The Mines Resort was founded by a wealthy Malaysian businessman, who converted a former tin mine into a big lake, built hotels at either end of the water and then employed Robert Trent Jones II to create a sumptuous golf layout to weave between them. The result is a predictably eye-catching course that Trent Jones Junior shaped aggressively with lots of mounds, his routing using the water more for its outlooks than any strategic value. This focus on visual appeal over substance is disappointing, as The Mines clearly had potential but is a strangely empty and dated experience with the wide fairways, floral shaped traps and continual up and down holes through mounding getting tired quickly here.

The opening holes are nice enough, though big trees fronting the 1st green are sure to upset some, with the real problem spots here coming around the lake areas. Many of the water holes are poor, like the 10th and the boomerang 11th, which follows the water but looks awkward and favours shots away from trouble. The 14th plays through a channel toward the luxurious Palace of Golden Horses hotel, and the risk/reward short par four 15th is effective enough, but the remaining holes provided little interest or golfing stimulation.

The Mines is an interesting golf club, its main selling point being the condition of the holes, its clubhouse amenities and exclusivity - rather than any excellence of design.