Golf in Pompano Beach

The city’s 36 holes

The City of Pompano Beach owns and operates two 18-hole golf courses side by side: the Pines and the Palms. The city lists them at 1101 North Federal Highway, a short drive from the beach. Residents have had municipal golf here since the courses opened decades ago, and both are open to the public.

Because they are municipal courses, they tend to be more relaxed than a private club, and the mix of players ranges from early-morning regulars to visitors who packed their clubs for a winter week.

The Pines

The Pines is the championship course: 18 holes, par 72, at more than 7,100 yards from the back. It was redesigned by Greg Norman’s design firm and reopened in 2013, which made it the firm’s first municipal course in the United States. Expect wide Florida fairways, sand, water and greens that reward a careful approach. Pick the tees that match your game; the full length is a lot of golf.

The Palms

The Palms is the traditional Florida layout: 18 holes, par 71, at more than 6,280 yards. It is shorter and friendlier, and a good choice for a relaxed round, a mixed group, or the second round of a two-course day.

Booking a tee time

Tee times are booked through the city’s golf page on the Pompano Beach parks website, where there is a booking button, or by phone through the course and pro shop. The city lists course hours of 7 AM to 6 PM daily. Third-party booking sites also list the courses, but the city’s page is the best place to confirm rates, the booking window and any closures.

Green fees, booking windows, hours and maintenance closures change through the year. Check the city’s golf page before you go.

Courses close sections for aerification and maintenance at certain times of year, usually outside the busy winter season. If golf is the reason for your trip, check the closure notices on the city’s page before you book your dates.

When to play

Winter and early spring are golf season here. The mornings are cooler and drier, and it is also when the snowbirds are in town, so tee times fill. Book as early as the booking window allows, especially for weekend mornings.

Summer golf is possible, but plan around the heat and the weather. Play first thing in the morning, carry more water than you think you need, and keep an eye on the sky after lunch, when thunderstorms build. Courses clear the course when lightning is nearby, and you should head in without being asked.

• Morning tee times are the most comfortable in every season.
• Wear a hat and reapply sunscreen at the turn.
• Bring a towel; humidity makes grips slippery.
• Check the course’s cart and dress rules when you book.

Traveling with clubs

Free on-site parking, one space per unit, makes it simple to keep clubs in the trunk and head out early. If you fly in, ask your airline about golf bag rules; if you would rather not carry them, ask the pro shop about rental clubs when you book.

Golf for snowbirds

Plenty of our long-stay guests build their winter around a few rounds a week. The courses are close, the weather is reliable from December to April, and a suite with a full kitchen and guest laundry makes a month feel like home. For more on wintering here, see our snowbird rentals and the snowbird guide. Ask us about longer stays.

Making a golf trip work

If golf is the point of your trip, a few habits help. Book your stay first, then your tee times as soon as the booking window opens for your dates. Mix the two courses: the Pines for the big round, the Palms for a relaxed one. Play early, and use the afternoons for the beach, the pool or a nap.

For a week of golf, a kitchen makes a real difference. Breakfast at home before an early tee time is quicker than any restaurant, and a cold drink from your own fridge after the round is hard to beat. Guest laundry on site takes care of the golf shirts.

• Confirm rates and the booking window on the city’s golf page.
• Check maintenance closures before you set your travel dates.
• Ask the pro shop about rental clubs if you are flying in.
• Keep a towel, water and sunscreen in the bag every round.

For the rest of the group

Not everyone wants 18 holes. While you play, the beach is a 2-minute walk from your door, and the pier is good for a morning walk. The non-golfers in your group might prefer pier fishing, an afternoon at the shops, or a half day at Butterfly World. Everyone meets back at the courtyard pool.

Golf buddies sharing a trip usually take a suite, which sleeps 4 to 5. A couple is comfortable in a studio. For more ideas, browse things to do in Pompano Beach.