New Smyrna Beach Aims to Become Florida’s Next Golf Destination

Originally reported by Spectrum News

Known for its beaches, sea turtles, and rocket-launch views, New Smyrna Beach, Fla., has never been thought of as a golf destination. Local leaders want to change that.

Their pitch? A hidden-in-plain-sight selling point: New Smyrna Beach Golf Club is a genuine Donald Ross design — placing it in the same architectural lineage as famed Pinehurst No. 2.

The municipal course, opened in 1956, currently records about 50,000 rounds a year, with half of all play concentrated between December and March. The city has hired a consultant to determine whether the course is worth significant reinvestment—and whether New Smyrna Beach could tap into the booming golf-travel market.

A Missed Opportunity?

Officials believe the course’s Ross pedigree could draw far more golfers, especially during the slower summer and fall months. If the city could double the off-season rounds, it would deliver a major financial boost.

But to get there, leaders say the course needs more than name recognition. The evaluation will look closely at:

- Clubhouse appeal

- Amenities and guest experience

- Whether the course alone is strong enough to attract out-of-town golf travelers

Where the Rounds Come From

Of the 125–150 rounds played daily, about half come from Orlando-area golfers willing to make the hour-long drive. That cohort currently represents the bulk of the club’s “tourism” traffic.

A Pinehurst Comparison

City leaders point out that golfers routinely spend significant money to play Pinehurst No. 2—a course Ross also designed. Their thought: If golfers will travel to North Carolina for a Ross experience, why not New Smyrna Beach, where the weather is warmer and the beach is minutes away?

With its historic architecture, sunny climate, and existing traffic from Central Florida, the city believes the New Smyrna Beach Golf Club could evolve from a busy local muni into a legitimate golf-destination anchor.