MIROMAR LAKES GOLF CLUB (239-482-7644)
Florida Golf Course Review
Note: This course is available to play by members, reciprocal members and guests of members only.
Miromar Lakes is the only Arthur Hills Signature Championship course in Southwest Florida, a beautiful and upscale golfing experience that plays as tough as you like. From the
gold 7403 yard tee areas, the layout has earned a 145 slope and 76.2 slope rating. The white tees on the other hand, play to a manageable 5788 with a 118 slope for men and 126
for women. In between golfers will find alternate sets with the blacks at 6811/128 slope, and the blues at a reasonable 6292 with a 126 slope rating. The forward tees provide a
good deal of relief from considerable hazards, and measure 5226 yards while rated with a 118 slope.
Featuring Tif-Eagle grass on the putting surfaces, Miromar Lakes provides excellent rolls on the large, mildly undulating greens. Generous, sculpted fairways and high quality soft
sand bunkers are found along a gently rolling terrain featuring abundant water hazards - without long, forced carries. Many of the green complexes present raised putting surfaces
protected by flat sand bunkers with high grass walls. Most of the challenging water holes have sufficient bail out areas, and the ample landing areas on the fairways make
Miromar Lakes playable for all levels of golfers. A key to scoring well is to avoid the center fairway traps that are a unique characteristic on many of the par fours and fives.
A small but efficient temporary clubhouse features a pro shop and snack bar, with plans in the works for a luxurious contemporary facility. Practice facilities include a large grass
range with complimentary balls, a short game area with practice bunkers, and putting/chipping greens. On course players will find that the Par View GPS on all carts provides
exact measurements and useful tips and information from tee to the pin. Sprinkler heads are also measured to the center of each green. The cart paths are wonderfully
landscaped with palm trees, pampas and native vegetation, re-enforcing the stunning appearance of the course itself.
The opening hole is a reasonable par four with bunkers left and a water hazard on the right that comes into play about 100 yards out, making for a tight approach. The second hole
is the course's # 1 handicap, playing a wholesome 480 yards from the tips (411 from the blue tees). There is plenty of room off the tee, but the water along the right creeps in
towards the fairway about 70 yards from the green. The par three third is simple if you can avoid the 3 deep bunkers in front, and the par four 4th makes it too very score-able
holes in a row. At just 340 yards from the blues, this hole demands a short carry over water to a wide fairway - with an easy approach awaiting any shots landing on the short
grass. Five doglegs right with adequate landing areas on either side of the center fairway trap. This hole can also be had. Another center fairway bunker awaits on six, with the left
side being preferential. Water all along the right squeezes the fairway from 60 yards in, and slopes towards the hazard. There is a huge bunker right and a grass collection area
short and left on the par three 7th, which nonetheless is a good scoring hole. Just left of the center fairway bunkers is good on eight, which is the safe and recommended route.
Long hitters who attempt to reach this five par in two must be wary of the water hazard that will gobble up mis-hit approaches short of the green on the right side. The closing hole
on the front earns the name "Stadium" as the narrow fairway is bordered by high mounds on either side, which may funnel slightly offline shots towards the center. The putting
surface here is quite long and narrow, so pay attention to the pin placement.
The back side at Miromar Lakes is a bit longer, and features 3 par fours that measure 499, 478 and 467 from the tips! Number ten is long from either of the back tees, but plays a
reasonable 383 from the blues. On the short par four 11th, a lay up to the left side of the fairway bunkers is recommended off the tee. The approach to an elevated green is a
challenging one, with water left and past, plus a large collection area right of the putting surface. Twelve doglegs left - actually horseshoes over and around a lake, with another
hazard situated through the fairway. This long par four is difficult to reach in regulation. The par three 13th invites a shot aimed at the left side of the green, with anything to the right
flirting with trouble. The par four 14th is best played with a tee shot hit near the 150 in the center, as water along the left can come into play off the tee for long hitters. More water left
makes the tee shot, particularly from the back tees, very tight on 15. The hazard squeezes the fairway about 200 yards in, and the approach plays to a double tiered putting surface.
The second of back to back par fives is also bordered by a lake on the left that runs the length of the hole. The green complex is a beautiful one, and looks especially compelling at
sunset (pictured here). Avoid the center fairway trap and this is a score-able hole. There is water left and a bunker to the right of the slightly raised green on the par three 17th - the
last of the par threes that are ranked as the 15th-18th handicaps. On the finishing hole golfers will find an ample landing area on a fairway that is flanked by water left and a waste
bunker along the right. The green sits precariously close to the hazard.
Miromar Lakes is an upscale golfing experience with an interesting design, beautiful aesthetic feel, and country club conditioning. Never met an Arthur Hills layout that I did not
enjoy - and Miromar Lakes is one of the best. The course is easily accessible from Naples or Ft. Myers - situated just a few miles from I-75 at Exit 131 (Daniels Road).
Click here to visit the Two Guys Who Golf Detailed Information page with a link to this course's web page (if available).
|
