Courtesy The Biltmore
According to Visit Florida, the Sunshine State has more golf courses per capita than anywhere else in the country, with a total of more than a thousand. These courses can be found from both coasts to inland at a number of resorts with exquisite amenities for adults and children.
St. Augustine, Florida is also home to the World Golf Hall of Fame. This historic location is a must for golf fans, where they can peek into famous golfers’ lockers and study exhibits of historical artifacts. In addition, on TPC Sawgrass Island Green, guests can aim for a replica of the famous 17th hole.
That said, a Florida golf resort is high on the list for an ideal family vacation.
Here are some of the best golf resorts in Florida.
Ponte Vedra Inn & Club, Ponte Vedra Beach
The high-end resort looks out over the Atlantic Ocean and offers sea views from guest rooms and suites, many of which have warm fireplaces and private balconies. Amenities include tennis courts, an expansive spa, pools, daily children’s activities, and a white-sand beach. The lush Lagoon Course and the Ocean Course by the sea with its island green at hole number nine are available to guests of both courses.
Innisbrook, a Salamander Golf & Spa Resort, Palm Harbor
Innisbrook has four incredible golf courses set in 900 acres of woodland, including the Copperhead Course, the annual Valspar Championship venue for the PGA Tour. Located about half an hour from Tampa, the resort offers guests several amenities including pools, beach access, bike rentals, tennis courts, children’s activities, and the popular Salamander Spa. A large number of guest rooms, suites and holiday apartments offer space for even the largest travel groups.
The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club, Orlando, Grande Lakes
Just 16 km from Orlando Airport, this luxurious resort takes its guests to the magnificent palaces of Italy. Elegant suites and guest rooms, pools, fitness center, spa, salon, children’s activities, and multiple restaurants make it the ideal location for a family-friendly destination. Golfers who indulge in the beauty of nature will enjoy the Greg Norman designed course as it encompasses the natural landscape of central Florida with its wetlands, ponds and live oaks.
Reunion Resort & Golf Club, Kissimmee
This resort’s location is ideal for a family-friendly getaway as it is just a few miles from Walt Disney World and the rest of Orlando’s numerous theme parks. The spectacular resort has ten pools, tennis and pickleball courts, its own water park, miniature golf, footgolf and three unique golf courses designed by Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson. You will feel at home in the accommodations, as the 1 to 3 bedroom villas have a fully equipped kitchen and spacious holiday apartments.
World Golf Village, St. Augustine
In addition to immersing themselves in the history of the game, visitors to the World of Gold Hall of Fame also have the opportunity to play two different courses designed by golf legends. The King & Bear was designed jointly by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, while the Slammer & Squire shows the work of Hall of Famers Gene Sarazen and Sam Snead with the architect Bobby Weed. The World of Golf Village Renaissance offers a pool, game room, spa and convenient location nearby.
The Biltmore, Coral Gables
The classic luxury hotel Coral Gables has a golf course designed by golf course architect Donald Ross in 1925. It was recently updated in 2018. The resort’s large pool is one of the largest in the country and offers furnished cabanas. Families can take advantage of the expansive spa, courtyard restaurant, adult cooking classes, traditional English afternoon tea, and a culinary camp for children.
LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort, Naples
Located right on the Gulf of Mexico, this resort features a pool with luxurious private cabanas, white sandy beaches, suites and rooms with views of the coast and the SpaTerre on the beach. Multiple childcare facilities and kid-friendly amenities make LaPlaya a perfect family destination. Water sports in the area include paddleboarding, kayaking, sunset cruises, fishing, and more. The 18-hole links-style golf course is nestled between green fairways, lakes and lush landscape.
PGA National Resort & Spa, Palm Beach Gardens
Guests at the PGA National Resort & Spa can choose from a suite, guest room, two-bedroom cottage, or vacation home with amenities like pools, gyms, tennis courts, nearby beaches, luxury shopping, and eco-tours. With five different PGA Championship courses, golfers face a variety of challenges, from The Palmer (named for its designer) and The Champion (home of the annual Honda Classic) to his new nine-hole course game, The Staple. Supervised children’s activities, child care, bike rental, beach volleyball and lawn games all contribute to the family-friendly atmosphere.
JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa, Aventura
The high-end Miami resort offers spacious rooms and suites and a variety of dining options, including Michael Minas Bourbon Steak, as well as casual dining and poolside options. The resort’s two championship golf courses offer first-class scenery along with challenging golf games. The 300-acre property includes an array of lush landscaping, a spa, and the Tidal Cove Waterpark.
Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa, Palm Coast
Located on the northeast coast of Florida, visitors can enjoy a room, suite, luxury apartment or stay at The Lodge at Hammock Beach, a boutique hotel with 20 rooms with ocean views or views of the Ocean Course. The resort has a spacious indoor pool complex, spa, and outdoor pool, complemented by a lazy river and a waterslide. The two award-winning golf courses include the Ocean Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus and home to six holes on the Atlantic, and the Conservatory Course developed by Tom Watson.
Streamsong Resort, Bowling Green
This central Florida golf resort has three incredible 18-hole golf courses, a fun putting course, and a seven-hole course for those who want a shorter game. For stylish and modern accommodations, guests can stay at the Streamsong Lodge or the Clubhouse. After a good ol ‘game of golf, guests can explore the spa, infinity pool overlooking the lake, archery, perch fishing, the sporty clay court, and over 16,000 acres.
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Born and raised in South Florida, Krystal recently graduated from the University of Miami and has professional writing experience at both college and national news levels. She is a foodie who loves everything that goes to travel, the beach, and new places all over Florida.