Fountains Country Club South (Lake Worth, FL)

Fountains Country Club has three golf courses, West, North, and South all designed by Robert Von Hagge and Bruce Devlin. They are the cornerstone of the residential community. 

The South is the quintessential Florida course with water on nearly every hole. Many of the tee shots are forced to deal with it as Von Hagge/Devlin worked the fairways around them. There’s several tricky spots where local knowledge goes a long way. It’s the type of course where you have to choose when to be aggressive. 

(The 384/374 yard sixth hole doglegs left at an awkward angle that entices players to cut off the corner. Failing to do so brings the trees into play and ultimately the water as one tries to manipulate the shot into the green. Hit it straight and enjoy the big target for your approach.) 

The par fives are the best holes on the South. Each one has water guarding the left side and can be reached in two shots. At the fifth and twelfth, the green sits on the other side of the water. All the greens are well protected and are not easy to reach or hold. Getting a good angle for the third shot is a better strategy. 

(The 534/502 yard par five twelfth starts a nice stretch of holes. The long hitter who can get far right can achieve a superior angle compared to short hitter who has water and sand to carry for the third.) 

Von Hagge/Devlin covered the corners of the greens with bunkers that block the view when one gets out of position. There’s some great pin positions too that will make the player think twice even when one is in middle of the fairway. I found myself several times aiming away from the pin and trying to work it back. This is a strong players golf course.

(Looking back towards the thirteenth green, the 166/157 par three is simply water and grass. It’s a simple hole when the wind is down, but quite the challenge when it’s up.) 

(The 399/373 yard par four fourteenth doglegs left in a semi circular shape. Pick your driving line and commit...
....a good drive still leaves a challenging approach. Anything that finds the putting surface is a good shot.) 

Von Hagge and Devlin designed a lot of courses in Florida and Fountains South is a good representation of their work. I give it a 5 (good)(worth driving an hour). Being your A game because this is a tough one.