Best country club/swim club: Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.

It's like being at the ocean. At the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., lap swimmers can swim toward the stretch of waves ahead of them without the mess of salt, sand and sea creatures.

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, this aquatics facility boasts five vessels for all ages and activities: a lap pool; a high-tides pool; a family pool with water slide and zero-depth entry; a wading pool; and a spa. In addition, the club uses the ocean as part of its aquatics programming, offering classes in sailing and surfing.

All these were incorporated in response to an overwhelmingly increase in membership. In 2004, the club reconstructed the family pool to accommodate swim lessons, swim team and a diverse group of patrons. To do so, it turned the deep end into five 25yard lanes, and added a zero-entry at the shallow end with a slide.

With proximity to the ocean comes the danger of Florida hurricanes, as this club knows firsthand. As each storm passed, often leaving 8 to 10 inches of sand in common areas, the staff learned to deal with flyaway furniture, cleaning needs and deck protection. Such lessons have taken days off post-cleanup efforts, ...