| While Florida's tourism industry stemmed from its | | | | annual host of the Tournament Players Championship. |
| breathtaking beaches and world-renowned theme | | | | The two courses, the Stadium and Valley, are |
| parks, it has established itself as a first-class golf | | | | maintained to remarkably high standards but are two |
| destination. Although there are top golf courses to be | | | | very different golfing experiences. The Stadium |
| found throughout the state, the areas of Tampa, | | | | Course, home to the infamous 17th island green, the |
| Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami are making the | | | | most photographed hole in golf, is known for fast |
| largest impact on the state's golf industry. | | | | greens and tight fairways. This course can fool any |
| Tampa Bay Area | | | | level of golfer into a feeling of false security with |
| The Tampa Bay Area is the fastest growing golf | | | | hidden bunkers and tricky water hazards. The |
| region in the state although it has not quite | | | | younger sibling, the Valley Course, is more technically |
| established itself among the "greats" yet. The area is | | | | extreme but is often overlooked. The larger greens |
| gaining notoriety with first-class resorts, upscale daily | | | | and fairways make for a more lighthearted golfing |
| fee courses, and a number of public access facilities | | | | experience. To play, one must be a guest at the |
| for any level or price range. If you are looking for a | | | | Marriot at Sawgrass or a member. Greens fees range |
| course with an old time Florida feel, spend a day on | | | | from $140 to $305 for the Stadium Course and $110 |
| the Copperhead Course at Westin Innisbrook. It has | | | | to $170 for the Valley Course. |
| been labeled one of the top golf resorts in the | | | | The World Golf Village is home to two courses, both |
| country due to its full character and challenging | | | | with two distinct nines, one open and one wooded. |
| features. The course is lush and green with plenty of | | | | The King & The Bear, designed by Arnold Palmer and |
| risk and reward opportunities. The Copperhead | | | | Jack Nicklaus, has recently joined the Slammer & The |
| Course is open only to resort guests, members, and | | | | Squire to offer great courses all designed by the |
| friends of members with greens fees of $160 for | | | | best in the business. The Slammer & The Squire |
| guests. | | | | course has plenty of lakes with rolling fairways while |
| A new arrival to the Tampa Golf scene can be found | | | | the newer course focuses more on aesthetics |
| just a short drive north of the city. World Woods | | | | without compromising the quality of play. Players with |
| Golf Club was recently developed with two courses, | | | | great short game execution will enjoy The Slammer |
| a nine-hole short course, and a state of the art | | | | & The Squire while The King & The Bear requires |
| practice center. The Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks | | | | accuracy with distance and placement. These fine |
| courses provide two different golf experiences. Pine | | | | courses coupled with the World Golf Hall of Fame |
| Barrens is uniquely challenging, making for an | | | | and all the attractions that accompany it are a great |
| enjoyable round while Rolling Oaks is full of relaxing | | | | way to enhance your Jacksonville golf experience. |
| dips and peaceful climbs through Florida farmland. | | | | Greens fees are $99 to $179 for the older course |
| Both courses are worth a visit to this new golf club | | | | and $125 to $200 for The King and The Bear. |
| and with 700 hotel rooms within a 20-minute drive, | | | | Miami Area |
| you can make a vacation of it. | | | | It is easy to add golf to any luxurious Miami vacation. |
| Orlando Area | | | | With world-class resorts, infamous South Beach, and |
| Although, historically, Walt Disney World and other | | | | a host of semi-private courses in its back yard, Miami |
| theme park attractions have overshadowed the | | | | has become a top golf vacation destination. PGA |
| Orlando golf scene, the area is full of top-rated | | | | National in Palm Beach Gardens offers golfers five |
| courses and first-rate golf resorts. There are | | | | tournament caliber courses all ranked by Zagat for |
| between 100 and 150 courses in the area and | | | | "America's Top Courses." There is a course for every |
| Orlando is host to two PGA tour events. In an article | | | | kind of player at PGA National whether you are a |
| about Orlando golf, one cannot overlook the Bay Hill | | | | seasoned pro or someone just getting into the game. |
| Club and Lodge. One of the most prestigious | | | | The Haig, The General, The Champ, The Squire, and |
| semi-private clubs in the country, it has been a part | | | | The Estate are unique and offer something a little |
| of the PGA tour since 1979. The club has three | | | | different. The Haig, the first course developed was |
| nine-hole courses, the Challenger, the Champion, and | | | | intended to and does offer quality golf for all players. |
| the Charger. Bay Hill makes an effort to provide top | | | | Qualities such as having no crossing water hazards |
| of the line service by enhancing the smallest details. | | | | evens the playing field regardless of skill. The newest |
| For example, each foursome at the club gets a | | | | course is The General, modeled after Scottish |
| forecaddie with no extra charge to haul clubs, rake | | | | courses. Players will see these roots in its rising and |
| sand traps, and provide tips on difficult shots. You | | | | falling fairways and common greens. The most |
| must be a guest or resort member to play these | | | | renowned of the five is The Champ, offering the |
| courses with greens fees of $175 per round during | | | | finest playing surface available anywhere in the world. |
| peak season. | | | | For information regarding tee times and golf |
| The North-South course at Grand Cypress Villas, | | | | packages, visit the PGA National website. |
| designed by Jack Nicklaus, is one of the most well | | | | Perhaps the most revered of South Florida golf |
| groomed courses in Florida. This combined with | | | | resorts is the Doral Golf Resort and Spa. The Doral is |
| man-made rolling fairways and turtleback greens | | | | home to 5 courses, nine pro shops, and a top-rated |
| makes for very enjoyable play. The course has been | | | | spa. The Blue Monster, The Great White, The Red, |
| labeled as roomy but challenging and is a must visit | | | | The Silver, and The Gold are world-renowned for |
| for any golfer in the Orlando Area. Greens fees run | | | | fantastic golf and with water on over 60 of the 90 |
| from $115 to $180, well worth a day away from The | | | | holes, they are also known for their challenge. The |
| Mouse. | | | | Great White, designed by Greg Norman, and The |
| Jacksonville Area | | | | Blue Monster, one of the most recognizable courses |
| Jacksonville, one of the best-kept secrets on the | | | | in the country, are the top two courses at Doral. The |
| East Coast, has a great waterfront setting and is a | | | | Great White, framed by palm trees and white sand, |
| well-established golfing destination. The city and its | | | | is difficult to play and favors those who play position |
| surrounding areas are home to 68 courses, the PGA | | | | golf. The Blue Monster is known for huge water |
| and Senior PGA tour headquarters, and the World | | | | hazards, unforgiving rough, and an 18th hole that is |
| Golf Village, just a few minutes down I-95. The | | | | one of the toughest finishes on the PGA Tour. The |
| courses in Jacksonville require accuracy but are | | | | Greens Fees range from $100 to $225 depending on |
| known to provide plenty of variety. The world | | | | the course and season. |
| famous TPC at Sawgrass was built in 1981 and is the | | | | |