Golf in The Palm Beaches

The Palm Beaches, known as Florida’s Golf Capital®, is the ideal location for golf lovers. With over 160 courses, year-round play, it is not surprising that some of the world’s best golfers make this area their home. Each year, the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing visits The PGA National Resort for The Honda Classic, played on Jack Nicklaus designed Champion Course. Test your skills on the infamous Bear Trap, one of the most daunting three-hole stretches in golf.

Where better to start our Palm Beaches golf guide than in Palm Beach Gardens and at The PGA National Resort. With fantastic accommodation, superb food and drink, five 18-hole and one 9-hole course, affordable rates, great practice facilities and The Leadbetter Academy, The PGA National Resort has it all. Only guests staying at the The PGA National Resort can play on the following courses.

The Champion Course – 18 Holes
Best known as home to The Honda Classic and infamous Bear Trap, this course is a MUST play for any avid golfer. With five sets of tees (three for ladies) and at 7,045 yards at its’ longest, it is a formidable challenge which ever tee you play off. Redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 2014 it is considered one of the best courses in the USA. Course management is essential to locate your landing area avoiding water, bunkers and trees giving you an approach to the spacious and receptive TifEagle greens.

The Palmer Course – 18 Holes
Named after and in honour of its legendary designer Arnold Palmer, this picturesque, championship course is one of the more forgiving courses at the resort. Designed for golfers of all skill levels, with open fairways and large greens it is a real risk and reward course. The course has a links style layout with undulating fairways, numerous grass bunkers and the sharing of a common green on holes 8 and 12.

The Fazio Course – 18 Holes
The first course to be opened at The PGA National Resort. Originally named “The Haig” in honour of Walter Hagen. Its designers Tom and George Fazio’s goal was to create an outstanding course playable for all level of golfers. The course, with no crossing water hazards, affords high handicappers an enjoyable golfing experience and low handicappers a good test of golf. Recently renamed The Fazio the course has a host of renovations including larger greens, reconfigured tees and bunkers and Celebration Bermuda grass on tees and fairways.

The Estate Course – 18 Holes
Set five miles away from the main resort a free shuttle transfers guests to and from this course. With its own clubhouse, pro shop, practice area and training centre this is a must play course. In a beautiful Florida setting winding its way through open meadows, lined with Florida pines golfers will find an eclectic mix of holes. Lush, generous fairways, plenty of sand and water and inviting greens make for an enjoyable golfing experience.

The Match Course – 18 Holes
A unique experience specifically designed for a friendly match play round of golf. The old Squire Course has been completely redesigned with the entire turfgrass on the course cut to fairway level. With minimal hazards, the focus is on creative approaches and strategic chipping. The teeing area on each hole is decided by the winner of the previous hole to create a new fun format. 

The Staple Course – 9 Holes
This nine-hole par 3 course was created from two holes taken from the redesigned Squire Course. Enjoy a fun game on holes between 60 and 130 yards long. With a variety of unique undulations, funnelling shots and difficult to reach shelves. Add a unique figure 8 configuration crossing at two points, enjoy social interactions with other players at an outdoor seating area complete with firepits and a café/bar area.

Palm Beach Gardens
After your round of golf and 19th hole refreshments, head down the street to mid-town at The Gardens. Here you will mix with the locals and enjoy dining options for every taste and budget. If its retail therapy you are after continue down PGA Boulevard to The Gardens Mall or Downtown at The Gardens. Continue driving to the PGA Superstore, a paradise for all things golf related.