An Oldie but Goodie: The Ocean Club at The Breakers Palm Beach is Florida's oldest course

PALM BEACH, Fla. - The oldest course in Florida isn't past its prime.

Despite distance advances that make most 6,167-yard courses obsolete, the Ocean Club at The Breakers Palm Beach remains relevant. It continues to deliver the shot-making it did more than a century ago when it opened in 1896. Golf Advisor named it one of the country's best short courses playing less than 6,500 yards.

Brian Silva's restoration in 2000 modernized the Ocean Club, and the resort's commitment to service and conditioning keeps it in top shape. It still delivers one of Florida's most elegant golf experiences, especially when golfers stay for lunch or dinner at the Flagler Steakhouse upstairs in the clubhouse.

A series of ponds and the constant winds off the water don't allow anybody to go low. Golf Advisor user ctgolfer82 played the course five times during a recent visit. That's how much he loved it. His five-star review noted that: "Surprisingly as a longer hitting player, this course plays much longer than the 6,200 yards due to being on the ocean at sea level, the salt filled ocean air, and the winds."