Beach: Once 50-foot-high dunes, like those on Amelia Island to the north, lined this stretch of beach. That was before National Lead—the predecessor to Union Carbide—bulldozed them for their titanium more than half a century ago. What survives is another broad boulevard of sand and shell perhaps 40 yards wide at high tide and more than double that at low. It’s made all the more appealing by the absence of both crowds and any Atlantic-front building taller than two stories. Most of the rooms face the beach directly, so by opting for lodging on the first floor you can walk off your back terrace virtually onto the sand.
The resort itself fronts roughly half a mile of beach. Toward the southern end stands the Surf Club, a complex of outdoor swimming pools, restaurants, and a fitness center that is the social heart of the resort, especially for members.
Golf Courses: Golf at Ponte Vedra dates to 1928 and the opening of the Ocean Course, which must over a decade later hosted the Ryder Cup. Today there is a second course:
Ocean Course: These 18 holes were originally designed by British golf architect Herbert Bertram Strong in 1928 and subsequently redesigned by Robert Trent Jones in 1947 and then Bobby Weed in 1998. It’s a course that demands accuracy, with 99 strategically positioned sand bunkers and elevated greens. A par 72, it plays 6811 yards from the gold tees.
Lagoon Course: A mosaic of lakes and lagoons make water the dominant feature on this 6,022-yard, par 70 course. Robert Trent Jones and Joe Lee first designed it and then in 2007 it was restored and remodeled by Bobby Weed. The course, although not especially long, demands controlled and accurate shot making: all fourteen clubs are required here. Tall pines, palms and ancient, sprawling oaks form the contours of this lushly landscaped course. Fairways are narrow, but kept in immaculate condition, and the greens, perfectly manicured, are small and fast.
Spa & Fitness Center: In November 2006 the Inn opened its new 28,000-square-foot spa in south of the Racquet Club with its back to the lagoon and the golf holes along it. The Inn’s fitness center is remarkable for its second-floor location immediately behind the pools at the surf club. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame views of the Atlantic. To take advantage of those views it is designed in three tiers: with cardiovascular equipment on the lowest tier, then a full suite of Cybex machines, and finally free weights.
Apart from everything else, the inn has four oceanfront swimming pools: a family pool with a water slide and connected lap pool and two adults-only pools, one for laps.
Children's programs: Although some limited children’s programs take place throughout the year, from June through August it runs week-long children’s camps. Designed for children ages 4 to 12, these unusually have a different theme and activities each week. There are also junior lifeguard camps, for ages 5-8 or 9-14 that teach about ocean dangers and how to overcome them bundled with first-aid, lifeguard skills, swimming, volleyball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee, and ocean-themed movies.
Dining: Although most of the dining at the inn falls into the pleasantly acceptable category—breakfast at the Inn Dining Room, lunch at the Golf Clubhouse or Surf Club patio—its Seafoam Dining Room, on the second floor of the Surf Club overlooking the ocean, stands out for its excellent cuisine, especially the local seafood, and professional, attentive service. Jackets are required after 6:30 p.m. and ties are encouraged.
9 Reviews on “Ponte Vedra Inn & Club”
Outstanding facility and pro shop! The staff is extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The clinics are fun and instructional.
I’ve been to PV several times and plan to go this coming June. I love how low key PV is despite being a private club. There are lots of opportunities to play, either organized clinics or weekend mixers. I do wish they’d do a better job of matching players who want to play other than just putting your name on a bulletin board. The quality of instruction is outstanding. I do wish there were more dining options at the club but we have found some great restaurants off site that we return to whenever we’re there.
Beautiful grounds and great resort overall. Tennis coaching was intimate and high level. Might have been the time of year but we got a lot of personal attention. Good drills appropriate for our skill level. There seemed to be more action over at Sawtooth.
The pros are especially talented teachers. No matter your skill level, they find positive ways to improve your game quickly so you leave the teaching court with added confidence and deeper understanding of the concepts just learned. The Racquet Club is well managed and staffed, the pro shop is well stocked, the clay courts are extremely well-maintained. The Jacksonville Beach area has an abundance of great weather, beaches, shopping, outdoor activities, and tons of fun things to do.
We had a great stay at Ponte Vedra Inn and club. I went with my 13 year old daughter for her spring break. She is getting very interested in tennis, but I don’t play at all. So were looking for a place where she could get lots of instruction and games and I could do other things. The Tennis staff was great. Before heading down, we set up lessons and her participation in a clinic.
Mike, the Tennis Director was very helpful and worked with me to fill her time with an appropriate level of instruction. She joined in the morning adult drills and did well — the others were very welcoming as were the instructors. We had hoped that there would be other kids her age and skill level who we could get matches or set up a group lesson with, but that never seemed to work out. Wished that they’d have had a more organized junior program — since it was spring break for most schools. I guess that is the only negative I would highlight.
The facilities were great as was the instruction. I hadn’t checked prices beforehand, but was pleasantly surprised at how reasonable the court fees and lessons were. For a non-tennis person, I found plenty to do — with the ocean and the lap pool, I got in a lot of swimming. Weather was a little cool and windy, but I would recommend this for others in our position.
My wife and I attended a five day “Leach on the Beach” camp. Great facility, great and personable instructors, well organized and lots of fun. Unsurpassed oceanfront rooms with great local food places. Only negative was not having a washer and dryey access as the camps are vigorous and you will have a lot of sweaty clothes.
Strengths: resort right on the beach; excellent tennis and gym facilities; instructors make an effort to remember your name; drills are fun but challenging. Weakness: would have preferred if drills were 90 minutes instead of 60; balls were well used; pro shop not well stocked.
Strengths: Mike Leach never disappoints. Have been to tennis camp numerous times and the quality of teaching is always high. The health club is the nicest I’ve ever seen. The spa is also very nice. The entire setting is beautiful and very relaxing. Weaknesses: None The camps are mostly women with the majority from the Ponte Vedre club. Not like other camps where everyone is from out of town.
I went with 3 friends of mine for a girls tennis 5 day trip. Great tennis matching. They included all of us in their round robins and the tennis drills with our pro was excellent. Loads of fun! We usually like to stay together in a 2 bedroom condo which was not possible at this resort. We had to split up into 2 separate rooms. Everyone in the spa was extremely friendly and very helpful. The exercise facility was great plus it faced the ocean which was beautiful.