Ginn Hammock Beach Resort^Featured

There are a handful of golf experiences that include playing oceanfront holes, but very few that include more than 1,000 yards of beachfront golf. There are even fewer golf experiences that include ocean views from every suite of a world-class resort. But there is only one golf experience on the Atlantic Coast that also offers two very different and unique Tour-quality courses and an unlimited number of customizable options to make that experience truly one-of-a-kind.



The Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, located alongside 2-1/2 miles of pristine Atlantic Oceanfront in Palm Coast, just 30 minutes north of Daytona Beach, less than an hour from Jacksonville and less than 90 minutes from Orlando, invites you to "Dream Bigger" for your next golf getaway. As they like to say, if you can dream it, their professional planners can create it, whether it be with your regular foursome, a business conference, your vacation golf group, or just your spouse or family, because they've got the expertise, the imagination and the amenities to create your dream golf vacation, no matter the length of time or number of people involved.



Dreaming of a quick overnight getaway with just a special dinner, or a more elaborate business getaway with team-building projects, customized clinics, clothing, gifts and our own chef with a magical menu for dining? You dream it (or even ask for suggestions) and the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort can make it happen.



The courses alone should be enough to elicit the first of many "WOW's" (the "wow factor" at Hammock Beach is even higher than the course ratings!) The Ocean Course is a Jack Nicklaus gem that's been on everyone's Top Courses lists since it opened in 2000, including Golf Magazine's "Top 10 Nicklaus Courses You Can Play." Its most recent thumbs-up came from the pros themselves, the legendary players of the Champions Tour after the first Ginn Championship, won last April Fool's Day when Keith Fergus hung on to edge Mark O'Meara and Hale Irwin by one stroke, primarily because he played the great final four finishing holes, known as the "Bear Claw", in just 1-over par for three days.

The "Bear Claw" holes all play to, away from, or beside the Atlantic surf, and along with the eighth and ninth, represent four of the eight toughest handicapped holes at the Ocean Course and nearly a mile of oceanfront real estate dedicated not to real estate, but to golf in all its natural splendor. Yet you'll be affected by the breezes and the soothing sounds of the crashing waves on many other holes at the Ocean Course as well. Your senses might even be overloaded with the smell of the sea air, the sounds of the surf and the visuals that include the greens of the wall-to-wall overseeded and manicured fairways, the cinnamon-colored bunkers of native coquina sand, and the scrub oak hammocks and tall fescues and other sea grasses that change colors with the seasons. But the true overwhelming sense is one of tranquility.

They like to say at the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort that "the music to the dance of resort golf is course maintenance." Whether it's the natural wonders of the Ocean Course, or the $4-million worth of landscaping used on the stunning new Tom Watsondesigned Conservatory Course, your senses are in for a treat as you experience the yin and yang of the two layouts that rival each other in contrasting challenges as Nicklaus and Watson rivaled each other on the world's greatest courses during their Hall of Fame careers.

Renowned developer, Bobby Ginn gave Watson first crack at Hammock Beach's newest piece of real estate just inland, ahead of any housing commitments, and the 5-time British Open champion created, a rolling, mounded, undulating thrill ride that he calls "my vision of a links-land golf experience, providing an impression similar to the many courses I have enjoyed in the British Isles."

That impression is rooted in the variety of challenges at The Conservatory, beginning with its length. Six sets of tees can vary the total yardage between 5,500 and 7,800 yards, the higher yardage figures to test the PGA TOUR pros to the max when they visit for the Ginn Sur Mer Classic in the Fall of 2008. The fairways are generous and the greens enormous (some measuring over 50 yards deep), just don't miss either. With over 76 acres of man-made lakes and over 140 coquina-shell and white sand bunkers, many as deep as any Watson ever hit into, or out of, in his wonderful career in Scotland and Ireland, there's trouble lurking on every hole. 450 live trees were relocated throughout the course while preserving the habitats of foxes, raccoons, deer, turkeys, heron, egrets and ospreys. Rounds begin and memories are recalled in the stunning 44,000 square-foot glass-domed clubhouse, home to the nature conservatory that gives the course its name.

You have to be a club member, or a guest at the resort, to play the courses. But once you see the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, twisting your arm to the idea of "stay-and-play" won't be difficult at all. Every one of the 214 luxury suites in the spectacular 12-story tower (125 of them one-bedroom, 89 of them three and four bedroom with up to 4,000 square feet) and the 20 rooms in the oceanfront Lodge has an ocean view. Every one. And the rooms are about as far from a "hotel-style" resort as you'll find anywhere. Working with the area's top interior design firms, each of the suites looks like home, an intimate setting with either neutral color schemes or lively accents of greens, golds and persimmon.

Unique light fixtures, sofas with bullion fringe, tropical and palm-themed fabrics and artwork abound. The Resort also has nearly 50 charming two-and three-bedroom Villas adjacent to the main tower and Lodge with similar access to all the amenities. Another feature that you'll appreciate during your stay is the resort's "cashless" operation and notipping policy that encourages a completely relaxed, getaway experience.

And amenities? Besides the two Tourquality golf courses, there's a nine-hole putting course near the ocean, a half-dozen on-site restaurants and lounges featuring the finest and freshest fare in a most relaxed dining atmosphere (with ocean views of the pods of dolphins that frequent the area), a cappuccino and espresso bar in the Grand Lobby, a Grand Event Lawn, and a 20,000 square-foot spa and fitness center.

Oh, and besides direct access to 2-1/2 miles of pristine Atlantic Ocean beach, there's a 6-acre multi-level Fantasy Water and Swim Pavilion that features several pools, a lazy river, a 65-foot water slide and two 35-foot waterfalls, which brings us to the not-so-hidden treasure of the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort, family fun.

From a new emphasis on family golf, featuring tee times set aside for families, daily clinics and golf schools and over 150 new rental sets of kids clubs, to the Kids Crew program for youngsters that incorporates educational activities and team building (a result of consulting with area children) to a new Teen Place next door to the latest fun family eateries, the appropriately-named "Slice" and "Scoop", families are more than welcome here. "Scoop" will feature the resort's signature dish, the unforgettable Ginn Dream Bigger Hot Fudge Sundae, which will likely turn out to be more popular with the grownups than the kids!

Lounging with one of those scrumptious sundaes after a day of active relaxation (yes, those two words can, and do go together at the Ginn Hammock Beach Resort) will remind you that the only way to fulfill the fondest getaway dreams of your family, or your golf "family" is to "Dream Bigger". And then contact the Resort through www.ginnhammockbeach.com or by calling (386) 246-5500 for resort information or toll-free (866) 502-6228 for a customized package for two, 20, or 200 that you never dreamed possible.