Golf is a great sport to play in Florida, with some of the best courses in the country. From the Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass to the Red Course at Streamsong, there are plenty of options for golfers of all levels. Private courses like Seminole and Trump Doral offer exclusive experiences, while public courses like Copperhead and Black Diamond Ranch provide challenging layouts. Whether you're looking for a classic design or something more modern, Florida has it all.
The Players Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass is one of the five best masterpieces by legendary designer Pete Dye, and is tied for No. 1 on the list of best golf courses in Florida according to Golfweek. It's home to the Players Championship since 1982, and features some of Dye's best work, including the short par 4 (fourth), achievable par 5 (11), and long par 4 (14). The key to its success is the experience and knowledge of its panelists, who come from 15 countries and every golf mecca in the world.
Dye's Valley, located at No. 2 on the list, doesn't have the scale or fame of its neighbor, but it does have many of the features, challenges and visual tricks that made its designer and namesake famous. The Red Course at Streamsong tops the ranking of Streamsong courses and is ranked No. 3, while Hanse's Black Courses are not far behind at No.
4.Doak's Blue Course is also there at No. 5.Florida is also home to an astounding array of private fields, many of which serve as winter retreats for a wealthy clientele and for residents who seek the warmth of the South every year. Topping the list of private fields in the state is Seminole, a Donald Ross design in Juno Beach that is No. 1 on Golfweek's list of best private courses in Florida.
Trump Doral has four golf courses, with its Blue Monster being one of the most famous on the PGA Tour. It hosted PGA Tour events for 55 years and was recently renovated by Gil Hanse. Black Diamond Ranch offers something different from typical Florida golf courses, with its stunning views and features huge cliffs and changes in elevation. The Quarry countryside is especially memorable, with holes 13 to 17 featuring barrel walls.
Copperhead Course is one of the narrowest courses you can imagine, with its Snake Pit being one of the most brutal three-hole stretches on the PGA Tour. The only course created by the legendary duo Coore and Crenshaw, Streamsong Red, is always among the 20 best golf courses in the United States where you can play. While its fairways are wide, you must be on the right side of the short grass to attack bowling. The architects also provided some classic plans, such as the 16th Biarritz hole.
Crooked Cat is a link style design in Central Florida that provides plenty of space from the start but will challenge players with long, complex sloping green holes. Isleworth has been home to many Tour professionals like Mark O'Meara and Tiger Woods, extending 7,600 yards from the tips and being simply immaculate. The club has a deep rivalry with Lake Nona, playing Tavistock Cup to determine world golf and country club champion. Orange County National's practice facilities are what makes it unique, having the largest practice area in the country equipped with a 360-degree practice field.
As for its courses, both deserve to be included in the list of best golf courses in Florida. The Dye Preserve is one of South Florida's most exclusive clubs, named after Pete Dye and featuring hole 17 as one of its most beautiful par 3s measuring 240 yards from back tees. Golfers looking for an unforgettable experience should look no further than Florida – it has something for everyone! From championship-level courses like TPC Sawgrass to exclusive private clubs like Seminole or Trump Doral, there are plenty of options for players of all levels. For those looking for something different from the typical Florida golf course, Black Diamond Ranch offers stunning views with huge cliffs and changes in elevation while Copperhead Course provides one of the narrowest courses imaginable with its Snake Pit being one of the most brutal three-hole stretches on tour.
Streamsong Red is a must-play course created by Coore & Crenshaw that offers wide fairways but requires precision to attack bowling greens while Crooked Cat provides a link style design with long sloping green holes. Isleworth has been home to many Tour professionals like Mark O'Meara and Tiger Woods while Orange County National boasts one of largest practice areas in America. No matter what type of golfer you are or what level you play at – Florida has something for everyone! With so many amazing courses available throughout this beautiful state – it's no wonder why so many people choose to make it their golfing destination.