Our 10 Best Golf Courses to Play in Florida

When you think about traveling to Florida what comes to mind?  Sunshine?  Oranges?  Of course.  But if golf is not on that list, you’re seriously missing out.

Here are some simple facts about “The Sunshine State” that you may have overlooked:

• With over 1,300 courses, Florida contains more golf courses than any other State in the country.
• Palm Beach County has more courses than any other county in the country.
• Countless PGA TOUR pros call Florida their home, including Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Luke Donald, Lee Westwood, Rickie Fowler, Keegan Bradley, and Dustin Johnson (just to name a few).

So as you can see, Florida is truly a “golfer’s paradise,” which made picking our 10 best golf courses to play in Florida no easy task.  Here’s the criteria we used to pick them:

First, the courses had to be accessible to anyone.  No strictly private clubs.  We then narrowed that list down by mulling through player reviews, media awards and accolades, and good old fashion debate (heated at times).  Here’s what we came up with:

10. Raven Golf Club (Destin, FL)

While it’s one of the shorter courses on this list, Raven Golf Club still weighs in at a lofty 6,900 yards.  This par 71 course was voted the “Best New Golf Course in Florida” back in 2000 by Florida Golf News and has played host to events on the 2006 and 2007 PGA Champions TOUR.  A true test of both skill and club selection, Raven Golf Club will challenge every aspect of your game.

Part of the Sandestine Golf and Beach Resort (which includes three additional outstanding courses) Raven Golf Club has also racked up a plethora of awards from Golf Magazine and Golf Digest including being named in Golf Digest’s 2008/2009 “Best Places to Play” list.

9. Victoria Hills (Deland, FL)

Surrounded by beautiful Augusta pine trees, Victoria Hills has an amazing landscape and natural flow that’s present throughout the course.  The entire course is also lined with rolling hills, forcing you to employ every club in your bag in order to score well here.

The Clubhouse at Victoria Hills. Photo by VictoriaHillsGolf.com

8. Waldorf Astoria (Orlando, FL)

If you find yourself in the sunny city of Orlando be sure to say goodbye to the Mouse for a few hours and head on over to the links at this amazing golf facility.  The Waldorf Astoria’s Reese Jones design rates in at a challenging 74.6 from its professional tees with a slope of 139. Winding through a wetland preserve, the Waldorf Astoria presents the perfect mix of challenges and stunning views and breathtaking scenery.

As an added bonus be sure to enjoy the fully stocked, Nike sponsored Pro Shop, where you can rent Nike clubs and pick up some new gear.  Later be sure to round out your day by dining at the amazing Clubhouse Grille after your round.

The rates here are less expensive if you’re a guest of the resort but this is still the Waldorf Astoria so be ready to crack open that wallet.

Waldorf Astoria Orlando Golf Course. Photo by WaldorfAstoriaOrlando.com

7. Camp Creek (Panama City Beach, FL)

Camp Creek has played host to many US Open Qualifiers, a fact that rapidly becomes event when you experience its lush fairways and fast rolling greens. But don’t just take our word for it; the course received recent accolades from Golf Digest as well, who named it the 18^th best in the State of Florida, inclusive of both private and public courses in 2013.

Camp Creek provides players with challenging holes that stretch out over 7,200 carefully planned yards, and with plenty of water surrounding this amazing track, designer Tom Fazio made sure that every player is uniquely challenged from the first tee to the 18th green.  If  you’re lucky enough to play here, be sure to watch out for tiered greens and uneven lies, surrounded by well-placed native plants, which, by the way are appropriately labeled to provide a quick botany lesson as an added bonus for your round!

6. Rolling Oaks at World Woods Golf Club (Brooksville, FL)

Rolling Oaks Golf Course may be located adjacent to Pine Barrens (more on that in a moment) but its style of play couldn’t be more different. In fact, according to the course’s website, even the soil content is different than its neighbor.

