Wild Dunes Resort (Harbor course): Although shorter than the signature Links course at Wild Dunes, the Tom Fazio designed Harbor course is also going to test every facet of your game, and most especially your ability to hit straight rather than long.

Rarely on the well maintained Harbor layout is there much room for your golf ball to "breath". Water is in play on every hole, in the form of either ponds, small lagoons, saltwater marshes or the Intracoastal Waterway. The tight slivers of fairway are home to excellent bunkering, making this is a layout that will not let you off lightly if you are wayward. So, a potentially tough round in prospect, even with six par-3s in the mix, but also an immensely scenic one.

The opening two holes will get you acclimatised; both are flanked on the leftside by Palmetto Lake, a small ribbon-like lagoon that will deftly swallow up anything hit too far left. Go too far right and you are into sand dunes, thick vegetation or maybe some pastel painted seaside houses. Between the 4th and 5th holes there is quite a drive as you move to the other side of 41st Ave, and the other half of the Harbor links. After four more testing holes, you make the turn at the par-5 9th and start the inward journey, commencing with three glorious holes right alongside the Intracoastal Waterway. At least for these three holes you will feel less constrained and the driver can at last be pulled from the bag, although lengthwise you really won't need it.

As you cross back over 41st Ave and rejoin the eastern end of the course at the par-3 13th, you can look forward to further testing tee-shots, and a terrific closing stretch alongside Morgan Creek. Some amazing real estate seemingly sits in the middle of the vast marshlands. A memorable course ... absolutely; tough and testing ... you bet!

Stay & Play at Wild Dunes: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below.