If you are a golf enthusiast looking for the best courses to play in Florida, you are in luck. Florida is home to some of the country’s most scenic and challenging golf courses, offering various terrains, layouts, and difficulty levels.
Whether you are looking for a relaxing round with your friends, a competitive tournament with your colleagues, or a memorable vacation with your family, you will find a golf course that suits your needs and preferences in Florida. Here are some of the top-rated golf courses in Florida that you should check out, along with more details about each.
The Top Rated Golf Courses in Florida
TPC Sawgrass (Ponte Vedra Beach)
This is one of the most famous golf courses in the world, hosting the prestigious Players Championship every year. The course features two 18-hole layouts, the Stadium Course and the Dye’s Valley Course, both designed by legendary architect Pete Dye.
The Stadium Course is known for its signature 17th hole, the island green, which is one of the most iconic and challenging holes in golf. The hole requires a precise shot over water to a small green surrounded by bunkers and spectators.
The Dye’s Valley Course is equally challenging but less crowded and more affordable than the Stadium Course. It has more water hazards, narrower fairways, and smaller greens than its sister course. Both courses are open to the public and offer a world-class golf experience.
Streamsong Resort (Bowling Green)
This stunning resort offers three 18-hole courses, the Red, the Blue, and the Black, each designed by a different renowned architect.
The Red course was designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the Blue course by Tom Doak, and the Black course by Gil Hanse. The courses are built on a former phosphate mine, creating a unique landscape of sand dunes, lakes, and native vegetation.
The courses are ranked among the best in the country by various golf publications and offer a pure golf experience with no residential or commercial development around them. The resort also features a luxury hotel, spa, restaurants, and other amenities.
Seminole Golf Club (Juno Beach)
This is a private club that is considered one of the finest and most exclusive in the world. The course was designed by Donald Ross in 1929 and has hosted many prominent golfers and celebrities over the years.
The course is set along the Atlantic Ocean, providing stunning views and challenging wind conditions. The course is known for its fast, firm greens, strategic bunkering, and subtle elevation changes. The course is also known for its tradition of hosting an annual pro-member tournament that attracts some of the best players in the world.
Bay Hill Club & Lodge (Orlando)
This is a resort that was owned by the late Arnold Palmer, one of the greatest golfers of all time. The resort features three 9-hole courses, the Champion, the Challenger, and the Charger, which can be combined to create different 18-hole combinations.
The Champion/Challenger course hosts the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational, one of the premier events on the PGA Tour. The course is known for its long and demanding holes, water hazards, and impeccable conditioning. The resort also offers a comfortable lodge, spa, fitness center, tennis courts, pool, and dining options.
World Woods Golf Club (Brooksville)
This public facility offers two 18-hole courses, the Pine Barrens and the Rolling Oaks, both designed by Tom Fazio. The courses are inspired by some of the classic courses in the world, such as Pine Valley and Augusta National.
The Pine Barrens course is more rugged and natural, featuring sandy waste areas, pine trees, and undulating greens. The Rolling Oaks course is more manicured and parkland-style, featuring rolling fairways, oak trees, and floral accents. Both courses are well-maintained and offer a variety of challenges for all skill levels.
Trump National Doral Miami (Miami)
This luxury resort boasts four 18-hole courses, the Blue Monster, the Red Tiger, the Golden Palm, and the Silver Fox, all designed or renovated by Gil Hanse.
The Blue Monster course is the most famous and challenging of the four, hosting many PGA Tour events over the years. The course features long fairways, deep bunkers, water hazards on almost every hole, and a spectacular 18th hole with an island green.
The other three courses are also excellent, offering different styles and difficulties for every golfer. The resort also features a lavish hotel, spa, fitness center, tennis courts, pool, and dining options.
Innisbrook Resort (Palm Harbor)
This is another resort that offers four 18-hole courses, the Copperhead, the Island, the North/South Course (which can be played as two separate 9-hole courses), and the Highlands North/South Course (which can also be played as two separate 9-hole courses).
The Copperhead course is the most renowned of the four, hosting the annual Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour. The course is known for its rolling hills, tree-lined fairways, and snake-like layout.
The Island course is also highly rated, featuring water hazards on 16 of its 18 holes. The other two courses are more forgiving but still enjoyable and challenging. The resort also offers a variety of accommodations, a spa, a fitness center, tennis courts, a pool, and dining options.
Conclusion
These are just some of the top-rated golf courses in Florida that you can enjoy on your next golf vacation. Whether you are looking for a challenge, scenery, or a history lesson, you will find it in Florida’s diverse golf landscape. Book your tee times today and discover why Florida is the ultimate golf destination.