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Doug Wright

  • Karma: +0/-0
Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« on: February 08, 2004, 04:42:31 PM »
Is there any reasonably priced decent muny/public access golf in this area? I'm familiar with Emerald Dunes in West Palm Beach, which is a decent public course but I see has now skyrocketed to $150 per round.

I'd appreciate any thoughts.

Best,
Twitter: @Deneuchre

wsmorrison

Re:Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2004, 04:59:29 PM »
Doug,
Although I don't know as yet how much Flynn is left, I have heard that Normandy Shores (1926 Flynn that was redesigned in 1950s) is an interesting public course.  From the tips it is 6402 yards par 71 course rating 70.5 and 120 slope.  The address is:
2401 Biarritz Drive
Miami Beach, FL  33141
305.868.6502
If you end up checking it out, please let me know your thoughts.

Evan Fleisher

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2004, 05:54:59 PM »
Heard through the grapevine that Flynn's Normandy Shores is either currently undergoing or soon-to-be undergoing rennovations...just a head's up.

As for other decent daily-play courses in the area, here is a short list from me:

* Bayshore Golf Course...now called something like Miami Beach CC.  It has recently undergone a complete rennovation and I've heard good things and seen a few pictures.  Not sure what kind of fees they are currently charging, however.

* Crandon Park Golf Club...out on Key Biscayne.  This Von Hagge/Devlin course has some really great holes and views and wind is a big factor.  Rates might be on the "higher" side up public golf, but it is well worth playing, IMO.  Try for twilight rates.

* Inverrary CC East Course...in Lauderhill where the old Jackie Gleason tournaments were originally played.  Has some interesting holes on this RTJ Sr. course, but played by a ton of older folks and pace can be slow.

* West Palm Beach CC...an old 40's course by Dick Wilson that used to be private but is now public.  Rates are good, walking is allowed, and there is still some interest out there even if the conditions are not always stellar.

I'm sure others will chime in with more choices as well as their own takes on these places, but at least it's a start!
Born Rochester, MN. Grew up Miami, FL. Live Cleveland, OH. Handicap 13.2. Have 26 & 23 year old girls and wife of 29 years. I'm a Senior Supply Chain Business Analyst for Vitamix. Diehard walker, but tolerate cart riders! Love to travel, always have my sticks with me. Mollydooker for life!

Steve_ Shaffer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #3 on: February 08, 2004, 08:58:46 PM »
I just saw this article at GD:
www.golfdigest.com/newsandtour/index.ssf?/newsandtour/gw20040123miami.html

Bayshore now Miami Beach GC seems like the place to play. Of course, there is the Biltmore(Ross?) in Coral Gables.

www.miamibeachgolfclub.com

Steve
"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

Doug Wright

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #4 on: February 10, 2004, 09:32:54 AM »
Thanks for these ideas. Any others?

Best,
Twitter: @Deneuchre

Mike Vegis @ Kiawah

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #5 on: February 10, 2004, 12:32:24 PM »
There's a below-average Donald Ross course in Coral Gables at The Biltmore Hotel.  Used to play it all the time when I lived in Miami when I worked for Windjammer.  Fun but very rough around the edges unless they cleaned it up since then...

frank_D

Re:Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2004, 11:14:23 AM »
brother doug

if i had your mailing address i could mail you three brochures each with ALL (RESORT/PUBLIC/SEMI/PRIVATE) the course in each of the three counties (DADE/BROWARD/WEST PALM BEACH)

also what i find helpful on an intital recon is to access a website (ie YAHOO) with MAPS and insert an address (ie MY HOTEL) and ask for all the courses within a predetermined radius (ie 30 MILES) on the nearby services / yellow pages - i have 28 course within 10 miles from me including 7 which are in my rotation JACARANDA/PEMBROKE LAKES/SUNRISE/INVERRARY/HOLLYWOOD BEACH/GRAND PALMS/COLONY WEST

also GD has been helpful via PLACES TO PLAY (i hone in on zip codes or long distance telephone exchanges) and website acces of courses by geographic location if your not from the area

emerald dunes has e-mailed me recently advertizing a memebership program from frequent play which significantly reduces the cost - also now during season the local newspapers are as good as anyplace to find advertized deals - it also helps to have a florida driver license if you qualify

Doug Wright

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re:Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2004, 11:27:42 AM »
Thanks for this info Frank.

