Tag: Florida Golf

Top 40 Public Courses-Florida 2023/2024

**Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club, Destin FL**

Most everyone has heard about great Florida golf resorts like Streamsong, TPC Sawgrass and PGA Village, but there are a whole lot of terrific public courses that are not part of a resort property.

If you’re looking for great Florida golf without breaking the bank account at a high-end resort, take a look at the Top 40 courses below, and start planning a get-away–keeping in mind that there are plenty of nice hotels and restaurants to choose from throughout Florida (and the GolfDay Course Page includes a link to Google map and directions for every course).

While each of the Top 40 has a GolfDay Rating above 90, Florida offers 136 independent public courses with a rating of 85 or higher (premium) and 238 with a rating of 80 or more (well above average).

Ron Garl leads the list for premier public course design in Florida with original design or updates at 7 of the top 40 public courses, including The Club at Eaglebrooke in Lakeland (No. 22) and University Park in Sarasota (No. 32).

Joe Lee is at the top as well with design at 4 of the leading public courses in Florida, including Deer Island Country Club in Taveres (No. 8) and Abacoa in Jupiter (No. 9).

**Fox Hollow Golf Club, Trinity: Robert Trent Jones, Sr**

The Florida Top 40 public also includes design by eminent architects such as Donald Ross (New Smyrna Golf Club/No. 29), Jack Nicklaus (Old Corkscrew/No. 2), Robert Trent Jones, Sr. (Fox Hollow/No. 13), Tom Fazio (Champions Club at Summerfield/No. 33), Rees Jones (LPGA International/No. 15) and Robert Trent Jones II. (Celebration Golf Club/No. 10).

The GolfDay rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), USGA Course and Slope Ratings, the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning and current reviews.

Click Top 40 Florida Public Courses for a map view of locations (click a flag for course name and details).

If you are dead set on a resort vacation, take to look at the GolfDay Florida Top 25 Resorts.

And if you are want to browse for courses in a specific area, visit the GolfDay Search Page.

Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club/Haines City

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Steve Smyers
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.0/140
- Practice Facilities: Two-Tiered Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker, Grass Wedge Range and TrackMan Technology.
- Course Description
- Toptracer
- GolfDay Rating: 95.8
- Location

Old Corkscrew Golf Club/Estero

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.6/151
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Golf Academy
- GolfDay Rating: 95.6
- Location

TPC Treviso Bay/Naples

- Holes: 18 (Public Play May 1 through October 31)
- Course Architects: Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest/Hal Sutton
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.3/153
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Grass Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker, Indoor Golf Simulator with TrackMan Technology.
- Course Description
- Photos
- GolfDay Rating: 95.6
- Location

Regatta Bay Golf & Country Club/Destin

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Robert Walker
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2/147
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers, Golf Academy and Indoor Golf with TrackMan Technology.
- Photos
- Golf Academy
- GolfDay Rating: 95.5
- Location

Kelly Plantation Golf Club/Destin

Holes: 18
Course Architects: Gene Bates/Fred Couples
USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/137
Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Target Greens, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers. Range Balls included with Greens Fee.
Course Description
Photos
GolfDay Rating: 95.0
Location

North Palm Beach Country Club/North Pam Beach
Village of North Palm Beach

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Mark McCumber/Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2/135
- Practice Facilities: Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course History
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 94.8
- Location

Juliette Falls Golf Course/Dunnellon

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: John Sanford
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.3/143
- Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- GolfDay Rating: 94.6
- Location

Deer Island Country Club/Taveres

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Joe Lee
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.0/144
- Practice Facilities:
- Course Description
- GolfDay Rating: 94.1
- Location

Abacoa Golf Club/Jupiter

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Joe Lee
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.0/142
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets Greens, Expansive Putting Greens with Trackman Technology.
- Course Description
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 94.0
- Location

Celebration Golf Club/Celebration

- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Robert Trent Jones, Jr.
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2/144
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Golf Academy
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 94.0
- Location

Windswept Dunes Golf Club/Freeport

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Doug O’Rourke
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.6/134
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Photos
- GolfDay Rating: 94.0
- Location

