joshpyt

For budget options, you can’t go wrong with Killian. Slightly better option vs other comparable budget options like Redlands or Palmetto and a 1,000 times better than garbage dumps like Costa Greens (avoid that one at all costs). Generally is pretty wide open on weekdays but is brutally slow during peak hours (e.g., Mid day Saturday). Course has a challenging layout. Greens, fairways and bunkers are fine. You’re playing a budget course so you get what you pay for. Sure you have to avoid power lines on 1, but that’s part of the allure. No range here and the practice putting green is, well, let’s just say it’s there. This is a course to hit on a late afternoon with a six pack and a couple of buddies for a leisure round. If you want high end, play Miami Beach or Doral. If you want super chill, no frills, budget golf, play Killian.

Do not play here. You’re better off hitting yourself in the kneecaps with your clubs. It’s brutal. No fairways. Just rough. Greens are atrocious. Owner should be ashamed. This course should be closed and developed into a housing development. Pure garbage.

Palmetto G.C. has been around forever and is the closest 18-hole public track to Pinecrest and Palmetto Bay. Winter/Spring rates: $45 with cart; Twilight rate ($25) stars at 2 PM. ,

The conditions are on the lower end, about what you would expect for this price, though the course is fairly challenging. It's good if you don't want to take things serious, maybe have a few beers and be prepared to put up with some hackers. At 2 PM on the weekends, it is mobbed and expect a delay. If you are looking to play fast and avoid the hackers, spend the extra $20 and tee off at 1.

First hole (par 5): Ideal tee shot is about 200 - 225 yards. If you hit too far, you will be in the canal that snakes it way through the course. This hole doglegs to the left, with trees blocking a straight shot to the green, making it difficult to reach in 2, but possible. Ideal second shot is a 180-200 yrds, leaving you a wedge to the green.

Second hole (par 4). Straight and fairly forgiving. Bunkers guard the green. But overall, an easy hole, though surprising is the #3 handicap.

Third (par 4): A very difficult par 4 and ranks as #1 handicap for good reason. Stay left off the tee, otherwise you will behind a giant tree blocking any kind of approach shot. The second shot is typically 170-180 with a good drive and you need to clear the canal to get to the green. Green is surrounded by bunkers and is a bit elevated.

Fourth (par 4): Short hole, with a lake lining the right side. Ideal tee shot is about 180 yards; should leave you a PW on your approach. Bunkers on each side of the green. Anything right and you will be taking a penalty shot.

Fifth (par 3): 163 from the white tees. Bunkers on all sides of the green. An easy par if you can get on the green.

Sixth (par 4): A pretty short par 4 (322 from white). A decent drive should leave you with a short approach. Some bunkers on either side of the fairway make a straight tee shot imperative.

Seventh (par 3): 150 - 160 yrds, depending on tee box placement. Typically hitting into the wind from this angle, so take an extra club, plus you have to clear a lake to make to the green. It's fairly open on either side of the hole, so as long as you avoid the water, you should be ok.

8th (par 4): Big hitters will want to hit a 3-wood or long iron off tee, as the canal comes into play (about 300 yrds from tee box). Trees line the left side so a straight drive is critical. Second shot should be a mid iron. Big green to work with, though lined with bunkers on all sides. Ranks as #5 handicap.

9th (par 5): Tee box is positioned behind a row of trees, setting up for a power fade on your drive. Second shot is tricky. There are bunkers on either side of the fairway at about 100 yards from the green. The green has 4 bunkers on each corner. Slopes downhill towards the fairway.

10th: Tee box is positioned right behind a wall of trees, so you have to play a left tee shot; a fade is ideal. Second shot is usually pretty long (180 - 210) and you have to clear that pesky canal again. A large bunker guards the left front of the green. This hole ranks as #13 handicap, but is more difficult than advertised.

11th: Par 3, that will range from 170 - 190, depending on tee box placement. Bunkers on all sides. Do not slice or your ball will be OB.

12th: Par 5, but reachable in 2. There are bunkers that guard the approach. Easy hole to par if you play it safe.

13th: Par 4 about 360 yards. This is a fun hole. There's bunkers on either side of the fairway, so must have a straight drive. Bunkers line this slightly elevated green.

14th: Dogleg left, with a big tree on left side of fairway that just gobbles up errant drives. Ideal shot is a draw. Second shot is usually a mid-iron. You have to clear the canal and this green is pretty big, with minimal bunkers (one on each side).

15th: Dogleg left, par 4, 400 yards. A good tee shot should leave you with a mid-iron. Green is long and there's 3 bunkers that protect it.

16th: Par 4, 400 yards. Dogleg left, with trees all along the right side. Must stay left here off tee. Mid-iron gets you home. Green is huge, with bunkers on all 4 corners.

17th: Par 3, 150 yards. Very narrow and difficult green, with bunkers everywhere. Better to be long than short here.

18th: Par 4, 420 yards. Tee shot over the canal. Watch out for menacing trees on either side of the fairway. Green has the bunkers on all sides, but is pretty easy to hit. Don't be long here, or you will be OB.