Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 17
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 17
The par-3 17th is one of six holes on the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort in Florida. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 3
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 3
The inland holes on Hammock Beach's Ocean Course aren't bad either, as evidenced by the par-4 third. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 5
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 5
The difficult 434-yard par-4 fifth hole on the Hammock Beach Ocean Course. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 6
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 6
The bunkering on the Hammock Beach Ocean Course is as beautiful as the water. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 6
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 6
One of the more intriguing inland holes on the Hammock Beach Ocean Course is the par-5 sixth with its semi-island green. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 9
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 9
One of six ocean holes on the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach is the par-4 ninth. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 10
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 10
The Atlantic is behind you when you tee off on the long par-5 10th on Hammock Beach Ocean Course. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 11
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 11
There's trouble in front of the green on the short par-4 11th on the Hammock Beach Ocean Course. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 13
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 13
The 433-yard par-4 third on Hammock Beach's Ocean Course is the no. 6 handicap hole. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 14
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 14
The 14th is another example of the Hammock Beach Ocean Course's excellent par 5s. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 16
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 16
Here's another example of how water comes into play on the approach shot of the par-4 14th on the Hammock Beach Ocean Course. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 18
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - no. 18
The last hole on the Hammock Beach Ocean Course is the dramatic and difficult (no. 2 handicap) par-4 18th. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
Hammock Beach Ocean Course - range
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Hammock Beach Ocean Course - range
Practice facilities on the Hammock Beach Ocean Course are top notch. Mike Bailey/Golf Advisor
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In photos: More views than ever before on the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort

PALM COAST, Fla. -- The Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort has better ocean views now, thanks to a renovation that followed damage by Hurricane Matthew a couple of years ago.

The course, which has six holes, referred to as the "Bear Claw," on the Atlantic Ocean, received new Platinum Paspalum grass throughout the course and now has more sightlines to the ocean as Matthew blew down trees and vegetation that used to block some of those views.

The course has been closed since October 2016 after high winds and storm surge from Hurricane Matthew caused damage across the majority of its holes. The resort's owners and the Salamander Co., which operates the resort, took a long-term view regarding conditioning and opted to conduct a complete course restoration in conjunction with Nicklaus Design.

The restoration included the re-grassing of all fairways, greens and rough with paspalum, as well as the reconstruction of each tee box, bunker and green complex. The result is a stunning golf course that certainly ranks among the best resort courses in the state.

The new salt-tolerant grass was actually put to the test as construction came to end in September from the high winds and storm surge caused by Hurricane Irma. As you can see from these photos, the turf stood up well, and the restoration project completion was only pushed back a few weeks.


Staff course reviews of the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach: Jay Coffin | Mike Bailey


Mike Bailey is a former Golf Advisor senior staff writer based in Houston. Focusing primarily on golf in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Latin America with an occasional trip to Europe and beyond, he contributes course reviews, travel stories and features as well as the occasional equipment review. An award-winning writer and past president of Texas Golf Writers Association, he has more than 25 years in the golf industry. He has also been on staff at PGA Magazine, The Golfweek Group and AvidGolfer Magazine. Follow Mike on Twitter at @MikeBaileyGA and Instagram at @MikeStefanBailey.
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In photos: More views than ever before on the Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort