Best courses around Miami

[Tim Gavrich]

I'm playing in the Doral-Publix Junior Golf Championship in December this year, just before Christmas.  The tournament proper is 12/21, 22, and 23, and I'm playing practice rounds on the White and Blue courses on the 19th and 20th.  My father and I are arriving on the 17th, which leaves the 18th open for non-Doral golf.  What are the best golf courses within an hour or so of Miami?  I'm not familiar with the area at all, so your suggestions are much appreciated !

The only non-Doral course I've heard of positively is Crandon Park.  How good is it, and are there better courses within about 50 miles?

Once again, thanks.

[JNC Lyon]

For Crandon Park, I've never played it, but check out the link to the aerial, and see if you can guess the first course (Crandon is the 2nd Course):
http://www.golfclubatlas.com/forums2/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=2998

[Mitch Hantman]

Hazeltine?

[Brad Klein]

The best courses around Miami are not there. They're in West Palm-Jupiter-Vero Beach.

[Tim Gavrich]

I'm not sure how far my father will be willing to drive, but what are your recommendations for that area?

[cary lichtenstein]

Best public in that area is Emerald Dunes, a mile west of the Turnpike exit.

[Mike_Young]

If you can arrange it....Indian Creek and LaGorce(Sp?)

[Gerry B]

creandon park aka the links at key biscayne is a good course

agree- palm beach area and indian creek are where one should try and play

[AndrewB]

I'm playing in the Doral-Publix Junior Golf Championship in December this year, just before Christmas.

Good luck in the tournament.  I played in this event several times and it's a bit of a challenge to play well when coming from the cold northeast (as I see you are too).  Especially since you'll be playing against a number of southeners who have been able to practice every day.  It's just great to get out and compete at that time of year though.

I'm glad to hear that Publix is still sponsoring the event: they picked it up when Ryder dropped their support of the tournament in the early 90s.  Wow, I feel old now.

Let us know what you think of the courses you play ... sorry I don't have any recommendations for non-Doral courses.

[james soper]

private-indian creek(flynn) la gorce(nicklaus re-do)

public- biltmore(ross) crandon park(devlin,von hagge)

[Jerry Kluger]

Emerald Hills(Devlin VonHagge) is in the Ft. Lauderdale area and if you can forget about the chain link fences and houses you will find a pretty challenging and interesting course.  

[Tim Gavrich]

private-indian creek(flynn) la gorce(nicklaus re-do)

public- biltmore(ross) crandon park(devlin,von hagge)

I'm intrigued about Indian Creek, as I've never played a Flynn course.  In addition, any course that says (golfcourse.com) "Due to the private nature of the club, the club personnel prefer not to provide additional information about the club or course" must be exquisite.  That said, is there any way my father and I might be able to get on this course in December?  We're not terribly well-connected with anyone in Florida, but is there some other avenue for playing this course?

Thanks.

[wsmorrison]

Tim,

If you're thinking of buying a black rubber boat, black shoeshine, black watchcap, sweater, shoes and trousers and paddling over to Indian Creek....don't!  The bay is mined and they have their own navy and will shoot first and ask questions later    Actually, they do have their own water patrols.  It is ultra private and exclusive.  It has to be among the most expensive real estate in America.

It is one of the finest clubs in the country.  The beautiful clubhouse is by Maurice Fatio.  It has one of the great locker rooms in all of golf.  Flynn built the course above a flat man-made island 4' above sea level.  In parts it is over 30' high, the highest point in Dade County.  The golf course is a fabulous study of design with the wind taken into account and every bit of topographic movement by design.  Its worth just taking a walk around...if you can find a way, you will enjoy it.

[Gerry B]

re:indian creek -unless you know a member or are well connected through your local private club - good luck -   especially in december when the majority of the members are in south florida for the winter (who are also members of many of the exclusive clubs in the northeast and midwest)

yes, it is a fun course to play and the clubhouse -especially the men's locker room are all world  

[Tim Gavrich]

re:indian creek -unless you know a member or are well connected through your local private club - good luck -   especially in december when the majority of the members are in south florida for the winter (who are also members of many of the exclusive clubs in the northeast and midwest)

yes, it is a fun course to play and the clubhouse -especially the men's locker room are all world  

Well it looks like I can put Indian Creek up on my list for future play, but I'm obvious l'm not going to get on in December.  That leaves La Gorce as a possibility.  Is it as hard to get on as Indian Creek?  I heard Nicklaus redesigned it a few years ago.  I'm a member of a Nicklaus course down in SC.  Would we be able to play if my pro called the La Gorce pro (some kind of Nicklaus Signature deal)?  Are there any other Nicklaus Signature courses in the Miami-Palm Beach-Jupiter area?

Thanks.

[james soper]

la gorce and nicklaus are not on the best of terms. his group was sued by la gorce because of drainage issues. became very nasty, was settled out of court.
as for private nicklaus courses, try:
- bear's club in jupiter(his home course, very exclusive, tough ticket)
-loxahatchee club  in jupiter(early nicklaus design- his son lives there, joe willie namath is an active member)
-ibis in west palm beach three courses, instructer martin hall teaches here
-mayacoo lakes- early nicklaus design
-bear lakes in west palm beach- two courses, plays host to open qualifiers