Judging the quality of a new golf course is dangerous, especially when the layout is viewed for the first time in frigid, near-gale-force winds from the northeast.
But even under the aforementioned conditions, the newly-opened Jack Nicklaus-designed Ocean Hammock Golf Club gets an “A” from this reviewer.
Ever since it was announced two years ago that Nicklaus was designing a second course for Lowe Enterprises, a.k.a Palm Coast Golf Resort, talk centered on its location along a mile-long stretch of the Atlantic Ocean (Nicklaus, who recently collaborated with Arnold Palmer on the World Golf Village King and the Bear course, also designed the Golden Bear Golf Club at Hammock Creek in Stuart, Fla.
“Florida’s first true oceanfront course to open in more than 70 years,” claims the promotional literature. And, yes, the ocean interplays with eight holes and the sprawling practice range in what Nicklaus describes as “something very special.”
But the 10 holes which are not directly influenced by the ocean are as aesthetically and artfully molded as any Nicklaus-designed holes this reporter has played, including The Bear in Grand Traverse, Mich., Grand Cypress in Orlando, Fla., and Muirfield Village at Dublin, Ohio.
In fact, while there is an aura of magnificence playing the ocean holes, they can be a brutal lesson in seaside golf in East Central Florida’s winter breezes.
What’s so great about hitting a driver flush on the clubface and still having a 70-yard wedge shot to the green on a par-3 hole? Or -- still playing from the third set of tees -- going driver, 3-wood, 3-iron at the 400-yard seventh hole? That’s how Ocean Hammock will make your day when the winds are from the northeast.
But there was the feeling that, on a warm, sunshiny, balmy day, a golfer could enjoy an ebullient 18 holes at the latest Nicklaus gem.
“When you have the opportunity to create a golf course of holes with as many ocean views as this, it’s pretty special,” said Nicklaus, who was introduced at an opening day press conference by Robert DeVore, president of Lowe/Palm Coast.
While moving about a million yards of soil, Nicklaus artfully shaped the fairways and greens on the course which is now Palm Coast Golf Resort’s showcase attraction.
Other Palm Coast courses available for public and resort play are Matanzas Woods, Pine Lakes, Palm Harbour and Cypress Knoll. Until it was sold earlier in the year, Lowe Enterprises owned another Nicklaus-designed course, Grand Haven Golf Club.
Ocean Palm is the hub of a residential and resort community where oceanfront, lakefront and golf course lots are already being sold. Golf club memberships are available for lot owners and non-residents. Green fees for Palm Coast resort guests are about $175, depending on the season.
With the availability of 230 acres, including a mile of oceanside frontage, Nicklaus said his first objective was to “bring the ocean into it.” Two holes -- the par-4 ninth and 18th -- run along the sea in their entirety.
The green of the par-3 eighth hole overlooks the ocean; so does the green on the par-4 15th. Tthe 16th hole tee overlooks the sea, while the green of the par-3 17th hole also faces the ocean.
Nicklaus said his design philosophy was to build a golf course that is pleasing to the eye, that enhances nature and provides for good shotmaking.
“You want to put all these things together,” he said. “It’s like a picnic. You play golf because you want to spend the day with nature.”
Ocean Hammock may be the most traditional of any Nicklaus course since his early day collaboration with Desmond Muirhead at Muirfield Village. He has built a big course with big, expansive fairways that are the most penal when shooting for the greens.
“I think this course is very playable,” said Nicklaus.
Yardage varies from 7,200 to 5,200. The majority of golfers will use only the front sets, 6100 and 5231, respectively.
In addition to the ocean, golfers must content with 21 lakes. It also has 83 bunkers and 20 acres of sodded land. The greens are tifdwarf and the fairways, roughs and tees are composed of 419 bermuda. Wildlife seen on the course at times include deer, fox, bobcat, raccoon and opossum. And if one looks far enough to sea, he can spot a whale or some frisky dolphins.
When Nicklaus was asked if Pebble Beach was still his favorite course, he quickly replied, “Now it’s Ocean Hammock.”
