Best golf courses in Florida you can play

Ranked as the 2nd best golf course in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Ponte Vedra Beach | Designer: Pete Dye | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,245 | Opened: 1980

Why play here? One of the most famous and challenging golf courses in the world, THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is a true bucket-list experience. Built by legendary architect Pete Dye on former Florida swampland, it’s renowned for its strategic layout, dramatic risk-reward holes, and world-class conditioning. Every year it plays host to THE PLAYERS Championship, attracting the strongest field in golf and showcasing its tournament pedigree.

Course highlight: The iconic island green par-3 17th hole, one of the most recognisable holes in golf, swallows over 150,000 golf balls annually, testing the nerve of Tour pros and amateurs alike.

Key features:

• Tournament-proven design by Pete Dye
• Memorable closing stretch of par 5 / par 3 / par 4
• Abundant water hazards, waste bunkers, and wildlife (including alligators)
• Exceptional practice facilities

Bonus Fact: The Stadium Course was the first built specifically with spectator viewing in mind, offering unparalleled vantage points for fans.

Ranked as the 35th best golf course in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Miami | Designer: Dick Wilson (redesigned by Gil Hanse) | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,608 | Opened: 1962 | Renovated: 2014

Why play here? A true icon of Florida golf, the Blue Monster at Trump National Doral Miami was been a staple on the PGA Tour for decades. Following a major redesign by Gil Hanse in 2014, the course is now longer, tougher, and more visually striking than ever. Located just minutes from downtown Miami, the resort offers everything you could want in a luxury golf getaway, with world-class facilities and three other championship layouts to enjoy.

Highlight: The fearsome 18th hole, a long, water-lined par 4 that has decided countless tournaments, is regarded as one of the most challenging finishing holes in golf.

Key features:

• Historic PGA Tour venue with a modern championship redesign
• Lengthened layout now exceeding 7,600 yards
• Extensive water hazards and strategically placed bunkers
• Multiple tee options, for those who don't want to play a long course

Bonus fact: The Blue Monster has hosted prestigious events, including the WGC-Cadillac Championship, attracting the strongest fields in professional golf.

Ranked as the 28th best golf course in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Orlando | Designer: Dick Wilson (redesigned by Arnold Palmer) | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,381 | Opened: 1961

Why play here? Known as the King’s home away from home, Bay Hill is one of Florida’s most prestigious golf destinations. Just minutes from Orlando International Airport, this PGA Tour venue is famous for hosting the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational, attracting the world’s best players. With three immaculate loops of nine holes, luxurious on-site accommodation, and a laid-back atmosphere, it’s the perfect base for an Orlando golf vacation.

Course highlight: Walking the same fairways where Arnold Palmer himself spent his winters, with the Championship Course’s closing holes offering a thrilling finish.

Key features:

• PGA Tour host course for the Arnold Palmer Invitational
• Three nine-hole loops: Champion, Challenger, and Charger
• Pristine conditioning and challenging design
• Luxury lodging and first-class amenities on-site

Bonus fact: Palmer was so fond of Bay Hill that he purchased the property in 1976, making it his winter residence and transforming it into one of the most recognisable golf clubs in the world.

Ranked as the 34th best golf course in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Palm Harbor | Designer: Larry Packard | Par: 71 | Yardage: 7,340 | Opened: 1970

Why play here? The crown jewel of Innisbrook Resort’s four-course lineup, the Copperhead Course is a beloved PGA Tour venue and home to the annual Valspar Championship. Known for its tree-lined fairways, rolling terrain, and challenging tee shots, Copperhead offers a test of accuracy and precision over brute strength. The resort’s Island Course is a worthy rival after a major renovation, but Copperhead remains the star attraction for serious golfers visiting the Tampa area.

Course highlight: The closing stretch, known as the “Snake Pit,” features three of the toughest finishing holes on the PGA Tour.

