June 30, 2021

Greg Norman has played thousands of courses worldwide — while on the tour and just for fun. He’s also designed 106 of them. He aims to make each one “practical, playable and memorable.”

In an attempt to gain some insight (and maybe an advantage), on a recent video production, we asked what he typically includes on the hardest hole — if it’s hidden hazards, a dog leg or maybe a water feature. To our surprise, it’s none of those.

He doesn’t believe in signature courses or signature holes. “Each golf course should have its own unique fingerprint, not a template.” He ultimately wants to challenge all players — from the professional to the beginner.

His advice, though, for playing a new course is to use technology if you have it. Greg uses the Garmin Approach® Z82 range finder to get a feel for the layout of a course he’s never played.

The Approach Z82 has course overlays for more than 41,000 courses worldwide, including several of Greg’s. Check them out below and if you ever find yourself teeing off on a Greg-designed hole, hopefully these will get you a bit closer to the pin.

The Brookwater Golf and Country Club, Hole 13

Queensland, Australia

Brookwater is an 18-hole, par-72 championship golf course that makes its way through the Australian bushland. Hole 13 in particular is a very long par 5 with a steep downhill. The elevated tee shot is just one hurdle, followed by narrow fairway, doglegs and bunkers.

The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, Hole 8

Vũng Tàu, Vietnam

The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip is located on the coast of Vietnam and is often referred to as one of the best courses in the entire country. As hole 8 goes, you’ll need your Approach Z82 to make sense of the bunker that splits the fairway. The approach is slightly uphill, and a green hides in the dunes.

PGA WEST Private Clubhouse & Golf Courses, Hole 11

La Quinta, California

Greg Norman’s course is just one of six located at PGA WEST. It’s quoted as being “challenging but fair.” Hole 11, a par 4, is called “Insandity” due to its many sand traps, so seeing the entirety of the fairway from tee box to pin could help you avoid the many hazards.

Ellerston Golf Club, Hole 13

New South Wales, Australia

Ellerston is a very private 18-hole course located in New South Wales Upper Hunter Valley. It’s so private, in fact, it doesn’t even have a website. Its difficult terrain and many sand traps make for challenging play. Hole 13 has several bunkers and a cluster of trees that protect the drive.

Now that you know your way around a few holes designed by Greg, does it make you want to play one of his many courses? Before you do, be sure to check out the Approach Z82 so you can know the entire 18 — from tee to pin.