The best golf courses in Florida you can play

Home of the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the top-ranked course in the area that a visitor can play. You must stay at the lodge, and the round is booked with the room.

A polished Greg Norman course with caddies at a luxury resort. Kids play free with a paying adult.

A Rees Jones course through wetland preserve near Disney Springs, with five sets of tees and well-rated conditions.

Nicklaus's tribute to the Old Course at St Andrews, with pot bunkers, double greens and burns. Resort guests get priority, and the public can book up to 60 days ahead.

Ranked #12 among Florida public courses in GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice list. Play comes with a stay at Reunion.

A newly rebuilt Nicklaus course next to the Links, which makes Evermore an easy two-course stop.

A big, wide championship course that has hosted PGA Tour Q-School finals four times. It is the best pure public course in Orlando.

A well-run course next to Rosen Shingle Creek near the Convention Center. It is easy to reach from I-Drive and has a good academy.

Rolling sand hills with up to 100 feet of elevation change and more than 150 bunkers. It is the area's most dramatic public layout, about 40 minutes from Disney.

A windswept, links-style Greg Norman course at the Omni resort. It is one of the area's toughest tests.

A 1920s course with real hills and old trees, unusual for Florida. Golfweek has ranked it among the state's best classic courses.

The links-style sister course to Panther Lake. It is open and firm, with few trees.

A Fazio-redesigned course inside Walt Disney World, open only to club members and Four Seasons guests.

Disney's longest course (up to 7,516 yards), a former PGA Tour stop. A multi-year redesign added new Disney touches and finished in March 2025.

A father-and-son Trent Jones design in Disney's planned town, with lots of water and tree-lined holes.

Long a co-host of Disney's PGA Tour event, this is Disney's toughest course, with water on many holes.

Tom Watson's only Florida design, with firm, fast greens. Golfweek has ranked it among Florida's best courses you can play.

A walkable 9-hole course from 1900 in the middle of Winter Park, restored in a much-praised 2018 project. It is a fun, cheap round.

A historic city-owned course near downtown, with a good tavern. It is the best cheap round in Orlando.

A rolling Trent Jones Sr. course near Universal that often hosts USGA qualifying. It is a strong value round.

Rugged sandy layout on the old World Woods site that ranks among the very best courses you can play in Florida.

Karoo's partner course, with big strategic greens; golfers rated it No. 6 among public courses in Florida.

Hilly, pine-lined home of the PGA Tour's Valspar Championship, the best-known course in the Tampa area.

Tour-quality daily-fee course through wetlands and cypress that hosted the Champions Tour for years.

Innisbrook's other championship course, mixing tight pines on one side and water on the other, included in every golf package.

City-owned Donald Ross course reopened after a $6 million restoration that won Renovation of the Year.

Classic resort course through cypress and lakes at a full-service golf and tennis resort north of Tampa.

Rolling hills rare for Florida, with views across the lake; golfers ranked it No. 19 in the state.

Saddlebrook's second course, a bit more open and forgiving, which makes a 36-hole stay easy.

Well-kept community course in the hills north of Tampa that golfers voted No. 16 among Florida public courses.

Former PGA Tour stop near the Pinellas beaches, with good greens and a creek-side par-5 16th.

Demanding daily-fee course (slope 139) with lots of water, reopened after a closure and now in good shape.

Daily-fee course through wetlands and woods with wooden bridges, 15 minutes from Tampa airport.

Private club on Snell Isle with bay views, open to guests of the Vinoy resort downtown.

The shorter, easier Innisbrook course, a good second round on a package.

Robert Trent Jones layout in Pasco County at a fair daily-fee price.

Value daily-fee course near Saddlebrook with water and oak-lined holes.

City course on Old Tampa Bay by the airport with water views on several holes.

Shorter city course in north Tampa, cheap and easy to get on.

Busy, well-kept St. Pete city course along the bay, one of the cheapest full-length rounds in the area.

The flagship Greg Norman layout at the Ritz-Carlton, with coquina waste areas and no rough, and one of the few top Naples courses open to outside play.

A Pete Dye course wrapped around Charlotte Harbor on an old-Florida island, ranked among the state's best you can play, but only for Inn guests.

The former Raptor Bay, rebuilt and reopened at the end of 2023 as an upscale resort-style public course with a 9-hole par-3 add-on.

The tighter, shorter sister to the Gold, with the same Ritz-Carlton service and white-sand look.

A former Champions Tour stop with TPC conditioning; outside tee times are limited and pricey in season.

Ranked No. 2 in Florida in GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice for its conditioning and friendly service at a modest price.

A city-owned Donald Ross course restored and reopened in December 2023, giving Sarasota a historic muni at a fair price.

A newer community course that ranks No. 9 in Florida in GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice and sells public tee times.

Ranked No. 8 in Florida in GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice, a well-kept Naples community course that sells public tee times.

A demanding course along the Manatee River, ranked No. 10 in Florida in GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice.

The pick of Lely's courses, close to downtown Naples, with friendly service and a strong GolfPass reputation.

A newer Troon-managed course in the Babcock Ranch community, No. 11 in GolfPass's 2026 Florida list.

