12 Can’t-Miss Golf Courses in Florida for Every Kind of Player

Florida isn’t just about beaches and theme parks—it’s one of the greatest golf destinations on the planet. From legendary private clubs where history was made to public courses you’ve watched on TV during championship Sundays, the Sunshine State offers something for every golfer.

Whether you’re chasing a bucket-list round, looking for a family-friendly short course, or dreaming of walking fairways shaped by golf’s biggest names, these courses deliver unforgettable experiences.

1. Seminole Golf Club (Juno Beach)

Ranking number one in Golf Digest’s entire Florida list isn’t something that happens by accident. Seminole Golf Club represents pure golf royalty, a Golden Age masterpiece that has hosted legends and shaped the way championship courses are designed.

Built along the Atlantic coast, this invite-only gem combines classic strategy with breathtaking ocean breezes. Access is incredibly exclusive, reserved for members and their guests only. But if you ever get the chance, you’ll understand why pros and architects consider it sacred ground.

2. TPC Sawgrass (Ponte Vedra Beach)

You’ve seen it a thousand times on TV—that tiny island green on the 17th hole where careers are made and crushed in a single swing. TPC Sawgrass is home to THE PLAYERS Championship, and it’s one of the most famous courses you can actually book a tee time on.

Walking the same fairways as Tour pros is a thrill that never gets old. The Stadium Course demands precision, creativity, and nerves of steel, especially around that legendary island. Public and resort guests can play here, making it a must for anyone who wants to test their game against a true icon.

3. Streamsong Golf Resort (Bowling Green)

Forget palm trees and flat terrain—Streamsong feels more like Scotland dropped into central Florida. Built on reclaimed phosphate mining land, this public resort features three world-class courses (Red, Blue, and Black) that roll over massive sand dunes and offer some of the most unique golf in America.

Internationally ranked and praised for jaw-dropping conditioning, Streamsong attracts serious golfers from around the globe. The landscape is wild, dramatic, and completely unexpected.

4. Copperhead Course (Palm Harbor)

Every spring, PGA Tour players battle the Copperhead Course during the Valspar Championship, and it’s easy to see why this layout has earned such respect. Tight fairways, tricky water hazards, and strategic bunkering create a tough but fair test that rewards smart play over raw power.

Located at Innisbrook Resort, Copperhead is open to resort guests and the public during certain windows, giving everyday golfers a chance to face a true championship challenge. It’s one of Florida’s best-reviewed resort courses, balancing difficulty with accessibility.

5. Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge (Orlando)

Arnold Palmer built his legacy here, and every March, the best players in the world come to Bay Hill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational. This Orlando course is a Florida-swing legend, known for demanding accuracy, strategic shot-making, and plenty of water in play.

Access is mostly limited to members and lodge guests, but if you can snag a round, you’re walking in the footsteps of The King himself.

The course is challenging, impeccably maintained, and dripping with Tour-level atmosphere. It’s a bucket-list experience for anyone who loves championship golf and wants to feel what the pros face every spring.

6. Cabot Citrus Farms (Brooksville)

What used to be World Woods has been completely reimagined by Cabot into one of the hottest new golf destinations in America. Cabot Citrus Farms is all about walking, exploring, and enjoying golf the way it was meant to be played—naturally, socially, and without pretense.

This public resort offers multiple courses designed for pure enjoyment, not just scorecard stress. The buzz around Citrus Farms has been massive, drawing golfers who crave a fresh, laid-back vibe mixed with world-class design.

7. PGA National Members Club (Palm Beach Gardens)

The Bear Trap—three holes that have made grown men cry and carved out legendary Tour moments. PGA National is synonymous with Florida pro golf, hosting major events and offering resort and public access to one of the state’s toughest and most famous tracks.

The Champion Course is a FloridaGolfer top pick, combining beauty with brutality, especially around those infamous closing holes where water lurks everywhere. It’s a true test of nerve and skill, designed to challenge even the best players.

8. Blue Monster at the Trump Doral (Miami)

Miami’s most iconic resort course lives up to its name—long, loud, and built for tournament drama. The Blue Monster has hosted countless professional events and remains a brag-worthy round for anyone visiting South Florida.

With massive water hazards, strategic bunkering, and plenty of length, this track demands big drives and even bigger confidence. It’s open to resort guests and the public, making it accessible for golfers who want a taste of championship golf in a big-resort setting.

The atmosphere is electric, the course is tough, and the bragging rights are real. Expect a challenge you won’t soon forget.

9. Ocean Course at the Ponte Vedra Inn & Club (Ponte Vedra Beach)

Classic seaside Florida golf doesn’t get much better than this. The Ocean Course at Ponte Vedra Inn & Club offers stunning Atlantic views, salt-kissed breezes, and a layout that rewards strategic thinking over brute force.

This perennial top-ranked Northeast Florida favorite is available to resort guests and private members, giving visitors a chance to experience old-school coastal golf at its finest. The course is beautifully conditioned, thoughtfully designed, and dripping with charm.

If you’re staying in the Ponte Vedra area and want a round that feels special, this is the place to book—peaceful, picturesque, and perfectly Florida.

10. Hammock Dunes Club and Links Golf Course (Palm Coast)

Nestled along the Atlantic coast, Hammock Dunes offers two outstanding courses, with the Links Course standing out for its dramatic oceanfront holes and natural beauty. This private club delivers a links-style experience that’s rare in Florida, with firm turf, ocean breezes, and views that distract even the most focused golfers.

The course winds through coastal dunes and maritime forests, creating a sense of seclusion and serenity. If you’re lucky enough to play here, expect a memorable round that feels far removed from typical Florida resort golf.

11. Naples National Golf Club (Naples)

Serious golfers who appreciate strategy over flash will fall hard for Naples National. Consistently ranked among Florida’s elite private clubs in Golf Digest’s state lists, this course rewards thoughtful play, precise iron work, and smart course management.

The layout isn’t about overpowering holes or gimmicks—it’s about reading greens, controlling distance, and playing chess on grass. Members rave about the conditioning, the challenge, and the pure golf experience.

12. Winter Park Golf Course (Winter Park)

Not every great golf experience requires five hours and a massive scorecard. Winter Park Golf Course is a renovated 9-hole gem that’s become one of the best short courses in the entire country—fun, walkable, and incredibly approachable for beginners, families, and architecture nerds alike.

This public course proves that golf can be quick, affordable, and still deliver world-class design and conditioning. It’s perfect for introducing kids to the game, squeezing in a twilight round, or simply enjoying golf without the pressure.