luisluacesgolf2017

This is one of the original courses of Miami, well designed that still stands as a good and challenging test of accuracy and distance control.

In Granada, my son learned to play, my wife learned to play and many of my friends hone their games every week in Granada. In the center of Coral Gables, Granada is a nine hole beauty with wide fairways, undulating greens and firm fairways giving you a decent run on your drives. Most of the greens run from back to front but not all are too inclined, calculating the speed of the greens is crucial to make a birdie. We play there at least once a week and they have seasons memberships that pays for themselves. Friendly fairways and difficult greens make Granada a real challenge for a nine hole walk anytime.

Miami Springs was the home of the Miami Open until 1955. A course where Palmer, Nicklaus, Sarazen, Snead and many other stars of the past played, it still maintains its love me/love me not face. The course has been in remodeling mode since last year and the city has input many $ to renew the bunkers, greens and common areas. The club house is also getting remodeled to a sports bar feeling, with all the amenities, refreshments and great food. Chicken wings are really good and the Philly steak sandwich good as well.
The greens run true, not that speedy like other courses to the north of Miami but true. Fairways are ample and almost from anywhere you could get on the greens. Springs has some of the most challenging par threes in all of Miami, (#4, #8, #12, #16) be cause of distance or elevation. Back nine has three par fours that could be for any average player a par five due to its distance, dog leg angles and green protection. Overall a great course design, wide fairways and difficult greens make Miami Springs one of my favorites of S. Florida.

Hammock Bay is another great gem of a course in the Marco/Naples area. The course is always in super conditions, the staff is friendly and very accommodating to your needs. The facilities are real good and the 19th hole's Steak sandwich, MMM.
Pace of play was good for a Saturday morning, Greens rolled really good, sometimes too good. Just a good course to play more than once a season. I will try to return more often.

The Rookery is a piece of heaven close to Marco Island and Naples Florida. The course staff, very friendly, course conditions extremely good and to watch the sunrise from the first tee was amazing. To feel the marsh and wet lands wake up to the sun, breath that fresh ocean breeze just great. I go back two or more times a year, I am fortunate to live just 1.30 minutes away in Miami. My wife and friends love it, my son feels its a real challenge from the blue tees. I just love the design and the conditions of the greens.