Fort Lauderdale's golf scene offers something for everyone, from Donald Ross masterpieces to $6.99 executive courses that won't break the bank. With 59 courses packed into a 15-mile radius, the region serves up everything from PGA Tour-tested layouts to beginner-friendly municipals where you can learn without mortgaging your house. Whether you're chasing that elusive single-digit handicap or just trying to avoid the water hazards, South Florida's golf playground has your back.
The championship courses that separate contenders from pretenders
The Club at Emerald Hills stands as the ultimate ego check, earning the USGA's number one rating in South Florida with a slope rating of 148 that'll humble even scratch golfers. This Bruce Devlin and Robert Von Hagge design from 1969 doesn't mess around, featuring contoured bunkers and greens so meticulously maintained they make your home course look like a goat pasture. With a course rating of 78.6 from the tips, this beast demands precision on every shot, making it the kind of place where you either play the round of your life or question every swing thought you've ever had.
Green fees range from $39 during summer twilight to $179 during peak season, but serious players consider it worth every penny for what many reviewers call "the most challenging golf course in the region." You can book your time directly through their website, though fair warning… this course has a way of exposing every weakness in your game.
Eagle Trace Golf Club brings legitimate PGA Tour pedigree to public play, having hosted the Honda Classic eight times between 1984 and 1996. Arthur Hills's 1983 design stretches 7,040 yards from championship tees with a course rating of 74.0 and slope ratings that'll test every club in your bag. The signature island green earned Greg Norman's memorable "carnival golf" critique during windy 1991 conditions, though most mortals find it challenging enough without hurricane-force breezes.
Under ClubLink management, the semi-private facility now features Golf Channel Academy instruction with TrackMan technology, perfect for figuring out why your drives keep finding the palmetto bushes. Recent reviews note some declining course conditions and pace-of-play issues, but the bones of a championship layout remain intact.
Hollywood Beach Golf Club preserves Donald Ross's architectural genius from 1924 on a rare 110-acre property with zero residential development cluttering the views. The unique par-70 layout features five par-3s averaging 171 yards, creating a 6,305-yard test that rewards accuracy over raw distance. Currently closed for major renovations until early 2026, this historic gem represents South Florida's most significant golf landmark, assuming they can restore it to its former glory without modern "improvements" that would make Donald Ross roll over in his grave.
Municipal courses where your wallet stays happy
Top value picks for budget-conscious golfers
Plantation Preserve Golf Course & Club represents municipal golf done right, offering championship conditions on Sea Dwarf Paspalum grass at rates that won't require selling plasma. As the newest course in Broward County, this 2006 Robert von Hagge design stretches just under 7,150 yards from the back tees, with cart-included rates ranging from $55-69 for Florida residents in summer to $105-125 during peak snowbird season.
The facility's excellent maintenance makes it feel more like a private club than a municipal operation, and you can book advance tee times five days out for the general public or seven days if you spring for membership privileges.
Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course delivers 36 holes of affordable golf with personality, featuring Greg Norman's newly redesigned Pines Course and the classic Palms Course that's been serving locals for over 50 years. Summer rates start at just $36 for residents with cart included, while walking rates drop to a ridiculous $23 for 18 holes. Both courses carry that distinctive salt air smell from the nearby Atlantic, with ocean breezes that'll either help your slice or make it spectacularly worse.
The City of Lauderhill Golf Course wins the ultimate affordability contest with hot deal rates plummeting to $6.99 on booking platforms. This nine-hole, par-30 executive course stretches just 1,200 yards, making it perfect for beginners learning the basics or experienced players wanting quick practice rounds without the four-plus hour commitment. You can find these deals on discount platforms if you're willing to hunt for bargains.
Best municipal course features:
- GPS-equipped carts at most facilities
- Resident discounts up to $20 per round
- Practice facilities included with green fees
- Adaptive equipment for mobility challenges
- Annual membership options available
Where to actually learn this impossible game
Palm-Aire Country Club's Conte's Golf Academy stands as the region's most comprehensive teaching facility, previously ranked among America's top eight instruction centers before golf magazines started handing out rankings like participation trophies. The academy's PGA and LPGA professionals bring 125-plus years of combined experience across three championship courses designed by George and Tom Fazio plus William Mitchell.
