Courses, Travel & Tee Times

Sarasota: Where golf and culture combine for the ideal couples vacation

Encompassing places like Longboat Key, Lido Key and Siesta Key, the Sarasota area is an engaging blend of excellent golf courses, white sand beaches and some of Florida's most significant cultural attractions. Following a round of golf, there are numerous options to visit museums, attend live theater, dance and musical performances and browse art galleries, Ed Schmidt writes.

Naturally, you must play golf on Florida's Nature Coast

Do you want to incorporate some hiking, boating, fishing and wildlife viewing in your next Florida golf experience? Head to the Nature Coast, the aptly named, less-traveled region on the upper western coast of the state brimming with almost 400 freshwater springs, dense hardwood forests, marshlands, rolling hills and pristine Gulf of Mexico waters. For golfers, the menu includes layouts designed by top architects in a variety of resort, daily-fee and residential community settings.

Naturally, you must play golf on Florida's Nature Coast

The aptly named "Nature Coast" is a less-traveled region on the upper western coast of the state brimming with almost 400 freshwater springs, dense hardwood forests, marshlands, rolling hills and pristine Gulf of Mexico waters. For golfers, the menu includes some of the state's top layouts.

Tampa golf scene boasts phenoms, the PGA Tour, Tom Fazio courses and much more

Looking for a diverse mix of the best golf in the Tampa area? Brandon Tucker played 36 holes a day for four days in the Tampa area. What did he find out? Whether you play a world-class venue or a tiny municipal, you can find a great bargain in Tampa compared to other destinations.

Saddlebrook Resort in Tampa: 36 holes, BannLynch teaching academy and much more

Saddlebrook Resort is a golf resort that is more known for its tennis, but it's making itself famous as a top golf academy and resort. With two championship courses and the golf academy, Saddlebrook is a great way to get in some serious golf lessons while being away from the traffic of Orlando and Tampa, but it still lets the golfer and family stay close to the big cities.

Waterlefe Golf & River Club offers scenery and a great round of golf

Unlike most Florida golf courses, you don't have to worry about getting soaked at Waterlefe Golf & River Club south of Tampa. The course features water on almost every hole, but it rarely comes into play. That doesn't mean that the course is any easier than some of Bradenton's toughest tracks. With a backdrop of the Manatee River, Waterlefe is scenic and tough.

Window Shopping: Golf beyond Innisbrook in Tampa

Innisbrook's four golf courses are just the tip of the finger lakes in Tampa. We've got some area golf courses for all levels and price in this edition of Window Shopping.

Other Worldly: Extraordinary Florida golf awaits at World Woods

World Woods Golf Club's location is remote, and its entrance is humble. But the golf, as the name implies, is nothing short of world class. Tom Fazio brought his artful eye to this large, untouched piece of wooded and sandy property and delivered two very different courses that are among the most accessible and affordable course in his entire portfolio, not to mention among his best works in the U.S.

Scenic Tampa golf with a friendly atmosphere awaits at Pebble Creek Golf Club

Some of the most pleasant golf course experiences in the Tampa area come thanks to mature, mossy oaks shading the fairways. Pebble Creek Golf Club offers not only a preserve-like setting for golf but also a low-key, friendly environment that makes any golfer feel like they're at their home club.

At Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort in Tampa, the South Course rises to the challenge

It doesn't get as much recognition as the Copperhead or Island Courses, but the South Course at Innisbrook Golf & Spa Resort deserves in Palm Harbor its place right up there with its more publicized sister courses. With tight fairways, some water and closely guarded greens, the South Course is worth your time, Jeff Berlinicke writes.