Country Club of Miami

The West Course at Country Club of Miami in Hialeah represents Robert Trent Jones Sr.'s approach to South Florida golf design, built during an era when the architect was establishing his reputation for strategic, championship-caliber layouts. Jones, who became one of the most prolific course designers of the mid-twentieth century, brought his characteristic emphasis on risk-reward decision-making and precise shot values to this flat, subtropical terrain. The course occupies land typical of the Miami metropolitan area, where elevation change is minimal and water management becomes a central design element. Jones incorporated the natural challenges of South Florida golf—water hazards, prevailing winds, and dense tropical vegetation—into a routing that tests accuracy and course management over raw distance. The flat topography means that strategic bunkering and water placement define the challenge on most holes, requiring players to think carefully about angles of approach and bailout areas. Palm trees and native plantings frame many holes, providing definition in a landscape that lacks natural contours. Country Club of Miami has served as a private club facility for decades, reflecting the mid-century growth of golf in the greater Miami area. The West Course functions as part of a multi-course property, offering members a traditional parkland-style experience adapted to the unique conditions of southeastern Florida. The layout remains a product of its time and place, showcasing how Jones translated his design principles to the challenges and opportunities of low-lying, water-rich environments.