How deep is the Florida golf scene? According to Golf Advisor's 75,000-plus reviewers who posted a review in 2015, 10 courses were rated highly enough to crack the top 50 courses in the U.S.
So what can we learn from these ratings over the course of the year? First, compared to other warm weather destinations, Florida golf courses don't tend to have the wild weather swings compared to the Southwest desert or cooler winters of the Carolinas. Additionally, as a state with such an incredible number of courses, they have to price their green fees quite competitively. That means a lot of golfers are feeling five-star bang-for-their-buck in the Sunshine State.
Just about every destination is represented here, from south Florida to the Jacksonville area to central Florida. Many coveted resort courses are here, including Streamsong, Waldorf Astoria and Grand Cypress. Others are lesser-known semi-private and daily-fee facilities.
Some of these courses, particularly in southwest Florida, are only open to the public during certain times of year. In Naples, for example, it's pretty common practice to only accept outside play outside of the peak December-March months. Locals enjoy lower rates in the summertime after the snowbirds head back north the spring, often finding great value on some of the most expensive courses in the state.
Here is what golfers rated the Top 25 in 2015. Let us know what you think, or better yet, build your own list of top Florida courses by reviewing your favorites.
Top 25 courses in Florida
Daytona Beach
Architect: Arthur Hills
Port Charlotte
Architect: Gene Bates
Alva
Architect: Davis Love III
Defuniak Springs
Architect: Bill Amick
Orlando
Architect: Greg Norman
Fort Myers
Architect: Bob Cupp
Niceville
Navarre
Architect: Ron Garl
Naples
Architect: Bob Cupp
Hernando
Architect: Terry Lagree
Naples
Architect: Arthur Hills
Naples
Architect: Jed Azinger, Gordon C. Lewis
Fort Meade
Architects: Bill Coore, Ben Crenshaw
Brooksville
Architect: Pete Dye
Miami
Architects: Dick Wilson, Robert Trent Jones Sr.
10. St. James Bay
Carrabelle
Architect: Robert Walker
Orlando
Architect: Jack Nicklaus
Fort Myers
Architect: Ron Garl
Fernandina Beach
Architect: Arnold Palmer
Lake Buena Vista
Architect: Tom Fazio
Lakeland
Architect: Ron Garl
Ocala
Architect: Gordon Lewis
Brooksville
Architect: Tom Fazio
Lake Buena Vista
Architect: Rees Jones
Howey in the Hills
Architect: George O'Neil
The fact TPC Sawgrass is not in the top 3, let alone not on the list invalidates Golf Advisor's method of producing such lists.
These lists are compiled using reviews from everyday user of Golf Advisor, not expert or editorial staff. Based on reading reviews of TPC Sawgrass, some leave underwhelmed based on the high green fee. http://www.golfadvisor.com/courses/15881-tpc-sawgrass-the-players-stadium-course/
No Trump Doral, No TPC Sawgrass, No Streamsong... there are some great courses here but, this list needs some revamping. There is no way Melreese is the #11 course in the state.
The list can only be revamped by our readers, so get on the site and review your favorites, and encourage your golf buddies to do the same.
Not sure you can have a top 25 Florida list and leave off TPC Sawgrass. IMO one of the top 10 courses in the country, let alone Florida. Just sayin...
TPC Sawgrass seems to get mixed reviews from golfers on our site. A few 3-star reviews kept it off our 2015 list.