Royal St. Cloud Golf Links/St. Cloud

- Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Lewis Powell
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Red: 37.2/132
- White: 37.5/133
- Blue: 37.6/136
- Practice Facilities: Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- GolfDay Rating: 93.7
- Location

Fox Hollow Golf Club/Trinity

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Roger Rulewich
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.1/139
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Photos/Layout
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 93.6
- Location

Emerald Bay Golf Club/Destin

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Bob Cupp
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.9/143
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Accommodations
- GolfDay Rating: 93.4
- Location

LPGA International/Daytona Beach
Fore Golf Partners

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Rees Jones/Arthur Hills
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Jones: 74.3/141
- Hills: 75.4/150
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Jones Course
- Hills Course
- GolfDay Rating: 93.1
- Location

Southwood Golf Club/Tallahassee
St. Joe Company

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Gene Bates/Fred Couples
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7/135
- Practice Facilities: Lighted Grass Driving Range with Toptracer Technology, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- GolfDay Rating: 92.9
- Location

Waterlefe Golf & River Club/Bradenton

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Ted McAnlis
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.9/146
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range and Putting Green.
- Photos/Layout
- GolfDay Rating: 92.9
- Location

Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club/Dade City

- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Kurt Sandness/Tom Lehman
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- North: 74.7/139
- South: 74.0/141
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Expansive Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- GolfDay Rating: 92.7
- Location

St. Johns Golf Club/Elkton
St. Johns County

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Clyde Johnston/Robert Walker
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.4/135
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Operation 36 Program.
- Course Description
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 92.6
- Location

Duran Golf Club/Viera

- Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Nine Hole Lighted Par 3)
- Course Architects: Lewis Powell
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.8/130
- Practice Facilities: Lighted Grass Driving Range with Targets and Trackman Technology, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 92.6
- Location

Heron Creek Golf & Country Club/North Port

- Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Creek: 36.3/144
- Marsh: 36.2/142
- Oaks: 36.2/141
- Practice Facilities Expansive including Grass Driving Range with Targets, Grass Wedge Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Photos
- Golf Academy
- GolfDay Rating: 92.5
- Location

The Club at Eaglebrooke/Lakeland
Indigo Sports

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Ron Garl
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7/138
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens and Bunker.
- Course Description
- GolfDay Rating: 92.5
- Location

The Club at Emerald Hills/Hollywood

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Robert von Hagge/Bruce Devlin/Charles Ankrom/Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 78.6/148
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Photos
- GolfDay Rating: 92.5
- Location

Black Bear Golf Club/Eustis

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: B. Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1/140
- Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Scorecard/Video Tour
- GolfDay Rating: 92.5
- Location

Riverwood Golf Club/Port Charlotte

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Gege Bates
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.8/139
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Video Tour
- GolfDay Rating: 92.4
- Location

Boca Raton Golf & Racquet Club/Boca Raton
City of Boca Raton

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Joe Lee/Kipp Schulties
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.5/148
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 92.2
- Location

Stonebrook Golf Course/Pace

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Charles Daniels
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.2/135
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker and CF Golf Academy (TrackMan and Operation 36 Program).
- Photos
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 92.3
- Location

The Eagles Golf Club/Odessa

- Holes: 36 (Two Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Ron Garl/Gary Koch
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Lakes: 75.4/138
- Forest: 72.7/134
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range and Putting Greens (2).
- Course Description-Lakes
- Course Description-Forest
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 92.1
- Location

New Smyrna Golf Club/New Smyrna
City of New Smyrna

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Bobby Weed
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.4/127
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 92.0
- Location

Eagle Creek Golf Club/Orlando

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Ron Garl/Howard Swan
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1/132
- Practice Facilities: Double Sided Grass Driving Range, Putting Green and Practice Hole with Bunker.
- Photos
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 91.8
- Location

Skyview at Terra Vista/Hernando
Villages of Citrus Hills

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Terrill LaGree
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.6/133
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunkers.
- Course Description
- Photos
- GolfDay Rating: 91.3
- Location

University Park Country Club/Sarasota

- Holes: 27 (Three Nine Hole Courses)
- Course Architects: Ron Garl
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- First Nine: 37.2/139
- Second Nine: 36.8/137
- Third Nine: 37.8/136
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Golf Academy
- GolfDay Rating: 91.3
- Location

