If you are comparing luxury golf communities in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens, The Loxahatchee Club and Old Palm Golf Club are two names worth knowing.
Both offer private golf, custom luxury homes and a strong club lifestyle, but they feel very different once you are inside the gates.
The Loxahatchee Club is smaller, established and distinctly Jupiter. Old Palm offers larger-scale estates, extensive golf facilities and a Palm Beach Gardens location.
For buyers deciding between the two, the better choice often comes down to location, home style, golf experience, club atmosphere and how you want to live outside the course.
Loxahatchee Club vs. Old Palm at a Glance
The Loxahatchee Club | Old Palm Golf Club | |
|---|---|---|
Location | Jupiter | Palm Beach Gardens |
Golf Course | Jack Nicklaus-designed | Raymond Floyd-designed |
Overall Feel | Intimate, established and quietly refined | Spacious, private and highly golf-focused |
Homes | Custom homes, mature landscaping and golf/lake views | Larger custom estates, generous homesites and newer luxury construction |
Golf Lifestyle | Traditional private-club atmosphere | Extensive golf and practice experience |
Best For | Buyers who want Jupiter and a smaller club environment | Buyers looking for larger estates and a Palm Beach Gardens location |
Neither is automatically “better.” They appeal to different buyers.
Location: Jupiter vs. Palm Beach Gardens
Location may be one of the biggest deciding factors.
The Loxahatchee Club
The Loxahatchee Club is located in Jupiter near Toney Penna Drive, putting residents close to many of the places that make Jupiter attractive.
That includes:
- Jupiter beaches
- Jupiter Inlet
- Waterfront restaurants
- Harbourside
- Shopping and everyday conveniences
- Boating and other Jupiter-area recreation
For buyers who specifically want to live in Jupiter, this can be a major advantage.
The community itself feels tucked away and private, yet you can be at the beach, out to dinner or along the waterfront relatively quickly.
Old Palm Golf Club
Old Palm is in Palm Beach Gardens, convenient to PGA Boulevard, shopping, restaurants and major roadways.
Residents are close to:
- The Gardens Mall
- Palm Beach Gardens dining and shopping
- I-95 and the Florida Turnpike
- Palm Beach International Airport
- Other private golf communities throughout Palm Beach Gardens
It feels private inside the gates even though much of Palm Beach Gardens is easily accessible.
For someone who travels frequently or prefers the Palm Beach Gardens lifestyle, Old Palm's location can be a strong fit.
Golf: Jack Nicklaus vs. Raymond Floyd
For serious golfers, this is where the comparison becomes especially interesting.
Golf at The Loxahatchee Club
The centerpiece of The Loxahatchee Club is its Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course.
The club was created around a strong appreciation for golf, but the overall atmosphere feels more traditional and intimate than resort-like.
It tends to appeal to buyers who value:
- A strong golf culture
- A smaller private-club environment
- Tradition
- Personal service
- A close-knit community atmosphere
Golf is clearly central to life here, but the experience extends beyond the course into dining, activities and the relationships that develop within a smaller community.
Golf at Old Palm
Old Palm's championship golf course was designed by Raymond Floyd, who has played an important role in shaping the golf experience at the club.
Old Palm is also well known for its substantial practice facilities.
For buyers who organize a large part of their lifestyle around golf, Old Palm deserves serious consideration.
It may particularly appeal to someone who wants:
- Championship golf
- Extensive practice opportunities
- A highly golf-oriented environment
- A private club experience
- Luxury amenities beyond the course
If you want to compare Old Palm in more detail, read my guide to Old Palm Golf Club and its real estate.
Homes and Architecture
The real estate is another major difference between the two communities.
Homes in The Loxahatchee Club
The Loxahatchee Club includes approximately 285 homes within a 340-acre community, according to the club.
The residential setting is established, with mature landscaping, freshwater lakes, green space and golf views.
Homes vary in style and level of renovation, which makes it especially important for buyers to evaluate each property individually rather than assuming all homes within the community are comparable.
Some buyers specifically prefer this more established environment because the mature landscaping and smaller community can be difficult to recreate in newer developments.
Homes in Old Palm
Old Palm generally offers a different scale.
Buyers will find custom luxury homes with a range of homesite sizes, architectural styles and locations within the community.
Depending on the section, buyers may prioritize:
- Larger homes
- More expansive homesites
- Golf course views
- Water views
- Outdoor living
- Newer or extensively renovated construction
For someone looking for a substantial estate property within a private golf community, Old Palm often becomes part of the conversation.
Which Community Feels More Intimate?
The Loxahatchee Club generally offers the more intimate residential environment.
Its smaller scale, mature setting and traditional club atmosphere create a noticeably different feeling from many of the larger luxury golf communities in Palm Beach County.
Old Palm is also private, but the scale of its homes and estates can create more separation and space.
This is one of those differences that is difficult to understand from listing photos alone.
Driving through both communities and spending time in each is often the best way to determine which feels right.
Amenities and Club Lifestyle
Golf may be the centerpiece, but most buyers are also evaluating how they will spend the rest of their time.
The Loxahatchee Club
The club experience includes golf along with dining, fitness, recreational activities and social programming.
The overall experience feels centered on casual elegance, personal service and community.
Old Palm
Old Palm combines golf with a broader luxury club environment that includes dining, fitness, wellness and social amenities.
For some buyers, the larger amenity experience is a major attraction.
For others, the smaller atmosphere at Loxahatchee Club is exactly what they are looking for.
