Cypress Knoll Golf & Country Club

Cypress Knoll is the Gary Player Signature course in the Grand Club Palm Coast portfolio, originally built in 1989 and then substantially reimagined by Player's design team in 2005 with a $3.5+ million renovation. The 6,674-yard par-72 layout plays to a 72.9 rating and a tough 141 slope, and it unmistakably wears its northeast-Florida setting: marshland cuts through the fairways, lakes frame the green complexes, and wading-bird wildlife is a constant companion. The signature hole is the 2nd, a 191-yard par-3 that demands a full carry over a marsh to a very small green with sand bunkers wrapping left-front, back, and right, one of those forced-all-or-nothing tee shots that sets the tone for the whole round. Player's preference for small, well-defended greens hidden from the tee plays out across the front nine; accurate driving to compact landing areas is the name of the game. Cypress Knoll's green fees run a bit lower than Pine Lakes next door, which makes it the natural second-round pick for a Palm Coast golf weekend.