Florida is famous for a number of things including fantastic beaches and outstanding entertainment options. For me though, The Sunshine State is appealing for its brilliant, well-renowned golf resorts.
Florida offers some of the best golf vacation resorts you can find anywhere in the United States.
Regardless of your proficiency, if you are a golf enthusiast, you need to plan your next vacation in Florida in one of the many golfing resorts in the state.
I have created a list of my favorite resorts that offer luxurious stay options, excellent service and of course, world class golf courses.
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Best Golf Vacation Resorts in Florida
While a lot of resorts in Florida have well maintained golf courses, this list includes those resorts that specializes in golf vacations with world class pro-level golf courses.
These are the resorts golf addicts need to visit if you want a memorable golf vacation in Florida.
PGA National Resort & Spa
I just had to start our list of the best golf vacation resorts in Florida with the home of the PGA tour in the state, PGA National Resort & Spa.
This is where serious golf aficionados need to vacation. PGA National Resort in Florida is a rare resort where you will get to experience what it’s like to play in the PGA Tour.
With a choice of 5 championship courses and another resort course with a total of 99 holes, PGA National Resort & Spa in Florida is your dream golfing vacation.
Not only were the championship courses designed by the best of the golfing world including Jack Nicklaus, Tom and George Fazio, the popular PGA tour tournament, the Honda Classic is held at PGA National Resort each year.
The resort offers several golf packages that includes stay, breakfast and choice of golf course. You can also try the infamous holes known as the ‘Bear Trap’?
Apart from the world-class golf courses, PGA National Resort & Spa offers superb secluded cottages, 300 guest rooms, plethora of dining options and a fantastic 40,000 sq. ft. spa.
The golf courses on offer at PGA National Resort & Spa include:
- The Champion
- The Estate
- The Fazio
- The Palmer
- The Match
- The Staple
Each course has its own unique challenges and experience.
PGA National Resort & Spa is located at Palm Beach Gardens in Florida.
Address: 400 Avenue of the Champions, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort is located in Naples, Florida.
The resort tops several traveler-based rankings from best resort in Naples to best luxury resort as well as one of the best for golf vacations in Florida.
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort combines the two best things about Florida. Beaches and golf courses.
Situated on the oceanfront with breath-taking views of the coast, you get a superb championship golf course designed by Robert Cupp.
The golf course is accessible only to hotel guests and club members. All levels of golfers will enjoy the course even though some of the holes can be quite challenging.
I feel this is where the entire family will enjoy considering you don’t just have the best golf course, you have an incredible spa and of course a superb beach with beautiful sand, lovely waters and outstanding sunsets.
This is a luxury resort and is definitely on the pricey side. Service is great and you have everything you expect from an extravagant Florida resort.
Address: 9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples, FL 34108
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort located at Naples in South Florida, offers two fantastic golf courses designed by Greg Norman.
The golf courses are part of Tiburon Golf Club where the famous Shark Shootout, now renamed PGA Tour’s QBE Shootout is held annually.
As you can imagine, the two golf courses do offer a challenge to all levels of golfers and tests your precision driving skills as well as your putting abilities.
As a luxury resort, The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort offers well designed rooms with all modern amenities and a fun for the entire family mini-waterpark with huge waterslides.
The resort is also popular for its spa and location that is quite near to the Gulf of Mexico.
Address: 2600 Tiburon Drive, Naples, FL 34109
Trump National Doral Miami
Trump National Doral Miami is located in Florida’s most famous city, Miami. The resort is widely recognized as one of the best golf vacation resorts in Florida.
Formerly known as Doral Golf Resort & Spa, it was bought by the Trump Organization in 2012 and subsequently transformed into a modern luxury resort with 4 championship golf courses.
Guests can enjoy brilliant golfing facilities along with villa accommodations as well as spa suites.
Trump National Doral Miami boasts of several amenities that range from superb fine-dining options to a 48,000 sq. ft. spa.
