I was in South Florida for some work earlier this week and have been wanting to check out the new Gil Hanse renovation at The Park at West Palm, so I worked that into my trip. I am so glad I did. This is truly one of the most fun courses I've ever played outside of a resort like Bandon or Pinehurst. This is such an outstanding example of what municipal golf can be. Hopefully more places can try to replicate.
It is super unique for Florida golf as it has some real undulation through both the fairways and the greens. For example the first green has a false front that is probably a 5-6 foot drop. Also, there is no a single ounce of water on the course, and essentially no rough. You are either in tight lie fairways, in a beautifully manicured bunker, or in a sandy native area. I also like the emphasis that was put on walking versus riding. Its walking only before noon, and caddies required before 9:00.
Had a wide variety of greens with crumples, punch bowls, and Donald Ross-esque turtle backs. If you like to play the ball on the ground you'll get a lot of laughs. I lost one ball on the day due to a dumb flared long approach, but most rounds I wouldn't imagine you'd lose any. Also I think I used 13/14 clubs in the bag (in hindsight I should have used a 5 iron on one to make it 14/14), which never happens.
They've also got a bit of a resort vibe with a putting course, a lit par 3 course (the netted area you see in the pics), and open air bar and lounge area for hanging out. Local I played with said much of it has been funded by and is being managed by leadership at Seminole.
A few pics:
Write up on it from the Fried Egg
It is super unique for Florida golf as it has some real undulation through both the fairways and the greens. For example the first green has a false front that is probably a 5-6 foot drop. Also, there is no a single ounce of water on the course, and essentially no rough. You are either in tight lie fairways, in a beautifully manicured bunker, or in a sandy native area. I also like the emphasis that was put on walking versus riding. Its walking only before noon, and caddies required before 9:00.
Had a wide variety of greens with crumples, punch bowls, and Donald Ross-esque turtle backs. If you like to play the ball on the ground you'll get a lot of laughs. I lost one ball on the day due to a dumb flared long approach, but most rounds I wouldn't imagine you'd lose any. Also I think I used 13/14 clubs in the bag (in hindsight I should have used a 5 iron on one to make it 14/14), which never happens.
They've also got a bit of a resort vibe with a putting course, a lit par 3 course (the netted area you see in the pics), and open air bar and lounge area for hanging out. Local I played with said much of it has been funded by and is being managed by leadership at Seminole.
A few pics:
Write up on it from the Fried Egg