DORAL GOLF RESORT AND SPA (305-592-2000)
GREAT WHITE GOLF COURSE (Course Architect - Greg Norman)
Florida Golf Course Review 06-14-03
The Great White at Doral is one of Florida's most unique layouts. This 7171 yard Greg Norman design is replete with water hazards (12 holes have water in play) and also features, by our count, 237 sand
bunkers. This is in addition to the abundant waste areas that are encountered consistently throughout the course. Those with a phobia of sand can be afforded some assurance, in that all the bunkers a
relatively small. These hazards are of the pot bunker variety, about 10 to 12 feet in diameter, and are filled with soft, high quality sand. That's the good news. The bad news is that the bermuda rough
surrounding the bunkers is hearty and knarly - and much tougher to judge than the traps themselves. The waste areas define the fairways on every hole and often serve as home for mature palms, many of the
coconut variety. Combine the lakes and ponds with the lush green of the fairways; throw in the surrounding sand waste areas plus fairway and greenside pot bunkers - and you have one unique
looking layout. Kazillions of beautiful palm trees and numerous marsh and natural areas also add to the
aesthetic beauty of the Great White. 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
A desert course in Florida? This is as close as you will get. Many tee areas lead towards large patches of green, surrounding by the acres of sand waste - reminiscent of target courses out west. A major
difference is that unless you find yourself behind a strand of palms, the waste areas usually afford good
lies, and are very playable. The well conditioned Bermuda fairways are usually quite generous, but often
feature pot bunkers in the middle or on both sides of the fairways - bringing to mind the links layouts
from across the ocean. So we have a links style layout, with fairways defined by palm trees and sand waste areas - plus holes demanding moderate carries over and around numerous water hazards. This
is quite a combination.
Four sets of tees, each with markings to the center of the green, provide a wide range of golfers an opportunity to enjoy a round here. Scratch players will appreciate the challenge from the tips (7171
yards/133 slope), and the blue tees are also tough (6679/128 slope). Most golfers will choose the white tee areas which measure 6085 yards with a 116 slope (135 for women). The forward tees eliminate
forced carries over water (off the tee), and measure 5026 yards. The course is wonderfully marked, with yardage plates at 100/150/200 and sprinkler heads measured to the center of the green. The pin
placement card diagrams the six available hole placements, and a yardage book is available for a nominal fee.
The beginning hole is a mid-length par five, and a fair opener. The perched green, with the surrounding rough sloping significantly downwards on all sides, provides the challenge to par here. Length is
required off the tee on number two, and on the par four third, which demands a carry over a water hazard. Cut off as much as you think you can handle - the fairway on the left side begins about 75 yards
from the green. The middle fairway bunker is a fair target. A carry over water is also called for on the par
three 4th. If you must error, the right side has a bit if room, but long left is trouble. Trees right and left
define the fairway on five, which provides more room to land than appears from the tee boxes. The marsh on the right comes into play about 110 yards out, making the approach difficult. Accuracy is the
name of the game on six. This par three features a putting surface that sits on a plateau, and slopes off
dramatically on all sides. You can grip it and rip it off the tee on the long par four 7th, which precedes a
pretty par three. An accurate short or mid iron is needed off the tee here, to land on the putting complex
that is surrounded on three sides by 26 pot bunkers. There is some room long in the grass swale behind
the green. The fairway on nine is ample, but a narrow approach with water left and bunkers right makes this the number 3 handicap.
The tenth runs nearly parallel to number one, and features a tight, palm lined fairway. Pot bunkers in front
and water immediately behind the green make this one of the most challenging approaches of the day. Eleven is a tough #12 handicap, as water left and bunkers right, along with the element of wind combine
to provide challenge here. 10 fairway bunkers and another 10 greenside are the defining characteristics
of the par 5 twelfth, which is followed by a reasonable par four. Reasonable that is, if you can avoid all of
the 24 pot bunkers that occupy a hundred yard parcel just left and in front of the huge green. With prior
course knowledge and an absence of a strong wind, one can imagine this four hole stretch as the most score-able of the course. The 14th begins with a generous fairway that narrows as you approach the
putting complex. At 547 yards from the whites, most golfers will be approaching the green on their third
shot, with a formidable water hazard immediately left. The fairway narrows about 100 yards out on 15,
and the green is the smallest one of the layout. Nonetheless, this is one of the best birdie holes on the
Great White. Sixteen is a pretty par three over water, with some room for error long. Aim left of the last
fairway bunker on the short par four 17th - the grouping of 30 small pot bunkers on the right begins
about 75 yards from the green. The 18th is also well bunkered - both on the fairway and near the putting
surface. Though short for a par five, it is tough to reach in two, with the water hazard sitting precariously in front and to the right side.
We found the Great White to be a very enjoyable round of golf. With the formidable water hazards and
prevailing winds, playing the entire round with the same ball is quite a feat, though the second and third
time through should help immensely with shot location and placement. There is great variety in design, and most golfers will use every club in their bag along the way.
The Great White 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, 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 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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