Courses, Travel & Tee Times

Jacksonville Beach Golf Club is more than just a walk in the park

The first thing you notice about Jacksonville Beach Golf Club is how many people are walking the course. They do this mostly because it's not that difficult. The combination of timing and limited land has led to a course that's easy to walk. But while that might be the case, it's anything but easy, especially for those who like to try to overpower a golf course.

Golf Club at South Hampton in St. Augustine: Truly a family affair

The Golf Club at South Hampton had always been a popular track in the northeast Florida area, but now with new owners, better conditioning and a family atmosphere, play is picking up even more. From the time you check in to the starter, everyone seems to know your name. And with wide fairways and only forced carries for the low handicap players, the golf course is pretty friendly as well.

Jacksonville Gem: Bobby Weed-designed The Golf Club at Fleming Island

Bobby Weed has done some fine work in northeast Florida. Surprisingly, some of Weed's best holes can be found on a relatively unknown place south of Jacksonville called The Golf Club at Fleming Island, a residential course that's popular with the locals. Don't let its residential setting scare you -- there aren't many houses to detract from its natural setting among the pines and swamps. In fact, some might even argue Fleming Island is the best of his three, more well known (and more expensive) Florida courses.

Eagle Landing at Oakleaf Plantation: A playable playground south of Jacksonville

Architect Clyde Johnston built just enough unique features on Eagle Landing at Oakleaf Plantation to stand out among the best golf courses on the south side of Jacksonville, Florida. Johnston deserves kudos for designing a 7,037-yard layout that rewards good shots and doesn't devour bad ones, Jason Scott Deegan writes.

Find a challenge at Cimarrone Golf Club in Jacksonville

There are plenty of places to lose a ball at Cimarrone Golf Club, located along the southern border of Jacksonville, just 10 minutes from the World Golf Village. All 18 holes feature water or wetland of some type. Still, architect David Postlethwait took what the Florida swamp gave him and did his best to make Cimarrone more forgiving than its tough-guy image implies. There are few forced carries, and with five sets of tees, players can move up if things start to go sour.

Major makeover restores Florida's beachfront Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island resort

People love the beautiful beaches, dunes and marshland -- all set against the vast Atlantic -- on this small barrier island just 50 minutes northwest of the Jacksonville International Airport. But life indoors at the Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island can be pretty stimulating, too. A continuous $65-million renovation since 2006 has revitalized this grand beachfront resort, refurbishing all 445 rooms and suites, building a new spa and rebranding the dining scene.

Hang 10: Reasons to plan a golf vacation to Florida's First Coast

The Jacksonville area offers dozens of public golf choices, great weather and terrific dining at an array of price points. But why should you plan a golf vacation to the Jacksonville area? Mike Bailey offers up 10 compelling reasons, from the World Golf Hall of Fame to the mild weather and ocean breezes.

Take your game back to school at the TOUR Academy at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach

While the kids are back in school, maybe it's time to give your golf game an education at boarding school -- the TOUR Academy at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. The TOUR Academy at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most complete teaching academies on earth, Brandon Tucker writes.

Buddy trips: Jacksonville

The ingredients for a successful buddy trip are simple: a comfortable room, an ice chest filled with your favorite beverages, good eats, entertainment options and quality golf. If you're heading to Jacksonville, Mike Bailey has some suggestions on how to make the most of your golf vacation.

World Golf Village vs. TPC Sawgrass: Which Jacksonville golf mecca is right for you?

The two heavyweights in Jacksonville resort golf: TPC Sawgrass and the World Golf Village. Both offer 36 holes and a lot more, so where should your golf group start? Here's a tale of the tape.