Last Updated on April 9, 2025 by JJ
Florida, with its year-round sunshine, lush landscapes, and world-class golf courses, is a golfer’s paradise. The state is home to over 1,250 golf courses, more than any other U.S. state, making it a prime destination for amateurs and professionals alike. From coastal fairways to challenging championship layouts, Florida offers something for every golf enthusiast. Below, we explore some of the top golf courses in Florida and what makes them special.
TPC Sawgrass (Ponte Vedra Beach) – Home of The Players Championship
???? Claim to Fame: The iconic Island Green at Hole 17
???? Location: Northeast Florida (near Jacksonville)
???? Visit TPC Sawgrass
???? Full Link: https://tpc.com/sawgrass/
Designed by Pete Dye, TPC Sawgrass is one of the most famous courses in the world. Best known for the par-3 17th hole, which features a small, island-style green surrounded by water, the course is both scenic and unforgiving. As the permanent home of The Players Championship, this PGA Tour venue is a must-play for serious golfers.
Arcane Fact:
???? The Island Green was an accident! Originally, Pete Dye planned a small pond around the green, but as construction progressed, more and more earth was removed until the green was left completely surrounded by water.
Seminole Golf Club (Juno Beach) – The Exclusive Legend
???? Claim to Fame: Ranked #1 in Florida by Golf Digest
???? Location: Southeast Florida
???? Learn More
???? Full Link: https://www.top100golfcourses.com/golf-course/seminole
One of the most exclusive golf courses in the U.S., Seminole Golf Club is a private course that has hosted legends like Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus, and Rory McIlroy. Its Donald Ross-designed layout is famous for its strategic bunkering, fast greens, and stunning Atlantic Ocean views.
Arcane Fact:
???? Ben Hogan loved Seminole so much that he played here every year to prepare for The Masters. The club even celebrates “Hogan Day” annually in his honor.
Streamsong Resort (Bowling Green) – Golf’s Hidden Gem
???? Claim to Fame: Three top-tier courses—Red, Blue, and Black
???? Location: Central Florida
???? Explore Streamsong
???? Full Link: https://www.streamsongresort.com/golf/
Located in rural Central Florida, Streamsong is unlike any other Florida golf course. Built on a former phosphate mining site, the resort boasts three distinct courses designed by legendary architects:
- Red Course – A Coore & Crenshaw design featuring rolling sand dunes
- Blue Course – Designed by Tom Doak, offering wide fairways and dramatic elevation changes
- Black Course – The most challenging, designed by Gil Hanse
Arcane Fact:
???? The land was once an underwater seabed. Fossilized shark teeth are still found on the property, making it one of the most unique golf landscapes in the country.
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge (Orlando) – The King’s Course
???? Claim to Fame: Host of the Arnold Palmer Invitational
???? Location: Central Florida
???? Visit Bay Hill
???? Full Link: https://www.bayhill.com
Owned by golf legend Arnold Palmer, Bay Hill is a staple of the PGA Tour, hosting the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational. The course features wide fairways, deep rough, and plenty of water hazards, challenging even the best golfers.
Arcane Fact:
???? You can only play if you stay at the lodge. Bay Hill is semi-private, meaning only members and resort guests can tee off here.
The Concession Golf Club (Bradenton) – A Tribute to Sportsmanship
???? Claim to Fame: Designed by Jack Nicklaus & Tony Jacklin
???? Location: Southwest Florida
???? Learn More
???? Full Link: https://www.concessiongolfclub.com
Named after the famous 1969 Ryder Cup “concession” by Jack Nicklaus to Tony Jacklin, this course is among the most challenging in Florida. The layout requires precision, featuring deep bunkers, rolling fairways, and undulating greens.
Arcane Fact:
???? The course was ranked No. 1 in Florida by Golf Digest in 2015 and hosted the 2021 WGC-Workday Championship.
Trump National Doral (Miami) – The Blue Monster
???? Claim to Fame: PGA Tour stop for over 50 years
???? Location: South Florida
???? Visit Doral
???? Full Link: https://www.trumpgolfdoral.com/
Doral’s Blue Monster course has long been a PGA Tour favorite, featuring 7,608 yards of water hazards, palm trees, and deep bunkers. Redesigned by Gil Hanse in 2014, it remains one of Florida’s toughest tests.
Arcane Fact:
???? The 18th hole is considered one of the most difficult finishing holes in professional golf, often ranking among the toughest holes on the PGA Tour.
PGA National Resort (Palm Beach Gardens) – The Bear Trap
???? Claim to Fame: Home of the Honda Classic
???? Location: Southeast Florida
???? Explore PGA National
???? Full Link: https://www.pgaresort.com/golf/
PGA National boasts five golf courses, but The Champion Course is the most famous, thanks to its treacherous Bear Trap (holes 15-17). Designed by Jack Nicklaus, it’s a true test of nerves and skill.
Arcane Fact:
???? The Bear Trap was named after Nicklaus himself, whose nickname was “The Golden Bear.”
Honorable Mentions
- Calusa Pines Golf Club (Naples) – A private, exclusive retreat with stunning landscapes
- World Woods Golf Club (Brooksville) – Known as “Florida’s Augusta National”
- The Ocean Course at Hammock Beach (Palm Coast) – The only Jack Nicklaus oceanfront course in Florida
Final Thoughts
Florida is truly a golfer’s paradise, with a variety of courses catering to every skill level. Whether you want to play where the pros do, challenge yourself on a hidden gem, or simply enjoy a round with stunning ocean views, Florida has it all.
Looking to book a golf trip? Check out Visit Florida for travel tips and golf resorts!
