Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Evan Schiller
Panther National
Panther National
7108 Fairway Dr
Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418-3767
United States
Telephone
Overview
From Golf Digest architecture editor Derek Duncan:
We may look back and realize that Panther National was the final new course built in the south Florida counties of Palm Beach, Broward or Dade. One of the most golf dense regions in the world, the counties are hemmed in by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and nature preserves and the Everglades to the west, and there’s almost no more land available upon which to construct a 200+ acre, 18-hole course. Several years ago, Swiss businessman Dominik Senn acquired what may end up being the last remaining buildable golf parcel, roughly 400 acres northwest of Palm Beach Gardens bordering a vast wildlife preserve where black panthers are often seen.
The Jack Nicklaus/Nicklaus Design golf course—the centerpiece of a luxury residential and recreational enclave—is fittingly modern and unique. The holes play in the shadows of tall dune ridges that were created from fill excavated during the construction of a chain of lakes on the property and additional sand imported from an adjecent under-construction housing development, and elsewhere crest 30 and 40 feet above the waterline. The remarkable string of holes from ten through 14 feel like anywhere but south Florida, with elevated tees and greens benched into the ridges. Nicklaus said the par-3 15th, with eight tees that vary from a flip wedge to metal club playing to an 80-yard-deep island green, is one of the best par 3 he’s designed, but it might not even be the best one-shot hole at Panther National—all four are diverse and attractive calling cards (our choice would be the Postage Stamp eighth sharing a green with the equally attractive par-5 17th).
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Debut appearance.
2025-'26 ranking: 195th.
Best in State: Debut appearance.
2025-'26 ranking: 12th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“A 2023 collaborative design by Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas, Panther National is unique in SE Florida for its significant elevation changes, blind approaches and size. While the fairways are generous there is typically a better side for both maximizing run out and preferred angle to the green. Numerous cross bunkers come into play. Many greens have contours at the edges that help keep the ball on the putting surface but also create issues if chipping onto or across them. Most greens have a form of run off where the grass is cut to slightly less than fairway height but there is rough to limit the roll. The greens are only a year old so their ability to hold shots is still limited. The greens are subtle with deceptive ridges and swales without being dramatic. Their speed was consistent and impressive. Some greens are huge with two or possibly three clubs different depending on pin positions. Bunkers are massive and deep with very firm "white/gold" Ohio sand. The four par 3's play in almost four different directions and with the ever present wind, club selection can vary wildly. The routing starts with two three hole loops around the practice area followed by another loop for #7 - 9. The back nine is basically a big square so again, the influence of the wind is significant. Turf conditions were excellent, again with the caveat that the course is not yet mature. The course rates a high score due to its shot variety and challenge which is, in part, a biproduct of the use of elevation changes on many holes."
Read More2024
Review
“Conditioning was great. Green complexes had interesting and challenging shapes. Only negative was[and is] that houses will be bordering holes, so aesthetics were diminished."
Read More2024
Review
“Fantastic new course in South Florida. The greens are as good as I have ever seen. .They thought of everything in building Panther National including greens on the ranges in proportion to the shot distance , Placed a 27 foot wide fairway in the middle of the range to conform to US Open width. Strategically placed the par 5's and 3's is opposite directions so that the player contends with every wind direction within the round. Spectacular vistas of nature preserves to the northwest of the property. Large undulating greens with many shot options and tee positions. Only concern is many houses going up in next 5 years-hoping it does not overwhelm the golf course"
Read More2024
Review
“Panther National, designed by Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas, is an outstanding new course. It doesn't look anything like other Nicklaus courses I have played. A lot of earth has been moved (or added) to manufacture a course with significant elevation change, especially in flat South Florida. Shot Options are the most outstanding feature, as nearly every shot involves choices. It's easy to hit the fairway, but on every hole there is a better place to hit it which makes the hole easier. Fairway and green side bunkering is strategic. Green complexes are varied and interesting. Layout Variety was strong, with holes playing right and left, up and down, and playing in all directions. Conditioning was excellent, especially considering it is only one year old. It was firm and fast, even after wet summer weather. This would be a fun course to play every day. It can be as challenging as anywhere from the very long back tees, but enjoyable for all levels of golfers from shorter tees."
Read More2024
Review
“Played Panther on a warm sunny day, light winds. This new course scores strongly on Character, Layout Variety and Fun, with other categories close behind. The use of elevation changes (all created), mounding, sculpting and bunkering is Outstanding, leading to a challenging golf experience with Aesthetics to match. Panther is also Fun for the average player, with wide fairways and landing areas and generally easily accessible greens. Shot Options abound for the top player, with great risk/reward, allowing for good scoring....or not! Overall, Panther is an Excellent new course and likely to improve further as it matures."
Read More2024
Review
“Expert Jack Nicklaus and young bomber Justin Thomas developed a unique golf course that differs significantly from anywhere else in Florida. The undulation may be unusual for the area, but they made it seem like it had been that way forever. The course can play as long as 8,000 yards, so tee selection is critical to enjoying Jack and Justin's vision of how it should be played. It is very fun, but it also has teeth, and there are numerous shot options if you pick the correct tee box."
Read More2024
Review
“If you get the opportunity to play this course in South Florida don't miss it. A very challenging, fair , and unique course for the area and the country."
Read More2024
Review
“Unique for south Florida. Some nice elevation changes"
Read More2024
Review
“Panther National is a really good course, may be the best of the new courses in Southest Florida as of now. The back nine is really outstanding with memorable holes and really solid layout. The front is not as good but still overall a top 200 course for sure."
Read More2024
Review
“Panther National is a newer course so I made a general score for conditioning based on how it looks at this point. Given its youth, the course already presents itself extremely well. Panther’s strength is its layout variety. All the par 3’s and par 5’s go in different directions to give completely different experiences relative to the Florida winds. Drivable par 4, island greens, dog legs left and right, smaller greens on par 5’s and larger greens on tougher holes like #15. A really great course right on the edge of Top 100. Once the course is further developed the Aesthetics should go up. I want to think more about the Character score. The ability to utilize 3 different, 3-Hole Loops (Holes 1-3, 4-6, and 7-9) that all start and return at/near the clubhouse makes for a unique design I don't usually see."
Read More2024