Champions Club at Summerfield/Stuart

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 72.5/130
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range and Putting Green.
- Photos
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 92.6
- Location

Forest Lake Golf Club/Apopka

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Lloyd Clifton/Ken Ezell/George Clifton
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.9/138
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description/Photos
- GolfDay Rating: 91.0
- Location

Sun ‘n Lake Golf Club/Sebring

- Holes: 36 (Two Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Don Dyer/Charles Ankrom/Ron Garl
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Deer Run: 74.1/132
- Turtle Run: 71.6/126
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Descriptions
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 91.0
- Location

Woodmont Country Club/Tamarac

- Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Cypress and Nine Hole Pines)
- Course Architects: Robert von Hagge/Bruce Devlin/Joe Jemsek
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Cypress: 73.6/138
- Pines: 34.7/127
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- GolfDay Rating: 90.9
- Location

Palm Beach National/Lake Worth

- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Porter Gibson/Joe Lee
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.1/133
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Lighted Driving Range with Targets and Toptracer Technology, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Description
- Toptracer Range
- GolfDay Rating: 90.9
- Location

Sandridge Golf Club/Vero Beach
Indian River County

- Holes: 36 (Two Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Ron Garl
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Dunes: 74.1/141
- Lakes: 70.9/134
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens.
- Course Description
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 90.7
- Location

Sailfish Sands Golf Course/Stuart
Martin County

- Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole and Nine Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: William Langford/Ernest Smith/Ron Garl/John Sanford/David Ferris
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Eighteen Hole: 74.1/130
- Nine Hole: 35.7/122
- Practice Facilities: Expansive Grass Driving Range with Targets, Putting and Chipping Greens with Operation 36 Program.
- Course Description
- Junior Golf
- Toptracer Range
- GolfDay Rating: 90.6
- Location

Highlands Ridge Golf Club/Avon Park

- Holes: 36 (Two Eighteen Hole regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Clyde Johnston/Robert Walker
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Highlands Ridge: 74.8/140
- The Preserve: 69.9 /131
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Chipping and Putting Greens with Bunkers.
- Course Description-Highlands Ridge
- Course Description-The Preserve
- Photos
- GolfDay Rating: 90.4
- Location

Share this Article:

Top 35 Private Clubs – Florida 2023

While there are a great many fantastic public golf courses in Florida, membership at a top echelon private club assures that you’ll have a quality golf experience every time you tee it up. Limited play at private clubs pretty much guarantees that course conditions will always be great, and you can also say goodbye to the 5-hour round.

The state of Florida boasts 54 private clubs receiving a GolfDay rating of 90 or higher (Premium), by far the highest of any state in the country.

Florida also includes over 160 clubs with a GolfDay rating above 80 (high quality), again the most of any state, so chances are pretty good that you won’t have to look far to find a great club to call home.

We’ve included our Top 35 below, or you can spin through our file of all private courses in Florida, listed by GolfDay Rating. The GolfDay search engine is available as well to find the best courses by proximity to your location.

Clubs are ranked on the basis of GolfDay Rating, and listings include the year a club was founded, course architect(s), current USGA course and slope ratings, a link for the course website, and a notation if currently ranked by Golf Digest (locally or nationally). A link to the GolfDay course page is also included along with a link to Google Maps for each location.

Our Top 35 private clubs in Florida include designs by the towering figures in golf course architecture, including Donald Ross, Jack Nicklaus, Seth Raynor, Tom Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Sr., Pete Dye and William Flynn.

Tom Fazio, with 8 original designs as well as updates to an additional 4, has contributed the highest number to our list of elite private tracks in Florida.

Donald Ross and Jack Nicklaus are close behind with 6 original designs each, and Pete Dye’s long list of fabulous courses includes 3 private clubs in Florida.

The GolfDay private club rating is based on a variety of criteria, including the stature of the architect(s) who did the original design(s), updates that have been done on the course(s), the variety of courses located at the property, USGA Course and Slope Ratings, as well as club longevity and prestige.

