Built on the pleasure of the unexpected, Miami has drawn people searching for extraordinary experiences for nearly a century and the range and quality of its golf courses and their often dazzling, supernatural settings are part of that allure now more than ever. Impossible in most geographic locations, playing a round of golf at any time during the year, in semi-tropical temperatures, Miami has drawn some of the world's best players, course designers and tournaments, making it an absolute Mecca when exploring golf in America. And this being America, naturally there seems to be a course for every skill level, schedule and budget. The bonus shared by all golfers in the area is the excellence that has become standard - design, maintenance, service, and, of course, setting - making it possible to experience courses that are often rated near the top in their category.
     And the experience you are looking for will be directly related to its price tag. A weekday morning's round at a public course can be as little as $40 and a package at a resort such as the Doral, complete with golf clinics, tennis, spa treatments and a day camp for kids can go for upwards of $300 per person, per night. It is fairly easy to book a tee time, but doing so in advance is strongly recommended. At the Doral for example, priority is given to the resort's guests, but for a pre-book fee, outside players can book up to 30 days ahead.

Signature shot - Blue Monster #8 overlooking resort

Doral's 18th hole, the Blue Monster

View of Doral Red Course, with water hazard

Doral's Gold Course

Aerial view of Doral's Silver Course

Crandon Park Golf Course

The Courses
     Sprawling over 650 acres, The Doral Country Club is the grand daddy of clubs in South Florida. The club maintains five courses - the best being the Blue Monster. Rated one of the best in the country, the par 72 course was designed in 1960 by Dick Wilson and was restored in 1996. Some of the highlights of this challenging course include its formidable length of 7,125 yards, the numerous bunkers (restored in 1999) and the splendid landscaping. Of special note is the 4th hole - the hardest par 3 on the course. A near miss here is certain agony. Two deep bunkers on the left and water on the right are ominous and foreboding, but triumph over them is a total rush. On the 18th hole, the right hand corner of the dogleg has a sand trap surrounding the water hazard that stretches into palm trees near the landing zone. Don't feel badly if you have a tough time here - it is considered the most difficult hole on the PGA Tour. The Genuity Cup is held here in late February every year; for 2002 the dates are February 25-March 3. The other courses at Doral - the Red, Gold, White and Silver courses are also all well worth the challenge. Being a resort, Doral offers nearly 700 guestrooms in lodges around the clubhouse, a spa, the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center and the Blue Lagoon water recreation park. Eighteen holes will run from $125 for the Gold course to $195 for the Blue Monster. There are some excellent specials being offered this year, the best being $185 per night, including a round of golf and breakfast.
     Crandon Park is probably the best deal in Miami. Rated one of the top 50 public courses in the United States by Golf Magazine, the course has spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline, while providing for excellent, challenging golf at a very good price (peak season $98). Designed in 1972 by Devlin/Von Hagge and restored in 1993, the course is a favourite of many on the PGA Senior Tour who compete in the Royal Caribbean Classic yearly. Here's why. The solid layout seems in some places, like a Scottish course, the fairways are kept in excellent shape with an often challenging approach to the greens, and the greens themselves often undulate and are very fast. At 7,180 yards the course seems enormous, due in part to the fact it is surrounded by water - it is located on Key Biscayne - and has 11 water holes. Highlights include the 432 yards 7th hole with a blind landing area tucked behind a mangrove swamp - complete with resident crocodiles. Hole number 11, at 435 yards, with deep-set bunkers, palm trees as potential obstacles and one of the courses seven saltwater lakes, is also a force to be reckoned with. There is only one caveat on this course. Get an early tee time as by mid afternoon the play becomes very slow. The scenery here is stunning. Filled with native vegetation and in an area protected from development, the park attracts iguanas, pelicans, parrots, herons and egrets. Most golfers visiting Miami consider Crandon a MUST PLAY.
     If you have the time and the funds after playing Doral and Crandon there are several other excellent courses to choose from: The International Links, Golf Club of Miami and the California Club among them. All these courses are favourites with locals. The International Links has recently been refurbished and charges about $90 a round. It is known for its "Heartbreak Ridge" - hole number 14 - comprised of 439 yards of calculation culminating on an island green. The course requires stamina; it becomes more challenging as you progress through it. At the Golf Club of Miami the PGA maintains three courses with the stated objective of providing the public with the ability to experience PCA quality golf. It has a new clubhouse and restaurant and an illustrious past - Jack Nicklaus played his first pro tournament here, Lee Trevino won his first pro title here, and Arnold Palmer was the club's first pro. Rates are from about $100.
     An excellent reference point to narrow your search is golfcourse.com, which has complete listings of every course in the area, user ratings, and amenities and travel services. If you are looking for playing partners and don't want to leave fate to choose them for you when you arrive at a course (often a scary proposition), check out 4forFORE.com. Their service matches golfers based on location, handicap, age, and even on cursing factor.

