In a state where people retire to play golf, there is certainly no shortage of golf courses. Great golf courses at that. Finding the right area to plan your vacation around can be a real challenge though. There are just so many memorable golf destinations to choose from.

Plus, there are a bunch of courses that you may be better off skipping.

Since there is a lot to sift through, I took the time, over 30 hours, to research the best golf vacations in Florida so you don’t have to. From sifting through course websites, online reviews and even chatting with locals, I left no stone unturned. My due diligence may just save you from an over-priced, average round of golf. Think of this as your ultimate guide to planning a golf vacation in Florida.

Table of Contents

• Florida Panhandle
  • Pensacola
  • Panama City Beach
  • Destin
• North Florida
  • Jacksonville
  • St. Augustine
• Central Florida
  • Tampa
  • Bowling Green
  • Bradenton / Sarasota
  • Daytona Beach
  • Orlando
• South Florida
  • Miami
  • Palm Beach
  • Fort Lauderdale
  • Boca Raton
  • Naples
  • Fort Myers
  • Florida Keys

What is Florida golf known for?

Ever heard of Bermuda grass? Well if you’re golfing in Florida chances are you’ll be playing on it. If you’ve never played on it, most describe it as a more wiry feeling grass. It can be trickier to hit your ball since the ball will sit closer to the ground. And if you travel at the end of the summer or into the fall, it can be nice and thick.

You’ll also notice that the ball won’t roll as much on Bermuda grass either. I recommend showing up early for your first round on your trip. Take the time to practice chipping around the greens to get a feel for the terrain.

You can expect a lot of water and sand. Florida is home to over 30,000 lakes and 1,350 miles of coastline.

Florida is a pretty flat state. That said, some courses will have decent elevation changes. A majority of the courses you’ll play will make up for it though with tough bunker and hazard placements. Keeping the ball in play can be a challenge for beginner golfers on your typical Florida golf course.

Keep in mind with the ball being close to sea level, it won’t fly as far. This can make carrying water or hazards more challenging.

When is the best time of year to travel to Florida for a golf vacation?

Florida offers year-round golf but it’s widely accepted that January, February and March are the best months to play golf. The playing conditions are best then. Plus, the PGA Tour typically schedules tour dates around late February and early March. If the pros play in Florida that time of year, then there’s probably a reason why. 

I would be remiss to say that November, December, April and May are still great months to golf in Florida. The weather isn’t too hot and tee times are plenty.

If you’re a more budget-conscious traveler though, and are dead-set on a Florida golf vacation, then I would consider booking a trip in late Spring to early Fall. Those times of year are still considered off-peak and accommodations and greens fees will be as affordable as they ever will be.

That’s not to say that you can’t find a winter budget friendly golf vacation in Florida, you just have to sharpen your pencil and do a little research.

When should I book my tee times in Florida?

Depends. Any Florida golfer will tell you the most common time to play is in the morning. It’s much cooler and you miss the afternoon rain. At the same time, if you’re looking to save some money, afternoon tee times are sometimes less than half the price than morning ones. 

How many golf courses are there actually in Florida

There are over 1,100 golf courses in Florida according to research I found online. Naples, Florida is home to the most golf courses than any other part of the state.

What are the best golf cities in Florida?

There are a bunch of really experiential golf vacation destinations in Florida. Everywhere you turn, there are courses designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. It’s my goal to provide some inspiration for your next trip. To make things easier, I broke down Florida into four main regions. From there I explored major golfing towns and cities.

Florida Panhandle Golf

A popular vacation destination, the panhandle of Florida also has plenty of championship caliber golf courses. Known for their whitesand beaches and beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, this lesser traveled area of Florida is primed for a round of golf with you and your buddies.

A few things to keep in mind before booking your golf vacations in the Florida Panhandle:

Although there are plenty more areas to golf in the Panhandle, I reviewed Pensacola, Panama City Beach and Destin since they’re the best areas for a golf vacation. 

