Arrival by Motorboat
In the club’s 1920s heyday, some guests arrived for their round by fast motorboat from the Everglades Club across the Intracoastal. This rare access method added to the original club’s glamour and Palm Beach mystique.
Golf Course Review & Scouting Report
North Palm Beach Country Club
North Palm Beach, Florida
Established
1926
Architect
Seth Raynor (original), Jack Nicklaus (2006 redesign)
Access
Public
Par
Par 71
Length
5,203 – 7,071 yds
The verdict
Palm Beach County’s Public Gem
A century of history meets strong Jack Nicklaus architecture at North Palm Beach Country Club. This muni rewards brains over brawn with target golf, solid greens, and enough bite to keep any golfer engaged.
Course DNA
Difficulty
72
Scenery68
Conditioning75
Shot Variety73
Walkability76
Green Complexity70
Wow Factor66
Design Quality74
At a glance
Quick facts
Original Opening Year
1926
Raynor Heritage
One of final Raynor blueprints, though major Nicklaus remake
Course Ownership
Village of North Palm Beach (public, municipal)
Signature Water Hazards
Prominent on several holes, especially par 5s
Public Booking
Open to all with tee times online
Clubhouse Renovation
Major restaurant, amenity redo in 2024
Course Designer
Jack Nicklaus Signature Design as of 2006
Florida Historic Golf Trail
Recognized in 2014
The design
The architecture
North Palm Beach Country Club delivers a compelling blend of historic pedigree and modern design, with the hands of both Seth Raynor and Jack Nicklaus evident in its present-day form. Nicklaus’s 2006 transformation preserved a sense of place while giving the public golfer a championship-style challenge: bold bunkering, strategic water, and greens with subtle defense. The result is a thoughtfully routed municipal that rewards brains over brawn, demanding accuracy, patience, and a keen eye for wind and pin position. The course’s relatively flat, open setting showcases water and palms, while Nicklaus's shaping ensures a different decision on nearly every tee and approach.
Nicklaus’s redesign modernized the playability while preserving the property’s historic bones, making it a rare blend of Raynor heritage and Golden Bear intent.
Defining features
- Nicklaus-style risk/reward par 5s
- Water in play on key holes
- Contoured, challenging green complexes
- Multiple lines of play and bailout options
- Modern bunkering with strategic placement
- Classic South Florida wind exposure
Hole by hole
Signature holes
Hole 3
The Gauntlet Par Five
PAR
5
YARDAGE
606
This mammoth three-shotter winds along water and strategic bunkering. A precise layup is crucial; even good drives leave a nervy second with trouble lurking left and right.
Play it smart
Play for position rather than distance—two accurate shots set up a birdie chance, but forcing the issue can mean a penalty or blocked approach.
Where it bites
Water guards both landing zones and punishes pulled or overambitious second shots.
Course management
Shots to think about
Challenging second shot with wind in your face
Club up, focus on ball flight, and favor the safe side away from trouble.
Par 5 layup with water narrowing the fairway
Don’t get greedy—play for your full third shot yardage and avoid pinching yourself against hazards.
Short par 4 with a tricky angle
Lay back with a hybrid or long iron to find the fat part of the fairway for a wedge in.
Approach into a Nicklaus green with a tucked flag
Aim center-green to avoid tough recoveries—par is a win on back pins.
Final hole with birdie in reach, water lurking left
Commit to your line, but never chase the hero shot unless you have the yardage and lie.
Greens running slick in the afternoon
Stay below the hole and avoid downhill sliders—speed is more crucial than line.
Missing a fairway into rough with a forced carry ahead
Take your medicine and punch out; doubles happen when you risk too much from bad lies.
On the day
What to expect
Conditions
Well-maintained for a muni, consistent greens, some wear in high-traffic areas
Pace
Varies—can be brisk during weekdays, slower on weekends and peak times
Vibe
Relaxed, friendly, and community-oriented—accessible for all skill levels
Dress code
Standard golf attire; no formal jacket or tie required
Before you tee off
Your game plan
01
Check the Wind
South Florida breeze can change club selection dramatically—watch the weather and plan for it.
02
Book Tee Times Early
Public slots fill fast, especially on weekends and early mornings.
03
Bring Extra Balls
With water in play on many holes, even steady players can lose a few.
04
Arrive for Practice
Take advantage of the range and practice green—being sharp with wedges and putter is key here.
The lore
How it came to be
- 1926
Opened as Palm Beach Winter Club, designed by Seth Raynor
- 1962
Village of North Palm Beach purchases the property
- 1963
Current clubhouse opens, muni era begins
- 2006
Major Jack Nicklaus redesign completed
- 2014
Recognized by Florida Historic Golf Trail
- 2024
Clubhouse/restaurant renovation, new amenities
- 2026
Centennial celebration and North Palm Beach Open
Stories & legends
What makes it special
Raynor’s Final Touches
Seth Raynor passed away in 1926, making North Palm Beach one of the last designs he influenced before his death. While much has changed, some architectural DNA still echoes Raynor’s golden era.
Muni With a View
Locals and traveling golf die-hards both cite North Palm Beach Country Club as one of the best public values in Palm Beach County. Its blend of affordability, history, and elevated design gives it a special spot in Florida golf lore.
Centennial Bash
In 2026, North Palm Beach celebrated 100 years with a festival, community events, and the North Palm Beach Open, drawing together families, pros, and town regulars in a testament to its public roots.
For the group chat
Fun facts
1
The course was accessible by motorboat when it first opened in the roaring '20s.
2
Jack Nicklaus lives only a few miles from the club and considers it one of his signature municipal designs.
3
Included on Florida’s Historic Golf Trail for its century-long run.
4
The course marked its 100th anniversary in 2026 with four days of family festivities.
5
Raynor’s influence lingers in the routing, though Nicklaus fully rebuilt most holes.
Build the trip
If you’re planning a Palm Beach golf adventure
CourseAccessWhy it's on the listTrip
PGA National Resort (The Champion Course)
Resort/Public
PGA Tour venue and home of the Bear Trap—must-play for the serious golf tourist.
Abacoa Golf Club
Public
Strong public track with a forgiving layout; perfect for a warmup or relaxed second round.
The Bear’s Club
Private
Elite Nicklaus private, referenced for pedigree (members-only access).
Osprey Point Golf Course
Municipal/Public
Consistent top-value rating; worth the drive for affordable, fun golf.
Trump National Golf Club Jupiter
Private
Luxe private option—if you have an invite, it’s another Nicklaus test.
Palm Beach Gardens or North Palm Beach for quickest access to North Palm, PGA National, and Abacoa.
Course DNA
If You Like North Palm Beach Country Club
Courses with the most similar DNA profile — matched by deviation shape across all eight playing characteristics.
Strong DNA Match7.5
Wheatley Hills Golf Club
East Williston, New YorkWhy it matches: What links these two? A comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character — a familiar feeling, expressed in Wheatley Hills Golf Club's own setting.
Strong DNA Match7.1
Marlborough Country Club
Marlborough, MassachusettsWhy it matches: Marlborough Country Club is a natural next stop after North Palm Beach Country Club: it a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character.
Strong DNA Match7.4
Prairie Green Golf Course
Sioux Falls, South DakotaWhy it matches: There is real overlap here. Prairie Green Golf Course a comparable balance of challenge, variety, and character, making it a compelling counterpart to North Palm Beach Country Club.
Community Sentiment
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