The Park West Palm

Florida is one of the world's great golf destinations, but its reputation for championship courses and high-end resorts can make it seem like a difficult place for beginners to start. It doesn't have to be. Across the state, you'll find short municipal layouts, forgiving designs, affordable daily-fee courses and practice facilities that make it easier to learn the game without being overwhelmed. Some offer a gentle introduction to 18 holes, while others provide a chance to experience famous golf venues from more manageable tees. We've picked some of the best options for beginners, looking at factors including length, difficulty, green fees, accessibility and the overall experience. Whether you're playing your first full round or simply looking for a Florida course where you can enjoy the game without needing a low handicap, these are the courses worth putting on your list. The Park West Palm Why play it: Golf for everyone, with plenty of ways to learn and practice Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: From $95 Best for: Beginners looking to learn and improve The Park is a particularly good introduction to golf for beginners because it offers plenty of ways to learn the game before committing to 18 holes. Alongside the full-length course is a Toptracer driving range, putting course and the Lit 9, a nine-hole par-three layout that can be played with little more than a wedge and putter. The 18-hole course itself was completely rebuilt by Hanse Golf Course Design, replacing Dick Wilson's original 1947 West Palm Beach layout with a new routing. The real appeal, however, is the club's approach to growing the game. Green fees for juniors registered as West Palm Beach city residents are just $20, while carts are not permitted before noon and caddies are actively encouraged. The Lit 9 costs $30 for adults and is free for children aged 12 and under, providing an inexpensive way to get on the course without tackling 18 holes. The Park has even hosted The Match IX, but despite welcoming stars such as Rory McIlroy, Max Homa, Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang, its focus remains firmly on making golf accessible to everyone. Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club Why play it: A links-inspired layout where everything is laid out in front of you Length: 6,220 yards - Par 72 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Price: From $49 Best for: Beginners ready for a full-length challenge Southern Dunes offers a gentler introduction to championship-style golf than its 7,227-yard black-tee length might suggest. Designed by Steve Smyers in 1993, the course uses a sandy, undulating site and extensive mounding to create a links-like feel, with huge traditional bunkers, wispy waste areas and occasional water hazards shaping the holes. There are five sets of tees, with the shortest full course measuring 5,633 yards, giving beginners the option to leave the driver in the bag and play a manageable yardage. The appeal is that there are few surprises around Southern Dunes. The fairways, hazards and greens are generally laid out in front of you, allowing beginners to see the challenge and plot their way around rather than having to guess what lies ahead. The large, fast greens and rolling fairways still demand good putting and accuracy, but choose the right tees and Southern Dunes becomes a fair test rather than an intimidating one. Located in Haines City, just south of Orlando, it also offers an unusual taste of links-style golf in Central Florida. Orange County National – Panther Lake Course Why play it: A huge golf facility where beginners can build confidence before tackling 18 holes Length: 6,002 yards - Par 72 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Price: From $75 Best for: Beginners who want a full golf experience Orange County National is built around golf, with 45 holes, a 42-acre circular driving range, a 36-hole putting course and the nine-hole Tooth course all on the same sprawling property. For beginners, that means there are plenty of ways to practice before taking on Panther Lake, whether that means working on the range, spending time on the putting course or starting with nine holes. Panther Lake itself opened in 1997 and was designed by Phil Ritson, Isao Aoki and David Harman, with the rolling site providing some of the elevation change that is unusual for Florida. At more than 7,400 yards from the tips, Panther Lake is certainly not short, but the multiple tee options allow beginners to choose a yardage suited to their game. The course is set across more than 900 acres with no surrounding housing, creating a remarkably open and peaceful setting despite being a short drive from Orlando. With its extensive practice facilities and two championship courses, Orange County National gives beginners plenty of room to practise before working their way up to Panther Lake. Juliette Falls Golf Course Why play it: A scenic, strategic course with plenty of tee options Length: 6,269 yards - Par 72 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Price: From $70 Best for: Beginners ready to step up to a full-length course Juliette Falls proves that beginner-friendly golf doesn't have to mean giving up on scenery or ambition. John Sanford's 2007 design stretches to more than 7,200 yards from the back tees, but five sets of tees allow newer golfers to choose a more manageable distance. The layout winds through mature oak trees and the former