Augusta’s South Florida Link
Members of Augusta National spearheaded the club’s founding, instructing Harris to create a course matching Augusta’s prestige—signaling an ambition for championship DNA in the Sunshine State.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
The Country Club of Florida
Boynton Beach, Florida
Established
1957
Architect
Robert Bruce Harris (original), Arthur Hills (1987 remodel), Lester George (2006 renovation)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
7,002 yds (approximate, per available listing)
The verdict
Subtle South Florida Private Gem
The Country Club of Florida offers an elegant, strategic round on a course with mirrored nines, championship ambitions, and an exclusive, storied heritage. Its design pedigree and thoughtful bunkering provide members with rich variety, while visitors lucky enough to play encounter a pure golf experience shaped by history.
Course DNA
Difficulty
77
Scenery68
Conditioning88
Shot Variety85
Walkability67
Green Complexity81
Wow Factor73
Design Quality81
Don't miss
Notice the mirrored par sequence on each nine—a unique architectural feature in American golf.
At a glance
Quick facts
Mirrored Nine Sequencing
Each nine mirrors the other in par sequence—rare in championship golf
Hosted 1958 Western Amateur
First time the championship was held in the Southeast
Dunes & Ridges Used
Holes 4, 5, and 10 routed through natural dunes; 6 and 11 separated by a ridge
Original Augusta Influence
Club founded by Augusta National members seeking a South Florida home
Signature Remodels
Arthur Hills (1987) and Lester George (2006) modernizations
Sand Reduction Legacy
33 bunkers eliminated in the 1987 remodel
Private, Members-Only Access
Exclusivity with championship ambitions
The design
The architecture
The Country Club of Florida’s strategic identity flows from Robert Bruce Harris’s inventive routing which mirrors nines for variety and balance, and from subsequent modernizations that refreshed its challenge without sacrificing its original essence. The layout weaves through unusually pronounced South Florida ridges and dunes—especially notable on holes 4, 5, 6, 10, and 11—showcasing subtle elevation in a flatland region. Later, Arthur Hills and Lester George layered in updated bunkering, green complexes, and visual contrast, yielding a course that's both classically grounded and up to contemporary private club standards. The result is a walkable, thoughtful, and challenging member’s course, blending midcentury vision with thoughtful modern restraint.
Harris’s intent—a member’s championship course with variety—survives in every subtle twist of the routing and in the mirrored sequencing, a testament to his original ambitions and enduring presence on the property.
Defining features
- Mirrored nines with identical par sequence
- Dramatic bunker reduction and repositioning in 1987
- Natural dunes and subtle elevation changes
- Distinctive ridge between parallel holes
- Updated, complex green sites after 2006 renovation
- Visual contrast and strategic sand use
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 4
Dune Crest Challenge
PAR
5
YARDAGE
530
A classic par 5 that threads through the course’s most pronounced dunes, demanding both length off the tee and precision on approach. The fairway rises and falls with natural elevation unique for the region, capped by a green subtly perched beyond a gentle swale.
Play it smart
Favor the left to open up your second shot—lay back for position or risk taking on the dunes for a possible birdie chance.
Where it bites
Stray tee shots will be claimed by sand and native areas flanking both sides; bunkers near the green punish overaggression.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approaching dunes on par-5 4th
Play conservatively short of the main ridge unless you’re sure you can carry the crest—laying back sets up an easier uphill approach.
Windy day on 13th par 3
Club up and flight it low—water short means better to be in sand than splashing.
Mirrored nines turn
Don’t get lulled into routine—the change in par sequence demands pre-shot planning and flexibility, especially across the turn.
Pin back-right behind bunkers
Aim for the heart of the green; chasing the corner often leads to short-sided, tricky recovery shots.
18th hole approach under pressure
Be decisive and favor the right half—the diagonal hazard comes into play on pulls, and long is better than short into the green complex.
Hitting from the fairway ridge
Take extra care on stance and clubface position—the slightest misalignment can funnel your ball into collection areas.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Immaculate fairways and greens, contemporary bunkering, and private club pace throughout the round.
Pace
Efficient and relaxed; member-customized with spacing for a premium experience.
Vibe
Traditional, unhurried, and understated—pure private club atmosphere with a championship edge.
Dress code
Formal private club standards—collared shirts and tailored slacks or Bermuda shorts required.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Finetune Sand Play
The course’s strategic bunkering rewards those with sharp greenside sand skills, especially on approach shots.
02
Bring a Full Club Set
Par sequencing and variable hole lengths demand all the clubs in your bag for scoring chances.
03
Double-Check Routing
Get familiar with the mirrored nine system and par sequence to plan your round strategically.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1956
Club founded by visionaries, including Augusta National members
- 1957
Robert Bruce Harris-designed course officially opens
- 1958
Hosts the 56th Western Amateur—first in Southeast U.S.
- 1987
Arthur Hills remodels, reshaping bunkers and visual scheme
- 2006
Lester George leads comprehensive course modernization
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Mirrored Nines, No Back-to-Back Pars
Harris designed each nine to mirror the other in par sequence, and ensured no two holes of the same par are played consecutively around the turn, a rarity in U.S. championship golf.
A Place to Retire For Its Creator
Robert Bruce Harris retired at the club and spent his final years there, cementing a personal bond between architect and course that left a lasting imprint on the club culture.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Mirrored nine-hole structure is architecturally rare in Florida club golf.
2
Dunes and ridges integrated into the routing defy the region’s typical flatness.
3
Included in the 1958 Western Amateur, notable for being the event's first Southeast venue.
4
Original architect Robert Bruce Harris retired to the club.
5
33 bunkers were removed in one major remodel, changing the course’s defensive style.
Build the trip
If you're making a South Florida golf trip out of it
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
The Park West Palm Beach
Public
Premier modern municipal with engaging design and welcoming atmosphere
PGA National Resort
Resort
Famous for The Bear Trap and championship hosting pedigree
The Breakers Ocean Course
Resort
Historic oceanfront play with a storied past
Atlantic National Golf Club
Public
Great value and accessible for visitors near Boynton Beach
Osprey Point Golf Course
Public
Highly rated public course in the Boca/Delray corridor
Stay in Delray Beach or Boynton Beach for easy access to both private and public golf gems.
Course DNA
If You Like The Country Club of Florida
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Vaquero Club
Westlake, TexasConditioning
Why it matches: Vaquero Club is a natural next stop after The Country Club of Florida: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Strong DNA Match7.1
Tunica National Golf & Tennis
Tunica Resorts, MississippiConditioning
Why it matches: Tunica National Golf & Tennis is a natural next stop after The Country Club of Florida: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Strong DNA Match8.3
Philadelphia Country Club
Gladwyne, PennsylvaniaConditioning
Why it matches: There is real overlap here. Philadelphia Country Club offers similarly polished playing surfaces, making it a compelling counterpart to The Country Club of Florida.
Community Sentiment
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