Dolphin Course
Ocean Reef Club


About this course
Dolphin is the elder statesman of golf at Ocean Reef Club, bearing the patina of a course interwoven with the community's social fabric. Nestled within the northern reaches of Key Largo, the course, designed by Cary Middlecoff, carves through the island landscape where the breeze is constant and palms frame almost every shot. Originally conceived in the 1970s, Dolphin presents a resort-style challenge with generous fairways that belie subtle strategic demands. Its appeal lies in its playability for all levels, though the prevailing winds β and the occasional glimpse of yachts in the distance β add a layer of complexity. While Dolphin hasn't hosted national championships, it remains the beloved proving ground for generations of Ocean Reef members and their families. Dolphin isn't striving for architectural acclaim; it provides a welcoming, accessible golfing experience. A round here often concludes with tales shared over "docktails" back at the club. At Dolphin, the golf is good and unpretentious, a perfect reflection of the relaxed, upscale island lifestyle.
Rankings
Ranked by CV ratings from golfers who've played this course. Positions are shown worldwide, by country, and by state; the Private column compares member-only and guest-restricted courses.
Best in World
Best in USA
Best in FL
Quick facts
- Location
- Key Largo, FL, USA
- Access
- Private
- Year built
- 1974
- Holes
- 18
- Designer(s)
- Bruce Devlin, Robert von Hagge
- Par
- 72
- Length
- 6,467 yards
- Difficulty
- 73.6/132
- Course Vaults score
- 8.1
Getting there
Ocean Reef Club is reached via Miami International Airport, roughly an hour and a half north along the Overseas Highway as it threads through the northern keys. Private arrivals land directly at Ocean Reef Club Airport, a members-only facility that eliminates the mainland entirely and delivers guests straight into one of Florida's most guarded enclaves. The drive from Miami traces Biscayne Bay before crossing onto Key Largo, where gated checkpoints and mangrove-lined roads mark the transition from public thoroughfare to a world governed by privacy and exclusivity - a fitting threshold for a club that has long defined discretion in the American tropics.

FAQ
Common questions about Dolphin at Ocean Reef Club
Ratings, design, and course details pulled from Course Vaults.
Dolphin at Ocean Reef Club has a Course Vaults score of 8.1 out of 10 based on 21 logged golfers.
Dolphin was designed by Bruce Devlin and Robert von Hagge.
Dolphin at Ocean Reef Club is listed as private on Course Vaults; guest access is typically restricted.
Par at Dolphin is 72.
Dolphin plays 6,467 yards from the back tees on Course Vaults.
The slope rating at Dolphin is 132.





