by LARRY HALL
PALM COAST, Florida – Living in Jacksonville, Florida, I’m always thinking about my next great golf trip – especially those that feature oceanfront golf holes. While we’re fortunate to have the TPC Stadium Course nearby, there’s something uniquely stirring about standing on a green with putter in hand, and hearing the sound of waves crashing against the shore.
Over the past several years, I’ve been fortunate to play renowned ocean courses in Cabo San Lucas and the Dominican Republic, as well as iconic venues such as Pebble Beach, Torrey Pines, and the Old Course at St. Andrews. It’s fair to say I’ve experienced my share of coastal golf around the world.
Recently, however, I had the opportunity to stay and play at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa in Palm Coast, Florida – just an hour’s drive from home. What an outstanding surprise. Reflecting back on my few days at Hammock Beach, I’m reminded of a quote by the 13th-century Persian poet Rumi: “What you are looking for may already be where you are looking from.”
The Jack Nicklaus-designed Ocean Course at Hammock Beach originally opened in 2000, around the same time I moved to Jacksonville. The resort itself – with its hotel accommodations, spa, and beach amenities – followed in 2004.
Despite the Ocean Course’s premium green fee at the time, I managed to play it a couple of times on my then-modest golf budget. My recollection from those early rounds was that the ocean presence felt limited, perhaps obscured by dunes or vegetation, and that much of the layout resembled a traditional flat Florida course. As years passed and my golf travel expanded nationally and internationally, Hammock Beach Ocean Course gradually faded from my radar.
In addition to the Ocean Course, Hammock Beach has a sister course layout designed by Tom Watson: The Conservatory. Through a friend, I became acquainted with the head professional there, which allowed my local golf group to play the course a couple of times each year.
In this article, I’ll explore both courses in detail, beginning with a question recently asked of me: Which course is better? My answer is simple – both. The Ocean Course is among the most scenic courses you’ll ever see, while The Conservatory may be one of the most challenging and thoughtfully designed courses you’ll ever play.
CONSERVATORY COURSE
The Conservatory is located approximately nine miles from the main resort, so guests will need a car or can take advantage of the resort’s convenient shuttle service.
I always offer two pieces of advice to anyone playing The Conservatory for the first time. First, don’t spend much time practicing flat putts – focus instead on downhill and sharply breaking putts. Second, head to the practice bunker and hit balls until you can place two in a row within ten feet of the flag. Both exercises will prove invaluable once you’re on the course.
Not to hold back anything about this course. it is a demanding layout by any measure, even from the forward tees, which play around 5,800 yards. For those seeking a true PGA Tour–style test, the back tees stretch to a formidable 7,176 yards.
The Conservatory features some of the finest and most challenging par-3 holes you’ll encounter anywhere, highlighted by dramatic green complexes and penal bunkering. The two photos below of holes 8 & 12 illustrate the challenge.
Speaking of bunkers, there are approximately 140 of them scattered across the course. Hole 13 is a prime example: a long par 4 that plays 491 yards from the back tees. Any errant shot – from tee to green – seems destined for sand. Even from the forward tees, where the hole measures 364 yards, accuracy is paramount.
Selecting the proper tee box is essential here. My recommendation is simple: find the tee box with the yardage you normally play, then move up one. I’ve played The Conservatory dozens of times with golfers carrying handicaps as low as three or four, and I’ve never seen anyone stick a par 5 in two.
Hole 15 below, is the shortest par 4 on the course at roughly 300 yards for most players, which makes it especially tempting for long hitters. However, the penalty for missing the green can be severe. What looks like a potential birdie opportunity can quickly turn into a double bogey. The green demands a precise approach; miss it, and you may face a long bunker shot with little chance of holding the putting surface, followed by an equally challenging recovery shot. Subtle ridges and multiple tiers ensure that even successful putts require careful reading (remember my putting lesson).
The signature hole at The Conservatory is the par-5 18th, which stretches to 603 yards from the championship tees. The hole tempts players to take an aggressive line over water in hopes of reaching the green in two, much like the 18th at the TPC Stadium Course. Trust me – this is a three-shot hole. I’ve seen many attempts at the heroic play and none have succeeded.
OCEAN COURSE
Transitioning from the appetizer to the main course, the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach today bears little resemblance to the one I played in 2000. The transformation began in 2016, when Hurricane Matthew passed offshore as a major storm. High winds and storm surge breached the dune barriers, allowing saltwater to inundate the course and kill much of the turf.
Rather than simply restore the original design, the resort partnered with Nicklaus Design to reimagine the course entirely. The result is a layout that fully embraces its coastal setting, opening up sweeping ocean views on six holes where nearly every step offers a breathtaking perspective of the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the most significant changes was the introduction of Platinum Paspalum grass on the greens and fairways. This salt-tolerant turf doesn’t merely survive saltwater – it thrives on it, even allowing for seawater irrigation. When hurricanes pass now, the Ocean Course just smiles and quips, ‘bring it on.’
