Port St. Lucie Trip

[thespectator]

I'm heading that was at the very beginning of March, so... Number one, I found a decent deal on all of the PGA Village offerings, but is there anything else that I should make sure to play while there? Number two, would anyone like to play a round while I'm in the area? Number three, where is the good FOOD? It might be more about the food than the golf on vacation.

[golfortennis]

Food starts and ends with Sam Snead's. If you're anywhere near PGA Golf Club, you will smell the oak grill and the steaks and ribs and what for my money is the best burger ever. It's right in the Hilton Garden Inn on your left as you come off the freeway.

As far as playing, within 10 miles, other then the Legacy, which is private, but you might be able to get on, the PGA golf club courses are the best in that radius. My issue with them has always been trying to price themselves based on Orlando or West Palm Beach markets rather than PSL. Depending on how far you want to drive, Hammock Creek is a real good option. 20 miles down I-95, frankly a half-notch below PGA Golf Club if that, for a much better value. Champions at Summerfield has some people who love it, some who hate it....over a couple of rounds I played with people who had contrasting opinions of it. Same with Florida Club(or was it Floridian--the one within a few miles of HC.)

You're not going to find better courses nearby. If your deal is good, then you may not find better value either. The rack rates are a complete and utter joke, though.

[stringbean502001]

Depending on your deal at PGA, if you want a cheap late afternoon add-on, try the Florida Club Bluefan mentioned. About $25 incl cart late PM--nothing really special though

You will be right off I-95...about 35-40 miles down I-95 is Abacoa, also right off highway. Sounds like a long drive but it's not bad as its all highway...good track, usually good conditions and good greens. Only thing is, check rates...this time of year they get pretty pricey IMO...I think about 90-100 prime, down to maybe 50-60 afternoon. If you head down there, let me know and I'll get you some good food choices!

There are so many great private clubs from Hobe Sound down to Jupiter, it is a shame you can't get on them...at last count about 70-80 PGA pros make their home (or at least "residence" for tax reasons) in that area.

[O.D.underpar]

[quote name='Bluefan75' timestamp='1392301222' post='8658805']
Food starts and ends with Sam Snead's. If you're anywhere near PGA Golf Club, you will smell the oak grill and the steaks and ribs and what for my money is the best burger ever. It's right in the Hilton Garden Inn on your left as you come off the freeway.

As far as playing, within 10 miles, other then the Legacy, which is private, but you might be able to get on, the PGA golf club courses are the best in that radius. My issue with them has always been trying to price themselves based on Orlando or West Palm Beach markets rather than PSL. Depending on how far you want to drive, Hammock Creek is a real good option. 20 miles down I-95, frankly a half-notch below PGA Golf Club if that, for a much better value. Champions at Summerfield has some people who love it, some who hate it....over a couple of rounds I played with people who had contrasting opinions of it. Same with Florida Club(or was it Floridian--the one within a few miles of HC.)

You're not going to find better courses nearby. If your deal is good, then you may not find better value either. The rack rates are a complete and utter joke, though.
[/quote]

I second the opinion on Sam Snead's. I actually just got back to Michigan after 5 days down at PGA village. We were playing 36 a day and had a deal for only the afternoon rounds at PGA so we headed out to others in the mornings.

Hammock Creek is a Nicklaus design that is pretty decent. They completely replaced their greens last summer and they are not completely ready yet so they were very slow. By the time you are there they should be good.

We also played Fairwinds up in Fort Pierce. The greens here were as good a PGA and the layout was also very good.

The worst course on the trip was St. James golf club. Don't waste your time with this one.

Enjoy!

[thespectator]

Thanks for the replies so far, guys! Definitely will be trying Snead's.
And my deal isn't anything earth-shattering, or at least I don't think. I'm going to drop around $410 to get on each of the three courses and to spend two full days at their big practice facility. On top of that, I'll get $99 to spend on food or merchandise and then 10% off of merchandise for the week. Also, I'm not familiar with check rates. Someone enlighten me??

[golfortennis]

Rack rates are what the course posts on their website. Last I saw they wanted $149 for a round. Which is utterly ridiculous IMHO. I guess they figure they can soak ballplayers during spring training, but....

So you're getting 3 rounds, nights in one of the villas and a two day pass to the learning center for $410? Depending on the number of nights that gets into a pretty good deal. I find $80 to be the rate I start looking at other options there. We always stay at the HGI(they are so good, seriously th eonly hotel you should ever consider in that area), so there is a benefit to location. But their "Strategy" with these rates appears to be ridiculous. The only way it's logical is if they are trying to keep traffic down for a season to help get the conditions back up. The courses are better than Hammock Creek, but not $100 better.

Back to the food, while I would eat at Sam Snead's every night if I could, my wife wants to go to different places, so we have. Just over the freeway you'll find most chains. TGI Friday's, Ruby Tuesday, IHOP at the far end of that little enclave of commerce if some late night french toast suits your fancy. For Pizza Frank and Al's is a tough one to beat. It's a little awkward to get into that parking lot, but worth it. I've heard the Palm City grill, which is over by the Publix on St Lucie BLVD W is pretty good as well, but I haven't been there.

[thespectator]

Frank and Al's sounds like a winner too.
Back to these rack rates... Wth? Those are in addition to my greens fees?

[golfortennis]

No no, you have a package. Rack rates is what they would hope to charge me if I were to just drive up and say, "hey can I play?" What they have posted on their website. Normal greens fee might be a better term.

You have a pretty good deal.