not necessary at this hole.

The green is one of the largest I have ever seen with a curved false front. This deceptive design makes you think the pin is closer than it appears. Trust the distance and hit and knock it stiff!