Laguna Landing

Resort golf usually allows players – in this case, resort guests – to ease themselves into their rounds with an easy opening hole. But this is no ordinary resort course and Faldo prefers to reward those who arrive at the first tee with their game in some semblance of shape. As a result, the first at Laguna Lang Co is a meaty par-4 which features water running down the entire right flank before cutting in towards the green. It's not a beast – the landing area is generous – but most will be happy enough to walk away with away with just the one dropped shot.

The opening stretch – holes one thru four – is routed inland and, while the massive, rumpled greens give an indication of what's in store, this is also the most water-strewn section of the course. It was, for me at least, the least enjoyable run – quite possibly because I failed to take advantage of the club's excellent practice ground beforehand, but mostly because what comes next is so good.

The fifth, a mid-length par-3 featuring large mounds around the green that mirror the mountain in the background, is the first of four standout one-shotters and where Faldo's artfully rugged bunkering shows its teeth. While not everyone will agree with the mounds – they're an example of the few obviously man-made elements on this most natural of tracks – they're fun in their way and stimulate debate. It also shows that Faldo can be a bit quirky, which comes as something of a surprise to those who watched him – head down, blinkers on – during his playing heyday of the late 80s and 90s.

After two fine short par-4s that lead you closer to the beachfront and can be tackled off the tee with anything from driver to six-iron – such is the array of options available – comes the wonderful par-3 eighth. Not long at a shade over 160 yards from the championship tee, the eighth features a green that sits on a natural ridgeline and is protected at the front by great swathes of sand. It's beautifully framed by casuarina trees and, with the sandy scrub punishing anything underhit, wouldn't look completely out of place at Pine Valley. It really is that special. This is something that can also be said of the very next hole, the 9th, another brilliant short par-4, that plays alongside the beach to a green betwixt the dunes.