McArthur Golf Club in Hobe Sound, FL is a private, members-only golf facility known for its elite membership, top-ranked course designed by Tom Fazio and Nick Price, and upcoming expansion with a second course by Coore & Crenshaw.
If you’re looking for an exclusive golf experience with world-class design and limited access, this club fits the bill—keep reading for a closer look at what makes it stand out.
Course Origins: Who Built It and Why That Matters
The roots of McArthur Golf Club go deeper than just turf and sand—they trace back to a thoughtful partnership between one of golf’s most respected architects and a major championship-winning pro.
Understanding who shaped the course, and the ideas behind it, gives you a better feel for what makes playing here such a distinctive experience.
A Unique Pairing: Tom Fazio and Nick Price
The course was designed by Tom Fazio, one of the most influential names in modern golf architecture, in collaboration with Nick Price, a former World No. 1 golfer and winner of The Open Championship and two PGA Championships.
Fazio brought decades of course design expertise, known for creating layouts that are both visually striking and highly playable.
His courses often feature wide fairways, bold bunkering, and a strong focus on harmony with the natural setting.
Price’s role added a different layer—he brought the player's eye.
Having competed at the highest level, he helped shape the course to be both fun and challenging from a tour-pro’s perspective, while still playable for skilled amateurs.
Their partnership wasn’t just about blending design and competitive insight—it was about creating something unique to the Florida landscape, with a shared vision of strategic golf that rewards smart decisions over brute strength.
Why 2002 Was a Defining Moment
McArthur Golf Club officially opened in 2002, at a time when private clubs across the U.S. were starting to move away from the old-school country club model.
Instead of emphasizing social events or dining facilities, McArthur was part of a new wave focused on pure golf—minimal distractions, maximum course quality.
This shift made the club especially appealing to serious players.
In a way, 2002 marked a turning point not just for the club but for the broader evolution of what private golf could be.
With fewer amenities outside of golf, the emphasis remained firmly on the playing experience, course conditions, and architectural excellence.
That approach still defines McArthur today.
What the Course Was Meant to Be
The vision behind the course layout was simple but demanding: build a course that felt natural, looked beautiful, and challenged players to think.
Fazio and Price took full advantage of the land’s native features—rolling white sand dunes, mature live oaks, and wide-open stretches dotted with native grasses.
The result? A layout that plays differently depending on the wind, the tees you choose, and how aggressively you’re willing to take on each hole.
Fairways are wide enough to offer room off the tee, but placement really matters—angles into greens can turn a scoring opportunity into a scramble in a heartbeat.
The course encourages players to make decisions, not just swings.
Rather than trying to overpower golfers with length or gimmicks, the design leans into subtleties.
You’ll notice the shaping of greens, the positioning of bunkers, and the way natural contours guide your shots—whether you’re thinking about them or not.
That kind of design doesn’t just make the course fun to play—it keeps it interesting round after round.
So, while the 7,251-yard layout might look straightforward on a scorecard, its true challenge comes from choices and execution.
That’s the legacy of Fazio and Price’s collaboration: a course built for players who love the game, not just the prestige.
Breaking Down the Course Layout
McArthur Golf Club isn’t just about prestige—it’s about precision.
The layout combines length, texture, and smart design to create a course that keeps you thinking from the first tee to the final green.
Here’s what you’ll be facing when you step onto the course.
Course Specs: What You’re Playing Against
From the back tees, McArthur stretches to 7,251 yards, playing to a par of 72.
That kind of length isn’t unusual for modern courses, but what stands out is the difficulty behind those numbers.
The course carries a rating of 75.5 and a slope of 146, which puts it firmly in the “challenging” category, even for low-handicap players.
It’s built to test decision-making and execution—not just distance.
But that doesn’t mean it’s punishing for everyone.
With multiple tee boxes and generous landing areas, the course adjusts well to different skill levels.
It rewards smart, controlled play more than raw power, especially if you're thoughtful about positioning.
