Inlet Dunes Golf Club

Inlet Dunes is the course the coast’s golfers talk about and most of them have not played. It sits on the Stuart side of the river across from the St. Lucie Inlet, eighteen holes laid through old dune ridges and sea grape with the water in view from half of them and the wind off the ocean in play on all of them. Nothing is long; everything is exposed. The greens are small and firm, the bunkers are deep and the par-three twelfth, straight into the sea breeze over a tidal creek, is the hole people remember.

It is private. Guests play with a member or through an arrangement with the Harbor House Hotel and the Inlet Inn, which can book a limited number of weekday tee times for their guests at the guest rate. Carts are included, caddies can be arranged a day ahead, and the dress code is the usual one.

The clubhouse serves lunch to players, the practice ground is on the water and the pro shop will rent clubs to anyone with a tee time. The eighteenth green sits on the water, and a slow lunch after it is part of the round.

Good to know

• Guests need a member or a booking through one of the two hotels.
• The wind builds through the day; morning tee times score better.
• Carts are included; walking is allowed before 9 am.
• Collared shirts, no denim, soft spikes.
• Rental clubs are available with a tee time.