6 Best Golf Courses to Play in Florida

We know it’s a tall order to pick only a handful of Florida’s absolute best golf courses, where players have over 1,250 golf courses. That much variety means fans of the game have courses to suit different ways to play the game. Some courses emphasize obstacles or short-game skills, while others present beautiful fairways in a classic Florida style lined by swaying palm trees. And how do you compare ocean views against rolling sand hills? 

We were happy to undertake this challenge of picking out Florida’s top golf courses. Using our play experiences and researching opinions from industry-leading experts, these Florida golf courses deserve a spot on your must-play list. 

Seminole Golf Club

Address: 901 Seminole Blvd, Juno Beach, FL 33408

This private club may just be the best of the best in Florida. It appeared numerous times within the top three courses–if not the top course– on different golf expert lists. Legendary golf course architect Donald Ross brought out his best elements when he designed the Seminole Golf Club. Restorations and renovations (most recently by Ben Crenshaw and Bill Coore) have added to its test of the game.  

Inspiration was clearly taken from Ross’s home country, Scotland, and their wild oceanfront courses. The undulating fairways and strategic bunkers lead to deceptively challenging greens, as does the tight layout that plays off every sea breeze’s angle. Even though fairways are wide, all it takes is a gust to send your shot off-course. Did we mention the Atlantic Ocean is the course backdrop? Those views!

Accessing this exclusive club may be challenging. Even its website is members-only. The clubhouse is built with iconic Spanish-American architecture, down to the brightly pink stucco and wrought iron accents. 

TPC Sawgrass

Address: 110 Championship Way Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082

Best known as the host of The Players Championship since 1982, TPC Sawgrass is one of the most prestigious tournaments on the PGA Tour. In rankings for top course in Florida, it battles it out with Seminole Golf Club. 

The centerpiece of TPC Sawgrass is the Pete Dye-designed Stadium Course. It opened in 1980 and is famous for the “Island Green.” This iconic par-3 17th hole features a thin peninsula leading out to a rounded fairway surrounded by water. It’s one of the most recognizable holes in golf.

In addition to the Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass has the Dye’s Valley Course, another option designed by Pete Dye in collaboration with Bobby Weed and player consultant Jerry Pate.

Golf enthusiasts worldwide visit TPC Sawgrass to experience the challenging layout and play the iconic 17th hole. It also features a world-class Golf Academy and performance center, providing instructional programs and lessons for players of all skill levels. Its state-of-the-art technology helps golfers improve their game.

TPC Sawgrass courses are open to the public for play, but the membership includes complimentary greens fees on the Dye Valley course, walk and carry rounds, a ten-day booking window, reduced rates on the Stadium Course, and more. 

The clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass is an impressive Mediterranean-styled structure that overlooks the 18th green of the Stadium Course. It provides first-class amenities for members, guests, and players, but the clubhouse is open to the public all days of the week.

Streamsong Resort

Address: 1000 Streamsong Dr, Bowling Green, FL 33834

Only a few Floridians know where Bowling Green is, but players of the game definitely have heard of Streamsong Resort in central Florida. All three of its courses are repeatedly featured on top lists, particularly its Red course. Dramatic elevation changes are hard to come by in notoriously flat Florida, but you’ll find it at Streamstrong, thanks to its history as a quarry.

Architects Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw utilized the natural vista of this slightly more elevated landscape and the former quarry to craft a course with large sand dunes, bunkers, and wide fairways. The course offers a links-style layout with challenging green complexes. Native grasses frame the holes and add to the Florida charm. Again and again, the Red course appears among the nation’s best courses to play. 

Over at the Blue course, Tom Doak designed a course with equally challenging bunkers but more rolling terrain. He wanted to play off the quarry’s contours to craft something truly unique, and many believe he succeeded. 

The Black Course didn’t rank as highly, but perhaps because it’s a newer course that hasn’t been as much play time from experts yet. Even so, don’t think it’s a bottom-tier course—it’s still in the top 30 courses in Golfweek and Golf Digest. Stylistic, it brings a different style of play to Streamsong than the Red and Blue courses. Rather than quarry elevation changes, Black uses expansive contours and grand scaling possible in the wide-open central Florida landscape. Gil Hanse wanted a course that flowed with the natural setting, resulting in epic vistas and sandy challenges.

Streamsong Resort is a relaxing golf complex within 90 minutes of Tampa and Orlando. The main recreation centers around its world-class golf courses. However, the resort pairs guest stays with sporting clays, guided bass fishing, archery, and delicious dining. It is designed as an immersive vacation destination, helping it stand out on the best Florida golf courses list.

PGA National Resort and Spa

Address: 400 Ave of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418

Welcome to the home of the Honda Classic at the world-renowned PGA National Resort & Spa. The legendary resort and Conde Nast award winner features a collection of six championship golf courses designed by the most notable architects in the golf industry. 

At the top is the apt-named Champion Course, originally designed by Tom Fazio and later redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1990. The Champion Course is the flagship golf course at PGA National and is known for its challenging layout. The course gained fame for its difficult “Bear Trap” stretch (holes 15-17), becoming one of the toughest three-hole stretches on the PGA Tour. 

Beyond the Champion Course, five additional championship golf courses add to PGA National Resort’s high standards in golf: The Palmer, The Fazio, The Squire, The Match, and The Estates. The unique characteristics of each course provide variety for golfers and promise to challenge all skill levels. 

The resort further features the PGA National Golf Academy, with certified professionals hosting group clinics, player development, and private lessons. 

The golf experience is set against an opulent and relaxing background. Guests can play in the morning and unwind at the spa in the afternoon. Onsite, find four dining choices: a Sushi bar to a casual club, accommodations in guestrooms to vacation homes, recreation in pickleball and tennis, and a relaxing pool area. 

Calusa Pines Golf Club

Address: 2000 Calusa Pines Dr, Naples, FL 34120

Renowned golf course architect Dana Fry designed the golf course at Calusa Pines. Fry is known for his work on notable courses like the Erin Hills Golf Course, host of the 2017 US Open. At Calusa Pines, he aimed to create a course that seamlessly integrates with the natural surroundings of southwest Florida. 

The course celebrates the natural beauty with carefully placed water hazards and an eye on environmental sustainability. Wildlife roams the softly undulating greens, creating a peaceful environment for the round of play. Uniquely, it is built atop a natural sand ridge, leading to sweeping views. But don’t be deceived, as this challenging design requires some strategic thinking. 

Calusa Pines is a private, invitation-only golf club that promises exceptional experiences for its members. That’s right down to its caddie service and an encouragement to walk the course. 

McArthur Golf Club

Address: 6550 SE Osprey St, Hobe Sound, FL 33455

Tom Fazio, in conjunction with Nick Price, designed this sleeper of a “best” course near Jupiter, FL. Glistening white sand dunes and wetlands frame the holes, creating hollows and slopes that challenge the best of the game. It’s a beautiful natural setting, backdropping a fun course to play.

McArthur Golf Club added a second course in November, called the “West” course, designed by Coore and Crenshaw. Facilities include a putting green, chipping area, and driving ranges.  

This private club may not be as well-known across golfing circles. Still, the experts who have played it attest to its high-quality experience. The pace is relaxed and uninterrupted thanks to its limited membership and focus on experience. Membership is by invitation only.

Best Golf in Florida

These featured courses are those that repeatedly delight players. Wherever you turn in Florida, you’re guaranteed to find a world-class golf course nearby. After all, there are over 1,000 courses here. Enjoy the experience, and share your favorite Florida golf course.