Hammock Beach Resort (Ocean course)

Hammock Beach Resort (Ocean course): True to its name, the top-quality Ocean Course at Hammock Beach provides you with six oceanside holes to enjoy. When you are not facing out to sea, this demanding Jack Nicklaus signature design still retains something of an open, seaside golf feel, with generally good-width fairways, some pleasant though not tiring elevation changes and an array of pot bunkering protecting the more elevated greens.

The two nine-hole loops, which start on either side of the practice ground, take you away from and then bring you back to the ocean. As you head inland on each of the two loops, palms, palmettos and other smaller trees begin to line the fairways.

Several large ponds create menacing, fairway-hugging water hazards on several holes. The penultimate hole on each nine is a fabulously crafted and challenging par-3, played to an ocean backdrop. The par-4 9th and 18th are both flanked by and set just above the beach. An island-green awaits your approach shot at the par-5 6th.

Holiday homes and the large, oceanfront Hammock Beach hotel occasionally get into the picture, but generally set well out of harm's way from errant shots. If you've done well up to the 14th, don't get too complacent. The wonderfully scenic final four holes, set against lakeside and oceanside scenery, are collectively known as the "Bear Claw", and more than capable of mauling the best of scorecards.

Stay&Play at Hammock Beach: luxury onsite accommodation available, see Where2Stay section below..