Pensacola Golf Vacation

Gonna put this out there, Pensacola is an underrated Florida golf vacation destination. Most courses you play here the greens fee will be less than $75. There’s plenty of golf courses to choose from too, including the public Lost Key Golf Club. The Arnold Palmer signature course is ripe with natural resources and embraces the proactive protection of the neighboring environment.

There’s also the private Pensacola Country Club, designed by Donald Ross. It is actually one of the oldest private clubs in the state of Florida.

The Perdido Bay Country Club resort is open to the public, seven days a week. They even offer a stay and play package for less than $125 a day.

Other area courses worth checking out are The Club at Hidden Creek (halfway between Pensacola and Destin) and Marcus Pointe Golf Club.

Beyond golf, there is plenty going on. The Pensacola metropolitan area has a total population of over 500,000, and with that comes a lot more businesses, attractions, and even the Pensacola International Airport. There are also plenty of vacation rentals, helping travelers find good deals.

Take Palafox Place for instance, a major commercial and entertainment area in downtown. It provides an interesting nightlife scene with lounges, dive bars and late night spots. There is also lots of waterfront dining on the beach and fresh seafood. Locals will tell you that Joe Patti’s Seafood Market is an institutional landmark and must see if you visit.

Panama City Beach Golf Vacations

I remember going to Panama City Beach on spring break when I was in college. It really is a college party destination the month of March. Unless that’s your scene, I’d recommend planning your trip here any other time of the year.

Besides spring breakers, there’s also a bunch of really good golf courses. The Nicklaus Course at Bay Point Resort moves through natural terrain of scrub oaks, pines and saltwater marshes. This will be a more expensive round on your trip, but still only $75 weekend greens fees in mid-June.

Other recommended courses include Hombre Golf Club, Signal Hill, Camp Creek Golf Club, and Sharks Tooth Golf Club (private) designed by Greg Norman and set on Lake Powell. St Joseph’s Bay Country Club, which is over an hour south of PCB, is considered by many to be worth the drive with beautiful gulf view holes.

For flights look into either the Tallahassee International Airport, which is a short drive, or the Northwest Florida Beaches International.

For food, check out Firefly for dinner and drinks. For cheap beer and bar food, locals suggest Dusty’s.

Destin Golf Vacations

Considered the “world’s luckiest fishing village”, Destin has evolved from a small fishing village to a popular tourist destination. With that transformation, the golfing scene has improved dramatically. Specifically, the courses along the Choctawhatchee Bay are worth traveling for.

The Emerald Bay Golf Club by architect Bob Cupp was recently renovated in 2014 and now has a brand new restaurant. To play a round of 18 holes is anywhere from $60 to $120 depending what time of day you play.

The Kelly Plantation Golf Course is arguably the best known course in Destin. Pricing is similar to Emerald Bar with rounds ranging from $70 to $145.

Also notable are the plethora of cheap rounds available. If you’re willing to golf after lunchtime when it’s a little hotter, you can play for very little money. For instance, Fort Walton Beach Club offers rounds in the $25 range in the afternoon.

There’s plenty of other courses to check out. If you had to narrow them down, start with the Seascape Golf Resort, Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort, Bluewater Bay Resort, Sandpiper Cove Golf Course, and the Burnt Pine Golf Course.

Getting here is easy too. Although small, the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport runs flights from Southwest, American Airlines, Delta and Allegiant.

North Florida Golf

Back in 1992, Florida’s First Coast of Golf was formed by tourist boards, lodging properties and golf courses to showcase Northeast Florida as a top golf destination. Since, golfing in this area of the state has only gotten better.

Home to the famed Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach, the course features one of the most recognizable holes on the PGA TOUR with the Par 3, 17th, and its famous island green. This alone makes the trip worthwhile for most golfing fans.

Outside of TPC Sawgrass, there are a ton of other great courses of similar caliber, making North Florida a golfers paradise. A few things to consider before booking a trip here..