phosphate-mining site, with generous corridors and clear angles of play making it possible to see the strategy of each hole before deciding how aggressively to play it. The course becomes particularly dramatic from the sixth hole, where the par five requires a tee shot over Reflection Lake, followed by the tropical landscaping and waterfall at the par-three seventh. Water is a recurring feature, but the hazards are generally visible rather than hidden, rewarding beginners who take the sensible route rather than chasing distance. With its rolling terrain, mature trees and four waterfalls, Juliette Falls offers a more substantial challenge while remaining accessible to golfers who choose the right tees. North Palm Beach Country Club Why play it: A forgiving Nicklaus design with plenty of room off the tee Length: 5,932 yards - Par 71 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: From $60 Best for: Beginners who want a forgiving 18-hole course North Palm Beach Country Club is a good option for beginners who want to play a proper 18-hole course without being punished for every wayward drive. Redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 2006, the course measures just under 7,100 yards from the back tees, but Nicklaus specifically designed it to be user-friendly from the member and senior tees. The first 180 to 200 yards from those tees are particularly wide, giving newer golfers plenty of room to find the fairway and build confidence off the tee. The course sits on a sandy site of less than 125 acres, with several lakes adding strategy without overwhelming the layout. Nicklaus also described the greens as having plenty of movement, giving beginners a chance to work on their short game as they progress. There is some history here, too: the original course dates to the late 1920s and was one of the final designs by Seth Raynor before Nicklaus gave the layout a new lease of life. In 2006, it became only the second Nicklaus Signature municipal course in the USA. Dye’s Valley at TPC Sawgrass Why play it: A chance to experience TPC Sawgrass without taking on the Stadium Course Length: 6,079 yards - Par 72 Difficulty: ★★★☆☆ Price: From $350 Best for: Beginners ready for a taste of championship golf Dye’s Valley offers beginners a chance to experience the TPC Sawgrass setting without immediately throwing them into the deep end of the Stadium Course. Designed by Pete Dye with Bobby Weed and player consultant Jerry Pate, the course stretches to around 6,850 yards but is less demanding from the forward tees. Water remains a major part of the challenge, lining many holes, although there are fewer forced carries than on its famous neighbour. The course opened in 1987, five years after Pate won The Players Championship and famously celebrated by dunking Dye in a nearby lake. There is still plenty of Dye’s trademark strategy here, with water, bunkering and demanding greens requiring golfers to think their way around the course. For beginners, however, the shorter length and variety of tee options make Dye’s Valley a more approachable way to experience one of American golf’s best-known venues. Winter Park Pines Golf Club Why play it: A short, affordable 18-hole course where beginners can leave the driver in the bag Length: 5,107 yards - Par 70 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: From $45 Best for: Beginners looking for an affordable full round Winter Park Pines is a reminder that beginners don't need 7,000 yards to get a proper 18-hole golf experience. The Lloyd Clifton-designed course opened in 1968 and measures just 5,354 yards from the back tees, with forward tees bringing it down to 4,336 yards. The layout features five par threes and three par fives, while the relatively short par fours give newer golfers plenty of opportunities to reach the greens without relying on their longest clubs. Water is a recurring feature, including a creek that runs through the property, so there are still hazards to negotiate despite the modest yardage. But the course is designed to provide a test for both novices and more experienced golfers, with a driving range and practice greens available before the round. Best of all, non-resident green fees start at just $45 on weekdays during the summer, making Winter Park Pines one of the more affordable ways to play 18 holes in the Orlando area. Palm Beach Par 3 Golf Course Why play it: A spectacular 18-hole introduction to golf with every hole within reach Length: 2,572 yards - Par 54 Difficulty: ★★☆☆☆ Price: From $35 Best for: Beginners who want to learn the game without a full-length course Palm Beach Par 3 strips golf back to its essentials, with 18 holes ranging from just 81 to 211 yards. Set between the Atlantic Ocean and Intracoastal Waterway, the course gives beginners a chance to experience a full round without needing the distance or consistency required on a traditional par 72. Each hole has three sets of tees, while water hazards and sand bunkers provide plenty of challenges without turning every missed shot into a lost ball. The course dates back to 1961, when it was designed by Dick Wilson and his apprentice Joe Lee, before being completely redesigned by Hall of Famer Raymond Floyd in 2009. Alongside the ocean views, golfers have access to a full-length driving range, putting green and practice bunker, making it possible to work on the basics before taking on the course. For beginners, it is an affordable and unusually scenic way to get 18 holes under the belt.