Key features:

• Long-time PGA Tour host, home of the Valspar Championship
• Tree-lined fairways and elevation changes unusual for Florida
• Strategic test demanding accuracy over power
• Part of a four-course resort with varied playing styles

Bonus fact: Designer Larry Packard was the mastermind behind all four Innisbrook layouts, giving the resort a distinctive identity, making it one of the best golf resorts in Florida.

Ranked as the 65th best golf course in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Palm Beach Gardens | Designer: Tom Fazio (redesigned by Jack Nicklaus) | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,045 yards | Opened: 1981

Why play here? The Champion Course at PGA National Resort is one of the most respected and challenging tracks in the United States. Famous for hosting the Honda Classic, it’s best known for its treacherous closing stretch – the “Bear Trap” (holes 15–17) – which has tested the best players in the world and earned a reputation as the toughest three-hole stretch on the PGA Tour. With five championship courses and world-class facilities, PGA National is a premier destination for any golf vacation in Florida.

Course highlight: The Bear Trap, where water-lined holes demand precision, mental toughness, and a touch of nerve to escape unscathed.

Key features:

• Signature redesign by Jack Nicklaus with tournament-proven pedigree
• Host of the Honda Classic and numerous PGA Tour events
• The Bear Trap: one of the most feared closing stretches in golf
• Part of a five-course resort with 90 holes of championship golf

Bonus fact: Jack Nicklaus redesigned the Champion Course in 1990, creating the Bear Trap to provide a dramatic and strategic challenge for both professionals and amateurs.

Ranked as the 64th best golf course in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Ponte Vedra Beach | Designers: Pete Dye, Bobby Weed, and Jerry Pate | Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,847 | Opened: 1987

Why play here? Often overshadowed by its famous sibling, the Stadium Course, Dye’s Valley is a worthy addition to any TPC Sawgrass golf trip. While considered slightly more forgiving than the Stadium, it still demands focus thanks to its abundant water hazards and strategic design. With wider landing areas off the tee and immaculate conditioning maintained to PGA Tour standards, it’s a challenging yet enjoyable test for golfers of all levels.

Course highlight: A scenic layout with water in play on nearly every hole, offering the quintessential TPC Sawgrass experience without the same level of punishment as the Stadium Course.

Key features:

• Designed by Pete Dye, Bobby Weed, and Jerry Pate
• Abundant water hazards demanding strategic play
• Consistently maintained to PGA Tour standards

Bonus fact: Dye’s Valley has hosted professional tournaments including the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, further cementing its status as a tournament-calibre venue.

Ranked as the 67th best golf course in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Howey-in-the-Hills | Designer: George O’Neil (enhanced by Charles E. Clarke) | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,001 | Opened: 1917

Why play here? One of Florida’s oldest and most historic layouts, El Campeón at Mission Inn Resort & Club offers a unique playing experience unlike anywhere else in the state. Built in 1917 and enhanced over the decades, it features rare Florida elevation changes of up to 85 feet, rolling fairways, and a mix of water hazards and strategically placed bunkers.

Course highlight: The par-5 17th, nicknamed “Devil’s Delight,” is a dramatic downhill dogleg with water guarding the green, a thrilling test late in the round.

Key features:

• Historic layout with more than a century of golfing heritage
• Significant elevation changes rare for Florida
• Water in play on over half the holes
• Part of a resort with a second championship course, Las Colinas

Bonus fact: El Campeón has hosted numerous amateur and professional tournaments, including NCAA Championships and U.S. Open qualifiers, making it a proven tournament venue.

Ranked as the 67th best golf course in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Naples | Designer: Greg Norman | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,005 | Opened: 2001

Why play here? The Black Course at Tiburón Golf Club is the perfect complement to its famed sibling, the Gold Course. Also designed by Greg Norman, the Black offers a slightly more forgiving layout while maintaining the same immaculate conditioning and strategic design. Wide fairways, creative bunkering, and large, undulating greens make it both playable for mid-handicappers and still challenging for low-handicap golfers. The natural surroundings of palms, pines, and native vegetation create a scenic and tranquil setting.

