Florida claims more golf courses than any other destination in the world, with over 900 courses that will test the skill level of every player. The state hosts the PGA Tour, Champions Tour, PGA of America, the World Golf Hall of Fame, and is home to more professional golfers than any other state. And Florida offers golfing weather 12 months a year, so whether you visit in November, February, or July, you can enjoy the links, as well as Florida's world-famous beaches and attractions.
Port St. Lucie
On the central coast of the Atlantic Ocean, Port St. Lucie boasts the famed PGA Village, with the PGA Golf Club, the PGA Learning Center, one of the world's largest and most advanced practice facilities, and PGA of America Golf Schools, recognized as one of the best golf schools in the U.S.A. The PGA Golf Club offers 54 holes of championship golf by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye. The Dye Course, designed by Pete Dye, emphasizes the native surroundings and Dye's uninhibited creative design. The Ryder Course, designed by Tom Fazio, was named in honor of Samuel Ryder, the founder of the Ryder Cup. The course offers a wide variety of holes, with a distinctive Carolina feel. The Wanamaker Course, also designed by Tom Fazio, is considered one of Florida's most beautiful courses.
Other notable courses in the area include the Champion's Club at Summerfield in Stuart, and the Eagle Marsh Golf Club in Jensen Beach. Champion's Club at Summerfield was named one of the country's best new public courses by Golf Digest and Golf Magazine when it opened in 1994. The course was designed by Tom Fazio and was the first public golf course awarded Audubon Signature Sanctuary status. The Eagle Marsh Golf Club in Jensen Beach is a challenging Tom Fazio course set in a sprawling 240-acre wildlife preserve.
If you are headed to Port St. Lucie for golf, stay at the Sheraton PGA Resort, next to PGA Village, or Vistanas Beach Club on Hutchinson Island, convenient to Eagle Marsh Golf Club.
Naples
The Naples-Marco Island typically ranks first or second in national Golf Holes per Capita surveys. With over 40 golf courses, there are plenty of choices. Named as one of America's Top 100 Resort Courses in 2005 by Golfweek Magazine, the Gold Golf Course at Tiburon Golf Club was designed by Greg Norman, and features 18 holes of golf on a 74.7 rated course. The Raptor Bay 1 course at Raptor Bay Golf Club in Bonita Springs was designed by Raymond Floyd, and was named a Top 10 New Public-Access Golf Course in America in 2001 by Golf Magazine. The Pelican Preserve Golf Club offers 27 holes of championship golf on a course designed by renowned architect Chip Powell.
In Naples, stay at the Bayfront Inn 5th Avenue, Naples' only downtown waterfront destination, the Bellasera Hotel Naples, located at the gateway to the heart of Olde Naples, or The Park Shore Resort, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood in Naples.
Ft. Myers
The Ft. Myers region, including Estero, Cape Coral, Lehigh Acres, Sanibel Island, and Venice, has earned a reputation of having some of the most sought after golf courses in the world, causing some to rename the Florida Gulf Coast: Florida's "Golf Coast." Eastwood Golf Course is rated one of the top 50 municipal courses in the country by Golf Digest. One of the largest golf schools in southwest Florida, Paradise Golf Academy at Stoneybrook Golf Club emphasizes state-of-the-art teaching techniques, such as video swing analysis, and traditional on-course playing lessons with PGA-certified instructors. Coral Oaks Golf Course has been a local favorite for almost 20 years and not just for the bargain green fees. Bay Beach Golf Club, also a local favorite, is an 18-hole course with Bermuda grass and a variety of water hazards.
In Ft. Myers, stay at the DiamondHead Beach Resort, directly on Ft. Myers Beach, the GullWing Beach Resort on Estero Island, Point Estero Beach Resort, or Santa Maria Harbour Resort, nestled on Estero Bay.
Clearwater/St Pete/Tampa
The Tampa/St. Pete/Clearwater area has challenging courses for all players. The Belleview Biltmore Golf Club in Clearwater has been an American golfer's favorite since 1925. Designed by world famous golf architect, Donald Ross, the golf course has a reputation for a challenging design that harmonizes with the surrounding environment. The Belleview Biltmore Golf Academy offers full-swing fundamentals, short game techniques and course management strategies.
TPC Tampa Bay in Lutz (just north of Tampa) is an annual stop on the Champions Tour. Opened in 1991, designed by Bobby Weed, with assistance from player consultant Chi Chi Rodriguez, TPC Tampa Bay has earned numerous accolades, including a 4 1/2 star rating in Golf Digest's Places to Play. The course is routed around natural wetlands, cypress heads and numerous ponds and lagoons, which are home to an abundance of wildlife, making TPC Tampa Bay one of only two courses in the Tampa Bay area to be designated as an Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. Mangrove Bay Golf Course, in St. Petersburg, is one of the most popular courses in the area. Bardmoor Country Club, in Largo, is an upscale public course that offers a private-club experience. Former PGA Tour player and course architect Gary Koch gave the course a makeover in 2001.
In Clearwater, stay and golf at the Belleview Biltmore Resort, Golf Club, Spa & Beach Club (see the CRSHotels.com special deal). Nearby, enjoy the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa, or the Tahitian Resort Tarpon Springs. In the St. Pete Beach area, choose the Grand Plaza Hotel and Beach Resort and Conference Center, the Bilmar Beach Resort, the TradeWinds Sandpiper Hotel & Suites, or the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort, a classic, family-friendly resort.
Orlando
Orlando is home to some of the golf industry's biggest events, such as the PGA Merchandise Show, and the Golf Industry Convention, as well as many national pro golf tournaments and championships. It's also a great place to play golf. There are golf courses for every style, level and budget. Shingle Creek Golf Club in Orlando is an award-winning championship golf course. Mystic Dunes Golf Club in Celebration boasts an 18-hole course designed by Champions Tour professional and NBC golf analyst Gary Koch. One of the most popular courses on the PGA Tour, Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill Club and Lodge, is home to the Arnold Palmer Invitational Tournament. Disney World also offers several championship golf courses, including Eagle Pines, Lake Buena Vista, Magnolia, Osprey Ridge, and Palm.
In Orlando, stay and play at the Rosen Shingle Creek Orlando. Enjoy golf nearby at the Caribe Royale Suites, the Lake Buena Vista Resort Village & Spa, or the Buena Vista Suites. Choose the Sheraton Vistana Resort Villas, the Parc Corniche Suite Hotel, the Star Island Resort Orlando, the Sheraton Vistana Villages or the Florida Hotel & Conference Center at the Florida Mall.
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