Photo: Trump National Doral Miami
Designed by Dick Wilson
History
The Doral Golf Resort & Spa opened in 1962 as the ambitious vision of real estate developer Alfred Kaskel, who sought to create a premier golf destination that would put Miami on the map as a serious golf town. Kaskel commissioned Dick Wilson, one of the era’s most prolific course architects, to design what would become the resort’s flagship layout on 650 acres of flat South Florida terrain. Wilson, known for his bold use of water hazards and strategic bunkering, transformed the property into a championship-caliber test that would soon earn its fearsome nickname.
Wilson’s design philosophy centered on creating memorable, demanding golf holes that would challenge professionals while remaining playable for resort guests. His routing maximized the natural water features and incorporated extensive mounding and contouring to add visual interest and strategic complexity to the otherwise flat landscape. The course quickly gained recognition when it began hosting the PGA Tour’s Doral Open in 1962, with the tournament’s signature finishing holes earning the layout its enduring moniker: the Blue Monster.
Ownership of the property changed hands multiple times over the decades, with Trump Organization acquiring the resort in 2012. A comprehensive renovation followed in 2014, overseen by Gil Hanse, which updated the course infrastructure and refined several holes while preserving Wilson’s original design intent. Throughout its six-decade history, the Blue Monster has hosted countless PGA Tour events, including the WGC-Cadillac Championship from 2007 to 2016, cementing its status as one of South Florida’s most recognizable tournament venues.
Playing Notes
Prepare for a physically demanding round at Trump National Doral's Blue Monster, where the 7,692-yard layout and 140 slope rating create legitimate challenges for golfers of all skill levels. Water hazards appear on nearly every hole, demanding accurate iron play and smart club selection, while the course's numerous bunkers are positioned to catch both mishit approaches and slightly offline drives. The Paspalum fairways play firm and fast in Miami's heat, often adding roll that can work for or against you depending on pin positions, while the TifEagle Bermuda greens run quick with subtle breaks that become more pronounced as the day progresses. Wind is a constant factor this close to the coast, frequently shifting direction and intensity throughout your round, so bring an extra layer and be ready to club up or down based on conditions. The course is cart-mandatory due to its length and the distances between some greens and tees, and you'll want to pack extra balls given the water in play—accuracy off the tee and strong mid-iron game will serve you better here than pure distance, especially on the challenging closing stretch where water and wind typically intensify.
Signature Holes
The 18th hole, a long par-4 with water guarding the green, is the course's most famous finishing hole
Notable Events
Tee Boxes
| Tees | Yardage | Par | Slope | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Championship | 7,692 | 72 | 140 | 76.6 |