Florida is one of my favorite places to visit and it is filled with hundreds of golf resorts, beautiful beaches, incredible food, and in the past few years a beer scene that has gained national recognition. When planning your Florida golf though, it’s important to pick the right places, so here’s a few of our top picks for the best golf trips.
What Do You Call Your "Guys Trips"?
- Discover essential tips and top golf resorts for planning an unforgettable Florida guy's golf trip, ensuring an ideal blend of challenging courses and relaxation.
- Choose the right time of year to visit Florida to avoid peak season crowds and secure better rates for your golf trip.
- Opt for golf resorts like Streamsong Resort, Innisbrook Golf Resort, and PGA National Resort, which offer world-class courses and amenities.
- Plan for a mix of golf and leisure activities, taking advantage of Florida’s beaches, nightlife, and dining options.
- Ensure a smooth trip by booking tee times well in advance, considering transportation options, and preparing for Florida’s weather conditions.
The first step in planning your Florida golf getaway though is to figure out what part of Florida matches your style of play - as well as other activities you want to do. For instance, if you want to go snorkeling then you might want to look at the Keys but if you want to experience great beer and cigars then a trip to Tampa might be a better pick. Of course, there’s always airboat rides and gator tours in the interior too. Finally, up by Destin, Panama City, and Fort Walton Beach you’ve got some of the best beaches in the state with crystal clear water and incredible white sand.
For this roundup, we’re not necessarily looking for the “best golf course“ but rather featuring resorts that feature a great mixture of activities for golfers of all abilities. To help filter through the hundreds of options, we decided to use ResortsandLodges.com to identify some of our favorite picks.
Tips for Planning a Florida Guys Golf Trip
When planning golf trips for you and your friends, it's important to consider that time spent at the golf club is only one part of the overall experience you need to include in the experience. Here are some tips to help make your next golf trip one that will go down in the record books!
Choose the Right Time of Year
Florida is known as the "golf capital" of the world, and with good reason. To make the most of your buddies trip, choosing the right time of year is crucial. The winter months offer the best weather for golf, with mild temperatures and minimal rain. Avoid the summer heat and humidity by planning your trip between October and April. This will ensure you have perfect conditions to play golf and enjoy the stunning Florida courses.
Book Your Tee Times in Advance
One of the most important steps in planning a successful golf trip is securing your tee times well in advance. Popular courses in Florida can fill up quickly, especially during peak season. Research the top golf resorts and clubs you want to play at, such as Streamsong Resort or TPC Sawgrass, and book your tee times as early as possible. This ensures you and your buddies can play at your preferred times and avoid any last-minute disappointments.
Balance Golf with Relaxation and Fun
While the main focus of your trip will be to play golf, don't forget to mix in some relaxation and fun. Florida offers a variety of activities beyond the fairways, from fishing charters and beautiful beaches to vibrant nightlife.
Plan some downtime to enjoy local attractions, restaurants, and entertainment. You might even consider a day trip to another championship course nearby for a change of scenery and additional golfing opportunities.
Balancing your itinerary will make your buddies trip more enjoyable and memorable for everyone.
By following these tips, you’ll be well on your way to planning an epic Florida golf trip that you and your friends will talk about for years to come. So gather your golf club, mark your calendar, and get ready for an unforgettable adventure in the golf capital of the world!
Hammock Beach Golf Resort
Hammock Beach is probably one of the most beautiful golf resorts in all of Florida, it is also one of the most luxurious.
Located Palm Coast, about halfway between Daytona Beach and St. Augustine this resort has everything for the ultimate guys weekend. From an incredible golf course to bonfires on the beach, fishing charters, and a wide range of accommodations ranging from 700 square feet to more than 2,300 square feet. The resort’s crown jewel is its Jack Nicklaus designed Ocean Course that has been completely restored and opens again following damages from Hurricane Matthew. It is now back to it's well deserved status as one of Florida's best golf resorts after all of the tee boxes and bunkers were renovated, fairways, greens, and rough have all been re-grassed, and a whole host of other improvements were made as well to make it both more fun to play as more sustainable and environmentally friendly..
Golfweek even named it to the #10 spot on their list of Best Golf Courses in Florida and it ends with a finale dubbed “The Bear Claw” featuring a collection of four holes along the coastline. Hammock Beach Golf Resort is an ideal destination for a memorable golf vacation.
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Destin has a (well-earned) reputation for being a great family destination, but don’t let that scare you away. When compared to some of the more exclusive areas of the state, Destin offers great value both in terms of room rates as well as greens fees, making it an ideal option for a golf trip. For instance, while you may pay hundreds of dollars per round at other areas of the state, room rates at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa start at only $109 and greens fees are under $100. That gives you plenty of money to spend on food and other activities.
World Golf Village
The World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida is a must-visit for any buddies trip. The two courses here are fun to play for all skill levels but you also have the opportunity to visit the World Golf Hall of Fame and celebrate golf’s heroes.
Omni Amelia Island Plantation
Named as one of the “Top 121 Golf Resorts in the World” by Condenast Traveler, the Omni Amelia Island is home to three championship courses as well as access to all the other incredible opportunities for relaxing available on Amelia Island.
The quality of the golf club at Omni Amelia Island Plantation is exceptional, offering a top-notch experience for golf enthusiasts.
Lake Jovita Golf Resort
Located just 30 minutes north east from Tampa, Lake Jovita Golf Resort is a great place to escape to if you are looking for something a little different than the typical coastal resorts and super flat Florida terrain. Prices are also great here so it won’t break the bank either. They have a “Stay and Play Villas” with three bedrooms located right on the golf course overlooking the 18th and 9th greens.
What makes this course unique is that there is an incredible (for Florida golf) 94’ drop tee to green on the 11th hole of the South Course. It is also an ideal destination for a relaxed golf vacation.
Streamsong Golf Resort
Streamsong Golf Resort is another area in Florida where you’re going to find some elevation changes. While not as dramatic as the drop at Lake Jovita, Streamsong is built on 16,000 acres dunes created by sand discarded during phosphate mining operations.
Today, that once barren landscape is now covered in beautiful grass and vegetation providing golfers with a taste of the rolling hills of Scotland. In addition to two incredible golf courses - Streamsong Red and Streamsong Blue, the resort also has guided bass fishing, sporting clays, and a spa. Streamsong Golf Resort is also a notable PGA Tour venue.
Florida Offers Some Of The Best Golf Trips For Guys!
In conclusion, planning the perfect golf trip with your buddies is all about choosing the right destination, and Florida truly stands out as the ultimate choice. With its stunning landscapes, world-class facilities, and a variety of top golf resorts like Streamsong Resort, TPC Sawgrass, and the PGA National Resort, Florida offers some of the best golf trips you can imagine.
While other top golf courses around the country such as Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina, Troon North Golf Club in Arizona, and Grand Traverse Resort in Michigan also provide incredible golfing experiences, my heart is in Florida when it comes to planning the next golf vacation with the guys.
The Sunshine State’s unparalleled combination of beautiful weather, diverse courses, and exceptional hospitality makes it the ideal destination for your next unforgettable golf adventure. So pack your clubs and get ready to tee off on the golf trip of a lifetime in Florida!
