Miami Shores Country Club Review
March 14, 2023
We are currently in Marc’s old stomping grounds – the place where he grew up and did some crazy stuff!
South Florida!
It’s where he went to school, played sports, and made lifelong friendships.
Of course this meant we had to play a round of golf in the area, which is why we chose Miami Shores Country Club. Miami Shores Country Club is located in the Village of Miami Shores in Miami-Dade County. Just a few miles from Marc’s boyhood home.
It can be a strange experience, returning as an adult to the town where you grew up. So many things look different. The streets. The schoolyard. Your childhood home.
But since Marc didn’t play golf as a young man, he wasn’t too worried about any changes that may have taken place at Miami Shores Country Club over the years.
Golf course architects Robert Lawrence and Louis Wilson designed the course.
A couple of interesting facts about the course is there are two major hazards that bisect it:
Both hazards add to the character of the course.
The course is an 18-hole, par-71 track that features four sets of tees ranging from 5,000 to 6,700 yards. It is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Miami.
Marc, nor I, have ever played Miami Shores Country Club, so the excitement that proceeded our round of golf at this course, was a little different than going back to an old haunt – the blood pumped a little bit faster and the list of swing thoughts grew a little longer.
When we arrived, I perused the scorecard and asked the starter and one of the Assistance Professionals, Steve and Sebastian, for any special instructions and insights they could share to help us have a great round.
The first thing they said was don’t be surprised if you see a manatee along the canal. And sure enough, they were right. Between the 2nd and 3rd hole, we saw a large, slow-moving manatee just relaxing in the canal.
It was amazing!
They also told us to watch out for coyotes.
Thankfully we never spotted one!
As I have said before, south Florida weather in the winter is great for golf. And this day was starting out at a perfect 78 degrees. Nice and cool.
I stepped up to the 1st tee and began my round of “Old Lady Golf” – straight up the middle.
As the day heated up, so did my game!
With every swing, my shots seemed to flow and the greens were ever closer. The front nine called for precise approach shots into small well bunkered, contoured greens. The back nine required some very well-placed tee shots.
Water came into play on 8 of the holes. Normally I would panic and choose an old ball to hit across the water – but today, the water just didn’t seem to come into play for me!
I found the fairways to be fairly open with wide landing areas, and small, fast putting surfaces to get me up on the greens. Every green ran fast and true.
Our round breezed by, and before I knew it, we had reached the 18th hole, a par-4 that swings down, then up, toward the clubhouse, protecting itself with a rise in the fairway that obscures the second shot — a fitting finish to the subtle challenges.
Best part of all – I finally broke 90!!
Yup….you read that right….
I scored an 88!
I was over the moon and quite frankly – still am!!
Based on that score, I am sure you can imagine how I rated Miami Shores Country Club!!
Obviously it’s a Birdie in my book!!
Honestly though – it really is a birdie score. Other than a bit of slow play – (I believe the start times are way too tight, which is something of a norm I have been seeing around the south Florida courses) the course was enjoyable and we had an overall great experience. Course conditions were excellent from tee boxes to greens.
The entire staff provided exceptional friendly service. If you are in the area, you should play a round at Miami Shores Country Club.
Fairways and Greens – We are 18 Holes and Counting
Written By Kathy Festa
COURSE REVIEW SCORE CARD
Course: Miami Shores Country Club
Type: Public Country Club
Date Played: 08 March 2023
| HOLE | PAR | SCORE | COMMENTS |
| 1 – Tee Time Availability | 4 | 5 | Getting a tee time in south Florida in the winter is very difficult. Tee times were tight, which made for slow play throughout the round. |
| 2 – Cost of Green Fees | 4 | 4 | Comparable with other courses in the area. |
| 3 – Condition of Tee Boxes | 4 | 3 | Very Good condition. |
| 4 – Condition of Fairways | 5 | 4 | Very well maintained. The carts had sand for any divots made while playing. |
| 5 – Condition of Greens | 4 | 3 | Greens were in good condition. |
| 6 – Length of Course | 5 | 5 | Good length for all handicaps. |
| 7 – Hazards | 4 | 3 | Bunkers and water hazards were strategically placed throughout the course. |
| 8 – Starter/Marshal | 3 | 3 | Our starter Steve was helpful and informative. |
| 9 – High Handicap Friendly | 3 | 3 | Tee boxes were competitively placed. |
| OUT | 36 | 33 | |
| 10 – Practice Area | 5 | 4 | Plenty of practice area for all parts of your game. The practice range conveniently located to clubhouse. |
| 11 – Locker Rooms | 3 | 2 | Clean and plenty of room. |
| 12 – Pro Shop | 4 | 4 | Small but had everything you would need. |
| 13 – Location | 4 | 4 | Easy to get to. |
| 14 – Rental Equipment | 4 | 4 | Available. |
| 15 – Restaurant/Food Cart | 4 | 3 | Eve, the food cart tender, made regular rounds throughout our play. |
| 16 – Club House | 4 | 4 | Large and spacious. |
| 17 – Parking | 3 | 3 | Plenty of parking available. |
| 18 – Customer Service | 5 | 4 | Extremely satisfied with the service provided. |
| IN | 36 | 32 | |
| TOTAL | 72 | 65 | PLAYER: Kathy F. ATTESTED BY: Marc F. |
Sounds like there could have been three obstacles – coyotes being the third. Congrats on breaking 90!
Bob – yes, very true and thanks. I am still pinching myself on the 88! Hope you are healing nicely and your lovely bride is taking good care of you….XoXo….Kath
Congratulations on your 88 Kathy!
Bill – thanks! Amazing how different I felt playing the game! Safe travel to you both….XoXo….Kath
Thank you for coming out to Miami Shores and -7 under is always a great score in my book
glade to here you shot 88 🙂
Dir of Golf Chris Baetzel
Chris – thanks. It was a great round for sure!! Fairways and Greens – Kathy