Andy,

I ended up playing The Ocean Course as part of trip to see some of Florida's best known courses. It was added as a stop between North Palm Beach to Jacksonville to make the trip much easier to manage.

It surprised me completely and is probably my favourite Nicklaus course that I have played so far. The course features a lot of fairway width and hazards inside fairway lines including many in the centerlines. There are lots of optional routes and enough room to either play wide or try take on some of the bunkering.
The best word to describe the day was the course was a great deal of fun with the ocean holes being the highlight. The 8th and 9th are excellent holes.

My own quibble was with the stupid island green par five on the front where none of our group could find the green in a 40 mph crosswind. I found that hole out of place on such a playable and enjoyable layout.

I would recommend the course.

The November/December issue of Travel & Leisure Golf magazine has a feature story on the course at the Hammock Beach Resort. Check out the magazine on a newstand or on line.

www.travelandleisure.com/tlgolf/articles/golf-swing-time-in-the-hammock  

Andy,

I have always thought that Ocean Hammock doesn't get enough praise for its design.  I played it shortly after it opened and enjoyed my round so much that I have always thought about making a trip back.

One interesting piece of trivia.  It is the site of Michelle Wie's only major tournament win, the Women's Public Links.

I played Hammock Dunes several years ago and thought a lot of the course at the time. I don't remember much of the course details from the one play about twelve years ago. At that time it was their private course done by Fazio. I'm not sure how private it is now that they have two other courses.

Andy,

I have played it a few times and it is a lot of fun.  The wind can change that course dramatically based on direction.  My travelling group has always recommended it to anyone headed over there.  The last 5 or 6 holes are the best part of the course and I concur on that par 5.  We ended up giving a guy a 12 as he hit 4 balls in the water and would have been there all day.

Enjoy 18, if it is into the wind you will struggle to get there in 2.

Mark

Isn't Ocean Hammock really Reflection Bay East? I noticed alot of similarities...

Quite honestly, I would choose Sawgrass everyt eim over Ocean Hammock.  But I had a nice time at the resort.  This was back in 2002 or something...it was New Years Eeve day and FREEZING!

TPC Sawgrass is indeed the third course on the trip. I've read enough about that one to not need to ask for more thoughts  

Andy:

Not being a Florida guy I have to say this -- the Nicklaus course at Ocean Hammock is one of the very best public access courses one can in the Sunshine State. How good? Given the ones I've played I would rate the course along the likes of World Woods -- ahead of the gem Southern Dunes outside of Orlando and a few paces behind what you see with TPC / Stadium.

The ending holes at Ocean Hammock are quite diversified and rather fun. I especially liked the cape-16th hole. The 9th and 18th are also fun to play and it was quite smart to run them from two different angles.

I know many people on this site know my disdain for much of what calls itself golf in FLA but Nicklaus and his team did a superb job with Ocean Hammock.

I've not played the Watson layout but since I'll be at the PGA Show in late January I may stop by and get a firsthand glimpse.

Matt, normally I'm firmly in your corner, but if you think Ocean Hammock is as good as World Woods, you're drinkin' Drano, man.  OH is as cookie-cutter McNicklaus as it comes!

Mike,

Played them both - yes I prefer Pine Barrens - but I wouldn't dismiss Ocean Hammock that quick. Lot's of alternative routes, centreline hazards, plenty of width, ground game alternatives - it has it all.

Yes the island green sucks - but the rest is pretty good.