Biggest Purse in 1928
When La Gorce hosted its inaugural pro event in 1928, it offered the largest professional purse in history, instantly putting the course on the national golf map. Johnny Farrell fired a sizzling 63 to claim the crown.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
La Gorce Country Club
Miami Beach, Florida
Established
1927
Architect
Originally designed by Seth Raynor, significant Jack Nicklaus redesign (2017)
Access
Private
Par
Par 71
Length
5,180 – 6,971 yds
The verdict
Elite Private With True PGA Pedigree
La Gorce delivers old-world pedigree with a polished Jack Nicklaus redesign, world-class greens, and a strong member experience. Not a bucket-list stop for most, but a pillar in Miami’s elite golf scene with vintage PGA Tour lore and strategic tests that reward discipline.
Course DNA
Difficulty
76
Scenery68
Conditioning92
Shot Variety78
Walkability73
Green Complexity80
Wow Factor74
Design Quality82
At a glance
Quick facts
PGA Tour Host
La Gorce Open, 1928–1931
Longest Hole
Par-5 11th, 614 yards
Four Par 5s / Par 3s
Par 71, 10/4/4 routing
Recent Major Renovation
Jack Nicklaus, 2017
Club Location
5685 Alton Road, Miami Beach
Florida Best-in-State Rank
#54 (Golf Digest 2025–26)
Course Record
Johnny Farrell, 63 (1928 La Gorce Open)
Signature Finish
Tough, lengthy par-4 18th
The design
The architecture
La Gorce fuses classic Florida parkland ambience with Jack Nicklaus’s strategic hand, marked by top-shelf conditioning, thoughtful bunkering, and tough but fair green sites. The routing circles water features and mature trees with a balanced mix of par 3s and par 5s, demanding angles and precision more than brute force. A recent Nicklaus revamp modernized the layout without erasing decades of pedigree, keeping the round engaging for members while rewarding approach discipline.
Nicklaus’s modernization produces a member’s club that challenges the thoughtful golfer with risk/reward options and beautiful surfaces, while preserving a timeless Miami Beach core.
Defining features
- Impeccably conditioned fairways and pure greens
- Greens complexes blending Nicklaus boldness with old-Florida approach slopes
- Straight and dogleg par 4s testing club choice off the tee
- Four varied par 3s from 161 to 245 yards
- Water hazards strategic but not penal throughout
- Classic, elegant clubhouse anchoring the experience
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Long Position Par Four
PAR
4
YARDAGE
458
A demanding early test, this lengthy par 4 asks for a controlled tee shot and then a long iron into a firm, well-defended green. A par here sets the tone for the round.
Play it smart
Favor the right side for angle; missing left brings bunkers into play.
Where it bites
Errant approach shots find deep sand and awkward pitches; bogey looms with any mistake.
Course management
Shots to think about
Approach into a long par 4 early (Hole 2)
Favor the wider side of the green, trusting your long iron—don’t chase a pin behind bunkers so early.
Decision to go for par 5 in two (Hole 3 or 15)
Check for hazards and your angle—often safer to lay up for a full wedge than gamble with trouble up front.
Facing the wind on 245-yard par 3 (Hole 6)
Club up and commit to the fat side; missing short or right is a better outcome than a hard miss left.
Second shot on the 614-yard par 5 (Hole 11)
Lay up to your number—don’t get greedy; water and tough rough catch the unwary.
Chipping from tight lies near greens
Use the slope and favor a bump-and-run; keep your first putt below the hole when possible.
Playing the closing 18th with the match on the line
Accept a long approach; be conservative and aim for the center, as the green will test your touch.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Excellent conditioning—firm, true greens and precise fairways with lush Florida grass throughout.
Pace
Member pace—well-controlled, often sub-four hours except during event days.
Vibe
Traditional, refined, old-school Miami prestige with private-club polish and minimal bustle.
Dress code
Traditional golf attire recommended—collared shirts and slacks/shorts; confirm with club for details.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial in Long Irons and Hybrids
With multiple par 3s over 200 yards, bring your confidence and go-to club for long approaches.
02
Practice Chipping to Fast Greens
Greens are slick and slopey—work on your touch and lag putting before teeing off.
03
Map Out Safe Layup Zones
A smart approach, especially on par 5s, will save you—rehearse layup distances for second shots.
04
Bring Conservative Pin-Seekers
Pins can get tricky—aim for the center and trust your putter more than your heroics.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1927
La Gorce Country Club established and opens for play
- 1928
First La Gorce Open, largest purse in pro golf at the time
- 2017
Significant Jack Nicklaus redesign and modernization
- 2025
Plans for new clubhouse and amenities
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Jack Nicklaus’s Miami Signature
Decades after first swinging a club here as a junior, Jack Nicklaus returned to completely reimagine La Gorce. His 2017 overhaul balanced modern playability with the soul of a true club course.
Miami’s Most Exclusive Tee Time
La Gorce’s gates have welcomed golf luminaries and celebrities alike for nearly a century. From its lush tunnels to its storied locker room, few Miami addresses speak to private-club prestige like this one.
Home for Golf’s Great Teachers
Legends like Jack Grout, coach to Nicklaus himself, and long-serving pro Willie Klein shaped La Gorce’s teaching tradition, cementing its reputation as a place to play—and learn—from the best.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
Hosted the largest purse in pro golf in 1928
2
Jack Nicklaus both played and redesigned La Gorce decades apart
3
Golf legends Johnny Farrell and Gene Sarazen won PGA events here
4
The course’s par-5 11th stretches a mammoth 614 yards
5
La Gorce’s exclusive gates have welcomed everyone from celebrities to Tour champions
Build the trip
If you're building a Miami Beach golf trip
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
Miami Beach Golf Club
Public
Closest public and an ideal warmup; classic city golf open to all.
Trump National Doral (Blue Monster)
Resort
Tour-host pedigree, a long-time South Florida must-see with big-league challenge.
Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne
Public
Scenic municipal with bay vistas, top public-access play in the region.
Biltmore Golf Course
Semi-Private
Historic Donald Ross layout with elegant Miami ambiance and character.
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry (Soffer)
Resort
Strongest resort/conditioning combo in northeast Miami, memorable for guests and events.
Mid-Beach or South Beach, Miami Beach—easy access to La Gorce and all other major courses.
Course DNA
If You Like La Gorce Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Denver Country Club
Denver, ColoradoConditioning
Why it matches: If La Gorce Country Club is your kind of course, Denver Country Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match8.2
Round Hill Club
Greenwich, ConnecticutConditioning
Why it matches: Round Hill Club is a natural next stop after La Gorce Country Club: it offers similarly polished playing surfaces.
Strong DNA Match7.8
NCR Country Club (North Course)
Kettering, OhioConditioning
Why it matches: If La Gorce Country Club is your kind of course, NCR Country Club (North Course) is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Community Sentiment
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