[Sean Leary]

I am heading to South Florida over the new year and was wondering about places to play.  We are staying at The Diplomat, which has a Joe Lee course, but I know very little else about the courses in that area.  Any recommendations?

[DTaylor18]

Sean, I just got back from a few days there.  Indian Creek was great and a lot of fun to play.  Beyond that, i think there are slim pickings in Miami.  I w as in Palm Beach for a day, which is not too far from Ft. LAuderdale, there are plenty of options there.

[Sean Leary]

Dan,

Unfortunately, my memberships to Indian creek and Seminole haven't arrived in the mail yet.  

Any public course, or ones that would reciprocate with a Seattle area private club?

[jeffwarne]

Cranden Park(formerly Key Biscayne)is OK,Biltmore in Coral Gables has Ross remnants:DO NOT bother with Doral--Miami Springs has some history,is now a scruffy muni,but I like it

[Steve_ Shaffer]

How about Miami Beach GC recently renovated by Hills?

www.miamibeachgolfclub.com

Steve Pike – Senior Writer PGA.com AOL Time Warner/Turner Sports Interactive
---------------------------------------
“In my opinion, it’s one of the best public [or resort] courses in all of South Florida. Really beautiful.”

[jeffwarne]

I forgot about Bayshore-would've recommended it before,not sure I would now-
probably another example of having 9 million too much to spend
If you read the testimonials it sounds like everyone likes the grass though
Hope I'm wrong,cause it was a pretty neat spot

[DTaylor18]

Sean, your public options are limited in Miami and may not be worth the money unless you really want to play.  I played Crandon PArk and didn't like it very much.  In a beautiful spot on the water, which is unfortunately compeltely blocked out on almost every single hole. More target golf than anything else.  I stayed at the Biltmore but didn't paly the course.  It looked ok. Crandon Park was $100, i don't remember what the Biltmore course was.  In tha Palm Beach area there are more public options.

[jeffwarne]

Dan is right,you'll be disappointed if you have expectations other than good weather
I just enjoy older courses for their history(Miami Springs,Biltmore)
I saw where Miami Beach GC is $175 now-but that includes cart AND GPS system!
Gotta fund that $10 million renovation somehow-doubt there are any natives playing there

[Sean Leary]

Dan,

How far is west palm and what would you recommend there?

[Matt_Ward]

Sean:

I used to play a fair amount of round over the winters at Colony West in Tamarac -- not very far from the central core that makes up Fort Lauderdale. I've not been there for a few years but I heard from a few people a mixed bag of thoughts on what's happening there.

The layout I believe is a Devlin / Von Hagge and the course can play very tough given all the extras that were thrown into the mix. The 12th hole -- at 452 yards -- has to be one of the most demanding in the Sunshine State. The 18th at nearly 470 yards is also a terro. I believe the course has a 75+ rating and sope is somewhere around 145.

If you need another public option you might want to check out Pompano Beach and their 36-hole operation just off Rte 1. The Pines is the better of the two and while the entie operation gets a mega bundle of players the Pines is well done especially the last five hole which play into the prevailing wind.

Be interested in hearing from people who have played courses recently.

[DTaylor18]

Sean, Ft Lauderdale is basically halfway between Miami and Palm Beach.  So, depending on how fast you drive  , it's about 45 minutes in either direction from Ft. Lauderdale.  I haven't played too many of the public courses in the area, i've just done a bunch of traveling for work recently.  I have been told that Emerald Dunes is good but have not played there.  I palyed soem fo the courses at PGA National which were in good shape and it's a ncie facility, but there is housing everywhere.  The re-designed Breakers West Course is supposed to open this month and may be worth a look.  

[Evan Fleisher]

Talked about here before (mostly by me and BillV) would be the West Palm Beach Country Club...and old private course turned public muni that has some interest and is a fun place to play...just off I-95 so it would be an easy drive up from Miami area.

[Brian_Gracely]

I received this "tip" from an anonymous GCA'er about a month ago when I was asking about courses in the Palm Beach area.

You should check out N. Palm Beach CC on US 1 in NPB. The first ten holes are still the exact same fairway corridors and green sites from Raynors original design-its a a really good piece of land-it will be kind of fun to play it and then go in the clubhouse and try to mentally superimpose the course you just played over the photos of the original. Also you should certainly check out W. Palm Beach CC off of I-95 a bit further south. It is an old Dick Wilson course that could REALLY be something special but will unfortunately never be anything more than a run-down muni.  some really imaginative and ferocious bunkering as well-starts out with 2 par 5's back to back.It is also a great site with some uncharacteristic elevation change (for S. Florida).

[Jerry Kluger]

Emeral Hills in Hallandale is a pretty good track.  It is Devlin/VonHagge and but for the chain link fences and houses, which are common in Florida, it has some really good holes although it does tend to get pricey.  The lunch deals are great.

[frank_D]

brother Sean

by staying at the diplomat your best daily rate for upscale and CONVIENIENCE will be their course which used to be as private club and has all the amenities and about two miles inland - however others nearby i would consider [note - the weather has been unseasonable cold down here lately ! ]

within 15 miles
hollywood beach 2 m W donald ross layout - reasonable price
954-927-6040

presidential 4 m W tommy fazio - houses encroach course
305-935-7500

emerald hills 6 m west - usually best conditioned
305-625-5767

raintree 11m W quirky 6par3's 6par4's 6par5's
954-432-4400

grande oaks - 11 m NW former rolling hills (caddyshack) - private but may reciprocate through hotel
954-916-2900

Golf Club of Mia 13m SW where Jack started in 1962
305-556-8485

Jacaranda 13m NW former private club
954-472-5836

DonShula 14m SW local favorite - home of the 64oz steak
305-820-8106

inverrary 15m NW - old jackie gleason hangout
954-676-5000

beyond 15 miles
Crandon(Biscayne) 16m S - royal carribean on senior tour
305-361-9129

Colony West 18 m NW one time golf digest 4+ stars
954-722-9605

Bonaventure 18 m W resort course and "Waterfall" course
954-389-2100

melreese 17m S (near MIA airport if that fits your travel)
305-633-4583

doral 18 m W - either love it or hate it - expensive
305-592-2000

TPC eagle trace - 21 m NW - may require special invite
954-753-7222

TPC heron bay - 24 m NW mccumber - former Honda site
954-796-2000

[james soper]

crandon on key biscayne(von hagge/devlin design which played host to the royal caribbean classic) and
biltmore (donald ross- course left fairly intact with the exception of #18) are your best bets.
since indian creek doesn't reciprocate, you may want to have your pro try riviera country club in coral gables(accross the street from the biltmore, always in wonderful shape, plus caddies if you desire) or la gorce on miami beach(caddies plus new clubhouse, in great shape, but nicklaus redesign leaves you a little empty versus old design with the elevated greens.

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