The course’s rolling fairways lead to daunting, undulating greens, adding an appropriate amount of nail-biting tension to your round.  However, unlike many other Florida tracks, there’s not much water to be found on this course.  But don’t let that fact fool you, Rolling Oak’s giant Oak trees, challenging white-sand bunkers, and Augusta National style landscaping will challenge every shot in your bag.

5.  Trump Doral (TPC Blue Monster) Miami, FL

After receiving a $250 million dollar facelift last year, the legendary TPC Blue Monster at Doral has been labeled “brand-new” by owner Donald Trump himself.  Trump’s own sentiments asside, the general sentiment shared by most golfers is that the recent renovations have breathed new life into what has always been considered one of the best courses in the State.

This stunning new course includes a challenging par-4 16th, which, while seemingly reachable for you long-ball hitters out there (coming in at only 325 yards), the 285- yard carry over water is sure to present a challenge to even the most experienced of golfers.   The famous 18th hole has also been a long time nightmare for even the PGA TOUR’s best, consistently ranking as one of the hardest holes on tour.

Tee To Green: 18th hole at Trump Doral Blue Monster

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4. Hammock Beach – The Ocean Course (Palm Coast, FL)

Residing right on the Atlantic Ocean, this amazing course was designed by golf greats Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson.  Coming in at 7,201 yards with a 77.0 rating and a slope of 147 (from the black tees), The Ocean Course remains one of the longest and hardest courses in the entire state of Florida.  Although the course will certainly challenge you at every turn, we strongly encourage bringing your camera along for the trip, as the beautiful Palm Coast beach provides some of the best views in the State.  This is a truly remarkable layout tucked right into the heart of golf’s national playground, and it’s laundry-list of accolades just seems to go on forever.

3. Bay Hill (Orlando, FL)

PGA TOUR fans get a chance to see this course quite often as it is the home course of the annual Arnold Palmer Invitational by MasterCard (an event where Tiger Woods has been overwhelming dominant for many years).   Opened in 1960, and consistently renovated under the watchful eye of golf legend Arnold Palmer, there is certainly a degree of nostalgia attached to this course, given that it was the first track planted with Tifway Bermudagrass.

Offering 27 holes of championship golf, not only will you enjoy your round here, the many amenities on the ground, including the equally famous Bay Hill Pro Shop, golf lessons from top professionals and outstanding caddie services, will help to round out a once in a lifetime golf experience.  But don’t just show up here and expect to grab a tee time!  The only way to score a round at Bay Hill is to either be a member of the club, or stay as an overnight guest at the lodge.

The 17th Hole at Bay Hill. Photo by BayHill.com

2. Pine Barrens at World Woods Golf Club (Brooksville, FL)

Ranked 26th on America’s best modern courses by Golfweek, this course is often compared to the beautiful Pine Valley Golf Club in New Jersey, which is considered by most to be one of the best golf courses in the world. The large fairways at Pine Barrens are surrounded by untamed bunkers, forcing players to think about course management, rather than swinging the big stick off every tee.  With seemingly more sand than fairways, coupled with challenging elevation changes, you’re guaranteed to think twice before taking most shots.  Regardless of the outcome however, a round at Pine Barrens is certain to be memorable one.

1. TPC Sawgrass (Ponte Vedra Beach, FL)

There may not be a single thing to dislike about Sawgrass, unless of course the dreaded 17th “island hole” has gotten a hold of a few of your golf balls.

Take your best shot at TPC Sawgrass’ famous 17th green. Photo by TPC.com.

This beautiful course is home to The Players Championship and has seen its fair share of incredible moments. If you want to be successful at Sawgrass understand that your driver alone won’t get you there.  Better to prepare for the other unique challenges this course presents, including its notorious doglegs (both left and right) as well as 7,215 yards of beautifully sculpted landscaping.  Regardless, given this track’s unmatched combination of history, beauty, and challenge, are you even a bit surprised it’s number one!

Did we miss any of your favorite Florida golf courses?  Leave us a comment below and let us know which you think should have made the list.

(Cover Photo Credit)