Alongside key lime pie, orange groves, and alligators, golf has long since been part of Florida’s identity.
The Sunshine State boasts some of the biggest and jaw-dropping courses the world has ever seen, most of which are available to the public. It’s a destination every golfer should put on their bucket list, if only to witness Florida’s grand courses.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about Florida golf courses. How many golf courses in Florida, and what’s the best?
Let’s find out!
Table of Contents
How Many Golf Courses in Florida?
Currently, the state of Florida has over 1,250 golf courses.
These golf courses collectively host more than 48 million rounds on a yearly basis. Florida’s golf capital—Palm Beach—has more golf courses than any other country in the US, home to over 160 world-class golf courses.
This makes it a destination every golfer should visit at least once in their life.
What’s the Best Golf Course In Florida?
With so many golf courses to choose from, there’s no single “best” golf course in Florida as it all comes down to preference. However, the top-ranked courses in 2021 to 2022 according to Golf Digest are as follows:
- Seminole G.C., Juno Beach
- TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach
- Calusa Pines G.C., Naples
- Jupiter Hills Club, Tequesta
- Streamsong Red, Tequesta
- The Concession G.C., Bradenton
- Streamsong Blue, Bradenton
- The Bear’s Club, Jupiter
- Streamsong Black, Jupiter
- Mountain Lake, Lake Wales
The Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach definitely deserves a first place for how beautiful and vast it is. With rolling greens mimicking the waters of the nearby ocean, the area’s topography is closely reminiscent of the Royal Dornoch of Scotland.
It’s as exclusive as a golf club can get; the place even turned down Jack “The Golden Bear” Nicklaus, one of the greatest golfers of all time, because he didn’t meet the club’s requirements.
Currently, it only has 300 members. This doesn’t come as much of a surprise, considering the initiation fees alone run as high as $1 million.
The TPC (Tournament Players Club) Sawgrass at Ponte Vedra Beach is less exclusive than the Seminole Golf Club, but it’s by no means secondary. It’s the go-to golf course for professional golfers and diehard fans.
And since it’s open to the public, you can visit the course anytime you’re in Florida. It’s more expensive than most at an average of $400 to $500 per player, but the experience of playing in one of Florida’s biggest and prettiest courses is unmatched.
What’s the Best Budget-Friendly Golf Course In Florida?
With so many celebs and millionaires playing the sport, golf has long become associated with money and status. But golf isn’t limited to people with a lot of money to burn. In fact, the majority of Florida’s golf courses are targeted toward the general public.
Take World Woods, for example, a 36-hole complex located in west-central Florida.
It’s one of the most popular and affordable golf courses in the country, costing as low as $20 to $35 per person. It has an interesting and challenging layout, with acres and acres of green. Plus, it boasts top-notch equipment and professional service.
Another equally popular and beautiful golf course is Victoria Hills in Deland.
Victoria Hills is one of the better layouts in Florida, consistently ranking among the top 50 public access courses in the country. It costs between $35 to $50 per person.
How Many TPC Courses In Florida?
In Florida, there are six courses under the prestigious Tournament Players Club.
Of the six, three are private and three are considered golf resorts/destinations.
These courses are closely monitored and maintained by the Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA), so you’re guaranteed to get the best-golfing experience in these courses.
The TPCgolf courses in Florida are as follows:
- TPC Sawgrass, Ponte Vedra Beach
- TPC Blue Monster, Doral
- TPC Tampa Bay, Lutz
- TPC Treviso Bay, Naples
- TPC Eagle Trace, Coral Springs
- TPC Prestancia, Sarasota
Sawgrass, Blue Monster, and Tampa Bay are open to the public, while Treviso Bay, Eagle Trace, and Prestancia are private.
Is Florida the Golf Capital of the United States?
Surprisingly, no. This title belongs to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina—and deservingly so.
Myrtle Beach is home to more than 80 award-winning golf courses, most of which consistently rank in the top 100s golfing destinations of the world.
How Many Acres of Land Cover Florida’s Golf Courses?
According to the University of Florida, Florida’s golf courses cover roughly 205,000 acres of land.
Of this, 140,000 acres are in maintained turf and 140,000 acres are irrigated. Most of these courses are covered with Bermudagrass, representing a whopping 93% of the maintained turf area.
What’s the Industry Revenue of Golf Courses in Florida?
The industry revenue of golf clubs in Florida is anywhere between $3.3 million to $3.5 million annually, as per the Statista Research Department. This figure doesn’t include private clubs, which rack in millions for the application alone.
Is Opening a Golf Course Profitable In Florida?
As one of the biggest golfing destinations in the world, it’s not too far of a stretch to assume that one can make a decent profit by opening a golf course in Florida.
However, many of Florida’s golf courses are actually struggling to stay afloat.
With so much competition, it’s difficult to stay visible in the public market. Some owners spend close to $1 million before seeing any kind of revenue.
That said, established golf owners in Florida earn between $35,000 to several hundred thousand dollars per year, so it can be profitable as long as you have an influx of regular members.
Conclusion
There are over 1,250 golf courses in Florida, making it one of the most golf course-rich states in the country.
Among these golf courses is the reputable, ultra-private Seminole Golf Club, with members such as Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas, Kevin Kisner, and Pete Bevacqua (President of NBC Sports). Even Joseph P. Kennedy and Gerald Ford were members.
It’s also home to the ever-popular TPC Sawgrass, which sees around 50,000 rounds a year.
