Exploring The Exciting Outdoor Pastimes Of Palm Beach

28.02.2024 - 05:41 / forbes.com

Palm Beach has been known as a playground of the rich since industrialist Henry Flagler famously built a railroad and luxury hotels to lure his friends to visit via private railway car. The area still boasts mansions, mega-yachts and major resorts. And the warm climate of the Palm Beaches (the 39 Florida cities, towns and villages that comprise Palm Beach County) make possible a wide variety of outdoor activities.

The palm trees that give the area its name are not native to Florida, instead arriving via the wreck of a Spanish ship in 1878. It was carrying a cargo of 20,000 coconuts, which were salvaged and planted.

Today palm trees grace boulevards, parks, city streets and golf courses. Local tourist literature does not take a direct shot at nearby Miami, but says Palm Beach represents ‘the gentler side… cleaner sands, warmer waters, and fewer crowds.”

The area’s golfing and climate has lured many athletes, from Michael Jordan to Tiger Woods. In Jupiter, there’s a wonderful restaurant co-owned by NFL Hall of Famer Joe Namath, Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street.

That athletic vibe is everywhere, certainly at the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach. The resort boasts ninety-nine holes of championship golf on six courses, including the famed Champion course, home to the PGA TOUR’s Cognizant Classic .

After a game, you can fuel up for the next day at The Butcher’s Club, with its Royal Cuts of wagyu and prime steaks, raw bar seafood, and inventive side dishes. Masterminded by celebrated Michelin Star Chef Jeremy Ford, The Butcher’s Club is the PGA’s modern steakhouse. It’s part of the luxury resort’s $100 million update, from interior and exterior designs to all-new restaurants, activities, and amenities.

At the PGA Resort, traditions remain, such as a golfing dress code calling for full length trousers or Bermuda length golf shorts. (Cargo shorts and trousers are also acceptable.) Shirts must have collars or blade collars designed for golf, and all shirts must be tucked in. Visors and hats must be worn forward as designed. (No backwards hats, bro!)

Women are required to wear golf designed dresses, skirts, skorts or shorts at mid-thigh length or slacks. Shirts need sleeves and collars; all sleeveless shirts must have a collar.

Fortunately, I had invested in some salmon shorts and polos, so I fit right in.

There are many other activities at the PGA National Resort as well. For example, did you know the resort is home to almost 250,000 honeybees? Fortunately, they are not out stinging golfers like an outtake from Caddyshack but hanging with their queens in four on-site hives as part of a sustainability initiative.

The PGA Resort contracted with local professional beekeeper Sierra Malnove, who set up a