Alex Hirschler
Alex Hirschler
Alex Hirschler
Alex Hirschler
Hammock Dunes Club: Creek
Overview
This design, one of two stellar courses at this club in Palm Coast and one of Rees Jones' favorites, is set in the dark interior of the Intracoastal Waterway marshes and plays like an animal leaping from one dry place to another over stretches of wetlands. Not for the faint of heart or weak of swing, it was an extreme effort to build and locate enough land to support golf, and the design roams far and wide to find what's needed. But the journey is worth the effort due to holes like 13, 14 and 15 that feel like dancing on a highwire over the marsh, the latter hole being a gambling go-for-broke short par 4. Each of the par 3s, particularly seven, 12 and 16, require unflinching shots over swamp or water, with miss-hits reaching into the pocket for another ball.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Best in State: Ranked inside the top 25, 2005-'07.
Previous ranking: 30th.
2025-'26 ranking: 34th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
Reviews
Review
“Hammock Dunes Creek Course is a first-rate Rees Jones design which is overshadowed by its oceanfront sister Links Course. It is a natural layout constructed in a dense pine and oak forest which includes several tidal estuary holes with broad vistas on back nine. The front nine resembles Pinehurst-area courses, while the back nine has several holes which look like the Low Country of South Carolina. It is a very challenging course with plenty of trouble lurking: narrow tree-lined fairways, lakes and wetlands. The par 5’s are particularly outstanding, the best being #14. You tee off among pine trees like the front nine. Then it doglegs twice to the right, and the Low Country-like tidal flats unexpectedly appear on second shot, and the third is over the wetlands to a small tilted green. The green complexes are typically elevated several feet above the surroundings. They didn’t have too many bunkers, and there are challenging run off areas. The course has many doglegs in both directions, but flat site limits otherwise strong Layout Variety. Course conditioning was good. The greens were consistent and ran true, though slower than I’m used to. Fairway lies were consistently good, and the bunkers were in good shape."
Read More2025
Review
“The recent renovation brought only subtle tweaks, but they’ve improved playability in a few key areas. The widened fairway on No. 6 gives players a much better chance on the demanding second shot, while the new hump in the middle of the 7th green adds challenge to an already tough hole. The Creek Course is a big, challenging layout framed by marsh and forest, with no houses intruding on the experience. Tight tee shots put pressure on accuracy, but the approach shots are generally fair. A peaceful, natural setting and a serious test of golf."
Read More2025
Review
“Winds through lakes but does not utilize them much for the routing. Was in excellent shape. Kind of one hole after another being the same without any hole standing out."
Read More2021
Review
“This course does well with creating a challenge while still keeping it fun. Beware of wildlife and do your best to avoid blow up holes. Each time I have played it the course has been in perfect condition, and you feel like you're all alone in the wilderness."
Read More2021
Review
“Great conditioning, beautiful setting winding through marshes and pine forests with absolutely no development. Some very demanding holes from the back tees."
Read More2019
