Boasting the most golf courses, Florida is undoubtedly a golfer’s haven. With year-round mild weather, the Sunshine State offers the perfect setting for memorable golf vacations. With so many prestigious golf courses, choosing the destination for your next golf trip can be daunting, especially if you want to add other fun activities to the mix. Hopefully, these suggestions will help you make a well-rounded decision:
Jacksonville: TPC Sawgrass
The first thing that pops into the mind of a golf enthusiast about Florida is the Pete Dye-designed Stadium Course, one of the world’s top places to play golf. The iconic par-3 17th hole and island green make the course the perfect setting for memorable golf experiences.
Besides golf, the most popular reason for visiting Jacksonville is the vast array of stunning beaches. Combine that with year-round sunny days, an eclectic food scene, and a bustling nightlife, and you have a golf vacation that will rival any out there. One more suggestion: book any Sawgrass golf packages that suit your preferences to get the best deals.
Orlando: Bay Hill Country Club
Arnold Palmer proclaimed the Bay Hill Country Club “the best course in Florida.” One of Tiger Woods’s favorite playing grounds runs alongside the Butler Chain of Lakes and winds through towering trees to create a fabulous setting for golf. Following what is sure to be a truly memorable round, Orlando offers excellent spots for vacationers to unwind: amusement parks, Michelin-star restaurants, themed bars, and dozens of other highlights.
For outdoorsy visitors, Rock Springs Run State Reserve and Wekiwa Springs State Park are some of the oldest attractions in the area. Between Orlando’s fantastic sights and Bay Hill’s world-class golf, your vacation will be unforgettable.
Miami: The Blue Monster
On the southeast coast of Florida, Magic City has year-round sunshine, fantastic sandy beaches, and beautiful water, making it the preferred playground for the rich and celebs. The city offers plenty of attractions, including legendary nightlife, but the first thing that pops up in every golfer’s mind when they think of Miami is the Blue Monster. This iconic course is home to numerous world golf championships and features a closing hole many consider one of the toughest on the PGA Tour.
Tampa: Streamsong Red, Blue and Black
Tampa’s main attractions besides golf courses are its pristine beaches. The city’s diverse culture has led to its varied cuisine, offering culinary delights of countless varieties, not to mention that Tampa Bay boasts some of the best craft breweries on the west coast of Florida.
Just an hour outside of Tampa lies an absolute bucket-list golf destination. Surrounded by beautiful nature and boasting three courses designed by legendary golf architects, Streamsong offers an unparalleled golf experience.
How can you make the best out of your golf vacation?
With decades of experience creating personalized golf vacations, we know that most golfers dread the planning process. Taking care of tons of details is no fun, so our recommendation for a stress-free (and cost-effective) golf getaway is to look for custom golf packages.
About the Author
Sean Petersen is the owner and founder of Golf Trip Junkie, a business that organizes golf vacations across the country and to some worldwide destinations. His remarkable enthusiasm for the sport is evident in every trip he plans, making sure each vacation is crafted meticulously. When he doesn’t organize golf trips, Sean focuses on writing about his greatest passions, golf and traveling.
