[Jeff_Brauer]

I am leaving tomorrow for the annual Florida Christmas sojourn.  I will be in Tampa a few days, and Miami/Ft. Lauderdale a few days.  I have pretty much exhausted the Tampa side, but have never played on the Miami side, except Seminole, Jupiter Hills, and PGA West.

Any good ideas of courses easy to access, especially if fee is not a huge consideration.  I would like to play the most interesting courses, naturally.

Sorry to be "off topic".  Also, both "thanks in advance" and "Happy Holidays" to all if I don't find this board again until New Years!

[GeoffreyChilds]

Jeff

See if you can get a round at Boca Rio. It will be worth your efforts.

Happy Holidays.

[jg7236]

I think "Gator Creek" is down that way but not sure.  

[jg7236]

Jeff,

I was thinking of another course, Gator Creek will be just north of you in Sarasota.  Don't get me wrong, it is a great course, very private, but to far of a drive for you to do over the holidays.  Take care.

[John_Conley]

Jeff:

Miami to Palm Beach Co. looks close until you get down there.

Emerald Dunes is an upscale daily-fee course in PBC that everyone loves.  Have not seen it.

Closer to Miami, I'd hit Key Biscayne if I had the chance.  I've never been to Miami, but one of my co-workers plays there regularly and I like what I hear.

[Adam_Messix]

Outside of the Seminole, Jupiter Hills loop....I tend to agree with most that Boca Rio is a good choice.  The best course in the Miami area by far is Indian Creek....a Flynn design that was recently restored by Ron Forse, but it's really private and I'm sure Christmas week is very busy there.  Emerald Dunes is one of Tom Fazio's better efforts as well.  You can pretty much group everything else together and pull one out of a hat and you'd get pretty much the same course.  The Blue course at Doral is ok if you want to play a tour venue.  

[brad_miller]

Jeff, if you can gain access to Indian Creek that would be my pick, haven't seen it since the restoration but is a very interesting Flynn design. Wonderful clubhouse.

[Joel_Stewart]

I would suggest Pine Tree which for an architect should be interesting.  You'll either love it or hate it.

Just North of Jupiter Hills and Seminole is Medalist which is Greg Normans permanet work in progress. Again for an architect you might enjoy the whole experience.  

[Slag Bandoon]

 I'll be down there soon myself for a coupla days and may weedle in a round or two.  My hotel's just across the canal from Coral Ridge GC in Ft. L but it's private.  Anything worthy and close enough for a walk or taxi ride in that proximity that's accessible to a humble traveller?  Through searches I find a lot of Golf Community and private clubs.  Anything without houses?  I don't deal well with pane.  (oy)

Any guidance will be appreciated.  Thanks, Slag

[Matt_Ward]

Jeff B:

Brad hit the nail squarely on the head -- if you can get on Indian Creek it's a solid layout. If you're looking on the public side of the ledger Emerald Dunes is good -- ditto Crandon Park (the former Key Biscayne Links). One of the real interesting aspects in playing at the former Key Biscayne links is the site of downtown Miami in the distance as you play the closing stretch of holes.

I would also recommend Colony West -- it's in Tamarac -- just outside of Fort Lauderdale. The course is a demanding no nonsense daily fee and I have heard they've done some good things with the layout. At one time I would say Colony West was one of the 4-5 toughest layouts in SE Florida.

If you head up to Royal Palm Beach I would also recommend The Links at Madison Green. It's a new course and was recently featured by Ron Whitten on GolfDigest.com.

[cary lichtenstein]

There are a number of good courses in the Jupiter/Hobe Sound/Palm Beach area, the Bear Club (Nicklaus/private), McArthur(T. Fazio/private), and Trump(J. Fazio/private)

[Doug Wright]

Jeff/Slag,

I endorse Emerald Dunes. T. Fazio course did a decent job there. There's an exploding volcano/mountain/waterfall but hey some decent holes too.

Stay away from TPC at Heron Bay (McCumber) and TPC at Eagle Trace (Art Hills), the former boring and the latter just plain awful--it seemed like a Pete Dye course gone bad. Nuthin' like a few hidden hazards to make your day.

RTJ Jr's Weston Hills is pretty solid and better than these two.

Happy Holidays.  

[John_D._Bernhardt]

What did you guys like so much about Emerald Dunes. It was ok, but I did not find the front nine to be particularlly good at all. I did find the back to be much better. There were some very solid holes and a much better flow to them, The mountain and waterfall should offend this group. lol

[Adam_Messix]

John--

Emerald Dunes is better than the typical Florida course and it's a daily fee course so access is at least possible.  Believe it or not, the "super dune" that covers several holes (4, 10, 11, 17 & 18) may actually appeal to the group because it was created from fill dirt from the construction of the golf course.  It would have been more expensive to truck the dirt out than to build the dune.  

You are correct that the front nine is fairly ordinary, but so are 98% of the courses south of Orlando.  I certainly would not say that Emerald Dunes is a must play, but it's ok considering what else is around.

[redanman]

Jeff Merry Christmas to you and a late addition......

If you get all the way up to WPB try WPB CC-D Wilson-cool and cheap.  Mayacoo Lakes Nick and Des-a solid effort.

I'd actually be interested in your thoughts of Norman's Great White at Doral, although the tarrif is steep.  Fast play, surface of the moon look which I think works much better than the western desert equivalent.

Broward County (Ft Laud) has always been a wasteland for golf unless there is something new.

SoFLA is great at Christmas.  I miss it more each year.

[Jeff_Brauer]

Redanman,

I will try to get on one of the Doral courses.  Does anyone know if you must be a hotel guest?

I will also try EDunes (giving it sort of an internet - ishh abbreviation seems appropriate here) and if really lucky, will try Indian Creek, for either play or architectural tour.  BTW, I have already played the Medalist, and should have mentioned that.

Thanks and an early merry christmas to all!

[Evan Fleisher]

Jeff,

Doral is like many other resorts..."outside" guests can play, but the price may be higher.  you may try to a twilight rate to keep things reasonable.

As for Crandon Park Golf Course, it is also another very worthy layout...fun course with tradewinds, marshes, great views, etc. and will not break the bank.

BillV's suggestion for WPB Country Club is another good one...played there last summer.  They allow walking in the afternoons, plays fairly quick, and is one of Dick Wilson's older layouts (used to be private, now a local muni).

Others are correct that the Ft. Lauderdale area leaves a lot to be desired, except maybe for some of the private stuff which I have yet to tackle myself.

Good luck and enjoy the warm weather.  I'm heading out to Hawaii with the family on January 2nd myself...I won't miss the beginning of the winter season here in Dubuque one bit!

[Dave_Miller]

Jeff:
LaGorce CC in Miami Beach on Alton Rd and not too far from Indian Creek is also a good fun course.  
I was a member there in the early 80's but have not been back since about 1984.
It is private so I'm not sure how easy access would be.  If you have a contact in the business you might try calling.

Also in the Jupiter area there is a new daily fee course at Abacoa on Frederick Small Blvd.  From what I understand the fee is reasonable and the course decent.  I have not played there so this is hearsay.  Apparently it is not too hard to get a tee time.

Have fun
Dave

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