Top Golf Courses Near Palm Beach

Palm Beach has been described as Florida’s Golf Capital, and for good reason. There are more than 160 golf courses in the area, many of them designed by highly regarded architects, including the legendary Golden Bear himself, Jack Nicklaus.

People who purchase homes for sale in Palm Beach County can join some of the most exclusive private clubs in the state or enjoy many terrific public courses.

Residents of Palm Beach, Florida real estate know that The Ocean Course at The Breakers is the consensus must-play layout in the entire Palm Beach area. It stands out because of its location at the fabled Breakers Palm Beach luxury resort, right on the Atlantic Ocean, and because it’s the oldest 18-hole course in Florida. Many of the holes have breathtaking views of the ocean, which provides a nice cooling breeze throughout your round. Not only is the scenery stunning, but the golf course itself is challenging. The original course was designed in 1897 by Alexander H. Findlay and was expertly renovated in 2018 by top golf course architect Rees Jones.

PGA National Resort is one of the most impressive golf complexes anywhere in the world, and The Champion Course is nothing less than legendary. The Champion is a demanding course, and avid golfers who live in Palm Beach mansions recognize it as the host of the PGA Tour’s Honda Classic. It was originally designed by Tom and George Fazio and was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 2014. One of the touches that Nicklaus added was The Bear Trap, a span of three holes that is described as “one of the toughest stretches in golf.”

The Champion is one of six courses at The PGA National Resort & Spa. Another great is The Fazio, which is perfect for golfers of various skill levels. The newest course is called The Match.

The North Palm Beach Country Club Jack Nicklaus Signature Course has the rare distinction of being one of just two municipal courses designed by the Golden Bear. It is owned by the Village of North Palm Beach and is open to the public, making it a favorite of people who buy single-family homes for sale in West Palm Beach. This links-style course has a stunning location near the Intracoastal Waterway and the North Palm Beach Waterway and was designed by Nicklaus to make golfers think about every shot. That makes it challenging as well as fun. It is a par-71 course that features elevation changes, which are unique to Florida courses, and rolling fairways that lead to undulating greens that are protected by bunkers.

A spectacular, new 37,000-foot clubhouse replaced the original clubhouse that was built in 1963 and torn down in 2018. The clubhouse serves as a wonderful gathering spot for golfers after their rounds and also hosts community events.

The Abacoa Golf Club is another outstanding public course located in Jupiter, just north of Palm Beach. It was one of the last courses designed by the highly regarded Joe Lee and opened in 1969. Abacoa Golf Club is known for its sloping fairways, and most of its holes are surrounded by water. Golfers of all skill levels come to Abacoa to play the challenging but fun layout.

West Palm Beach Golf Course is another venerable course favored by residents of luxury properties in Palm Beach.  It is currently closed for renovation, which means it will be better than ever when it reopens to the public. It has been at its current location since 1947. The championship 18-hole layout was designed by Dick Wilson and restored in 2009, with its length ranging between 5,023 and 7,002 yards. It formerly hosted a PGA Tour stop and has the distinction of being on the Florida Historic Golf Trail. In a rarity, there are no water hazards or features on the course.

Southwinds Golf Course in Boca Raton has the unique distinction of being a great place to get in a round of golf while also being a certified Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary. That means that golfers who are used to carding birdies are just as likely to see wildlife – such as Canadian geese, foxes, iguanas, and otters. Southwinds Golf Course is nestled into a unique setting in a swank neighborhood halfway between the Atlantic Ocean and the eastern boundary of the Everglades. It has water on almost every hole.

Navigating today's market of Palm Beach houses for sale requires the assistance of The Jack Elkins Team, which has years of helping clients find their dream homes. It’s imperative to hire an agent who is well-versed in handling transactions for luxury homes, which can be more complicated and time-consuming than for lesser-priced properties. A smart agent can also come up with creative ways to write an offer that will get you into a fabulous home. When you are ready to begin shopping for homes for sale in Palm Beach County, let The Jack Elkins Team show you why they are considered to be the best Palm Beach real estate agents in the business.