Earlier this month, the world's best golfers took on Trump National Miami's Blue Monster course. But reviews submitted to Golf Advisor are showing it wasn't the only course at the property leaving a lasting impression.
The Silver Fox Course (formerly the Jim McLean Signature course prior to Donald Trump's purchase of the resort in 2012), earned strong enough reviews during the first week to come out on top as our best course of the week according to user-submitted ratings.
Reviewer Scott Oliver, who also reviewed Don Shula's Golf Club on his visit to Miami, left very impressed.
"All you could ask for," he wrote. "The pace of play was great. The conditions were terrific. And the course provides all of the challenge you could want. Of course all of the amenities are first class at the resort. The silver course is an excellent value."
The Silver Fox, in the past six months, is the highest rated of the four courses at Trump National Doral Miami, which is something to consider if you're hesitant about taking on the expensive and difficult Blue Monster, but still want to experience a Donald Trump golf property. (The courses are available to the golfing public without a mandatory stay at the resort.)
As we enter the spring golf season, the top courses of the week on Golf Advisor feature those almost exclusively around Florida and the desert southwest in destinations like Palm Springs and Phoenix-Scottsdale. And perhaps fitting that during the week of the Arnold Palmer Bay Hill Invitational, two Palmer designs cracked the week's top ten.
Top 10 courses of the week
Miami
Borrego Springs, Calif.
Rancho Mirage, Calif.
Phoenix
Orlando, Fla.
La Quinta, Calif.
Moorpark, Calif.
Winter Garden, Fla.
Phoenix
Davenport, Fla.
Review image of the week
While most of our reviews are of north American courses, we're always thrilled to see course reviews from across the pond. This image comes from a reviewer who was fortunate enough to play Spain's prestigious Valderrama, which hosted the 1997 Ryder Cup Matches. This image features one of the more exposed green locations that overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.
Featured Review of the week: Ocean Course at Kiawah Island
The featured review comes from zbuechner4, a 5-9 handicap and one of our Top-250 contributors with over 30 course reviews filed at Golf Advisor. Here's what he wrote about his round on the infamous Ocean experience:
The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island is unlike any other course I have ever played and I absolutely loved it! From the moment we drove in, the caddies assisted us with our bags and answered all of our questions to make sure we took full advantage of our experience. The clubhouse was appropriately sized but incredible nonetheless. My buddy had the breakfast sandwich, which he raved about the entire day and I had a turkey sandwich at the turn which was good. The pro shop was stocked with anything you could want and it was difficult not to spend my life savings in there! As for the golf, words can't express how awesome this course is. However, I'll do my best. The range is flat and simple but the wind is treacherous and can really actually help you prepare for the fist fight of a golf round you're about to experience. Once we warmed up, our caddie took us on a cart to get to the first tee where we were dropped off and greeted by the starter. Shane was our caddie and I'm so glad we had him there guiding us through this course cause it was tough! The wind was gusting at about 20-30mph but it was sunny and 55 degrees so it was good weather just made certain holes play a LOT longer than normal. But others were downwind which gave us a slight advantage. The greens were super quick but rolled perfectly true, as you would expect on a big time course like this. I will say this, if the wind doesn't blow, this course can play fairly easy, as the fairways are open and there aren't many trees at all. But that's a big IF! All golfers need to make the trip to play the ocean course at least once in their lifetime. It's a special place and is a blast to play. Tip: Grab more club than you need and maybe one more. I never hit a shot that was too long but I definitely had a few that were short. Also, putt every chance you get because the majority of the grass is so closely mowed that it will act like a green and chipping into the wrong spot can lead to high numbers quickly on these greens.
Review sample size is between Feb 29-March 13th and a minimum of four reviews are required to be eligible.
