Turnberry Isle Miami Resort (Soffer course)

Turnberry Isle Miami Resort (Soffer course): Arriving at Turnberry Isle, one of Miami's classiest resorts, it is hard to imagine that behind the impressive resort hotel there is space enough for two top-quality championship golf courses. Formerly known as the North and South (now Miller and Soffer), both these Robert Trent Jones originals, have benefitted from a major redesign by Ray Floyd. The result is two excellently maintained, challenging and contrasting 18-hole layouts.

Space is not an issue as the Soffer course meanders through a myriad of small lakes and ponds, with gently contoured fairways, spectacular water features and more elevation change than is often the case in southern Florida. The overall feel here is more akin to a handsomely adorned desert oasis, than a golf course in the classic parkland genre. Palms, together with other tropical trees, an abundance of colourful flora and plenty of wood mulch, attractively separate the holes, while water is an almost ever-present threat. Excellent fairway bunkering and several river-like sandy waste areas, underscore the need for accuracy versus length on many of your tee shots.

Although Aventura's towering condo blocks look down on proceedings (a bit like golfing in Dubai), the oasis character of the Soffer course and quality of the golfing experience does not suffer. The memorable par-5 18th requires a final approach shot to a relatively small, rock-fronted island green, while a spectacular 64-foot waterfall - the largest in the State - dramatically enhances an unforgettable finish.

Stay&Play: luxury onsite accommodation is available at this top-quality resort (see Where2Stay section below).