Jacksonville Golf Vacations

Jacksonville is the most populated city in Florida, with almost a million residents as of 2020. On top of all those people, a significant factor of the economy there relies on tourism, part of which is related to golf. With all those people looking to play comes a plethora of places to golf.

Located in the suburb of Ponte Vedra Beach, TPC Sawgrass is one of the biggest draws in the area. The PGA TOUR is headquartered here and the Players Championship is held on the Stadium Course here every year. The best part, you can play here too, but only if you’re willing to fork over $450 to $600 to play. 

If the Stadium course is a little too expensive, I understand. For what it’s worth, the course is also known as one of the most difficult in the world. Instead, you could play a different Pete Dye designed Valley Course for less than half the price.

A can’t miss stop is the Jacksonville Beach Golf Club, often ranked in the top list of public courses. A fully public municipal course, redone in 2018, is owned by the city and offers cheap rates under $50 usually. Many agree that it doesn’t feel like a municipal course at all. Plus, there are no shortage of creative and challenging holes, tucked between the beach and intercoastal waterway. 

Other area courses we recommend include the Pablo Creek Country Club, Hidden Hills Golf Club by Arnold Palmer, Cimarrone Golf Club, and Bent Creek which is considered a hidden gem by locals. Also, check out Amelia Island, there are a bunch of amazing courses right there with many offering ocean views.

St. Augustine Golf Vacations

A few things. St. Augustine and Jacksonville are a little over an hour apart. Being in the middle of both cities, you could certainly travel to Ponte Vedra Beach (and TPC Sawgrass) from either location. For that matter, you could potentially play at any of the courses mentioned for both destinations.

Now, a little about St. Augustine. Perhaps the most notable, it is the oldest city in the United States. It also is home to Spanish colonial architecture and sandy beaches. Bars, pubs and restaurants are plentiful, opening up a bunch of possibilities for post-round fun.

Interestingly, the World Golf Hall of Fame is located a short 15 minute drive outside of town at the World Golf Village. You can play King & Bear and Slammer & Squire when you’re there. Make a day of it. Or check out the vacation packages offered, starting around $700 for a three night stay and two rounds of golf at nearby accommodations. Considering the price to play these courses this is a pretty sweet deal.

Of note, King & Bear is the only course in the world designed by Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer together. Both the Hall of Fame and surrounding courses are great items to add to your itinerary.

In my research I came across many positive reviews for St. Johns Golf & Country Club, the Golf Club at South Hampton and Royal St. Augustine Club. I would recommend checking these out if you’re planning a trip to this area.

About 45 minutes south in Palm Coast is The Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa.  Located along the beach, literally, golfers are treated to six holes right on the Atlantic Ocean. Both of these courses are private, unless you stay at the resort which is on the pricier end.

Central Florida Golf

The two largest locales in Central Florida include Orlando and Tampa. Since they’re only 85 miles apart, the two metros blend together and create a densely populated area. As a result, many golf courses are scattered throughout the area opening up plenty of opportunities for golfers looking to travel here.

Keep in mind, Central Florida is home to many retirees and snowbirds. Lots of people live down here to play golf. Just as many are planning to travel and play, just like you. That means you should plan your trip well in advance and book tee times before you travel if possible. Otherwise, some important considerations if you plan to golf in Central Florida:

Tampa Bay Golf Vacations

I love visiting the Tampa Bay area. Between St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa there’s no shortage of things going on. The beach and plenty of bars, nightclubs and lounges. Professional sports teams play almost year round. MLB Spring Training is a blast too, providing a great secondary reason to visit the area during February and March.

There’s a variety of challenging and affordable golf courses to play too. You just have to be willing to drive a bit, depending on where you stay.

Take the Dunedin Golf Club (public) in Clearwater for example. A challenging and reasonably priced course, designed by Donald Ross, with a ton of history. Some of golf’s greatest players teed off here too.

Another track to check out in the area is the Copperhead Course at the Innisbrook Resort.

