Miles Bennett
Golfers looking for a tropical course in the United States might consider the Key West Golf Club in Florida. The 18-hole, par-70 course is the only public golf course in the lower and middle Keys and offers a unique, challenging, and fun round of golf. The course is filled with palms, mangroves, and other tropical plants, as well as water hazards that attract birds and even tarpon. While reviews of the course are mixed, with some criticising the staff and pricing, others praise the course's maintenance, scenery, and challenging holes.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Key West Golf Club |
| Location | 6450 E. College Road, Key West, Florida, USA |
| Course Designer | Rees Jones |
| Number of Holes | 18 |
| Par | 70 |
| Course Length | 5800 yards (middle tees), 6500 yards (back tees) |
| Signature Hole | "Mangrove Hole" - a 143-yard par 3 played over tropical mangroves |
| Course Conditions | Well-maintained with fast greens, sand, water, and clean bunkers |
| Wildlife | Iguanas, egrets, herons, pelicans, tarpon, ducks, turtles, chickens, lizards |
| Staff Attitude | Mixed reviews, some report unfriendly staff while others found them pleasant and welcoming |
| Price | $100-$200 per round, considered expensive by some |
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What You'll Learn
The Key West Golf Club
Reviews of the Key West Golf Club are mixed. Some praise the course for its beauty and challenge, while others find the prices too high for the quality of the course and the level of service. The staff has been described as both pleasant and welcoming, and unfriendly and disinterested. The course has been criticised for its cancellation policy, which charges the full amount if a booking is missed without 24 hours' notice.
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Course design and features
The Key West Golf Club is the only public golf course in the lower and middle Keys. The course was designed by legendary golf course architect Rees Jones and is the only Caribbean golf course in the United States. It is a challenging 18-hole, par-70 course that measures over 5800 yards from the middle tees and 6500 yards from the back tees. Each nine holes has one par-5 and two par-3s.
The course is filled with palms, mangroves, and other tropical plants. Its signature hole is the infamous "Mangrove Hole", a 143-yard par 3 that is played completely over a field of thickly intertwined tropical mangroves. There is also a lot of sand and water, and the bunkers are very clean. The fairways are narrow and a bit unforgiving as the course winds through a housing area.
The greens are fast and well-maintained, but the putting greens can play slowly or quickly, and the sandy substrate can make for a bumpy roll. There are also no ocean holes or water holes. The course is challenging for its length, with wide-open drives and big fairways, and it is well maintained and fun to play.
The club does not have a driving range, but it does offer a bag of tees for free. The rental clubs are old and not well maintained, and there are no towels for cleaning them. The buggies are not electronic but are powered by diesel, which can be noisy and smelly.
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Reviews of the course
The Key West Golf Club is the only golf course in Key West, Florida. It is a public 18-hole, par-70 course that spans over 5800-6500 yards. The course is known for its challenging length, narrow fairways, and abundance of sand and water hazards.
The course has received mixed reviews from golfers. Some praise the course's challenging design, well-maintained conditions, and stunning setting filled with tropical plants and wildlife. One golfer commended the hospitable and customer-oriented staff, stating that they were welcomed warmly and received helpful guidance from fellow golfers.
However, other reviews highlight the expensive fees, unfriendly staff, and mediocre course conditions. Several golfers mentioned that the rental clubs were old, worn out, and dirty, and some encountered unhelpful or rude employees.
The course's unique features, such as the infamous "Mangrove Hole," a 143-yard par 3 played over intertwined mangroves, have garnered mixed reactions. While some find this hole exciting and challenging, others believe the course lacks major challenges and offers no ocean views or water holes.
Overall, while some golfers appreciate the exclusivity of playing golf in Key West, others feel that the high prices are not justified by the course's condition and staff attitude.
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Cost and value for money
The Key West Golf Club is the only place to play golf in Key West, and it is also the only Caribbean golf course in the United States. The course is challenging, with 18 holes over 200 acres, and is filled with palms, mangroves, and other tropical plants.
The cost of playing a round of golf at the Key West Golf Club varies depending on the source of information. Some sources indicate that the cost is $166 for guests, while others suggest it is $125 or $100 per round. There are also options to play nine holes, which may be priced differently. The club does have a strict cancellation policy, with full charges applied if a booking is cancelled with less than 24 hours' notice.
Some reviewers have commented that the cost of playing at the Key West Golf Club is not good value for money. They cite issues with the quality of the course, the maintenance of the facilities, and the attitude of the staff. For example, one reviewer mentioned that the rental clubs were "beat up and filthy", and another stated that the staff could be "friendlier".
However, there are also reviews that suggest the cost is justified. One reviewer mentioned that the course was well maintained and that the price seemed "very fair". Another reviewer praised the staff as pleasant and welcoming.
It is worth noting that the Key West Golf Club is the only golf course in the area, which may contribute to the higher prices. Additionally, the club offers a unique experience with its Caribbean-style course and natural foliage and wildlife.
Overall, the cost of playing golf at the Key West Golf Club may be higher than some golfers are used to, and the value for money is subject to varying opinions. However, the club offers a challenging and visually stunning course, and it is the only option for golfers looking to play in the Key West area.
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Directions to the course
To get to the Key West Golf Club, take US1 Highway out of Key West. You will need to turn left at the first light, which is on the other side of the Cow Key Channel Bridge. Continue for about a mile, and you should see the entrance to the golf club on the right-hand side at 6450 E. College Road.
The course is located in a housing area, so the fairways are narrow. It is the only public golf course in the lower and middle Keys and is a challenging and fun round of golf. The course is filled with palms, mangroves, and other tropical plants, with various water hazards. It is an 18-hole, 6,500-yard par-70 course, with each nine holes featuring one par-5 and two par-3s. The infamous "Mangrove Hole" is a 143-yard par-3 played over a field of thickly intertwined tropical mangroves.
The course is well-maintained, with clean bunkers and fast greens. There is a lot of wildlife, including ducks, turtles, chickens, lizards, and even iguanas. The staff have been described as both friendly and unfriendly, and the rental clubs have been called old and dirty. It is expensive to play a round, with prices ranging from $85 to $200 per person.
It is recommended to play early or late, as summertime in Key West is very hot. Be sure to stay hydrated and practice your putting before playing, as the greens can play slowly or quickly, and the sandy substrate can make for a bumpy roll.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, there is golf in Key West. The Key West Golf Club is the only public golf course in the lower and middle Keys.
The Key West Golf Club is a challenging 18-hole, par-70 course that spans over 5800-6500 yards. It is known for its signature hole, the "Mangrove Hole", a 143-yard par 3 played over a field of tropical mangroves. The course is filled with palms, mangroves, and other tropical plants, as well as water hazards that attract birds and tarpon. It is located at 6450 College Rd, Key West, Florida.
The prices at the Key West Golf Club have been described as expensive, with some reviews mentioning rates of $100, $110, $125, and $166 per round. The club rental is $60 per set, and they also charge for range balls.