Grass Types That Affect Your Game
The playing surfaces at McArthur aren’t an afterthought—they're key to how the course feels and plays.
The fairways are composed of Tifway 419 Bermudagrass, a hybrid known for its dense, consistent coverage.
It gives you a firm base and clean lies, which is especially helpful when you’re trying to shape shots or stick to a specific yardage.
The greens, on the other hand, are Tifeagle Ultra-dwarf Bermudagrass—a premium putting surface that’s favored for its smoothness and ability to maintain speed even in warm climates.
They tend to roll true, but the subtle breaks and fast pace demand full attention.
If your putting isn’t sharp, this course will let you know.
Natural Terrain: Built Into Every Hole
One of the most defining features of the layout is how seamlessly it blends into the surrounding land.
The course weaves through natural white sand dunes, clusters of live oaks, and native grasses, using the elevation changes and contours of the landscape to guide the routing.
It doesn’t feel manufactured. Every hole feels like it belongs exactly where it is.
This connection to the land isn’t just about looks—it affects play in real ways.
Some areas are more exposed to wind, while others are protected by trees or dunes, creating constantly shifting playing conditions.
The natural slopes and terrain also make club selection a critical part of your approach on many holes.
Fairways and Angles: Room to Breathe, But Not to Relax
One of the hallmarks of the Fazio-Price design is how the fairways look forgiving but hide strategic layers underneath.
Yes, they’re wide enough to allow for confidence off the tee—but where you land really matters.
Some fairways offer ideal angles into the green only from one side.
Others tempt you to cut off a corner or challenge a bunker to gain a better shot at the flag.
This kind of strategic architecture makes the course engaging.
It encourages you to think two shots ahead. Instead of just aiming for the middle, you start to ask yourself: Where do I need to be for the best angle? What side of the green is safest if I miss?
That’s what makes McArthur a course that doesn’t get old. It doesn’t rely on tricks or drama to stay interesting.
It just asks you to play smart, plan well, and adapt as the conditions change—and that’s what great golf is all about.
Signature Design Elements to Watch For
McArthur Golf Club isn’t just a test of skill—it’s a visual and strategic experience shaped by nature and intentional design.
Several elements give the course its distinct character, and once you know what to look for, you’ll start to see how every part of the layout plays a role in the challenge.
Blending with the Landscape: More Than Just Aesthetic
The course’s identity is built around its natural features—especially the white sand dunes, native grasses, and sprawling live oaks.
These elements aren’t simply there to look good. They directly affect how you play.
The dunes come into play both visually and physically.
In many places, they frame the holes, helping define the line off the tee.
But they also catch wayward shots or create tough lies when you miss your target.
Unlike traditional bunkers, the sand here often feels more wild and less manicured, adding to the rugged charm.
Native grasses are used throughout the course to line fairways and define transitions between playing areas and out-of-play zones.
They help with drainage and erosion, but their real influence comes in how they visually narrow your targets—even when the fairways themselves are wide.
It’s a subtle psychological trick that makes you second-guess aggressive shots.
Then there are the live oaks—massive, low-hanging trees that bring a sense of scale and presence to the layout.
On some holes, they frame your sightlines or hang over a corner you might want to cut.
They’re beautiful, but they’re also obstacles if you stray too far from the ideal path.
Where the Course Shows Its Personality
While every hole has something to offer, a few stand out for how well they showcase the course’s character.
The par-4 6th, for instance, plays with depth perception thanks to elevation changes and a fairway that bends subtly between dunes.
The landing area looks tighter than it is, and the green is tucked behind gentle mounds that make distance control tricky.
The par-3 11th is another highlight.
Set against a natural backdrop with minimal visual clutter, it asks for a precise tee shot over native vegetation.
Wind can swirl here, and with little room to bail out, club selection is critical.
Then there’s the 18th—a long par-4 that demands two smart, well-placed shots to finish strong.