Seminole Golf Club/Juno Beach

- Founded: 1929
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Dick Wilson/Ed Connor/Bill Coore/Ben Crenshaw
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4/144
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location

**Black Diamond Ranch Golf and Country Club**

Black Diamond Ranch Golf & Country Club/Lecanto
Escalante Golf

- Founded:1987
- Holes: 45 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Quarry/Ranch and Nine Hole Highlands Course)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/David Whelchel
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Quarry: 77.9 Rating/146 Slope
- Ranch: 75.8 Rating/141 Slope
- Highlands: 37.2 Rating/140 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 100
- Location

Mountain Lake Country Club/Lake Wales

- Founded: 1915
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Seth Raynor/William Diddel/Ron Prichard/Tyler Rae
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.1 Rating/136 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 98.6
- Location

The Concession Golf Club/Bradenton

- Founded: 2006
- Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course and Nine Hole Par 3 Course)
- Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Tony Jacklin
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.7 Rating/153 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 98.2
- Location

Jupiter Hills Club/Tequesta

- Founded: 1969
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Hills/Village)
- Course Architects: George Fazio/Tom Fazio/Jan Bel Jan
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Hills: 76.9 Rating/148 Slope
- Village: 73.9 Rating/147 Slope
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 97.6
- Location

Calusa Pines Golf Club/Naples

- Founded: 2001
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Michael Hurdzan/Dana Fry
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.2 Rating/143 Slope
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 100, Golf Digest FL Top 60
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 97.0
- Location

San Jose Country Club/Jacksonville

- Founded: 1925
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Dan Schlegel
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.8 Rating/138 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 96.4
- Location

Watersound Club/Watersound
St. Joe Hospitality

- Founded: 2001
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Camp Creek/Shark’s Tooth)
- Course Architect: Tom Fazio/Greg Norman/Matthew Dusenberry/Tad Burnett
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Camp Creek: 74.9 Rating/144 Slope
- Shark’s Tooth: 74.6 Rating/130 Slope
- Description (Camp Creek)
- Description (Shark’s Tooth)
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 96.3
- Location

Belleair Country Club/Belleair

- Founded: 1925
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: East/West)
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/John Duncan Dunn/Hal Purdy/Malcolm Purdy/Stephen Kay/Gene Bates/Jason Straka
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- East: 70.8 Rating/133 Slope
- West: 74.3 Rating/144 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 96.1
- Location

Coral Ridge Country Club/Fort Lauderdale

- Founded: 1955
- Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course and Nine Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Robert Trent Jones, Sr./Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.4 Rating/137 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 95.8
- Location

The Everglades Club/Palm Beach

- Founded: 1919
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Seth Raynor/William Langford/Theodore Moreau/George Fazio/Tom Fazio/Ron Kirby/Denis Griffiths/Brian Silva
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 71.0 Rating/140 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 94.0
- Location

Broken Sound Club/Boca Raton

- Founded: 1978
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Club Course/Old Course)
- Course Architects: Joe Lee/Gene Bates/Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Club Course: 74.9 Rating/147 Slope
- Old Course: 75.4 Rating/146 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 94.8
- Location

Medalist Golf Club/Hobe Sound

- Founded: 1995
- Holes: 30 (Eighteen Hole Regulation Course and Twelve Hole Medalist Village Par 3
- Course Architects: Pete Dye/Greg Norman/Matthew Dusenberry
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 77.0 Rating/149 Slope
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 94.6
- Location

Indian Creek Country Club/Indian Creek Village

- Founded: 1926
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: William Flynn/Howard Toomey/Dick Wilson/Ron Forse/Andrew Green
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.7 Rating/132 Slope
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 94.5
- Location

Hammock Dunes Club/Palm Coast

- Founded: 1989
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Creek/Links)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Rees Jones
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Creek: 76.6 Rating/152 Slope
- Links: 73.6 Rating/138 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 94.2
- Location

Boca West Country Club/Boca Raton

- Founded: 1969
- Holes: 72 (4 Eighteen Hole Courses: Palmer I/Fazio II/Palmer III/Dye IV)
- Course Architects: Arnold Palmer/Jim Fazio/Pete Dye/Dana Fry/Jason Straka
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Palmer I: 75.2 Rating/142 Slope
- Fazio II: 73.5 Rating/146 Slope
- Palmer III: 72.4 Rating/139 Slope
- Dye IV: 72.7 Rating/128 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 94.1
- Location

