There are two things that make Florida one of the most popular holiday destinations in the US. The first is the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Resort, which are without a doubt two must-add bucket list items. And the second is definitely the golf culture, which is in full swing all through the year.
1. THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass
Access: Public
Site: tpc.com
Green fee: $450 – $650
Stay-and-play package: There are stay-and-play packages available at TPC Sawgrass.
There are two courses at TPC Sawgrass, but our favorite is THE PLAYERS Stadium Course. What happened when Deane R. Beman, former PGA Tour Commissioner, came up with the idea to build a course that will be home to THE PLAYERS Championship? They decided that it just had to be done and in 1980 they involved Pete Dye, who was in charge of executing the idea.
The course layout is remarkably balanced, which could be challenging for players who are used to a particular style of play. The course is frequently referred to as one of the best in the world and it is home to the world-famous island green on the par-3 17th hole.
2. Streamsong Black at Streamsong Resort
Access: Public
Site: streamsongresort.com
Green fee: $105 – $299
Stay-and-play package: Streamsong Resort has fully customizable stay-and-play packages.
Streamsong Resort is home to three championship courses, each designed by a legend. Our favorite, Streamsong Black, is a relatively new par-73 Gil Hanse design with a long list of accolades. The course has been ranked in Golf Digest’s list of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses and Golfweek’s list of Top 100 Courses You Can Play.
The designer describes the course as a fun and strategic course to play. With its glorious views of the landscape and 1.2-acre putting course, you’ll soon realize why this course is a favorite amongst golfers of all skill levels.
3. Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami
Access: Private/Resort
Site: trumpgolfdoral.com
Green fee: $325 – $395
Stay-and-play package: Trump National Doral offers various stay-and-play packages.
Whether you are a fan of Donald Trump or not, you just can’t help being a fan of his golf courses. The club is home to four championship courses, including Blue Monster, which is a crowd favorite. This course has seen many famous shots from esteemed players like Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus over the years.
The designer, Dick Wilson, took 7,608 yards and turned it into one of the best courses in the US. The course has hosted many PGA Tour events and it is home to one of GOLF Magazine’s Top 100 Holes in the World, the infamous par-4 18th hole.
4. The Champion at PGA National Resort
Access: Private/Resort
Site: pgaresort.com
Green fee: $347
Stay-and-play package: PGA National Resort offers stay-and-play packages.
There are six courses that you could play at this resort, but the one that stands out is The Champion. This course is considered one of the most challenging stops on the PGA Tour and the designers, a duo consisting of Tom Fazio and George Fazio, designed it course for major tournaments. It underwent a renovation and redesign by Jack Nicklaus in 2014, and now there are five sets of tees for players of each skill level.
Don’t let the redesign fool you, as the course is still home to The Bear Trap, described as “one of the toughest stretches in golf.” The PGA Tour’s Honda Classic is also hosted at this course each spring.
5. The Champion/Challenger at Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Access: Private/Resort
Site: bayhill.com
Green fee: $105 – $475
Stay-and-play package: Bay Hill has various stay-and-play packages to suit your needs.
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill is home to a 9-hole course known as Charger and the 18-hole Champion/Challenger. The courses are relatively exclusive and you need to stay at the lodge or become a member of the club to play them. The 270-acre course is located along the shores of the Butler Chain of Lakes and it features magnificent views.
It has also been home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard since 1979. Golfers and spectators rush to this course in March every year, where they can observe some of the biggest names in golf.
6. The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Golf Resort
Access: Private/Resort
Site: innisbrookgolfresort.com
Green fee: $150 – $250
Stay-and-play package: Innisbrook offers various deals and packages.
There are four different championship courses at Innisbrook. Our favorite, the Copperhead Course, is a par-71 beauty that stretches over 7,209 yards. It was Innisbrook’s second course and it is the most popular of the four. The fairways are lined by palm trees and water comes into play at various holes, where you’ll come across beautiful lakes and ponds.
The course is ranked in third place when it comes to the PGA Tour’s toughest stops and it is home to the Valspar Championship, which is hosted in March every year.
7. The Gold Course at Tiburón Golf Club
Access: Private/Resort
Site: tiburonnaples.com
Green fee: $99 – $500
Stay-and-play package: Tiburón has more than enough stay-and-play packages to choose from.
Tiburón Golf Club is home to 36 holes of championship golf in the form of two popular courses. The Gold Course is a Greg Norman design with a combination of traditional and modern elements. As host of the LPGA CME Group Tour Championship, the course has seen many professionals take their best swings.
Just as you’d expect from Greg Norman, no natural element was removed or left untouched, as he incorporates everything into his designs. The course features stacked sod wall bunkers and coquina shell waste bunkers.
8. The Palmer Course at Reunion Resort & Golf Club
Access: Private/Resort
Site: reunionresort.com
Green fee: $101 – $223
Stay-and-play package: Reunion Resort offers many popular deals and packages.
Reunion Resort has three courses designed by the likes of Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tom Watson. Arnold Palmer’s course is known for its elevation changes that can go up to 50 feet. The course, previously known as The Legacy Course, offers 6,916 yards of rolling hills that are not only challenging but also engaging.