I is for ISLAND THE ORIGINAL A green surrounded by water is not a new concept. In fact, even the denizens of the Golden Age of golf course architecture occasionally surrounded the putting area with liquid hazard. The truest grasp on the concept of the “Island” template begins with No. 9 at Ponte Vedra (what is now known as the Ocean Course at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club). Herbert Strong completed the Ponte Vedra Club in 1928, and it was apparent he intended to test the mettle of the game’s best with dramatic greens and demanding hero shots... much like a nearby course to-be-named-soon. Like that other course, Ponte Vedra featured a Par 3 green set upon an island in a lagoon, 145 yards from the tee. The hole was originally No. 18, and upon walking off, Bobby Jones commented that Ponte Vedra “[is] a course to challenge professionals.” Ponte Vedra Ocean course 9th hole - photo courtesy of Ponte Vedra Inn & Club This original island held far more than a green; three pot bunkers (more were added later) fitted along the back of the putting surface, and a larger one sat front-right. There was even an apron of fairway...but too much spin could easily bring a short shot back down into the water. It seems like a generous target today, but after the shell-shock of playing one of America’s then-toughest courses, it may have intimidated even the best. OTHER INTERPRETATIONS We have already alluded to another Florida course that would become the standard for the “Island” template, the infamous No. 17 on the Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass. Pete Dye had a pit to fill, and legend claims his wife and frequent contributor, Alice Dye, suggested just placing a green in the middle of the future lake. No doubt the pair took inspiration from Strong’s work at the nearby coastal course. The Stadium course was created with the intention of hosting The Players Championship, and players immediately set upon its design for its over-the-top greens. TPC Sawgrass Stadium course 17th hole - photo courtesy of TPC Sawgrass No. 17, however, was not a challenge because of its size or slopes. It plays at 137 yards, a simple wedge for most players. At 78 feet in length, the green is much smaller than Ponte Vedra’s version, but hardly a tiny target. The challenge is solely of the nerves, knowing the lake will take all misses. Based on its 7% double-bogey percentage at The Players, this factor impacts pros almost as much as everyday players. It is perhaps the most pure rendition of “target golf.” The island is not quite a black-or-white equation, however. As with many penal holes, there is an element of matchplay risk/reward: Playing to the center of the green is always safe, and attacking the pin is—more often than not—dangerous. A strong backbone goes a long way in saving par, but strong conviction goes a long way in winning the hole. Granted, the “Island” concept is still rather binary for the mid-handicapper, which alienates some critics. Not helping the template’s cause is its appeal for the tourist crowd, a group that instantly appreciates the visual appeal of an island, versus the more subtle strategic pleasures of, say, a Double Plateau. In some cases, this leads to kitschy entries, à la the fruit-shaped No. 17 green at Apple Tree Golf Course. Although the Coeur D’Alene Resort built some tourist appeal (and excess round lengths) into its Island Par 3, via the necessary boat taxi to the green, it also created an interesting element for potential multi-day tournaments. The No. 14 green floats, and can be maneuvered to land for maintenance purposes, which suggests they could also alter its placement in the lake to change the hole’s identity from day-to-day. It’s essentially the putting surface version of runway tees. Coeur D'Alene 14th hole - photo courtesy of Coeur D'Alene Resort One hole that often gets overlooked in the “Island” conversation is The Creek Club’s 11th hole. The only real expectation of the modern “Island” template is a relatively short length, to emphasize nerve and accuracy over power. Geographically, however, the only real requirement of an “Island,” is that the green be surrounded almost entirely by water. Seth Raynor’s No. 11 is indisputably a Biarritz (200 yards and a signature swale), but there’s no reason why it can’t be an “Island” as well. Any template Par 3 could theoretically be adapted to “Island” form. The Creek 11th hole - photo courtesy of The Creek We’re honestly not trying to force MacRaynor into every conversation on templates! MAYBE... MAYBE NOT We stated earlier that many island greens debuted prior to Ponte Vedra’s (including the aforementioned Creek Club). Baltusrol’s Old Course featured one as early as 1910 (it was in play for the 1915 U.S. Open) and A.W. Tillinghast created an island green at Aronimink's No. 13 when he was the first to tweak