Florida is not just known as the Sunshine State, but also as the golf-rich state. Florida is home to the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, PGA tournaments, and over 1,000 golf courses, making it a great golf destination.
If you’re a golf enthusiast and are planning a winter getaway, then Florida is a great choice. You’ll be accompanied by hundreds of other golfers from all over the country eager to get out on the course.
We created a list of must-visit golf courses in the state. Here you’ll find a selection of the most popular, challenging, luxurious, and beautiful courses and resorts that are open to nonresidents. However, don’t let the excitement of playing at the highest rated golf courses in the world distract you from prioritizing your health. Florida is home to a large and diverse mosquito population, many of which carry mosquito-borne diseases. Doing something as simple as packing accordingly and taking precautionary steps will not only provide you with peace of mind, but also make your golfing experience much more memorable.
Innisbrook Resort & Golf Club - Copperhead Course
Innisbrook Golf Resort in Palm Harbor includes four championship golf courses, with the Copperhead golf course being the highest rated club among tourists and professional golfers. The Copperhead course is most known for hosting the annual PGA Tour Valspar Championship every March and is said to be one of the most challenging courses to play on.
Copperhead is an 18-hole-par-71 course that features five tee boxes and offers nearly 7,300 yards of playing space. Copperhead offers both a challenge and beautiful views. The fairways are not only made from Bermuda grass, but are also lined with pine trees all throughout the entire course. You can expect to see rolling terrain, as well as beautiful lakes and ponds throughout your entire tour of the course.
If you’re looking for a world-class golfing experience, then look no further than TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra. This par-72 golf course includes two championship golf courses, the PLAYERS Stadium course and Dye’s Valley Course. Both are recognized as some of the most famous courses in the world. TPC Sawgrass has a credible history and has made a tremendous impact in the history of golf. It’s home to the TPC Network and THE PLAYERS Championship.
TPC Sawgrass is recognized as being a balanced golf course, as it includes a selection of short, medium, and long holes for its par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes. The different variations of pars were designed to challenge golfers of all different experience levels. Golfers come from all over the world take a try at the course’s signature hole, the “Island Green,” one of the most iconic holes in the world.
Casa Marina Key West is a must-visit vacation destination. The city’s bohemian vibes, historic sites, beautiful beaches, and tolerable temperatures continuously attract tourists from all over the world. Casa Marina’s Key West resort is a beautiful representation of its home city, Key West. Not only is it modern and luxurious, but it also exemplifies historical characteristics throughout the resort.
Golf enthusiasts will be thrilled to discover an 18-hole course set on 6,500 yards of fairway. You’ll be playing on a variety of complex terrain, which is meant to keep golfers on their toes. Guests especially look forward to trying the notorious “Mangrove Hole,” which is rumored to challenge even the most experienced golfer.
As the only Caribbean golf course in the nation, guests get to enjoy Caribbean luxury while remaining in the U.S. While on the course, golfers have the opportunity to take their skills to the next level while enjoying the beautiful foliage and tropical wildlife.
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort
Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort is the total package for both golfers and non-golfers. Golf enthusiasts will look forward to having four championship golf courses to choose from – Raven Golf Club, Baytowne Golf Club, the Links Golf Club, and Burnt Pine Club. Each golf club offers its own unique experience and welcomes golfers of all skill levels and styles of play. The versatility of these courses is the reason why the Champion’s Tour and the NCAA National Championships are hosted here.
Located alongside Florida’s beautiful Emerald Coast, Sandestin guests have access to over seven miles of beaches and bay front. However, those looking to explore outside of the resort will be pleasantly surprised to discover that they are just a short drive away from Florida’s most breathtaking beaches. Must-see beaches include Miramar Beach, Seascape, Gulf Place, Santa Rosa Beach, and more. Guests are also just a short drive away from Choctawhatchee Bay, which is not just beautiful, but also an incredible fishing location.
Play it Safe
While Florida is known as the sunshine state, it’s also the state with the most mosquito species. There are approximately 80 mosquito species in the state. Florida Health warns residents and visitors of the state that several Florida mosquito species can transmit vector borne diseases, and thus pose a serious health threat to humans and wildlife.
This past decade, the number of mosquito-borne disease cases have increased substantially. The CDC has reported approximately 3,822 mosquito-borne disease cases from 2004 through 2016. This puts Florida in the top 20% of states for mosquito-borne diseases.
Floridians are susceptible to the following viruses that are transmitted by mosquitos: chikungunya, dengue fever, filariasis, malaria, yellow fever, West Nile, and Zika. The University of Florida has identified viral encephalitis viruses as a major class of illness likely to spread by mosquitos in Florida.
The latest national encephalitis virus outbreak included Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, also known as EEE virus, during the summer and fall of 2019. The outbreak was first identified in Florida before making its way to Northeastern states. Florida’s Health Department is no stranger to EEE virus. Throughout 2009 and 2018, Florida has reported a total of 13 EEE cases. Florida’s health department was well prepared, and successfully prevented EEE from spreading to humans by advising residents to limit their exposure to mosquitos.
We believe that preventing mosquito bites is crucial when visiting the most mosquito-populated state in the county. Including a long lasting bug spray in your list of golf necessities will greatly reduce the risk of being bitten by mosquitos in Florida. Our picaridin bug spray is the best bug spray for golfers because it’s both long lasting and non-greasy. If you’re sensitive to fragrance, try our unscented bug spray for maximum comfort on the course.
Whether you’re an experienced golfer or new to the sport, you can’t go wrong with any of these breathtaking Florida golf courses. We encourage you to visit the golf-rich state - and remember to always keep bug spray in your bag.