In St. Petersburg, Mangrove Bay is considered a fun municipal course. Well-maintained, reasonably priced and friendly staff are reason enough to make a stop here.

North of Tampa, Fox Hollow (semi-private) is an affordable track recommended by locals, and one of Robert Trent Jones Sr. last design’s according to their website.

The Saddlebrook Resort is renowned by many as a must-play course in the area. The resort features two tracks, the Arnold Palmer Course and the Saddlebrook Golf Course. My research found that lots of folks were able to find deals to play here on sites like GolfNow.com. 

Other courses to check out north of Tampa include TPC Tampa Bay and Lake Jovita, which has two difficult courses with fast, tough greens.

If you’re willing to drive a little further…

Roughly an hour and a half from Tampa, the 36-hole golf complex formerly known as World Woods is considered a great course at a fair value. Cabot Citrus Farms bought the property and is reopening in 2023. I can only speculate that they will improve the course even more. One can hope.

Bowling Green Florida Golf Vacations

In what has become a trio of must play courses, the Streamsong Resort is a little over an hour drive from the Tampa area. Considered by some as a premier golfing destination in the state, they usually have stay and play packages for golfers to take advantage of. If you can get a tee time without staying at the resort then I would jump on that.

Golf Vacations in the Bradenton and Sarasota area

Bradenton and Sarasota are so close to Tampa that I could’ve included these courses in the previous section. A good problem to have if you ask me. There are just too many courses in the area. That said, depending on how you plan your trip, you could easily golf at any of those courses as well.

Bonus: Sarasota has an airport, making travel here that much easier.

The must play course in the area is Waterlefe. Just north of Sarasota, built on the Manatee River in a gated community, it even has a private marina. The course really is gorgeous too. Lots of water and bunkers sprinkled throughout the course  make for a challenge, especially from the back tees. 

Just 30 minutes outside of Sarasota, Lakewood National designed by Arnold Palmer is considered a bit more challenging than other courses. It will cost you a little more than others too. Beyond the 36 holes, Lakewood National offers guests other luxury amenities like pools, tennis courses, and a spa.

Sarasota National is another course with affordable rates depending when you play. The course is a Audubon International Certified Signature Sanctuary, providing a beautiful natural habitat to play your round in. Wide fairways will help you land with a good approach, but beware of lightning greens. 

If you can get on, check out the Concession Golf Club in Bradenton. It’s a private course that received notoriety after hosting the 2021 PGA Workday World Golf Championship.

Misty Creek came recommended from mid to low handicap golfers in the area. 

If you’re looking for challenging, affordable courses in Bradenton or Sarasota…

The IMG Academy Course in Bradenton, with its fast rolling greens, offers cheap $30 rounds all day long in June. Also in Bradenton, the River Run Golf Links offers rounds under $40 year round. Many online say the course is in great shape and underrated. Can’t beat that price too.

There’s also Club Renaissance in Sun City. A very affordable round for under $55 before 1:00 PM in June. Bonus, it looks like a luxury resort when you walk in the clubhouse. Another course that received a ton of positive reviews online.

Also worth checking out, the Suncoast Golf Center, a nine hole course offering night golf until 9:00PM. A great way to 

Daytona Beach Golf Vacations

Widely recognized for their Bike Week and Daytona 500, Daytona Beach also sports almost 20 golf courses too. Beautiful beaches, bustling nightlife, winter weather that averages high 60’s and low 70’s, and lots of golf. What else is there to ask for?

Part of what makes Daytona Beach a great golf destination is the willingness of hotels, motels and resorts to make special deals and accommodations for larger golf groups. Area hotel management will help you plan a stay and play package and even offer special rates.

In terms of golf, both the Jones and Hills Courses at LPGA International are challenging. The club is also the home course of the LPGA Tour. 

Other courses to consider during your visit include the North Course at Pelican Bay Golf Club, Hidden Lakes Golf Club, Daytona Beach Golf Club and New Smyrna Golf Club (the last two are Donald Ross courses).

