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Golf Course Review & Scouting Report

Loblolly Golf Club

79

Hobe Sound, Florida

Established
1988
Architect
Pete Dye & P.B. Dye (1988); Renovations: Rees Jones (2000), Andrew Green (2022), Jim Urbina (2023)
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,065 – 7,116 yds
The verdict

Regionally Elite, Dye-Pedigree Golf

Loblolly is a private South Florida stronghold, renowned for its classic Pete Dye architecture and crisp restoration work. Playable yet strategic, it’s a course that rewards shot-makers and will challenge every club in your bag.

Course DNA
Difficulty
78
Scenery
73
Conditioning
85
Shot Variety
81
Walkability
67
Green Complexity
82
Wow Factor
74
Design Quality
83
Don't miss

Ask a member about the restored green edges—many are now subtly expanded to original dimensions, changing approach options in a way only insiders notice.

At a glance

Quick facts

Recent restoration
Jim Urbina completed a nuanced restoration in 2023.
Architect pedigree
Original Pete & P.B. Dye design, with major updates by Rees Jones, Andrew Green, and Jim Urbina.
Close to the Atlantic
Situated about a mile from the ocean, bringing wind and atmosphere.
Triangular routing
Laid out on a distinctive, tight, triangular property.
Classic Dye features
Expect bold mounding, waste areas, and dramatic bunkering.
Greens rebuilt
Greens and bunkers reworked in detail to restore lost edges and corners.
State-recognized
Consistently ranked among Florida's best courses.
The design

The architecture

Loblolly embodies Pete Dye’s vision, combining dramatic landforms, clever bunkering, demanding approach shots, and true Florida subtropical scenery on a space-efficient site. The 2020s restorations by Andrew Green and Jim Urbina revived signature Dye features—steep runoffs, jagged bunker edges, and bold mounds—while ensuring the course is both a shot-maker’s test and visually compelling. Strategic play is paramount here, with the wind off the Atlantic and triangulated routing keeping you out of rhythm and in creative mode. Recovery options abound but miss in the wrong spot and you’ll need every trick in the short-game book.

Urbina’s 2023 restoration sharpened both the playability and architectural authenticity of Pete Dye’s South Florida vision.

Defining features
  • Bold, sweeping Dye mounding and landforms
  • Risk-reward par 5s with strategic bunkering
  • Rebuilt greens recapturing 1988 contours
  • Distinctive waste areas and separation mounds
  • Wind-affected play from ocean proximity
Hole by hole

Signature holes

Hole 3

Relentless Par Four

PAR
4
YARDAGE
461

A long, bruising par 4 where par is always an achievement. Bold bunkering frames a narrow landing area before a tough approach to a perched green with steep fall-offs.

Play it smart

Precision and placement off the tee are vital; push driver too hard and bunkers punish you, but play it too safe and a long iron approach awaits.

Where it bites

Deep front bunkers, deceptive wind, and a slick, elevated green can conspire for a big number if you miss your lines.

Course management

Shots to think about

Short approach to a perched green
Favor the safer side—Dye runoffs can turn a small miss into a big mistake.
Crosswind par-3 tee shot
Trust your committed line and aim for the fattest part of the green—don’t chase pins flirted by the wind.
Second shot on short par-4 13th
Lay up to your favorite wedge yardage unless the pin and conditions make the risk worth it.
Three-shot par 5 from a sidehill lie
Use the slope to your advantage and avoid overthinking forced carries into trouble.
Downwind drive on a tight par 4
Tempting as it is to unleash driver, placement is often better than distance—leave a proper angle in.
Lag putting from above the hole
These greens are slick post-restoration; keep your next putt below the cup or three-putt danger is real.
On the day

What to expect

Conditions

Pristine fairways, fast Dye-style greens, and bunkers meticulously restored after the recent refurbishing.

Vibe

Private, understated, with a true club feel—access for members and their guests means attentive but relaxed service.

Before you tee off

Your game plan

01

Study Dye recovery shots

Brush up on bump-and-runs, flop shots, and imaginative escapes—you’ll need them after missing a green in the wrong place.

02

Expect variable winds

Check the forecast; with the proximity to the Atlantic, wind directions change angles and club selection quickly.

03

Greens are quick

Arrive early to adjust on the practice putting green; post-restoration speeds are true and fast.

04

Target lines matter

Bring a confident driving game—narrow lines and visual deception can quickly sap momentum if you’re indecisive.

The lore

How it came to be

  1. 1988

    Loblolly Golf Club opens its Pete Dye and P.B. Dye design.

  2. 2000

    Rees Jones completes significant renovation to the course.

  3. 2022

    Andrew Green leads major restoration to reinstate Dye features and improve drainage.

  4. 2023

    Jim Urbina completes a final restoration, reopening with sharper playability and restored greens.

Stories & legends

What makes it special

Restoration

Restoring Dye’s Edge

Years of tweaks and aging softened the original Dye design, but the 2022–23 restorations by Andrew Green and Jim Urbina brought back the aggressive contours and strategic intent. The club prioritized reclaiming the bold edges, runoffs, and character that made the course special at its inception.

Design

A Tight Triangle of Challenge

Loblolly’s routing squeezes 18 holes onto a triangular site, maximizing every angle. The strategic separation and use of elevation changes keep golfers on edge, and wind from the nearby Atlantic frequently influences decision-making.

Legacy

Florida Prestige Without the Hype

Despite its private status and architectural strength, Loblolly remains a regionally revered gem rather than a household name. Its spot in state and Second 100 lists reflects both its sustained quality and the fiercely competitive Florida golf scene.

For the group chat

Fun facts

1

Loblolly’s name comes from the loblolly pine native to the southeastern U.S.

2

Renowned for its risk-reward short par-four 13th—one of the boldest in Florida.

3

Course maintenance standards are modeled after the best private clubs nationwide.

4

After restoration, many bunkers regained their original Dye edges and strategic intimidation.

5

The club is just over a mile from the Atlantic, constantly impacted by coastal breezes.

Build the trip

If you're making a Hobe Sound–Jupiter golf trip out of it

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

PGA Tour and major-championship pedigree for public and resort guests.

Dye Preserve
Private

Another top-tier Pete Dye layout with a local following.

The Medalist
Private

Elite private club, renowned for toughness and Tour-member regulars.

Jupiter Country Club
Semi-Private

A strong daily-fee test with upscale amenities.

Abacoa Golf Club
Public

Well-conditioned public option nearby for a non-private round.

Jupiter or Tequesta for best access to both private and public golf, plus dining and lodging.

Course DNA

If You Like Loblolly Golf Club

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

The architect's other work

More from Pete Dye

Harbour Town Golf Links

Hilton Head Island, SC

Strategic, visually distinctive PGA Tour venue

The Dye Preserve

Jupiter, FL

Private Dye design near Loblolly

The Ocean Course at Kiawah

Kiawah Island, SC

Stunning coastal major venue

From the community

Community Sentiment

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