Oak Marsh
There tends to be two things that golfers are universally looking for whenever they book a golf trip: either playing the best bucket list golf courses from all over the world, or the relentless pursuit of playing the very best golf course that they can for the budget of their trip. When it comes to golf in Northeast Florida, you can have both!
The first course that comes to many of our minds when we think of this area is the iconic PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, and with good reason as the home facility of the PGA TOUR is in a word, magnificent. Every time our team has had the good fortune of playing here, we fall a little bit more in love with the course. There isn’t a bad hole in the routing, and the anticipation of making it to the legendary 17th hole only builds throughout your round as it is without a doubt one of the most famous holes in all of golf.
TPC Sawgrass
Breaking down Northeast Florida
While almost every golfer is aware of TPC Sawgrass, it’s the other top-notch golf in the area that has really raised the profile of golf in Northeast Florida. It starts closer to the Florida-Georgia border up in Amelia Island, as the recent renovation of Oak Marsh at the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa was completed to perfection, and it’s a classic example of how minimal changes to an already great layout can completely elevate the profile of a golf course. To see the fruits of their labor, check out our drone footage of the facility here.
In addition to Oak Marsh, the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa also features the private championship course Long Point which offers limited access to resort guests, and we highly recommend you make the effort because it’s absolutely worth it. And if you’re looking for a fun little loop, check out the Little Sandy Short Course as it is manicured to the same levels of the other courses on property and is such a fun addition to any golf trip here. If you’re looking for a unique way to enjoy this property, the Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa is hosting a Generation Cup Qualifier on December 12, 2026. This one-of-a-kind event invites families and golfers of every generation to come together for a memorable day of competition and championship golf, and if you’re interested in learning more about the event, see the link here.
When it comes to great golf and exceptional accommodations in this area, then a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island may be just what the doctor ordered. This resort is stunning, and guests staying here have access to The Golf Club of Amelia Island which is a private facility that highlights the coastal feel of Amelia Island as you’ll see from some shots here of some of their featured holes.
To the south of TPC Sawgrass, you’ll find Hammock Beach Golf Resort & Spa with 36 holes of championship golf that is now going to be the home of the Constellation Furyk & Friends Presented by Circle K event on the PGA TOUR Champions. It’s great to see this facility be recognized for its championship excellence as The Conservatory and The Ocean courses at Hammock Beach are both equally beautiful and challenging. These courses continue to be kept in exceptional shape, and the resort and lodging options here are great for both families and buddies trips alike.
While TPC Sawgrass, Omni Amelia Island, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, and Hammock Beach represent some of the best high-end golf from this region, it may be the courses and lodging that are incredible value for the money that are considered the biggest differentiating factor in what sets this region apart.
That high-level value starts at World Golf Village in St. Augustine, Florida. With 36 holes of championship golf with the King & Bear and Slammer & Squire courses, this resort provides two incredibly fun yet challenging layouts that are priced incredibly well especially considering the location of the property. Typically, we’ve found that you can only find this type of value when you go a little off the beaten path, but World Golf Village is a short drive from either TPC Sawgrass or Hammock Beach so we find that many golfers will combine 1-2 rounds here if they stay at either of these facilities, or with plenty of lodging available onsite they can make World Golf Village their homebase for a golf trip at a great rate.
More area updates
Getting to Florida’s First Coast has never been easier. It’s easily drivable from most places in the Southeast, and for those flying in, the easiest option is usually Jacksonville International Airport (JAA). JAA will be opening a new concourse in January 2027 which will certainly make it easier for more golfers to find more routes to the area all while expanding the Delta Sky Club and Club Jax for Priority Pass members to make your time at the airport a little more luxurious.
Just to the north of Amelia Island, the Esplanade at St. Mary’s has officially opened. Located just north of the Florida/Georgia border, this semi-private facility is managed by Troon and provides a coastal Georgia charm that is already receiving early rave reviews. It’s a great addition to a trip for those looking to tee it up in Amelia Island.
Another area favorite for traveling golfers is The Golf Club at South Hampton, and they have just completed a major renovation and reopened in October 2026. The changes included renovating their greens and updates to the clubhouse. Located in St. Augustine, it’s a great fit for a golf trip to TPC Sawgrass or World Golf Village.
And for those brave men and women who have served in our military, Florida’s First Coast does an exceptional job at paying homage to our country’s heroes in every way possible. Florida’s First Coast of Golf has teamed up with Veteran’s United Brewery to create a special canned beer to celebrate the launch of their Military Campaign called the Fairways to Freedom Golden Blonde Ale. The beer will be sold at 25 local area hotels and golf courses starting November 1, 2026, for 4 months. This salute to our veterans joins the area’s efforts to honor our troops, and many local area properties provide discounts to those who have served. It’s just another reason why this area of the country is so special, and we hope you and yours get to enjoy the splendor of this destination soon.