It is loud out there. South Florida is basically a giant construction zone of luxury condos and cookie-cutter gated communities that all start to look the same after a while. But then you drive through the stone gates of Parkland Golf and Country Club, and things just... change. It’s quiet. Not the "nothing is happening" kind of quiet, but the expensive kind.
The first thing you notice isn't the grass. It’s the vibe. Most high-end neighborhoods in Broward County feel like they're trying too hard to be South Beach or a retirement home. This place? It feels like a Mediterranean village that somehow got dropped into the middle of a Florida cypress forest. People actually live here. You see kids on bikes, golf carts buzzing toward the clubhouse, and neighbors who actually know each other's names. It’s a massive 790-acre footprint, but it manages to feel tight-knit.
Honestly, if you're looking for a place to park your life and your capital, this spot is usually at the top of the list for a reason.
The Reality of the Greg Norman Signature Course
Let’s talk about the golf. Because if you have "Golf and Country Club" in your name, that’s the heartbeat.
The course was designed by Greg Norman. Now, Norman has a reputation for making courses that can be absolute nightmares for the average weekend warrior. At Parkland Golf and Country Club, the layout is definitely a challenge, but it’s fair. You’ve got these wide, sweeping fairways that look inviting, but the bunkering is strategic. It forces you to actually think about your shot instead of just "aim and pray."
One of the coolest features—and something the environmentalists actually appreciate—is the use of the natural landscape. We’re talking about massive par-72 championship course that threads through local vegetation. It’s not just flat Florida turf. There’s elevation change. Well, Florida elevation. You aren't climbing mountains, but the undulations are real.
The club doesn't just cater to the low-handicappers, though. They have a massive practice facility. If your slice is embarrassing you, the driving range and chipping greens are where you’ll spend your Saturday mornings.
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Membership Isn’t Just About the Green Fees
There’s a common misconception that you have to be a scratch golfer to enjoy the club. Wrong. A huge chunk of the residents here don't even play. They’re here for the Sports Club.
Imagine a 43,000-square-foot complex. That is the size of the Sports Club here. It basically functions as the town square. You’ve got:
- A fitness center that actually has equipment people use (no dusty machines from 1998).
- Two separate pools. One is for the kids to go wild in, and the other is a "quiet" pool for when you just want to read a book and pretend your kids don't exist for an hour.
- A full-service spa. Honestly, the massage therapists there are better than most of the high-end spots in Fort Lauderdale.
- Tennis and Pickleball. Because it's 2026, and if you don't have pickleball courts, are you even a real club? There are 12 Har-Tru tennis courts here, and the lighting is solid for night games.
The Housing Market Inside the Gates
If you’re looking to buy in Parkland Golf and Country Club, you need to understand the layout. It isn't just one big loop. The community is broken down into different "enclaves."
You have the Toll Brothers builds, which dominate a lot of the landscape. These are big, Mediterranean-style homes with those iconic barrel-tile roofs. We’re talking soaring ceilings, kitchens that make you want to actually cook, and outdoor living spaces that are basically second living rooms.
Then you have the custom estates. These are the heavy hitters. If you see a house with a six-car garage and a view that hits three different fairways, it’s probably one of the custom builds.
What people get wrong about the prices:
People see the "Parkland" tag and assume everything is $5 million. That's not true. While the ultra-luxury estates definitely push those numbers, you can find smaller (though still large) homes in the $1.2M to $1.8M range depending on the market shift. It’s expensive, yeah, but for the square footage and the security, the value proposition holds up better than a lot of the coastal properties that are dealing with rising insurance premiums and flood zones.
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Parkland is inland. You’re away from the immediate salt spray and the highest-tier hurricane surge zones. That’s a massive plus for long-term equity.
Is the "Parkland Lifestyle" Actually Worth It?
Let’s be real for a second. Living in a gated community isn't for everyone. You have the HOA. You have the rules. You can't just paint your house neon pink because you felt like it on a Tuesday.
But the trade-off is the schools. If you have kids, this is the gold mine. Parkland schools are consistently rated at the top of the state. We’re talking about Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Westglades Middle, and Park Trails Elementary. Families move here specifically for the zip code because it saves them $30k a year in private school tuition per kid.
Then there’s the safety aspect. It’s one of the safest cities in Florida. Period. The security at the gates of Parkland Golf and Country Club is tight. They don't just wave people through; they actually check. It’s annoying when your Uber driver is stuck there for five minutes, but it’s great when you’re sleeping at 3 AM.
The Social Scene: Beyond the Gate
The club has a few different dining options. The Nineteenth Hole is the casual spot—think burgers and beer after a round. But the Seventy-One restaurant is where things get a bit more "white tablecloth."
The culinary team actually rotates the menu, so you aren't eating the same Caesar salad for three years straight. They do themed nights, wine tastings, and holiday events that are actually well-produced. It’s not just a buffet in a basement. It’s a legitimate social hub.
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Dealing with the Downsides
No place is perfect. If an agent tells you otherwise, they're lying.
The biggest gripe residents usually have? The traffic on University Drive and Loxahatchee Road. During school drop-off and pick-up times, it can be a bit of a grind. The city is working on road expansions, but for now, you just have to time your exits.
Also, the dues. You’re paying for the lifestyle. Between the HOA fees and the mandatory club memberships (depending on which section you live in), it’s a monthly line item that you have to account for. It isn't "cheap" living. It’s "lifestyle" living.
What You Should Do If You're Considering a Move
If you're looking at Parkland Golf and Country Club as your next home, don't just look at the Zillow photos. The photos always look good. You need to feel the flow of the neighborhood.
- Visit at different times. Go on a Tuesday at 8 AM to see the school traffic. Go on a Saturday afternoon to see how crowded the pool actually gets.
- Check the membership tiers. There are different levels—Social, Sports, and Golf. Make sure you understand exactly what you’re buying into. Some homes have a mandatory equity membership, while others don't. This can be a $30,000 to $100,000 difference in your closing costs.
- Talk to the neighbors. Most people here are pretty open. Ask them about the HOA board. Ask them how long it takes to get a tee time on a Sunday.
- Look at the "Life" of the home. These Mediterranean homes are beautiful, but check the age of the roof and the AC units. Florida humidity is a beast, and even a luxury home needs maintenance.
The bottom line is that Parkland Golf and Country Club isn't just a place to store your stuff. It’s a very specific way of life in South Florida. It’s for the person who wants the manicured lawn, the high-end gym, and the peace of mind that their kids are in a top-tier school district—all without having to leave the zip code.
If you want the best of Broward County, this is pretty much where the conversation starts and ends. It’s a solid investment in both real estate and quality of life, provided you’re okay with the "country club" pace of things. It's refined, it's safe, and yeah, the golf is pretty great too.