A gentle dogleg and smartly placed bunkers force you to pick a side off the tee, and the approach is guarded by a green that slopes away from the fairway.
It’s not flashy, but it’s the kind of finishing hole that quietly tests everything you’ve learned through the round.
Decision-Making Is the Real Challenge
What ties all these elements together is how the course rewards thinking your way around it.
You’re not forced into a specific style of play, but you are asked to make choices—and live with the consequences.
Take a safe line off the tee and you’ll likely find the fairway, but you might be left with a tougher approach.
Get aggressive and you could cut the hole down, but risk ending up in deep sand or blocked by trees.
The same goes for approaches: attacking pins can pay off, but many greens are designed with runoff areas and subtle slopes that punish missed shots on the wrong side.
That’s where McArthur’s design really shines.
It doesn’t rely on length or flash to make its point.
It simply gives you options, and then makes you decide how bold you want to be.
Over time, it becomes clear that success here isn’t about overpowering the course—it’s about outsmarting it.
Practice Makes Perfect: On-Site Training Facilities
McArthur Golf Club was designed with serious golfers in mind, and that commitment extends beyond the course itself.
The club’s practice facilities are set up to support consistent improvement, offering spaces where members can sharpen every part of their game.
Short Game Practice That Mirrors On-Course Conditions
The short game area is where you’ll find the most flexibility in your practice routine.
There’s a dedicated pitching and chipping area that allows you to work on a wide variety of shots—from bump-and-runs to higher lofted pitches.
The turf and green conditions here are kept to the same standards as the course itself, so you’re not adjusting your technique between practice and play.
That’s a huge benefit when you’re trying to build consistency.
There’s also a large putting green where you can practice both short putts and longer lag putts.
The contours of the practice green mimic the slopes and speeds you’ll encounter out on the course.
That’s intentional—it’s not just about repetition, it’s about building confidence in the kinds of reads and strokes the course demands.
Driving Range Built for Purposeful Warm-Ups
The driving range is more than a strip of turf with targets.
It’s laid out to let you simulate on-course situations and work through your full bag.
With several target greens at varying distances, you can dial in specific yardages or practice shaping shots to match certain angles.
The teeing area is spacious, with a natural grass surface that stays in excellent condition.
Whether you’re getting loose before a round or working through a swing adjustment, the range offers a setup that feels game-ready.
The orientation of the range also helps with judging ball flight in different wind conditions—something that really comes into play on McArthur’s open, dune-framed fairways.
Why These Facilities Actually Make a Difference
At a course as strategically demanding as McArthur, the ability to practice with intent can change how you play.
The generous fairways don’t automatically mean easier tee shots—placement still matters.
Working on accuracy with your driver or fairway woods at the range gives you more options when it's time to make a decision out on the course.
The same goes for your short game.
With greens that are fast and subtly contoured, missing in the wrong spot means you’ll need touch and precision to save par.
Having an area where you can rehearse those exact kinds of recoveries is a big advantage.
More than anything, these facilities reflect the club’s overall mindset: golf first, and everything else built to support that.
Whether you’re grinding through a swing tweak or simply warming up for a casual round, McArthur gives you the space and conditions to take your game seriously.
Inside the Clubhouse: Comfort Beyond the Course
While McArthur Golf Club is firmly focused on the game itself, the clubhouse offers a quiet, comfortable retreat for members to unwind, grab a bite, and connect with others after a round.
It’s not overdone or flashy—it’s exactly what you need when the golf is done but the day isn’t.
A Casual, Golf-Centric Setting
The clubhouse keeps things relaxed and unpretentious.
At the heart of it is the bar and grill, which offers a laid-back dining space with a menu that leans into familiar favorites done well.
It’s the kind of place where you can order a burger, a fresh salad, or something off the grill without having to change out of your golf shoes.
The food is consistently high quality, and the staff is used to keeping the pace casual—perfect for recapping your round over lunch or easing into the afternoon with a drink.
