Tips and Information on Golfing in the Sunshine State of Florida

Posted Sunday 14th March 2010

With more golf courses than any other state in the USA (1,250 courses and counting) it would not be an exaggeration to call Florida a golfers paradise. The main tourist destination of Orlando has around 180 golf courses and 20 golf academies making it the ideal place for the keen golfer to combine the magic of Disney with a golfing vacation on some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.

Florida's long warm summers and mild winters allow you to play golf at any time of the year. During the summer months the locals tend to play in the mornings to avoid the hot afternoon sun (it's not called the Sunshine State for nothing!) and this allows visitors to benefit from special low cost deals during the afternoon and evening where a round of golf can cost around US$ 48.00 including cart after 2.30 pm and US$ 25.00 after 5pm including cart (remember your sun tan lotion and a cap). During the winter months the courses can be busy throughout the day due to a combination of the milder temperatures and the snowbirds arriving for their annual 3-month relocation to the sun.

It is unusual to find anyone walking round a golf course in Florida with electric carts being the norm. The carts hold two golfers together with their clubs and have the dual benefit of speeding up the round and protecting you from the Florida sun. Several courses have installed satellite navigation in their carts, which provide you with a bird's eye view of each hole and show the distance between you and the flag.

Having completed your round the European visitor will find some excellent bargains in the numerous golf stores and outlets that are either attached to the courses themselves or are within easy driving distance. Be sure to check the baggage allowance for your airline and be wary of the customs allowance for your home country if you are tempted to buy a new set of clubs while in the Orlando area.

An excellent source for discounted rates for a number of Florida golf courses is available at www.golfnow.com/orlando where you can view the available deals on offer during your stay in Orlando and even book your tee times.

Enjoy your vacation! View all our holiday villas to rent in Rotonda, Florida