Gulf Stream Golf Club/Gulf Stream

- Founded: 1924
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Left/Right)
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Dick Wilson/Mark Mahannah/Pete Dye/Alice Dye
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Left: 73.7 Rating/138 Slope
- Right: 73.9 Rating/137 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 94.0
- Location

Floridian National Golf Club/Palm City

- Founded: 2011
- Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course and Nine Hole Butch Harmon Par 3
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Kevin Norby
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.7 Rating/145 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 93.8
- Location

Bonita Bay Club/Naples

- Founded: 1998
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Cypress/Sabal)
- Course Architects: Tom Fazio/Tom Marzolf
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Cypress: 76.9 Rating/145 Slope
- Sabal: 73.3 Rating/139 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 93.8
- Location

Ballenisles Country Club/Palm Beach Gardens

- Founded: 1964
- Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: North/East/South)
- Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Joe Lee/Gene Bates/Rees Jones/Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- East: 76.5 Rating/145 Slope
- North: 73.7 Rating/137 Slope
- South: 74.4 Rating/138 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 93.7
- Location

The Club at Ibis/West Palm Beach

- Founded: 1992
- Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: Legend/Heritage/Tradition)
- Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Jack Nicklaus II/Steve Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Legend: 75.7 Rating/142 Slope
- Heritage: 74.7 Rating/140 Slope
- Tradition: 74.8Rating/139 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 93.5
- Location

Old Marsh Golf Club/Palm Beach Gardens

- Founded: 1988
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Pete Dye/Chris Lutzke
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.8 Rating/152 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 93.4
- Location

The Loxahatchee Club/Jupiter

- Founded: 1984
- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.9 Rating/153 Slope
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 93.3
- Location

Timuquana Country Club/Jacksonville

- Founded: 1923
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/George Cobb/David W. Gordon/Bobby Weed/Bruce Hepner
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.1 Rating/137 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 92.9
- Location

The Country Club at Mirasol/Palm Beach Gardens

- Founded: 2001
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Sunrise/Sunset)
- Course Architects: Arthur Hills/Steve Forrest/Tom Fazio/J. Drew Rogers
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Sunrise: 76.2 Rating/147 Slope
- Sunset: 75.2 Rating/153 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 92.7
- Location

Heathrow Legacy Club/Heathrow
Concert Golf Partners

- Founded: 1985
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Heathrow/Legacy)
- Course Architects: Ron Garl/Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Heathrow Country Club: 72.5 Rating/131 Slope
- Legacy Club: 75.4 Rating/141 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 92.6
- Location

John’s Island Club/Vero Beach

- Founded: 1969
- Holes: 54 (3 Eighteen Hole Courses: North/South/West)
- Course Architects: Pete Dye/Jack Nicklaus/Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- North: 74.3 Rating/138 Slope
- South: 70.9 Rating/131 Slope
- West: 73.0 Rating/137 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 92.6
- Location

Sara Bay Country Club/Sarasota

- Founded: 1926
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Donald Ross/Joe lee/Kris Spence
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.3 Rating/137 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 92.4
- Location

Pine Tree Golf Club/Boynton Beach

- Founded: 1960
- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Joe Lee/Ed Connor/Ron Forse/Bobby Weed/Scot Sherman
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.1 Rating/143 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 92.4
- Location

Lost City Golf Club/Atlantis

- Founded: 1960
- Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses: North/South/East)
- Course Architects: William Mitchell/Bob Simmons/Ted McAnlis/Tom Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- North: 37.0 Rating/133 Slope
- South: 37.3 Rating/132 Slope
- East: 36.9 Rating/137 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 92.3
- Location

Sailfish Point Golf Club/Stuart

- Founded: 1981
- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 75.0 Rating/148 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 92.0
- Location

The Bear’s Club/Jupiter

- Founded: 1999
- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 76.2 Rating/151 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 91.9
- Location

Trump International Golf Club/West Palm Beach

- Founded: 1999
- Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course and Trump Nine)
- Course Architects: Jim Fazio
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Championship: 76.3 Rating/155 Slope
- Trump Nine: 37.7 Rating/147 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest Top 200, Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 91.9
- Location

