Borne From the Swamp
Lost Tree’s origin story is pure Florida: a golf course carved from mangrove swamp, now a sanctuary of luxury and precision. The transformation from untamed land to elite club set the stage for a community of golf devotees.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
Lost Tree Club
North Palm Beach, Florida
Established
1961
Architect
Mark Mahannah (original, 1961), Jack Nicklaus (redesign, 2002); later work by Charles Mahannah, Jr., Kipp Schulties, Troy Vincent, David Heatwole
Access
Private
Par
Par 72
Length
5,154 – 6,858 yds
The verdict
Elite, Exclusive, Polished South Florida Club
Lost Tree Club is the crown jewel in a private, ocean-adjacent enclave—a world-class experience for its members, boasting Jack Nicklaus’s modern touch and manicured luxury. Its prestige makes it a must for the well-connected, but its ranking and access signal a regional, not national, pilgrimage.
Course DNA
Difficulty
80
Scenery78
Conditioning93
Shot Variety77
Walkability71
Green Complexity82
Wow Factor74
Design Quality80
At a glance
Quick facts
Redesign Architect
Jack Nicklaus (2002)
Original Course Built
1961 in mangrove swamp
Homesite Routing
Course routed around luxury homes
Number of Par 5s
Four par 5s, including strong closer
Location
Two lots from the Atlantic Ocean
Prestige
Golf Digest Florida Top 40 (2025–26)
Clubhouse
Major upgrade completed 2012
The design
The architecture
Lost Tree Club blends its classic 1960s Mahannah routing with a thoroughly modern, high-strategy Nicklaus redesign, yielding a demanding, beautifully-groomed test shaped by luxury homes and ocean air. Though the course was originally hewn from mangrove swamp, Nicklaus’s 2002 overhaul brought sophisticated green sites, aggressive bunkering, and a visual polish in line with the neighborhood’s prestige. The routing leverages corridors through upscale real estate, emphasizing angles, risk-reward choices, and position over raw aggression. With long, testing par 3s and a dynamic mix of par 5s, Lost Tree asks for smart, tactical play on every shot.
Jack Nicklaus’s 2002 redesign upgraded Lost Tree with a sharper tactical test and a modern luxury sensibility, while Mark Mahannah’s original homesite routing still sets the course’s bones.
Defining features
- Nicklaus-renovated shaping and bunkers
- Greens with pronounced contours and protection
- Long, demanding par 3s on both nines
- Par 5s offering both risk and reward
- Routing winds through luxury homes
- Course edges within blocks of the Atlantic Ocean
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 2
Early Risk, Lasting Reward
PAR
5
YARDAGE
565
A true par-5 test, the second hole stretches to 565 yards and tempts longer hitters to attack but quickly punishes errant drives. Position off the tee is everything—the hole rewards those who play smart through the landing zones and approach the green with caution.
Play it smart
Play safely to the wide part of the fairway and only go for the green if your drive is perfectly placed.
Where it bites
Trouble lurks in the form of sharp bunkering and risky layups; mis-hit approaches can find sand or awkward roll-offs.
Course management
Shots to think about
Blustery long par 3 with front pin
Take an extra club and trust your flight; avoid the short side at all costs.
Par 5 layup with bunkers left
Lay up to your favorite wedge distance on the safest side and accept the longer approach if necessary.
Approach to a raised Nicklaus green
Land the ball short of the flag and let it release toward the middle; firm putting surfaces reward wise misses.
Tee shot on a tight par 4
Position over power: Play to the wide landing area for the best angle, not maximum distance.
Sidehill lie in Bermuda rough
Choke down and focus on clean contact—the grain and slope will combine to twist your clubface.
Downwind chip to a tight pin
Use loft and land it short—greens are typically quick and firm, especially late in the day.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Superb private-club grooming and pristine fairways; greens tend to be firm and fast.
Pace
Efficient member pace, generally much faster than resort play but not source-verified.
Vibe
Quiet, exclusive, and understated—think polished luxury rather than showy resort atmospheres.
Dress code
Traditional private-club golf attire expected; confirm specifics with the club.
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Dial in long irons
The demanding par 3s mean you’ll want confidence with your hybrids and mid- to long-irons.
02
Practice bunker play
Nicklaus’s shaping and deep surrounds make for plenty of sand shots—brush up on escapes.
03
Bring your calm putting stroke
Slippery, well-conditioned surfaces ask for a steady hand and creative reading.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1961
Original course opens, designed by Mark Mahannah
- 2002
Complete redesign by Jack Nicklaus transforms course
- 2012
Major clubhouse renovation and expansion concludes
- 2023
Ranked No. 39 in Florida by Golf Digest
- 2025
Ranked No. 40 in Florida by Golf Digest
- 2026
Hosts 10th annual South Florida PGA HOPE Classic
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Nicklaus’s 21st Century Touch
With a sweeping 2002 Signature redesign, Jack Nicklaus left an indelible stamp on Lost Tree—ramping up bunkering, refining fairway angles, and amplifying the greens' complexity. His signature style elevated the course’s strategic test and visual drama.
Golf at the Ocean’s Edge
Just steps from the Atlantic and embedded in a world of exclusivity, Lost Tree is a private golfer’s paradise—never crowded, always manicured, and defined by a rarefied atmosphere you have to see to believe.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The golf course was constructed out of former mangrove swamp.
2
The club sits just two lots from the Atlantic Ocean but is not eligible for true 'links' status.
3
Lost Tree was among Golf Digest’s original 200 Toughest Courses (1966–68).
4
Jack Nicklaus’s 2002 overhaul left the routing but completely reimagined the greens and bunkering.
5
Lost Tree is famed for its real-estate-centric golf planning—a model for later developments.
Build the trip
Build a Palm Beach golf trip around Lost Tree
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
PGA National Resort – The Champion
Resort
ICONIC PGA Tour test and the region’s grand stage
Abacoa Golf Club
Public
Accessible, lively, and stellar for all skill levels
The Breakers Rees Jones Course
Resort
Luxurious Palm Beach resort companion
The Park West Palm Beach
Municipal
Modern, inclusive, and fun for every player
Palm Beach Gardens or North Palm Beach for access, or stay in coastal Palm Beach for luxury
Course DNA
If You Like Lost Tree Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.6
TPC Summerlin
Las Vegas, NevadaConditioning
Why it matches: What links these two? Puts the same premium on presentation — a familiar feeling, expressed in TPC Summerlin's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.2
TPC Prestancia
Sarasota, FloridaConditioning
Why it matches: If Lost Tree Club is your kind of course, TPC Prestancia is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Strong DNA Match7.8
Mystic Creek Golf Club
El Dorado, ArkansasConditioning
Why it matches: If Lost Tree Club is your kind of course, Mystic Creek Golf Club is worth a look because it puts the same premium on presentation.
Community Sentiment
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