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Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

Jupiter Hills Club (Hills)

83

Tequesta, Florida

Established
1970
Architect
George Fazio, Tom Fazio (2006, 2020 with Logan Fazio)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,385 – 6,986 yds
The verdict

A Private, Strategic Florida Classic

Jupiter Hills Club (Hills) stands as a championship-caliber private club lauded for its demanding shot values, polished conditioning, and storied amateur history. It's a must-play for the regional elite—more than worth a detour but not quite a national pilgrimage.

Course DNA
Difficulty
88
Scenery
76
Conditioning
92
Shot Variety
82
Walkability
70
Green Complexity
86
Wow Factor
78
Design Quality
87
At a glance

Quick facts

USGA Championships Hosted
1987 U.S. Amateur, 2018 U.S. Amateur Four-Ball
Major Recent Renovations
Tom Fazio, Logan Fazio (2020); Tom Fazio (2006)
Peak National Ranking
23rd in U.S. (Golf Digest 1987–88)
Setting
Carved from sandy coastal ridges near Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Current Golf Digest State Rank
4th Best in Florida (2025–26)
Par 5 Count
Four par 5s across the routing
Member Experience
Golf-first private club with exclusive access
The design

The architecture

The Hills Course at Jupiter Hills is a pure, undiluted Fazio vision—championship-caliber, strategic, and shaped by the rarest Floridian commodity: dramatic natural elevation. Routed across sandy ridges, its fairways wind through pines and native vegetation, presenting a sequence of bold par 4s, risk-reward par 5s, and par 3s with real bite. Every hole demands thoughtful position, not just length; the routing maximizes vistas and shot values, blending inspiration from Pine Valley and Merion into a uniquely South Florida experience. Continual refinements by Tom and Logan Fazio have ensured the course remains both classic and contemporary, challenging every level of elite amateur and member alike.

George Fazio sought to carve something special from rare Florida terrain, and Tom Fazio’s later renovations have shaped Jupiter Hills into a model of strategic, sand-based championship golf.

Defining features
  • Natural sandy ridges with up to 60 feet of elevation
  • Strategic, penal bunkering reminiscent of Pine Valley
  • Tightly contoured, well-protected green complexes
  • Multiple risk/reward short par 4s
  • Firm, fast playing conditions made for shot-shaping
Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 4

Discipline's Reward

PAR
5
YARDAGE
508 yds

An early par 5 that tempts big hitters but punishes misjudged aggression. Precision off the tee is required to set up a realistic birdie look.

Play it smart

Favor placement in the fairway for your second shot—chasing the green in two demands a controlled approach.

Where it bites

Stray too far left or right and you'll find well-placed bunkers and awkward angles into a guarded green.

Course management

Shots to think about

Approaching the guarded short par 4s
Leave a full wedge for spin control—taking on tucked flags from the rough courts disaster.
Long-iron par 3s into the wind
Aim for the fat of the green, accept a two-putt, and avoid the deep bunkers.
Second shot on par 5s
Only chase the green if the angle is right and the lie is perfect; otherwise lay up to your most comfortable yardage.
Recovery from sandy blowouts
Use loft and commit—the sandy lies demand crisp contact or you'll be chipping again.
Putting on subtle Fazio greens
Read for more break than you see; local knowledge pays huge dividends.
Driving into crosswind on elevated holes
Favor the sheltered side and play for position, not max distance.
On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Pristine private-club turf, firm and true with fast greens and crisp hazards throughout.

Pace

Steady but deliberate—expect a full, focused round rather than a hasty sprint.

Vibe

Exclusive, serious golf with a tradition-rich atmosphere; expect attentive service but no resort flash.

Dress code

Traditional golf attire required (unverified; assume jacket/no denim, collared shirts).

Before you tee off

Your game plan

01

Dial in Short-Game Touch

Practice bunker shots and varied chips; the Hills course will test your finesse around demanding green complexes.

02

Strategize for Position Over Power

Plot your approaches hole by hole—distance is helpful, but it's the angles and layups that make the score.

03

Practice Putting on Fast Surfaces

Greens are quick and often subtle; get comfortable lagging and reading tricky breaks.

04

Bring All-Weather Focus

Wind and shifting conditions will affect shot selection—plan to use every club in the bag.

The lore

How it came to be

  1. 1969

    Club founded following land negotiations for golf-friendly terrain

  2. 1970

    Hills Course opens for play

  3. 1987

    Hosts U.S. Amateur won by Billy Mayfair

  4. 2006

    Tom Fazio renovation updates bunkers and tees

  5. 2018

    Site of U.S. Amateur Four-Ball

  6. 2020

    Comprehensive update by Tom & Logan Fazio

Stories & legends

What makes it special

Club Origins

From Scrubland to Sanctuary

Jupiter Hills was born out of a complex land swap that let founding members secure sandy, rolling terrain unlike anything else in southeast Florida. George Fazio recognized the site's championship promise at first sight, leading to a bold, Pine Valley-inspired layout that still stands apart in the region.

Tournament Legacy

An Amateur's Dream, A Champion's Test

The 1987 U.S. Amateur stamped Jupiter Hills in competitive lore as Billy Mayfair outlasted the field on its demanding setup. The course has continued to host elite amateur events, cementing its place among the southeast's true championship venues.

Design Heritage

Fazio Family Craft

With George Fazio as architect and Tom Fazio later refining the course alongside his son Logan, the Hills Course embodies decades of Fazio design brilliance. The family DNA runs through every bunker, fairway contour, and green complex.

Architectural Identity

Sand Ridges and Strategic Angles

Unlike most Florida layouts, Jupiter Hills' routing soars over natural dunes and scrub, delivering a course where elevation changes and sandy blowouts force truly creative golf. Its ground-game options and risk/reward holes reward precision and planning, not just power.

For the group chat

Fun facts

1

Built atop rare natural sand ridges—unusual for Florida.

2

George Fazio was inspired by Pine Valley and Merion when crafting the routing.

3

Jupiter Hills once ranked as high as 23rd on Golf Digest's national list.

4

Major USGA amateur history: hosted both U.S. Amateur and Four-Ball championships.

5

Course layout and refinements have kept it in the national conversation for over 50 years.

Build the trip

Make a Palm Beaches golf adventure out of it

CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
PGA National Resort – The Champion Course
Resort

Play a famed PGA Tour host with brutal finishing stretch.

Abacoa Golf Club
Public

Accessible, well-conditioned bookable golf option right in Jupiter.

North Palm Beach Country Club
Municipal

A Jack Nicklaus redo; fun, casual, and easy to book.

Banyan Cay Golf Club
Resort

Modern, approachable challenge in West Palm with full amenities.

Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens for the best access to top public and private courses.

Course DNA

If You Like Hills

Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.

From the community

Community Sentiment

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