Florida Feature Stories
Florida "mountain" golf is hardly "unique"
Golfers who have never visited Florida seem to think the whole peninsula is as flat as a Wal-Mart parking lot. They're close but not quite. There are more than a few Florida golf courses that will get you up in the air a little, if not in the clouds.
... full article »Taste history with a golf and bed-and-breakfast trip to St. Augustine
St. Augustine is the oldest city in the U.S., and it has done a great job of preserving the classic Spanish architecture in the downtown historic district. The area also boasts a number of good golf courses and bed & breakfasts. Put the two together, and you can have a memorable golf trip, Tim McDonald writes.
... full article »Florida puts six on Golf Magazine's "Top 100 courses you can play" list
Florida's top golf courses held steady in Golf Magazine's "Top-100 courses you can play list," the magazine's ode to public access courses, with six courses making the 2008 rankings.
... full article »Golf in Jacksonville: Good fishing is never far away
Jacksonville may be one of the few cities in the country where you can have an outdoor fishing experience downtown, in the shadows of looming high-rises. It may also be one of the few places where you can get from almost any golf course to a good fishing spot - or vice versa - in a matter of minutes. Of course, you might want to think about changing clothes.
... full article »Get out of town! In Jacksonville, head north and south for best, new courses
Technically speaking, Jacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. Yes, it's true: bigger than New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago. Bigger than Houston, Dallas and San Francisco. Of course, we're talking about sheer land area, not population. For golfers, that means a lot of driving. But, even that large land mass can't contain all the golf courses.
... full article »Florida sunshine, spring baseball and golf a tough combo to beat
Spring Training somehow remains one of the last bargains in the gilded world of American professional sports. It's no wonder, then, that baseball fans are traveling to games in greater numbers than ever before. Nowhere but in Florida can spring baseball, beaches, theme parks and fishing be combined in a single vacation -- with golf.
... full article »Your Daytona 500 guide: fast cars, hot leather and great golf
With Speedweeks starting in early February and culminating with the Feb. 19 Daytona 500, there is plenty of free time; you may not want to spend all your days watching qualifying, practice and ARCA carnage.
... full article »In Orlando for the PGA Show? Here's your can't-miss guide to the area
Orlando, Floria no longer even remotely resembles the place it was when Walt Disney World exploded in 1971. It's evolved into one of the biggest tourist destinations on earth, with some 44 million people arriving every year from nearly every point on the global compass. Like pilgrims to Mecca, these visitors are drawn by the lure of the Mouse and all he encompasses.
... full article »Try Punta Gorda to combine links, lakes, fishing and golf
For some reason, golf and fishing converge, regarding their practitioners. Many golfers also seem to have a love for fishing, and vice versa. So whether you're looking for a good golf destination with a little fishing thrown in, or vice versa, there are plenty to choose from. Punta Gorda is one of the best.
... full article »Punta Gorda beckons golfers, travelers to get outside, active
Punta Gorda is the type of area that demands action. With sterling weather, wildlife and Charlotte Harbor all beckoning you to come play, options are limitless for those who like to get out and get going. Still, the golfing action is enough to keep a duffer happy in Punta Gorda, as courses like Riverwood Golf Club and St. Andrews South Golf Club will get golfers active where they enjoy it the most, on the course.
... full article »Playing through history: Sunshine State boasts a rich golf heritage
For more than a century, the Sunshine State's courses have been the home to major golf innovations and classic architecture. It all started in 1897 with the Ocean Course at The Breakers in Palm Beach. As word spread of Florida's golf possibilities, courses began to spring up, including Tarpon Springs Golf Club on Florida's west coast, which opened in 1908, and Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club's original track, opened for play in the '20s.
... full article »The perfect Florida Keys golf itinerary
The Keys are better suited to fishing, diving, boating and Margaritas, but the hard-core golfer will find an outlet, if he or she looks hard. Fortunately, national golf editor Tim McDonald has done the legwork for you. Start out at the Key West Golf Course, follow our instructions and you're sure to have a good time. We've even selected the best lodging and dining options for your trip.
... full article »Florida's par-3 holes can amaze, frustrate and astound
Who says that a great golf hole must be 600 yards long with a double dogleg, narrow landing areas and long carries over water? Leave the oversized driver in the bag and check out these terrific all-access par-3s throughout the Sunshine State, starting with the 132-yard 17th at TPC Sawgrass (Stadium Course) in Ponte Vedra Beach.
... full article »Heading for Florida in an RV? Pull aside for a round of golf
RVers may have a reputation for being retired folks who finally have time to see the country. A lot of them are also golfers, and there are a number of younger RVers who like to explore both the country and a round of golf. Florida is one of those states that is a haven for both seekers of warmth, RV hookups and golf courses.
... full article »Finch's good works as much as course give Emerald Dunes Florida golf course of year
The Florida Golf Course Associations's course of the year is a Tom Fazio-designed layout that's been named in the "top 10 you can play in Florida" by Golf Digest, and was named one of the top five courses in Florida by readers of Florida Golf News. But as Tim McDonald reports, the real story at Emerald Dunes is owner Ray Finch.
... full article »Making history: Florida's golf resorts a surprise to many
It's no secret that Florida is no match for the deep and documented histories of most states, especially when it comes to architecture and lodging. But Florida's tradition of hosting snowbirds goes back more than a century, and many of the same hotels, resorts, and golf courses that welcomed seasonal visitors back then are still standing. Here's a look at our favorites.
... full article »Jacksonville itinerary includes some nice golf as well as a stop at the beach
Inspired to visit Jacksonville after this weekend's Super Bowl? As Tim McDonald reports, you don't have to be a golfer to experience cultural shock and awe in Jacksonville. The golfing experience offers plenty of variation. While most of the First Coast courses are typically Floridian - flat, sandy and wet - there are some surprises.
... full article »Florida golf is filled with sightly venues
"Florida's Mountain Golf Course," "Like Playing in North Carolina," and "The First Nine is Like Hilton Head, the Second Nine is Like Scotland" - these are the types of slogans that are commonly used to advertise Florida golf courses.
... full article »Orlando golf: Perfect places to practice your swing
Some say the state of Florida, with an excess of 1,200 golf courses, offers the best golf in the country. Others disagree, claiming lack of variety and too many flattish courses keep it out of the top spot. What is less debatable, however, is that Florida is the ideal locale to practice the game.
... full article »The Players Championship: Tiger and Company Have Major Goals in Mind
For years NBC has been touting The Players Championship as "The Fifth Major," and they've almost got everyone believing it.
... full article »- Miami Rings in With Affordable Golf
- Canadian Tourism Still Going Strong in Florida
- The Par Fives of Northeast Florida
- The Best of the Bay: Some Might Say
- World Golf Village, Hall of Fame, and Other Attractions
- Interview with Architect Steve Smyers
- Get your golf combat-ready in the Navy town of Pensacola