Social Studies
     Horse racing may be the sport of Kings, but in America golf is the sport of titans. It is said now that in order to truly succeed in the business world here you must be a competent, competitive golfer, for in business (and golf) competitiveness is next to godliness. Golf etiquette is essentially universal and very rarely does a seasoned golfer from either side of the Atlantic have an awkward moment. Pace of play, consideration before and during a stroke, priority of two ball matches over three or four and such are the same everywhere. Where the differences lie are in the nuances of social interaction. As for noticeable differences on the courses, environmentally sensitive areas are on many courses in Miami and are marked by white, red or yellow stakes with green tops and are declared sensitive by US government agencies. Players may not enter an area to retrieve or play a ball.
     Golf is a game of duality. On the surface it is a gentlemanly game, steeped in rules and tradition. Those who play here are often fierce in their competition and as anyone who has lost a round by one putt can attest, your thoughts are anything but gentlemanly, masked only by gritting your teeth as you say "great shot". It is a game where innovation and the advantages it offers are strived for, yet tradition still holds sway. The main thing to remember here is The Rules rule.
     As for current topics of discussion on Miami courses (besides business), the most popular seems to be the debate about technological advances and their effect on classic golf. Purists argue that speciality balls, metal woods, and titanium itself are changing the nature of the game and should be limited. The innovators on the other hand say that purists have been decrying advances for over a hundred years. In the same vein, there is a trend towards, and growing desire for, new courses designed in the traditional sense, with environmentally sound maintenance practices that limit erosion, pollution and habitat loss. You will also see far more women on Miami courses than elsewhere. It is estimated that over 30% of people golfing here are women - many are formidable players. Dress codes are somewhat relaxed in Miami, especially at the public courses, but collared shirts and spikeless shoes are pretty much de rigueur.
     For a quick, anecdotal primer on the American golf experience pick up Chicken Soup for the Golfer's Soul - published by HCI, it's full of humorous insights.

The Goodies
     American golfers love technology as much as anyone and the most popular toy today seems to be the Yardage Pro Range Finder by Bushnell. For about $250 it measures distances of up to 1000 yards using a laser, even in the rain, and weighs less than 400 grams. Another new favourite is Sonartec Driving Cavity. Designed as a 3 wood, its purpose is to reduce contact with the ground and raise the center of gravity of the ball to enable a better trajectory. It sells for about $265. More a necessity than a toy, Nike's Air Tour GT shoes are a hot commodity again this year. They are comfortable, look great and best of all have a 2 year waterproof warranty - a definite bonus for anyone who golfs regularly in Britain.

The Ratings
     Golf is a ratings game - you against your opponents, you on a course, the courses against each other, the pros, even caddies are often rated. Here are some guidelines to the best in Miami:

     Miami is known as a Mecca of escape - from oppressive cold, from oppressive taxes, and from old age. Golfers see it a little differently, more an experience than an escape, and an experience that is unrivalled, for within minutes of this very real, tactile thrill are the thrills of Miami's other creations - but that is another story. And by the way, iguanas are very shy creatures and will scamper off long before you get close enough to decide whether to go over or around them.

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