A 27-hole Ron Garl club between Sarasota and Bradenton that ranks No. 13 in GolfPass's 2026 Florida list.

A long, open course in Ave Maria east of Naples, known for good value; No. 18 in GolfPass's 2026 Florida list.

A city-run Donald Ross course redone by Steve Smyers, walkable and one of the best bargains in the area.

Cape Coral's city course, an Arthur Hills design that is the go-to public round for visitors staying in the Cape.

A value-priced public course in east Naples that Golf Digest picks as one of the best public options in Naples.

A modern course near Bonita Springs that sells tee times on GolfNow, an option close to RSW.

Home of the PGA Tour's Cognizant Classic and its famous Bear Trap holes 15-17.

A Gil Hanse rebuild of the old city course, now the best course anyone can book in South Florida and #4 on GolfPass's 2026 Florida list.

A village-owned Nicklaus redesign with holes along the Intracoastal, often called the best muni in Florida.

A short, fun course built for match play out of the old Squire course; scores are not posted.

Florida's oldest 18-hole course, a short seaside layout right at the famous hotel.

A longer championship course about 20 minutes inland, freshly renovated in 2022.

A tough Palmer design that many resort guests rate as the best value after the Champion.

A historic Flynn course at the pink Boca Raton resort, now being restored to its original look.

The resort's most playable full course, a good warm-up before the Champion.

Joe Lee's final design, with unusual elevation change for Florida and a good Jupiter base option.

A city-owned course in a natural preserve setting, plus a new Nicklaus-designed par-3 course.

An oceanfront 18-hole par-3 course, ideal for a short round or a non-stop-golf day off.

A county-owned 27-hole Audubon sanctuary course on paspalum grass, the best value in south Palm Beach County.

A walkable Donald Ross muni that is a cheap, historic round near Delray's beach town.

A Joe Lee course with water on many holes that is a cheap, solid extra round.

A famous former PGA Tour venue with a water-lined finishing hole, and the area's marquee bucket-list round.

A restored Donald Ross layout beside the historic Biltmore Hotel, with tricky greens and banyan-lined fairways.

A county-run island course among saltwater lakes and mangroves with Biscayne Bay and skyline views, once a Champions Tour stop.

A well-kept city-owned course a few minutes from South Beach, with an Art Deco clubhouse.

A Raymond Floyd redesign with an island-green finish at a big resort; Golf Digest ranks it among Florida's best.

The resort's second-strongest course, with plenty of water and palm-framed fairways.

A shorter, strategic Hanse-reworked course that is more forgiving than the Blue Monster.

The easiest and cheapest way to play Doral, with lots of water and generous fairways.

A city-owned Broward course wrapped around a 40-acre nature preserve and one of the area's best values.

Miami Beach's second city course, a quieter and cheaper alternative to Miami Beach Golf Club.

A 1923 city course that hosted the Miami Open for decades, near the airport.

A county-owned Dick Wilson design in south Miami that is a solid, affordable daily round.

A 36-hole Broward club (East and West courses) that sits at the top end of Fort Lauderdale-area daily-fee golf.

Ranked #14 in GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice list for Florida public courses, a reviewer favorite for value and conditions.

A county-owned Robert Trent Jones Sr. course that is one of Miami's cheapest full-length rounds.

Home of THE PLAYERS and the island-green 17th, ranked the best course you can play in Florida.

The cheaper Sawgrass layout gives you the same Dye-style water and angles, with Korn Ferry Tour pedigree.

A 1928 oceanfront classic with its own island-green par 3, restored in 2020 and ranked among Florida's top 20 you can play.

Pete Dye's marsh-side layout reopened in May 2025 after a full Beau Welling renovation.

The best course on Amelia Island that anyone can book, a 2000 layout along the river marshes.

A strong, well-kept modern course south of Jacksonville that locals often rate as the area's best value.

A tough Bobby Weed design with raised greens and lots of water, ranked in GolfPass's 2026 Florida top 25.

A long, demanding Palmer course just off the island, priced well below the resorts.

A private club next to the Ritz-Carlton that hotel guests can play, set among oaks and marsh.

A shady Arthur Hills course in southeast Jacksonville with tight, tree-lined holes.

A city course near the beach rebuilt in 2018, the area's best bargain.

Voted Jacksonville's best public course in the 2025 JaxBest poll; a friendly, playable layout.

A water-heavy target course that plays harder than its length.

The shorter, easier second course at the Inn, good for a relaxed second round on a stay.

A 1925 Donald Ross course with classic Ross greens at a low price.

A 27-hole city course that is the cheap option on Amelia Island.

A short-course spot on the old Palmer layout inside Sawgrass, good for a quick twilight loop.

A Nicklaus course with six holes on the Atlantic, ranked No. 11 among Florida courses you can play.

Tom Watson's big inland course with heavy elevation for Florida, ranked No. 12 in Golfweek's Florida public list.

The only course Palmer and Nicklaus designed together, reopened in Oct 2024 after a $2.5M restoration.

A wide, friendly resort course next to the World Golf Village hotel, easy to pair with King & Bear.

