Last Updated on March 19, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
Breakers West Country Club is a unique club in western Palm Beach county. I’ve played Breakers West numerous times and have always felt that this club didn’t get the attention it deserves. It can sometimes be looked at as the little brother of Breakers East. However, on its own, Breakers West Country Club is a place that definitely should be considered when moving to the area. As a former membership director and professional golfer, I’ll tell you about my experience at Breakers West and what you can expect regarding costs and even playing conditions.
Breakers West At A Glance: Features and Facilities
The Breakers East gets more recognition than the Breakers West, but I like the Breakers West course better. Breakers East has a great location, but the course at Breakers West is a good one. The facilities are nice, and I’ve never played it with poor conditions.
Joining both Breakers West and East is a commitment. You’ll have to ensure that you can dedicate enough time in your week to enjoy the benefits of both facilities.
For now, let’s look at what Breakers West has to offer.
Feature | Description |
Location | It is set within a 670-acre wildlife sanctuary in West Palm Beach, FL, and is closer to Florida’s Turnpike than it is to I-95. |
Golf | The newly redesigned Rees Jones® Course is always in great condition with friendly members and great greens. |
Tennis | Seven Har-Tru tennis courts for competitive play and skill improvement. |
Pickleball | Two new courts are available. |
Fitness Center | State-of-the-art facilities for workouts and fitness classes. |
Swimming Pool | An outdoor pool for relaxation and leisure; if you purchase the dual membership, more pools are available at the Beach Club. |
Events and Weddings | Distinctive venues are available for celebrations, weddings, or family events. |
Dining | Multiple dining options, including the Grille Room and the Royal Palm Ballroom. |
Golf Academy | John Webster Golf Academy provides expert instruction and game improvement opportunities; if you want to work on your game, there will be people to help you. |
My Experience at Breakers West
I’ve played Breakers West at least five times. When I worked as a membership director in Palm Beach County, Florida, I knew several members of Breakers West, and they invited me out to play on numerous occasions.
The course underwent some renovations in 2022, and it now features TiffEagle on greens and Celebration Bermuda on all playing surfaces. They modified some bunkers to make playability a little more approachable.
In addition, new tee boxes were built for shorter yardages.
The overall concept of it being a Rees Jones course and the feel of the 1968 original design is still in place.
I played from the white tees, which at the time was around 6400 yards. The course is fair, but it’s a good test of golf. Facilities are clean and well-run.
I’ve also eaten at the dining facilities of both the Breakers West and East courses and never had a bad meal.
How Much Does Breakers West Cost?
If you have read my review of The Seagate Country Club, you know how rare it is to find a country club with ocean and golf access. The Breakers West Membership gives you a variety of options depending on what you are looking for.
The Rees Jones and West Sports and Social are the two memberships specific to Breakers West. The Rees Jones membership has a $45,000 initiation fee and annual dues of around $12,500, while the West Sports and Social membership is considerably less expensive.
The three other memberships on this chart give you different levels of access.
The Ocean is for everything (both Breakers East and West and all the amenities. Beach and tennis are for people who don’t play golf but want access to the Breakers Beach Club and all the sports facilities.
The Breakers Golf and Tennis is for golfers looking for access to both courses, but not the beach club. The price is a little lower, but you will lose some of the amenities.
Membership Type | Initiation/Equity Cost | Annual Dues |
Ocean | $250,000-$350,000 | $22,100 |
Beach and Tennis | $200,000-$290,000 | $18,100 |
Breakers Golf and Tennis | $150,000-$230,000 | $16,500 |
Rees Jones | $45,000 | $12,100 |
West Sports and Social | $12,500 | $5,100 |
Breakers West vs. The Competition
Breakers West is unique in that it offers the option of taking advantage of Breakers East (if you want to pay for it). However, western Palm Beach has also become quite popular in the last ten years.
If you live out west and don’t want to drive to the coast, you’ll have a home course close by. The Breakers West neighborhood also has a variety of home options. You can also join Mayacoo Lakes Country Club just outside Breakers West’s gates.
It’s a small club with a much different feel, but it’s a good choice if you are in the area and want some variety.
Club | Type | Key Features |
Hunters Run Country Club | Private | Features three championship golf courses, tennis and pickleball courts, various dining options, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and a spa, with an initiation fee of $85,000. It’s a busy play with annual dues for a golf membership of around $18,629; you’ll miss out on beach access. |
Lost City Golf Club | Private | Provides 27 holes of championship golf, hosts year-round member events and tournaments, and has outdoor patios with fire pits. |
Seagate Country Club | Private | If you want the beach for a lower price, the Seagate Country Club has a membership option that also includes a beach club. It’s just one course, though, and it’s a little further south in Delray Beach. |
Wellington National Golf Club | Private | A Johnny Miller design with a course that plays up to 7,125 yards. The course is set in a beautiful natural environment and has excellent dining options. There are lots of good players at Wellington National. |
Wycliffe Golf & Country Club | Private | Features two championship golf courses, tennis & pickleball courts, a resort-style pool, a spa & fitness center, and a variety of dining and social activities set within a 600-acre gated community. |
Pros and Cons of Breakers West Membership
Like all country clubs, the Breakers West Membership has its positives and negatives. Here are a few that I noticed.
You’ll Have Some Resort Guests In Your Way At Times
If people book a stay at the Breakers Hotel in Palm Beach, they will have options to make tee times at Breakers West. It’s a restricted amount, so they don’t take over the course, but we all know that resort guests don’t always feel the same way about a club as the members do.
It’s Pretty Far West
If you live in western Palm Beach Country Breakers West Country Club is a great choice. However, when you live east and have to drive west, it can be a bit more difficult with all the western growth. I’d join this one if I lived in or near the club.
Newly Redesigned
When considering potentially joining a country club, “newly redesigned” is always great. This usually means no more course closures or assessments for at least a few years!
Access to Breakers East
You’ll have to pay a significant amount of money to join both Breakers West and Breakers East, but they really are the perfect companions. With all the amenities you have, you’ll never be bored and never be looking for a place to take friends and family.
Family Friendly
Breakers West does a great job with its kids club and family activities. You’ll have many options here if you have young kids who enjoy sports and special events.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this has given you a brief idea of what to expect from Breakers West Country Club. I highly suggest checking this one out. Even if you aren’t ready to join West and East, you’ll still get discounts and opportunities at the Breakers East facilities just for being a member at Breakers West. If a smaller scale feel is better for you, Mayacoo Lakes is next door. It’s a spot that many Breakers West members use as a second club.