The old-school avid golfer knows how big a fan of risk-reward games Arnold Palmer is. This much is true on almost every Palmer course. The PGA National – Palmer Course on the PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach is a little more forgiving than the usual Palmer creation. With its open fairways and Bermuda greens that are large and rather accommodating, there is also much room for golfers on this golf vacation destination without being so intimidated for their lower skill levels.

PGA National – Palmer Course is known for not being too penalizing. Golfers can make an errant shot or two but not suffer for it for too long. The undulating fairways of this golf vacation haven allow second chance shots for golfers, and the best rewards for creative and daring shots. Truly, a risk-reward layout. Another notable feature of this course is the escalating excitement and beauty in the holes as the game goes further. Its 17^th hole is listed the most challenging, but with a quick follow of the most scenic 18^th hole. Palmer gave such and interesting finish to this course.

Amongst the largest of the five courses on the Resort, the PGA National – Palmer Course measures 7,079 yards from the longest tees and plays for a par of 72. Palmer made good use of every hazard on the course – having a total of 48 bunkers, and water playing on 16 holes, to make any golf trip set here not so much a risk but a most rewarding experience.

Pete Dye’s taste in golf course architecture borders on the eccentric, sometimes being the subject of conservatives’ ire and criticism. The PGA Golf Club – Dye Course in Port St. Lucie, Florida was no different. The collaboration project between Dye and the PGA of America had to go through “surgery”, to tame the golf vacation destination. The result? Not anywhere close to “tamed”, but a little more relaxed for a Dye creation. And as expected from this golf course designer, it is as beautiful as it is challenging.

The links-style golf vacation favorite has been renovated by Dye himself, creating a layout that highlights the natural beauty of Port St. Lucie, and sweeping views of the stunning 100-acre “Big Mamu” wetlands. The course is surrounded by pine straw roughs, huge coquina waste bunkers, grass-based bunkers, and generally generous landing areas. Although the course looks threatening, it actually is not. It may seem as it is, but to the patient golfer, the PGA Golf Club – Dye Course is more forgiving.

Apart from offering quite a good round to any golfer, this golf trip haven is nature-sensitive too. Its drainage system has undergone a massive reconstruction, too, to ensure that it is environmentally healthier, to complement its superbly challenging layout. The PGA Golf Club – Dye Course also features the PGA Learning Center Golf Park, the PGA Historical Center, and a citation from Golf for Women as one of the top 50 Courses for women. From being an unconventional course to a much less eccentric one, this Pete Dye creation is a true testament to his genius; its excellence in layout never changed one bit even after the transition, and nevertheless earning golfers’ admiration in the process.

If there is one thing that is required of a golfer at the Ponte Vedra Golf & Country Club , it would be strategic thinking. That and the many other vacation essentials, of course. This golf vacation destination offers many twists that force the players to plan well before hitting to not waste a round. Most of its holes are tricky – the 378-yard, par-4 hole has a tough water hazard. Because of their attractive and strategic designs, holes 2 and 8 were featured as the best 18 holes in Jacksonville City. But no matter how difficult this course is, it comes with a promise of a reward for the smart golfer.

 Ponte Vedra Golf & Country Club is always in good shape that is why it is a favorite destination of visitors who want to spend a relaxing and enjoyable golf vacation. It features impressive, tree-lined fairways and smooth greens that demand an intelligent shot-placement. Its course rating of 71.4 and a slope rating of 138 will surely test the skills of the golfers even though it is only 6,383 yards from the tips. Aside from precise shooting and course management skills, this course also lets the players to wisely choose what type of club to use depending on the Atlantic breeze.

 And the wise golfer gets a neat scorecard, naturally. But Ponte Vedra Golf & Country Club is not all tough, serious, gripping games. Its welcoming atmosphere will also relax the minds of the visitors while the clubhouse that features dining, locker rooms, and golf shops will complete their golf trip. Now if that is not in itself a reward, then nothing is.

One element that determines the greatness of a golf vacation destination is it’s difficulty – golfers, especially the pros, are more attracted to a challenging course. The Grand Club – Pine Course offers lots of hazards for golfers that’s why it is a favorite among Jacksonville’s best golf courses – for pros and hobbyists alike.

 A golf trip here will test the patience of the golfers. The rolling fairways offer a widely open layout that can be more forgiving than other courses. Half of the holes are surrounded by numerous water hazards: ponds, creeks, canals, and lakes. The toughest trouble can be experienced around the greens and fairways that are encircled by white sand traps. If players overcome these hazards, they find themselves making an approach shot on the large undulated greens. But of course, The Grand Club – Pine Course doesn’t want the average golfers to be left behind. The four sets of tee boxes offer them a great chance to shoot their best round.

 Opened in 2006, this Arnold Palmer design, The Grand Club – Pine Course features a good 7,100 yards of golf. The course rating is 73.5 while its slope rating is 126 on Bermuda grass. This 18-hole, par-72 golf spectacle has played host to numerous events that include the Junior Golf Tour Championship and the PGA Tour Qualifying School. With a four-star rating by Golf Digest, spending a golf vacation in this challenging course will undoubtedly satisfy the tournament players as well as the average golfers.

Merging two contrasting things in one setting is hard to imagine. But when it is accomplished harmoniously, this only means one thing – it is a must-see. And one golf vacation destination in Florida has this feature. The Golf Club at Fleming Island has a contrasting back and front nine that will absolutely grab the attention of its guests. The front nine consists of wide fairways and strategically placed sand bunkers, creating a classic links feeling. While on the back nine, golfers will find themselves surrounded by native wetlands and densely tree-lined fairways, giving a more secluded atmosphere.

 The Golf Club at Fleming Islandis designed by Robert Weed. It opened in September 2000 and features 6,801 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 71. The course has a rating of 72.7 and a slope rating of 136 on Bermuda grass. A golf trip here will prove to challenge the visitors but with its five sets of elevated tee boxes, they can have an enjoyable round of golf regardless of skill levels. Before starting the game, the players can warm up at the practice facilities that have five practice greens, sand traps, and a driving range.

 The Golf Club at Fleming Island has been the site of US open qualifying and was also named the 5^th best affordable course in America by Golf Digest. With its opposite nines and different tees, a golf vacation here will there won’t be a contrast in emotions as they will all be synonymous to one thing: FUN.

Bent Creek Golf Course in Jacksonville, Fl., has seen itself in significant growth in the past 20 years since it opened in 1989. From its name down to its many improvements over the years, this premier golf vacation destination has come of age to be worthy of truly representing the city of Jacksonville as its own golf course.

Golf legend Bobby Weed headed the design for Bent Creek Golf Course, with another legend, Mark McCumber as its consultant. The golf vacation haven is heavily mounded, a great way to add attitude to an otherwise flat North Florida terrain. The holes wind through an outgrowth of tall pines, creeks, ponds, and marsh, that make the course both visually stunning and challenging to golfers of all handicaps. The course has also maintained the course to be as close to nature as it possibly can, thus it earned them an Audubon Certificate. Back in the day, the course was known as The Golf Club of Jacksonville. Over the years, apart from changing the name, there have been many significant changes inside the course. Its size, its maintenance crew, among other things that made it even better.

Bent Creek Golf Course now measures 6,620 yards and plays for a par of 71. It is now home to one of Jacsonville’s premier golfing academies, the Bent Creek Golf Academy. As it sees itself in continuous growth, the golf course has also seen a growing number of patrons who have found their favorite golf trip destination this side of town.