Opinions on golf near Palm Beach, FL

[Edward Moody]

Heading there next week and I've been researching some of the clubs around the area.  I've only played Seminole, but am interested to hear thoughts about McArthur, Old Marsh, Lost Tree, and perhaps Medalist.  I'm most interested in something I can walk, where there aren't a lot of homes in view, and the course has some architectural positives.  Playing a club where I might run into a few TOUR players isn't part of the criteria.

So far, and only having read some old GCA posts and some web write ups, McArthur seems like an interesting choice.  The club appears to have a low key and understated vibe, doesn't seek attention, and is all about golf.

Anyway, I've gotten mixed reviews on most and would appreciate any insight...thanks!

[Robert Emmons]

McArthur, Bears Club, Old Marsh, Jupiter Hills, Dye Preserve, Medalist all are walking to some extent...with all the TOUR pros living in the area its hard not to see some...RHE

[Wayne Wiggins, Jr.]

Ed -

How far are you looking to venture?  Loblolly is good.  Pine Tree and CC of Florida, both in Boynton Beach, are held in high regard here on GCA.com. 

W

[Joe Bausch]

Really enjoyed Pine Tree last spring:

http://xchem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/albums/pinetree/

[Terry Lavin]

Pine Tree, Loblolly and McArthur will not disappoint. Plenty of good Fla golf thereabouts.

[abmack]

Jupiter Hills is a must!

Dye Preserve is very good. All about golf and easy to walk. Great atmosphere.

If you can get on, Palm Beach CC is a sleeper, definitely worth playing.

Everglades club is good but short.

[Jim Tang]

I've not seen Jupiter Hills, but, my brother, who lives in Jupiter and has seen it, tells me it is very good.

[Jeff Tang]

I haven't played all of those mentioned but a little north of Palm Beach Jupiter Hills is excellent and a little south Pine Tree is as well. For the area Jupiter Hills has some very atypical terrain in a good way.

[Mitch Hantman]

Jim,

Your brother is correct!  Also, the Village course at Jupiter Hills is very good, and suffers only from being at the same club as the Hills.  It is a lot of fun to play. 

Edward,

For your criteria, I would recommend McArthur.

[Jerry Kluger]

I have played most of the courses that have been suggested and they certainly are top notch but if you want to try one that is flying under the radar try Emerald Dunes.  Yes, it was a public course at one time and there are many Fazio courses which we have issues with but ED is really good.  I understand that TF came back to the course and did substantial work before it was reopened and he comes back a couple of times a year to fine tune things.  I was told that there is one individual who owns the club and has deep pockets and won't hesitate to make improvements.  Yes, there are a couple of waterfalls that are a bit over the top but there is plenty of solid golf design with challenges and risk reward options.  And one feature I really liked were the rolling fairways which can produce awkward lies.

[cary lichtenstein]

And the best are, in no particular order:

McArthur
Dye Preserve
Bears Club
Jupiter Hills (not the Village)
Trump in Jupiter

Pass on the others

[Joe Bausch]

If you want to see PGA National Champion course, here is a precursor:

http://xchem.villanova.edu/~bausch/images/albums/PGANatlChampion/

[Edward Moody]

Thank you all for the insight. Much obliged.

[Jerry Kluger]

Cary: Are you playing golf again?  Can you really leave Pine Tree off any list of courses in that area?