Best Public Golf Courses in West Palm Beach FL

Updated February 2024 to update booking information.

Here we go again with another Florida course guide.  This time we’re talking about the wonderful community of West Palm Beach. 

There’s a ton of golf here.  So much that our list of the 10 best public tracks doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface.

With that being said, I’ve combined my own experience with golf in this part of the world with that of our faithful readers. 

Let’s get going.

Osprey Point is home to 27 holes of spectacular golf. 

Maybe my favorite feature of this facility is the Platinum Paspalum fairways.  The ball sits up like it’s on a tee and you won’t find a bad lie to be found anywhere. 

Even though Osprey Point is fairly flat, it provides a stern test from tee to green.  Water comes into play on most holes and trees and thick vegetation border the fairways.

When it comes to quality golf and bang for your buck, it’s tough to beat Osprey Point.

 

Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation operates the facility at Park Ridge. 

While change in elevation is tough to find anywhere in Palm Beach County, it comes into play here. 

The course is also unique in that it features an interesting mix of holes.  Six par fours, par threes, and par fives give this course great balance and variety.  Expect to have a putt for birdie on some holes, and to do your best to make par on others.

A breath of fresh air in a land saturated with golf, don’t miss out on a chance to play Park Ridge.

A round of 18 holes usually doesn’t take any longer than two and a half hours at Jupiter Dunes.  Where else can you find that?

Not far from the ocean, golfers here love the smell of fresh sea air.  I can’t say that I disagree.

Even though this track is an executive course, it’s always in splendid shape.  The greens are touted as true as you’ll find anywhere.

It’s easy to overlook this hidden gem.  Make sure you don’t.

You might not think you’d see a lot of wildlife on a golf course in such an urbanized area.  But that’s indeed the case at Southwinds Golf Club.

In a single round, you have a good chance of seeing Canadian Geese, otters, foxes, and iguanas to name a few species. 

It makes sense that Southwinds has also received the certification of an Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary. 

The golf course is somewhat straightforward but has a nice mix of short and long holes.  You’ll hit every club in your bag at some point during your round. 

Even though this isn’t the fanciest facility in the world, it’s a treat to play and the price is more than reasonable.

Village Golf Club is just 15 short minutes from Palm Beach International Airport.  That makes it the perfect stop for a round as you’re coming in or leaving town. 

This privately owned facility has a reputation for always being in outstanding condition.  The fairways are plush and the greens roll true. 

From the back tees, this course is a stern test thanks to a number of formidable par fours.  The par fives are scorable, however, so pick your spots wisely. 

One of the best values in the area, I’m a fan of Village Golf Club.

Golf Digest called Madison Green a “Top 20 Course in Florida” and gave it a rating of 4.9 stars.  That’s some lofty praise.

Five sets of tees accompany this layout that winds its way through natural wooded areas.  The fairways are narrow so keep the ball in play off the tee. 

No two holes parallel each other either.  You’ll feel far away from the hustle and bustle of the city at Madison Green.

If you have the chance to play with a regular, heed their advice as local knowledge is a big advantage here.

Joe Lee designed the championship layout that is Winston Trails.  Even though this property is semi-private, everyone that’s not a member is treated like one.

The course measures north of 7,000 yards from the back tees and proves a stern test from all the way back.  The good news is that plenty of different tee options make it enjoyable for golfers of all abilities. 

Plenty of water and strategically placed white sand bunkers are lurking off the fairways and around the greens.  You need to execute full shots well if your scorecard is going to remain blemish-free.

One of the higher-end courses in the Palm Beach area, Winston Trails is everything it’s cracked up to be.

There’s not a whole lot of available space in the community of Boca Raton.  Thankfully, the pristine Boca Greens Country Club occupies 175 pristine acres. 

That means the course has an open feel to it, even though the fairways are narrow and there’s trouble to be found if you start hitting it sideways. 

Joe Lee designed this course as well.  It was his intention to create a stern, but friendly test.  In his words, “a golfer should never feel defeated by the course. . . and should always have a sense of well-being after the round, regardless of score.” 

Boca Greens is a must play in my book.  It truly is where private club quality meets public golf value.

If you’re a veteran and like to play golf, there’s no better place than Forest Oaks.  The course is owned and operated by a Navy veteran who takes a tremendous amount of pride in honoring those who have served our country.

What you see is what you get concerning the golf course.  Long and short holes move both left and right.  If you’re able to move the ball both directions, you’ll be at a distinct advantage. 

If you happen to be here on vacation and don’t want to pack your clubs, not to worry.  Free rental clubs are included with a paid green fee.

Del Ray Beach dates clear back to 1923 when it first opened its doors.  The course was designed by the one and only Donald Ross. 

To this day, it remains one of the finest and most storied courses in all of Palm Beach County. 

The course is full of character and demands good golf throughout the bag to play well.  The fairways are narrow, and water comes into play prominently.  Green fronts are well protected by bunkers.

A timeless test that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to play, Del Ray Beach gets my vote.

Conclusion

If you can’t find a course to your liking in West Palm Beach, there’s something wrong.  With so many great tracks to choose from, there’s something to fit everyone’s budget and liking. 

While I’ve played some golf in the area, I’d hardly call myself experienced.  Thankfully, we have a lot of willing readers that were happy to share insights on their favorite public tracks.  I certainly couldn’t have come up with a qualified list of the best public tracks on my own.

As I mentioned in the opening, there are plenty more courses to choose from that aren’t on this list.  What are some of your favorites?  Leave us a note in the comments below.