Boca Rio Golf Club

Wow! I'm amazed by Boca Rio. It's one of the best courses I've ever played. This course is way underestimated. Most lists it is the 40s in FL, but I've played all over and would say it's right up there with Seminole, Streamsong. I absolutely loved the course. I am going to go through all of the things I rated:

Pace: As good as it gets. 150 members at total, 75 actually play golf, 30-50 play regularly. I did not wait on one shot, and they don't even have tee times anymore on weekdays and weekends after 11. You will never wait. 3 hr 10 mins as a 5-some.

Conditions: Also as good as it gets. The greens were not ridiculously fast, but true, and not slow by any means. Fairways were completely spotless, and rough was also spotless and very green!!

Value for the Money: So I'm not sure how much it costs to be a member here, but I'm rating on the guest fee. Free for family, and not expensive for friends and other guests. Makes sense though, because I'm guessing it is not a cheap membership.

Layout: Very fun. I really liked holes 1, 2, 7-11, 14-18, but there was not one dull hole. It is one of the most bunkered courses in the USA. Our Forecaddie was making jokes about how they call it bunker Rio. Caddying must be hard there. We played a 5 some and he used his rake so many times it was half-broken. LOL. There are 104 bunkers total, and some of them are MASSIVE. In comparison, St. Andrews Old course has 112.

Off-Course amenities: What else could you ask for? Amazing clubhouse and locker room, grass range, great short game, and putting facilities.

Course difficulty: This course is very difficult in some ways like the bunkers obviously, lots of woods and water, however, it is forgiving. The fairways are fairly wide, the rough isn't to thick, greens are big.

Boca Rio is one of the strongest courses and clubs in South Florida. With only 150 members, it is decidedly exclusive and quiet, but will get some more exposure when it hosts an LPGA event starting in January 2020. Fans who attend will get a rare look at a course that even nearby residents have little idea even exists.

The Robert Von Hagge design is an example of the type of architecture that dominated the latter half of the 20th century. Holes are definitely of the "hard par, easy bogey" mold, with amoeba-shaped bunkers and greens dictating strategy and often calling for an aerial attack. The course still manages to be quite playable, as corridors are generous and water hazards are minimized to the point where you shouldn't be surprised to get around with one golf ball.

It should also be noted that Boca Rio's clubhouse is exquisite, with coolly striking interior design accented by abstract artworks. The locker room is also one of the best you'll ever see, and the food at the club is superb.