The atmosphere fits the club’s overall tone. You won’t find large banquet spaces or formal dining rooms.
Instead, there’s a comfortable seating area where members often gather for a post-round beer, quick lunch, or early evening cocktail.
It’s intentionally low-key, prioritizing the needs of golfers rather than formal events.
Designed for Downshifting After 18 Holes
Every detail inside the clubhouse supports the idea of post-round ease.
The layout flows naturally from the locker rooms to the dining area, making it easy to move from playing to relaxing without feeling like you're switching environments.
There’s plenty of natural light, and the decor nods to the surrounding landscape—think understated coastal tones and textures rather than traditional country club formality.
There’s no pressure to linger, but if you want to stay awhile, it’s easy to do.
You might find a group quietly watching golf on TV, a few players swapping stories by the bar, or someone catching up on email in a quiet corner.
It’s the kind of clubhouse that works in the background, giving you space without demanding attention.
When Members Use the Clubhouse—and Why It Works
The clubhouse sees the most activity immediately after rounds, especially in the late morning through the afternoon.
Members typically head in for lunch, a drink, or just a quick cool-down before heading home.
It’s not a destination in itself, but that’s part of its charm. It supports the main event—golf—without trying to compete with it.
Members appreciate it for exactly what it is: a clean, comfortable, well-run spot to transition from the course to the rest of the day.
Whether you're wrapping up a solo practice session or playing with a regular group, the clubhouse provides that familiar pause before the next thing—nothing more, and definitely nothing less.
What It Takes to Become a Member
McArthur Golf Club is known for its privacy and tight-knit membership, and that exclusivity is a big part of what defines the experience.
If you’re thinking about joining, understanding what’s involved—financially and otherwise—can help you decide if this kind of club environment is the right fit for you.
Membership Isn’t Just a Financial Investment
To start, there’s the reported initiation fee of approximately $300,000.
That upfront cost places McArthur in the upper tier of private clubs in the country, right alongside other high-profile names like Seminole and Pine Valley.
While that number may seem steep, it’s consistent with the club’s philosophy: limited access, premium experience, and no compromises when it comes to the quality of the golf.
Beyond the initiation fee, there are annual dues and standard expenses like food and beverage minimums, though those tend to be secondary concerns for most prospective members at this level.
The real consideration is whether the value aligns with your personal golf goals and expectations.
A Waiting List That Reflects Demand
Gaining membership isn’t immediate.
McArthur has a substantial waiting list, which reinforces just how desirable a spot in the club has become.
The exact length of the wait can vary depending on timing and availability, but it’s safe to expect that entry won’t happen overnight.
It’s not a revolving-door club—members tend to stay, and turnover is minimal.
That waitlist isn’t just about volume—it also ties into how selectively the club expands its roster.
There’s a clear emphasis on maintaining the atmosphere that current members value: low-key, golf-focused, and community-driven.
As a result, new members are typically brought in with care and deliberation.
Why Exclusivity Works in McArthur’s Favor
For many members, the exclusivity is part of the appeal.
The limited number of players on any given day means that tee times are rarely an issue, pace of play stays brisk, and the overall environment feels private and unhurried.
It’s not about status—it’s about comfort and consistency.
The club also avoids overcrowding by design.
With a capped membership and minimal outside play, you don’t run into overbooked weekends or crowded practice areas.
That predictability makes it easier to focus on the golf, which is exactly what draws most members in the first place.
Interested in Joining? Here’s What to Keep in Mind
If you’re seriously considering applying, here are a few practical things to weigh:
- Connections matter. Like most private clubs of this caliber, prospective members are often introduced through current ones. If you’re new to the area or the network, building relationships with existing members is usually the first step.
- Timing is unpredictable. Because the club isn’t trying to grow rapidly, the waitlist can move slowly. If you’re in a hurry to join a club, McArthur might not be the right fit at this moment.
- Know what you’re signing up for. This isn’t a country club with a full social calendar and family amenities. It’s a place for serious golfers who prioritize course quality and a focused experience over broader lifestyle offerings.
