Golf never grows old. It is a classic sport that never finds itself a passe; a venue where the generations past and the upcoming ones could compete head to head. Even old golf courses are as beautiful as when they were new, especially if the brand of golf experience they offer are a beautiful, classic combination of natural scenery, natural terrain, and a fun and extremely challenging layout. Such is one of Florida’s most classic golf facilities, The Plantation Inn and Golf Resort. Golf vacations here are a truly Floridan experience, set at another time and age.

This sixty year old golf complex in Crystal River was a Mark Mahannah creation and has all the makings of a classic, and is already one in its own right. The Plantation Inn and Golf Resort offers 27 holes of golf, playing on natural Florida wetlands and woods, getting as close to nature as possible. Guests can choose to either play a short game of nines at the Loops Course, or a full game at the 18-hole Champions course. Apart from natural undulations and tight fairways, the golf vacation destination has the signature features of golfing in the Sunshine State: bunkers (lots of them) and water (21 of 27 holes).

A classic by all respect, the Plantation Inn and Golf Resort thankfully belongs to an environment that respects and lives ‘classic’. Crystal River belongs to the Old Florida, a far cry from the beautiful mess of urban Central Florida, without necessarily being distant. Thus golf trips here are a certified breather, a calm and truly peaceful retreat from the usual complexities of modern golfing. It is a communion with the glory days of the sport hereabouts and with nature itself.

The Eagles Golf Club is Odessa, Florida, is one of the most highly recognized golf facilities in the Odessa and Tampa Bay area. What, with 36 fine holes – each with a promise of a most unforgettable golf outing, it should not be surprising. The Forest Course, and its sibling, The Lake, were made to have distinct features to make golf vacations hereabouts as dynamic and as challenging as any golfing enthusiast could ever ask for.

The Forest Course, for one, has two separate nines, made by three well-respected characters in the world of golf. Rick Robbins and the famous NBC-TV Commentator Gary Koch created the front nine of the course. It is most noted for the par 4 No. 3 and the signature hole, the par-4 No. 6. The third hole is known for being a challenging but enjoyable hole that would have the golfers thinking of going all the way or taking it the easy way – with water guarding the entire right side and the heavily bunkered greens. The No. 6 island hole is said to be comparable in beauty and difficulty with TPC at Sawgrass’ signature 17^th. The back nine, on the other hand, is the handiwork of Rob Garl and is known to have some of the most picturesque holes. These holes are carved out of dense forests, giving golf trips here a distinctly “close-to-nature” feel.

Stretching to more than 6,700 yards from the championship tees, and playing for a par of 72, the Forest Course is meticulously maintained to be in impeccable, tournament condition all year round. That, and its many superb amenities, all make the Eagle Golf Club the ultimate golf vacation destination this side of the country.

The Highlands South Course of the famed Innisbrook Resort in Tampa Bay is not exactly the odd one out in the golfing facility. True, it does have the “odd one” feel to it, but it definitely is not an outcast. If anything, it is the most unique of the four courses on site, and definitely still ranks according to the standards set by the other courses on this golf vacation destination.

Just like its sibling courses, the Highlands South Course is also a Lawrence Packard creation, measuring 6,620 yards from the championship tees, playing for a par of 71. What makes this rather different is the “links-like” atmosphere to it. This course opens with a traditional Florida layout of treelined fairways, but opens with a rather loud bang come the 5^th hole. From the par 3 No. 5 all the way down the 13^th, the holes stretch through a large open prairie gives golf vacations here a Scottish feel. But the presence of water on 10 of its 18 holes are enough a reminder that golfers are still in Florida.

The rolling terrain, numerous bunkers on the fairways and the return to treelined fairways from the 14^th to the closing holes further tell that it is in fact a Florida course. The Highlands South course plays for a par of 71 and has four sets of tees to accommodate golfers of any skill level. With its perfect combination of Florida and Scots features, this course is surely the ‘odd one IN’ destination for memorable golf trips.