“Its not a links course but it is probably the closest you are going to get to a links course in the States,” said NCG Top 100s Podcast host Tom Irwin.
Located in Juno Beach, Florida, Seminole Golf Club is a Donald Ross design that opened in 1929.
It is an exclusive golf club that has been home to its fair share of major champions, elite amateurs and some of the most influential figures in American golf.
But what is it actually like to play? What makes it so special? And, does it truly rank as one of the best golf courses across the pond?
Speaking on the NCG Top 100s Podcast, host Tom Irwin spoke about his experience of playing Seminole for the first time.
“It is very understated,” Irwin said.
“These types of places (golf clubs) always have people to meet you and bag drops. But its not a country club experience, it’s a golf club experience.
“Its a bit of a shock to the system because you are going into an American place so it should be new and shiny but its not like that.
“Its very comfortable, posh Nan’s house kind of vibes. Obviously it is immaculate, but it feels like it has been there a while and is for the members.”
From the clubhouse veranda, Irwin noted that he thought the course itself appeared almost deceptively simple.
“I have to say it (the golf course) does not look like much,” he added. “You’re looking at it thinking, ‘it looks a bit like parkland’.
“There are no trees, obviously, because it is by the sea. There are may be eight palm trees on the whole property.
“The famous thing about the land is that there are two dune ridges. There is one that runs along the coastal side of the property and then there is one that runs along the inland side of the property.
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“The way the holes are put together is that 14 of the them touch these two dunes in some way. There are only four holes that are played on the flattest land in the middle and they have an exposed water way that runs through the middle of the property.
“That in itself is unique. It is hard to say it looks a bit another place because it doesn’t look like anywhere I have played before.
“The holes begin to make sense once you’re on them, is the best way I can describe it. The use of these dunes is just exceptional.
“Almost every hole is flaring up at the end. It is also another place that is exceptionally well bunkered.”
At just under 6,900 yards from the back tees, Seminole is not considered to be long by modern standards.
“Its not long, it is around 6,900 yards off the back tees,” Irwin states. “But everything makes you think, even off the tee.
“One of the standout holes is the Hogan hole. This is the 7th on the front nine, which plays along the privet hedge where you drive in.
“There is a huge bunker on the left hand side, so it calls for a draw up to this hedge and the around the back of the bunker. The green is then set at the opposite angle so you hit a fade in.
“This is famously where Hogan would go and practice because you had to hit both shapes.
“There is also the only split fairway that I can remember working on the 15th. It uses the palm trees that are on an island in the middle of the fairway with water on the right hand side.
“It is a dog leg left-to-right. There is a massive advantage to hitting between the palm trees and the water on the right. If you play left of the palm trees and away from the water you have a much worse angle in and more distance to cover.
“Whilst this is one of the holes that doesn’t use the dunes I think it is possibly one of the best holes on the golf course because of that simplicity.
“Then there is the par three 17th which is kind of a carbon copy of the 6th at Dornoch. It is a very short par three and the green and the tee box are on the dune ridge. This is the only hole that sits on the dune ridge.”
This isn’t a course that simply challenges you, it’s how they connects and how the routing carries you from one hole to the next. And for Irwin, that flowing rhythm is what turns it into a great design.
“It is one of the greatest walks I’ve ever had (on the golf course),” Irwin added. “The way everything flows from tee to green it does feel like you can keep going forever.
“It doesn’t feel like you have walked anywhere because the whole thing just fits so neatly.
“I find it very hard to categorise it. Its not a links course but it is probably the closest you are going to get to a links course in the States.
“Certainly from the way the greens play because they can get those really firm and if you are coming out of even semi Bermuda you are going to get very little spin on the ball.”
Listen to the NCG Top 100s Podcast
NOW HAVE YOUR SAY
Have you played Seminole? If so, what do you think of it? Is it the best course you have played in America? Let us know by leaving a comment or a post on X!
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