Best Public Golf Courses in Palm Beach, Florida of 2024

written by Paul Liberatore
Last Modified Date: 
October 6, 2024

We’re back at it yet again with another Florida course guide.  This time we’re going to tackle the area of Palm Beach. 

While I’ve played some golf in the area, our readers that call this place home are the real experts.  That’s why I’m relying on their input to put this public course guide together. 

Let’s get the ball rolling.

Lake Worth Beach Golf Club

Lake Worth Beach is one of the most storied, and scenic golf courses anywhere in Florida, let alone the Palm Beach area. 

Established in 1926, mature Banyan trees line the fairways of quirky doglegs.  This places a premium on accuracy from the tee.

Even though this course is a little quirky, it’s considered player-friendly by most everyone that plays it. 

Focusing on your game might be the toughest part, however.  From nearly every hole, the course affords views of the Palm Beach skyline and scenic coast.  Bring your camera because you’ll want to spend time in between shots snapping pictures.

A premier daily fee facility, the reviews are glowing about Lake Worth Beach Golf Club.

Okeeheelee Golf Course

No less than 27 holes of stupendous public golf await at Okeeheelee. 

For more than 20 years, this track has been the chosen home for Palm Beach residents.

As is typical in this part of the state, water is the main source of trouble if you stray sideways. 

Each nine has its own unique design characteristics and should be played to garner the full experience.

Quality public golf at a reasonable price, there’s no reason you shouldn’t play a couple rounds at Okeeheelee.

Park Ridge Golf Course

Park Ridge is owned and operated by Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation.  As one of several courses in the department’s portfolio, it’s clear the powers that be know what they’re doing. 

For as much play as Park Ridge gets, it’s always in more than respectable condition.  And pace of play moves along nicely as well. 

Unique to the Palm Beach area, significant elevation changes can be found here.  Choose your clubs carefully. 

The mixture of holes is a bit unusual, but fun too.  This 18-hole track is composed of six par threes, six par fours, and six par fives.  In turn, there are plenty of chances for birdies, but also some holes that will test you.

Having played Park Ridge myself, I can attest to just how much fun it is.

PGA National – Estate Course

There are a whole bunch of golf courses at PGA National Resort.  However, everyone’s favorite seems to be the Estate Course. 

Located some five miles away from the Resort’s headquarters, this track is considered the hidden gem of the property. 

Generous fairways and approachable greens make this course both friendly and fun to play. 

If working on your game is your main goal while you’re here, the Estate Course is the place to do it.  State-of-the-art practice facilities, and an elite training center staffed by some of the game’s best teachers will have you on the road to improvement in no time.

Palm Beach National Golf Club

There might not be a club in Palm Beach where great service is more apparent than Palm Beach National.  Here, everyone on the staff knows that golf isn’t just a sport, it’s a pursuit to be enjoyed by everyone in your company.  To that end, they go above and beyond to make sure each and every golfer’s needs are met.

Having played here, one of the things they encouraged that goes against the grain of traditional golf as we know it is their BYOM (Bring Your Own Music) Program.  The only problem was my playing partners wanted to listen to Cat Stevens and I was ready for a nap by the third hole.  After some diplomatic negotiation, we settled on Fleetwood Mac.

Concerning the golf course, the layout is just as welcoming as the staff.  Fairways are wide and the greens approachable.  That’s just the way architect Joe Lee wanted it to be.

Good vibes only at Palm Beach National!

Southwinds Golf Course

If you like to see an abundance of wildlife when you’re out on the course, you’ve come to the right place at Southwinds. 

Located in the community of Boca Raton, frequent fauna includes Canadian Geese, otters, foxes, and iguanas to name just a few.  The course’s diverse wildlife is just one of the many reasons Southwinds is a certified Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary.

Water comes into play on almost every hole so strategic course management is imperative. 

This isn’t a long course though.  From the back tees, it measures just a shade over 6,000 yards.  For that reason, it’s a great place for families, beginners, and even better players wanting to work on their game.

Boca Dunes Golf and Country Club

Golf courses don’t have to be 8,000 yards to be quality tracks.  That’s especially true at Boca Dunes. 

Playing to a par of 62, and measuring just under 3,600 yards, this course is meant for everyone. 

The atmosphere here is laid back.  Come as you are and enjoy yourself. 

No frills, but everything you need for a comfortable experience, Boca Dunes often goes overlooked.

Osprey Point Golf Course

Osprey Point is a premier 27-hole facility. 

Since opening in 2010, this facility has received a multitude of prestigious awards and is consistently ranked as one of the top courses in Florida. 

A modern design, the greens are large and undulating.  While bunkers guard many of them, the surrounds are tightly mown.  That means you’re left with lots of options to play short shots. 

After you’re done playing, stop in for lunch or dinner at the Nest Eatery.  Locals rave about the food here and say the service is outstanding.

Winston Trails Golf Club

Joe Lee designed Winston Trails Golf Club.  He did so with the intention of building a golf course that everyone could enjoy.

While this track measures roughly 7,000 yards from the back tees, there are plenty of shorter teeing grounds to choose from.  The landing areas are generous too. 

Both members and regulars from the public side say this is one of the best kept courses in Palm Beach County.  The greens are always fast and true, and the fairways are like playing on a cloud.

An all-around quality experience, Winston Trails is a great choice.

Madison Green Country Club

Locals say Madison Green is hands down the best value in all of Palm Beach County.  Compared to other courses in the area, green fees are only a fraction.

The course is also conveniently located just minutes from Palm Beach International Airport.  That makes it the perfect spot for the first or last round of your trip. 

The layout meanders through stately pines and marshlands that elegantly frame each hole. 

The MarBar Grille also features some of the finest golf course food you’ll find anywhere.  The service is great, and the prices won’t break the bank.

Conclusion

Take my word for it that there are plenty of courses in Palm Beach that didn’t make our list.  The place is saturated with golf.  Unfortunately, we only have room for ten on our list.

I’ve played a number of these courses, but not even close to all of them.  That’s why the insight of our readers continues to be so important.  I can’t thank everyone enough.

If you have more you’d like to add about public golf in Palm Beach, feel free to share your thoughts below in the comments.

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