Palencia Golf Club occupies a wooded site in the residential community of Palencia, located southwest of historic St. Augustine in northeast Florida. Arthur Hills designed the course with Steve Forrest, opening it in the early 2000s as the centerpiece of a master-planned development. The routing takes advantage of the property's natural pine and oak forests, wetlands, and gentle elevation changes uncommon in coastal Florida, creating a parkland setting distinct from the region's links-style courses. The layout incorporates the area's native vegetation and preserves significant wetland corridors that come into play on several holes. Hills, known for strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward precision, shaped a course that emphasizes placement over distance. The design features multiple tee boxes to accommodate different skill levels, with fairways framed by mature trees and approach shots often requiring careful club selection to elevated or contoured greens. Palencia functions as a private club serving the residential community, with amenities typical of upscale Florida developments including a clubhouse with dining facilities. The course reflects Hills' approach to residential golf design during this period—integrating the layout with homesites while maintaining playability and visual appeal. The setting benefits from the natural character of northeast Florida's coastal plain, with Spanish moss and native hardwoods contributing to the atmosphere. The course serves members year-round, taking advantage of the region's mild winters and the area's appeal as a golf destination near St. Augustine's historic attractions.

Palencia Golf Club occupies a wooded site in the residential community of Palencia, located southwest of historic St. Augustine in northeast Florida. Arthur Hills designed the course with Steve Forrest, opening it in the early 2000s as the centerpiece of a master-planned development. The routing takes advantage of the property's natural pine and oak forests, wetlands, and gentle elevation changes uncommon in coastal Florida, creating a parkland setting distinct from the region's links-style courses. The layout incorporates the area's native vegetation and preserves significant wetland corridors that come into play on several holes. Hills, known for strategic bunkering and green complexes that reward precision, shaped a course that emphasizes placement over distance. The design features multiple tee boxes to accommodate different skill levels, with fairways framed by mature trees and approach shots often requiring careful club selection to elevated or contoured greens. Palencia functions as a private club serving the residential community, with amenities typical of upscale Florida developments including a clubhouse with dining facilities. The course reflects Hills' approach to residential golf design during this period—integrating the layout with homesites while maintaining playability and visual appeal. The setting benefits from the natural character of northeast Florida's coastal plain, with Spanish moss and native hardwoods contributing to the atmosphere. The course serves members year-round, taking advantage of the region's mild winters and the area's appeal as a golf destination near St. Augustine's historic attractions.