Desert Springs (Indiana)

The Indiana course at Desert Springs is where the first full-blown Arizona/California desert themed layout – described by some as “a Wild West resort course” – first collided with the continent of Europe back in 2001, down in the arid south east corner of Spain between Almería and Murcia.

Designed by Walker Cup stalwart Peter McEvoy, the lush, rather narrow fairways of this 18-hole course are set amongst dried river beds, hardpan and man-made lakes so the contrast between manicured playing areas and the surrounding wasteland could hardly be any starker. Accuracy is everything at Desert Springs as the penalty for straying off the green grass into the cacti and rocky scrub is inevitably severe.

Compare and contrast to the more difficult Valle del Este course, which opened nearby a year later than Desert Springs, then decide which of the two you prefer.