Orlando Golf Vacations

If you’re looking for an affordable Florida winter golf vacation, Orlando is the play. Flights are inexpensive to get there and area accommodations can be pretty cheap. Lots of great golf to be had with affordable options available too. 

There’s also a bunch going on in the surrounding area. Orlando is one of the most visited cities in the world after all. Disney World and Universal Studios, MLS and NBA teams, water parks and amusement parks, and over 100 lakes. 

Considered the crown jewel of the area, Bay Hill Club & Lodge, is most famous for being home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Since both courses are private, you will need to book a stay at the lodge to play a round.

Celebration Golf Club, a Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Jr. collaboration, is a crowd favorite and you’re guaranteed to have a great round here. Summertime rounds range roughly from $45 to $75 a round, with those rates increasing in the winter. Just a short 5 minutes from Walt Disney Resort.

The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Grande Lakes designed by Greg Norman offers tee times varying from $100 to $200 depending on the time and month. An excellently manicured course with smooth greens and plush fairways. Service is top notch too. Also close to many of the places worth visiting in Orlando. 

Then there’s Reunion Resort and Golf Club in Kissimmee, the only club with courses designed by Watson, Palmer and Nicklaus. They offer stay and play packages for group rates. For reference, at the time of writing they were offering a summer package for roughly $1,000 for two people for two nights and a similar package in February is roughly $1,500.

Also recommended plays in Orlando are either of the ChampionsGate courses, Disney’s Palm Golf Course, and El Campeon at Mission Inn Resort & Club.

For affordable golf options in Orlando…

You’d think a course that hosts the Web.com PGA tournament would be priced accordingly. Instead, Orange County National offers affordable rates for two widely recommended courses Crooked Cat and Panther Lake. Near Magic Kingdom, this is a perfect club to slip away from your family vacation for a round. 

If you’re looking for a stay and play package, Shingle Creek offers worthwhile deals. The course features lots of water hazards via interconnected waterways, a very cool track. Booking straight up is roughly $70 for an early summer tee time, and gets cheaper later in the day.

Other courses to check out include Eagle Creek (public) in South Orlando, sporting a link-style, wide open fairway, long course. Deer Island in North Orlando Links is considered a hidden gem by locals. Both courses list rounds at roughly $50 in the morning during summer months. Finally, the Orange Lake Par 3 Course could be fun round if you’re looking to take it easy.

If you’re willing to drive a little…

In the middle of Orlando and Tampa sits Southern Dunes. A hilly layout featuring over 100ft of elevation change is not your typical Florida course. Locals love it because it’s challenging, yet fun to play again and again. Greens fees are very reasonable too.

South Florida Golf

This will definitely be the largest section to cover, since south Florida is one of the most traveled golf vacation spots in the country. Palm Beach is called the golf capital of the world, while Naples has the most golf courses than anywhere else in the state. There are just so many options for golfers. 

A huge plus for golf travelers, tourists are catered to here more than any other area in the state. Beaches, dining and nightlife become main attractions. Hotels, resorts, rentals and airbnbs are prevalent everywhere. Even getting here is easy with airports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach and Boca Raton. 

For those planning a golf trip to south Florida, a few things keep in mind:

Miami Golf Vacations

Everyone loves vacationing in Miami. Between the food and nightlife scene in South Beach and the endless beaches, there’s not much more you could ask for on top of great golf. Plus, the weather is warm all year round, albeit too hot in the summer by most people’s standards.

Here’s the catch. There is such a high demand for tee times in Miami that they can charge more. Even the munis can be pricey. If you’re vacationing in Miami though, you probably can afford it! 

With a little bit of due diligence and planning though, you can find a combination of courses to play that will suit your skill level and wallet.

Bucket list golf options in Miami…

Widely considered the most prolific golf club in Miami, the Trump National Doral is the definition of a bucket list golf destination. The luxury resort features four courses, including the Blue Monster, which is home to annual PGA Tour events for 55 consecutive years. You’ll recognize the famous par 4, 18th hole.

