There are more than 50 private and public golf courses in the Miami area. Contact the Greater Miami Convention and Visitor's Bureau (tel. 800/933-8448; www.miamiandbeaches.com) for a list of courses and costs.
The best hotel courses in Miami are found at the Doral Golf Resort and Spa, home of the legendary Blue Monster course as well as the Gold Course, designed by Raymond Floyd; the Great White Shark Course; and the Silver Course, refinished by Jerry Pate.
Other hotels with excellent golf courses include the Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort & Club, with two Robert Trent Jones, Sr.-designed courses for guests and members, and the Biltmore Hotel, which is my pick for best public golf course because of its modest greens fees and an 18-hole par-71 course located on the hotel's spectacular grounds. It must be good: Despite his penchant for privacy, former President Bill Clinton prefers teeing off at this course over any other in Miami!
Otherwise, the following represent some of the area's best public courses. Crandon Park Golf Course, formerly known as the Links, 6700 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne (tel. 305/361-9129), is the number-one-ranked municipal course in the state and one of the top five in the country. The park is situated on 200 bayfront acres and offers a pro shop, rentals, lessons, carts, and a lighted driving range. The course is open daily from dawn to dusk; greens fees (including cart) are $148 per person during the winter and $65 per person during the summer. Special twilight rates are also available.
One of the most popular courses among real enthusiasts is the Doral Park Golf and Country Club, 5001 NW 104th Ave., West Miami (tel. 305/591-8800); it's not related to the Doral Hotel or spa. Call to book in advance, since this challenging, semi-private 18-holer is extremely popular with locals. The course is open from 6:30am to 6pm during the winter and until 7pm during the summer. Cart and greens fees vary, so call tel. 305/592-2000, ext. 2104 for information.
Known as one of the best in the city, the Country Club of Miami, 6801 Miami Gardens Dr., at NW 68th Avenue, North Miami (tel. 305/829-8456), has three 18-hole courses of varying degrees of difficulty. You'll encounter lush fairways, rolling greens, and some history to boot. The west course, designed in 1961 by Robert Trent Jones, Sr., and updated in the 1990s by the PGA, was where Jack Nicklaus played his first professional tournament and Lee Trevino won his first professional championship. The course is open daily from 7am to sunset. Cart and greens fees are $40 to $75 per person during the winter, and $20 to $34 per person during the summer. Special twilight rates are available.
Golfers looking for some cheap practice time will appreciate Haulover Beach Park, 10800 Collins Ave., Miami Beach (tel. 305/940-6719), in a pretty bayside location. The longest hole on this par-27 course is 125 yards. It's open daily from 7:30am to 6pm during the winter, and until 7:30pm during the summer. Greens fees are $7 per person during the winter and summer. Handcarts cost $2.
