Ready for summer golf? Best 18 local golf courses open to the public, ranked
Pack up the Gatorade, extra collared shirts and sweat-soaking towels.
Summer golf in Palm Beach County means reduced greens fees and remarkable twilight bargains at some of the county's best public golf courses.
Some solid local public courses are down for the summer, such as Park Ridge Golf Course, which is undergoing more than $1 million in renovations to its greens and facilities.
Others, such as West Palm Park, the former WPB Municipal, will re-open this fall after significant renovation.
Whether setting off for an individual round or buddying up foursomes for a weekend scramble, here are 18 local courses to check out this summer:
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How we ranked them?
Criteria: Price, condition, value, scenery, accessibility, amenities
Editor's Note: This is not a comprehensive listing of all public courses in Palm Beach County and a course's exclusion does not represent a value judgment compared to listed options.
18. Southwinds Golf Course
As much a nature walk as a round of golf, this county course has been a Boca favorite for many years. Water is prevalent, but it's accessible to all skill levels and comes with eligibility for the Frequent Player Card.
Rates
Monday-Friday: 18 holes with cart before 11:00 a.m., $31.78; 18 holes with cart 11 a.m. to 3:59 p.m., $26.17; Twilight with cart, $15.72; 18 holes walking, $19.63; 9 holes walking, $16.82.
Weekend: 18 holes with cart before 11:00 a.m., $35.51; 18 holes with cart 11 a.m. to 3:59 p.m., $29.91; Twilight with cart, $16.82; 18 holes walking, $19.63; 9 holes walking, $16.82.
Information
19557 Lyons Rd, Boca Raton; 561-483-1305
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17. Lone Pine Golf Course
Our only listed option with an expiration date.
Lone Pine Golf Course appears headed for closure as the affordable local staple is up for potential rezoning that could usher in residential developments on the Military Trail property.
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Rates
Seven days a week: 7 a.m. to Noon, Walking $20 Riding $35; Noon to close $15, riding $30
Information
6251 N. Military Trail, West Palm Beach; 1-888-979-2645
16. Lake Worth Beach Golf Club
This historic course was founded in 1926 and offers views of Palm Beach and the Intercoastal Waterway. It's flat, wet and covered with reptiles and birds for a vintage Florida public golf experience.
Rates
Seven days a week: Dynamic pricing
Information
1 7th Ave N, Lake Worth Beach; 561-582-9713
15. Links at Boynton Beach
This intriguing south county option offers a par 71 championship course as well as a nine-hole executive "family" course. Birdwatchers will particularly enjoy as the executive course features "Bird Island" between the first and seventh holes.
Rates
Seven days a week: Championship course - 18 holes riding before noon, $36; 18 holes riding noon-2:29 p.m., $28; 18 holes riding after 2:30 p.m., $24; 9 holes riding before noon, $24; 9 holes riding noon-12:29 p.m., $22; 9 holes riding after 2:30 p.m., $20. Family course - 9 holes riding, $15; 9 holes walking, $10.
Information
8020 Jog Road, Boynton Beach; 561-742-6501
14. Boca Raton Golf and Racquet Club
One of the newest courses available to the public in Palm Beach County, this course has seen significant renovation from the city of Boca Raton. City residents enjoy a generous discounts, though non-residents can still enjoy frequent player perks.
Rates
June 2-Sept. 30: Resident - 18 holes, $50; 9 holes, $35; Non-resident - 18 holes, $75; 9 holes, $50; Twilight (after 4 p.m.) for resident, $30; Twilight for non-resident, $40.
Information
17751 Boca Club Blvd., Boca Raton; 561-367-7000
13. Delray Beach Golf Club
Another historic Palm Beach County course, Delray Beach Golf Club opened its first holes in 1926 and touts design by legendary golf architect Donald Ross. It's among the county's most accessible public courses with its reasonable rates.
