The new short course complex will be located in the southwest portion of the BallenIsles community and is expected to open for member play in the fall of 2026.
“We are so proud of the work that Rees (Jones) and Bryce (Swanson) did with us in 2019 that we could not wait for the opportunity to work with them again,” said BallenIsles Country Club Director of Golf Jeff Fitzherbert. “The short course land abuts the South course, that is so popular with our members, so the fit was natural. We are eager to get to work and see what the Rees Jones design team will come up this time.”
In December 2024, BallenIsles Country Club members voted upon and approved the $6 million project, which includes a 10-hole short course with holes ranging in distance from 80 to 160 yards, as well as a 9-hole putting course and skill green.
The short course will enable members to enjoy a fun golf format from multiple tee locations, distances and angles each providing varied levels of difficulty and targets. This will become the ultimate short game learning area, fun golf format and area of general beauty to learn, enjoy and improve. The Club expects families and players of all skill levels to find a format that is faster, easier, and fun.
The Rees Jones design will focus on flexible playing options and decorated with the beauty that is synonymous with BallenIsles.
“The new short course and putting course will be great additions to BallenIsles for our members and their families to enjoy,” added Fitzherbert. “With the informal nature of the two courses we expect they will appeal to a wider audience of potential users, while further beautifying and enhancing the BallenIsles community. We will become the only large-scale residential community to offer an amazing amenity such as this, further instilling BallenIsles as the club of choice in the South Florida high-end residential golf communities.”
The short course and putting course add to BallenIsles Country Club’s incredible array of golf amenities that includes three championship courses – the East Course, renovated by Nicklaus Design in 2022; the South Course, redesigned by Rees Jones in 2020; and the North Course, designed by Kipp Schulties when redone in 2013.
The Club’s innovative ‘71 Golf Learning Center provides members with a 3,000-square-foot central location for custom fittings, club repairs, and golf instruction. The state-of-the-art Practice Grounds has a 65-bay two-sided 12.5-acre Long Game area, complete with Toptracer technology and Flagd Golf digital yardage boards, an abundance of aiming targets for all types of long shots, a practice putting green, rough, uneven lie and fairway bunker practice areas, along with a wedge range with targets from 30 to 105 yards.
In addition, BallenIsles’ four-acre Short Game area features the 25,000 sq. ft. Snead Green putting course, five pitching and chipping greens, warm-up green and the world’s flattest putting green.
