Where do Palm Beach Residents Play Golf?
Where Do Palm Beachers Play Golf? Top Clubs and Courses for the Town and Beyond (2025)
Golf has always been more than a sport in Palm Beach. It is a social ritual, a civic currency, and a part of the lifestyle that shapes neighborhoods and real estate values. This guide profiles the most relevant private and public golf clubs on the island and centrally located in Palm Beach County that Palm Beachers choose for regular play, social life, and entertaining guests.
Each club entry includes a quick snapshot of the course or courses, notable architects and history, course details, and an approximate distance from the Town of Palm Beach.
On the Island
Everglades Club — Palm Beach (PRIVATE)
Quick Snapshot: Historic private social club with an iconic nine-hole golf layout and deep roots in Palm Beach society.
History & Architect: Founded by Paris Singer and developed with architect Addison Mizner in the early 20th century; the club opened in 1919. The property and clubhouse are architectural landmarks.
Course Details: The 18-hole golf course was designed by Seth Raynor and extends just over 6,000 yards with a slope rating of 137 and course rating of 70.3.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Located in the heart of the island on Worth Avenue.
356 Worth Avenue
Palm Beach FL 33480
Palm Beach Country Club — Palm Beach (PRIVATE)
Quick Snapshot: Classic Donald Ross course and private club located on the island with a rich history and renovated features.
History & Architect: The course was originally designed by Donald Ross and the club dates to the early 20th century. Recent renovations and updates have been completed to preserve playability and conditioning.
Course Details: 18-holes playing up to 6,155 yards with a slope rating of 126 and course rating of 69.6.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: On the north end of the island; roughly 1 mile or less from central Palm Beach landmarks.
760 North Ocean Boulevard
Palm Beach, FL 33480
The Breakers Ocean Course — Palm Beach (PRIVATE + RESORT GUESTS)
Quick snapshot: The Breakers offers both a historic oceanfront course on the island and the championship Rees Jones course at Breakers West inland. Both are essential parts of the Breakers’ golf offering for resort guests and members.
History & Architect: The Ocean Course traces its roots to one of Florida’s earliest layouts with an original design by Alexander Findlay in the late 19th century. Rees Jones led a significant renovation in 2018 to modernize play while honoring the course’s heritage.
Course details: 18-holes playing a short 5,778 yards with a slope of 126 and course rating of 67.8.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: The Ocean Course sits on the island, adjacent to the Breakers resort.
1 South County Road
Palm Beach FL 33480
Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course — Palm Beach (PUBLIC)
Quick snapshot: A beloved short course owned by the Town of Palm Beach and known for practice, family play, and enjoyable layout running along the ocean and Intracoastal Waterway.
History & architect: Designed Dick Wilson and then apprentice Joe Lee, who went on to be a notable designer himself, the course opened for play in 1961. The course was most recently renovated in 2009 by the legendary Raymond Floyd.
Course details: The facility plays as an 18-hole par 3 complex with holes ranging roughly from 80 to 210 yards and three sets of tees.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Located on South Ocean Boulevard in Palm Beach; about 5 miles from Worth Avenue.
2345 South Ocean Blvd
Palm Beach, FL 33480
Off the Island — Clubs Palm Beachers Play Regularly
Breakers West — West Palm Beach (PRIVATE)
Quick snapshot: The championship length golf course in the Breakers family. Breakers West offers stand alone memberships or a full membership with Breakers Palm Beach access.
History & architect: Breakers West features a Rees Jones designed and recently renovated championship course that reopened following an extensive renovation in 2022. The course is aimed at providing challenging championship golf for members.
Course details: The 18-hole Rees Jones course at Breakers West is substantially longer than the Ocean Course, playing 7,104 yards from the tips with a slope rating of 143 and a course rating of 74.5.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Breakers West is 11 miles inland in West Palm Beach with an approximate drive of 30 minutes depending on traffic.
1550 Flagler Parkway
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Mayacoo Country Club — West Palm Beach (PRIVATE)
Quick Snapshot: Although not long, Mayacoo is a challenging, tight layout with small greens. It was ranked in Golf Digest’s 100 Greatest from 1977- 1988.
History & Architect: Opened in 1972 as one of Jack Nicklaus’s earliest designs, along with co-architect Desmond Muirhead.
Course Details: 18-holes, playing 6,906 yards from the tips with a slope rating of 151 and course rating of 74.9.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Approximately 11 miles west of the island, next to Breakers West Country Club.
9697 Mayacoo Club Drive
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Trump International Golf Club — West Palm Beach (PRIVATE)
Quick snapshot: A resort style private club with a dramatic sculpted championship course, 9-hole course, and resort amenities.
History & architect: Designed by Jim Fazio and completed in 1999, Trump International Golf Club was constructed on a parcel of land secured from Palm Beach County on a 100 year lease. Jim Fazio returned to complete the Trump Nine as well, with a distinctly different feel from the championship course.
Course Details: The championship course is a challenging 7,496 yards from the back tees with a slope rating of 155 and course rating of 76.3, while the Trump Nine is a full length par 36 stretching 3,605 yards.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Located approximately 7 miles south and west of Palm Beach near the airport.
3505 Summit Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33406
trumpinternationalpalmbeaches.com
Gulf Stream Golf Club — Gulf Stream (PRIVATE)
Quick snapshot: A private, ultra-exclusive invitation only club nestled in the quiet seaside enclave of Gulf Stream, FL.
History & Architect: established in 1924 with a Donald Ross design and long local pedigree. It is a compact but classic layout with storied membership history, including founding members such as Paris Singer, the Phipps family, and E.F. Hutton. The club house was designed by legendary architect Addison Mizner.
