The Northeast coast of Florida, known as Florida’s First Coast of Golf, derives its name from being the original landing spot where the Europeans once came to colonize the Americas.
Fast forward hundreds of years later, and an area that was once known for the beginning of our nation can now be known for exceptional golf both inland and along the coast, pristine beaches, incredible seafood, exquisite shopping and plenty of outdoor adventures to immerse yourself in the beauty of nature that this area provides.
Situated amongst 75 miles along the Atlantic Coast, Florida’s First Coast is one of the easiest destinations to get to as it’s a drivable market from anywhere in the Southeast, and for those needing to fly in, the Jacksonville International Airport is loaded with direct-flight access from many major markets.
We’ve taken the liberty of outlining some of the top golf in the key sub-markets found throughout the First Coast here for you, and you’ll find a mix of both bucket-list and incredible value golf throughout this first-class golf destination.
Oak Marsh (Photo by Matt Majka)
Ponte Vedra Beach
When you think about this area, the first course that is likely to come to mind is THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass. This iconic venue is home to THE PLAYERS Championship, the PGA Tour’s annual flagship event that has been known as the game’s “fifth major” for some time now. This Pete Dye-designed marvel was first conceived in conjunction with former PGA Tour Commissioner Deane Beman to create a stadium-like setting resulting in the ultimate fan experience. The goal of this design was to not cater to one style of golfer over another, and when you look at the list of golfers who have won THE PLAYERS Championship you get everything from guys known for hitting it short but accurate like Calvin Peete, Fred Funk, and Tim Clark to players who are known for their power such as Tiger Woods, Davis Love III, and Rory McIlroy. It’s a truly balanced test of golf, and there’s a reason that this course should be on every golfer’s bucket list.
In addition to THE PLAYERS Stadium Course, TPC Sawgrass also offers golfers another gem with Dye’s Valley Course. This Pete Dye, Bobby Weed, and Jerry Pate inspired design plays as the perfect complement to the challenging Stadium Course experience as it provides golfers with a stern test of golf, but without the same bite as its sister golf course.
The latest addition to the golf scene in Ponte Vedra Beach is The Yards, an original 18-hole Arnold Palmer design that has been re-imagined into two courses with The Front Yard playing as a classic championship nine, and The Backyard running as a 6-hole short-course rotation where you can set up your day to play in a 3-hole, 6-hole, 9-hole, 12-hole, or 18-hole round of golf.
St. Augustine
The first thing that comes to mind when you think about St. Augustine is the wonderful beaches and historical landmarks that the area boasts as the original spot where the European settlers once landed in Florida. For us golfers though, luckily this area also boasts incredible golf that is highlighted by the courses at the World Golf Village, the King & Bear and the Slammer & Squire. Be sure to slide over to the Caddy Shack, a restaurant owned by Bill Murray and his brothers with plenty of televisions, good food, and exactly the kind of friendly environment you’d expect from a location owned by Carl Spackler himself. There is so much to love about this property including the distinction of being the home of the World Golf Hall of Fame, and you can click here for an in-depth look into this incredible resort.
If you’re looking for some additional top-level golf off property here, golfers can also enjoy these nearby favorites that we recommend including the Golf Club at South Hampton, St. Johns Golf Club, and St. Johns Golf and Country Club.
Amelia Island
Amelia Island is known as one of the most relaxing and beautiful destinations in the state of Florida. The laid-back vibe of the area is felt throughout the community, and for a deeper dive into the Amelia Island experience click here to learn more about what the area has to offer. As you’ll see in this story, we are huge fans of the Omni Amelia Island Resort Oak Marsh Course and the Golf Club of Amelia Island at the Ritz-Carlton if you’re looking for your hotel and golf all under one roof, as well as other local area favorites of Amelia River Golf Club and Fernandina Beach Golf Club.
Not only do we love the golf in Amelia Island, but this is also a foodie’s paradise with over 70 restaurants to choose from with everything from a fancy feel such as Salt at the Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island to a beachside vibe at restaurants like the Salty Pelican so it’s up to you if you are thinking it’s a sport coat kind of night, or a flip-flops kind of night.
