(The 417/388 yard par four eighteenth plays into a crosswind to a green backdropped by the clubhouse. The slightly elevated putting surface requires a high shot to access it. It’s a strong finish where four is a good score.)
Delray Beach began as a nine holer that Donald Ross designed in 1923. It stayed that way for twenty five years until Red Lawrence and Robert Bruce Harris added another nine in 1950. It was a stopping point for many of the touring professionals on their way to Miami in its early years. Delray was always know for its excellent drainage and accurate measurements. This made it the perfect place for the professionals looking to hone in their games.
(The finicky 528/491 yard par five ninth doglegs hard off the tee where players can cut off yardage by challenging the palm trees that line the left side of the tee box. Otherwise, one is hitting it straight out, and playing in from there. Bunkers and trees come into play for those trying to reach this in two.)
Delray is a flat piece of land that would be uninspiring if not for the overwhelming supply of sand traps. The course is chocked full of sweep bunkers that are etched on the top of the long expansive mounds that give the land its look. The greens are the same way. They are pushed up several feet higher than the fairways, and the green side traps have enough of a lip to hide the putting surface behind them. As a player, one is working the ball between these large sand pits and calculating the distance to carry it onto the green. I felt the approach shots played a half club longer. It isn’t always obvious how elevated the green are, but after a few plays, one starts to see the incremental shortness of the approach shots.
(Canals are a big part of Florida golf and here at the 561/500 yard par five twelth, the player will be laying up on his second shot. The green is open but a left pin will be completely behind the bunker. Into the wind, this is a strong par five.)
While the original Ross holes serve as today’s back nine, the entire course blends together well. There’s 71 sand traps and each side has nearly the same amount. The main difference is the width of the fronting bunkers that protect the greens. Lawrence and Harris had a formula determining the width to the expected shot length. With Ross, the bunkers are offset to give the illusion of being narrow even though there is more room. The putting surfaces on both nines are pretty timid with just a bit of tilt or slope to protect them.
(The 225/188 yard par three thirteenth is a small target for such a long shot. The fairway short of the green is not a bad leave and offers a reasonable chance at saving par. Like most Ross courses, as long as one keeps the hole in front of him, there’s always a chance to up n down.)
Delray is very popular and gets a lot of play. This unfortunately drags the conditioning down and the course is kept in so so shape. This doesn’t stop the locals from showing up, and the tee sheet is packed every day. LPGA stars Beth Daniels and Meg Mallon host an annual clinic and tournament here. Like it’s brethren Pompano Beach, Delray provides for an affordable day of golf. It has a ways to go to be like Donald Ross’ Fort Myers on the other side of the state, but if it ever got the funding to refurbish it, then it would have a chance to rise to its former glory. I give Delray Beach a solid 4 (above average)( worth driving 30-45 minutes to play).
(The 165/141 yard par three seventeenth plays over the canal to green fronted by a large bunker. With everything on the line, the player who can trust his yardage and hit a high shot that stops quickly will have a good chance at birdie.)
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