PGA Village Short Course: Sometimes the best things in life really are free

MB19 · June 24, 2020

Floridians have an overwhelming abundance of options when it comes to world-class golf courses, but how does that translate into options for junior golfers? Do greens fees and range fees price too many kids out of the sport? Is it too much of a logistical nightmare to bring multiple juniors onto a golf course with only one adult present? Is sticking to a tee time too much of a commitment?

The short course at PGA Village in Port St. Lucie West checks these boxes, and more. For New York Mets fans, it is a short drive to the spring training/Florida State League facility.

When I told my wife I had been taking the kids to this course every week for a few months, she was incredulous; "It can't be cheap to do that, and why are you driving a half-hour to do it?"

She was right--it wasn't cheap. It was free to the public.

That's right, free-99 and open to the public on a first-come-first-serve basis. I told my father, and he had the same stunned reaction that it was free to the public. Once I took him there, he was in further disbelief because the place is gorgeous.

This six-hole track ranges from 40-60 yards per hole, and is manicured in a fashion befitting of the PGA brand. The greens aren't in perfect shape (certainly great for the price-point), but the green complexes are well thought-out and built for challenge. Each hole has at least one bunker and various vegetation guarding the green--the sand is the same grade they use on its acclaimed big-boy courses. With my two kids it takes about 45 minutes to play all six holes with one ball, but they now play at least three per-hole--making it a proper 80 minute practice round full of ups, downs and the occasional lost ball.

Sometimes we'll do closest-to-the-hole picks lunch/treat, sometimes we'll just line up six wedge shots in a row and work on hitting a spot. Sometimes the kids actually want to work on getting out of the bunkers (who are these guys?). And every time, I leave this place feeling like we are insanely lucky to have a resource like this open to us within a reasonable drive from our house.

While the course is only occasionally crowded, it is usually populated with less-than 10 golfers at a time. All types come here--families, solo golfers of all ages/shapes/sizes, college kids, and even people who play like they are practicing for Q-school (like the lefty kid I saw today--throwin' darts!). Even for non-golfers, it is almost worth it to come to birdwatch. Today, we had two huge sandhill cranes and some cardinals in the gallery following us.

If there is a drawback to this place (and really, we're nit-picking) it's that the tee boxes are turf matts. For matts, they are nice and pretty forgiving--but they are still matts. The course asks that you don't deviate from teeing off from the matts, and we certainly oblige. For my kids, 7 and 8, it is the perfect length to run the gamut of their wedges P, 51, 56 and 60. I bring a dozen balls in the Quad XL with an old bag to carry their clubs (and a wedge for dad, you know, just in case) and water for all of us.

We've been going to this place for about eight months, off and on, and it is one of the best golf resources I've come across for my kids (if I'm being real, for me as well). As my kids continue their golf journey, I hope it remains the same as much as it can. It is also my wish that other golf families, whether they live in the area or are visiting, also get to enjoy this little six-hole oasis. This wish slightly-outweighs my selfish desire that it doesn't become over-crowded. If a few people read this and it helps them have a better vacation--or it helps them get their kids into golf--that's great, too.

sgersten19 · June 24, 2020

The above comment seems like an ad of some kind, but I do have to agree.

My wife's grandparents live there and my 4 year old loves to play that short course.

We usually play it twice around every day when we are visiting.

I've tried to get my club to close the driving range for an hour each week to turn it into a makeshift short course like what they have at the pga, but many people don't understand how perfect it is for kids and extreme beginners.

MB19 · June 25, 2020

Sorry if my writing seems too gracious, but I meant every word of it. I wish I had taken better pics while out there, but I was forced to use a stock pic. Maybe I'll take a few next time I go out.

The place almost seems too good to be true, like I'm expecting it to become members only full-time like it did for a few weeks surrounding a COVID-19 decree.