Best winter golf destinations

From the East Coast to the West Coast of the state, Florida is the perfect destination to escape the cold winter weather. The options are endless when you travel to Florida with stay & play resorts, PGA TOUR courses, and great value all available. Enjoy extensive choice of accommodations and golf in Jacksonville, Palm Beach, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa while basking in the warm weather.

For PGA TOUR courses in Florida, you can play TPC Sawgrass, Bay Hill, PGA National, and Copperhead Course at Innisbrook. Make the most of your trip with a stay and play in Miami at the fantastic Trump National Doral or JW Marriott Turnberry resorts which both offer luxury accommodations and multiple courses onsite.

Royal Dornoch is the other obvious standout. I’ve played it twice, but have unfortunately been utterly drenched by torrential rain on both occasions. Despite that, and feeling like I was playing with a square golf ball, it was a breathtaking course to walk and play, as it slowly opens up until you witness that extraordinary view from the seventh tee. There are some genuinely great holes, although I do think a couple towards the end are comparatively weak. When I return, hopefully it will be third time lucky with the conditions.

Elsewhere, Brora (just up the road) is just wonderful. Relatively short, tricky and deceptive in a breeze, it can be a surprisingly difficult challenge, but is ultimately one of the most purely enjoyable layouts I’ve played anywhere. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Each hole seems to have its own unique identity, with the small electric fences and roaming sheep and cattle that, thankfully, rarely interfere with your round.

Of the other notable courses in the area, Golspie is perhaps overlooked, but boasts an interesting mix of links and heathland style holes. Fortrose and Rosemarkie is a good challenge in a distinct location, and for sheer beauty it’s difficult to look beyond Boat of Garten and Grantown on Spey.

Inverness is the region’s main settlement and has a number of good pubs, restaurants and attractions. However I would encourage anyone to explore the surrounding area and villages, whether it be Dornoch or Tain, which has a brilliant Old Tom Morris course and a number of excellent B&Bs, including one that I stayed in this year. Ultimately, having gone back a second time for a long weekend, I now believe the Highlands to be arguably (pound for pound) the most satisfying golf region in Scotland.

In a country with a golf heritage as strong as Scotland’s, this is big claim to make. There only way to verify it is to take a trip to the Highlands yourself; we guarantee that you will not be disappointed!

Naturally, we, at Golfbreaks, would be delighted to help you plan your trip and, as always, we’ll save you time and money! Simply contact our team of golf specialists.