The higher-rated of LPGA International's two courses, with rolling ground and lots of water.

The former LPGA Tour qualifying host, a long, open Rees Jones test.

A long neighborhood course renovated in 2022 that Golf Digest panelists rate near the top of the area.

A Mark McCumber course through wetlands north of town, the top-rated St. Augustine course on Golf Digest's local guide.

The county course, freshly renovated in 2022, and one of the best values in the region.

Rare Florida hills and sandy waste areas, about 30 minutes west of Daytona.

A restored Donald Ross city course rated well by Golf Digest panelists for the price.

A long, quiet course through pines and oaks north of Ormond Beach.

A Palmer design in Palm Coast at a fraction of the Hammock Beach price.

The City of Palm Coast's course, a good-value round near the Hammock Beach area.

A city-owned Arthur Hills course just south of Daytona with real teeth.

A mature community course near Daytona that takes daily-fee play.

A 1921 Donald Ross city course, the cheapest good round in Daytona.

An easy-going 1950s course near the beach in Ormond.

A newer community course in New Smyrna Beach, a simple add-on round.

A Fazio layout through dunes and pine land that ranks among the Panhandle's best. It is a private club, but guests of the Camp Creek Inn and Watersound Inn can play it.

Opened in March 2025, this is the newest big-name course on the coast, with wide fairways, big greens and six sets of tees from 4,242 to 7,252 yards.

Sandestin's best course, with holes along Choctawhatchee Bay. It is semi-private, and resort guests can book tee times after 1 p.m.

A Norman design on Lake Powell, a large coastal dune lake, with deep bunkers and a pine-forest setting. It is a private club, and Watersound Club inn guests can play it.

A Fred Couples design on Choctawhatchee Bay that was renovated in 2024. At over 7,000 yards, it is Destin's toughest public course.

The only Panhandle course on GolfPass's 2026 Golfers' Choice list of Florida's top public courses (#17). Water comes into play on most holes, and conditions are kept sharp.

Sandestin's top public course, a Trent Jones Jr. layout through wetlands and pines that hosted a Champions Tour event.

A Bob Cupp course with bay views and a strong slope for its price. It is one of the better values among Destin's top courses.

A long course (7,607 yards from the tips) across rolling sand hills north of the bay. It looks and plays unlike the flat coastal courses.

The Panhandle's only Nicklaus-designed course, a tight and watery test on St. Andrews Bay.

Sandestin's most playable course, next to the Village of Baytowne Wharf. It is a good choice for mixed-ability groups.

A shorter Sandestin course with holes along the bay. It is a relaxed second round of the day.

A Fazio and Pate design at a fair price, about 25 minutes from Destin across the bay.

A well-kept Ron Garl course on the Emerald Coast Golf Trail. It is handy for golfers staying in Navarre or Fort Walton Beach.

A quiet, hilly course on the bayou in Niceville. It is a solid value round away from the beach crowds.

A member-owned club on 30A with one of the coast's few Gulf-front holes. It takes outside play, and rental agencies offer guest discounts.

A 36-hole city-run facility with good conditions for the price. It is the budget pick near Destin.

A short, laid-back course from 1962, right across from the beach. It is a cheap, easy round on a family trip.

A short Joe Lee course inside the Seascape resort. It is the cheapest tee time near Sandestin.

The best course on the Treasure Coast you can play, a links-style Pete Dye layout with coquina waste bunkers, ranked No. 14 in Florida by Golfweek 2026.

A Tom Fazio layout that hosted PGA of America championships in 2025 after a renovation that took out many bunkers; No. 20 in Florida in Golfweek 2026.

The friendliest of the three PGA Village courses, with more water and softer greens than the Dye.

A county-owned Ron Garl course on rolling sand ridges, with No. 22 in GolfPass's 2026 Florida list and great value.

A well-run public course in Stuart, No. 18 in GolfPass's Florida list in 2024, known for good service.

A Nicklaus design and the toughest public test in Martin County.

A Tom Fazio course in Stuart at a fair price, with GolfNow deals common outside peak season.

The shorter, water-heavy sister to the Dunes at the same county club, an easy second round.

A county-run Jim Fazio course with an open layout, known for friendly staff and low prices.

A solid, budget-priced course in Fort Pierce (formerly Panther Woods).

Martin County's renovated municipal course, which also has Florida's first reversible 9-hole course.

A cheap and simple Arthur Hills course in Fort Pierce for a low-cost extra round.

A low-cost public course in Vero Beach, with an executive course on site too.

Big sand dunes and lakes on old phosphate-mine land; GOLF Magazine rates it Florida's best public course after TPC Sawgrass.

Doak's partner course to the Red, with bold greens and a famous water-carry par 3 at the 7th.

Very wide fairways and huge rolling greens make it the most playable of the resort's courses.

The resort's brand-new fifth course, routed over ridges and sandy bowls; preview play started Oct 30, 2026 and the grand opening is Jan 26, 2027.

Walking-only short course of 18 holes about 90 to 275 yards long, a fun extra round or warm-up; the first six holes (The Link) are free for resort guests.