Florida boasts more golf courses than any other state—a veritable golfer’s paradise. And it’s no surprise.
With the sun shining and the weather always inviting, every day feels like the perfect day for a group to hit the greens. From championship layouts to quirky local favorites, there’s a course for everyone. And while soaking in the sunshine, you can count how many birdies—or alligators—you can spot!
Here are some fun facts:
• Golf in Florida began in 1886, when Scottish immigrant John Gillespie built a two-hole course in Sarasota.
• The Florida Historic Golf Trail features about 50 courses built from the late 1800s through the late 1930s.
• Golf is an $11 billion industry in the state, with 33% of rounds played by out-of-state visitors.
• Seeing wildlife is part of what makes golf in Florida special. While playing, you might notice Sandhill cranes, wild turkey or even an alligator relaxing by the water, which definitely adds excitement to your game!
“Par for the course” on the wildlife front is the unforgettable Shingle Creek Golf Club, located at the award-winning Rosen Shingle Creek hotel in Orlando.
“The wildlife is an added bonus for golfers looking for a picturesque round on our championship course,” said Anthony Miller, the club’s director of tournaments and the go-to expert for group golf events in Orlando’s buzzing convention district. The course winds throughout the hotel’s 255 acres of lush Florida flora, with beautiful Sandhill cranes, ibises and pink roseate spoonbill dotting the course without bothering players—not even during the nearly 12,000 tournament rounds the club hosts each year.
Shingle Creek can accommodate small corporate groups of 16 or large groups of up to 144 players “with all the bells and whistles,” Miller said. The club even rents new golf clubs and men’s and women’s FootJoy golf shoes for visitors who forget theirs or simply prefer to travel light.
Corporate groups often start the day with a catered breakfast prepared by Rosen Shingle Creek’s talented banquet team. Then it’s off to the greens for a day of friendly competition. Once the final putt drops, the celebration continues with an awards banquet and lively cocktail hour—either in one of the elegant ballrooms or the relaxed outdoor pavilion.
Special logoed signs can be placed on the course, and boxed lunches can be delivered directly to players. “We can do custom scorecards, and with notice, we can provide logoed golf balls, towels, hats and shirts from the pro shop, perfect as welcome gifts or pillow gifts. We really can do anything you can think of,” Miller said.
For those curious about golf but not quite ready for a full round, there are still plenty of engaging experiences. Step into the Shingle Creek Golf Academy and try a digital long-drive contest on the simulator—ideal for a little friendly rivalry. Or sharpen your skills with a fun clinic or personalized swing analysis from Chris Spalla, the club’s director of golf instruction and one of Golf Digest’s Best Young Teachers in America.
Prefer something more social? Join a lively putt-putt tournament on the putting green while enjoying a cocktail after a relaxing day by one of the hotel’s four pools. Whether you’re a beginner, a spectator or someone simply looking for a lighthearted way to mingle, Shingle Creek Golf Club ensures everyone—no matter their skill level—can share in the fun and magic of golf.
Tee Off Together: More Fun Group Golf Courses
At Key West Golf Club, at the entrance to the island of Key West, the unique Rees Jones 18-hole course encompasses over 200 acres of Keys foliage and wildlife.
The 6,500-yard, par 70 course challenges players of all abilities, including the infamous “Mangrove Hole,” which is a 143-yard, par 3 played completely over a field of thickly intertwined tropical mangroves. The course is on the Historic Golf Trail and was frequented by President Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s while staying in Key West. In 1983, golf course architects Jones and co-designer Keith Evans completely redesigned the entire golf course property.
Grand Cypress Golf, located at Evermore Resort in Orlando and home to the Conrad Orlando hotel, is the perfect setting to host an event via two distinct Jack Nicklaus-designed courses: The Cypress Course and Links Course, which deliver 36 holes of golf paired with greens for miles. Golf pros at Evermore offer weekly clinics for individuals and groups, plus a new pro shop will open this year with merchandise from all the big names in golf.
After a round, The Landing is considered the 19th hole, steps away from the stunning Evermore Bay’s south beach where sandwiches, cold beers and cocktails are the perfect way to end the day.
Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club in Clearwater is named for the beloved former professional golfer (winner of eight PGA Tour events) who passed away in 2024. Playing a round of golf here is a feel-good experience as a portion of the greens fees fund the facility’s Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy for at-risk youth.
