Last Updated on June 1, 2024 by Britt Olizarowicz
I saw a sale for Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa in Palm Coast, Florida, and figured we would try it as a family. Truth be told, I saw this sale last year, but my youngest child would not have been tall enough to use the slide at the pool complex. As any parent knows, this would have been tricky.
As a former membership director and golf professional, when I go to places like Hammock Beach, I always have a golf mindset and want to check out what the club and facilities offer. Here’s a brief overview and review of Hammock Beach Golf Resort, and who I think this place is for.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa (At A Glance)
We stayed in an ocean view suite, which was actually quite affordable. The room was large and had a pull-out sofa for the kids, a few TVs, a small kitchen, and a nice balcony. It worked well for our family, but truth be told, we didn’t spend much time in the room because there are quite a few amenities at this resort.
Including:
- There are multiple restaurants, including Atlantic Grille, Delfinos Italian Chophouse, Lobby Bar, Loggerheads Sports Pub, Stix Authentic Sushi, Ocean Bar Cafe, Hammock Beach Pizza & Gelato, and Beach Brew.
- There are tennis courts, pickleball courts, a marina, bicycling, a putting course, a beach arcade, a fitness center, multiple pools, a lazy river, and a water slide.
- Full-service spa, salon, and wellness center.
- Two golf courses- the Ocean Course and the Conservatory Course
- Direct beach access!
Hammock Beach Golf
There are two golf courses at Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa. I’m a bit of a stickler when it comes to conditions and I can tell you the golf course conditions at Hammock Beach are top notch.
Not to mention that keeping golf courses close to the ocean in great condition takes a lot of work.
The Ocean Course is a Jack Nicklaus design. It has six oceanfront holes, including the finishing hole called “The Bear Claw.” Greens fees here are $150 to $200, but if there is availability later in the day, they offer specials when you check in.
In 2020, this one got a Top 100 Resort Course from Golfweek. It’s well deserved.
The Conservatory Course is a Tom Watson design. It is more of a British-style links course, but there are still waterfalls, stonework, and streams. The Conservatory is a little less expensive, closer to the $100 to $150 range.
If you are serious about golf and don’t mind paying for great conditions and impressive facilities, book a golf package with Hammock Beach. You won’t be disappointed in what the courses have to offer. Also, most Ocean Courses don’t come close to six holes on the water!
Pros and Cons of Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa
Before we booked our trip to Hammock Beach, I read through some reviews and weighed the pros and cons. While most were positive, there were some negatives about outdated rooms and additional fees.
I can see where those people were coming from. Here’s a rundown of the resort’s pros and cons.
Pros
- It was not crowded on weekdays; in fact, they let us into our room hours before check-in time.
- The outside facilities are kept very clean and neat.
- There’s plenty for kids to do; between the beach, the pool, and even the mini golf course, you will be on the go all day.
- It was affordable, kind of during the “off” season, but still affordable for it being an oceanfront resort
- Golf courses are beautiful and well-kept.
- You can park for free if you want to
- The lazy river is a big hit with kids. The water was a little cold, but the kids loved it.
Cons
- The nearby town of Flagler Beach doesn’t have a ton to offer
- Food was expensive, and drinks were fair and comparable, but overall, food was expensive.
- The rooms were outdated; however, they were clean.
- Some staff were a little over the top, but the pool staff were amazing.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort and Spa Membership Costs
Now, if we switch over for a second and look at this club from the viewpoint of a potential member, things may change a bit. The neighborhood around the Hammock Beach resort is very well-kept. There are some beautiful homes, and the streets are neat and clean, with all of them being just within walking distance of the ocean.
If you are considering joining this club, here is some information you should have.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort Membership Options
There are two membership options at Hammock Beach.
The first is the Full Membership, with a $40,000 initiation fee and annual dues of around $13,000. Benefits include access to the courses, driving ranges, practice greens, golf tournaments and events, 14-day advance tee time reservation, and preferred tee times.
In addition, this is a Troon Course, so you have access to 140+ Troon courses worldwide and additional benefits.
The Beach Club Membership is the more affordable option. It costs $15,000 to join and then $7500 plus tax. It offers limited access to the fitness center, pools, and private beach. You also get some discounts on lodging rates.
Is The Hammock Beach Club Membership Worth It?
The facilities at Hammock Beach are beautiful. When you look at the pricing compared to other comparable facilities, it’s likely a bit more affordable. Of course, you must remember this because it’s a resort course.
As you notice, as part of the Full Membership, you can access preferred tee times up to 14 days in advance. This is because the rest of the tee times are sold to resort guests.
Your fees are lower, but you have the inconvenience of resort guests.
It doesn’t take a golfer too long to figure out that resort guests don’t care quite as much about the club as the full-time members. However, while we were there, the availability of tee times was quite obvious.
I think you get a long season here and plenty of days where the resort is quiet, and you can feel like it’s a small membership. In season, it’s going to be busy and likely quite crowded.
It’s a balance you will have to decide on for yourself. The golf courses, with their condition and quality, could make it worth dealing with the resort guests.
Bottom Line: Is Hammock Beach Golf Resort Worth It?
If you want a nice escape with something to do for the whole family, I would recommend Hammock Beach Golf Resort. It’s a little dated, and there is not all that much to do around the resort, but you won’t get bored. The golf courses are great, the beach is amazing, and it’s a very easy place to get to on the east coast of Florida. We think 3-4 days is the perfect length of trip and allows you to fit in the right mix of golf, family, and relaxation. Let us know if you tried it.