Best Public Golf Courses in Florida – The Sunshine State’s Top Tracks
Florida has more public golf courses per capita than almost anywhere in America, and I say that not as a fun trivia fact but as someone who has spent way too much money and time proving it. From the panhandle down to the Keys, from the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic side, this state is absolutely stacked with tracks you can show up and play without a membership card or a sponsor invite. Whether you’re planning a dedicated golf trip or you’re already heading to Florida for some other reason and you want to sneak in a few rounds, you’ve got options.
The tricky part isn’t finding a course — it’s deciding which ones are actually worth your time and money. That’s where this guide comes in. I’ve pulled together ten of the best public courses in Florida, added the practical details you actually need (green fees, walkability, the holes that’ll stick in your memory for years), and tacked on some honest advice for planning the whole trip around golf. Let’s get into it.
Why Florida Golf is in a Class of Its Own
Other states have great public golf. But Florida has a combination of things that’s hard to match: you can play year-round, the variety of course styles is genuinely impressive, and the sheer volume of options means you’ll never run out of new tracks to try. You’ve got old-school parkland courses tucked under live oaks, modern resort designs with dramatic water features, minimalist sandbelt-inspired layouts built on reclaimed land, and genuine tour venues that host PGA Tour events every winter.
Florida also punches above its weight when it comes to golf history. The PGA Tour schedule is heavily weighted toward Florida in the winter. Multiple major championships have been decided here. Legendary designers — Nicklaus, Palmer, Doak, Coore & Crenshaw, Pete Dye — have all left serious work in this state. If you care about golf architecture, there’s a lot to get excited about.
That said, Florida golf isn’t without its quirks. The heat and humidity in summer are real. Afternoon thunderstorms are basically mandatory from June through September. And peak season (January through April) means prices spike, tee times fill up weeks in advance, and traffic around every resort town turns into a nightmare. Know what you’re signing up for, and you’ll have a great time.
The 10 Best Public Golf Courses in Florida
1. TPC Sawgrass — Stadium Course (Ponte Vedra Beach)
This is the one everyone’s heard of, and honestly, the hype is justified. TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course is the home of The Players Championship, and it’s open to the public. You can walk the same turf that Tiger, Rory, and every other top player on the planet has walked. That’s a genuinely wild concept when you think about it.
Pete Dye’s design is iconic for a reason. The Stadium Course is relentlessly strategic — every hole asks a question, and the wrong answer costs you. There’s water in play on 17 of the 18 holes. Fairways are tighter than they look from the tee box. And then there’s the 17th: a 137-yard island green par 3 that has ended more rounds and eaten more golf balls than any other hole in the world. It’s terrifying, thrilling, and absolutely worth every penny just to stand on that tee.
Signature Hole: 17th — the island green par 3. No description does it justice. Just go play it.
Difficulty: High. Course rating around 74.0 from the back tees. Play up a set of tees unless you’re genuinely a scratch golfer.
Walkability: Walking is allowed but not the norm. It’s a long walk and Florida heat is real, so most people take a cart.
Green Fees: $500–$700 depending on season. Twilight and summer rates can drop that significantly.
Best Time to Visit: Avoid the week of The Players Championship (March) unless you want to spectate, not play. November through February is prime — great weather, and rates are lower than you’d expect before the full snowbird rush.
Booking Tips: TPC Sawgrass books out fast. Their own website opens tee times 60 days out. Staying on-property at the Marriott gives you booking priority and often better rates. Don’t wait on this one.
2. Streamsong Resort (Bowling Green)
Streamsong is the best pure golf destination in Florida, full stop. It sits on a former phosphate mine in the middle of nowhere about an hour south of Tampa, and that industrial history actually gave the land the rolling terrain and sandy soil that Florida courses usually can’t get. The result is three courses that feel nothing like the typical Florida track — no palm trees lining every fairway, no water feature on every other hole. Just wide-open, windswept, walking-friendly golf.
