Ritz-Carlton Grand Cayman

Unveiled in 2006, the Blue Tip Golf Course at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club in Grand Cayman is a Greg Norman 9-hole design where fairways are compactly routed around a natural saltwater lagoon next to the North Sound Golf Club.

Water forms a large part in the playing strategy on eight of the holes – only the par four 8th is without aquatic challenge – so golfers really have to keep the ball on the short cut grass if they’re going to enjoy their round on the Blue Tip.

Feature holes include the 508-yard 2nd, often played directly into the wind off Safehaven Marina, the lightly bunkered short par four 6th, which offers a great birdie opportunity, and the 590-yard 7th, with its large fairway bunker on the left and a tricky two-tiered green.

The best is kept until last at the short par three 9th, played to an island green that’s laid out in the style of the 17th on the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass in Florida. At least this putting surface is massive in size and a large bunker acts as a welcoming backstop.