Donald Ross's original design. The difference between Baltusrol and Aronimink’s entries from that era is that they are not Par 3s. It’s a “simple” distinction, but one that drastically alters the mindset during play. In these cases, the player must eventually cross the water, but they have an option of when to do it. Feeling bold? Go for two. Not so sure, or your tee shot was poor? Lay up. It is a viable risk/reward strategy, allowing players to choose how much distance is included with their forced carry. An “Island” Par 3 is a more predetermined test… ”do or die.” Every player is given the same basic task, even during matchplay. The options that a player may flex on a Par 5 with an island green, or even a Par 4, make the formula different. Famous short Par 5s with island greens—such as No. 17 at Cherry Hills or No. 15 at TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium course—make for exciting play, but they do not fit within our definition of the “Island” as a template. Cherry Hills 17th hole - photo courtesy of Cherry Hills Country Club Interestingly, Tillinghast may have also created the first Par 3 surrounded by water. His “Moat” hole at Galen Hall is a beast: 190 yards to a raised green, which is surrounded by the aforementioned moat, dug by Tillinghast for the purpose. We would argue, however, that despite its Par 3 status, the 15th hole doesn’t quite live up to the “Island” standard, even with the watery surrounds. Because the moat is so thin (compared to a lake), the option exists to lay up short of the moat, and play for par with a short pitch over the hazard. This makes it a shorter version of the Par 4s and 5s we described in the previous paragraph, versus a true “Island” hole in the Strong / Dye sense. Galen Hall 15th hole - photo courtesy of Galen Hall Golf Club David McLay Kidd gave the Ponte Vedra version a spin at Sand Valley’s Mammoth Dunes No. 8, in that there is additional short grass around the green for players to land upon... the catch being that the green itself is about half the size of Mammoth’s other elephantine putting surfaces. The major difference between this and the Strong / Dye version is, of course, the water being replaced with sand. This will surely make for a tough recovery, but it does not result in an automatic loss of a stroke, which dramatically alters the psyches of those teeing off. McLay Kidd intended Mammoth to be the more playable than the Sand Valley course, so we’re sure he won’t mind if that means sacrificing true “Island” status. Mammoth Dunes 8th hole - photo courtesy of Sand Valley

Is Streamsong Florida’s premier golf resort? By Richard Smith, Knoxville, Tennessee Having decided to take full advantage of my wife’s newfound enthusiasm for golf we decided to take a trip to the acclaimed Streamsong resort. Streamsong is located in central Florida, to the Southeast of Tampa and the Southwest of Orlando. The resort is accessible from either airport by about an hour or an hour and a half drive. Streamsong is built on the site of an old phosphorus mine and is truly in the middle of nowhere, so if you plan to stay for any period of time you’ll have to stay at the hotel, which is on site. However, as I will describe later, the hotel itself is magnificent and a wonderful place to stay. We arrived on a Friday afternoon and we were able to fly from our home in Knoxville, Tennessee directly to Punta Gorda Florida. After we got our rental car it was an easy 1-hour 15-minute drive up to the resort. The hotel is a curved modern design with rooms that face either forward towards the east or back towards the west overlooking a lagoon. The rooms were fantastic, very large and roomy with a king-size bed and nice comfortable sectional couch and two large flat screen TV’s. The bathroom was also spacious with an elegant walk in shower and plenty of counter space. All in all one of the nicest hotel rooms I’ve experienced at a golf resort, really only rivaled by the lodge at Pebble Beach. There are two courses at Streamsong and they are designed by two of the hottest current names in golf course design. Tom Doak and his team at Rensaissance Golf designed the Blue Course while the renowned team of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw built the Red Course. The courses share a common clubhouse and run over much of the same land, crisscrossing in places much like the Old and New Courses at Walton Heath. Straight up I will say that both courses are outstanding and a joy to play. Each has its subtleties that different golfers will appreciate but it would be hard for me to pick a favorite. Walking is the order of the day at Streamsong, although carts are allowed in the summer and at certain time periods during the day. We went in November and the weather was perfect, running from 50 degrees F at night to over 70 degrees F during the day. The courses are