Waterfall and island green highlight Soffer Course at Turnberry Isle near Miami, Florida

AVENTURA, Fla. -- Located just north of Miami, the Turnberry Isle resort is home to a luxury hotel, ocean club and 36-hole golf club. The Soffer Course (named after the developer of the nearly 800 acres of land, which includes the resort, residences and a large shopping mall) is the longer of the two courses here. Like the next door Miller Course, it was significantly enhanced as part of a recent $150 million resort makeover. Turnberry Isle's Soffer Course features a wealth of bird life, water features and beautification, capped by a 64-foot waterfall next to an island 18th green. Another major benefit of the makeover was the installation of paspalum turf, which rolls firm and pure in the fairways and greens.

The Soffer Course can play plenty difficult at more than 7,000 yards and is mostly narrow playing along water and sand. The entire resort is squeezed onto about 300 acres on prime real estate just off the ocean, and holes wind next to each other and are guarded by a row of trees or higher mounds.

Both golf courses at Turnberry Isle are private and open only to members and guests of the hotel. Included in guest green fees is a forecaddie for each group. On site is a pro shop, double-sided driving range and golf school.