PGA National Review
Just at the airport after a 3 day trip to PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens. Overall had a great time. Some tips / info
We got the golf package which includes 18 holes per night stay, unlimited range balls and golf cart. The latter two perks - range balls and cart - would be included in any round of golf.
The rooms were nice. There are so many different opinions on this. I just checked out and I can say for our room, on the first floor, it was totally pleasant. I shared the room with my 21 year old son and it was spacious and comfortable.
The food is overpriced and bad. But the atmosphere is nice. Birdie's breakfast: the only thing I liked was the omelette. The coffee isn't great. The breakfast and Honeyduke's was also mediocre. I got the eggs / sausage. Do not order the Honey Bun it's a gooey mess. Breakfast on average was $60.
The hotel shuttle is as great perk you just have to book it a bit in advance. You'll need it for the Estate course which is surprisingly far from the hotel.
Ubers in general take 15+ minutes to arrive so just factor this into your local travel time if you don't rent a car.
If I had to do it again I would rent a car. I'd go to the local grocery store and buy snacks because they are so overpriced at the hotel ($5 for a Coke Zero I almost choked when I saw the receipt).
On our way back from the Estate course we stopped at Jersey Mike's and got subs. So good and a fraction of what you'll pay at the hotel.
We had dinner one night at Coppers. It wasn't that great, but I liked the ambience.
We spent one night out in Palm Beach. The Uber there was an hour! And it took 15 minutes to arrive. It was a Friday night at 6 pm. Not sure how usual this is. Coming back it was 30 minutes. Uber was $50 on the way there $35 on the way back.
The clinics were great value. You sign up the day before. They are at 8 am. The first day we didn't have anybody else in our group so we got a semi private lesson! But even if there are others in the group you will get personal attention. And I find that having too much attention isn't always the best either.
The Match course feels kinda low end from what I'd expect. It weaves through many neighborhoods and sometimes it feels just too casual. I know it was designed for casual play but since the golf package is so expensive, I'd definitely use the 18 holes on the Fazio course only.
The Estate course was nice, but not as nice as Fazio. So again, if I do it again I'll use all of my credits on the Fazio course.
Pace of play varies. Sometimes it felt very fast and others we got stuck behind groups. I don't mind playing a bit slower so it was fine with me.
We got paired with a third person on our last day. We had a great time. If you're playing any less than a foursome, on busy days you'll probably be paired with another group or person.
If I had to do it again I would research how much it costs to stay at a nice hotel in Palm Beach, rent a car and get tee times at other local courses. This way you get the golf but afterwards you could have the beach.
Do not rent clubs if you can help it. It costs a mind boggling $95 per day. It does include a box of Titleist golf balls which helps ease the pain. You can't take the clubs off campus.
The first day our tee time was 2:30 pm. For January this is too late you end up playing the last two holes in the dark.
Bring rain gear! And warm clothes. Weather is super variable.