easy to walk, although the Blue has some surprising elevation changes, especially for Florida. My wife and I took a caddy out for our first two rounds on the Blue and Red courses, and then I played the Red again on our last day and carried my bag without any problems. I love walking and it’s wonderful to see courses designed to be walked like the classic courses of old instead of having extended slogs between holes like the plethora of poorly designed courses that popped up in the 80s and 90s, especially in the USA. Now to the courses. Streamsong (Blue) Our first round was on the Blue course. I am a fan of Tom Doak’s courses and this design didn’t disappoint me at all. The routing flows naturally like many beautiful links and heathland courses of the United Kingdom. In general the fairways are very generous but the holes become more and more difficult the closer you get to the green. The 1st hole is a fairly benign par four, but the second shot demands a precise approach due to the steep right-to-left slope on the green. I loved the dogleg par four 4th hole, where the approach shot is to an elevated green over a huge steep bunker to the right – but there’s plenty of room to carry this bunker and hit the green. The hole reminds me of the fantastic 17th hole at North Berwick West Links, one of my favorite golf courses in the world. Five is a short par three with a benign flat area to the left of the green but brutal bunkers and a sharp run off to the right. The long green offers a huge variety of pin placements and strategic options. However, at the par three 7th you really know you are somewhere special. The tee is set high atop a spectacular dune and the tee shot crosses over water and sand to a fiendishly sloped green. My laser range finder with slope measured the downhill as playing at -12 yards, which is something I thought I would never see on a Florida course. The turn shacks at Streamsong are already famous, with the Blue course being known for their tacos. Three small tacos with pork, beef or fish can be enjoyed for $7 which isn’t too bad a deal – I chose the beef and it was fantastic. The back nine continues with gentle rolling contours and wonderful sloped greens. Doak’s greens are difficult but always fair, there’s certainly more slope to his Blue greens than those on the Red but the severity always seems proportional to the challenge. There are a number of great holes on the back. The short par four 13th is driveable for many golfers, but the massive bunker to the left awaits a wayward shot, and the green is narrow with steep runoffs, demanding precise play – very appropriate for such a short hole. I also enjoyed the par five 14th, which played uphill after a challenging tee shot over an angled hazard that absolutely dared you to bite off as much as you could chew. The finish is very strong with the last three holes (from the back tees) being a 237-yard par three, a 590-yard par five and a 478-yard par four. I enjoyed the Blue course a great deal. Everything was right in front of you and good shots were rewarded while poor golf was challenged or penalized. My wife enjoyed the course as well – there are no forced or impossible carries for the female golfer and each hole usually had an opening that allowed a shot to run on. The greens were difficult for her, but she adapted as the round went on. I do think the course is a little long for most women, measuring 5,531 yards from the up tees. I think many female golfers are more comfortable at 5,000 yards or less. I love courses like Royal North Devon in the UK, which has forward ladies tees measuring around 4,500 yards. Setting up advanced tees can encourage younger golfers, beginners and females and I think it would lead to more play from these groups. Streamsong (Red) On our second day we played the Red course. There is a certain familiarity with the Blue course, but this course is unique and offers its own challenges. For starters, the first hole on the Blue is a relatively benign short par four, but the opener on the Red is a tough uphill par four that plays even to a length of 447 yards from the Silver tees (which has a total yardage of 6,094). The hole runs gently uphill and is guarded by bunkers left and right. Something about the hole reminded me of the great first at the Island Golf Club just outside of Dublin. Things continue to get interesting as the round progresses. The second doesn’t look that intimidating on the card, measuring 508 yards from the Black, or second longest set of tees, but it was playing directly into the wind which made the drive over water rather difficult. The water is angled in such a way that it is very difficult to choose and commit to the correct line. This is a beautiful hole. The short par four 4th is another great hole. A bunker dominates the middle of the fairway forcing the player to choose the path