Trump National Doral Golf Club (Golden Palm)

With two of the other courses at the Trump National Doral Golf Club named “Blue Monster” and “Red Tiger,” it’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security when confronting the Golden Palm course. Despite a title based in vegetation, this 18 may be a venus flytrap (especially its bunkers).

Gil Hanse was involved in significant restoration of all the courses at Doral, providing a similar recontouring of the greens at Golden Palm. Palm trees evoke thoughts of island beaches, and players at Golden Palm must be wary to stay away from the “beachfront property” at Doral.

Dick Wilson was the notoriously tough architect behind “Blue Monster,” and Robert Von Hagge and Bruce Devlin got their chance to challenge Wilson’s beast when they designed “Red Tiger.” Although Golden Palm is less lengthy than those two, and most would consider it a touch tamer as well, many would also argue that it’s got the toughest finishing hole of the three. A par four, it plays 470 yards from the back tees, but it will be only the last 40 that matter to many players. While Blue Monster has a daunting Cape-style closer, Golden Palmer requires a full approach to an island green.