Rates
Seven days a week: Until 11:30 a.m. - 18 holes riding, $33; 18 hole walking, $20; 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. - 18 holes riding, $29; 18 hole walking, $20; 4 p.m. to close - 18 holes riding, $18; 18 holes walking, $16.
Information
2200 Highland Avenue, Delray Beach; 561-243-7380
12. Okeeheelee Golf Course
Mix-and-match a selection of three 9-hole courses spanning the landmark Okeeheelee Park in central Palm Beach County. Reptiles, raptors and other wildlife are a perk, as is the county course's eligibility for discounts with the Frequent Player Card.
Rates
Seven days a week: 18 holes with cart before 11:30 a.m. $35.51; 18 holes with cart 11:30 a.m. to 3:49 p.m. $26.17; Twilight after 4 p.m. $18.69; 18 holes walking before 11:30 a.m. $25.23; 18 holes walking after 11:30 a.m. $20.56; 9 holes with cart $23.36; 9 holes walking $18.69
Information
7715 Forest Hill Blvd.; 561-964-4653
11. Madison Green Country Club
This course has developed a reputation for providing bang for a golfer's buck with reasonable summer rates. The Madison Green card costs $99 but provides a free round, two guest passes, 14-day advance booking and two free range buckets.
Rates
Weekday: less than $35; Weekend: less than $50; prices subject to dynamic pricing.
Information
2001 Crestwood Boulevard, North West Palm Beach; 561-784-5225
10. Village Golf Club
Approaching 50 years of operation in Palm Beach County, this course wanders through cypress tree fields with plenty of hazards lurking. Water is in play on all but two holes for this par-72 course in Royal Palm Beach.
Rates
Weekend: $52 for 18 holes with cart before 1 p.m.; Weekday: $42 for 18 holes with cart before 3:30 p.m.; Seven days a week: $42 for 18 holes walking; $40 for 9 holes with cart before 4 p.m.; $32 for all-you-can play twilight from 4-8 p.m.; Gold card: Up to 25% discount on rates.
Information
122 Country Club Dr, Royal Palm Beach;561-793-1400
9. Winston Trails Golf Club
This semi-private course offers numerous memorable holes, be it the picturesque par-3 No. 12 or the intimidating risk-reward drive over water on No. 16. However, those pale in comparison to the island-green No. 17.
Rates
Seven days a week: Opens at $54.95 for 18 holes riding, decreases to $29.95 twilight rate for 18 holes riding.
Information
6101 Winston Trails Boulevard, Lake Worth Beach; 561-439-0009; Pro Shop: 561-439-3700
8. Abacoa Golf Club
This fine public course threads the tight corridor of accessibility with luxurious golf amenities in one of South Florida's most unique public golf experiences. Abacoa joins the likes of Park Ridge Golf Club in featuring elevation changes, unusual for local courses.
Rates
Monday-Thursday: 7-11:59 a.m. $70; Noon to 3:59 p.m. $65; 4 p.m. to close $50; Friday-Sunday: 7-11:59 a.m. $80, Noon to 3:59 p.m. $75, 4 p.m. to close $55.
Information
105 Barbados Drive, Jupiter, FL, 33458; 561-622-0036
7. North Palm Beach Country Club
Face a test designed by the Golden Bear himself. This par 71, links-style course features numerous tricks and tests from the mind of Jack Nicklaus, including a few elevation changes and bunker-guarded greens.
Rates
Monday-Thursday: 18 holes — Morning $70; Noon to 2 p.m. $65; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. $55; After 4 p.m. $45; 9 holes — Morning $50; Noon to 2 p.m. $45; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. $35; After 4 p.m. $35; Friday to Sunday / Holidays: 18 holes — Morning $75; Noon to 2 p.m. $65; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. $55; After 4 p.m. $45; 9 holes —Morning $55; Noon 2 p.m. $50; 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. $40; After 4 p.m. $35.