The golf courses on offer at Trump National Doral Miami are:
- The Blue Monster
- The Red Tiger
- The Golden Palm
- The Silver Fox
While each course has its own challenges and distinct designs, the Blue Monster seems to be the most popular among avid golfers.
Address: 4400 N.W. 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33178
Innisbrook Resort
Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, just outside Tampa, Florida has been consistently ranked as one of the best golf resorts in America.
It’s four championship golf courses have the distinction of being in the top 100 courses in the country and is home to PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship each year.
Innisbrook Resort offers several golf packages that range from a round of golf plus breakfast to comprehensive dining, luxury accommodation and choice of golf courses.
The four golf courses at Innisbrook Resort were designed by renowned architect Lawrence Packard. These courses are for serious golfers with each providing unique challenges and designs.
The four golf courses on offer at Innisbrook Resort are:
- Copperhead Course
- North Course
- South Course
- Island Course
Out of the 4 golf courses, Copperhead is by far the most famous and popular choice among golfers.
Visitors should note that the Innisbrook Resort golf club has a strict dress code and must be adhered to while at the club.
Address: 36750 U.S. Highway 19 North, Palm Harbor, FL 34684
Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa
Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa is located at Ponte Vedra Beach at Florida.
The interesting thing about this resort is that the two golf courses on offer to guests are not actually in the property. It is in the adjacent TPC Sawgrass Stadium Club.
The hotel itself is a standard Florida resort with all the amenities you can expect but the two golf courses would be the real reason to choose this resort.
The Stadium Course, is well regarded as one of the toughest golf courses in the world. It was designed by Pete and Alice Dye.
The Player’s Championship, one of the biggest events in the PGA Tour calendar is held at the Stadium Course each year. The TPC Sawgrass Stadium Club is the PGA Tour headquarters and hence highly sought-after by the best golfers from around the world.
Apart from the Stadium Course, you also have the Valley Course that has its own challenges and will test your golfing skills to their fullest.
Being one of the best and most challenging courses in the world, you should know that it is also quite expensive for a round of golf. Do enquire with the resort for possible package deals that suit your budget.
Address: 1000 Tournament Players Club Blvd, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge is owned by the legendary golfer Arnold Palmer and the renovated championship course has his signature written all over it.
The Bay Hill golf course is home to the annual PGA Tour’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. Guests can enjoy a round of golf at the championship course or the more fun 9-hole course called Charger.
While all other resorts in our list comes under the luxury category, as the name suggests, this one is a lodge with old-world charm and fantastic golf course.
You are basically staying at the Bay Hill Club enjoying all membership perks when you book a room at the lodge. Accommodation choices range from lodge, suite and cottages.
Guests need to adhere to all club rules including dress codes that can be found on their website.
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge is an excellent property and is recommended if you want to experience one of the best golf courses in Florida along with the peace and calm that the charming property provides.
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge is located in Orlando, Florida
Address: 9000 Bay Hill Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819-4880
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is located at Emerald Coast Miramar Beach in Northwest Florida.
This is a brilliant property with a number of accommodation options that range from studios to 4-bedroom villas as well as penthouses. There are almost 1300 rentals at the property spreading over the 2400-acre resort.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort has something for every member of the family with the number of recreational options both within the resort and at the white sandy beach with emerald green waters.
Of course, golf is the best part of the resort with 4 superb courses on offer.
The golf courses at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort include:
- The Links Golf Club
- Baytowne Golf Club
- Raven Golf Club
- Burnt Pine Golf Club
Each of the courses have distinct challenges, elevation and natural landscapes.
When you choose to stay at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, you get guest exclusive prices for playing at the golf club of your choice.
The rates for a round of golf for resort guests vary as per the season and time of the year.
Address: 9300 Emerald Coast Pkwy West, Sandestin, Miramar Beach, FL 32550-7226
Final thoughts
If you love golf, you must vacation at one of the incredible golf resorts in Florida. Honestly, it would be one of the highlights of your golfing life.
Most of the resorts are not just perfect for a golf vacation in Florida, they are ideal for family trips as well.
You could even take multiple trips that include golfing with your buddies and leisure time with your family.