The three courses each have a distinct personality. Streamsong Red, designed by Coore & Crenshaw, is my personal favorite of the three — minimalist, routing-forward, always interesting. Streamsong Blue, by Tom Doak, is more cerebral and demands real shot-shaping. Streamsong Black, by Gil Hanse, is the boldest of the bunch — massive bunkers, dramatic risk-reward decisions, and a finishing stretch that’ll have you talking for weeks.
Signature Hole: On Streamsong Red, the par-3 5th — a short iron to a punchbowl green surrounded by sand. On Blue, the 15th — a drivable par 4 with a tiny green and enormous consequences. Take your pick.
Difficulty: All three are moderately challenging. None are unfair. Blue is probably the most demanding; Red is the most approachable.
Walkability: Excellent. Walking is actively encouraged here, which makes Streamsong stand out among Florida resorts. The terrain is gently rolling and the caddies are excellent.
Green Fees: $275–$425 per round depending on course and season.
Best Time to Visit: Fall is fantastic — October and November offer great weather, manageable prices, and fewer crowds than the winter peak. Spring is also excellent.
Booking Tips: Book stay-and-play packages that bundle lodging with multiple rounds. Playing all three courses in two or three days is the move. The on-site lodge is well worth it — there’s not much else around for miles.
3. Innisbrook Resort — Copperhead Course (Palm Harbor)
Copperhead is the kind of course that earns your respect quickly and doesn’t let you forget who’s in charge. It hosts the Valspar Championship each year on the PGA Tour, and while the routing is more traditional parkland than Sawgrass, it’s relentlessly demanding. Dense tree corridors, aggressive elevation changes (for Florida), and a closing stretch known as the “Snake Pit” — holes 16, 17, and 18 — will test your nerve right when you need it most.
The resort also has three other courses (Island, Hawk’s Run, and North), so if you’re spending multiple days here, you won’t run out of variety. But Copperhead is the one you came for.
Signature Hole: The 18th — a par 4 that doglegs left around water, with an approach to a narrow green guarded by bunkers. Tour players make bogey here routinely. You might too.
Difficulty: High. This is a genuine tour venue with teeth. Bring your A-game and your patience.
Walkability: Moderate. The elevation changes and distance between holes make it a haul on foot, but it’s doable for fit golfers.
Green Fees: $225–$395. Peak rates apply January through April.
Best Time to Visit: Summer rates are dramatically lower and the course is in great shape. If you can handle morning rounds before the afternoon heat, May through September is outstanding value.
Booking Tips: Resort packages that include lodging and cart access to multiple courses represent the best value. Tee times book months in advance during peak season — don’t procrastinate.
4. PGA National — Champion Course (Palm Beach Gardens)
PGA National’s Champion Course was designed by Jack Nicklaus and later refined by Tom Fazio, and it’s been the home of the Honda Classic (now the Cognizant Classic) for decades. It’s also home to the “Bear Trap” — holes 15, 16, and 17 — three of the nastiest consecutive holes on the tour calendar.
The Bear Trap is simultaneously the best and worst thing about this course. The 15th and 17th are par 3s with water flanking tight greens; the 16th is a short par 4 where the temptation to go for it almost always ends in disaster. If you’re playing well, this stretch will either hold you together or unravel everything. Honestly, that’s what makes it memorable.
Wind off the Palm Beach coast also plays a factor on exposed holes. Don’t underestimate it.
Signature Hole: 15th — a mid-iron par 3 over water to a green that falls away on every side. Club selection is everything here.
Difficulty: High. The Bear Trap specifically is as difficult as anything on the public golf calendar.
Walkability: Moderate. Carts are the norm, but the course is walkable.
Green Fees: $249–$399 depending on season and time.
Best Time to Visit: Winter and early spring. The course is in peak condition for the tour event, and the weather is perfect.
Booking Tips: PGA National has a Golf Academy on-site. If you’re serious about your game, adding a lesson or two to your trip is a solid idea. Book directly through their resort site for the best options.