to the green. The green is very narrow from front to back, and is bisected by a huge bunker in the middle with steep back-to-front run offs on either side of the bunker. I played this hole twice, had 50 yards left for my second shot, and made bogey both days with is a testament both to brilliant design and my less than stellar play from 100 yards in. I enjoyed so many of these holes. The greens all were built in such a way that a huge number of pin placements were available, and the hole could play completely different depending on the tee and pin placement. The par five 7th has a huge mounded bunker that sits halfway up the green to the right. With a front pin the bunker has to be avoided, with a back pin the bunker has to be carried. This is simply great design. The turn shack on the Red is between 8 and 9, and Bar B Q is the theme here. I went with a bison sausage that was out of this world, again for $7 USA, and it was worth every cent. The back nine on the Red course is really tough. 10 and 11 are good par fours that generally play downwind. However at 12 the course turns into the wind and 12 is a brutally long par four that plays 500 yards from the back tees. Nothing gets really easier as the rest of the back nine through 17 runs into the prevailing wind. 16 is a par three that shares the plateau with the 7th on the Blue. While similar to its sister hole, 16 has it’s own challenges. The green is severely sloped with a hug dip in the middle. Once again this reminded of North Berwick, although it’s the split green at 16 on that course that seems similar. The green is enormous, running over 70 yards from front to back. I hit 6 iron the first day to an up pin and 3 hybrid the second to a back pin. 18 is a relatively benign par five that usually plays downwind giving you a chance to finish your round on a positive note. The Red course demands more precise driving than the Blue and the greens are less severe, but there are still significant slopes that influence your shot and club selection. After I had played both courses I chose to play the Red on my second time around, but as I viewed many of the holes on the Blue course during my second round I found myself wishing I could have played that course again as well. Both courses are magnificent. My wife enjoyed the Red course, probably more than the Blue. Although longer from all the standard men’s tees, the course played about 5,000 yards from the up tees. The driving lines were tighter than the Blue, but there was still plenty of room for her to play. And, as on the Blue, there was almost always a safe, open option to the green to allow her to play up onto the putting surface without having a forced carry over a bunker or water hazard. These are great design features that use the natural land to create beautiful free flowing golf courses that are challenging and fun to play. Streamsong has another course that is not yet ready for play. The Black course is designed by Gil Hanse, and has already been built. It will be about a year before the grass has grown in – it looks like Nov. 2017 is the anticipated opening date. The course sits about a mile away from the Red and Blue, which share a common clubhouse and driving range, but much of the Black course is visible from the opening holes of the Red course, Everyone at Streamsong is excited about the Black and the feeling I get is that it will be a little more dramatic and less natural than the Blue and Red. I think the course will probably fit in well and having a third course will make the resort more desirable as a get away destination for longer than a weekend. The golf at Streamsong is fantastic and only looks to get better with the addition of the Black course. The hotel is beautiful and a wonderful place to stay. The resort has been open less than five years, and there is still some work to do on the service end before the resort can truly claim world-class status. On the food side Sottoterra is an excellent high end Northern Italian option. The other two restaurants, P2O5 and Restaurant fifty-nine, are only average at best and really need to be upgraded in regards to both service and food quality. Overall resort service was only average. Just an example we had to wait over 30 minutes for a one-mile shuttle ride from the clubhouse to the hotel after dinner one night, and it took three requests from different employees to finally get a ride back. That doesn’t happen at top resorts such as Pinehurst, Kohler and The Homestead. I’m sure the management will get things sorted out, and the problems we had would not keep me from returning. In fact I’m planning to return next year after the opening of the Black course and staying for an even longer period of time. Streamsong is a great resort that should continue to improve and become a destination for golfers of all skill levels and interests. Richard Smith