The Breakers Palm Beach (Rees Jones)

The Breakers oceanfront hotel at Palm Beach is one of America’s legendary destinations. More than 100 years have passed since the Breakers was founded by oil magnate Henry Flagler and it’s as popular today as it was back then. In 1904, rooms at the Breakers started from $4 per night, including three meals a day. You can expect to pay a little more for the experience today.

There are two golf courses attached to the Breakers. The Ocean course is considered to be Florida's oldest 18-hole course which was redesigned by Brian Silva in 2000. This 6,100-yard track is located next to the main resort. The second course at the Breakers was originally laid out in 1969 and is located inland in a gated community some ten miles due west of the main resort. It was formerly known as Breakers West but we’re not entirely sure who originally designed it. However, the course underwent a serious makeover by the “Open Doctor” along with his co-designed Steve Weisser in 2004. If you’re staying at the resort you’ll receive free transportation to and from the course, which is now called Breakers Rees Jones.

The renovation project included rebuilding tees, redesigning green and fairway bunker complexes and realigning several holes. Par was also increased from 71 to 72. The new Rees Jones course now measures 7,100 yards and it was awarded “Renovation of the Year 2005” by Golf Inc. magazine.

Key to a good score on the Breakers Rees Jones course is to keep out of the water. You will be reminded that you’re close to the Everglades as you play around and over a series of lakes and marshes, which often intimidate, especially on the one-shot holes. The 9th – the doglegged par four signature hole – is a great watery example which requires a tee shot over water and an approach shot over more water to an elevated green. The safe drive is down the right side but that will leave a longer knee trembling approach shot with water beckoning.