What the Delray Beach Golf Club Renovation Means for the City

Delray Beach is known for its beach, Atlantic Avenue, walkable downtown, restaurants, historic neighborhoods, and strong sense of community. But one of the city’s most important public assets sits west of I-95 on Highland Avenue: the Delray Beach Golf Club.

For nearly 100 years, this municipal golf course has been part of the fabric of Delray Beach. Now, the course is undergoing a major renovation. The project is about much more than better greens and cleaner fairways. It is about preserving a historic public amenity, improving recreation, strengthening community pride, and making sure Delray Beach continues investing in quality of life assets throughout the city.

A Historic Delray Beach Amenity:

The Delray Beach Golf Club dates back to the 1920s, with the original nine-hole course tied to Donald Ross, one of the most respected names in golf course design. The city later expanded the course to 18 holes with work connected to Dick Wilson, another major golf course designer.

In South Florida, where so much gets redeveloped, rebuilt, or replaced, Delray Beach still has a historic municipal golf course that belongs to the public. It gives the city something that feels grounded, local, and connected to the past.

But over time, the course needed serious work. Players had raised concerns about conditions, infrastructure, drainage, and the overall experience. The city chose to reinvest in the course to give Delray Beach residents the chance to engage in their community and to continue on with the legacy of this course. 

What Is Included in the Renovation?

The renovation is a full-scale improvement of the Delray Beach Golf Club. The course closed on November 3, 2025, and is expected to reopen in November 2026.

Planned improvements include:

• Restoration of the full 18-hole course
• New and improved practice facilities
• New irrigation system
• Improved drainage system
• New cart paths
• New cart crossing on the Ross south nine
• New on-course restrooms
• Restroom and rain shelter upgrades
• New maintenance facility
• Parking lot improvements
• Clubhouse renovation during the course construction period
• Removal of exotic vegetation

The goal is to protect the history of the course while bringing the facility up to modern standards. Delray does not need to erase the character of the course, it needs to bring it back to a level that matches the city around it.

Why This Matters for Delray Beach:

A strong public golf course is not just a golf amenity it is a city asset. Delray Beach has grown into one of the most desirable coastal cities in South Florida. Buyer demand has grown. Restaurants, hotels, retail, wellness, fitness, arts, and community events have all helped shape the Delray lifestyle. The golf course is part of that story.

It gives residents and visitors another reason to spend time in Delray. It gives local golfers a public option in a market where private club access can be expensive and limited. It supports recreation, tourism, events, and community programming. It also helps preserve open space in a city where land is increasingly valuable.

Delray Beach has been investing heavily in its future through the continuation of growing Downtown. West Atlantic is getting more attention and beginning processes of expansion. The city is working to keep its identity and honoring the legacy that came before, while also keeping up with the current growth and desire to live down in Delray Beach.