5. Streamsong Black vs. Orange County National — Panther Lake (Orlando)
5. Orange County National — Panther Lake & Crooked Cat (Orlando)
If you’re basing yourself in the Orlando area and you want tournament-quality golf without paying resort prices, Orange County National is the answer. Panther Lake has hosted PGA Tour qualifying events and various professional tournaments, and the conditions are consistently excellent. Crooked Cat is more links-inspired — open, windy (relative to Florida), and a nice contrast to the tree-lined Panther Lake.
What I like most about OCN is the no-frills attitude. You’re there to play golf. The practice facilities are excellent, the staff knows their stuff, and the pricing is genuinely fair for the quality. You don’t need to be staying at a resort or booking a package. Just show up and play.
Signature Hole: Panther Lake’s 18th — a risk-reward par 5 finishing hole where water guards the left side of the green and the temptation to go for it in two is almost irresistible.
Difficulty: Moderate to high. Both courses are challenging but reward smart play over power.
Walkability: Good on Crooked Cat. Panther Lake is manageable too. Both courses offer walking rates.
Green Fees: $79–$159. One of the best value propositions on this entire list.
Best Time to Visit: Fall and winter. You’ll avoid the worst heat and the rates are reasonable year-round.
Booking Tips: Book afternoon/twilight rates if your schedule allows — the savings are meaningful and afternoon rounds in cooler months are perfectly pleasant. Their website is straightforward; no gimmicks.
6. TPC Danzante Bay at Lakewood Ranch (Sarasota)
This is one of the newer additions to the TPC network, and it brings a fresh, modern design sensibility to the Sarasota area. The course plays through a mix of wetlands and preserved natural areas, so wildlife sightings are common — don’t be surprised by a sandhill crane strolling across the fairway at an unhelpful moment.
The bunkering is aggressive and the green complexes are interesting, which puts it a step above the generic resort courses that surround it geographically. It’s not Copperhead or Sawgrass, but for the price point, it punches well above its weight.
Signature Hole: The par-3 16th — a carry over water to a well-bunkered green with a dramatic backdrop. Classic risk-reward setup.
Difficulty: Moderate. Challenging enough to be interesting, forgiving enough to enjoy even on an off day.
Walkability: Moderate. The layout has some spread-out holes, but it’s walkable in cooler months.
Green Fees: $149–$249.
Best Time to Visit: November through February. Southwest Florida winters are genuinely spectacular — warm, dry, and breezy.
Booking Tips: Florida residents get discounted rates. Summer pricing drops significantly. Book through the TPC website and look for any bundled stay-and-play options nearby.
7. World Golf Village — King & Bear (St. Augustine)
King & Bear is one of the few courses in the world designed collaboratively by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, which alone makes it worth a visit from any golf history fan. The routing weaves through the World Golf Hall of Fame complex near St. Augustine, and you can combine your round with a visit to the Hall of Fame itself for a proper golf day.
The course itself is a pleasant, resort-style parkland layout — not brutally hard, but engaging enough to keep your attention. It rewards accuracy over distance, which makes it more accessible than some of the pure tour-quality tracks on this list. The Slammer & Squire course (named for Duval and Snead) is also on-site if you want a second round.
Signature Hole: The 18th — a sprawling par 5 that gives you options off the tee and makes you earn every shot into a green guarded by water short and right.
Difficulty: Moderate. A great course for mixed-ability groups.
Walkability: Good. The layout flows nicely and distances between holes are manageable.
Green Fees: $99–$179. Stay-and-play packages bring the per-round cost down further.
Best Time to Visit: Year-round, honestly. Northeast Florida summers are hot but manageable; winters are mild and beautiful.
Booking Tips: Stay at the Marriott World Golf Village on-site for package rates. St. Augustine is worth exploring beyond golf — the historic district is right down the road.
8. LPGA International — Champions Course (Daytona Beach)
LPGA International is the kind of course that doesn’t get talked about enough in national conversations about Florida golf, which means it’s less crowded and more affordable than it has any right to be given the quality of the product. The Champions Course has hosted LPGA Tour events and is maintained to a high standard. The Legends Course is more forgiving and a good option if you’re playing with higher-handicap companions.
