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 at a high-end resort, take a look at our Top Public courses Florida 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 GolfDay course pages include a link to Google maps with directions to every course).
While each of the Top 40 has a GolfDay Rating above 90, Florida offers 146 independent public courses with a rating of 85 or higher (very good) and 239 with a rating of 80 or more (above average).
At the top of the list is The Park in West Palm Beach, originally a Dick Wilson course that was completely redesigned by Gil Hanse and Jim Wagner in 2023, and has received universal acclaim.
Jack Nicklaus leads with most premier public course designs in Florida, with original design or renovations at 5 of the Top 40, including Old Corkscrew (#6) and Webb’s Reserve (#18), his latest design in Punta Gorda.
Ron Garl contributed 4 courses among the Top-40, including renovations at Sun ‘n Lake Golf Club’s Deer Run course in Sebring (#8), and original designs at Eaglebrooke (#23), Sandridge (#29) and Eagle Creek (#30).
Joe Lee designs are included at 3 of the leading public courses in Florida, including Deer Island Country Club in Taveres (No. 9), Abacoa in Jupiter (No. 17) and Boca Raton Golf & Racquet Club (#27—recently updated by Kipp Schulties).
Gene Bates and Fred Couples teamed up to deliver 2 original designs in the Top 40, including Kelly Plantation (#2) and Southwood (#15)
The best of Florida public golf also includes design by eminent architects such as Donald Ross (New Smyrna Golf Club/No. 13—renovated by Bobby Weed), Tom Fazio (Champions Club at Summerfield/No. 37), Rees Jones (LPGA International/No. 14) and Robert Trent Jones II. (Celebration Golf Club/No. 32).
Click Top 40 Florida Public Courses for a map view of locations (click a flag for course name and details).
Any time you are looking for great public golf, or planning a vacation, the GolfDay Search Engine makes it easy to find the best courses and a better bang for your buck.
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The Park/West Palm Beach
Florida Historic Golf Trail/City of West Palm Beach
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- Holes: 27 (Eighteen Hole Championship Course and Lighted Nine Hole Par 3)
- Course Architects: Dick Wilson/Mark McCumber/Gil Hanse/Jim Wagner/Dirk Ziff
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.2/139
- Practice Facilities: Driving Range with Toptracer Technology, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Photos
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 97.6
- Location
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Kelly Plantation Golf Club/Destin
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- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Gene Bates/Fred Couples
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 74.6/141
- 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: 97.4
- Location
- TPC Treviso Bay/Naples
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- 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: 97.3
- Location
- Juliette Falls Golf Course/Dunnellon
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- 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: 96.3
- Location
- 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
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Old Corkscrew Golf Club/Estero
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- 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
- Rankings: Golfweek Florida Top 30 Public
- GolfDay Rating: 95.5
- Location
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Sun ‘n Lake Golf Club/Sebring
Citrus Golf Trail/Sebring Improvement District/Indigo Sports
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- Holes: 36 (2 Eighteen Hole Regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Don Dyer/Charles Ankrom/Ron Garl
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
Deer Run: 75.4/136
Turtle Run: 71.6/126 - Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker.
- Course Descriptions
- Junior Golf
- GolfDay Rating: 94.5
- Location
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Deer Island Country Club/Taveres
- Windswept Dunes Golf Club/Freeport
- Royal St. Cloud Golf Links/St. Cloud
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- 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
- Seminole Legacy Golf Club/Tallahassee
Florida State University/Club Corp
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New Smyrna Golf Club/New Smyrna
City of New Smyrna
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LPGA International/Daytona Beach
Fore Golf Partners
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- 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
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- 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
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Waterlefe Golf & River Club/Bradenton
- Abacoa Golf Club/Jupiter
- Webb’s Reserve/Punta Gorda
Babcock Ranch
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- Holes: 18
- Course Architect: Jack Nicklaus
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.4/137
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range, Putting and Chipping Greens with Bunker (Opening January 2025
- Course Description
- GolfDay Rating: 92.8
- Location
19. Lake Jovita Golf & Country Club/Dade City
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- 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
20. Duran Golf Club/Viera
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- 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
21. Black Bear Golf Club/Eustis
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- 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
22. Heron Creek Golf & Country Club/North Port
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- 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
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The Club at Eaglebrooke/Lakeland
Indigo Sports
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- 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
24. The Club at Emerald Hills/Hollywood
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- 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
25. Crane Watch Club/Palm City
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- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Charles Martin/James Cervone
- USGA Course/Slope Rating: 73.9/141
- Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets and Putting Green (Additional Short Game Facilities available for members).
- Course Description
- GolfDay Rating: 94.2
- Location
26. Riverwood Golf Club/Port Charlotte
27. Boca Raton Golf & Raquet Club/Boca Raton
City of Boca Raton
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- 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
28. Stonebrook Golf Course/Pace
City of Boca Raton
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- 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: 3
- Location
29.Sandridge Golf Club/Vero Beach
Indian River County
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- 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
30. Eagle Creek Golf Club/Orlando
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- 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
31. Candler Hills Golf Club/Ocala
On Top of The World Golf community
- Celebration Golf Club/Celebration
- Jax Beach Club/Jacksonville Beach
City of Jacksonville Beach
- St. Johns Golf Club/Elkton
St. Johns County
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- Holes: 18
- Course Architects: Robert Walker/Erik Larsen
- 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: 91.4
- Location
- North Palm Beach Country Club/North Pam Beach
Florida Historic Golf trail/Village of North Palm Beach
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- 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: 91.3
- Location
- Skyview at Terra Vista/Hernando
Villages of Citrus Hills
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- 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
- Highlands Ridge Golf Club/Avon Park
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- Holes: 36 (Two Eighteen Hole regulation Courses)
- Course Architects: Clyde Johnston/Robert Walker
- USGA Course/Slope Rating:
Highland Ridge: 74.8/140
Pines: 69.9/131 - Practice Facilities: Grass Driving Range with Targets, Chipping and Putting Greens with Bunkers.
- Course Description-Highland Ridge
- Course Description-The Preserve
- GolfDay Rating: 90.4
- Location
39. St. John’s Golf & Country Club/St. Augustine
Indigo Sports
40. Woodmont Country Club/Tamarac
Martin County
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- 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: 90.6
- Location
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, current local and national rankings by Golf Digest and Golfweek, the quality and diversity of practice facilities, general course conditioning and current reviews. The resort rating also includes a factor for the variety of courses located at the property as well as the quality of accommodations and level of service.