By Alexander Albrecht

© Jana M. Jones

Does an iguana on the fairway qualify as a 'moveable object' and thus fall under the governance of USGA Rule 26? It isn't covered in the rulebook and you may not need to know the answer, but when golfing in Miami, be prepared for anything.

Setting the Scene:

Impossible in most geographic locations, being able to play a round of golf at any time during the year in semi-tropical temperatures has drawn some of the world's best players, course designers and tournaments to Miami, making it an absolute Mecca when exploring golf in America. And this being America, there naturally seems to be a course for every skill level, schedule and budget. The bonus shared by all golfers in the area is the excellence that has become standard - design, maintenance, service, and, of course, setting - making it possible to experience courses that are often rated near the top in their category.

Horse racing may be the sport of Kings, but in America golf is the sport of business titans. Golf etiquette is essentially universal and very rarely does a seasoned golfer have an awkward moment. Pace of play, consideration before and during a stroke, priority of two ball matches over three or four and such are the same everywhere. As for noticeable differences on the courses, environmentally sensitive areas are found on many courses in Miami and are marked by white, red or yellow stakes with green tops; these areas are declared off limits by various U.S. government agencies. Players may not enter an area to retrieve or play a ball.

Guest Room at Doral Resort © Doral Resort

Miami has a disproportionate number of women on its courses compared to almost anywhere else; it is estimated that over 30% of the area's golfers are women - many are formidable players.

Dress codes are somewhat relaxed in Miami, especially at the public courses, but collared shirts and spikeless shoes are pretty much de rigueur.

Preliminaries:

It is fairly easy to book a tee time, but doing so in advance is strongly recommended. At the Doral for example, priority is given to the resort's guests, but for a pre-book fee, outside players can book up to 30 days ahead.

The Courses

The Blue Monster - 18th Hole © Doral Resorts

The other courses at Doral - the Red, Gold, White and Silver courses- are also all well worth the challenge. A round of golf here is expensive, but there are often specials for guests staying at the resort, which offers nearly 700 guestrooms in lodges around the clubhouse, a spa, the Arthur Ashe Tennis Center and the Blue Lagoon water recreation park.

Crandon Golf Course © Miami-Dade Parks

Crandon Park is rated one of the top 50 public courses in the United States by Golf Magazine. The course has spectacular views of Biscayne Bay and the Miami skyline while providing for excellent, challenging golf at a very good price.

Designed in 1972 by Devlin/Von Hagge and restored in 1993, the course is a favorite of many on the PGA Senior Tour who compete yearly in the Royal Caribbean Classic. Here's why. The solid layout seems, in some places, like a Scottish course; the fairways are kept in excellent shape with an often challenging approach to the greens, and the greens themselves often undulate and are very fast.

At 7,180 yards, the course seems enormous due in part to the fact that it is surrounded by water - it is located on Key Biscayne - and has 11 water holes.

Highlights include the 432-yard 7th hole with a blind landing area tucked behind a mangrove swamp, complete with resident crocodiles. Hole number 11, at 435 yards, with deep-set bunkers, palm trees as potential obstacles and one of the courses' seven saltwater lakes, is also a force with which to be reckoned.

The scenery here is stunning. Filled with native vegetation and in an area protected from development, the park attracts iguanas, pelicans, parrots, herons and egrets. Most golfers visiting Miami consider Crandon a MUST PLAY; and there is only one caveat on this course: Get an early tee time, as by mid afternoon the play becomes very slow.

If you have the time and the funds after playing Doral and Crandon there are several other excellent courses to choose from: The International Links, Golf Club of Miami and the California Club among them. All of these courses are favorites with locals.

The International Links has recently been refurbished. It is known for its "Heartbreak Ridge" - hole number 14 - comprised of 439 yards of calculation culminating on an island green. The course requires stamina; it becomes more challenging as you progress through it.

At the Golf Club of Miami, the PGA maintains three courses with the stated objective of "providing the public with the ability to experience PGA quality golf." It

© Jana M. Jones

has a new clubhouse and restaurant and an illustrious past - Jack Nicklaus played his first pro tournament here, Lee Trevino won his first pro title here, and Arnold Palmer was the club's first pro.

Miami is known as a Mecca of escape - from oppressive cold, from oppressive taxes, and from old age. Golfers see it a little differently, more as an experience, and an experience that is unrivaled - for within minutes of this very real, tactile thrill are the thrills of Miami's other creations - but that is another story.

And by the way, iguanas are very shy creatures and will scamper off long before you get close enough to decide whether to go over or around them