Palm Coast
Palm Coast is arguably the most underrated golf destination in all of Florida. Incorporated in 1999, Palm Coast is one of Florida’s newest cities and is known for its 70 miles of saltwater and freshwater canals and being just minutes away from beautiful Atlantic Ocean beaches. Inside this ever-growing community are several golf courses, and we’ve chosen a few of our favorites to highlight for you.
Two of the best courses in the state, let alone Palm Coast, come from Hammock Beach Resort with their Conservatory Course and The Ocean Course. The Ocean Course houses six holes that play directly along the Atlantic Ocean (the most of any course in Florida), and this Jack Nicklaus design will provide you with plenty of lasting images that you won’t soon forget. For an equally challenging yet distinctly different experience all under one roof, the Tom Watson-designed Conservatory Course gives golfers a links-style design that features sparkling streams, waterfalls, and detailed stonework. When you combine the epic golf with the resort’s world-class accommodations that are perfect for everything from a buddies trip to a family getaway, Hammock Beach Resort really does deliver everything you need for a first-class getaway.
Still craving one more round during your Palm Coast golf getaway? Then slide over to Palm Harbor Golf Club, a friendly experience that is light on the wallet and heavy on fun.
After your round, be sure to check out some local area restaurants such as Captain’s BBQ or JT’s Seafood Shack. Each of these locations provide a casual atmosphere and exceptional food.
Jacksonville and the beaches
As the main airport hub into Northeast Florida with Jacksonville International Airport, Jacksonville and the Beaches is the perfect spot for a golf getaway for the group that is focused on golf and a slew of other activities during your visit. You can combine great golf with catching a football game featuring either with the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team is generating a lot of buzz with new coach Urban Meyer at the helm and Trevor Lawrence now under center, or you can catch some college football action at “The World’s Largest Cocktail Party” known as the annual Florida Gator and Georgia Bulldogs football game or The TaxSlayer Bowl around New Year’s creating the ultimate golf and gridiron experience.
If you’re looking for a unique off-course experience, be sure to check out Manifest Distilling Company, an organic distillery with a fine selection of vodkas, gins, and rye whiskeys. You can book a tour of the distillery, set up a private tasting or larger groups can use one of their event spaces to host a private event.
If seafood is on your list of priorities during your trip, be sure to check out North Beach Fish Camp in Neptune Beach. The food here is very reasonably priced for what you get, and there’s a reason that this location is so highly ranked on all of the major review websites.
Some of our favorite courses in the area to experience are Bent Creek Golf Course, Cimarrone Golf Club, and Hidden Hills Golf Club as all of these are well-priced experiences that deliver a lot of value to golfers looking to tee it up here.
Clay County
Located a little further inland from the beachside areas, Clay County provides golfers with a myriad of excellent golf courses that can provide more affordable packages while still being able to experience all of the amenities of the First Coast including the nearby beaches, restaurants, and outdoor excursions.
From a golf perspective, there are some great options in this area. The Golf Club at Fleming Island is a Bobby Weed-designed semi-private golf club that focuses on giving public golfers the same quality experience that they provide to their members. The course gives you a stark contrast between the two nines as the front plays as a links-style design that features creative undulations throughout, and the back is more of a woodland experience that is carved out of standing timberland giving you a tranquil setting for your final holes.
Another one of our favorite courses in the area is Eagle Landing Golf Club, a Clyde Johnston design that gives golfers a serene landscape to enjoy 18-holes of championship golf. The value you get here for the dollar is extremely high, and it’s a great course to include during any visit to Florida’s First Coast. After your round, slide over to Whitey’s Fish Camp located just off of the St. Johns River to enjoy some seafood with a Southern twist that you’ll be sure to love.
Recommendation
As you can see, Florida’s First Coast of Golf is one of those special golfing destinations that has the ability to cater to any group regardless of size or price-point. If you’re looking for lodging options in addition to the exceptional golf we’ve outlined here, please visit the following page for some great area options.
The teams at the courses in this area take a special pride in creating first-class experiences for visitors coming here, and we’d be willing to bet that once you experience this destination it won’t be your last time coming here.