The Yards

The Yards is a private club in Ponte Vedra Beach that opened in 2023, featuring two distinct courses designed by Gil Hanse and his design partner Geoff Shackelford. The Backyard represents one half of this dual-course property, which occupies land in the coastal region northeast of Jacksonville. The development sits within the broader Ponte Vedra Beach golf corridor, an area known for TPC Sawgrass and several other established clubs. Hanse, who gained prominence for his work at venues including the Rio Olympic course and the restoration of Winged Foot's West Course, brought his characteristic naturalistic design approach to this Florida landscape. The routing works through native vegetation and sandy terrain typical of northeast Florida's coastal plain. The design philosophy emphasizes ground game options and strategic variety rather than forced carries or excessive length. The course reflects contemporary minimalist principles, with playing corridors that allow multiple angles of approach and greens that reward creativity in shot-making. The property's natural topography, while modest by traditional standards, provides enough movement to create visual interest and strategic options throughout the round. The Yards operates as a member-focused club with both courses available to its membership. The dual-course model allows for maintenance rotations and provides variety for regular play. The club's facilities and overall design reflect a modern interpretation of golf-centered private club life, emphasizing the game itself over extensive resort-style amenities.