Bully Pulpit Golf Course, Medora, North Dakota ? a Golf Course Designed in the Spirit of Teddy Roosevelt, in the Badlands of North Dakota

The term "Bully Pulpit'' was used by President Theodore Roosevelt to describe the White House, a terrific platform from which he and other presidents could forcefully advocate an agenda. Bully Pulpit Golf Course sits upon its own "platform'' at the edge of the Theodore Roosevelt National Park, amid the rugged, ragged mountains of the Badlands of North Dakota.

The course is the design of world-renowned golf course architect Dr. Michael Hurdzan, and features holes that play in woodlands, meadows and follow the meandering Little Missouri River. On the back nine, several holes are carved from the rugged Badlands themselves and feature elevation changes of up to 200 feet to go along with the area's confounding canyon winds.

The 18-hole, par-72 course plays to 7,166 yards from the back tees, with a USGA rating of 75.4 and a slope rating of 133. The holes on the front nine are level for the most part, and flow along the Little Missouri River and through forests and wild grasses. Sully Creek also comes into play, making for a picturesque nine that also includes petrified chunks of wood and colorful buttes.

The bunkers on the course are said to be especially challenging because of the deep grass that surrounds them. And the back nine adds even more challenge, as the course climbs into the buttes, crosses several bridges and adds some dramatic elevation changes and forced carries to the equation.

Some of the most noteworthy holes on the course include No. 8, a par-3 that plays to 195 yards from the Black tees, but only 137 yards from the Whites. From the tee boxes nestled in a tunnel of smaller trees, golfers must contend with the sight of Davis Creek and the scrub, which tracks this hole from tee to green.

On Hole No. 13, things start to get really interesting. This par-4 plays to only 318 yards from the back tees, tempting many golfers to go for the green. A creek crosses the hole right before the start of the fairway, and there are two landing areas from which to choose. Hitting to the lower fairway will shorten the hole, but it's narrow and guarded by trees right and bunkers left. The much larger fairway landing area is on the left, but regardless of ball position, approach shots must play to one of the most demanding green and bunker complexes on the course.

Hole No. 15 is one of the most photographed and perhaps most terrifying par-3s in golf. If viewed from above, the green and tee boxes would be the only specs of green amid rugged sandstone-colored mountains and rugged foothills. The hole only plays to 134 yards from the White tees, but it's hit-the-green-or-nothing on this hole, where golfers may come to know the meaning of the term "God's country.''

Since opening in 2004, the course has received its share of honors. That includes the distinction of being the first course in North Dakota to be named #1 in Golf Digest's annual rating of "New Affordable Courses.''

The course features a driving range and a clubhouse with a pro shop where rental clubs are also available. Sandwiches, snacks and drinks are also available at the Sagebrush Grill.