Atlantic Beach, Florida
Atlantic Beach Country Club pairs First Coast golf history with a modern, fun redesign by Erik Larsen. It's a club where local legends and tournament drama echo, delivering a playable private challenge with a splash of coastal character. Regional golfers will find it a rewarding detour—it's not a national pilgrimage but a strong, lively stop for architecture buffs and golf history fans.
Erik Larsen’s 2014–2015 redesign breathed fresh life into Atlantic Beach Country Club, melding classic North Florida terrain with a contemporary, sandy edge. The course moves through subtle dune-like forms, with strategic bunkering, water hazards, and approachable green complexes that balance challenge and playability. Larsen rebuilt the routing from scratch, learning from the site’s historic bones while emphasizing shot values and angles. The result is a layout rewarding both precision and creativity—where placement off the tee, distance management, and working your way around stretches of native sand are all in the mix. The club’s history with the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry finale gives the design unique energy: every golfer feels a sense of occasion, but the vibe stays friendly, fun, and fresh.
Erik Larsen’s transformation aimed to restore natural movement and variety to the club while honoring its historic past—delivering a strategic, visually engaging course that fosters memorable rounds for members and tournament players alike.
The round begins with a 405-yard par 4 that demands both precision and nerve—first tee jitters are amplified by bunkers up the left and a receptive, well-defended green. An excellent introduction to the club’s look and strategic feel.
Keep your tee shot center-right for the best angle into the green. Avoid left fairway traps and favor control over length.
Bunkers left catch a pull; conservative approach is safest if out of position.
High private-club standards: fast greens, tidy bunkers, consistently well-groomed fairways and surrounds.
Typical private pace—efficient but relaxed, usually sub-4 hour rounds outside tournament times.
Friendly, family-oriented club with a polished but not stuffy member atmosphere; active social and athletic scenes.
Country club golf attire required; collared shirts, no denim. Exact language not publicly posted—standard private-club norms apply.
Scoring comes from approaches inside 120 yards—greens reward controlled wedges more than long bombs.
Bunkers and native waste areas abound. Practice fairway and greenside recovery shots from sand.
Green sections and runoffs reward recognizing good vs. dangerous flagstick targets, especially on par 3s.
Beachside Florida can be humid and sunny; bring water and sunblock for summer rounds.
Selva Marina Country Club opens
Hosts inaugural Greater Jacksonville Open (PGA Tour)
Jack Nicklaus records first career double eagle here
Bobby Weed renovation adds length and upgrades grasses
Erik Larsen leads $12M complete redesign and rebuild
Reopens as Atlantic Beach Country Club
Atlantic Beach is forever linked to the PGA Tour: its original Selva Marina layout hosted the first Greater Jacksonville Open, the event that eventually became The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The spirit of innovation and firsts lingers here.
In 1966, Jack Nicklaus delivered his first career double eagle on the 18th hole at Atlantic Beach during the Greater Jacksonville Open—a shot that is part of both club lore and Tour history. Few courses can claim such a moment.
After falling into decline, the property was completely redeveloped in the 2010s by Erik Larsen, transforming it into a modern, natural-feeling course that honors sandy native ground and tournament past without losing a moment of local charm.
From 2016–2018, the course’s closing stretch gained national attention hosting the Web.com Tour Championship, with nerve-shredding cards and career-making rounds played out on live television. For Florida golf, it’s a modern rite of passage.
Host of the first-ever Greater Jacksonville Open, precursor to The Players Championship
Site of Jack Nicklaus' legendary first double eagle in televised PGA Tour history
Course reclaimed and reborn after full $12 million redevelopment in the 2010s
Modern design incorporates native sand and natural drainage solutions
Recent host of both Korn Ferry Tour Championship and Epson Tour (LPGA pathway) events
Bucket-list Tour venue and home of The Players Championship
Well-regarded public test with strong value and challenge
Fun, affordable municipal layout close to Jacksonville
Atlantic Beach or Ponte Vedra for quickest access to both private clubs and resort courses along the coast.
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Arrowhead Country Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Atlantic Beach Country Club.
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Waccabuc Country Club a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to Atlantic Beach Country Club.
Why it matches: Southern Hills Golf Course is a natural next stop after Atlantic Beach Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
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