The Greg Norman course is defined by carefully-planned landscaping, verdant thickets and water displays.

For the avid golfer looking to play a serious game, he has created signature holes for the ultimate golfing pleasure.

The Norman Course promises to be one fair test of golf bereft of the design gimmicks that sometimes plague modern golf courses. A good understanding of golfing strategy will enable you to see the way the holes should be played in order to score well.

Greg Norman has designed a course that has been subtly shaped on the fairways and greens where accuracy and distance will be put at a premium. It does appear to be a challenging course that would be enjoyed by all.

Hole No. 1
Par 4 Hcp 11
380   325   325   306

An aggressive line just left of the bunker on this gentle opening hole will yield a short iron for your second shot. The undulating green is an introduction to one of Norman’s main lines of defense against par. Make a quiet par here to get your round off to a good start.

Hole No. 2
Par 4 Hcp 5
428   373   342   311

Strong hitters can run out of fairway on this downhill dogleg. And there is O.B. lurking not far beyond. Accurate clubbing is important on the second shot as the elevated green is nearly five clubs deep, with a small plateau at the very back. The green platform drops away and toward the hazard on the left side.

Hole No. 3
Par 5 Hcp 3
574   517   482   427

Early in the round, treat this lovely hole as a legitimate 5 shots and if you make 4, count your blessings. Conservative play will be rewarded. Through the green is small and heavily contoured, it will accept well struck short irons. The key to a good score is in the approach: make sure you arrive on the proper side of the small green that is divided by a fatal ridge top to bottom.

Hole No. 4
Par 3 Hcp 9
195   185   159   127

Pay attention to pin position relative to the ridge that runs off of the mound behind the right side of the green. During most of the year, the trade winds will be a major factor in club selection, as this short hole is exposed to the elements.

Hole No. 5
Par 5 Hcp 7
589   562   516   482

Avoiding steep faced bunkers is a good idea at all times, but moreso on this long uphill five banger. Since an eagle putt is dreaming for most mortals, accuracy down the fairway will usually yield the best results. All the better if you can combine it with some extra length. The green is of average proportions without too many surprises.

Hole No. 6
Par 4 Hcp 17
377   349   313   279

There is a bunker for everyone on this short hole. Unless you are gunning for the green (and why would you be doing that?), there is no point in being anywhere but the fat landing area delineated by the bunkers protecting it. The perfect spot is right and short of the farthest bunker. From there it is only a short iron in to the generations two tiergreen.

Hole No. 7
Par 4 Hcp 15
327   291   230   217

If ever this hole takes a name it will be “Temptation.” The generous green is within reach under most conditions and the sandy consequences for a miscue are easily imagined. The alternative to brute strength is a well-placed iron or fairway wood to the middle of the fairway and a deft wedge to the green.

Hole No. 8
Par 3 Hcp 13
158   133   104   86

The pretty little pond fronting the green is not really in play, though it collects its share of balls. The narrow green is pinched in the waist by deep bunkers and collection areas. Make sure you are on the right section of what is really 3 smaller greens divided by slopes and undulations.

Hole No. 9
Par 4 Hcp 1
418   364   332   311

It is all uphill to close out the front nine. The fairway is pretty generous at the turning point with bunkers along the right side of the major hazard. The bunker in the center of the fairway is out of reach for most, but those who cannot reach it must then take care on the approach, as it will be a long shot in with more sand to negotiate.

Hole No. 10
Par 4 Hcp 16
432   406   390   362

All of the trouble can be seen from the tee and it takes the form of deep bunkers scattered along the left side of the landing area. Those who possess a long ball should bring it out on this hole to avoid the trouble altogether. Don’t be intimidated by the bunker short and in the middle of the fairway; It is really more of an aiming landmark than a hazard as it is only 160 yards to carry. The green is open for a running approach, but beware of the mound that will deflect shots to a back left pin.

Hole No. 11
Par 5 Hcp 8
539   504   483   437

Challenging the fairway bunkers on the right should allow a relaxed approach for a regulation 3-on or a bold attack for a possible eagle. As with most par-5s, a conservative approach is often rewarded. The green, fronted by a tree-filled lateral hazard, is deceptively large. Long shots from the left are more difficult.

Hole No. 12
Par 4 Hcp 14
424   399   367   305

A good drive down the right can leave you ‘tree under’ with anything from a short to middle iron to the challenging elevated green that is fully five clubs deep. But be careful, for trouble, in the form of an unstaked area of scrub and trees, lurks on the left. Remember to add club for the elevation and make sure of the pin position before your approach.

Hole No. 13
Par 4 Hcp 6
438   395   344   332

The best line into the green on his downhill hole is protected by a row of bunkers on the right. The ample green tends to slope toward the rear, so it may be wise to temper your approach to a back pin and allow for some roll, remembering that shots must be hit firmly enough to carry over the first ten yards of green that slope forward.

Hole No. 14
Par 3 Hcp 12
176   156   138   89

Slope on the green combined with deceptive winds is the defense on this short par-3. The most difficult pin will be over the bunker, back left, so proper clubbing is important. Shots left short may end up in the collection area right front, so put it on the green. On your way to the 15th tee, take a moment to appreciate the timeless and idyllic scene in the ravine to the right.

Hole No. 15
Par 5 Hcp 2
569   515   441   417

Everything about the 15th is uphill. The tee shot, the second shot and the approach keep climbing along a narrow fairway flanked by a deep ravine. For long hitters, the ideal landing area, beyond the lone fairway bunker, is severely narrowed by deep hazards on both sides. The green is quite large, but features some interesting slopes that will guard the precious par. Show your golfing intelligence and play this tough hole in a conventional manner, saving face and shots.

Hole No. 16
Par 4 Hcp 4
432   394   366   316

Plan your attack on this pretty hole with precision and care. The best position for the approach is from near the fairway bunker on the left side. Too far right and you can be stymied by all tall trees in the hazard. The green has a distinct ridge, so make sure you carry enough club if the pin is in the back but watch out for trouble behind as well.

Hole No. 17
Par 3 Hcp 18
189   166   139   112

Shape your tee shot left to right when the pin is the right rear to avoid deflection by the ridge running off the top of the bunker on the right center. The trend of the slope is generally right to left and back to front on this relatively benign short hole with an appropriately small green.

Hole No. 18
Par 4 Hcp 10
448   366   342   252

Though it is all uphill, you may want to consider a fairway wood off the tee to avoid the steep faced bunkers along the right side of the fairway on this medium length finishing hole. Trees on the left can interfere with plans for a short cut. The green is ample with a ridge cutting across from top right to left.