Every conceivable string wsas being pulled and the boys flew down to southern Florida for Super Bowl XLII, for this was just another excuse to get in a few more rounds. The first course I contacted was the famed Doral Golf Resort & Spa, and each time we tried to secure a tee time we were told it was full and reminded, “You know the Super Bowl is that week?” While we were in Miami, we tried TeeBone (http://www.teebone.com) and secured the White Course, better known as the Great White.
Doral, of course, is the home of the course known as the Blue Monster, but as any avid golfer can tell you, there is more to Doral than that one course. The “factory,” as we came to call it, has five courses, and the Super Bowl had them running nearly 24/7 during the week before the game. We played the Great White on Saturday.
Redesigned and reopened on December 6, 2005, the new Greg Norman design provides a balanced challenge for every level. There are hundreds of bunkers, strong prevailing winds, thousands of palm trees (this was the most dramatic change) and a large number of water hazards. “Coquina” or crushed seashells are prevalent on many holes and add to the course challenge. Norman used native trees and Scottish-style bunkering on the 14 holes where water comes into play to add to the charm of the layout. Bunker quality and drainage were a key factor to the course redesign. As Greg Norman said, “The Great White is a departure that complements the other four courses at Doral very well.”
Hole 3 (360 yards, par 4)
As you ponder your shot from the tee, think like Clint Eastwood: “Do you feel lucky?” You must decide whether to cut the corner on this dogleg left or to take the safe bet and aim right. Neither is completely safe as the risky shot could land you in the drink and the “safe” shot means your approach is over three deep bunkers guarding the green. It’s your decision.
Hole 4 (195 yards, par 3)
Your shot off the tee must carry water all the way to the green. Tee shots that fade off to the left may also become wet. The only safe area, to the right, is protected by two bunkers. This layout, coupled with the changing wind, makes this a very difficult par three.
Hole 5 (572 yards, par 5)
Some might think that Norman received a discount on his purchase of coquina when they see the amount of crushed seashells to the left and right of this fairway. From the box, two large trees “beautifully frame this long par 5,” or at least that’s what the yardage book says. I can tell you that slamming your ball into one of them and having it fall into the coquina is not so beautiful. Hole five is a long par five; you will need to stay out of harm’s way and have three clean shots to make par. Take care on your approach as a series of bunkers guard the green on the left and a native area on the right will catch those who meander in that direction.
Hole 9 (434 yards, par 4)
How much do you want to cut off and how much do you want to risk? That is the question of the day. Choose your angle of attack from the tee box. This slight dogleg left creates a real dilemma as water runs the entire length of the left side. On the right side of the landing area are two traps, which will make your chance of hitting the green in regulation even more difficult. Once you have made your perfect drive, you are ready to approach the green with a high to midiron. Just remember that this green is narrow, three bunkers guard the approach on the right and the water is on the left.
Hole 14 (602 yards, par 5)
This long par five double dogleg makes you think for each shot. Off the tee, you must avoid the clump of trees on the right (and the coquina in which they grow). The landing area is very small and your second shot again must stay clear of the trees on the right and avoid the water that runs along the left side of the fairway starting about 200 yards before the green. The green is very small and protected by the water on the left and two bunkers in front. Making par will be an achievement here.
Hole 16 (194 yards, par 3)
Water, water everywhere … and you will be wondering how you will walk away dry from this hole. From the tee box there is no margin for error, with water in front and on the right of the green and twin bunkers protecting the left flank.
Hole 17 (452 yards, par 4)
A drive down the left side of this fairway will put you in perfect position for this dogleg left, but not too far as you need to avoid the trees and your old friend the coquina. A position to the left will leave you a shorter approach to the green, but this is a long hole and there are six traps to the far right to catch those who fade on this shot. The green is a large double shared with hole 13.
Hole 18 (529 yards, par 5)
Brace yourself for a good finishing hole. (It was the end for some of my group.) I happily drove my ball perfectly down the center, and proudly walked to it while watching my fellow golfers pounding out of the coquina left and right to put their balls back into play. A pair of traps on both sides of the fairway can catch any drive left or right of your target. The second shot must be carefully (or luckily, in my case) placed, hugging the left side of the fairway crossing over a coquina waste bunker that cuts across the entire hole and avoiding the water that comes into play on the right. The water runs from about 100 yards from the green up the entire right side and is very close to the green. Two traps guard the front, and three catch balls in the back.
