The “Golden Bear” Jack Nicklaus, with 18 major championship wins to his name, secured his place among golf’s all-time greats. Yet, he didn’t stop at mastering the game. He set out to design it, too, with more than 425 courses bearing his signature around the world. Among his most unique is at Sailfish Point, a private club community on Florida’s Treasure Coast. First built in 1981, the oceanfront golf course has remained untouched by any other architect. Let’s explore how it’s become inseparable from the community’s identity.
A Setting Shaped by the Florida Sea
Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Indian River Lagoon, Sailfish Point is one of the few courses in Florida located on a true barrier island. Jack Nicklaus and his team embraced the natural terrain of elevated dunes and sandy native areas to shape a layout that feels both challenging and organic. Water in view from nearly every hole, sea breezes and shifting conditions make playing here challenging and one-of-a-kind.
Jack Nicklaus’ Iconic Design Philosophy
Jack Nicklaus has long believed that great golf design should engage both the mind and the senses. Working with the island’s natural contours, the Nicklaus Design team used high-flashed bunkers, native vegetation, and TifEagle Bermuda grass to enhance the course’s aesthetic. The water views become more dramatic as players make their way through the course, culminating at the 18th hole, where a panoramic ocean vista, aptly named “Window to the Sea,” offers a memorable finish.
Oceanfront Golf That Welcomes Every Swing
The Sailfish Point golf course continues to reflect the vision of Jack Nicklaus nearly 45 years after its debut. While the setting remains as striking as ever, the course has evolved to meet the needs of today’s players. The 2021 redesign introduced the most significant updates to date. Led by the Nicklaus Design Team, the renovation’s key addition of five sets of tees enhanced strategy and playability. The front tees at 4,986 yards provide a more approachable round, while the back tees stretching to 7,081 yards offer a test for competitive players and PGA sectional events.
Golf Without the Rush
With no tee times and a limited membership, Sailfish Point golfers enjoy the rare freedom to head out whenever the moment feels right. This unhurried rhythm also invites golfers to take in more than just the oceanfront golf course. As a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, the course is home to a diverse array of local wildlife and native plants. Members often spot herons, ospreys, and butterflies along the fairways, with five dedicated butterfly gardens and on-site beehives supporting vital pollinator habitats. Honey from the beehives can even be purchased at the Golf Pro Shop.
A Private World of Oceanfront Amenities
Beyond the course, Sailfish Point offers an array of amenities that reflect the community’s elevated, coastal lifestyle. The full-service marina—one of the largest privately owned in Florida—features 84 slips for vessels up to 125 feet, along with 45 dry slips. At the heart of it all is the 60,000-square-foot Oceanfront Clubhouse, home to dining venues, a resort-style pool, seven HydroGrid tennis courts, and four pickleball courts. The Fitness Center supports every level of training, with top-tier equipment and personal guidance available. For those seeking relaxation, the Spa offers massages, facials, and Salt Therapy, just steps from the Atlantic shoreline.
From spacious beachfront estates and oceanfront condominiums to golf course villas and townhomes with private docks, Sailfish Point is home to a diverse range of living options. To explore the lifestyle and available real estate within this private oceanfront community, visit SailfishPoint.com or contact the Sailfish Point Realty team at 772‑225‑6200.
