by MIKE BAILEY
PALM COAST, Florida – If you’re a golfer, you love holes with great views. And an ocean view is one of the best backdrops for golf courses you can find. Not to take anything away from mountains, of course – snow-capped peaks are pretty spectacular in their own right – but seaside golf with waves crashing into the surf or blue water as far as the eye can see has a serenity to it that’s hard to top.
The thing is, however, golf courses with ocean views are few and far between, especially in the United States, and even in Florida, which is surrounded by water on three sides. And to find a course with ocean views open to the public is even more rare. This is just one of the reasons I love Hammock Beach Golf Resort, which is located just north of Daytona Beach, Fla., on the Atlantic Coast. Not only does it have a golf course with several holes along the beach, but the resort, which has been updated recently, has plenty of ocean views as well. It’s really unlike anything else in the United States, and for good measure, the other layout there, which is a few miles inland, is super enjoyable, too.
Among Nicklaus’ best
The Ocean Course at Hammock Beach is simply one of the most enjoyable Jack Nicklaus designs you will ever play. And it’s better than ever these days. The course has six holes that run along the ocean, which is more than any other course in Florida. But the layout overall is simply enjoyable and very playable. Of course, the wind can be a big factor in the scoring.
One of the most impressive characteristics of this 7,201, par72 course, however, is the turf. After Hurricane Milton submerged the course with saltwater in 2017, the then-Bermudagrass course was pretty much destroyed. So when they re-grassed it, they did it with Platinum seashore paspalum, a salt-water tolerant variety that thrives in this environment, even if it’s flooded by seawater. It’s on the greens, fairways, surrounds, and tees, and gives the course a plush, bright green look that really pops. It’s also fun to play on, as the ball sits up nicely on the fairways.
As for the golf course, there’s nothing boring about it. While the ocean holes are the draw, the finishing stretch is a bear, as in Bear Claw, which is holes 15-18. The 18th is a doozy of a finisher, often playing into the wind, along the beach to the left. Even if you’re playing from the proper tees, it plays long and it might be difficult to reach this par-4 in two. And with an elevated sloping green, trying to get up and down with a short pitch or chip can be pretty challenging.
A Watson gem
The golf bonus of Hammock Beach is the often overlooked Tom Watson-designed Conservatory Course. This is the former site of the PGA Tour Champions tournament – The Ginn Championship at Hammock Beach in 2007-’08 won by Keith Fergus and Bernhard Langer, respectively. And it continues to stage PGA section events and high=level amateur tournaments and qualifiers.
Honestly, every hole on this course is interesting and incredibly well-maintained. It’s a giant course, playing nearly 7,800 yards from the tips, but there are like 10 tee options, so you can find a comfortable distance from which to play.
Instead of the ocean, this course has several lakes. The dirt they removed to build them was used for mounds and greens. And there are coquina cart paths, which aren’t too difficult to play from.
Watson, winner of five Open Championships, pays homage here to links golf with each hole generally giving golfers a chance to bump a shot up to a green, although you have to avoid the greenside bunkers to do so.
The course gets its name from the British-style glass domed clubhouse, which is filled with tropical plants, memorabilia, artwork and tremendous views. There’s a pub-style restaurant/bar inside, too, so it’s a great place to hang out after the round.
Impressive Resort
While the Troon-operated golf is super memorable, so is the resort experience at Hammock Beach, which offers a variety of accommodations, including the main towers, which is where I stayed in my most recent visit.
The ocean-view suites in the main feature kitchenettes, living room, and bathrooms with large soaking tubs and walk-in showers. The indoor and outdoor pools are a great spot to pass a couple of hours. And there’s also tennis and pickleball, hiking trails, and of course, beach access.
But the dining, which features six different restaurants, is exceptional. It includes Stix Authentic Sushi and Delfino’s Italian Chophouse. The latter features the flavors of Italy with black Angus meat selections, fresh seafood, and an extensive wine list. I’m not an expert of sushi, but it’s one of my favorite foods, and I thought they nailed it at Stix.
There’s also Loggerheads Sports Pub, a great spot to watch games on its many big screens and enjoy a few draft beers or cocktails.
To get to Hammock Beach Golf Resort, most will fly into Orlando, then it’s about an hour and a half drive. The Jacksonville airport is a little closer, and Daytona is another option with more flights going in than ever before.
(Mike Bailey is a Travel Editor for Pro Golf Weekly. He can be reached at mstefan.bailey@gmail.com)
