The Breakers - Ocean Course

The Breakers' Ocean Course is something of a marvel in that, with so many Florida golf courses having been shuttered to make way for housing in recent years, it is still standing on some of the most valuable real estate in the state. On that level alone, it is a very cool place.

As a golf experience, it's not a world-beater, but fun enough if you find yourself with the opportunity and the means to play it.

The most recent renovation is a mixed bag. The greens are much larger and more interesting than they were when I last played, which is a big plus. However, the bunkering is oppressive at times, especially around the greens, and especially considering the course's clientele is mostly older folks or casual golfers looking for a relaxing resort round. There are a handful of holes where most higher handicappers will be forced to pick up.

All that said, the course was in absolutely flawless shape in April; the turf was a joy to play off of. If you can manage to avoid the bunkers, you'll have plenty of fun here.

Fun layout and was great for the others in my group that don’t play as often. Staff is excellent and course is always in great shape. Rather pricey for a round but is the only public 18 course on the island. Great course to play with kids or your family

Don't let the scorecard from the oldest course in Florida fool you. Being so close to the ocean, this fun, sporty little track will get you. If you polled golfers on the first tee what they expect to shoot after seeing the scorecard, I'm guessing their score, on average, would end up three strokes higher than anticipated. The pond water hazards are always lurking, and the fairways super narrow. Any stray driver could end up in the street or an adjacent fairway or behind a palm tree.
The best way to end the round is at the Flagler Steakhouse upstairs in the clubhouse. It is, without a doubt, one of the best clubhouse restaurants in golf.

So, I played the Ocean Course 5 times during a recent stay over Labor Day. Great deal as a resort guest only paying a cart fee. The service at this course is the same 5-star treatment you get throughout the Resort. Teeing off as a single first thing; playing 18 in 90-105 minutes then back to the hotel for the free breakfast (amazing) then back for another 18 and being at the beach before 2 is awesome and doesn’t get much better. Going back to the course, Surprisingly as a longer hitting player, this course plays much longer than the 6,200 yards due to being on the ocean at sea level, the salt filled ocean air, and the winds. The course conditions seem to be amazing. Even with aerated Greens they were fine and very putt-able. The bunkers weren’t too fluffy or lacking sand. They were well maintained. Fairways and tees well defined and cut. Cart parts need some maintenance from the roots pushing them upwards; but are otherwise excellent.

My only complaints were that hole 6 is not 430 yards, itplays about 370-380; hole 13 is very dangerous from the back tee given how close the green is to the road when hitting from 215 yards; hole 16 is the hardest hole by far on the course, next time I’m laying up and chipping; and 18 tee shot is not well designed with the range and clubhouse area in play too much.

This is the oldest 18-hole golf course in florida but it
was beautifully redesigned in 2000. Relatively, short course but its several dogleg holes makes it interesting. Superb condition with stunning landscaping. Expensive to play but with a nice touch of class and a feeling of old Florida.