The Champions course is Rees Jones design — strategic, demanding around the greens, and fair. It’s not trying to trick you; it just requires you to execute. That’s a refreshing approach.
Signature Hole: The par-4 9th — a mid-length hole where water runs the entire left side and a bunker-ringed green awaits. The second shot separates good scorers from everyone else.
Difficulty: Moderate to high on Champions. Legends is a step down in challenge.
Walkability: Good. The layout is walker-friendly by Florida standards.
Green Fees: $69–$129. The best value for championship-quality golf on this entire list.
Best Time to Visit: Fall through spring. Daytona Beach in the summer is hot and humid even by Florida standards.
Booking Tips: Book directly through their website. Combine with a day at the Daytona Speedway if you’re into motorsports — it’s right there.
9. Reunion Resort (Kissimmee)
Reunion is Orlando-area golf done right. Instead of one generic resort course, the property has three signature layouts: Tom Watson’s design, Arnold Palmer’s, and Jack Nicklaus’s. Each reflects the designer’s personality, which makes playing all three in a weekend a genuinely educational golf experience.
Watson’s course is the most walk-and-think design of the three — ask questions, make smart decisions, score. Palmer’s is classic Golden Bear-era strategy with risk-reward built into almost every tee shot. Nicklaus’s is the most dramatic, with elevation shifts and bold green complexes that demand creativity.
Signature Hole: Palmer Course’s 18th — a risk-reward finisher that summarizes his entire design philosophy. Drive it hard or play safe. You’ll regret whichever you choose.
Difficulty: Moderate across all three. None are punishing, but all reward good play.
Walkability: Variable. Some courses allow walking; check current policies when booking.
Green Fees: $89–$229. One of the better multi-round value propositions in Orlando.
Best Time to Visit: Fall and winter. Being near Orlando’s theme parks means summer is crowded and expensive everywhere.
Booking Tips: Villa rental packages offer the best value. Playing all three courses in one stay is the Reunion way to do it.
10. Boca Raton Resort & Club (Boca Raton)
Boca Raton Resort has been a fixture of South Florida luxury since the 1920s, and the golf course has been substantially renovated to match the resort’s elevated positioning. This isn’t a budget round — but if you’re going to splurge on old-Florida elegance and resort experience, Boca delivers.
The course plays through the manicured resort grounds with mature tree-lined corridors and well-designed green complexes. It’s more about the experience than pure challenge — a resort layout done at a high level. The service is impeccable, the conditions are immaculate, and the post-round setup (spa, dining, the beach nearby) is hard to beat.
Signature Hole: The par-3 7th — a picturesque one-shotter over a wide water hazard to a tiered green. Short clubs only, but precision is mandatory.
Difficulty: Moderate. Designed to be enjoyable for a wide range of guests.
Walkability: Moderate. Cart recommended for the full experience.
Green Fees: $199–$349. Resort guests get preferred access and rates.
Best Time to Visit: Winter — Boca Raton in January and February is genuinely perfect weather.
Booking Tips: You almost have to be a resort guest to play here. Book a stay-and-play package and treat it as the full experience, not just a round of golf.
Planning Your Florida Golf Trip
Florida golf trips fall apart not because of bad courses — it’s almost impossible to find a truly bad course in this state — but because of poor planning around logistics, timing, and budget. Here’s how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Pick a Geographic Hub
Florida is larger than you think, and driving between regions eats into your golf time fast. Pick a hub and build your itinerary around it. Here are the three main zones:
Northeast Florida (Jacksonville / Ponte Vedra / St. Augustine): This is the most golf-dense corridor in the state for serious players. TPC Sawgrass anchors the trip, World Golf Village adds history, and LPGA International is a short drive south. You can play four excellent rounds without driving more than 90 minutes total across your whole trip.
