Golf Resort Tycoon lets players choose from a variety of different environments--including a forest, a desert oasis, a mountainous setting, a tropical paradise island, or an autumn wooded terrain--with which to build their resorts. Each area offers its own unique challenges and benefits. Forest levels feature the highest traffic, and will have the greatest potential for success. Desert courses are among the most challenging to build and maintain, but they're also very lucrative. Mountain courses require the player to incorporate the surrounding terrain into a competitive and beautiful resort. Island resorts require innovative strategies due to their small size. Finally, autumn courses have the benefit of attracting golfers due to their stunning, ever-changing environment. As the course designer, players have to create courses that are attractive, economical, and profitable while keeping the guests happy and maximizing profits. To assist in this goal, players can set costs and organize events that will attract more golfers. Additionally, players can increase the traffic to their entertainment destinations by adding features to the resort, such as course hazards, putting greens, flower gardens, pro and rental shops, food and beverage stands, and even a swimming pool.