Programs range from intensive "Day with a Professional" experiences to beginner-friendly Get Golf Ready sessions for women who've been dragged into the sport by golf-obsessed spouses. Their junior camps and First Tee initiatives serve ages 7-17, teaching kids the fundamentals before they develop the bad habits that plague weekend warriors everywhere.
Eagle Trace Golf Club partners with Golf Channel Academy to deliver technology-driven instruction featuring TrackMan launch monitors and SAM PuttLab analysis. Their comprehensive junior program includes PGA Jr. League Golf and Elite Junior Programs with three package options, plus the Little Rippers Beginning Program using the SNAG system for six-week introductions that actually make sense to newcomers.
The introductory special of $69 monthly makes professional instruction accessible without requiring a second mortgage, though fair warning that good instruction often reveals just how much you don't know about this game.
Essential instruction programs
Top learning opportunities:
- Video swing analysis at multiple facilities
- Custom club fitting services available
- Junior programs starting age 6
- Get Golf Ready women's programs
- First Tee character development integration
Deer Creek Golf Club in Deerfield Beach operates two on-site golf schools within its impressive 30,000-square-foot Key West-style clubhouse. The Arthur Hills-designed course hosts weekly clinics, full-day schools, and mini-schools led by PGA and LPGA professionals who've seen every swing flaw known to humanity. Their practice areas support lessons on the actual 7,050-yard, par-72 layout featuring TifEagle greens that roll truer than most players deserve.
Timing the market like a savvy investor
Peak season from December through April brings perfect conditions with temperatures between 60-85°F and minimal humidity, though green fees jump 40-60% higher than summer rates in a classic supply-and-demand demonstration. Snowbirds flood courses during these months, creating slower pace of play that can turn a four-hour round into a daylong endurance test requiring advance booking at the maximum allowed window.
Plantation Preserve exemplifies this seasonal pricing dance, with rates rising from $69-89 summer specials to $105-125 for Florida residents during peak season, while out-of-state visitors pay up to $135 for the privilege of perfect weather golf.
Summer golf from May through October offers exceptional value for those willing to brave 85-90°F temperatures and afternoon thunderstorms that build like clockwork in western Broward. Morning tee times before 9 AM provide the best conditions, avoiding the typical afternoon deluge that can turn fairways into temporary lakes. Courses like Oriole Golf Club advertise "the best summer rates in Broward County" while municipal facilities slash prices significantly to maintain play volume during the sweaty months.
Hurricane season from June through November adds another layer of complexity, with courses implementing extensive preparation protocols and recovery periods that can stretch for weeks after major storms. Most courses overseed during September-November with 2-4 week closures, followed by cart-path-only restrictions for approximately one month after reopening.
Seasonal booking strategy:
- Peak season requires maximum advance booking
- Summer mornings offer best weather value
- Twilight rates provide year-round savings
- Hurricane season brings course closures
- Overseed periods limit cart access
Smart course selection for every skill level
Matching courses to your actual ability
Beginners benefit most from starting small and building confidence rather than jumping into championship layouts that'll crush their souls. The City of Lauderhill's 1,200-yard executive course provides the least intimidating introduction at bargain prices, while Pompano Beach Municipal's adaptive equipment and patient staff create accessible learning environments where mistakes don't feel catastrophic.
Palm-Aire Academy offers structured learning programs that teach fundamentals properly from the start, preventing the swing flaws that plague self-taught players for decades. Plantation Preserve provides excellent practice facilities at reasonable rates for those developing their games without the pressure of private club expectations.
Intermediate players ready for more challenge should consider Jacaranda Golf Club's 36 holes for variety and regular play opportunities, or Deer Creek Golf Club's Arthur Hills design that rewards improving skills without brutal punishment for minor mistakes. The Country Club of Coral Springs offers newly renovated facilities without membership requirements, though rates reflect the quality improvements.