Central Florida (Orlando / Kissimmee): Better value than the resort corridor suggests. Orange County National, Reunion Resort, and day trips to Streamsong make this a strong base. If you’re traveling with non-golfers who want theme parks, this is your compromise hub.
Southwest Florida (Tampa / Sarasota / Bowling Green area): Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, TPC Danzante at Lakewood Ranch, and Streamsong form a tight, excellent triangle. This is actually my favorite geographic combo — Copperhead’s tour credentials, Streamsong’s pure golf experience, and Lakewood Ranch’s modern design all within a reasonable drive.
How Many Rounds to Plan
For a dedicated golf trip, four rounds over four days is the sweet spot. You’ll play well, rest between rounds, and actually enjoy each course instead of grinding through them exhausted. Five rounds in four days is fine if you’re playing twilight or morning-afternoon doubles, but you’ll feel it by day three. If you’re packing in a lot of premium courses, give yourself one rest day mid-trip.
Before you leave, make sure your clubs are ready for the trip. If you need to upgrade your driver before heading down, check out our guide to the best golf drivers for 2026 — getting fitted before a major trip is always worth it. And if you’re flying with your sticks, our best golf travel bags guide will help you protect your investment.
Transportation and Logistics
Rent a car. Always. Golf courses in Florida are never in walkable distance of hotels except on resort properties, and rideshares to morning tee times are unreliable and expensive at 6:30 AM. Get a car, load up the trunk with your bag and some snacks, and drive yourself.
If you’re flying into Florida and not renting on-property at a resort, double-check that your rental car has a trunk big enough for your golf bag. Not all compact rentals do.
Best Time to Play Florida Golf
This question has a clear answer and a nuanced one. The clear answer: January through March is objectively the best time to play Florida golf. The weather is perfect — highs in the low 70s, low humidity, minimal rain, and cool mornings that make early tee times a genuine pleasure instead of a survival exercise.
The nuanced answer: January through March is also the most expensive, most crowded, and hardest to book period of the year. Here’s how each season actually breaks down:
Peak Season: January – April
Peak weather, peak prices, peak demand. Book tee times 60–90 days in advance for top courses. Rates can be 40–60% higher than summer pricing. Snowbirds drive traffic on roads and courses. If you’re flexible on destination, book shoulder months instead. If Florida in winter is non-negotiable, book early and budget accordingly.
Summer: May – September
This is when smart, heat-tolerant golfers get deals. Rates drop dramatically — sometimes 30–50% off peak pricing. Courses are emptier, pace of play is faster, and early morning rounds (7–8 AM start) are genuinely comfortable. The catch: afternoon thunderstorms pop up daily between about 2–5 PM from June through September. Book early tee times, be off the course by early afternoon, and you’ll be fine. The heat is real — drink water constantly and bring a towel.
Fall Shoulder Season: October – November
My personal favorite time to visit. Rates are starting to come back up from summer lows but haven’t hit peak yet. The storm frequency drops off. Temperatures are still warm but not brutal. Courses are in good shape and tee times are available without six-week planning windows. If you can swing an October or November trip, do it.
Early Winter: December
Rates climb in December as the northern states start sending their fleeing golfers south. Weather is usually excellent, but the Christmas and New Year’s week is a zoo. If you want to avoid crowds, the first two weeks of December are a sweet spot.
Budget Tips for Florida Golf
Florida golf can be expensive, especially in peak season at premium courses. Here’s how to play more for less:
Time Your Tee Times Strategically
Twilight rates at many Florida courses start as early as 1 PM in summer and 2 PM in winter. You can often save $40–$80 per round just by teeing off in the afternoon. Replay rates (a second round the same day at a reduced price) are available at courses like Orange County National and are one of the best deals in golf travel.
Look for Multi-Round Packages
Streamsong, Innisbrook, Reunion, and World Golf Village all offer stay-and-play packages that bundle lodging with multiple rounds at a meaningfully lower per-round cost than booking each separately. If you’re going to be at a resort property anyway, always look for the package rate first.
