Some of the best private clubs and upscale resort courses offer more than just 18 holes of exceptional golf; they deliver equally stellar hospitality at various points during a round. They do this, as you might expect, via well-stocked and, in some cases, lavishly appointed halfway houses and comfort stations.
While not all courses have comfort stations, not all comfort stations are created equal, either. Here, we spotlight seven that stand out for their delicious offerings, their striking locales, and—in some cases—both of those things together.
Point Hardy Golf Club at Cabot Saint Lucia—Cap Estate, Saint Lucia
Travel around the Caribbean, and you’ll quickly discover that the phenomenon known as “island time”—a relaxed way of living (and working) that stiff-arms any sense of urgency—is real. It shows up on Cabot Saint Lucia’s golf course, too, though not until the 5th hole. That’s when players encounter the first of two comfort stations.
Perched on an ideal lookout spot, this bungalow of refreshment offers up grilled jerk chicken and herb-marinated shrimp skewers, not to mention a bar stocked with an impressive selection of spirits—Glenfiddich 18 Year Old might be tempting, but rum bottles that include El Dorado 15 Year and limited releases from the island’s own Admiral Rodney distillery are the most fitting selections.
As for its location, this comfort station offers a captivating view that gazes down the playing corridors of three holes—the 5th, 6th, and 7th—culminating in a glimpse of the Caribbean Sea beyond. Not surprisingly, pace of play takes a serious hit five holes into a round at Point Hardy Golf Club, as the comfort station’s sprawling deck, outfitted with plush sofas and arm chairs, entices players to lounge and linger.
Mountain Lake—Lake Wales, Fla.
You know that adage about judging books by their covers? Turns out it applies to golf course halfway houses, too. Outfitted with a charming gazebo and a handful of tables sporting green-and-white-striped umbrellas that resemble Starlight Mints, the comfort station at Mountain Lake feels like it was pulled straight from the 1960s. Named after a loyal employee who worked at the club for more than 40 years, Marion’s is casual with a menu teeming with comfort food. Legendary staples include chicken salad, peanut-butter-and-bacon sandwiches, the Berry Dog (a cheddar-and-bacon-covered hot dog named in honor of the member who ordered one every round that he played), and gingersnap cookies. These items are so popular that Marion’s will serve as many lunch orders as the club’s pool house. More so than being popular, they’re so good, in fact, that the club sells belts embroidered with “Marion’s 11th Tee” and whimsical images of each dish.
Quivira Golf Club—Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
When players walk off the 5th green at Quivira and return to their golf carts, it will take them about a five-minute ride to slowly climb their way up to the top of the bluff where the dramatically positioned 6th hole awaits. Just before they arrive at that short par four’s set of tee boxes, however, they’ll encounter the first of three comfort stations. Each of these stops at Quivira is unique in terms of its ambiance and its selection of small bites, but the first, without question, is the most impressive.
Set along the cliff’s edge, this oasis of sorts serves up panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean, which can also include whale sightings from December to April. A variety of tacos, empanadas, and other handheld snacks are readily available, as are well-made Palomas and margaritas. The latter is likely necessary as golfers will need a dose of liquid courage on the next two holes as they attempt to navigate their shots along the steep cliffs that drop hundreds of feet to the sea.
Silo Ridge Field Club—Amenia, N.Y.
Many credit Discovery Land Company (DLC) for popularizing the notion of golf course comfort stations, and it’s hard to argue. It would seem that every DLC golf course is outfitted with at least one, and there’s no shortage of sweet and savory snacks inside all of them. But if we had to pick an ambassador Discovery Land course that best exemplifies the comfort station experience, it would be Silo Ridge, about a two-hour drive north of Manhattan in Amenia, N.Y.
Designed to reflect the idyllic farmland of the Hudson Valley in which the club is based, these comfort stations sport a rustic farmhouse aesthetic. In particular, the one servicing the back nine—located just off the 12th tee box—offers a great view of the valley. Members in the know won’t pass up the Bloody Mary bar inside and, given DLC founder and chairman Michael Meldman’s connection to Casamigos tequila (he co-founded the brand with George Clooney and Rande Gerber), the margarita machine is a staple.
Fields Ranch West at Omni PGA Frisco—Frisco, Texas
When you arrive at the 12th tee of Beau Welling’s Fields Ranch West at the expansive Omni PGA Frisco, you might be tempted to duck into the adjacent comfort station, Fields Overlook, for a sip and a snack. Don’t second guess it. Yes, there are several tantalizing options on the menu, but fortunately, you’ll come back around to this satellite eatery after three holes. The chicken salad—a concoction comprised of Dijon mustard, mayonnaise, and fresh herbs—already has a cult following, but it’s hard to go wrong with a brisket melt, bacon breakfast tacos, or pork carnitas street tacos, either. (Insider tip: Fields Overlook serves a dynamite margarita, which will almost assuredly come in handy after the 15th hole. The short par four looks gettable from the tee, but it’s there, more so than anywhere else on the course, where players are likely to walk off the green confounded by the fact that they likely made bogey or worse.)
Shell Bay Club—Hallandale Beach, Fla.
When first-time players at Shell Bay finish the first hole and are escorted across Atlantic Shores Boulevard to play holes two through eight, they might think that they’re leaving the club’s stellar hospitality behind, at least for a while. As it turns out, they’re about to play a stretch of holes that doubles back on itself multiple times, all the while bringing members and their guests within easy access of a sleek and fully stocked comfort station.
There are refrigerators stocked with beer, a humidor packed with cigars, and a bar area laden with dozens of bottles. There’s also a soft-serve ice cream machine and freezers full of homemade gelato. Even still, the can’t-miss area here is the smoothie station, where attendants will gladly blend together a concoction utilizing almost every conceivable flavor and ingredient. “Some golf clubs are famous for their milkshakes,” says William Dantone, Shell Bay’s assistant professional. “We’re famous for our smoothies.”
Karoo at Cabot Citrus Farms—Brooksville, Fla.
Much like at Shell Bay and Fields Ranch West, golfers who play the Karoo course at Cabot Citrus Farms will encounter its charming comfort station multiple times—after the first hole, then again after the 6th, on the way to the 12th, and finally, after the 17th. The station’s Tampa Cubano, with its mojo-marinated pork, black forest ham, salami, melted Swiss and house-made pickles, is hard to pass up; however, the Pickle de Gallo Hot Dog with tomatoes, fresh cilantro, fresh lime juice, and—of course—tangy diced pickles is equally worthy. Choosing what you want to wash those down with will be just as difficult, but you can’t go wrong with either of the four custom canned cocktails, each named after one of the property’s four courses. Whether you’re in the mood for a tropical rum punch, a vodka and salted lime tonic, a smoked blood orange margarita, or a peach whiskey smash, this refreshment house has you covered.