DORAL GOLF RESORT & SPA
4400 NW 87th Ave.
Miami, FL 33178
tel 800 71 DORAL
Read This Next
Continental Airlines Business Class
2007
Jan 2, 2013
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedSeptember 2023
Sep 23, 2023When the Sun Goes Down, the Party Begins on Mykonos
There is something magical about sipping a glass of local wine while watching the sun slip into the Aegean Sea as the afterglow tinges traditional, white-washed Cycladic houses with glorious shades of rose, purple and gold. Ancient Greeks believed Helios, the Sun God, caused sunsets by driving his fiery chariot into the sea. Standing at water’s edge in Mykonos, watching the sky slowly turn from purple to inky black, you almost believe it.
Sponsored Content
Interior Upgrades Begin Rolling Out Across United Fleet
United Airlines is in the midst of a major initiative to modernize its fleet over the next several years. After first announcing the plan in 2021, planes fitted with United’s signature interior are finally beginning to appear across the airline’s narrowbody fleet of Boeing and Airbus planes. United flyers are sure to notice these enhancements from the moment they step on board: Each new or updated plane sports remodeled seats, seatback entertainment screens for everyone, Bluetooth connectivity and more, all adding up to a better experience on every journey.
Daily
Sep 22, 2023Portraits of Some of Europe’s Most Unique Museum Shops
The prospect of a post-visit treasure hunting session inside the shops of landmark museums such as the Louvre in Paris, the Uffizi Gallery in Florence and The British Museum in London can be irresistible. However, some of Europe’s smaller and more unusual museums boast retail spaces with a surprising “wow” factor, often as well-curated as the galleries.
Daily
Sep 22, 2023Hyatt Has Much in Store for North America Through 2025
Hyatt Hotels recently announced plans to add more than 30 new luxury and lifestyle hotels and resorts to its U.S., Canada, Latin America and Caribbean portfolio through 2025. These new hotels and resorts span many of Hyatt Hotels’ brands including Park Hyatt, Dream Hotels, Thompson Hotels and Destination by Hyatt.
Sponsored Content
Greece: A Life-Changing Experience
Experience the life-changing destination of Greece by exploring its island gems in the Ionian Sea. Scattered off the western coastline of Central Greece, to the south of Peloponnese, the Ionian Islands are an island group comprising large and small islands.
September 2023
Sep 22, 2023Cruise Alaska for Awe-Inspiring Adventures to Delight All Ages
I hadn’t even made it to my first cup of coffee when I got an early phone call from my sister, who lives two time zones away. “OMG, Kristy, Patsy Cline came on twice while I was driving the kids to school today,” she laughed. “You know what that means, right?” We both gasped and then instantly began singing the lyrics to “La Bamba,” an inside joke we’d shared since our family’s Alaskan cruise decades ago when we, unintentionally, won the ship’s karaoke contest among a sea of Patsy Cline tributes.
Great Bring-Alongs for Fall Adventure Travel
Daily
Sep 21, 2023The Lancaster Hotel Review
eFlyer Reviews
Sep 20, 2023eFlyer News
Sep 20, 2023The Woodward Geneva Partners with Swiss International Air Lines for Culinary Journey
The Woodward Geneva and Swiss International Air Lines recently launched a new collaboration to transport passengers to the counter of Michelin-starred restaurant L’Atelier Robuchon. As part of the SWISS Taste of Switzerland inflight culinary program, the partnership provides Business and first-class travelers on SWISS long-haul flights departing from Geneva and Zürich carefully curated menus inspired by the restaurant.
Sponsored Content
Exclusive Savings: Cruise Along the Danube River with Global Traveler
Exclusive Sailing with Global Traveler
eFlyer News
Sep 20, 2023Nobu Hospitality Enters Egypt with 2 Luxury Hotels, Restaurants and Residences
In partnership with Nobu Hospitality, SODIC, Egypt’s leading real estate developer, recently announced plans on the expansion of the Nobu brand in Egypt. This expansion entails the development of luxury hotels, branded residences and the acclaimed Nobu restaurant.
ShareThis