Mangilao is owned by the Japanese Onward group and is a high-end resort-style course on Guam's east coast about 15 mins from the main tourist area of Tumon.

The front nine is pure resort course confection, looping around a lake and with only one real standout hole: the par 3 4th looking at the ocean with cliffs behind. Definitely don't overclub on the approach to this hole as your ball will disappear 100m down the cliff into the ocean. The conditioning is excellent on this nine, but the design is nothing special. The front nine exists just to deliver you to the 10th where the real interesting golf begins.

The back nine is so much better; they are like different courses. Many of the holes run along the coast or with views of it, or through stands of jungle and it's in this nine that the signature par 3 12th can be found. The single shot needs to carry over a cove to a coral shelf green. As the course was quite quiet when I was playing, I hit my tee shot onto the left fringe of the green and then decided to have a few more goes. Lovely coastal location, challenging shot, and no time pressure: why not. So after launching all 11 balls I had with me, it was time to take photos and go and do some putting!

The 13th also has a tee on a rock outcrop jutting into the ocean and offers the golfer the temptation of how close to the water to drive the ball to the oblique fairway. The 16th is also interesting as a short par 4 with a sharp dogleg right requiring precise shotmaking. Unfortunately the 17th and 18th are up and back holes much like the front nine and are a little disappointing finish to the round.

Other points to note: the green fee is USD250 which seems far too expensive for this kind of resort course, but Guam is a tourist island and therefore you have to pay tourist prices. Fortunately the compulsory cart and a small cool box with drinks is included in the rate.

Very nicely kept course, facilities and a spectacular signature hole, but I don't think I'll go back.