DORAL GOLF RESORT AND SPA (305-592-2000)
BLUE MONSTER GOLF COURSE
Florida Golf Course Review 6/15/03
The Blue Monster at Doral is home to the PGA Tour's Doral-Ryder Open, and is the most well known of the five
championship layouts at this resort. The PGA Tour event is that is held each year in February has to be one of
the pro's favorites, as the amenities here are remarkable. For the golfing public, it is a treat to be able to stay
here and play courses frequented by professional players - and to enjoy the first class service afforded all guests
. Besides the 5 championship courses and practice facilities, the Doral Resort provides first class
accommodations, a full service spa, swimming pools, workout facility, fine and casual dining, children's
programs, and other top notch recreational opportunities and amenities. Once here - you will not need your car
! For more info, visit our detailed page for the resort with direct link to their website by clicking here
The course is aptly named, because of the treacherous water hazards and deep Bermuda rough - that literally
eats balls. Keeping the ball in the fairway is of utmost importance - anything landing past the initial cut creates
difficult up and downs. The rough presents a great spectrum of lies - from those of the fluffy variety (that require a
flatter swing plane - as if hitting off a tee), to those completely buried (and difficult to find). It definitely takes some
getting used to. Generally, the wild Bermuda will grab the club face and create pulls or flatly hit shots. Land on the
fairway, and scoring well becomes infinitely easier. Accurate approaches are most often rewarded with good
putting opportunities on high quality, true rolling greens. There are only six holes with water hazards in play, but all
six require accurate iron shots, and are even more difficult if the wind is up. A total of 95 sand bunkers require attention as they are placed in strategic locations along the fairways and green side.
The Blue Monster has four sets of tees, measuring 7125 total yards. The tips play to a 130 slope, while the blue
tees measure 6701 yards with a 125 slope. As the 118 slope rating indicates, the white tees, at 6281 yards,
provide a good option for mid to high handicappers and resort golfers. From these tees, the par threes are very
playable, and there are no par fours over 390 yards in length. Forward tee players receive a significant break from the few forced carries, as the reds measure 5392 yards, with a 124 slope.
A key to scoring well here is to play well on the par fives. Three of the four are reasonable in length (between 475 and 507 yards from the white tees), with the twelfth covering 563 yard from these tees.
The course utilizes the Kirby marking system, with yardage plates on the fairways every 25 yards between 75
and 200 yards out (250 on par fives). Sprinkler heads are also measured to the center of the green, and the
markings on the cart paths at 100/150/200 are a much appreciated feature. Hole locations are indicated on daily pin placement cards.
The first tee is located just in front of the gorgeous and expansive clubhouse and terrace which is an ideal spot
for a quick breakfast or lunch. As opening holes go, this is a great introduction. At 529 yards from the tips, this
par five is reachable in two by long hitters, although the uphill approach to a heavily bunkered green complex
requires accuracy. Number two presents one of the best birdie opportunities of the round, if you can again avoid
the numerous sand traps. These two holes are a good warm up for the #1 handicapped par four third. This is a
dogleg right that demands a left to right shot shape, followed by a well placed mid iron to a tight green complex
with water all along the right. Bunkers left and more water right help the par three 4th earn the # 3 handicap -
which is quite unusual for a three par. At 236 yards, this is one tough hole from the tips. Numbers 5 and 6 bend
slightly to the left, provide ample fairways, and are good scoring holes. There also is plenty of room off the tee on
seven. Avoiding the fairway bunkers is vital to scoring well on these three holes. The eighth presents a
risk/reward opportunity for long hitters, who may elect to attempt to reach this short par five in two. For the
average golfer, a lay up on the second shot to the 75 yard marker is the safe play. If the wind is up, the ninth is
quite treacherous. The putting complex slopes off towards the water hazard - long is preferable to short here.
The back nine plays quite long - 3614 from the tips, 3405 from the blues, 3200 from the whites and 2756 from
the forward tees. The tenth bends sharply left, and is quite score-able if the water hazard along that side can be
avoided. The # 18 handicapped eleventh is intimidating at first look, with a huge bunker complex sitting in the
middle of the fairway. There is ample room on both sides however. Land anywhere on the fairway and an
approach for birdie is a good bet. Twelve plays to 603 yards from the tips, and is a true 3-shot hole. The
generous fairway is well bunkered. The longest par three of the layout is next (245 from the championship tees) -
and is the number two handicap. This precedes a tough par four which bends left but is difficult to cut because of
fairway traps on that side. 15 plays to a raised green with a deep bunker in front, and is followed by another
dogleg left four par with plenty of bunkering. A tee shot placed over the right edge of the left fairway trap should
leave an easy approach. The 17th is also score-able, though the fairway and greenside bunkers have to be
negotiated. By this point in the round, most golfers will have had numerous experiences playing in the sand,
which on many occasions is preferable to playing from the surrounding rough. The closing hole is an extremely
challenging par four. Long hitters may be able to carry the waste bunker along the left, cut off some distance, and
approach the green over water. A more prudent drive will land on the fairway past the right edge of the large trap.
From this point, a challenging approach must carry the edge of the water and avoid the greenside traps just past
the putting surface. If the wind is up, this is a difficult proposition. Reaching in regulation requires two great shots on this hole!
This is a fine layout, with excellent conditioning from tee to green, and will require a concentrated effort to score
well. It is also quite beautiful with numerous palms and abundant tropical foliage. The Blue Monster is one of 5
championship courses at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa. Upscale accommodations and resort amenities
including a full service spa, swimming pools, workout facilities, and fine and casual dining are available on the
650 landscaped acres. A double ended driving range and 3 putting greens, a sprawling and well-stocked pro
shop, as well as the John McLean Golf School are also on property. You will have to look long and hard to find a resort featuring 5 courses and facilities of this magnitude - right outside your door.
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf Detailed Information page with a link to this course's web page (if available).
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf information page on the Doral Resort.
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