You’ll pay a pretty penny though. Morning tee times in the summer for Blue Monster are roughly $350 for 18 holes. Summertime price range north of $400. For the budget conscious golder, the other courses Red Tiger, Golden Palm and Silver Fox offer tee times at around half that price.

There’s also the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry luxury resort featuring 36 holes originally designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr. The Soffer Course is the more notable course, hosting several LPGA events throughout the year. There’s plenty of fun to have on the Miller Course as well.

The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables is another iconic Miami course. The University of Miami also calls this Donald Ross designed course their home. Of note, out of the three bucket list courses, the Biltmore is definitely the most affordable option.

Affordable golf options in Miami under $100 per round…

There are a few different courses to play in Miami for under $100.

The first place to look are any of the ​​Miami-Dade County Parks including, Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne, Country Club of Miami, Greynolds Golf Course, Briar Bay Golf Courseand Palmetto Golf Course.

Greynolds and Briar Bay are both 9 hole courses. You can get on either starting at $25 as non-residents. Another municipal 9 hole course to check out is the Granada golf course in Coral Gables, also starting at $25 a round.

The Country Club of Miami features two Robert Trent Jones Jr. courses (East and West) starting at $45 a round.

The Palmetto Golf Course is a challenging option for those looking to take in the Miami scenery and also navigate serpentine waterways throughout the round. For $50 this is a great value.

Finally, Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne is the most expensive affordable course I looked at. This municipal course comes highly recommended by locals with iconic views of downtown Miami and the Biscayne Bay. You can get on here for $100.

Golf courses in Miami to play while on vacation…

There are a few other mid-range price greens fees to check out when you’re on vacation in Miami. Check the Melreese Country Club, with rounds at $135 and under for summer rates, which also include some spring/fall months. During the peak winter season, rounds are all listed under $195.

Another public course in the Miami area is Miami Shores, which also happens to be close to the airport. This is a must play course for any golfer who enjoys the game and appreciates a well manicured, challenging course. Winter rates with a cart are $125, still a very good value.

If you’re looking to play a round on South Beach, the Miami Beach Golf Club is well worth the greens fee of $130, albeit that is their summer rate. The course is a favorite amongst locals and shows up on a lot of must-play Miami course lists.

Palm Beach Golf Vacations

I mentioned this earlier but it’s worth repeating again here, Palm Beach is called the golf capital of the world. Definitely plenty of courses to play in the immediate area, and championship caliber courses at that.

Perhaps the most notable is PGA National Resort, which has six courses total, including the Champion Course which hosts the Honda Classic every year. If you’re looking to stay at a luxury resort, you can get a stay and play package for two days and three nights for roughly $1,500 (at the time of writing).

Just north in the neighboring city of Port St. Lucie is the Dye Course at PGA Golf Club. The PGA Golf Club offers 54 holes of championship golf, with course design legend Pete Dye and Tom Fazio.

Believe it or not, there is also a must-play par 3 course too. The Palm Beach Par-3 Course is very well maintained, running between the Atlantic Ocean and along the intercoastal. When 18 holes is never enough, playing this course as your second round of the day is always an option.

If you’re in search of a challenging course that comes highly rated, then Abacoa in Jupiter may be your course. With oscillating fairways and some of the best putting greens in the area, this course is a value to play.

Emerald Dunes is a private facility, however, if you can find a way to get on the Tom Fazio designed course then you’re in for a treat. The course is beautifully manicured throughout, offering challenging holes around bushes, bunkers and even a few waterfalls.

Sandhill Crane was also another other course that came up in my search, and highly recommended by locals.

Fort Lauderdale Golf Vacations

First things first, Fort Lauderdale typically has the cheapest flights into Florida. If you intend to go south, Miami is only ~30 miles away and West Palm Beach is ~45 miles. Some food for thought when booking your trip.

