The history of Palm Coast, FL., goes back some 55 years when the land in Northeast Florida – between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine was acquired and developed by ITT as a retirement destination for its employees. The area has grown considerably over the years, but Brad Hauer, general manager and director of golf at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, still refers to it as a “destination to discover.’’
Hammock Beach has been a major attraction in the Palm Coast area since it opened in 2000 with the Nicklaus Ocean Course, a Jack Nicklaus Signature course that will likely be the final course ever built along the ocean anywhere in Florida. Any Nicklaus Design, naturally, merits attention. The Nicklaus Ocean Course, in particular, fits that bill. Renovated by Nicklaus Design following Hurricane Mattew in 2017, the Ocean Course green Paspalum fairways perfectly complement its six ocean holes on the Atlantic.
The final four holes on the 7,176-yard (tips) par 72 layout collectively are known as the “Bear’s Claw.’’ The 18th hole, a 465-yard (tips) par-4, plays with the ocean to its left and into an elevated green that is more than it looks. It’s a great way to finish on one of Florida’s more memorable tracks.
About 15 minutes away, the Conservatory course is the epitome of what Hauer means by a destination to discover.’’ That is the Tom Watson-designed Conservatory – (7,740 yards pa-72 from the tips is on the Southeast’s better-unheralded layouts. Featuring streams, waterfalls, an island green (on the eighth hole), a plethora of bunkers and undulating greens, the Conservatory shows off Watson’s love of links-style golf (he won five Open Championships) and a feel for the Northeast Florida terrain.
That combination makes the Conservatory one of Watson’s top designs and an absolute delight to play. waterfalls and an absolute delight to play. And don’t let all those bunkers fool you. Most are there to frame the holes and act as direction guides, so there’s plenty of room on most holes to find the fairway.
“Tom put a lot of time and effort into the design of the Conservatory,’’ Hauer said. “About a year-and-a-half ago, he was here to do some bunker renovation and said, ‘This is a really good gold course.’’ He didn’t say that because it’s his – there are just a lot of good shots out there. It’s not tricked up at all. Many of the holes do not have force carries. Everything is right there in front of you.’’
The Nicklaus Ocean Course and the Conservatory give Hammock Beach – each managed by Troon – one of the top one-two golf course punches in the Southeast, but the resort is much more than just golf. In addition to a water park and marina, the resort has a total of nine food and beverage outlets, including Delfino’s Italian Chophouse and Stick Authentic Sushi. The one-two culinary punch has elevated Hammock Beach to another level. In particular, Delfino’s, which opened two years ago, gives the resort the relaxed, luxury dining experience it was lacking.
A winner of the Wine Spectator Award in 2023 and 2024, Delfino’s offers regional Italian cuisine, as well as outstanding beef selections.
Hammock Beach’s accommodations include a variety of guestrooms, suites, condos and villas, many of which overlook the Nicklaus Ocean Course and the Atlantic Ocean. The best, however, might be best to come, as the resort is planning a 200-room boutique hotel where its 20-room Lodge now stands. Plans are to break ground in the new hotel, which will include a restaurant and bar, early next year.
“It will be a game-changer,’’ said Verdell Ekberg, director of sales and marketing at Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa. “There’s not going to be anything like in the general area.’