This is why comparing an amenity checklist alone does not really answer the question.
The feel of the club matters just as much.
Membership Is an Important Part of the Decision
Membership should be investigated before making a real estate decision based on expected golf access.
Private club membership structures can change, including:
- Membership categories
- Initiation requirements
- Annual dues
- Availability
- Waitlists
- Approval requirements
- Capital contributions
- How membership relates to owning a home
Do not assume that purchasing a particular property automatically creates the membership arrangement you expect.
Before writing an offer, current requirements should be confirmed directly with the appropriate club.
For a broader explanation of how local clubs differ, read Jupiter's Most Exclusive Golf Clubs and What Buyers Should Know About Membership.
Which Is Better: Loxahatchee Club or Old Palm?
There is no universal winner.
The Loxahatchee Club May Be Better for You If:
- You specifically want to live in Jupiter
- You prefer a smaller community
- You like an established neighborhood with mature landscaping
- You appreciate a traditional private-club atmosphere
- You want golf to be important without needing a larger resort-style environment
- Being close to Jupiter's beaches, inlet and waterfront lifestyle matters to you
Old Palm May Be Better for You If:
- You prefer Palm Beach Gardens
- You want a larger estate home or homesite
- Extensive golf practice facilities are important
- You want a highly golf-focused lifestyle
- You prefer a larger-scale luxury club experience
- Easy access to PGA Boulevard, shopping, dining and major roads matters to you
What Should Buyers Compare Beyond the Golf Course?
When helping buyers compare private golf communities, I would not choose based on the golf course alone.
Look at:
The Home
How much space do you actually want? Do you prefer newer construction, a renovated property or an established home you can update yourself?
The Lot
Golf views, lake views, privacy, orientation and proximity to club facilities can all affect both lifestyle and value.
The Location
Do you want to spend most of your time in Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens?
That may sound like a small distinction on a map, but it can make a noticeable difference in your daily routine.
The Club
Golf, dining, social atmosphere, amenities and membership structure should match the way you actually plan to use the club.
The Community Feel
This is the factor buyers often cannot determine online.
Two communities can look equally impressive in photographs and feel completely different in person.
What About Buyers Who Want Golf but Don't Want to Live in a Golf Community?
You have options.
Some buyers decide they would rather purchase a waterfront home, a larger property or a home in another Jupiter neighborhood and join a club separately.
If that sounds more appealing, read 5 Jupiter Golf Clubs You Can Join Without Buying a Home.
You may also want to compare the broader lifestyle differences in Waterfront vs. Golf Community: Which Lifestyle Is Right for You in Jupiter?.
Selling a Home in The Loxahatchee Club or Old Palm
For sellers, understanding these differences matters too.
A luxury golf home is not valued on square footage alone.
Buyers may place significant value on:
- Location within the community
- Golf or water views
- Lot size
- Privacy
- Renovation level
- Architecture
- Outdoor living
- Proximity to club amenities
- Current competing inventory
The buyer considering a home in The Loxahatchee Club may also be looking at Old Palm, The Bear's Club, Admirals Cove or another private golf community.
That means the way the property is positioned and marketed should explain why that particular home and community are the better fit, not simply list its features.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Loxahatchee Club in Jupiter?
Yes. The Loxahatchee Club is a private residential golf community in Jupiter, Florida, centered around a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course.
Is Old Palm in Jupiter?
No. Old Palm Golf Club is located in Palm Beach Gardens, just south of Jupiter.
Which has larger homes, Loxahatchee Club or Old Palm?
Old Palm is particularly known for substantial custom estate homes and larger homesites. The Loxahatchee Club has a mix of custom homes within a smaller, established residential setting. Individual properties vary considerably in both communities.
Which community is better for a serious golfer?
Both are highly golf-focused. The Loxahatchee Club offers a Jack Nicklaus-designed course and a more traditional private-club environment. Old Palm offers a Raymond Floyd-designed course and is especially known for its extensive practice experience. The better choice is personal.
Do I automatically become a golf member if I buy a home?
Buyers should never assume that. Membership structures, availability and requirements can change. Confirm all current membership information directly with the club before purchasing based on a particular golf membership expectation.
Is The Loxahatchee Club or Old Palm better for a seasonal resident?
Either can work well for seasonal ownership. The better choice depends on preferred location, home size, club atmosphere, travel patterns and how frequently you intend to use the golf and other amenities.
Can you help me compare available homes in both communities?
Yes. Because the communities and individual homes are so different, comparing them together can make the decision much easier. I can help you evaluate the real estate, location and lifestyle considerations side by side.
Related Reading
Old Palm Golf Club: Ultra-Luxury Living in One of Palm Beach Gardens' Most Exclusive Communities
Jupiter's Most Exclusive Golf Clubs
5 Jupiter Golf Clubs You Can Join Without Buying a Home
Waterfront vs. Golf Community: Which Lifestyle Is Right for You?
The Most Exclusive Golf Clubs and Communities in Hobe Sound, Florida
Considering The Loxahatchee Club or Old Palm?
Choosing between these communities is about much more than comparing two houses.
The right decision depends on the golf experience, location, home style, lot, club atmosphere and how you envision spending your time in South Florida.
If you are considering The Loxahatchee Club, Old Palm or another private golf community in Jupiter or Palm Beach Gardens, I can help you compare the real estate and the lifestyle together.
Call or text Kristin Wallace at 781-771-5400 or email Kristin to start the conversation.
