Much like Scotland with its prevailing winds, the island of Guam presents a similar blustery challenge to golfers of all skill levels, albeit under tropical conditions.
With a land mass 51.5 km long and 14.5 km at its widest point, the cross-winds swirl across the island from the Philippine Sea to the Pacific Ocean (and vice versa), creating challenging conditions.
Guam, a United States territory, is truly a golfer's paradise. The island boasts 10 golf courses, with another couple in the planning stage. The layouts range from spectacular resort settings to user-friendly public course-style tracks.
Perhaps the best known is Mangilao Golf Club, famed for its par 3 12th hole. The 164- yard hole sits atop a coral bed and requires a 150-yard carry over the ocean to reach the green. Players who successfully navigate the green are awarded a certificate.
While the front nine is wide and forgiving, with water coming into play on only three holes, Mangilao becomes a different beast on the back nine with a series of spectacular oceanside holes that require strategic placement for tee shots.
Equally challenging is the Leo Palace Resort Country Club, a 27-hole track set on rugged terrain in the Manneggon Hills. The course hosted the Arnold Palmer Golf Academy (APGA) Tour event, the Guam Open, for three years in the mid-1990s and is anything but user-friendly.
With 18 holes designed by Arnold Palmer and another nine by Jack Nicklaus, the course offers a spectacular hilltop setting which is totally exposed to the elements and high winds. High scores should be expected.