- Moderator
- #1
Located just minutes off the Atlantic Ocean in Palm Coast, Florida, the Hammock Beach Conservatory course offers players one of the most scenic and longest courses in the state of Florida. The course, with waterfalls and brooks on several holes, lulls you into a peaceful round of golf as you're mostly hearing the sounds of the local wildlife and other golfers while you play. The course's difficult on the other hand, quickly snaps you back into reality as you realize you're on the hardest course in the state of Florida. With 5 sets of tees ranging from 5235yds all the way to 7778yds, this course offers you as much difficulty as you think you can handle while still remaining fair yet challenging for all levels of handicap.
Practice facilities:
The Conservatory course gives the player more than enough facilities to sharpen their game before they tee off. The driving range offered multiple green complexes in both short yardage and long to play to. To the side, a separate putting green and chipping green were available as well, with greens and turf quality that replicated the same speed and firmness you would see on the course.
Rating: A
Course conditions:
The course was in wonderful shape during time of play. The fairways were playing firm, yet still receptive enough to be able to take a divot. The greens were playing exceptionally firm and fast and were smooth enough where putts hit solidly would hold their lines without interference. The bunkers were all consistent and not fun to play out of. An interesting note, the bunkers were mostly normal sand but then there were numerous where the sand was coquina, a mixture of sand and shell. These bunkers played exceptionally firm yet they were very easy to play out of because you knew exactly what to expect from them.
Grade: A
Layout:
Without sugar coating it, this is a tough golf course. The course has roughly 140 bunkers, water on just about every hole, and a hell of a breeze from the Atlantic when it starts blowing. If you pick the correct tee box for your skillset, the course will provide you with a fair mixture of challenge and enjoyment provided you're honest with your abilities. If you play out of your element though or are just really having a bad day getting off the tee, this course won't lend you very many favors. Visually, it's going to beat people up just standing there. Below are two photos that are on shorter, position par 4's that odds are the average amateur will stand over and panic. Littered with bunkers, and a lot of water.
Grade: A-. One choice in the mid 6000's that really is more towards the upper 6000's is peculiar. If they played it shorter and made it a 6500'ish tee I think people would struggle less and they'd make some of the par 5's more enjoyable for people in that tee box range. They didn't play it short that day other than a couple holes where it really didn't effect much or give the player much thought off the tee.
Pace of play and price:
Pace of play wasn't of concern on the course.Very rarely were we waiting on anyone or have anyone waiting on us.Our round was just at 3:30 as a threesome, which was more than acceptable.We saw marshals a few times so if it were an issue, the course would have been on top of it. As far as price, we were staying at the resort so our rate was right around 70 for a 1:30 tee time. For this level of quality, we were more than satisfied for what we got.
Grade: A
Amenities:
The clubhouse offers members and day guests quite an experience. While day guests do not have access to the members only locker room, their area still has lockers to store their belongings and a few showers for them to clean up after their round if they so choose. The members only locker room however offers a few more showers and a steam room for those wanting to partake in that after their round. The terrace is available outside with coverage from the sun if one chooses to enjoy their quick meal outside, or a full service restaurant inside if they'd rather not swelter in the heat and humidity while they eat.Grade: A
Overall, this course really was outstanding to play and a fun, challenging test of golf that one should definitely consider if they're staying at the Hammock Beach resort.
Overall: A.
Signature hole:
The par 5 18th offers the golfer a panoramic view of the golf course from the elevated teeing ground. Long hitters must be careful with the water on the left. This hole can be reached in two, but make sure you have enough club to carry the stone bulkhead guarding the green.
Practice facilities:
The Conservatory course gives the player more than enough facilities to sharpen their game before they tee off. The driving range offered multiple green complexes in both short yardage and long to play to. To the side, a separate putting green and chipping green were available as well, with greens and turf quality that replicated the same speed and firmness you would see on the course.
Rating: A
Course conditions:
The course was in wonderful shape during time of play. The fairways were playing firm, yet still receptive enough to be able to take a divot. The greens were playing exceptionally firm and fast and were smooth enough where putts hit solidly would hold their lines without interference. The bunkers were all consistent and not fun to play out of. An interesting note, the bunkers were mostly normal sand but then there were numerous where the sand was coquina, a mixture of sand and shell. These bunkers played exceptionally firm yet they were very easy to play out of because you knew exactly what to expect from them.
Grade: A
Layout:
Without sugar coating it, this is a tough golf course. The course has roughly 140 bunkers, water on just about every hole, and a hell of a breeze from the Atlantic when it starts blowing. If you pick the correct tee box for your skillset, the course will provide you with a fair mixture of challenge and enjoyment provided you're honest with your abilities. If you play out of your element though or are just really having a bad day getting off the tee, this course won't lend you very many favors. Visually, it's going to beat people up just standing there. Below are two photos that are on shorter, position par 4's that odds are the average amateur will stand over and panic. Littered with bunkers, and a lot of water.
Grade: A-. One choice in the mid 6000's that really is more towards the upper 6000's is peculiar. If they played it shorter and made it a 6500'ish tee I think people would struggle less and they'd make some of the par 5's more enjoyable for people in that tee box range. They didn't play it short that day other than a couple holes where it really didn't effect much or give the player much thought off the tee.
Pace of play and price:
Pace of play wasn't of concern on the course.Very rarely were we waiting on anyone or have anyone waiting on us.Our round was just at 3:30 as a threesome, which was more than acceptable.We saw marshals a few times so if it were an issue, the course would have been on top of it. As far as price, we were staying at the resort so our rate was right around 70 for a 1:30 tee time. For this level of quality, we were more than satisfied for what we got.
Grade: A
Amenities:
The clubhouse offers members and day guests quite an experience. While day guests do not have access to the members only locker room, their area still has lockers to store their belongings and a few showers for them to clean up after their round if they so choose. The members only locker room however offers a few more showers and a steam room for those wanting to partake in that after their round. The terrace is available outside with coverage from the sun if one chooses to enjoy their quick meal outside, or a full service restaurant inside if they'd rather not swelter in the heat and humidity while they eat.Grade: A
Overall, this course really was outstanding to play and a fun, challenging test of golf that one should definitely consider if they're staying at the Hammock Beach resort.
Overall: A.
Signature hole:
The par 5 18th offers the golfer a panoramic view of the golf course from the elevated teeing ground. Long hitters must be careful with the water on the left. This hole can be reached in two, but make sure you have enough club to carry the stone bulkhead guarding the green.
