There can only be so much of Scotland that can be channeled to Florida right? Wrong. There is as much Scotland as there is on this Ron Garl/Howard Swan golf vacation destination creation. The Eagle Creek Golf Club has everything Scotland in their brand of golfing that it feels like golfers have been transported to a time and place where nothing else matters but just the golfer and the sport.

The Eagle Creek Golf Club measures 7,198-yards from the longest tees, par-73. Some of the best and most interesting features of this golf course is that there 5 par-5s on course that golfers have to contend with. And the rest of the holes are even more so challenged by the bulkheads, over 90 bunkers and incessant Florida wind. For the challenge-seeking golfer, that is beauty right there – in its sheerest, cleanest, most beautiful form. Beauty of beauties. For the skill-challenged, there is not a reason to fret thought. The layout has five sets of tees to choose from. This is one golf vacation that’s worth more than its green fees – it’s the cheapest way to get an unforgettable Scottish golfing experience sans the transatlantic plane flight and the need for passports!

And speak of beauty, there is literally a huge helping of beautiful sights here too. It has preserved its nature endowments so well that the course is actually a holder of an Audubon International Sanctuary certification. Supposedly, there are only 600 of them around the world, handpicked, for being eco-friendly. There can only be so much beauty and value in a golf trip right? Wrong. The Eagle Creek Golf Club has it all in large quantities.

The Sugarloaf Mountain Golf Club in Minneola, 40 minutes outside Orlando, in Florida, is one really sweet treat without being too sickly sweet. It is like a low-calorie soda – you enjoy the best of it while dodging its worst end. Why, this golf vacation destination enjoys seclusion and exclusivity without being too far from the fun of downtown Orlando! And it’s a beautiful seclusion. Very beautiful, in fact.

With significantly dramatic elevation changes as much as 250 feet, the Sugarloaf Mountain Golf Club owes this unique golfing surface to the naturally hilly terrain of Minneola. This makes it a perfect, most welcome breather to the usual flat Florida golfing experience. This golf vacation favorite is a Ben Crenshaw/Bill Coore creation – the duo’s first in the Sunshine State. The mountain course features a lot of bunkers and is accentuated by lush natural forests of oaks and other native vegetation. And the best part? This place is well-secluded that there is not a single house in sight! Yes, all 7,076 yards from the longest tees, par 72, is an undisturbed, unparalleled view of the mountainous part of Orlando.

Now that’s a truly memorable golf trip. This is a love affair between the golfer, the sport, and the best of nature – and nothing else. And all that is just a little more than a stone’s throw away from everything that makes Orlando one of the most celebrated vacation hotspots in the US. This is the sweet life, not some gone-too-soon sugar rush. The Sugarloaf Mountain Golf Club opened in 2008 and has six sets of tees for play.

Talk is cheap, that much is true. At the Las Colinas Course in Orlando’s famed Mission Inn Resort, it does take a full round of game to confirm or disprove what much – or little – has been said about this golf vacation destination.

The Las Colinas Resort, whose name translates to ‘The Hills’ in English, is actually deemed a very playable and forgiving course. That is, in comparison to its more difficult and generally tighter sibling course (and famed classic on the facility), El Campeon. But it could eat any golfer alive if they let it. This is a long-hitter’s paradise; non-long hitters must double their efforts in getting the best side of the course. But in general, when the length is not bothering the golfer, it should be a fun, memorable and scenic game. At 7230 yards from the longest tees, par 72, it could get pretty overwhelming. But there are some six sets of tees to choose from. That gives a rather different flavor to the usual Florida golf vacation experience.

 Despite its sibling course being more notably difficult, truth is, the Las Colinas Resort has its own brand of grit to boast of. It is actually named one of the Top 25 Most Challenging Courses in Central Florida. On top of that, it is BEAUTIFUL. With oak hammocks, sparkly water features, rolling hills and excellent conditioning – all of which also contribute to its being challenging, this is one golf trip that will look good in the pictures as it is in the memory. Good-looking scorecards will depend solely on one’s skills though. Thus, talk is over; let the game begin.

Jack Nicklaus has always had this penchant for uniqueness and variety to couple with excellence. This has always been evident in his games, and now in all his golf course creations. Whether or not he intends for his courses to be difficult is a wonder. But that he intends for his courses to be interesting is without a doubt – YES. The Tradition Course in Orlando’s Reunion Resort is a very fine, fitting, and perfect example. The golf vacation destination stands out among Florida’s top courses, even without so much movement of earth.

Along with Tom Watson’s Independence and Arnold Palmer’s Legacy, the Tradition Course makes up the 54-hole facility known for being one of the best golf resorts in Orlando. This Nicklaus creation measures 7255 yards from the longest tees, par 72 with six sets of tees to play from and features a Parkland-style layout. This golf vacation favorite is known for its naturally smooth flowing terrain which Nicklaus did not do so much as intervene. He kept the natural flow of earth, added the holes where they are most interesting, put in some not-too-friendly bunkers, and waited and saw how golfers are going to conquer them with shot accuracy and technique. It was adjudged Florida’s most difficult both from tees for men and women. If Jack Nicklaus did that on purpose, nobody knows. The only thing sure is that he is up to giving guests a great, great golf trip at his creation.

And he must be successful and have done the right thing. The Tradition Course is not only reaping awards but is capturing the hearts of many golfers as their golf vacation favorite. It is as unique, as dynamic, as beautiful, and as memorable as only a Jack Nicklaus can create.