When you’re traveling the east coast of Florida on Interstate 95 and your head east, you are heading toward old Florida. Old Florida in the golf world can include some of the most elite and private courses built many years ago that 99.9% of American golfers never get to see. Conversely, you might be heading to an older city run courses that is barely holding its head above water financially.
Then, out of nowhere, you have something truly unique in the world of Florida golf. That is The Park West Palm. It is a rare partnership between the City of West Palm Beach and a private trust called the West Palm Golf Park Trust. This unique partnership has brought about something special in the South Florida golf industry. It has produced a “must play” public access golf course.
South Florida has a lot of great golf courses. Unfortunately, most are hidden behind walls and gates where only a few people have the opportunity to play them. The Park West Palm breaks the mold in the South Florida golf world. Just go to their website and you know this is something different. Their philosophy states The park is a golf park that aims to bring everyone in. Not the same. Not old. Here for all of us. Welcome to The Park.
The Park brought in world-renowned golf architects Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner to completely re-imagine an old Dick Wilson golf course that closed back in 2018 due to its level of deterioration and lack of interest. A group of local citizens raised $56 Million to design a first class golf facility. One of the donors, Tiger Woods, was there on day one to hit the ceremonial first tee shot.
Amenities and uniqueness abound at the park. Those include a unique tee time system that requires walking and taking a caddie before 9AM. Those teeing off between 9AM and 10AM must walk and a caddie is not required. Golf carts can’t hit the golf course until after 10AM in the morning. It’s all part of The Park’s focus on walking while playing the course. Other amenities include:
- An 18-hole putting course with music piped in through a speaker system
- A 9-hole lighted par-3 course
- A Top tracer enabled driving range (not yet completed)
The course itself is enjoyable to play and can be a rare find in that it’s a “one-ball” golf course. That means it’s very likely you could play the entire round and not lose a golf ball. Additionally, fairways are generous. However, don’t make the mistake of thinking this is an easy course. Wayward tee balls will find expansive sand traps or sandy natural areas leading to bogeys or worse. The green complexes are large. Missing in the wrong spot and being in greenside sand traps can lead to some large numbers. The greens have a great deal of character and undulation and run at “resort speeds.”
I can’t speak highly enough about the turf. It’s consistent throughout the course. Fairway lies sit nicely everywhere on the course. Around the green, you get great, tight lies that allow players to scramble. You have a fair chance to get up and down for par should you miss any of the impressive and thought provoking green complexes. Not easy, just fair.
When you go, make sure to allow extra time to traverse the 18-hole putting course or even play the 9 hole par-3 course. Additionally, another insider tip is to enjoy a cold beverage or even a meal at the bar. You get to watch players tee of on number one and come in on the par-5 18th.
I’ve had the chance to play here a couple times and would say this is a must play golf course and lives up to the name golf facility. If you live anywhere within a 3-hour drive radius, trust me, it’s worth the drive. It’s a laid back, fun golf facility where you can spend a day or even a lifetime if you are a local.
Check out more golf courses you should play on the travel golf page.