The best way to describe the shots that you need to take to play the Palmer Course is risk/reward. Some of the accolades that the course has received include being ranked in Golf Advisor’s list of Top Courses in Florida and Golf Advisor’s Golfers’ Choice.
9. King & Bear Course at World Golf Village
Access: Private/Resort
Site: golfwgv.com
Green fee: $79 – $249
Stay-and-play package: There are stay-and-play offers available at World Golf Village.
Both courses at World Golf Village were named after their designers. The ‘King’ in King & Bear refers to Arnold Palmer and the ‘Bear’ refers to Jack Nicklaus. What makes the course special, in addition to its incorporation of traditional Scottish-links style and American golf, is the fact that it’s the only Palmer-Nicklaus collaboration in the world.
There is a lot of water and lakes throughout the course and the large coquina rock that surrounds them adds to the challenge. For the first half of this 7,279-yard course, you’ll be shaded by loblolly pines, and for the second half, old oak trees do all the work.
10. The Habitat Golf Course at Valkaria
Access: Public
Site: brevard.golf
Green fee: $25 – $43
Stay-and-play package: Golf Brevard does not offer stay-and-play packages.
The championship course known as The Habitat is located close to the Indian River Lagoon and Brevard County’s southern boundary. Nature comes into play throughout the course and it is home to a lot of wildlife, like sandhill cranes and gopher tortoises.
Many of the holes were designed in different styles, like the Scottish style 6th and Carolina style 13th. From water hazards and elevation changes to topographical features and mounded fairways, each hole brings its own challenge.
11. Crooked Cat at Orange County National Golf Center & Lodge
Access: Public
Site: ocngolf.com
Green fee: $44 – $89
Stay-and-play package: Orange County National offers stay-and-play packages in partnership with local establishments.
This golf center is home to two championship 18-hole courses and a 9-hole short course. Crooked Cat, one of the 18-hole courses, features noticeable elevation changes and wide landing areas. The course has a links-style look and it is covered by a layer of lush Champions Bermuda Ultra Dwarf Turf Grass.
Any shot will do, as the course gives you a lot of freedom and leaves room to be creative on each hole. However, the back nine is a lot tougher than the first half, with a more challenging length and unique design.
12. Omni ChampionsGate International at Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate
Access: Semi-Private/Resort
Site: omnihotels.com
Green fee: $39 – $129
Stay-and-play package: Omni Orlando Resort at Championsgate offers a wide variety of deals and packages.
There are two world-class 18-hole championship courses and one 9-hole course to choose from at this luxurious resort in Orlando. The International Course, a coastal links style PGA Tour Tournament course, is accessible by walking from the resort. After a major renovation, the course plays firm and fast, with large fairways, 18 holes with water features, and hundreds of pot bunkers.
The dramatic layout features sprawling Champion Bermuda greens, wind-swept dunes, and 419 Bermuda par 3 tees. The course was ranked in the 9th position in GOLF Advisor’s top overall ranked courses.
13. The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Orlando
Access: Private/Resort
Site: ritzcarlton.com
Green fee: $105 – $210
Stay-and-play package:
This course is two things; a Greg Norman design and a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary, and what it certainly isn’t, is a walk in the park. It features 18 holes of championship golf in the form of challenging greens and many hazards. Don’t let the beauty of this course distract you, it is sure to test your abilities while you admire the landscape. Despite having five sets of tees, it still challenges the most seasoned golfers.
Every year, the course hosts the PNC Championship, which attracts 20 major golf champions. Each champion brings a family member of their choice and they showdown to reveal who really loves and understands the game.
FAQ
How many golf courses are in Florida?
Florida is the US state with the most golf courses, boasting over 1250 public, private, and municipal courses. Being the popular golfing destination that it is, most of these courses offer deals and packages that include accommodation with your golf. Have a look at our list of the best stay-and-play packages in Florida for a better idea of these deals.
If package is not a must for you and you only need on-site accommodation, here’s our list of the best golf resorts in Florida.
Why are there so many golf courses in Florida?
This state in the US is known as The Sunshine State for a reason. Florida has perfect weather year-round, so you can take a swing at golfing at any time of the year. Thus, it is the perfect state for an abundance of golf courses because of the number of people that travel here for the weather conditions.
How many golf courses does Orlando Florida have?
Orlando is home to more than 200 of Florida’s best golf courses. These courses include public courses, exclusive and private clubs, and municipal courses. You can also find great golf packages here, so check out our list of the best stay-and-play packages in Orlando.
Do people golf in Florida in the summer?
While Florida is known for its exceptionally hot summers, that doesn’t stop the amateurs or professionals that flood to this state for golf. The courses in Florida are busy right through the year, even in summer’s most scorching temperatures.
How many golf courses are at Disney Florida?
There are three 18-hole golf courses, known as Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course, and Disney’s Palm Golf Course, and one 9-hole course, known as Disney’s Oak Trail Golf Course, at Walt Disney World Golf in Florida.
Does Tiger Woods own a house in Florida?
Not only does the legend himself, Eldrick (Tiger) Woods, own a mansion on Jupiter Island, but he’s also called this exclusive neighborhood in Florida his home for more than a decade. His restaurant, The Woods, is also located in Florida, and at his mansion is where you’ll find his own personal 4-hole golf course.
