If you’ve ever dreamed of playing on the same courses as the pros while enjoying top-tier accommodations, these four resorts offer the perfect blend of championship golf and resort luxury. Whether you’re tackling the island green at TPC Sawgrass, navigating the Snake Pit at Copperhead, embracing the legacy of Arnold Palmer at Bay Hill, or teeing it up at Harbour Town, these destinations deliver unforgettable golf vacations. Start planning your Southern Swing today!
As avid golfers, we love to test ourselves on the courses played by the very best in the game. The “Southern Swing” of the PGA TOUR includes some stops at amazing resorts with world-class amenities. Let’s take a look at four of those courses where any of us can tee it up and enjoy amazing “stay and play” experiences.
Sawgrass Marriot Golf Resort & Spa – Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida
The Crown Jewel of the Southern Swing is The Players held at TPC Sawgrass. TPC Sawgrass, designed by Pete Dye, opened in the fall of 1980, and the first Players Championship, now known as The Players, was held there in 1982.
Guests of the Sawgrass Marriot Golf Resort & Spa enjoy exclusive access to tee times, luxurious accommodations, a full-service spa, and multiple dining options. Whether you’re testing your game against PGA Tour history or simply soaking up the Florida sun, Sawgrass Marriott delivers a world-class golf getaway. Treat yourself by walking in the footsteps of the best players in the world at the home of the “fifth major”.
The only drawback might be the price tag. Tee times alone at the Stadium Course typically run north of $600.00.
Innisbrook Resort – Palm Harbor, Florida
Situated on Florida’s Western Gulf Coast, Innisbrook Resort is home to the Copperhead Course, the longtime home of the PGA Tour’s Valspar Championship. Copperhead is known as a shot-makers course, with its tree-lined fairways and rolling terrain uncommon for a Florida course. The closing three holes on the Copperhead Course are known as the “Snake Pit”. The Par-4 16th, Par-3 17th, and Par-4 18th are among the most treacherous closing stretch on the PGA Tour.
Resort guests can also enjoy three additional courses: the Island Course, which offers a similarly demanding layout with water hazards and elevation changes; the North Course, known for its tight fairways and small greens; and the South Course, a more open and forgiving design. With top-notch dining and a relaxing spa, and a wide variety of family activities available including the Loch Ness Monster Pool, Innisbrook is the perfect blend of challenge and comfort.
Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill Club & Lodge – Orlando, Florida
A visit to Bay Hill is a pilgrimage for fans of the King, Arnold Palmer. The amazing venue hosts the Arnold Palmer Invitational each year and remains one of the most revered stops on the PGA Tour. The championship course is a comprehensive test for the best players in the game but has also long been enjoyed by the average player. Bay Hill Club and Lodge features a 27-hole layout, consisting of three nine-hole courses: the Champion, Challenger, and Charger. The Invitational is contested on Champion and Challenger, forming a demanding course considered one of the toughest on the Tour. Among its most challenging holes are the long par-three 14th and 17th on the back nine, which have crushed the dreams of many aspiring champions. Staying at the Bay Hill Club & Lodge is the only way to access the course, offering guests an exclusive experience steeped in tradition and Palmer’s enduring legacy. Resort guests enjoy fine dining, a spa and fitness center, and a welcoming clubhouse atmosphere.
Sea Pines Resort – Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Sea Pines Resort is home to Harbour Town Golf Links, the long-time host course of the RBC Heritage Classic. Typically played on the week following The Masters, it offers players a relaxed atmosphere and is one of their favorite events to spend time with the family. Designed by Pete Dye with input from Jack Nicklaus, Harbour Town rewards strategy and precision over power.
Beyond Harbour Town, golfers can also experience Heron Point by Pete Dye, a course defined by dramatic mounding and risk-reward challenges, or Atlantic Dunes by Davis Love III, a breathtaking oceanfront layout inspired by classic Lowcountry designs. With luxurious accommodations and a wealth of activities—from boating to fine dining—Sea Pines Resort offers an amazing getaway on the South Carolina Coast.
Don’t miss out on the Hawk Walk, where you’ll have the chance to interact with trained Harris Hawks. The setting along the Black Banks River along with the opportunity to feed one of the majestic birds is an unforgettable experience.
Plan Your Ultimate Golf Getaway
If playing on the same legendary courses as the pros while enjoying world-class accommodations sounds like your dream trip, these four resorts deliver the perfect combination of championship golf and resort luxury. Whether you’re testing your skills on the island green at TPC Sawgrass, conquering the Snake Pit at Copperhead, following in Arnold Palmer’s footsteps at Bay Hill, or taking on the challenge of Harbour Town, these destinations promise an unforgettable golf experience. Start planning your very own Southern Swing!
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