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