Sawgrass Country Club/Ponte Vedra Beach

- Founded: 1973
- Holes: 27 (3 Nine Hole Courses: East/West/South)
- Course Architects: Ed Seay/William Amick/Gardner Dickenson/Edmund Ault/Tom Clark//Robert Walker
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- East: 37.5 Rating/146 Slope
- West: 37.4 Rating/146 Slope
- South: 37.4 Rating/142 Slope
- Description
- GolfDay Rating: 91.8
- Location

TwinEagles/Naples

- Founded: 1999
- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Courses: Talon/Eagle)
- Course Architects: Jack Nicklaus/Jack Nicklaus II/Steve Smyers
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
- Talon: 75.2 Rating/139 Slope
- Eagle: 77.5 Rating/150 Slope
- Description
- Rankings: Golf Digest FL Top 60
- GolfDay Rating: 91.7
- Location

Share this Article:

Florida Top 3 Private Golf Clubs

Florida is home to more golf courses than any other state in the country with over 1,200. But even with all of those courses to choose from, selecting the one that is right for you may not be as easy as it seems.

Not only does Florida have perfect golf weather year-round, there are the beaches, restaurants and family-oriented activities that make it a wonderful place to live for people wanting to maintain an active lifestyle.

If you’re a captain of industry, travel in the circles of the rich and famous, or just an avid golfer with enough money and connections, here are three private clubs in Florida that should go to the top of your bucket-list.

Seminole Golf Club

Perennially ranked as one of the top 100 courses in the U.S. by Golf Digest and currently at number 12, this Donald Ross classic is home to a who’s who of the business elite and golf royalty. Founded by E. F. Hutton and built in 1926, the links style layout at Seminole is arguably the crowning achievement of Ross’ distinguished career. Don’t bother looking for the website—they don’t have one. The members at Seminole guard their privacy and you won’t catch a glimpse of the clubhouse or golf course through the hedges along Route 1 in Juno Beach, but you will have a chance to see it on May 17 when Dustin Johnson, Rory McIlroy, Rickey Fowler and Mathew Wolff tee it up in a televised skins game match for COVID-19 relief. As with all pure links golf courses, the wind will be a determining factor in how these great players attack the course—and we are all in for a special treat with this rare opportunity for a look at this historic club.

Seminole will also host the Walker Cup in 2021, so if you miss this match, you’ll have another chance next year—but the opportunity to see Seminole is something you never want to pass up. We rank Seminole at the top of the list as the best private club in Florida.

Jupiter Hills Club

Jupiter Hills Club in Tequesta, FL is the vision and legacy of George Fazio, and also launched the spectacular architectural career of his nephew, Tom Fazio. The club boasts two great courses, the Hills and the Villages, laid down on a unique piece of property just north of Palm Beach that offers elevation change and contour provided by Seminole Ridge—a pretty rare feature in a state that’s known for being extremely flat. The Hills course is ranked among the best in Florida and the crowning achievement of George Fazio’s architectural career. With a course rating of 77.1 and slope of 150, the many top flight golfers who call Jupiter Hills home can test their skill to the max every time they tee it up. And the Village course, designed by Tom Fazio, is no slouch either with a USGA rating of 73.9 and a slope of 147. Known as a player’s club, Jupiter Hills is the place to be if you’ve got game and live in south-east Florida.

Mountain Lake Country Club

Number 3 on our list is Mountain Lake Country Club in Lake Wales. A Seth Raynor masterpiece that often flies under the radar, Golf Digest currently ranks Mountain Lake number ten among all of the courses that Florida has to offer. The club engaged Ron Prichard and Tyler Rae on a recently completed restoration to bring back many of the subtle Raynor features that were lost over the more than 100 years since the course was built in 1917. As always, Prichard and Rae were meticulous with their effort and the result was perfection. In addition to the wonderful course, Mountain Lake is a full service, family-oriented club with pure class, grounded in tradition, and a membership that is committed to maintaining values of the highest standard.

A few others to consider

In addition to these great clubs, The Concession Golf Club is a spectacular Jack Nicklaus design in Bradenton and Belleair Country Club on the gulf coast near Tampa-St. Petersburg offers 36 holes designed by Donald Ross in a stunningly scenic setting.

For more information on the best golf courses in your state, visit GolfDay for everything you need to know.

Informative?

Share this Article: