Experience a Florida Golf Vacation

While Florida\'s tourism industry stemmed from its breathtaking
beaches and world-renowned theme parks, it has established
itself as a first-class golf destination. Although there are top
golf courses to be found throughout the state, the areas of
Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, and Miami are making the largest
impact on the state\'s golf industry.

Tampa Bay Area

The Tampa Bay Area is the fastest growing golf region in the
state although it has not quite established itself among the
\greats\ yet. The area is gaining notoriety with first-class
resorts, upscale daily fee courses, and a number of public
access facilities for any level or price range. If you are
looking for a course with an old time Florida feel, spend a day
on the Copperhead Course at Westin Innisbrook. It has been
labeled one of the top golf resorts in the country due to its
full character and challenging features. The course is lush and
green with plenty of risk and reward opportunities. The
Copperhead Course is open only to resort guests, members, and
friends of members with greens fees of $160 for guests.

A new arrival to the Tampa Golf scene can be found just a short
drive north of the city. World Woods Golf Club was recently
developed with two courses, a nine-hole short course, and a
state of the art practice center. The Pine Barrens and Rolling
Oaks courses provide two different golf experiences. Pine
Barrens is uniquely challenging, making for an enjoyable round
while Rolling Oaks is full of relaxing dips and peaceful climbs
through Florida farmland. Both courses are worth a visit to this
new golf club and with 700 hotel rooms within a 20-minute drive,
you can make a vacation of it.

Orlando Area

Although, historically, Walt Disney World and other theme park
attractions have overshadowed the Orlando golf scene, the area
is full of top-rated courses and first-rate golf resorts. There
are between 100 and 150 courses in the area and Orlando is host
to two PGA tour events. In an article about Orlando golf, one
cannot overlook the Bay Hill Club and Lodge. One of the most
prestigious semi-private clubs in the country, it has been a
part of the PGA tour since 1979. The club has three nine-hole
courses, the Challenger, the Champion, and the Charger. Bay Hill
makes an effort to provide top of the line service by enhancing
the smallest details. For example, each foursome at the club
gets a forecaddie with no extra charge to haul clubs, rake sand
traps, and provide tips on difficult shots. You must be a guest
or resort member to play these courses with greens fees of $175
per round during peak season.

The North-South course at Grand Cypress Villas, designed by Jack
Nicklaus, is one of the most well groomed courses in Florida.
This combined with man-made rolling fairways and turtleback
greens makes for very enjoyable play. The course has been
labeled as roomy but challenging and is a must visit for any
golfer in the Orlando Area. Greens fees run from $115 to $180,
well worth a day away from The Mouse.

Jacksonville Area

Jacksonville, one of the best-kept secrets on the East Coast,
has a great waterfront setting and is a well-established golfing
destination. The city and its surrounding areas are home to 68
courses, the PGA and Senior PGA tour headquarters, and the World
Golf Village, just a few minutes down I-95. The courses in
Jacksonville require accuracy but are known to provide plenty of
variety. The world famous TPC at Sawgrass was built in 1981 and
is the annual host of the Tournament Players Championship. The
two courses, the Stadium and Valley, are maintained to
remarkably high standards but are two very different golfing
experiences. The Stadium Course, home to the infamous 17th
island green, the most photographed hole in golf, is known for
fast greens and tight fairways. This course can fool any level
of golfer into a feeling of false security with hidden bunkers
and tricky water hazards. The younger sibling, the Valley
Course, is more technically extreme but is often overlooked. The
larger greens and fairways make for a more lighthearted golfing
experience. To play, one must be a guest at the Marriot at
Sawgrass or a member. Greens fees range from $140 to $305 for
the Stadium Course and $110 to $170 for the Valley Course.

The World Golf Village is home to two courses, both with two
distinct nines, one open and one wooded. The King & The Bear,
designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, has recently joined
the Slammer & The Squire to offer great courses all designed by
the best in the business. The Slammer & The Squire course has
plenty of lakes with rolling fairways while the newer course
focuses more on aesthetics without compromising the quality of
play. Players with great short game execution will enjoy The
Slammer & The Squire while The King & The Bear requires accuracy
with distance and placement. These fine courses coupled with the
World Golf Hall of Fame and all the attractions that accompany
it are a great way to enhance your Jacksonville golf experience.
Greens fees are $99 to $179 for the older course and $125 to
$200 for The King and The Bear.

Miami Area

It is easy to add golf to any luxurious Miami vacation. With
world-class resorts, infamous South Beach, and a host of
semi-private courses in its back yard, Miami has become a top
golf vacation destination. PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens
offers golfers five tournament caliber courses all ranked by
Zagat for \America\'s Top Courses.\ There is a course for every
kind of player at PGA National whether you are a seasoned pro or
someone just getting into the game. The Haig, The General, The
Champ, The Squire, and The Estate are unique and offer something
a little different. The Haig, the first course developed was
intended to and does offer quality golf for all players.
Qualities such as having no crossing water hazards evens the
playing field regardless of skill. The newest course is The
General, modeled after Scottish courses. Players will see these
roots in its rising and falling fairways and common greens. The
most renowned of the five is The Champ, offering the finest
playing surface available anywhere in the world. For information
regarding tee times and golf packages, visit the PGA National
website.

Perhaps the most revered of South Florida golf resorts is the
Doral Golf Resort and Spa. The Doral is home to 5 courses, nine
pro shops, and a top-rated spa. The Blue Monster, The Great
White, The Red, The Silver, and The Gold are world-renowned for
fantastic golf and with water on over 60 of the 90 holes, they
are also known for their challenge. The Great White, designed by
Greg Norman, and The Blue Monster, one of the most recognizable
courses in the country, are the top two courses at Doral. The
Great White, framed by palm trees and white sand, is difficult
to play and favors those who play position golf. The Blue
Monster is known for huge water hazards, unforgiving rough, and
an 18th hole that is one of the toughest finishes on the PGA
Tour. The Greens Fees range from $100 to $225 depending on the
course and season.

A Florida golf vacation can be enjoyed
regardless of what destination you choose. From Jacksonville to
Miami and Tampa to Orlando there are countless top rated golf
resorts, clubs, and courses for you to choose from. These
destinations, coupled with fantastic vacation rental homes
make the Sunshine State a great place to stay and play.