Vero Beach Area Course Recommendations?

gsteitz · January 7, 2020

Going to be in Vero Beach in a couple of weeks (mid January) and i'm looking for any recommendations? Looking to get in two rounds.

Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

golfortennis · January 8, 2020

What is your goal? Play golf anywhere, play best courses no matter the price?

You'll want to give some parameters. PGA Village in Port St Lucie are probably the best courses you can get on in the larger area, but you will pay for it.

sui generis · January 8, 2020

This is a really fine public course. http://www.sandridgegc.com/

gsteitz · January 9, 2020

Its a vacation so I'm trying to stay away from having any goals. ;) It does seem that most of what's around there is private, but I'd prefer not to have to drive too far. I play everything from $20 munis to $300 resort courses and feel like there are under/over rated version of both. When I was in the area a year ago I was fortunate to play two of the John's Island Club courses but don't know if that is going to work out this trip.

In a general sense I tend to gravitate towards tree lined or parkland style course over more open links style. But I'm not opposed to any style.

golfortennis · January 10, 2020

Ok, so if that is the case, the place you want to try to get on(if your John's Island connection can give you the same access) is Quail Valley. You'll pay for it, but it appears to be quite the place. although come to think about it it may be more wide open. A place you might be able to get on a bit easier is Indian River. It's not the greatest course in the world, but it's a good test of your game, and well maintained. It is private, but if you can get on John's Island....

PGA Village is about 25 miles or so down the freeway, and Wanamaker and Ryder courses are both parkland. There is also the Legacy that you may be able to get on in that same complex, but it's private.

Bay20 · January 12, 2020

I live a little north of Vero, there isn't a lot of public courses in the area unfortunately but Sandridge has 2 18 hole courses and the are both great courses and very reasonable. Vista Plantation is in Vero but it is an executive course but very well maintained. Go about 40 minutes north to The Habitat in Valkaria great course just played there today fun layout plenty of wildlife very challenging

gsteitz · January 28, 2020

Just to follow up post trip, I ended up playing Sandridge and Vista Plantation while I was in Vero Beach. Here are my thoughts:

Sandridge ended up being excellent experience! I arrived at 9am on a Sunday as a single and the parking lot was packed, however the staff did an excellent job helping me get out and I was on the course within 30 minutes. The Dunes course was in great condition, had a great variety of holes and the pace of play was outstanding. I can't stand slow play and am fortunate to play most of my rounds outside of peak weekend times, this was one of the best weekend experiences I've had and they really seem to have set a precedent for speedy play. Tips for quickness were posted in the cart and with groups stacked ahead of and behind us, we played in 3:30!

After 18 I had time for another 9 and the staff again worked to get me a spot on the Lakes course even with a couples tournament getting started and taking up the Dunes. When I walked over to the starter he had excellent awareness of where people we on the course and offer me to go out on the back 9. Again, excellent service and a great experience.

Of the two courses, I'd recommend the Dunes if you are only play one. It had a bit more variety, was more scenic and allowed more shots due to being longer. The Lakes tops out at 6,000 from the tips so a lot of long iron/wedge par 4's.

On Monday I had a small window of time so I decided to play Vista Plantation as it's an executive length course. The course is part of a condo community and wraps around the edge of the property with water on every hole between the course and buildings. It is a casual affair and seemed to be run by a large continent of regulars. It was crowded for a Monday and looked like it was going to be a slow plod. However, the started was great and directed me to an open back nine. Based on traffic I decided to just play two balls on 9 and call it a day. Course was in decent shape and a fun little spot to mess around, but I wouldn't go out of my way to play it again. In hindsite I would have gone back to Sandridge to play 9.

Thanks again for the suggestions! With virtually everything in the area around Vero Beach being private Sandridge is an excellent option. I always appreciate the review and followup so hopefully this helps someone in the future.

-C.

sui generis · January 29, 2020

Sandridge is a gem, glad you enjoyed it. ?

bbfifas · February 18, 2020

I concur Sandridge is a great public course, or courses I should say. Good scenery and variety between the 2 courses. The lakes is short but can be tough with the water in play. Sometimes the greens get a little beat up but lately the seem to be pretty nice.

markheardjr · June 1, 2020

Played the Dunes course Saturday, 5/29/20. Course was lush and green from the recent rains. No mud spots or bad tire tracks though so excellent job with drainage and maintenance crew. Fairways and rough were uniform, excellent chipping conditions here compared to other places in Florida. Greens were rolling fairly true but a bit slower than usual, maybe an 8.5 on the stimp. Pace was excellent, played in under 4hrs. The had water & ice machines on the course. Saw a few tortoises, a racoon, a few turkeys.

Bunkers are a little rough, more of a hazard/waste area with beach sand than decent bunker sand.

All in all a great round, solid course and conditions. Sandridge always is inviting for a return round.