While not quite the equal of Bentgrass, Platinum Paspalum compares favorably with the best Bermuda grasses in Florida. Greens typically roll at 10–12 on the Stimpmeter and can be speed up with additional rolling. Fairways have a slightly spongy feel and reward crisp iron play. Simply put, it’s a pleasure to play.
Playing the Ocean Course while staying at the resort is refreshingly effortless. Upon arrival, hand your clubs to the bell staff and they’ll be waiting on your cart at your assigned tee time. When you’re ready to warm up, exit the back of the hotel, walk about 100 yards toward the ocean, turn right – and there are your clubs, sitting in the cart with your name on it.
The practice facilities are exceptional: a spacious driving range that accommodates dozens of players and a massive putting green overlooking the beach. The ocean views are so captivating they will distract you from your warm-up.
Adjacent to the putting green is the Hammock House, a grill & bar, offering breakfast, classic turn-time fare, and a full selection of adult beverages. The food is flavorful, generously portioned, and well worth the price.
The opening hole plays inland, away from the ocean – a welcome start. I’ve always believed a first hole should offer a wide fairway and a straightforward par-4 absent of typical designer tricks & traps, allowing players to ease into the round.
Beyond the ocean holes, the par-5 sixth hole stands out for its design. At just over 500 yards, it begins with a tee shot over water and tempts longer hitters to attack an island green in two. Most who try will find a watery grave. Even a prudent layup leaves a demanding approach of more than 100 yards to a green surrounded by danger.
The course continues inland through the seventh hole, featuring the strategic water hazards and deep bunkers for which Nicklaus designs are famous. All bunkers have been recently rebuilt with fine beach sand, requiring high, soft-landing shots.
OCEAN VIEWS BEGIN
The ocean reveals itself in spectacular fashion at the par-3 eighth, where the green sits against a stunning Atlantic backdrop. During our visit, shrimp boats were visible offshore, trawling for the day’s catch.
From there, the par-4 ninth hole runs parallel to the coastline, with the ocean guarding the entire right side. Any slice here is rewarded with a trip to the beach.
After the turn, the 10th hole again heads inland, weaving through luxury beachfront homes and condominiums. Wildlife is abundant, from sea birds to the occasional alligator – generally content to keep to themselves if left undisturbed.
BEAR CLAW
The final four holes, collectively named “The Bear Claw” by Jack Nicklaus himself, provide a thrilling and exacting finish.
Hole 15 is a par 4 that plays toward a beachside green. Long hitters are wise to leave the driver in the bag, as aggressive tee shots risk pot bunkers on both sides. Players favoring a draw may also find trouble in the sharply sloped transition area on the left side.
The 16th begins from a tee box set directly on the beach, overlooking a sprawling lake. Depending on tee selection, the hole can appear tantalizingly short. Many attempt to overpower it with too much draw and find the lake. For those who successfully evade the water, a strategically placed Nicklaus-style bunker patiently waits to catch a ball that finds land anywhere left.
Hole 17 is a demanding par 3 that plays uphill toward the ocean, often into a stiff sea breeze. The green slopes away on all sides and is guarded by three signature Nicklaus bunkers, waiting like giant catchers’ mitts.
The closing hole runs straight down the beach and back toward the resort. A pulled tee shot finds sand along the shoreline, while a gentle fade often ends up in the bunker on the right. As with
many Nicklaus courses, difficulty is both deliberate and predictable.
My best advice for the Ocean Course – or any Nicklaus design – is simple: just hit it straight, and you’ll be fine!
ACCOMADATIONS/AMENITIES
No review of Hammock Beach Resort would be complete without mentioning its outstanding accommodations. Upon arrival, guests are greeted by an impressive oceanfront structure offering everything from standard rooms to luxurious two-, three-, and four-bedroom suites.
For our visit, our group of three stayed in a spacious three-bedroom, three-bath suite complete with a full kitchen, dining area, and comfortable living space.
While this article is written with golfers in mind, the resort offers abundant amenities for non-golfers. The spa comes highly recommended, and multiple pools and beach access provide ample options for relaxation. Dining is equally diverse, with seven on-site restaurants ranging from Delfinos Italian Chophouse to Stix Sushi Bar.
If you’re planning a weekend golf getaway with friends or a family vacation with something for everyone, Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa delivers on all fronts. This resort manages to balance luxury with a laid-back coastal charm. It’s clear, Hammock Beach is far more than just a convenient golf destination. It’s a place where thoughtful design, natural beauty and hospitality come together in rare harmony.
Whether you’re standing on a windswept ocean green, grinding over a treacherous putt at The Conservatory, or just relaxing on the balcony of an oceanfront suite, Hammock Beach offers a complete experience. Sometimes as Rumi suggested centuries ago, what you’re searching for may be closer than you think.
(Larry Hall, a Jacksonville, Florida-based golf writer, is a member of Golf Heritage Society, Golf Writers Association of America, Historical Writers of America, International Network of Golf and Golf Travel Writers of America. He can be reached at: bgtriptips@gmail.com)
