Florida on a Budget
So, here's the new plan: Head to Florida. I know, that's a bigger commitment than So Cal, but there's more golf there than any state in the union, and it will always be around 75 degrees. The other plus to FLA is the humidity... nasty most of the year, but now it is an early - round golfer's dream. The overnight lows dip down to maybe 62, and by 7:00 AM it's close to 70 deg. already! No frost delays like you always get in the Southwest.
The problem? Well, it takes a bit longer to get there, obviously, but the big one is cost. Golf is plentiful, but not cheap this time of year. If you head for, let's say Doral, you'll pay at least $200 for an average round, or up to $325 to play the Blue Monster! Yikes! So, where to go for great golf that won't break the budget?
The Answer: Port St. Lucie, Florida. Where? Yes, I hadn't heard of it either. It's just north of West Palm Beach, where you would fly into, although I would look at flying into Orlando and driving down - it's only an hour's drive, and you get much better deals on flights and rental cars in Orlando. The one reason (the only one, by the way) to check out Port St. Lucie is PGA Village. A development sponsored by the PGA of America, this huge sprawl just outside of town is a golfer's mecca. The main teaching school for PGA pros is here, with a practice facility you won't believe... and it's lighted for night practice too.
The main draw, however, are the 3 courses at PGA Village. You want name designers? How about Tom Fazio, who designed the original 2 courses (Wanamaker and Ryder), and the one and only Pete Dye? These are 3 of the best courses I've played, with tour - quality conditions and challenge. The fascinating thing to me was the diversity in the 3 courses despite being on the same, very flat land (It is Florida). The Wanamaker is a classic Florida golf course... meaning lots of palm trees, water, and gators. The Ryder course is very different, it being a "Carolina" style course. Think Pinehurst... with scrub pines, elevated greens, and massive bunkers. The Dye course? Well, I'm not sure how to describe it. The PGA seemed to just let him have his way here, and he created one of the quirkiest courses I've ever seen. I love it, don't get me wrong, but you will play shots there that you've never seen in your life. Tons of humps and bumps, awkwardly placed pot bunkers, no rough at all - just waste areas - and tightly mown grass from tee to green... like I say, it's tough to describe, and even tougher to play! Yet, you will never be bored.
The kicker? Rates are $65 prime time, and $39 twilight, which starts at 2:00, and you can usually get all 18 in until probably 2:45. Even at their highest rate of the year, which I think is $100, this is one of the best deals in golf I have ever found. For what you get in service, conditioning, and level of golf, I'm not sure it's beatable anywhere. They have many stay and play packages through Pga Village, but you can also rent one of thousands of condos from a private owner, most for under $1000 for the week. The entire development is only a decade old or so, so most rentals are newer, and are most likely right on one of the fairways.
If you go, drop me a line. The closest I'll come this winter is playing the TPC Sawgrass on Tiger Woods '08.