Advanced players seeking legitimate tests should prioritize The Club at Emerald Hills for its punishing 148 slope rating, Eagle Trace for genuine PGA Tour history, or Coral Ridge Country Club if private access becomes available. Deer Creek commands premium pricing from $150-165, but delivers championship-quality conditions that justify the expense for special occasions.
Course selection by handicap:
- Beginners: Executive courses under 3,000 yards
- Mid-handicappers: Municipal courses with forgiveness
- Low handicappers: Championship layouts with teeth
- Scratch players: Maximum slope ratings available
Tourists find the best experiences at historically significant venues like Hollywood Beach Golf Club for Donald Ross architecture, assuming it reopens successfully from current renovations. Eagle Trace offers Honda Classic heritage with public access, while Plantation Preserve provides championship conditions at municipal prices with easy online booking five days in advance.
Recent changes reshaping the landscape
Fort Lauderdale Country Club's $3.7 million North Course renovation completed in November 2019 created flexible tee options ranging from 4,800 to 7,100 yards, accommodating everyone from junior golfers to tour-level players. The Country Club of Coral Springs unveiled a brand-new clubhouse alongside course improvements that produced what recent players call "some of the best greens in South Florida."
These investments demonstrate continued confidence despite market challenges that have claimed weaker facilities like Margate Executive Golf Course, now being converted to 132 townhomes in a familiar South Florida story of golf real estate becoming regular real estate.
Davie Golf Club's summer 2024 green renovation paired with new Yamaha golf carts featuring USB ports and plush seats shows how municipal courses compete for modern golfers' attention. Hollywood Beach Golf Club's massive renovation project represents the largest ongoing investment, targeting early 2026 reopening with promises to restore Donald Ross's original vision.
The market faces legitimate oversupply challenges as development pressure threatens several marginal courses, following permanent closures that removed playing options from an already competitive landscape. ClubLink's management of Eagle Trace draws mixed reviews for maintenance standards and service quality, highlighting operational challenges facing some facilities trying to maximize profits while maintaining golf course standards.
Practical planning that actually works
Most Fort Lauderdale courses enforce traditional golf attire with collared shirts required and denim prohibited, though enforcement varies based on how busy they are and whether you look like you'll tip the cart staff. Soft spikes or spikeless shoes remain mandatory everywhere, while club rentals typically cost $40-60 for 18 holes with decent equipment from major brands.
Practice facilities vary dramatically between courses, with driving range tokens running $8-14 per basket depending on the facility's pretensions. Premium places like Jacaranda and Plantation Preserve offer extensive short-game areas, while budget courses like Davie provide basic chipping areas and practice greens that serve their purpose without frills.
Transportation presents few challenges with free parking standard everywhere and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport sitting within 15 minutes of most courses. The Club at Emerald Hills sits less than one mile from the airport, making it perfect for golf trips that maximize playing time over travel logistics.
Essential booking platforms:
- GolfNow for hot deals
- TeeOff with no fees
- Direct course websites for specials
- Municipal sites for resident rates
Public courses typically allow bookings seven days in advance, while loyalty programs and memberships extend this to 8-30 days for regular players. Broward County residents should always inquire about discounted rates that can save $10-20 per round at municipal facilities, assuming you can prove residency without producing your entire life history.
Smart booking strategies focus on twilight rates starting at 3 PM and super twilight after 5 PM for the best year-round values, with courses like Davie charging just $32 for late-afternoon rounds even during peak season. The South Florida PGA GolfPass provides discounted access to private and semi-private courses typically unavailable to public play, though the savings depend on how much golf you actually play versus how much you think you'll play.
Fort Lauderdale's golf landscape delivers authentic championship experiences alongside accessible municipal options, creating opportunities for every player type and budget level. Whether you're testing yourself against USGA's toughest ratings or learning the game on forgiving executive courses, the region's 59 courses provide enough variety to keep any golfer interested without requiring relocation to Scotland.
