Golf Course Review by: Billy Satterfield
Rankings:
The Takeaway: As posh as you might expect from one of Donald Trump's favorite properties, the West Palm Beach location features pristine conditioning, exceptional service, and a fabricated setting that removes you from the outside world. With more elevation changes that you'd expect and a stellar finishing stretch of holes, it is a great course to enjoy. Grade B+
Quick Facts
Designer: Jim Fazio 1999
Cost: Private
Phone Number: 561-682-0700
Course Website: Official Website - Visit Trump International West Palm Beach (Championship)'s official website by clicking on the link provided.
Directions: Get here! - 3505 Summit Boulevard, West Palm Beach, Florida 33406 – UNITED STATES
Photos: See additional photos of Trump International West Palm Beach (Championship)
Similar Course:
What to Expect: The Fazio's know how to do something with nothing. Jim Fazio displayed that here, and Tom Fazio did it at Shadow Creek; a course that is often compared to this West Palm Beach luxury club. Both properties started with flat land and both moved enough earth to create elevation changes that help create more engaging shots throughout the course. While playing the course it is difficult to imagine that the property is completely surrounded by densely developed real estate since the amount of trees, foliage, and landscaping features would make any nursery envious. The result of the extensive landscaping is a golf course that feels isolated from hole to hole; for better and for worse. The highlight of the round is the finishing stretch starting with the 14th hole which boasts one of the most demanding approach shots on the course; uphill to a severely raised green. Players are then presented with a beautiful risk/reward par five where birdies can certainly fly. Overall, Trump International West Palm Beach is an exceptional experience with top notch service, Tour level conditioning, exceptional facilities, and complete isolation from the surrounding world. That is countered by lackluster green contours, but the elevation changes throughout the property deliver shots that are difficult to duplicate in the Sunshine State.
By the Numbers
| Tees | Par | Yardage | Rating | Slope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black | 72 | 7496 | 76.3 | 155 |
| Gold | 72 | 6973 | 74.8 | 153 |
| Blue | 72 | 6666 | 73.3 | 149 |
| White | 72 | 6203 | 71.5 | 139 |
| Silver | 73 | 5708 | 69.0 | 127 |
| Green (Ladies) | 73 | 5287 | 72.0 | 135 |
Individual Hole Analysis
Signature Hole: 17th Hole – 221 Yard Par 3 – A classic Donald Trump move by putting a waterfall in behind the green, the 17th meets signature hole status at the property while playing more difficult than many of the Donald's other signature offerings. This lengthy one-shotter plays over water the entire distance to the green unless you start well left of the putting surface and fade it back towards the flag. The tame putting surfaces will give players a nice opportunity to roll in a birdie if they can find this green in regulation.
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Best Par 3: 5th Hole – 235 Yards – This hole didn't always have water along the right side as well as between the tee and green, but it does today and offers a formidable challenge. Palm trees frame the left side of the hole as does a greenside bunker while the slope on the right side will instantly kick balls into the water. The target isn't huge but there is a backstop if you take too much club. Ultimately, this hole takes a quality golf shot, or two, to par.
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Best Par 4: 14th Hole – 425 Yards – The amount of earth moving that went into creating Trump International West Palm Beach is never more evident than at the 14th hole. This dogleg left features bunkering on the right side of the hole and stands as a reminder to stay left of the sand before taking on the most daunting approach shot of the day. The uphill second shot is semi-blind and plays to a green marked by five bunkers and boasts one of the more challenging putting surfaces at the course. The hole looks completely manufactured, but I absolutely enjoyed it.
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Best Par 5: 15th Hole – 569 Yards – This may be the hole that players enjoy the most when teeing it up at Trump International West Palm Beach due to its beauty combined with the opportunity to score well on it. The tee shot plays to a fairway that features bunkering and a creek up the right side while the left side has a bit of a hillside that will help keep balls in play that sail a bit off line. The creek then comes across the fairway, terminating the short grass on the left side, and picking up with a new fairway on the right side. It makes players decide to go for the green in two right now, or layup to the right and try to wedge it close with their third shot. It is a shorter par five by the course's standard, so the temptation is certainly there to get home in two, and those that pull it off will have a memory to treasure.
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Birdie Time: 6th Hole – 335 Yard Par 4 – Do you have guts? If so, this is the kind of hole you will relish. 260 yards in the air will cover the water that protects this short dogleg right, and if successful, can result in an eagle putt. It is an exciting proposition to consider and the memory of the result will last a long time. Players looking to layup should still hit the ball as far as they are comfortable with since the fairway gets wider the closer to the green you get. A pair of bunkers mark the area to stay left of and then a flip wedge into the green can still result in a great look at birdie.
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Bogey Beware: 18th Hole – 491 Yard Par 4 – Fazio isn't going to let players coast into the clubhouse, rather, the most challenging hole of the day awaits with a nearly 500 yard par four. The tee shot fortunately plays from an elevated location where players can generate some extra distance, but with water the entire right side and large bunkers on the left, there is nowhere to hide if your confidence is waning. Unless you are to the extreme left, the approach shot will play over water that fronts the green while a trio of deep bunkers blanket the hillside behind the putting surface. The green slopes away on the sides towards the water and demands two high-quality shots to find its surface in regulation. Many good rounds get derailed on the 18th, try to not let it be yours.
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