There’s also a ton to do outside of golfing. When I visited with a group of guys a few years back, we had a blast going out drinking, lounging on the beach, going out to eat and even taking a fishing charter boat out. Being out on the intercoastal waterway was something I’m glad I got to experience too.

As for golf, the Club at Emerald Hills just south in Hollywood, is considered by many to be a hidden gem. Considered a difficult 18, wide fairways help make up for the long course. Many also mention that the staff is very welcoming and the facilities are recently upgraded. Summer rates are below $50, even in the early morning.

A couple courses worth visiting on your vacation are just west in neighboring Plantation.

The semi-private Jacaranda Golf Club offers two courses, both challenging in different ways. They also both cross between canals, ponds and waterways to provide a tropical beach vibe throughout. You can expect greens fees north of $100 in the summer and just shy of $200 in the peak winter season.

Then there’s the Plantation Preserve, a very unique course, and public at that! The property features panoramic views of Everglades-inspired wetlands that intersect the course. There’s even an island green, among other challenging holes. Rounds range from $55-$125 depending on when you play and what time of year.

Affordable golf courses in Fort Lauderdale…

There are a couple recommended public courses in the area as well. Davie Golf Club, owned by the Town of Davie and recently reopened in 2011. 

Then there’s the Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course, with two tracks, the Pines and Palm Course. Greg Norman actually recently renovated and redesigned the Pines Course in 2013. 

Both courses offer affordable golfing, with greens fees under $50 no matter the time of day or year.

Golf Courses in Sunrise Florida

Sunrise is a city of about 100,000 residents, just west of Fort Lauderdale in South Florida. There are a few courses worth playing here, especially if you’re staying close by.

The Bridges at Springtree Golf Club, maintained by the city, is a very affordable course with greens fees under $50 listed on their website. 

There’s also the private course, the Sunrise Lakes Phase IV Golf Course, an executive 9 hole track.

Boca Raton Florida Golf Vacations

In an area where there are more private clubs than public, it can actually be quite hard to find a worthwhile course to play. Obviously, if you can get on a private course, chances are you will want to do that.

If you can’t get on a private course, I’m not sure Boca is the best destination for a golf trip. You may be better served a little north in West Palm Beach.

That said, there are a couple public courses that may do the trick.

Considered a top public course in the area, Osprey Point Golf course features three 9 hole courses. Conditions are immaculate and on par with many private courses in the area. The price is right too, with rounds less than $60 during peak season.

Halfway between Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale sits the public golf club, Eagle Trace. The course has hosted many high-profile tournaments including the Honda Classic in the late 80’s and early 90’s. 

In 2021 the Boca Raton Golf and Racquet Club opened. The 18 hole course features an island green to close out your round, always a draw to have a landmark hole of that nature. For $75 a round in the summer, the course isn’t expensive, but certainly not cheap comparably.

You should also check out the 9 hole Alan C Alford Red Reef Family Golf Course. It’s very short, but offers fun holes and is located between the Atlantic Ocean and intercoastal waterway. 

Naples Golf Vacations

Considering there are more golf courses in Naples than any other part of the state, it’s worth your while to check out a golf-centered vacation here. It makes sense too, Naples ranks as having the sixth-highest per capita income in the country.

As an aside for those looking to vacation here, Naples has some of the best beaches in the state. Lot’s of opportunities to kayak, paddleboard, boat or just get out on the water. 

With so many courses you have the luxury of choosing where you want to play whether it be a challenging, professional level course or a short, weekend golfer caliber course. For the purposes of this article, I only reviewed courses that anyone can get on.

Perhaps the most recommended courses in the area, the Black and Gold courses by Greg Norman at the Ritz-Carlton Tiburón provide award-winning golf experiences. Both have hosted LPGA and PGA events and the Black course is even a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International. Rates Range from $99 – $500 per player depending on the season and time of day.

They do offer stay and play packages, starting at around $1,000/night for two guests including fees, golfing and breakfast each day. 