Course highlight: The par-3 8th hole, framed by water and bunkers, offers one of the most picturesque tee shots in Naples.

Key features:

• Signature Greg Norman design with generous landing areas
• Strategic bunkering and water hazards on several holes
• Immaculate playing surfaces and year-round conditioning

Bonus fact: The Black Course is a popular choice for local and regional tournaments, offering a slightly softer test than the Gold while still rewarding precision and course management.

Location: ChampionsGate | Designer: Greg Norman | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,363 | Opened: 2000

Why play here? The International Course at ChampionsGate Golf Club delivers a true links-style experience in the heart of Florida. Designed by Greg Norman, it features expansive fairways, massive bunkers, and large undulating greens, all inspired by the great courses of the British Isles. Unlike many Florida layouts, water is less dominant here, allowing the wind and firm playing conditions to provide the main challenge. It’s a refreshing change of pace and a must-play for those who enjoy a more traditional, fast-running style of golf.

Course highlight: The stretch from holes 14 to 16, where wind-exposed fairways and deep bunkering demand creativity and smart course management.

Key features:

• Authentic links-style design by Greg Norman
• Expansive fairways and deep, strategically placed bunkers
• Firm, fast-playing conditions rarely found in Florida
• Part of a 36-hole facility with the National Course

Bonus fact: The International Course regularly hosts high-profile amateur and professional events, thanks to its tournament-ready setup and distinctive design.

Ranked as the 69th best golf course in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Orlando | Designer: Rees Jones | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,108 | Opened: 2009

Why play here? Nestled within a serene nature preserve just minutes from Walt Disney World, the Waldorf Astoria Golf Club offers a tranquil yet challenging escape from Orlando’s bustle. Designed by renowned architect Rees Jones, the course blends seamlessly with its natural surroundings, featuring wide fairways framed by pine and cypress trees, strategic bunkering, and water hazards that keep you engaged from the first tee to the final green. Known for its immaculate conditioning and five-star service, it’s a standout choice for those seeking luxury and playability in one package.

Course highlight: The par-5 18th hole, with its water-lined approach to a green set against the backdrop of the resort’s grand hotel, offers a memorable finish.

Key features:

• Rees Jones design with a focus on strategy and playability
• Serene setting within a protected nature preserve
• Impeccable conditioning and resort-level service
• Conveniently located near major Orlando attractions

Bonus fact: The Waldorf Astoria Golf Club is part of a AAA Five Diamond resort, allowing golfers to pair championship play with world-class dining, spa treatments, and luxury accommodations.

Location: St. Augustine | Designer: Bobby Weed (with Sam Snead & Gene Sarazen) | Par: 72 | Yardage: 6,939 | Opened: 1998

Why play here? Located alongside the World Golf Hall of Fame, the Slammer & Squire Course celebrates the legacies of its namesakes, Sam “The Slammer” Snead and Gene “The Squire” Sarazen. Designed in collaboration with Bobby Weed, the course is known for its player-friendly layout, generous fairways, and beautifully framed greens. While less demanding than its sibling, the King & Bear, it still offers plenty of challenge with water hazards and strategic bunkering, making it an enjoyable round for golfers of all skill levels.

Course highlight: The opening holes offer inspiring views of the Hall of Fame Tower, while the closing stretch winds through pristine wetlands and tree-lined fairways.

Key features:

• Collaborative design influenced by two golf legends
• Wide fairways and forgiving landing areas
• Scenic holes framed by water, oaks, and pines
• Part of a two-course resort alongside the King & Bear

Bonus fact: Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen were actively involved in shaping the course, ensuring it reflected their philosophy of fun, fair, and memorable golf.

An honorable mention on the best golf courses in Florida by Top 100 Golf Courses Location: Kissimmee | Designer: Jack Nicklaus | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,244 | Opened: 2006

Why play here? The Nicklaus Course at Reunion Resort is a signature design that combines elegance with challenge, featuring smooth, flowing fairways, strategically placed bunkers, and water hazards that require precision on every shot. Known for its meticulous conditioning and peaceful setting, the layout is more open than the resort’s Watson Course but still demands smart shot placement, especially into its well-guarded greens. For those seeking a true championship test in the Orlando area, it’s a must-play.

