There are so many houses going in, it seems only natural that the course should expand as well.

The Lincoln Hills Club has grown almost as quickly as the exploding Lincoln area. The course just opened its fourth nine, making it one of the few public 36-hole facilities in the area.

The original 18 holes, which hosted the LPGA Longs Drugs Challenge in 2003, now are spread out over both the Hills and Orchard 18s.

Both layouts are solid, using the original holes at the start and finish.

The new holes mesh well with the old, with the constants being large, undulating greens and plenty of big bunkers.

The Hills Course starts with the first seven holes of the original design, including a gentle, short, downhill par-4 to start your day.

Get warmed up in a hurry, because the second hole is a monster, an uphill par-5 with the tee-off over water. The hazard continues up the right side to a green protected on the right by water and on the left by bunkers.

Take the turn with the new holes, all solid par-4s of varying lengths.

Among the highlights of the new holes is the beautiful stretch of Nos. 11-13, a long, dogleg-left par-4 followed by a short, downhill par-3 into the wind, finishing with a very short par-5 to a wicked, two-tiered green.

The Hills course finishes with Nos. 8-9 off the original layout, two short par-4s that should help you end your day with a smile on your face.

If you want to go for 36 holes, or if you just want to play the other side, the Orchards Course offers a longer challenge but one with fewer hazards.

The first three holes are off the original 18, and are among the toughest on the entire complex. No. 1 is a long par-4 with a side-hill on the right and bunkers left off the tee.

No. 2 is a beauty, a long, downhill par-5 with seven huge bunkers guarding the tee shot and the green.

No. 3 is a short 4, but one that requires a long carry over a hazard off the tee.

The new holes are great, but the first few are tough as well.

Highlights include No. 4, a short par-3 with one of the nastiest greens you'll ever see. No. 5 is a long par-4 with huge bunkers creating a long carry on the approach. No. 6 is short 4 with an approach over a hazard to another tough, two-tiered green.

Make up shots around the turn, with a short par-5 at No. 8, a short 4 at No. 9, another short 5 at 10 and a short 3 at 11.

The last five holes are off the original layout, including a beautiful, uphill par-5 at No. 17 and the finish, a dogleg-left par-4 with water guarding the left side of the green.

There is a huge upside at Lincoln Hills. These are two solid layouts, with the accent on approach shots. Sand is the main hazard throughout, but most of the fairways don't squeeze you in too tightly.

The courses are well maintained, and the new holes will only get better with age. The greens are fast and there are huge breaks, but they do roll true.

Some frustration arises from the fact that the GPS system on the carts doesn't include the new holes yet. This is more of a problem on the Orchard Course, with contains the newest nine holes. Use the sprinkler-head yardage and you should be fine.

The middle holes of the Orchard Course also border most of the new-home construction. But houses are only a problem on a few of the holes.

These problems are minor. Both courses are excellent, with plenty of variety and birdie opportunities mixed in with the monsters.

There are huge distances between holes, one of the reasons the LPGA pulled out of Lincoln Hills. But the $55 weekday rate includes a cart, which is a necessity.

It also includes range balls and water. And the range is all grass, another advantage which is hard to beat.

Directions - Take Interstate 80 east to Lincoln. Take Highway 65 north, and turn right on Sterling Parkway. Turn right on Lincoln Parkway, left on Del Webb Boulevard and right on Sun City Lane.