Jacksonville, Florida     (Return to Previous Page)

Like many interesting arguments, there are differing theories as to why the area in and around Jacksonville has long been known as "Florida's First Coast." Some say it's because Spanish explorer Ponce de Leon came ashore near here in 1513 in search of a cold one. Others believe it's because close by St. Augustine is America's oldest city. Still others - mostly from northern states - will tell you it's because the Jacksonville area is a great first choice during the winter when the time comes to either go somewhere and play golf or go crazy. Frankly, number three is hard to dispute (in fact, it's a great first choice in the summer, too). Because, if you think about it, the World Golf Hall of Fame and the headquarters of the PGA Tour aren't located here simply because of the seafood. Although, it is to die for.

Counting the surrounding communities (Amelia Island, Fernandina Beach, Green Cove Springs, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra Beach, just to name a few), there are over 50 fabulous golf courses to choose from on Florida's First Coast - and probably just as many stay-and-play packages. Roughly 30 miles north of the Jacksonville Airport is Amelia Island, one of the prettiest places on the planet. There are six golf courses on the island, three of which are connected to Amelia Island Plantation, a AAA-Four Diamond resort. The Plantation's original course, Oak Marsh, is a 1972 Pete Dye design that he built soon after finishing his now-famous Harbor Town Golf Links on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Like Harbor Town, the 6,500-yard Oak Marsh features tight fairways and small greens, with a bit of wind and water thrown in to test your nerves. Oh, yeah; and you just might find a few 100-year-old live oaks standing in your way out there as well. The Plantation's second course, Long Point, was designed by Tom Fazio in 1987. It's the biggest course at the resort - 6,775 yards from the tips - and definitely the most challenging. As always, wind is a factor as you tack your way around Long Point's separate areas of marshland, oak and pine forest, and sand dunes. Water is a factor, too - Mr. Fazio forces you to carry it eight times here, either with a drive or an approach. For the above reasons and more, Long Point was ranked the 5th best course in the state of Florida by the Miami Herald. Need a breather? Well you're not going to get one when you play Ocean Links, the Plantation's third course. Even though it only measures 6,300 yards from the back tees, this 1998 Pete Dye/Bobby Weed collaboration is no wimp. The combination of narrow fairways, tiny greens, lots of lagoons and - you guessed it - the wind off the Atlantic can sometimes cause this "little" layout to play very big and very tough.

Good choices within Jacksonville include The Champions Club at Julington Creek and Bent Creek Golf Club. Somewhat different from what you'd expect from a Florida course is the scenic Champions Club at Julington Creek. Constructed in 1992, Champions Club is the design effort of architect Bob Walker and veteran ABC-TV on-course commentator Steve Melnyk. Since Mr. Melnyk is a former winner of the U.S. Amateur and the British Amateur, you might keep an eye out for some of the features that he's had to face while playing classic courses all over the world. If you like "traditional," you'll enjoy Champions Club. If you're looking for a good value, check out Bent Creek Golf Club. This Bobby Weed/Mark McCumber design is owned by the city - and you can be sure it will be in good condition. Bent Creek Golf Club is not super long at 6,620 yards from the back tees, but townies will tell you it's a good golf course and a super deal.

If a "superior experience" is what you're dreaming of during the winter, however, head south along the ocean for a few miles to the Sawgrass Marriott Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach. Ponte Vedra Beach is home to the headquarters of the PGA Tour, and the Sawgrass Marriott is home to five exceptional golf courses. As you are no doubt well aware, the most challenging layout at Sawgrass (even for the best players in the world) is the TPC Stadium Course, host site of The Players Championship each spring and clearly Pete Dye's most dye-abolical design. Yes, it's the one with the famous (or infamous) water-surrounded par-three 17th that you watch with glee on TV every year. Tee it up here and you, too, can throw up on your shoes. For a less stressful round, however, choose one or all of the other gorgeous golf courses associated with the Marriott: Oak Bridge Country Club, Sawgrass Country Club, Marsh Landing, and the Valley Course. For "one-stop golfing," the Sawgrass Marriott is hard to beat.

On the south side of Jacksonville there are a few great choices for championship golf. On CR-210 just west of I-95, there are three terrific golf courses within a chip shot of each other. St. John's Golf & Country Club is a very solid Clyde Johnston design that opened to rave reviews in 2001. Playing 7,236 yards from the tips, and a manageable 5,286 from the forward tees, this phenomenal course is playable by golfers of all skill levels, and the TifEagle greens make putting a pleasure. Conveniently located just down the street is Mark McCumber's Golf Club at South Hampton, one of Hampton Golf Group's premiere championship facilities. Literally right across the street from South Hampton is Cimarrone Golf Club, another fine choice for great golf and a favorite among local players.

Also less than an hour south of Jacksonville - just inland from the Atlantic - is St. Augustine, America's oldest city. Golfers who also love U.S. history will enjoy the city's old buildings, quaint shops and the restored fort that overlooks the harbor. For visitors who love golf history, the impressive World Golf Village here in St. Augustine is a must. Depending on how much time you want to spend (two hours or several), you can experience golf's ancient history, tour the World Golf Hall of Fame, and/or see what the game may offer in the future. The village also offers superb dining, sensational shopping - even an amazing IMAX Theater. Oh, and the golf courses here are pretty fantastic, too.

The first course to be built at the World Golf Village was the Slammer & Squire (1997), a beautiful collaboration between architect Bobby Weed and Hall of Fame members Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen. The Slammer & Squire was followed by the King & Bear (2000), the only joint design effort in the world by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Both these layouts are attractive and challenging, tough enough to be the host site for the Liberty Mutual Legends of Golf tournament on the Champions Tour and a match on "Shell's Wonderful World of Golf." The game's greats have played here; you can, too.

So look. Winter, summer, spring or fall, a great first choice for a golf trip (no matter how it got its name) is the area known as "Florida's First Coast."