Course highlight: The par-5 18th offers a thrilling finish, with water running along the left and a green tucked beside the resort’s stately clubhouse.

Key features:

• Signature Jack Nicklaus design focused on precision and strategy
• Wide fairways balanced by challenging approach shots
• Immaculate conditioning year-round
• Part of a three-course resort alongside designs by Tom Watson and Arnold Palmer

Bonus fact: The Nicklaus Course has hosted numerous high-profile amateur events, further cementing its reputation as a tournament-ready venue.

Location: Orlando | Designer: David Harman (redesigned by Arnold Palmer Design Company) | Par: 72 | Yardage: 7,213 | Opened: 2003 | Redesigned: 2016

Why play here? Just minutes from International Drive and the Orange County Convention Center, Shingle Creek Golf Club offers a championship experience in the heart of Orlando. The 2016 redesign by the Arnold Palmer Design Company reimagined the layout to enhance strategy, playability, and visual appeal. Wide landing areas, strategically placed bunkers, and large, contoured greens make it enjoyable for all skill levels, while its convenient location makes it perfect for combining golf with Orlando’s many attractions.

Course highlight: The par-4 18th is a classic risk-reward finisher, with water guarding the left side from tee to green and the resort’s striking façade as a backdrop.

Key features:

• Redesigned by the Arnold Palmer Design Company for improved playability
• Expansive fairways balanced by challenging green complexes
• Convenient location near Orlando’s major attractions and hotels
• Excellent practice facilities and modern clubhouse

Bonus fact: Named after the historic Shingle Creek, the headwaters of the Florida Everglades, which winds through and around the course.

Best time to visit: November to April is peak golf season in Florida, offering cooler temperatures, lower humidity, and the best course conditions. Summer can bring excellent value, but be prepared for afternoon storms and higher heat.

Where to stay: Florida offers a huge variety of stay-and-play resorts, many of which give access to top public courses. Popular options include:

• Innisbrook Resort (near Tampa) – Home of the Copperhead Course
• PGA National Resort (Palm Beach Gardens) – Includes the Champion Course and more
• Omni Amelia Island Resort (near Jacksonville) – Coastal setting with amazing golf If you’re looking to sample multiple courses across a region, Orlando is an ideal base with its wealth of layouts and excellent hotels ranging from luxury resorts to more budget-friendly options close to the action.

Booking tips:

• Plan early – Tee times sell out quickly in peak season; so book ahead.
• Look for packages – Many resorts bundle accommodations and green fees for better value.
• Consider twilight golf – Great for lower rates and avoiding the hottest part of the day.
• Travel smart – Florida’s top courses are spread out; group rounds by region to minimize drive times.

Q: When is the best time to play golf in Florida? A: November to April offers ideal conditions (20–27°C) with low humidity. Summer is cheaper but hotter and more humid, with a higher chance of rain.

Q: Can I play PGA Tour venues in Florida? A: Yes – several iconic PGA Tour stops, including TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course), Copperhead at Innisbrook, and Bay Hill, are public-access or available via resort stays.

Q: Are Florida’s best courses all private? A: No – while many elite clubs are private, the state boasts outstanding public-access layouts, including many ranked among the best in the U.S.

Q: Are there stay-and-play packages available? A: Absolutely. Resorts like Innisbrook, PGA National, and Trump National Doral offer luxury accommodations paired with access to their championship courses.

Q: Should I book tee times in advance? A: Yes, especially for bucket-list venues. Peak-season times at courses like TPC Sawgrass can sell out months in advance.

Florida is a dream destination for golfers, offering championship layouts, pristine resort courses, and year-round playability. These public-access gems mean you don’t need a private membership to experience the Sunshine State’s best, whether you’re chasing the challenge of a PGA Tour setup or a relaxed round by the coast, Florida has a course to match your perfect golf vacation.