Course details: 18-holes, stretching up to 6,578 yards with a slope rating of 137 with a course rating of 73.9.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Situated in the Town of Gulf Stream, just south of Manalapan, 19 miles south of Worth Avenue in Palm Beach.
2401 North Ocean Boulevard
Gulf Stream, FL 33483
Pine Tree Golf Club — Boynton Beach (PRIVATE)
Quick snapshot: Renowned private club with a traditional atmosphere. It is celebrated for classic design and sequestered member culture.
History & Architect: Pine Tree was established in 1961 by a group of 50 founding members. This masterpiece was designed by the renowned architect Dick Wilson and features over 120 deep bunkers. The course has been ranked in the Top 5 in Florida and the nation’s Top 100.
Course Details: 18-holes, playing 7,172 from the back tees with a slope rating of 143 and course rating of 75.1.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: About 20 from downtown Palm Beach.
10600 Pine Tree Terrace
Boynton Beach, FL 33436
High Ridge Country Club — Lantana (PRIVATE)
Quick snapshot: Nestled unassumingly behind a pair of gates off Hypoluxo Road, the club is an oasis in sprawling South Florida. Recently ranked #10 in Florida by Golfweek, High Ridge has a stellar reputation in the golfing community.
History & Architect: Designed by architect Joe Lee in 1979, and refreshed by Kipp Schulties, High Ridge Country Club features lakes, lagoons, and thick wooded areas.
Course Details: 18-holes, topping out at 6,829 yards with a slope rating of 151 and course rating of 75.6.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Approximately 12 miles from Palm Beach.
2400 Hypoluxo Road
Lantana, FL 33462
The Park — West Palm Beach (PUBLIC)
Quick snapshot: The former West Palm Beach municipal golf course was redeveloped under a public/private partnership into a world-class golf venue with a championship golf course, 9-hole par 3, practice facilities and exceptional dining.
History & Architect: Reopened in 2023 as The Park, the former Dick Wilson design which originally opened in 1947 was replaced by a brand new course from the minds of Gil Hanse, Jim Wagner, and Dirk Ziff. It is now ranked at one of the Top 100 public courses in the nation.
Course Details: 18-holes, playing up to 7,145 yards with a slope of 139 and course rating of 74.2 and the 9-hole par-3 slope of 72 and course rating of 49.4.
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Located just over 5 miles from Palm Beach in the south end of West Palm Beach.
7301 Georgia Avenue
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
Emerald Dunes Club — West Palm Beach (PRIVATE)
Quick snapshot: This formerly public, turned private golf club has become one of the most exclusive in the greater West Palm Beach area.
History & Architect: Developed in the 1990’s out of a quarry, this Tom Fazio design was refreshed by the original designer as part of a multi-million dollar renovation.
Course Details: 18-holes measuring 7,306 yards from the tips with a slope of 150 and a course rating 75.4
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Located just over 7 miles straight west of the island of Palm Beach.
2100 Emerald Dunes Drive
West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Bear Lakes Country Club — West Palm Beach (PRIVATE)
Quick snapshot: Established in 1984, Bear Lake features two 18-hole championship courses: The Lakes and The Links. It offers a newly renovated club house, high-quality golf, and a diverse membership.
History & Architect: Both the Lakes and Links courses are Jack Nicklaus designs offering distinctly different playing experiences.
Course Details: 18-hole Lakes Course measures 7,439 yards with a slope of 149 and course rating of 76.7, while the Links Course matches with a maximum length of 7,392 yards with a slope of 133 and course rating of 75.2
Distance from Town of Palm Beach: Just a 20 minute drive, located 5.5 miles from downtown Palm Beach.
1901 Village Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33409
How Palm Beachers Choose a Club
Proximity and convenience. While island options are convenient, many members accept a 20 to 30 minute drive for superior golf facilities or membership availability.
Social culture. Clubs like Everglades and Palm Beach Country Club carry social and historical significance that goes beyond golf, while others offer a more relaxed and unpretentious vibe.
Course design and conditioning. Championship layouts and renowned architects matter to serious players. Fortunately the greater Palm Beach area is an embarrassment of riches when it comes to exceptional golf.
Family programming and amenities. Pools, tennis, dining, instructions, spas, and fitness facilities matter as much as golf for many members.
Exclusivity and investment. Memberships can serve as status symbols and may be an important part of how some buyers select a neighborhood.
Practical Considerations for Buyers
Costs. Initiation fees and monthly dues vary widely; elite clubs can require six or seven figure initiation fees plus substantial annual dues exceeding $50,000 per year.
Waitlists and access. Many legacy clubs have long waitlists or invitation only policies. If club membership matters to you, engage early with club membership directors and connect with current members.
Real estate alignment. While none of the clubs on this list require a real estate purchase for access, proximity to your location on the island of Palm Beach will be a factor as the commute can vary greatly from the north or south end.
Final Thoughts
For many Palm Beach residents, golf is a cornerstone of social life. Whether you prefer the quiet historical prestige of the Everglades Club or a competitive game at Bear Lakes Country Club, there are compelling options both on the island and inland. Choosing the right club often comes down to social fit as much as it does to course design. If you are considering a move to Palm Beach and club membership is part of your lifestyle, I can help you evaluate how specific clubs align with your daily life and real estate goals.
Note: If you’ve ever wondered what a slope rating is, it measures how much harder a golf course is for a bogey golfer (around a 20 handicap) compared to a scratch golf ( a 0 handicap), on a scale from 55 to 155. A standard slope rating is 113, for reference. Read the USGA’s explanation of how the slope rating is derived here. https://www.usga.org/content/usga/home-page/articles/2024/10/course-rating-vs-slope-rating.html
*slope and course ratings courtesy of https://www.fsga.org/
