Perfect for its year-round sunshine, there are an array of top-notch golf courses in Florida that are designed by world-famous architects. Home to PGA competitions and big-name golfers, golf enthusiasts from around the world are drawn to the Sunshine State for its collection of scenic courses and golf resorts. With rolling hills, lush vegetation, and stunning waterfronts serving as picturesque backdrops, here are some of the most beautiful golf courses in Florida.
Kelly Plantation Golf Club, Destin
Located in Destin, Kelly Plantation Golf Club is one of the most visually impressive golf courses in northwest Florida. Nestled along the Choctawhatchee Bay, this semi-private golf club features 18 holes that were formerly a turpentine plantation. Named one of the “Top 5% of Golf Courses in North America” by Golf Digest, players can admire the 7,000 yards of smooth greens, strategically placed hazards, picturesque views, and charming tee names. Make sure to look around when at Hole No. 4, as the panoramic view of the bay and surrounding magnolias are simply stunning.
Innisbrook, A Salamander Golf & Spa, Palm Harbor
Home to four championship golf courses in Florida’s Palm Harbor, Innisbrook is home to the annual PGA Tour Valspar Championship. Sitting on 900 wooded acres of rolling hills, this resort boasts world-renowned golf thanks to its championship layouts. Offering a captivating golf vacation with 72 holes, choose between the Copperhead that entices those looking for a challenge with its lengthy fairways, while The Island Course is surrounded by moss-draped cypress trees and has a distinct Carolina feel.
TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra
Boasting a world-class golf experience, TPC in Ponte Vedra is the site of The Players Championship. Serving as a headquarters for golf in the Sunshine State with its TPC Network, it’s here that you’ll find one of the world’s most famous courses, TPC Sawgrass. With a combination of meticulous greens, challenging holes, and world-class facilities, here you’ll find two championship courses that have earned a spot at the top of the most distinguished golf rankings throughout the years.
Hammock Beach Resort, Palm Coast
The Ocean Course at Hammock Beach Resort is consistently ranked amongst the most beautiful in the state. Built by famous architect Jack Nicklaus, here you’ll find spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean along this award-winning resort. Perfect for a golf getaway, the two immaculate courses have been host to PGA Tour events and have ranked at the top of Florida’s rankings for Golf Magazine, Golf Week, and Golf Digest. Surrounded by a natural landscape, it’s here that you can experience true oceanfront golf perfection.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, Miramar Beach
Elevate your golf game at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort in Miramar Beach, one of the best beachfront resorts in Florida’s Panhandle. Situated along Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast, you’ll find four award-winning courses to choose from. Rayven Golf Club, Baytown Golf Club, The Links Golf Clube, and Burnt Pien Club have their own unique challenges and characteristics, attracting high-profile events and competitions such as the Champions Tour and NCAA National Championships. Spanning from the beach to the bay, soak up views of the Gulf Coast while tackling an exciting array of shot options.
Tiburon Golf Club, Naples
Located in Naples, Tiburon Golf Club features two 18-hole Greg Norman-designed golf courses, the Golf and the Black. Home to the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship and the PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout, there are an array of high-profile events held here. The Gold Course boasts exclusive bunkers, formed of stacked sod or coquina shell waste, while stunning views are found at nearly every hole. There’s also a 27,000 square foot Mediterranean-style clubhouse with three dining rooms, an award-winning golf shop and a private member locker room and lounge area.
The Ritz Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes
If you’re looking for a challenge to up your golf game, head to The Ritz Carlton Golf Club in Orlando. Designed by two-time British Open Champion Greg Norman, the course has an emphasis on preserving the area’s beautiful landscape and natural resources of ponds, wetlands, live oaks, and cypress heads. Enjoy wide fairways and the sweeping views of the area’s natural beauty, as strategically placed hazards and generous landing areas make this a challenging yet firm favorite with golfers.
World Woods Golf Club, Brooksville
The only 5-star Public Golf Course in Florida, World Woods Golf Club in Brooksville offers a unique golfing experience. The two Tom Fazio-designed courses offer world-class golf to players looking for a visually stunning blend of native terrain and golf course design. An acclaimed layout that was named after the many pine trees that line its length, you’ll find expansive pine forest views and dramatic changes in elevation that present an array of exciting challenges.
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando
The winter home of golf legend Arnold Palmer since the early ’70s, Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge in Orlando boasts 270 acres along the shores of the Butler Chain of Lakes. One of the top luxury hotels in Florida, it draws crowds each March for the PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, The Champion, Challenger and Charger links feature 27 holes of tour championship golf. A great destination for beginners and experts alike, you can even stay overnight in the comfortable lodge filled with memorabilia from Arnold Palmer’s life.
Lost Key Golf Club, Perdido Key
Located near downtown Pensacola, Lost Key Golf Club in Perdido Key was the first golf course in Florida to be certified as an Audubon International Silver Signature Sanctuary. Framed the natural beauty of the area, the par 71 signature designed championship course features a visual playing experience. Play on the Sea Dwarf Paspalum grass, then visit the full-service golf shop, lounge area and enjoy dining at the on-site restaurant where you can capture panoramic views of the golf course.
Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort, Amelia Island
Island Plantation Resort offers a dream escape for fans of the sport. The postcard-perfect courses provide a combination of coastal dunes, pine forests, and gorgeous marshes, while the fairways feature a deep green hue and are dotted with colorful flower displays and towering ancient oaks. The Oak Marsh course offers a challenge for all skill levels, while Ocean Links offers oceanfront views and Long Point is situated against lush marshes and dramatic sand dunes.