In short, becoming a member at McArthur Golf Club is less about filling out paperwork and more about aligning with the club’s values.
If you're after a pure, high-level golf environment where the course speaks louder than the amenities, and you're willing to wait your turn, it might be exactly what you're looking for.
The Next Chapter: McArthur’s Expansion Plans
While McArthur Golf Club has long built its reputation on a single standout course, that identity is about to expand in a big way.
A second course is currently in development—one that promises to complement the original while offering a fresh take on what golf at McArthur can be.
A Second Course, But Not a Duplicate
The club’s decision to move forward with a second course signals a major evolution in its long-term vision.
Rather than simply adding more holes for the sake of capacity, McArthur is investing in an entirely new design that brings a different style and flavor to the property.
This new layout is being crafted by none other than Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, two of the most respected names in modern golf course architecture.
Coore & Crenshaw have built a legacy on minimalist, naturalistic design—letting the land speak for itself, with a focus on ground game, shot creativity, and strategic variety.
Their courses rarely rely on forced carries or heavily shaped land.
Instead, they use existing topography to create holes that challenge players to think, adapt, and make decisions from the ground up.
Expect the new McArthur course to follow that same ethos.
What to Expect From the New Addition
For McArthur members, the new course represents more than just extra tee times.
It brings a different style of play that contrasts the Fazio-Price original.
Where the current course rewards precision and angle control, a Coore & Crenshaw course typically emphasizes feel, imagination, and the use of contours.
That difference is expected to make the two courses feel complementary rather than competitive.
This kind of dual offering deepens the overall experience.
Members will be able to choose between two high-quality layouts depending on their mood or playing goals.
One day you might want to dial in yardages and work through exact positions; the next, you might prefer a more relaxed, linksy feel with more options for recovery and creative shots around the green.
The expansion will also help preserve the club’s core value: exclusivity.
With a second course in play, the club can spread member use more evenly, maintain a relaxed pace of play, and avoid overloading one layout—especially during high-demand seasons.
About the Architects: Coore & Crenshaw’s Design Style
For those unfamiliar with the duo, Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw are known for creating courses that feel timeless.
Crenshaw, a two-time Masters champion, brings a player’s perspective to the design process, while Coore’s architectural background provides structure and vision.
Together, they’ve designed some of the most beloved modern courses in the U.S., including Bandon Trails, Sand Hills, and Streamsong Red.
Their style often features:
- Wide fairways with multiple lines of play
- Subtle but challenging green complexes
- Minimal earthmoving to retain natural contours
- Emphasis on walkability and rhythm through the round
These characteristics align well with McArthur’s setting and its existing reputation for strategic golf.
Timeline and Fit Within the Club’s Growth
While specific dates haven’t been officially published, development is already underway, and early reports suggest that progress is moving steadily.
In keeping with Coore & Crenshaw’s approach, the design and construction process tends to be patient and detail-focused—favoring quality over speed.
That means members can expect a course that’s been carefully integrated into the land, not rushed to meet a deadline.
This expansion isn’t a pivot away from the club’s identity—it’s a continuation of it.
McArthur has always prioritized quality, exclusivity, and a pure golf experience.
Adding a second world-class layout underlines that commitment and offers members even more variety without diluting the original vision.
For current and prospective members, it signals long-term value.
Not only are they getting access to one of Florida’s top-ranked courses, but they’re also gaining another that could easily become a standout in its own right.
And as the new layout nears completion, McArthur Golf Club stands poised to redefine itself—not by changing course, but by adding another one.
Conclusion
McArthur Golf Club offers a focused, high-caliber golf experience shaped by elite design, thoughtful expansion, and a commitment to exclusivity.
From its Fazio-Price original to the upcoming Coore & Crenshaw course, every detail supports serious play in a low-key setting.
If you value strategy, solitude, and top-tier conditions, McArthur is built with you in mind.
