The John's Island West is traversed by tall sand ridges that run parallel to the ocean and its terrain moves through elevation changes of up to fifty feet. Additionally, the property has three distinct vegetation zones - wetland, upland scrub and palmetto and pine open forest.  Another subtle but significant feature is that Tom Fazio has "boxed the compass," a term derived from navigation and meaning that the holes are so disposed that each one plays into a slightly different angle of wind and sun. The course offers many playing and strategic options and many risk vs. reward choices.