McArthur Golf Club Back Yard

A family who started dairy farming in Florida in the late 1920s with a handful of Jersey cows now own McArthur Golf Club. The McArthur’s have diversified and created a private “sanctuary for pure golf”, so you’ll need to befriend one of the lucky members to tee it up here at Hobe Sound.

The Back Yard contrasts with the Front Yard and the explanation is certainly down to the design practices and principles of the golf course architects involved.

Coore & Crenshaw were given just over 500 acres to find or build 18 holes. Due to the existing features, which included native wetlands and some sand dunes, their minimalist approach was put to the test with perhaps more engineering required than some of their other more well-known sites.

The is precious little about the course online... Surprisingly perhaps, there is a series of four short YouTube videos that were published in 2022 that lend a helping hand. The first thing to note is the course was previously called the West. Back Yard does have a nice ring to it!

What else can be gleaned? There are bridges connecting holes 2 to 3 and 4 to 5. Despite being a sand site, the holes needed to be sand-capped with drainage from greens and bunkers. Construction photos show native areas untouched with bridges connecting islands of turf to play from. Trees were also planted to help blend the manufactured course into its native surroundings.

There are a few quirks - the 3rd tee is suspended on a deck protruding from the bridge.