Information
951 US-1, North Palm Beach; 561-691-3433
6. Westchester Country Club
Nestled in Boynton Beach, this club features a selection of three nine-hole courses traversing water-side tropical environments.
Rates
Seven days a week: Before 3 p.m., $51.40; After 3 p.m., $37.38 (9 holes only)
Information
12250 Westchester Club Dr., Boynton Beach FL 33437; 561-369-1000
5. Atlantis Country Club
With an abundance of oak and pine trees unique to local courses, Atlantis Country Club is another successful example of striking a semi-private balance at a course open to the public.
Rates
Seven days a week: Opens at $49 for 18 with cart, drops to $39 after 2 p.m. for twilight rate.
Information
190 Atlantis Blvd, Atlantis; 561-965-7700
4. Sandhill Crane Golf Club
Descend into the wetlands of the Loxahatchee Slough in Palm Beach Gardens, where sandhill cranes roam beautiful fairways and golf-cart amenities include distance-to-pin finders and order-ahead clubhouse food menus.
Rates
Seven days a week: 18-hole riding: Open to 12:29 p.m. $49; 12:30 p.m. Twilight $39; 3:00 p.m. to close: $29; 9-hole riding $29; 9-hole walking $20; 18-hole walking $25.
Information
9500 Sandhill Crane Drive, Palm Beach Gardens; 561-630-1160
3. Atlantic National Golf Club
This Lake Worth Beach course follows its original design from the 1980s, but has been refurbished to ensure fast greens as well as wide fairways with plenty of bunkers. The club offers a summer membership which runs through November.
Rates
Before 3:30 p.m., $69; After 3:30 p.m., $45; Weekday, weekend rates subject to dynamic pricing.
Information
6400 Grand Lacuna Blvd., Lake Worth Beach; 561-969-6600
2. Osprey Point Golf Club
Another county gem with three 9-hole options, Osprey Point is one of the newest courses on the list, opening in 2010. The course touts its fine grass, Platinum Paspalum, which helps keep the course well-maintained year-round. Eligible for the county's Frequent Player Card.
Rates
Seven days a week: 18 holes with cart before 11:30 a.m., Weekday $40.19, Weekend $51.40; 18 holes with cart 11:30 a.m. to 3:59 p.m. Weekday $31.78, Weekend $40.19; Twilight after 4:00 p.m. Weekday $25.23; Weekend $25.23; 18 holes walking Weekday $30.84, Weekend $30.84; 9 holes with cart Weekday $29.91, Weekend $29.91; 9 holes walking Weekday $26.17, Weekend $26.17.
Information
12551 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33498; 561-482-2868
1. Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course
Golf on the beach — What more needs to be said?
Tucked between the Atlantic Ocean and the Intercoastal Waterway, Raymond Floyd's redesigned short course offers 18 holes of scenic, accessible golf with all the tricks and frustrations one would expect navigating water hazards and ocean breezes.
Rates
Monday-Thursday: 7 – 8:20 a.m.: $38 riding; 8:30 – 11:50 a.m.: $44.78 riding, 30.23 walking; 12 – 2:50 p.m.: $41.83 riding, $27.28 walking; 3:00 – 4:50 p.m.: $34.48 riding, $23.20 walking; 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.: $29 riding, $20 walking; 9 holes (all day) $34.48 riding, $23.20 walking
Friday-Sunday: 7 – 8:20a.m.: $40 riding; 8:30 – 11:50 a.m.: $48.28 riding, $33.73 walking; 12:00 – 2:50 p.m.: $45.33 riding, $30.78 walking; 3:00 – 4:50 p.m.: $37.98 riding, $26.70 walking; 5:00 – 6:50 p.m.: $32 riding, $23 walking; 9 holes (all day) $37.98 riding, $26.70 walking
Information
2345 S Ocean Blvd, Palm Beach; 561-547-0598; golfontheocean.com/
Eric J. Wallace can be reached at ejwallace@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best public golf courses in Palm Beach County, ranked
