Golf at the Breakers: 1 S County Rd, Palm Beach, FL 33480
I’ve always wanted to learn how to play golf, so I was thrilled to get a lesson with The Breakers golf pro, John Webster, while we were shooting our family travel show in The Palm Beaches. I signed up for a lesson with my new friend Mary and her granddaughter and while we might not be ready to compete in the Golf Channel’s show Big Break The Palm Beaches, we all held our own!
The John Webster Golf Academy was the perfect program for us as beginners. John is a seasoned instructor so he broke down the steps to putting, making it easy for all of us to sink our shots. Mary’s granddaughter turned out to be the best player in our group, making almost every putt she attempted! Look out LPGA, we’ve got a ringer for you!
If you are interested in the Golf Academy camps, they are offered in the spring time for ages 6-12. The camps are held in the mornings and last three hours…just enough time for the adults in the family to get some R&R of their own! Kids learn how to do a full swing as well as short game play, golf etiquette and rules for playing.
Florida has over 1300 golf courses, more than any other state in the USA. So when you take your family vacation to The Palm Beaches, definitely take advantage of playing on one of the most beautiful courses in the area. Families staying at The Breakers can take advantage of several programs offered at their courses. For example, guests can pay a discounted rate for every 30 minutes of golf play after 2:30 p.m. including the cart fee and rental clubs. .Also, between 3 p.m. and dusk, kids ages 5-16 can play for free on the Ocean Course so if they are just starting to learn how to play the game or need to brush up on their skills, this is a great option. My girls and I just started taking weekly golf lessons so we’ll be ready to hit the links on our next family vacation in The Palm Beaches!
Some Additional Tips and Fun Facts:
• A complimentary shuttle whisks golfers between the resort and the Rees Jones Course
• Water factors heavily into the approach on 10 of the 18 holes, you might want to bring a couple extra sleeves of balls.
• Tennis lessons offered at the Tennis Academy, The Breakers has been voted as one of the top 50 tennis resorts and features ten beautiful Har-Tru courts
• The Breakers offers programs for children
Worth Avenue: parking garage at 150 Worth Avenue, just across from the beach
Shopping? Yes, please! I LOVE to shop and when in The Palm Beaches, there really is no better shopping spot than Worth Avenue. I met up with Margot, a friend and mom from the area, who gave me the grand tour of shops specializing in designer fashion, antique gifts, luxurious home furnishings and everything in between!
Worth Avenue was more than a shopping trip though, it was really an opportunity to step into the history of the area. Traditions on Worth Avenue date back over a hundred years and viewing the architecture of Addison Mizner alone was absolutely “worth” the trip. To learn more about how Worth Avenue fits into the history of The Palm Beaches, you can check out the legacy section of the shopping area’s website. If you love history, you can take a walking tour to learn more about the area. Tours are available on select Wednesdays from November through April. There is a small fee for the tour, but proceeds go to a charity selected by the Worth Avenue Association.
Make sure to get “lost” in the vias (the small alleyways branching off the main avenue) where you’ll find beautiful courtyards, gardens, fountains, shops, and restaurants. Many shops will have trunk/fashions shows throughout the season, but keep in mind that during the summer a lot of shops close or have reduced hours. You might want to skip the shorts and flip-flops for this one, as this is a very high-end environment, but it’s up to you!
Additional Idea:
If thrift/consignment shops are more your thing, take a drive down the Dixie Highway corridor. You’ll find several places where you can expect to score a deal, such as Dina C’s Fab & Funky Consignment Boutique and Goodwill. Don’t be too surprised if you find a brand new LeSportsac handbag for less than $5 dollars!
