Teeing it up in Southeast Florida: Sunshine, beaches, and top-notch golf

PGA National Champion Course

Winter is coming, and if you haven’t started planning your winter golf getaway the time to act is now.  Resorts are busier than ever as golfers are chomping at the bit to get on the road with family and friends to top golf resorts around the country, and one of the hottest destinations this time of the year is Southeast Florida. 

This area of Florida is known for exceptional private club golf communities where you can find members with names like Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan, Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, and Jack Nicklaus just to name a few.  But as good as the private golf is here, the resort and public golf is just as exceptional.  Southeast Florida is a frequent stop for our team, and we’ve outlined a few of our favorite resorts in this area for you to consider on your next getaway.

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa

PGA National Resort & Spa 

PGA National Resort & Spa is a bucket-list golf experience that every golfer should enjoy.  As the home of the Honda Classic on the PGA Tour, PGA National’s Champion Course is an incredibly challenging yet beautiful test of golf that every avid golfer should play at least once.  The resort has been investing a ton into the guest experience ever since their new ownership took over the property, and this overhaul includes a massive renovation to the rooms that include that Palm Beaches flair that you love to see, especially when escaping the cold. 

The golf here has also been getting a major facelift, as the new Match Course (formerly The Squire course) was designed by Andy Staples that was created specifically for golfers to enjoy a match play environment through classic golf course design principles with a modern twist.  In addition to The Match course, Staples and his team also created The Staple, a new 9-hole par-3 course with holes ranging from 60-130 yards that is the perfect way to cap off any day at PGA National.

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa 

The result of the visionary Don Soffer, the city of Turnberry was originally sketched on the back of a napkin by Don and we’re grateful that he didn’t spill a drink on it and that his vision became a reality.  As you’d expect from any resort that dawns the JW Marriott flag, this resort provides first-class service and accommodations to their guests giving you that upscale South Florida vibe that you’ve been craving. 

From a golf perspective, you’ll be happy to know that JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa offers 36 holes of championship golf that were both originally designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr. and were later enhanced by the iconic Raymond Floyd. 

The Soffer Course is a par 70 design that is the epitome of a risk-reward experience on the course.  Hazards loom everywhere, and you’ll be better served playing strategically here instead of always pulling out driver on every par-4 and par-5. 

The Miller Course, also a par 70, is a slightly shorter course and tends to play a little easier than its sister course.  Don’t for a second think that means that it is easy as there are still plenty of strategically placed hazards that you will encounter throughout your round.  The conditioning is flawless, and you’ll enjoy your experience on both of these first-class golf courses.

JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa

The Biltmore 

The Biltmore is a legend, and rightfully so.  This Coral Gables sanctuary is approaching it’s centennial celebration, and once onsite you can experience that old-world charm with some modern flair that screams South Florida to guests who come here for their golf getaway. 

The Biltmore Golf Course is a classic Donald Ross design that gives golfers who love a classic Ross design everything they want in an 18-hole design.  Anybody who grew up around junior golf, whether playing yourself or as a parent of a young up-and-comer, is well aware of this facility as it has played host to the Junior Orange Bowl International Golf Championship since 1964.  The course received a recent renovation in 2018, and even with the modern changes it still maintains the classic Ross feel that golfers will love.

Palm Beach National Golf and Country Club 

If fun is what you’re looking for, then this is the place for you!  Palm Beach National is run by the legendary Mikey D., and from the second you pull into the parking lot here you know you are in for a good time. 

This course thinks of everything, and they are constantly investing in making golf fun for their guests.  Trust me, you’ll know it right away as you make your way to the driving range only to be greeted by a combination of cans that look like a Beer Pong game is waiting for you in addition to a bunch of targets for you to take aim at. 

The golf carts each feature a Bluetooth speaker so you can jam out to whatever you want with their BYOM (Bring Your Own Music) set up.  Struggling with the Florida heat?  Don’t fret as the team here will deliver frozen popsicles to you during your round to cool you off.     

The golf here is so much fun it’s scary, and the golf is incredibly affordable especially for a Joe Lee design that you’ll have a blast playing. 

Palm Beach National