Copperleaf is a bit lean on aesthetics with many of the holes framed by oversized houses, and an absence of trees, yet this is an excellent Ernie Els design (routed most pleasantly) with a particularly good back nine. I wasn’t in raptures about No 10, an awkwardly difficult par 4 with an angled and raised green but loved every hole from there to the finish. The raised green at the par-5 11th is more suitable for that length of hole. Lots of width off the tee encourages a positive swing, so no problem with driving. The challenges all the way home are about the approach shots to every green, whether they be short irons or longer clubs. This is where the design comes into its own. Good ball-strikers have a big advantage. Yet missing the green does reward creativity with the short game.
