The Park at West Palm Beach
West Palm Beach, FL, United States • Public
![/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2023/1/The Park West Palm. hole. 7.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2023/1/The%20Park%20West%20Palm.%20hole.%207.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.suffix/1681147126616.jpeg)
The Redan par-3 seventh.
Trey Wren
![/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2023/1/The Park West Palm hole 11 air.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2023/1/The%20Park%20West%20Palm%20hole%2011%20air.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.544.suffix/1681147588725.jpeg)
Trey Wren
![/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2023/1/The Park West Palm. hole 17.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/2023/1/The%20Park%20West%20Palm.%20hole%2017.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.suffix/1681130415540.jpeg)
The par-3 17th.
Derek Duncan
![/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/course-photos-for-places-to-play/The Park West Palm hole 13.jpg](http://golfdigest.sports.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/golfdigest/fullset/course-photos-for-places-to-play/The%20Park%20West%20Palm%20hole%2013.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.966.725.suffix/1681130434520.jpeg)
The bare, crowned green at the par-4 13th.
Overview
In the current age of new elite private clubs and faraway destinatiion resorts, the opening of a public municipal-affiliated golf course in an urban area is major news—especially when Tiger Woods shows up for the grand opening, like he did in March 2023.
The Park is the latest in a growing trend of public/private partnerships that have fueled the redevelopment of numerous municipal courses around the country. The new course is set on the site of the former Dick Wilson-designed West Palm Beach Golf Course, one of the first notable designs of the post-World War II years when it opened in 1947 and long considered among the top municipal courses in the country.
That course closed in 2018 due to deteriorating playability and diminished interest and sat fallow for several years. Several plans for different uses of the land were proposed before a group of local citizens, led in part by Seth Waugh, CEO of the PGA of America, raised $56 million in individual donations to re-imagine the property as a community gathering space with amenities that include, in addition to golf, youth activities and educational programs, shopping and dining. Woods was one of the donors. (Note: the PGA of America is not connected to the project.)
The fundraisers and City of West Palm Beach hired Hanse and Wagner to create a new 18-hole course on the property’s existing site, located just off I-95 less than two miles south of the Palm Beach International Airport. Also included in the redevelopment is a state-of-the-art practice facility, a lighted nine-hole short course and a two-acre children’s-only golf zone.
Hanse and Wagner retained nothing of the Wilson course and originally envisioned using its deep, sandy terrain to craft holes that would look and play like the Sand Belt courses of Melbourne, Australia. In routing the course, however, they removed pockets of trees, palmetto and other vegetation—crucial ingredients of Sand Belt courses—that would have enhanced that effect.
“There are certain parts of the golf course where you get that Sand Belt feel—I hear the comparison a lot on 11, the par 3, and No. 6, the short par 4—but as Jim and I started to go through it we discussed how we were going to differentiate this golf course from some of the other things we’d done,” Hanse says. “We started to move away from the Sand Belt look and go more toward exposed sand areas because of the scale and width that we had.”
The width, exposure and sightlines that were created once the land was cleared came to define the design’s concept, specifically fairways of enormous breadth, greens that are shaped or oriented to receive shots from specific points in the fairways, and highly contoured putting surfaces.
“One of the cool things Tiger said when he was here, and he’s been by a few times, was this is a ‘one-ball course’—you’re not going to lose a ball out here,” Hanse says.
Read Derek Duncan's full piece here.
About
Awards
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Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
Reviews
Review
“The Park speaks volumes for upholding the traditional values of the game while adding a modern touch that welcomes all."
Read More2024
Review
“Gil Hanse created a very fun course with some extremely creative bunkers and greens. It's playable by all skill levels and is very unique."
Read More2024
Review
“HIt all you want from the tees with massive landing areas. Tricky greens and lots of elevation changes are the challenge here. But a really fun place to play and pretty unique for South Florida."
Read More2024
Review
“Amazing. One of the best courses I've ever played in Florida, it should be envied by most super exclusive clubs in south Florida. I'd put it top 10 and maybe top 5 of all the places I've seen in Florida"
Read More2024
Review
“Great addition to the South FL golf scene. Already getting rave reviews, the course is still young and growing in. But the core playing surfaces are all in good shape, with only some of the surrounding areas just off the fairways and greens needing a little more time to fully grow in to maturity. The Park will only get better and better!"
Read More2024
Review
“Embarking on a golfing journey at The Park in Palm Beach, Florida, unveils not just an extraordinary course but a testament to the genius of its designer, Gil Hanse. This golfing oasis, meticulously crafted by one of the most renowned architects in the industry, elevates the sport to an art form, making it a truly unparalleled experience for enthusiasts. Gil Hanse's signature design philosophy is unmistakably woven into the fabric of The Park. The course showcases a harmonious blend of strategic intricacy and natural beauty, a testament to Hanse's ability to create layouts that challenge and inspire players in equal measure. Each hole is a work of art, thoughtfully carved into the landscape to maximize both the challenges for seasoned golfers and the enjoyment for players of all skill levels. One cannot help but marvel at Hanse's artistry in integrating the course seamlessly with the surrounding environment. The natural contours of the Palm Beach landscape are not just preserved but celebrated, creating a golfing experience that feels like an organic extension of the region. Hanse's commitment to sustainability is evident in the thoughtful placement of hazards, bunkers, and water features, all designed to enhance the playability of the course while preserving its ecological integrity. The Park is a testament to Hanse's ability to create a golf course that not only stands as a challenging test of skill but also as a visual masterpiece. Hanse's artistic touch is evident in every nuance of the course architecture, from the sweeping fairways to the meticulously crafted greens. Playing at The Park is like navigating a living canvas where each stroke is a brushstroke in a larger masterpiece. Beyond the course itself, Hanse's influence extends to the overall ambiance of The Park. The clubhouse, with its elegant design and thoughtful layout, serves as a fitting introduction to the golfing haven that awaits. Hanse's attention to detail is mirrored in the hospitality of the staff, creating an atmosphere that complements the excellence of the course. In conclusion, The Park in Palm Beach, designed by the visionary Gil Hanse, stands as a paragon of golf course architecture. It's not merely a place to play golf; it's an immersive experience that celebrates the artistry of the sport. The Park is a must-visit destination for those who appreciate the fusion of skillful design, natural beauty, and a touch of golfing magic courtesy of the incomparable Gil Hanse."
Read More2023
Review
“Fun to walk and play, a Hanse golf course enjoyable for all."
Read More2023
Review
“The Park has a wonderful, inclusive concept. The design is outstanding and fun for all levels of golfers."
Read More2023
Review
“A fun day out there you could spend all day out there playing putting short course and having a cold one."
Read More2023
Review
“A fun course with enough challenges to be interesting, but one that most players will shoot lower than average scores because of the width on the fairways."
Read More2023
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