Florida’s Winter Golf, Through the Eyes of an Island Course

Winter golf in Florida is familiar to many, but at the southern tip of Hutchinson Island — where the Atlantic Ocean meets the St. Lucie Inlet and the Indian River — the experience takes on a different rhythm. The landscape at Sailfish Point is defined by water and wind, and the course sits at the edge of it all, exposed in a way that gives the season its own coastal character.

For Members of this private Florida golf community, winter isn’t a dramatic shift. It’s a quieter one, marked by steady sunshine, dependable playability, and the coastal beauty that influences every round.

Winter on the Coast of a Private Florida Golf Community

Jack Nicklaus designed the championship course at Sailfish Point with a deep understanding of its waterfront surroundings. This Jack Nicklaus Signature layout moves with the island’s contours, shaped to embrace the breeze and the shoreline.

The 2021 renovation sharpened greens, tees, and bunkers while protecting the welcoming, member-friendly environment that defines the best private golf communities in Florida. Member David Lusk describes the balance: “Single digit players found the course more challenging, and higher handicap players found it more playable. Nicklaus pulled off the impossible and left us with a wonderful asset.”

Each hole reflects that philosophy — strategic without being punishing, naturally integrated into the land, and memorable in every season.

How Island Conditions Shape Winter Golf in Florida

Winter golf at Sailfish Point is shaped by the water before anything else. The Atlantic Ocean, the St. Lucie Inlet, and the Indian River surround the course on three sides — close enough that golfers feel the conditions shift as they move from hole to hole.

Member Louise Price shared: “I think you would be hard challenged to find a place with golf in a setting like this. We are surrounded on all sides by water. No place has that.”

In the cooler months, breezes shift more noticeably. Mornings may bring ocean air; afternoons may welcome river winds. Wildlife patterns change. Light moves differently across dunes and fairways. Former Director of Golf Victor Tortorici shared, “In the winter the wind might come from the north one day and the south the next. It becomes a different golf course almost every day you play.”

A Culture of Playing When the Day Invites It

Winter highlights one of the private golf community’s most distinctive habits: playing without a tee time. Members head out when the light looks appealing, when the breeze drops, or simply when the moment feels right. Some rounds begin early and end before lunch; others drift into the soft late-afternoon glow.

Member Bob Price summed it up: “You can go play almost any time you want. You wake up and decide to play golf, and you play golf. That is part of our culture.”

Holes That Capture the Spirit of This Coastal Private Golf Community

Hole 14 — Toward the Inlet

Playing toward the St. Lucie Inlet, winter light turns the approach into something almost cinematic. Boats drift through the channel, the water brightens, and a cool marine breeze lifts off the shoreline.

Member Donna Boyd once described it as a reward at the end of the hole. And David Lusk added, “Every time I drive that corner toward the green, I am so pleased that I live here. It is just so pretty that it is hard to beat.”

Hole 18 — The Window to the Sea

The finishing hole climbs gently toward the Atlantic, and in winter the reveal feels even more immediate. The horizon opens. The ocean air meets you as you crest the rise. It’s not dramatic — just quietly unforgettable.

Member Alison McMahon described the feeling: “You get to the top of the hill, see the ocean, and it just makes you feel alive.”

Where a Round Becomes the Start of the Day

Winter rounds here rarely end at the eighteen green. Many Members continue their day with short-game practice, a TrackMan session, or enjoying the full array of luxury coastal amenities. The private marina includes 84 slips for yachts up to 125 feet plus 45 dry slips, creating unmatched access to the Atlantic and the Indian River Lagoon. The 60,000-square-foot Oceanfront Clubhouse anchors the social scene, complemented by seven HydroGrid tennis courts, four pickleball courts, a modern Fitness Center with expert trainers, and a serene spa against sweeping ocean views.

Explore Life in One of the Premier Private Golf Communities in Florida

To live this experience year-round, residents can choose from 520 homes, including beachfront estates, oceanfront condominiums, link-side villas, and townhomes with private boat docks. Explore the residential offerings and the full lifestyle of Sailfish Point at SailfishPoint.com or by contacting Sailfish Point Realty at 772-225-6200.