Seminole Golf Club

Seminole Golf Club is among the game's hallowed grounds for good reason. With its 100-year anniversary coming at the end of this decade, it has cemented a place among the elite clubs in the world with a mix of prestige, history and a reputation for both producing and rearing some of the game's most influential figures. Ben Hogan prepared for the Masters here. The Harmon golf instruction dynasty has its roots here. NFL luminaries Larry Fitzgerald and Tom Brady are among its membership.

But the central reason Seminole is great is its golf course. A Donald Ross original with some latter-day improvements by Dick Wilson, it stands out for its brilliant routing and insistence on well-executed golf shots from the opening tee shot until the last putt. Elevated and crowned greens make it an unparalleled examination of a golfer's ability to a) hit an iron the proper distance and trajectory, and b) when all else fails, extricate oneself from dire greenside trouble. Whereas some golf courses forgive marginal shots, Seminole swats them aside like a lion shrugging off flies. It is a place you go to test your game - if you are lucky enough to score an invite.

I feel very fortunate that I got the chance to visit Seminole and play this amazing layout. From the moment that we arrived to the second that we departed, we were made to feel right at home. The staff and caddies were extremely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. It was hard to not get distracted by how beautiful Seminole is. If you are lucky enough to get invited to play Seminole, drop everything and go!!

5 Stars ... If you ever get the chance to play it you'll understand why Hogan loved it so much.

Great Florida course... would love to play again. Try and make sure you play here if you visit Florida.

Maybe one of the most unbelievable courses you will ever play. Set along beautiful south Florida landscape. If you can get on you must play!

The Seminole golf experience is memorable from the moment you pull your car onto the pink gravel on the entry way round about. Every guest gets the very same royal treatment starting with registration with the club secretary. It's protocol reserved normally for the Royal clubs of England and Scotland. As soon as you walk into the majestic mens locker room you realize you are basking in golf history. It is by my measure the best locker room in golf. Domineering, nostalgic, and the essence of masculine comfort. The professional staff led by Bob Ford has the finest stocked pro shop and Bob is simply the best merchandiser in the golf industry. Every caddy has caddied at top clubs and likely has carried for heads of state, tour players, and captains of industry. Since my seasons as an assistant professional at Seminole back in the mid nineties Seminole has always had the best Bermuda greens in the world. Nothing has changed, they've actually gotten better. Wind is the greatest defense the Donald Ross design has and you want it to blow to get the full treatment. One of the charms of Seminole is the culture of speedy play while not losing any of the memories of the walk. Rarely will you see elevation change on an ocean front golf course but Seminole has it and it was used expertly by Donald Ross. The Sandy Ridge that runs thru the property effects holes 2-3-4-5-11-12 and from the highest point on the western side of the golf course you get stellar views of the Atlantic. Seminole has not been stretched for modern technology because they dont have an abundance of excess land and by virtue of that it is playable from the back tees for the quality amateur and manageable for the mid to high handicapper. Each hole has subtle features that require focus to notice and appreciate and the par 3's are as fine and stern a set of 3's you can find anywhere. Driver is not demanded on all the par 4's and the key to playing Seminole is to stay underneath the hole. Rely on your caddy for club selection, driver lines and intended targets into greens. The routing of Seminole never allows you to get comfortable in one wind direction as you are changing direction every 3 rd hole at the max. The stories of Hogan are all true and his love of the sixth hole is totally understood when you look at the hole from the green back to the tee. Angles of genius and a green complex that defies the thoughts of one man. The 17th green, par 3, may simply be one of the hardest greens to hit and hold in the world regardless of the wind direction and a 3-4 finish is one to boast about to anyone who will listen. There are better golf courses in America but there is no better experience if you love, golf history and appreciate a true celebration of it on a daily basis. It is a day to cherish.