Exploring Palm Coast’s Golf Courses
Often referred to as the “Pebble Beach of Florida,” Palm Coast is a golfer’s paradise. There are several spectacular courses to choose from offering a challenging game for the novice and the expert linksman alike.
Whether you wish to golf along the ocean, or tee off among the Florida pines, there is a course for you in Palm Coast. Compared to other areas in Florida, you don’t have to drive far to find the course perfect for you.
Throughout the county, all just a short drive from Marina del Palma, you’ll find courses designed by golf legends, including Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Tom Watson, that are built around picturesque marshland, lakes and woodlands, as well as the Atlantic Ocean.
The Ocean Course at the Hammock Beach Resort, is often considered the premier course in the county and was named to Golf Digest’s “2018 Best Golf Resorts In Florida” and received a ranking as one of Florida’s Top 5 courses. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it offers views of pristine lakes and wetlands and six holes right on the Atlantic. The course concludes with an exciting finale dubbed “The Bear Claw” — a collection of four daunting holes precariously edging the sweeping coastline. The Ocean Course.
The nearby Conservatory Course, a Tom Watson signature, is Florida’s longest and is truly a masterpiece. This stunning course is highlighted by waterfalls, babbling brooks and veneered field stone work. To the 140 sand and coquina bunkers, Watson also added three sod-faced bunkers, a nod to his affinity for British links-style golf. In the 2008 issue of Golf Digest, the course ranked The Conservatory third on its elite list of America’s Best New Public Courses.
Across town at the Pine Lakes Golf Course, a signature Arnold Palmer design, the greens wander through more than 160 acres of gently rolling terrain with mature vegetation, creeks and wetland areas. The layout is generous, visually interesting and well designed to fit the natural terrain. Unlike many Florida courses, Pine Lakes features natural undulations, gently rolling fairways and signature green complexes. Stretching 7,000 yards from the tips, the course design, combined with natural elevation, changes and topography provide a challenging yet fair layout to both the discriminating and casual golfer.
On the west side of the county, at 6,401 yards from the back tees is the Grand Reserve Golf Course. This is a par 71 course offering great challenges but perfect even for junior novice golfers. Home to wide long fairways, limited forced carries, and challenging sand and water hazards, this course is perfect for all skill levels.
There are even more golf courses for you to explore in Palm Coast and we encourage you to tee off on each one as a Marina del Palma resident because they are all nearby. Whichever course you choose, you are sure to have an incredible day out on the greens.