The Aileron Golf Club at Sunseeker Resort was named one of the Best New Courses of 2025 by Golf Digest. The resort’s exclusive championship-level golf course is home to lush greens and a distinctive design by Kipp Schulties with a brand-new clubhouse and reimagined restaurant, bar and pro shop.
The Palm Beaches are Florida’s Golf Capital with more than 145 courses from historic championship to challenging public courses. At Champion at PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, groups can create a customized corporate tournament with colleagues.
Surrounded by history and authentic natural Florida beauty in Howey-In-the-Hills, the 18-hole El Campeón course dates to 1917. Las Colinas is an 18-hole course designed in 1992 by Gary Kock to contrast El Campeón by incorporating a links design. The courses were recently ranked among the nation’s most historic courses by Historic Hotels of America.
Bobby Jones Golf Club is Sarasota’s historical and newly revamped club and nature trails. Opened in 1927 by pro Bobby Jones himself, the first course built was designed by famed Scottish architect, Donald Ross. Run by the city of Sarasota, it offers 45 holes of terrific golf.
In Lee County, South Seas on Captiva Island just opened The Clutch, a walking-only short course for resort guests designed to be totally inclusive of all skill levels. Guests can use top-of-the-line Titleist rental equipment, including Vokey wedges and Scotty Cameron putters.
Old Corkscrew Golf Club in Estero is the only Jack Nicklaus Signature Design in Southwest Florida. The 7,400-yard Championship Par 72 layout is prized for its immaculate conditions, strategic design and authentic championship experience.
Golf is Also a Spectator Sport
Meeting professionals can score tickets to some major Florida tournaments, such as The PLAYERS Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, south of Jacksonville Beach. It takes place each year in March on the Players Stadium Course with all the big names—McIlroy, Scheffler, Hovland and more. For bragging rights, players will love to hate its famed par 3, the 17th hole island green that challenges golfers of any skill level. Another option at TPC is Dye’s Valley course, also available to groups.
The Arnold Palmer Invitational takes place in Orlando at Bay Hill Club & Lodge in March. Guests at the resort enjoy the club’s teambuilding events such as evening putt-putt contests alongside a cocktail party. The Lodge also organizes contests where guests chip out to the floating “green” that sits in the middle of the club’s Olympic-size pool.
[Related: Getting Into the Swing: Fun Golf Games for Everyone]
The Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens at PGA National Resort is in February or March each year and played on the PGA National Champion Course. PGA National features six championship courses. Groups can take advantage of special packages with accommodation discounts and tournament services.
Swedish-American golfer Annika Sörenstam, regarded as one of the greatest female players of all time, has an LPGA tournament named for her: The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican at Pelican Golf Club in Belleair. The LPGA tournament happens in November and brings together the top names in women’s golf.
TopGolf and PopStroke
When the first Florida Topgolf opened in Tampa in 2014, it was a truly unique concept. Today, there are more than 100 in the United States, six of those in Florida cities—Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, Miami-Doral, Fort Myers and Fort Lauderdale—with the newest in Panama City Beach next to Pier Park.
While players at all levels hit balls to outfield targets, the rest of the group can enjoy the whiffs and hits of others while having a snack or beverage and networking with colleagues.
Topgolf venues typically accommodate up to six players in a single bay, with a maximum capacity of eight people (including observers) in one bay. For larger groups, Topgolf can handle events ranging from 12 to over 1,200 guests by booking multiple, side-by-side bays or reserving private event spaces.
PopStroke is the brainchild of Tiger Woods and is a technology-driven mini golf and dining concept. With locations in West Palm Beach, Sarasota, Daytona, Fort Myers and Orlando, it features putting courses with synthetic turf, sand traps and undulations, plus a full-service restaurant, bar and, at some locations, live entertainment. PopStroke can accommodate very large gatherings, including full buyouts for large events.
“PopStroke was intentionally designed to bring people together in a way that feels interactive, energetic and effortless. For planners, it offers a seamless experience that combines elevated, tech-enabled mini golf, chef-driven dining and versatile event spaces in one destination,” said Dylana Silver-O’Brien, brand communications and special projects for PopStroke. “Groups and guests are not just gathering at PopStroke, they are connecting through a shared experience that naturally transforms corporate events, client entertainment and celebrations of all kinds.”
Finally, all over Florida, Pirate’s Cove Adventure Golf and Congo River Golf are frequently rated as top mini-golf destination, featuring multiple locations with themed, challenging courses, live alligator feeding and arcade games!
