Eagle Trace - Florida - USA

Gem USA - Best in Area
Eagle Trace Golf Club,
1111 Eagle Trace Boulevard,
Coral Springs,
Florida (FL) 33071,
USA

  • +1 954 753 7222

One of the many Floridian creations of architect Arthur Hills, the course at Eagle Trace Golf Club (formerly TPC at Eagle Trace) opened for play within a private club in 1983.

The course at Eagle Trace lies only a few miles south of the daily fee another former TPC course at Heron Bay – both former sites of the Honda Classic. Eagle Trace is the centerpiece of a residential project encompassing 950 houses, incredibly, only 30 years ago, this property was a dumping ground for excess topsoil and building waste from other local developments.

As there are relatively few penal bunkers on the course (27 greenside traps and around a dozen other sand hazards, most of which are large waste areas) water is the main protector of par here and every hole except 9 and 18 offers an aquatic challenge. “Eagle Trace was an Arthur Hills design that attempted to blend Scotland with Florida.” Wrote George Peper in Golf Courses of the PGA Tour. “It didn’t work. The treeless gently rolling terrain had a British feel, except for the presence of one element – water. A virtual canal system ran through 16 of the 18 holes, creating a crossbreed layout that was neither a target course nor a links. Since ponds guarded many of the greens, the traditional bump-and-run shots could only splash and sink, and in a stiff wind, the course could make even the world’s best players look like Dorothy and Toto.”

Factor in the framing of many fairways with Oak and Cypress trees and the absence of any real doglegged holes, it’s clear to see that hitting it long and straight is the key to scoring well at Eagle Trace.

Eagle Trace played host to the Honda Classic from 1984-91 before the event moved to Weston Hills Golf and Country Club. Strong winds made the 1991 Classic tougher than usual with only three players breaking 70 during Saturday and Sunday’s play. “This place is a joke,” said Greg Norman. “You won’t see me back here next year. I don’t need to be playing carnival golf.” Many of his fellow professionals agreed and the organisers felt compelled to relocate the event to Weston Hills. The Classic returned to Eagle Trace for its swansong in 1996 before it moved to its TPC namesake at Heron Bay.

To improve the quality of the layout, the course was subject to a recent renovation project where greens and bunkers received a complete makeover and a new irrigation control system was installed.

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Description: One of the many Floridian creations of architect Arthur Hills, the course at Eagle Trace Golf Club (formerly TPC at Eagle Trace) opened for play within a private club in 1983. Rating: 4.7 out of 10 Reviews: 3
TaylorMade
M. James Ward

Can't really disagree with the comments offered by George Peper and Greg Norman. The issue with many Sunshine State courses is the over involvement of H20 constantly. Add in the element of high wind velocities at various times of year and the net result is a steady stream of "either or" shot outcomes. Putting players under such consistently high levels of strain produces shell shock.

The PGA TOUR made a clear statement when looking to head elsewhere. Those who play may feel no less the same way after one round -- especially if it happens to be on a breezy day. Keep the pro shop number handy -- you may need to call soon after the round gets underway to replenish your ammo.

M. James Ward

December 06, 2020
4 / 10
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Colin Braithwaite

I will start with water, there is a boatload of it. (no pun intended) Only two holes have no water feature. On the front side most of the water will be to your left and on the back to your right. Now, I will move onto bunkers, there are not very many. It is not that long, just under 7000 yards and it is one of the straightest courses I have ever played.

The first hole is welcoming and is a good oppty to get your round off to a good start. The 2nd is the toughest hole on the course. A long par 4 with water left. The 3rd, 7th and 17th are the mandatory Florida par 3s with carry over water. I did like the 4th and 5th holes. You know why. The 4th is probably the closest to a dogleg, it kind of eases to the left. The 5th straightaway par 5 with water carry off the tee and the approach. The 8th is a decent par 5 that will require 3 good shots. Which brings us to the 9th. Nine and eighteen are eerily the same golf hole. Neither has water, they each have a bunker before the fairway, one is 460 yards and the other is 470.

The back opens with a par 5, not really reachable with water and bunkers on the right side. The 12th and 14th are both decent birdie opptys with generous landing areas off the tee. The 13th is a beast at 452 yards. The 15th is an S par 5. Definite three shot hole.

I am not a fan, but then again neither is Greg Norman.

January 20, 2019
4 / 10
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Cédric
Disappointing is the first word that comes to mind. It's obviously a decent course but the conditioning lets it down and there is no wow factor. The greens were great, but tee boxes were often scruffy, vegetation not really taken care of, fairways really patchy. The member I played with told me that the quality had dropped a lot since they don't get the PGA event. And there is little variety in the holes. Front 9 will have water on the left side of the fairway, back 9 on the right. 1 and 2 are basically identical apart from the length, 6 and 14 almost symmetrical. It's still entertaining and fun to play, but I think you ought to expect more from a TPC venue. The par 3 7th, 11th and especially 17th are probably the best holes, water being the threat as you'd have guessed. The par 5 10th and par 4 16th probably being my favorite with the par 3's.The length of the course is not really a problem (7000 yds total), nor is the bunkering, the width of the fairways or the rough. I guess the wind is really the only protection this course has. And as my playing partner told me, a lot of houses have been built since Greg Norman made that statement, and they offer good shelter from the wind, so I guess the scores from Pros here today wouldn't be as high as they were back in the days of the Honda Classic when it was played there, they might actually rip that course apart. Overall, not very impressed… Cedric
January 19, 2012
6 / 10
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Rick Vano
February 16, 2018

Just a quick note... played here back in January and it has completely gone down hill. Course was not taken care of and horrible condition. Needs a major renovation... clubhouse outdated. I know it’s under new ownership “Club Link”... but they have their hands full to get this course back in nice shape.