Broken Sound (Old)

Broken Sound is very open about the relative lack of undulation compared to neighboring courses, which is saying something in the flatlands of southern Florida. The only option, therefore, was to make the putting surfaces as interesting as possible. The fact that the course has been named “best greens” on the Champions Tour, which has hosted its Boca Raton Championship at the club for 13 years, demonstrates their success.

The goal, from original designer Joe Lee and more recently from Gene Bates, was to emulate the sandhills of North Carolina among the sandy scrub of Florida. Although the architects wouldn’t be able to create wide swathes of waste, they installed many large white-sand bunkers (unfortunately, you won’t be able to ground your club when you land in these ones). Anyone who is able to get from tee to green on the 535-yard closer should consider buying a lottery ticket immediately following the round; surely skill was involved, but there had to be some luck involved as well!

Another unavoidable dissimilarity, considering the location, are the water hazards. The peninsular greens at Broken Sound would have shocked the pre-Pinehurst Donald Ross.