This Beautiful And Historic Florida Trail Is A Must-Visit For Golf Enthusiasts

It is no secret that Florida boasts some of the best golf courses in the world. With over 1,200 to choose from, it has more than any other state in the country. In fact, the golf craze in the Sunshine State goes back to way before the sport was even a thing on this side of the Atlantic. Today, a fun way to learn about this heritage and walk in the footsteps of early golf pioneers is to follow the Florida Historic Golf Trail.

Did you know that the boom of golfing in Florida started as a backyard project? All the way back in 1886, Scotsman Colonel John Hamilton Gillespie indulged in his passion for golf by dedicating a patch of land in his Sarasota homestead for two practice greens and a fairway. To say that the game caught on would be the understatement of the century. Eventually, the course expanded into nine holes, which the colonel maintained at his own expense until he eventually sold it in 1910. Then came the expansion of the railways, as well as the development of hotels and resorts, and the rest is history.

Established in 2014 by the Florida Department of State, the Florida Historic Golf Trail winds its way through more than 50 historic golf courses from Pensacola to Key West. The journey along the trail is a combination of nostalgic atmosphere with state-of-the-art links. From the moment you set foot on these fairways, you're stepping into the past. Many of these courses first welcomed players in the 1920s and 1930s, an era when Florida was blossoming with beautiful dreams and grand architecture.

With its par-71 championship links, the 18-hole Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables — considered one of the most walkable cities in Florida — still features the original design layout and respects almost all of its bunkers. Developed by real estate trailblazer George Merrick in 1921, the course adjoins the elegant Biltmore Hotel. With its Mediterranean architecture, it's an unbeatable combination to experience Old Florida at its most glamorous.

There's also the Eglin Golf Course in the Florida Panhandle. Built in the 1920s, as the potential of this undiscovered part of Florida drew the eye of savvy developers, players today enjoy the laid-back atmosphere, beautiful views, and vintage feel of the beautiful clubhouse. Plus, the course is located in Niceville, and who could argue with a town bearing that name?

Another highlight is the Key West Golf Club. The southernmost golf course in the continental U.S., it was built in 1923. The construction presented particular challenges, primarily because of the flat land and the lack of soil due to the coral rock bed. It was enough to stop regular developers, but not these pioneers, who opted to ship the soil in barges from the mainland. Today, the par-70 course is a beauty of swaying palm trees, stunning play for all levels, and a great spot to enjoy the most beautiful Key West sunsets.

The Florida Historic Golf Trail is a living, breathing collection of courses — carefully maintained, thoughtfully updated while honoring the original layout, and beloved by locals and visitors alike. Once you hit the ground running, you will be playing on courses designed by the best in the world, from Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen to Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus. Better yet, all of the 50-plus courses in the program are open to the public and no require no membership.

Ready for a round? The best time of year to plan your escape is during winter and early spring, when you will enjoy the legendary Florida weather. Fall, however, is also beautiful and somewhat less crowded. For accommodations, a number of historic golf courses on the trail offer stay-and-play packages in partnership with local hotels, some even including golf carts and green fees to make the experience seamless. You can also make a point to linger and visit the smaller towns where some of these links are nestled to discover a different side of Florida. Ultimately, the hardest decision will be choosing between Florida's Gulf Coast or the Atlantic Coast for your golfing getaway.

At the end of the day, each course along the trail has its own character and story to tell. Some have hosted PGA Tour legends and seen their fairways graced by royalty. Others are about relaxed camaraderie and retro charm. All, however, have adapted gracefully over the decades — offering visitors not only a glimpse of history but a warm, Floridian welcome.