Old Corkscrew, designed by Jack Nicklaus, comes in a close second for top Naples golf courses. Located between Fort Myers and Naples, this course could be played if you stayed in either city. Beware though, this is a very challenging course. Even the lowest handicappers leave feeling vulnerable. This course isn’t surrounded by developments like many other courses in the area, it is even a certified Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary. In the summer you can get on here for around $100, but greens fees are close to $200 a round during peak seasons.

Another luxury resort, the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort in Bonita Springs supplies a world-class vacation experience on top of their golf course. Water slides, pools, a lazy river and even a secluded private island round out the tropical resort amenities. 

As for the golf course, just up the road from the Hyatt, Raptor Bay is worth considering for those vacationing in the area. Located between Fort Myers and Naples, the course is moderately priced at $100 in the summer and up to 250 during peak season.

Affordable golf courses in Naples…

If you’re looking to change things up, or your flight gets in late, try the Links of Naples out. They offer night golf in the spring and summer until 11:00PM. It’s a shorter course at just over 4,000 yards, but offers many challenging holes for the mid to low handicap golfer.

Recently renovated with the focus of developing a more strategic and purposeful placement of bunkers, the Valencia Golf and Country Club should challenge golfers of any skill level. They list tee times below $50 in the summer and between $50 to $80 per round in peak season. 

Another public course, Bonita Fairways, recently overhauled their bunkers and brought in new sand. Greens fees range from $50 to $70 depending on the time of day you play and season

Another great value are the Mustang and Flamingo Island courses at the Lely Resort, which are designed by Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and Lee Trevino respectively. A third course designed by Gary Player is private. Early morning rounds were listed around $80 in the summertime, not a bad price all things considered.

In that same vein, ArrowHead Golf Club in Naples is another great value. This course won the prestigious Southwest Florida Choice Award for public golf courses. The course features 16 lakes and contoured greens. Also helpful, they book tee times out a month in advance, which is helpful in planning a golf vacation.

I didn’t cover any private courses in this section, but if you can get on Bear Paws Country Club, then I highly encourage you to do so. Many consider this Jack Nicklaus signature course one of the best, if not the best course in Naples.

Other private clubs that came up in my research were TPC Treviso Bay, Hammock Bay, and Forest Glen.

Fort Myers Golf Vacations

Any Red Sox fan knows that Fort Myers is their home for spring training, making a Fort Myers golfing trip appeal to me on multiple levels. Surprisingly, there are also many great affordable rounds available in Fort Myers. This could definitely be a golf trip to satisfy the frugal golfer.

Challenging beginners to low handicappers, Del Tura Golf and Country Club provides 27 excellent holes. For $32 you can play a round of 18 at any time during the day in the summer, not a bad deal at all

Then there’s the semi-private Whiskey Creek Country Club. You can play 18 holes before noon for $49 during peak season.

Another affordable round to be had is at Fort Myers Country Club. Early morning rounds will run you under $50 in the off-peak season. This city owned, Donald Ross designed course comes highly recommended by locals.

Also run by the city of Fort Myers, the Eastwood Golf Course only costs $50 after 1:00PM. Many locals consider this track a hidden gem, and just might be worth checking out.

Finally, if you’re looking to switch things up but still want to swing your sticks, Top Golf just opened here.

BONUS: Best Golf Courses in Florida Keys 

You should probably just drive to Miami if you’re looking to golf. Seriously. It’s tough to maintain a golf course in the keys because the ocean sprays salt water, making it difficult to even grow grass.

That said, if you’re looking to golf you can check out the Key West Golf Club. Many will say the $85 to $110 greens fees are overpriced, but there’s not much else around. Notable, this course was designed by Rees Jones, a legendary golf course architect.

There’s also a couple courses in Marathon including the Key Colony Beach Nine Hole, Par 3 course and the Florida Keys Country Club 9 Hole course. 

Choosing the right city to golf in Florida

As you can see by the length of this post, there are many courses to visit in Florida. Depending on the time of year, your budget, and the skill level of you and your travel companions will help determine where you should actually travel to.