Where To Play Golf In Palm Beach

By Susan Comolli Davis

July 10, 2017

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Photo By: Courtesy: Palm Beach County/Parks and Recreation/Russell Kirk

Photo By: Courtesy of North Palm Beach Country Club

Photo By: Courtesy of Palm Beach Golf Course

Photo By: Courtesy of PGA National Resort Champion/Brian Oar, Fairways Photography

Photo By: Courtesy of The Breakers Palm Beach

Photo By: Courtesy of Abacoa Golf Club

Photo By: Montana Pritchard/PGA of America

Photo By: Courtesy of Palm Beach County/Parks and Recreation/Ken E. May

OSPREY POINT

Imagine all the benefits of a private course but at a crazy good price. Osprey Point—Audubon International Certified and a Golf Digest 50 Best Public Course in Florida—is part of the Palm Beach County golf portfolio and its No. 1 asset. The course edges up to the Everglades, so nature, not houses, lines the rolling fairways. Osprey Point has three nines; a popular combination is the Hawk/Raven. pbcospreypointgolf.com

Photo By: Courtesy: Palm Beach County/Parks and Recreation/Russell Kirk

NORTH PALM BEACH COUNTRY CLUB

Longtime Palm Beach resident Jack Nicklaus gave back to the community he calls home when he revamped this run-of-the-mill municipal course back in 2006. He added well-bunkered greens, contours and length, extending the course to just under 7,100 yards from the back. Its five sets of tees make it a good test of golf from the tips as well as a forgiving course from the front. Several of the holes run along the Intracoastal, adding to the visual punch. npbcc.org

Photo By: Courtesy of North Palm Beach Country Club

PALM BEACH PAR 3 GOLF COURSE

"Adorable" and "fun" are just some of the words used to describe this top-rated par 3 that has been named one of the best in the country. For starters, it's hard to beat the ocean and Intracoastal views—the course is wedged right between the Atlantic and the waterway. (Don't underestimate its bite: when you are playing golf at the beach, wind is a factor.) Add to that its pedigree—originally designed by Dick Wilson in 1961 and renovated by Raymond Floyd in 2009—and a gorgeous clubhouse overlooking the Atlantic, and you have a great experience. golfontheocean.com

Photo By: Courtesy of Palm Beach Golf Course

With 5 courses to choose from, it's hard to go wrong at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens. The Champion Course is home of the PGA Tour's Honda Classic and hosted the 1983 Ryder Cup, and it ranks at No. 5 on Golf Digest's Top 75 Public Golf Courses in Florida. Its greens are big and undulating and well-guarded by sand; water comes into play on many holes. The notorious Bear Trap, holes 15-17, has made many a tour pro weep. Value hunters might find the more playable but equally eye-pleasing Palmer Course a better option. pgaresort.com

Photo By: Courtesy of PGA National Resort Champion/Brian Oar, Fairways Photography

THE BREAKERS

You have two distinct options at the Breakers. The Ocean course is a historic design that plays out in front of the hotel; said to be the oldest course in Florida, it was originally laid out in 1897. The course is relatively short but several doglegs and beautiful landscaping make it interesting. For a more expansive experience, The Breakers Rees Jones Course (pictured), 10 miles from the grand oceanfront property, stretches more than 7,100 yards, featuring water carries, contoured greens, and roomy fairways. thebreakers.com

Photo By: Courtesy of The Breakers Palm Beach

ABACOA GOLF CLUB

Abacoa, built in 1999, is the last course designed by prolific Florida architect Joe Lee before he died. Unusual for Florida golf, Abacoa features some significant elevation changes. Water flanks the fairways on 14 of the holes, and there are dozens of bunkers to negotiate, but none of the hazards are overly penal. Five sets of tees provide length for long hitters, and the fast-rolling greens provide plenty of room for bump-and-run approaches. abacoagolfclub.com

Photo By: Courtesy of Abacoa Golf Club

PGA GOLF CLUB, PORT ST. LUCIE

Although it's about an hour north of West Palm Beach on I-95, a stopover at PGA Village is well worth the drive. The links-style Dye Course, No. 19 on Golf Digest's Top 75 Public Courses in Florida, weaves through wetlands and features large coquina waste bunkers and native grasses. The two other courses on the property, both designed by Tom Fazio, are Ryder, with a North Carolina feel, and Wanamaker, a more classic Florida layout. pgavillage.com

Photo By: Montana Pritchard/PGA of America

OKEEHEELEE GOLF COURSE

Another star asset among the courses owned and operated by Palm Beach County, Okeeheelee, like its sister course Osprey Point, offers three nines and five sets of tees, making it a great pick for golfers of all abilities. Located in the heart of Okeeheelee Park in West Palm, this beautifully maintained municipal is an Audubon certified course and features stands of old Palms, bird habitats and lots of water. It offers a nice variety of holes and a great value. The Heron/Eagle combination provides a good challenge. pbcokeeheeleegolf.com

Photo By: Courtesy of Palm Beach County/Parks and Recreation/Ken E. May

THE LINKS COURSE AT MADISON GREEN

Centrally located just minutes from West Palm Beach, The Links at Madison Green offers low-handicappers a good test from tee to green, with slopes ranging from 129 to 155. The many doglegs are a nice change-up from the more typical straight Florida fairways, and no two fairways run parallel to each other. Accuracy is at a premium as water and sand come into play on almost every hole. The well-conditioned greens roll true and fast. madisongreengolf.com

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