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I used to be a bit of a golf course snob. If a particular course wasn't long, difficult and/or highly-rated, I wasn't especially interested in playing it, at least if a seemingly better option presented itself.
But I've grown wiser since moving to Florida a decade ago. Some of the most positively surprising golf courses I've encountered in the state would not fit the traditional definition of "championship courses" - 6,000 yards or longer, with a par of 70 or higher, or shorter than 3,000 yards and a par below 36 for nine-holers. Of those more scaled-down courses, some of the most fun I've had has come on par-3 courses, although there is plenty of quality in between those classifications as well.
For the sake of ease of definition - and when it comes to curating GolfPass' annual Golfers' Choice lists - we'll consider any course short of "championship" par and length to be a "short course." Here are my 10 favorite short golf courses in Florida (in alphabetical order), and five more I'm excited to visit sometime soon. Of the state's more than 1,000 golf courses of all shapes and sizes, a whopping 344 of them could be considered "short courses" - 18-holers measuring less than 6,000 yards from the tips with a par of 69 or less, or an equivalent 9-holer.
Tim's 10 favorite short courses in Florida
Looking through my files and notes on the 168 golf courses I've played in Florida as of this writing, I was surprised how competitive this list became. Three golf courses found themselves on the outside looking in, mostly because they just fall outside of the criteria. One is Riomar Country Club in Vero Beach, whose front nine along the ocean is one of the most beautiful stretches of golf in the state. The course just tops 6,000 yards, though, par 70. Then there's the Ocean Course at The Breakers Palm Beach, which dates back pre-1900 but has been updated several times since, most recently by Rees Jones. It's less than 6,000 yards but has a par of 70. Then there's The Squeeze at Cabot Citrus Farms, whose nine holes total less than 3,000 yards but whose par is 38. It's my favorite bit of golf on the property, all told.
Another honorable mention goes to Mount Dora Golf Club, a 5,700-yard quirk-fest built by returning World War II veterans that I consider one of the better value plays in the state, as well as The Leaf at Saltleaf Golf Preserve, a par-3 loop cleverly assembled out of two holes from the former Raptor Bay Golf Club that were abandoned when the new Preserve course on property was configured.
Barefoot Bay Golf Course - Micco
18 holes | Par 60 | 3,689 yards
Joe Lee laid out this charming executive course on an arrow-shaped piece of ground at the center of a snowbird community in southern Brevard County. The 12 par threes range from just 89 to 186 yards, meaning golfers will hit just about every club in their bag. Small elevated greens make for tricky shots when the wind blows.
Cabot Citrus Farms (The Wedge) - Brooksville
11 holes | Par 33 | 1,000 yards
The 11-hole par-3 loop at Cabot was an opportunity for architect Mike Nuzzo to experiment with some audacious green shapes and contour concepts. It's a hoot.
The Moorings Club - Vero Beach
18 holes | Par 63 | 4,434 yards
Laid out on a peninsula overlooking the Indian River, this scaled-down Pete Dye design has plenty of fun short holes where precision takes precedence. It isn't as true to Dye's original bunkering as it could be, but still well worth playing if you get invited.
The Park West Palm (The Lit 9) - West Palm Beach
9 holes | Par 27 | 759 yards
This pint-sized companion to Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner's big course brings the fun with some wild greens and bunkers.
PGA National Resort (The Match) - Palm Beach Gardens
18 holes | No par | 5,841 yards
Andy Staples' complete reimagining of the former Squire course here is like a concept-album, daring golfers to throw away notions of par and medal play in order to just play against the course and against their buddies, free of preconceived notions. That freedom allowed Staples to create by far the most exciting golf at the resort, which is short enough to qualify for this list but nevertheless leaves adventurous golfers thoroughly satisfied.
PGA National Resort (The Staple) - Palm Beach Gardens
9 holes | Par 27 | 802 yards
In addition to The Match, Staples turned the Squire's original first and 18th holes into a cheeky par-3 figure-8 loop that is fun for the whole family. It will always be a favorite of mine because my then-22-month-old daughter had a blast running around whacking wiffle balls with a plastic club there in 2023.
Sandhill Crane Golf Course (The Nest) - Palm Beach Gardens
18 holes | Par 54 | 3,056 yards
This 2023 Nicklaus Design effort is a true test of golf in a scaled-down package. With holes ranging from barely 100 to nearly 240 yards, it will summon every club in your bag, potentially even your driver. It's one of the best iron workouts you'll find.
Streamsong Resort (The Chain) - Bowling Green
19 holes | No par | 2,916 yards
Similar to The Match, the Coore & Crenshaw short at Streamsong asks players to put aside par and focus on in-group competition, with mostly par 3-length tests but a couple of holes that blur the line, including the 8th, which plays as long as 293 yards.
Vista Plantation Golf Course - Vero Beach
18 holes | Par 62 | 3,697 yards
This mid-80s routing by Arthur Hills winds through a 55+ condo complex, with several amusing features that punch up its collection of 10 par 3s and 8 par 4s, many of which are drivable but fraught with danger.
Winter Park Golf Course - Winter Park
9 holes | Par 35 | 2,470 yards
Small in stature but with big personality, this neighborhood walk with clubs in hand is one of Florida's must-plays. Riley Johns and Keith Rhebb's renovation work a decade ago turned this into one of the finest outposts of golf's "Munaissance," and the community has embraced it ever since.
Tim's Florida short course wish list
Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club - Clearwater
18 holes | Par 69 | 5,454 yards
Ever since I spoke to architect Denis Griffiths about this friendly public facility organized in part by the late golfer-showman that offers educational opportunities for area youth, it's been high on my list.
Jupiter Dunes Golf Course - Jupiter Dunes
18 holes | Par 54 | 1,962 yards
This par-3 course, which dates back to the 1970s, has an interesting nickname: "The Little Monster." I recently stopped by and checked out the front nine and understood why: its greens are tiny and crowned, putting pressure on every tee shot, even on holes as short as 67 yards.
Omni Amelia Island Resort (Little Sandy)
10 holes | Par 30 | 931 yards
Beau Welling has worked on two courses at this resort: this short loop and Pete Dye's original Oak Marsh layout, which reopens in late April.
Palm Beach Golf Course - Palm Beach
18 holes | Par 54 | 2,572 yards
Known as "Palm Beach Par 3," this scenic short course is wedged between lagoon and ocean near one of America's most expensive zip codes.
The Yards - Ponte Vedra Beach
12 holes | Par 44 | 3,695 yards
Just a stone's throw from PGA Tour HQ and TPC Sawgrass is this affordable, informal golf hangout spot that I hear has a great weekly skins game.
Which short courses in Florida do you like the best? Share your picks in the comments.
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