Best,
Twitter: @Deneuchre

Doug Wright

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #8 on: January 16, 2019, 12:03:42 PM »
Reprising this thread from 2004 because I'm going to be in Ft. Lauderdale next week. Appreciate any ideas.
Twitter: @Deneuchre

B.Ross

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #9 on: January 16, 2019, 12:24:35 PM »
i'd go w/ crandon park key biscayne, davie golf & CC, or emerald hills. also checkout canamgolf.com for excellent prices and the occasional access to a private track. they can get you on weston hills on mondays for example

MCirba

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #10 on: January 16, 2019, 03:32:20 PM »
Hi Doug,

I recently played Biltmore, Normandy Shores, Miccosukee, and Crandon at Key Biscayne.

None of them were bargain public golf, certainly, and if I wasn't on a much needed winter vacation I can't say any of them were actually worth what I paid to play.

Of the four, Normandy Shores had the highest value if I factored in good architecture, general conditioning, playability, variety and fun.   Probably a 5.5 Doak Scale.

Biltmore had some very good golf holes and interesting greens after a $2.5 million Brian Silva restoration but it probably re-opened too early as the fairways were a bit threadbare in many spots.  With good conditioning likely a solid 5.

Miccosukee was just difficult Florida golf with some very awkward doglegs and forced water carries and a variety of grasses in the fairways that were mostly basic Bermuda but sort of thick-bladed.  3, tops.

Crandon Biscayne is gorgeous and marvelously conditioned and was hard as bricks and if I had to play there every day I'd either be a much better golfer than I am now or would give up the game.   I can't even imagine playing it in the high winds I played in at some of the other courses.   Remarkably penal.   4 for being a good example of a type.
"Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent" - Calvin Coolidge

https://cobbscreek.org/

Steve_ Shaffer

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #11 on: January 16, 2019, 08:03:06 PM »
https://www.pbcospreypointgolf.com/ in Boca


https://www.pbcparkridgegolf.com/ in Lake Worth


and if you want a Nicklaus redesign  in North Palm Beach https://www.village-npb.org/666/Golf-Course
"Some of us worship in churches, some in synagogues, some on golf courses ... "  Adlai Stevenson
Hyman Roth to Michael Corleone: "We're bigger than US Steel."
Ben Hogan “The most important shot in golf is the next one”

ChipRoyce

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2019, 04:02:28 PM »
A second for Osprey Point in Boca
Also Atlantic National (formerly Doug Ford's Lacuna Golf Club) in Lake Worth

Mark Saltzman

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2019, 04:18:21 PM »
I posted this a bunch of years ago. I still really like North Palm Beach.  Found a huge sleeper down there that is as good as anything... just don't tell too many people about it! https://www.miamishoresgolf.com


Here are reviews of a few courses in the area.  North Palm Beach really shouldn't be missed...[/size]Abacoa: http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.ca/2013/04/abacoa-golf-course-jupiter-florida.htmlAtlantic National: http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.ca/2012/12/atlantic-national-golf-club-lake-worth.htmlBinks Forest: http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.ca/2013/04/binks-forest-golf-club-wellington.htmlNorth Palm Beach: http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.com/2013/01/north-palm-beach-country-club-north.htmlOsprey Point: http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.com/2013/01/osprey-point-golf-course-boca-raton.htmlWest Palm Beach: http://onegolferstravels.blogspot.ca/2012/01/west-palm-beach-golf-club-review.htmlI've played most courses in the area.  Let me know if you have questions about any in particular.[/size]

jeffwarne

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Re: Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #14 on: January 17, 2019, 10:15:25 PM »
I used to enjoy Miami Springs--an oasis in the blight
Rough n ready Ross
"Let's slow the damned greens down a bit, not take the character out of them." Tom Doak
"Take their focus off the grass and put it squarely on interesting golf." Don Mahaffey

David_Madison

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #15 on: January 18, 2019, 07:42:57 AM »
Colony West, in Tamarac is pretty decent, actually a very challenging course that tour players used to head over to when they were playing the Jackie Gleason event nearby. It was a Devlin/VonHagge design built in early 70's and in its time a total beast. I used to play there all the time back in the 80's and it attracted a ton of play from the better amateurs in the area.

John Emerson

  • Karma: +0/-0
Re: Lauderdale-Miami Public Golf?
« Reply #16 on: January 19, 2019, 04:21:38 PM »
If you want to play a fun Ross course Hollywood beach GC was enjoyable and a super easy walk.  Its flat as a pancake!  It’s not aged well and greens are shrunk but it was quirky and fun.  Cheap also. 
“There’s links golf, then everything else.”