Great Budget Tracks Worth Playing
Not every round needs to be a tour venue. These courses deliver genuine quality at sub-$100 prices:
- Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club (Haines City): $59–$99. A surprisingly dramatic layout with elevation changes unusual for Florida. Consistently gets overlooked.
- Celebration Golf Club (Orlando): $69–$99. Robert Trent Jones Jr. design near Disney. Better than its resort-adjacent reputation suggests.
- LPGA International Legends Course (Daytona Beach): $49–$89. The more forgiving of the two LPGA courses and an incredible value.
- Duran Golf Club (Viera): $39–$79. A well-maintained, reasonably challenging course on the Space Coast. Zero pretension, just good golf.
- Venetian Bay Golf Club (New Smyrna Beach): $49–$89. A hidden gem near Daytona that rewards shotmaking without punishing recreational golfers.
Use GolfNow and Tee Time Aggregators Wisely
GolfNow, TeeOff, and similar platforms often have discounted hot deals on tee times that were booked through the course but went unsold. You can find legitimate savings — sometimes 40–50% — if you’re flexible on exact timing. The catches: you usually can’t pick your playing partners, and the deals appear last-minute. For golfers with flexible schedules, this is a legitimate strategy.
Skip the Cart When You Can
Cart fees at Florida courses often run $20–$35 per person per round. Over four rounds, that’s $80–$140 extra per person. Streamsong actively encourages walking and their green fees reflect it. LPGA International is very walkable. Orange County National allows walking. Walking also makes the game better — you’re actually present on the course instead of racing from shot to shot. If your posture and setup are solid, the walk won’t affect your swing mechanics at all.
Quick Reference: All 10 Courses at a Glance
| Course | Location | Green Fee Range | Difficulty | Walkable? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPC Sawgrass Stadium | Ponte Vedra Beach | $500–$700 | High | Yes (cart recommended) |
| Streamsong Red/Blue/Black | Bowling Green | $275–$425 | Moderate–High | Excellent |
| Innisbrook Copperhead | Palm Harbor | $225–$395 | High | Moderate |
| PGA National Champion | Palm Beach Gardens | $249–$399 | High | Moderate |
| Orange County National | Orlando | $79–$159 | Moderate–High | Good |
| TPC Danzante Bay | Sarasota | $149–$249 | Moderate | Moderate |
| World Golf Village — King & Bear | St. Augustine | $99–$179 | Moderate | Good |
| LPGA International Champions | Daytona Beach | $69–$129 | Moderate–High | Good |
| Reunion Resort | Kissimmee | $89–$229 | Moderate | Variable |
| Boca Raton Resort | Boca Raton | $199–$349 | Moderate | Moderate |
My Personal Florida Golf Rankings
You asked for opinions, so here they are:
Bucket list round, regardless of price: TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course. There’s nothing else quite like standing on that 17th tee. The whole day is charged with the history of the place. Go at least once.
Best pure golf destination: Streamsong. Not even close. The combination of three world-class courses, walking-friendly design, remoteness (which somehow adds to the experience), and the quality of design across all three makes it the best multi-day golf trip in Florida. If I could only go to one place in the state, it’s Streamsong.
Best bang for your buck: Orange County National. Tournament conditions, two solid courses, and pricing that won’t make you wince. For Orlando-based trips, it’s the anchor.
Most underrated: LPGA International. Championship quality at honest prices, and the crowds are a fraction of what you’d find at the resort tracks. More people should know about this one.
Most memorable experience beyond just golf: World Golf Village. The Hall of Fame, the history, the whole complex — it’s a golf nerd’s playground. Combine it with a morning in historic downtown St. Augustine and you’ve got a genuinely full day even if you’re not playing 36.
Florida has something for every golfer — from the player chasing tour-caliber bragging rights to the group looking for four enjoyable rounds without breaking the bank. Pick your region, pick your budget, and start booking. The courses are ready for you.
Looking to gear up before your trip? See our picks for the best golf travel bags to protect your clubs on the flight down, and check out our best golf drivers for 2026 if you’re overdue for an upgrade.