Florida’s name echoes across fairways and greens as a powerhouse in the world of golf. With a climate suited for year-round play and a history woven into the sport’s modern evolution, it has earned its title as the “Golf Capital of the World.”
Visitors and locals alike find themselves surrounded by pristine greens, challenging layouts, and architectural brilliance.
A closer look reveals not just quantity, but impressive variety that caters to weekend hobbyists and tour professionals alike.
How Many Golf Courses Are in Florida?
Florida leads the United States with an astounding 1,262 golf courses. That number places it far ahead of every other state, outpacing even California by a notable 31% margin. Few places in the world offer such a widespread commitment to golf.
Only Japan, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada surpass Florida in total course count globally.
Sheer volume only tells part of the story. Course distribution adds even more weight to Florida’s reputation. Communities large and small often revolve around local golf venues, many of which serve both competitive players and recreational fans.
With 94 golf courses located within the surrounding area, Jupiter becomes a symbol of what Florida offers in accessibility.
Such density supports a lifestyle where golf becomes part of everyday life. Residents often live within minutes of multiple clubs, and tourists rarely have to look far for an open tee time.
Golf isn’t treated as a luxury here, it’s treated as routine. That access, combined with favorable weather, plays a major role in Florida’s lasting hold over the game.
Growth and Trends
Recent years reveal a continued trajectory of expansion and evolution. Florida does more than maintain its presence, it actively grows it.
Demand hasn’t plateaued. Instead, it has fueled waves of development and reinvention.
- Most rounds of golf played nationwide
- Highest number of new course openings
- Most course closures, reflecting rapid turnover and redevelopment
- Largest volume of courses currently under construction or in planning phases
Change often signals decline in many industries, but not here. Constant updates, modern designs, and forward-thinking layouts keep Florida at the center of the conversation.
Architects view the state as a testing ground, and developers see opportunities to blend tradition with modern play expectations. Even communities integrate golf in ways that suit modern residential development, retirement planning, and vacation experiences.
Regional Breakdown
Florida’s golf scene thrives through regional variety, offering everything from tournament-hosting legends to modern public layouts shaped for accessibility and challenge.
Each part of the state contributes to its reputation as a premier golf destination, where coastal winds, inland terrain, and masterful designs come together in striking contrast.
Northeast Florida
Northeast Florida merges professional pedigree with coastal luxury. Courses here often serve as tour-level venues or historic retreats.
| Course | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| TPC Sawgrass | Ponte Vedra Beach | Hosts The Players Championship. Stadium Course includes the island green on 17. |
| Ponte Vedra Inn & Club | Ponte Vedra Beach | Luxury venue with deep golf heritage, attracting elite travelers and enthusiasts. |
| World Golf Village’s Slammer & Squire | St. Augustine | Tribute to Sarazen and Snead; features scenic, player-friendly fairways. |
Central Florida (Orlando Area)
Central Florida blends innovation and tradition. The area attracts tourists through a mix of architectural quality and world-class facilities.
| Course | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Bay Hill Club & Lodge | Orlando | Hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational; traditional layout inspired by Palmer’s design philosophy. |
| Streamsong Resort | Bowling Green | Home to three distinct courses:
All are award-winning and known for creative routing. |
| Omni ChampionsGate | Davenport | The International Course features elevation changes and a links-style design. |
| Shingle Creek Golf Club | Orlando | Accessible and refined, with excellent maintenance and resort-level amenities. |
Southeast Florida
Southeast Florida’s course lineup blends modern public golf with high-end resort settings and championship history.
| Course | Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Park | West Palm Beach | A new model for public golf. Designed to encourage community participation with modern values. |
| Trump National Doral (Blue Monster) | Miami | Fixture in professional circuits with demanding length and water hazards. |
| JW Marriott Turnberry Resort & Spa | Aventura | Combines golf with resort indulgence, offering strategic layouts in a luxurious environment. |
| Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne | Miami | Located on an island with mangrove-lined fairways and breezy coastal challenges. |
Southwest Florida
Southwest Florida’s offerings emphasize environmental preservation and bold course architecture.
| Course | Location | Designer | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Corkscrew Golf Club | Estero | Jack Nicklaus | Routed through natural terrain with no residential development or distractions. |
| Tiburón Golf Club | Naples | Greg Norman | Hosts LPGA and PGA TOUR events.
Includes:
Flawless conditioning and spectator-friendly. |
| Naples Grande Golf Club | Naples | Rees Jones | Emphasizes risk-reward play; known for manicured fairways. |
Northwest Florida (Panhandle)
Northwest Florida combines casual Gulf Coast hospitality with high-end designs fit for serious play.
| Course | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort’s Burnt Pine Course | Miramar Beach | Elevated tee boxes, water vistas, strategic routing |
| Bay Point Golf Club’s Nicklaus Course | Panama City Beach | Tournament-caliber layout, challenging green complexes, coastal views |
Golf Tourism and Lifestyle
Golfers don’t come here solely to play, they arrive for immersive stays where fairways meet fine dining, spa treatments, and coastal relaxation.
The state offers a variety of resorts that cater to serious golfers and leisure seekers alike.
Golf Resorts and Stay-and-Play Packages
Resorts across Florida have designed their offerings to combine championship golf with upscale living.
These destinations provide more than just memorable rounds—they offer entire vacation experiences.
Highlights include:
| Resort | Location | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Innisbrook Resort | Palm Harbor | Home of the Valspar Championship Copperhead Course with “Snake Pit” finishing stretch Spa services, multiple dining venues, family-friendly amenities |
| Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa | Palm Coast | Courses by Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson Atlantic coast location with ocean views Wind-influenced play and scenic design |
| Reunion Resort | Orlando Area | Courses by Arnold Palmer, Tom Watson, and Jack Nicklaus Vacation rentals, water park, wellness facilities |
| PGA National Resort | Palm Beach Gardens | Champion Course, former Honda Classic host Recently renovated lodging, dining, and spa Features “The Bear Trap” three-hole challenge |
These resorts provide stay-and-play packages that suit couples looking for a getaway, golf groups seeking competitive play, and families aiming for an upscale recreational escape.
Major Golf Tournaments Hosted in Florida
Professional tournaments in Florida elevate public interest and provide opportunities for fans to engage with the sport firsthand.
Major events include:
| Tournament | Venue & Location | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| The Players Championship | TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach | Known globally for its 17th-hole island green Frequently labeled the “fifth major” in professional golf |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | Bay Hill Club & Lodge, Orlando | Held in honor of Arnold Palmer’s legacy One of the most fan-accessible events on the PGA Tour |
| Valspar Championship | Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor | Held on the Copperhead Course Attracting a strong international field |
| LPGA & PGA Tour Events | Tiburón Golf Club, Naples | Hosts the QBE Shootout and CME Group Tour Championship Played on Gold and Black Courses known for pristine conditions |
| The Cognizant Classic (formerly Honda Classic) | PGA National, Palm Beach Gardens | Played on the Champion Course Especially noted for “The Bear Trap” |
Florida’s tournament calendar, powered by a warm climate and high course accessibility, brings fans closer to the action.
Many of the host venues remain open for public play during most of the year, allowing amateur golfers to test themselves on layouts that challenge the game’s best.
The Bottom Line
Florida delivers a scale and quality of golf that remains unmatched.
With over 1,200 courses, legendary designs, elite tournament venues, and accessible public tracks, it serves weekend players, families, and seasoned pros alike.
For anyone serious about golf or just curious to try, no better place exists to enjoy the game in all its forms.