For many golfers from Europe, Florida is often their first experience of American golf. It’s one of the closest states to Europe in terms of travel time, while its warm and sunny climate and manicured fairways have attracted golfers from around the world for years. Two of the state’s standout golf resorts are TPC Sawgrass and Streamsong Resort.
On the West Coast of the United States, Pebble Beach in California is arguably the crown jewel of American golf. Here’s our rundown on all three stay-and-play options.
TPC Sawgrass Marriot Hotel with golf at the 2 TPC golf courses
TPC Sawgrass, in Ponte Vedra Beach, is one of the most iconic golf courses in the world. Host of the Players Championship on the PGA Tour, Pete and Alice Dye’s masterpiece from the early 1980s famously features the challenging par-3 17th hole with its much-imitated island green. Golf’s first true ‘stadium course’ is open to the public to play.
Alongside it is the Valley Course, also designed by Pete and Alice Dye. Opened in 1987, this superb course hosted the Web.com Tour Championship for many years. Shorter in length than its neighbour, it’s just as perfectly manicured. To play these parkland courses you can book 14 days in advance, while another option is to book a stay & play package at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort.
The resort offers modern and smartly designed rooms, suites, family-friendly villas and exclusive VIP rooms and suites with every imaginable comfort, with many featuring balconies or terraces. Just a few steps from TPC Sawgrass, the hotel offers a short complimentary shuttle ride to its oceanfront Cabana Beach Club, which offers direct access to Ponte Vedra Beach. There are eight restaurants and lounges to choose from including ‘Alice & Pete’s Pub’, four swimming pools and the Sawgrass Spa.
Streamsong Resort
Streamsong Resort’s luxury accommodation options and three world-renowned courses are within 90 minutes of both Tampa and Orlando. Four of golf’s most respected architects have created three superb tracks peacefully tucked away in secluded sun dunes alongside a stunning lakeside lodge and spa.
Streamsong Red, designed by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, is perhaps the resort’s standout course with striking dunes, expansive lakes, rolling terrain and stretches of open savannah. Blue by Tom Doak is wonderfully natural and feels like it was found rather than created. It has a dramatic start, with the back tee of hole 1 on top of a 75-feet tall sand dune.
Black by Gil Hanse is the newest course and just as good, with flatter land, some of the biggest greens in America and almost no rough. The Gauntlet, a two-acre putting course, and The Roundabout, a seven-hole short course and practice area, add to the resort’s incredible options for golfers. Public tee times (non-resort guests) are available with a 30-day booking window. Or you could book a stay & play package at the resort.
The Lodge at Streamsong Resort features 228 guest rooms and suites with floor-to-ceiling windows that take in the awesome views of the surrounding lakes, hills and protected natural areas. The superb amenities include a full-service spa, fitness centre, three casual and fine dining restaurants and a huge lakeside pool. There are hiking and birding trails, a shooting club and bass fishing.
The pick of the accommodation options is The Lodge at Pebble Beach, nestled up against the Pacific coastline. It’s a 5-star luxury right by the famous golf course and would be the golf trip of a lifetime. The Lodge has luxurious rooms, excellent dining options, an award-winning spa, tennis courts and a fitness centre.
The Inn at Spanish Bay is another great option for a stay & play package at Pebble Beach with its stylish rooms, several restaurants and bars, a spa, fitness centre, tennis courts and retail arcade. Guests at either hotel can explore the spectacular Monterey countryside and beaches, as well as nearby world-class golf courses such as Poppy Hills Golf Club and Pacific Grove Golf Links.
