The Best Public Golf Courses in Miami – Viva

Miami, the largest city in South Florida, is known for its great nightlife, world-renowned hotels, and luxurious lifestyle. But did you know it’s also a golfer’s paradise?

Golf has grown to become one of the favorite leisure activities among adults, both young and old, in South Florida. There are over 31 well-maintained golf courses in a 20-mile radius of Miami, making the sunshine state one of the country’s true hotbeds for golfers of all stripes.

So whether you’re a transient visitor or a resident looking for a new course to play, here’s your guide to the four best public golf courses in South Florida.

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The Turnberry Isles boasts two courses named Soffer Course & Miller Course, both with pristine greens and lush fairways. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. and Raymond Floyd, it is a staple of South Florida. With this 4 ½-star rated golf club by Golf Digest that has been home to LPGA and PGA events, you’ll be playing on a course that has been ranked #1 for many years and is still hailed as one of the best. The luxury resort’s Golf Club receives amazing reviews due to the combination of its two courses and stellar service, rental & lesson services, and golf program for juniors, making it highly enjoyable for the entire family.

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PGA National Resort is prized amongst golf enthusiasts for its five championship golf courses, the most famous of which is The Champion. This public golf club has hosted many major competitions, including the 1983 Ryder Cup, the 1987 PGA Championship, the Senior PGA Championship, and the PGA Tour’s Honda. Tom and George Fazio did the original design, but it was redone in 2014 by Jack Nicholas. The course is in fantastic shape, with fast greens always in great condition and water hazards everywhere! Make sure to visit the iconic 15th hole, known as The Bear Trap! It’s one of the most challenging holes on the PGA Tour. And if you’re looking for a place to stay nearby, there are five-star hotels within driving distance listed on Launchtrip.

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Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne is a par-77, 18-hole championship golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Gene Hamm. It features challenging holes that wind through luscious tropical foliage and water. Open to the public and designed for golfers of all skill levels, this PGA tour-quality course has hosted numerous events, including the Senior Players Championship, for 18 years. The golf course has been recognized as one of the best Municipal Courses in 2014 by Golf Week and was listed in the Top 10 Must-Do Things in Miami by Links Golf Magazine. It lets you enjoy the best of both worlds: the luxurious layout of a championship course and nature all around you.

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Jacaranda Golf Club is a semi-private club that offers two championship golf courses. The golf courses at Jacaranda Golf Club are among the best in South Florida. Both courses have garnered high accolades, including Four-Star ratings in Golf Digest, and the club hosts PGA, USGA, and FSGA Championship Events. Located in Plantation, FL, Jacaranda is close to Fort Lauderdale and Miami, making it easy to get to for local residents and visitors alike. The layout of the East Course was completely redesigned in 2020, making it even more attractive to aspiring players. The venue is semi-private but affordable and can be rented for public and corporate events ensuring that everyone gets in on the action. The club offers golf lessons, so if you are a beginner at the sport, this is the place to learn in a relaxed environment.

Tom Taylor

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