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Wisconsin has earned its place on the golf map. Between championship venues, lakefront layouts, and smart, old-school designs, it is a dream for players who value feel over flash. The only problem is timing. The season is short, the shoulder months are unpredictable, and just when you find your rhythm, winter shows up. North Florida solves that problem without asking you to trade in the kind of golf you love. It offers traditional, thoughtfully designed courses, a serious golf culture, and easy access to multiple rounds in a compact area - all wrapped in a warmer climate that keeps fairways green when Wisconsin is shut down.
For golfers who care about architecture, history, and “earned” rounds, North Florida feels less like a vacation gimmick and more like a seasonal extension of their home scene. It is still real golf, just with more playable months and a relaxed coastal backdrop. Here are five courses that show exactly why this region pairs so naturally with Wisconsin golfers planning their next trip.
King and Bear Course
The King and Bear Course in St. Augustine is a dream for golfers who respect the roots of the game. Co-designed by Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, it is the only course in the world that carries both of their signatures, which instantly gives it the kind of credibility Midwest players appreciate. Wide, oak-lined fairways, water in play on multiple holes, and a mix of linksy openness with tree-framed precision create a layout that feels both classic and modern at the same time.
Wisconsin golfers who love courses that tell a story will feel at home here. The front nine plays more open, encouraging confident swings, while the back nine tightens with towering trees and strategic hazards that demand control. It is the kind of round that feels special without ever feeling overproduced. Booked through GolfTroop, King and Bear can easily anchor a North Florida itinerary built around serious, high-pedigree golf.
Slammer and Squire Course
The Slammer and Squire Course offers something Wisconsin golfers truly appreciate - straightforward, honest golf that still looks and feels big-time. Designed with input from legends Sam Snead and Gene Sarazen, it favors strategy, tempo, and smart angles over tricks or forced heroics. You get generous landing areas off the tee, but approaches and green complexes quietly test your discipline.
For golfers used to Wisconsin’s traditional layouts, Slammer and Squire will feel like a natural continuation of their favorite home courses, just with palm trees and milder air. It is scenic without being distracting and challenging without trying to be punitive. That balance makes it ideal for a first round of the trip or as a “confidence builder” before taking on the area’s tougher tests, all within an easy, trip-friendly radius.
TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course
Every serious Wisconsin golfer has at least one “bucket list” course in mind, and the TPC Sawgrass Stadium Course is almost always on that list. As the long-time home of THE PLAYERS Championship, it is one of the most recognizable venues in the world, famous for its island-green 17th and stadium-style design built for spectators. The layout is ruthless but fair, crafted so that no two consecutive holes play in the same direction and every decision carries weight.
For golfers from Wisconsin who follow professional golf closely and respect shot-making under pressure, playing Sawgrass turns a winter trip into a career highlight. It is not just about the scorecard - it is about standing on the same tees you have watched on TV for years and seeing how your game stacks up against a genuine championship test. With GolfTroop helping you secure access and package logistics, that once-distant idea becomes a very real, very playable experience.
St Johns Golf Club
St Johns Golf Club is the epitome of a “player’s course” - smart, thoughtful, and rewarding for those who bring control and a plan. Located in Northeast Florida, it has a reputation for solid design and strong value, with an emphasis on angles, positioning, and green-side precision rather than length alone.
That approach lines up perfectly with the sensibilities of Wisconsin golfers, who tend to value substance over spectacle. The course feels premium in how it plays and presents itself, but it never crosses into unnecessary flash. It is the kind of place where you walk off 18 thinking about the shots you could have played differently - the hallmark of a layout worth replaying. As part of a North Florida trip, it adds depth and variety while staying firmly in the “serious golf” category.
TPC Sawgrass Valley Course
While the Stadium Course grabs the headlines, the TPC Sawgrass Valley Course is a perfect complement, especially for groups traveling from Wisconsin. It delivers tour-level conditioning, thoughtful routing, and a championship feel, but with a more forgiving personality than its famous neighbor. You still get water, bunkering, and strategic holes, but the overall experience leans a bit more toward fun than punishment.
For a Wisconsin group building a multi-round North Florida getaway, this course fits beautifully as the round before or after the Stadium Course. It keeps the prestige and quality high while making sure everyone in the group, regardless of handicap, enjoys the day. That balance is key when you want the trip to feel big-time without wearing everyone out mentally.
Why North Florida just works for Wisconsin golfers
When you look at what defines golf in Wisconsin - substance, tradition, smart design, and a community of players who truly care about the game - North Florida lines up almost point for point. The difference is timing and climate. Instead of cramming all your best golf into a short summer window, you can stretch your season into the winter and early spring with courses that feel familiar in style but elevated in accessibility and weather.
For Wisconsin golfers planning their next trip, North Florida offers:
- A true “golf-first” culture with respected, pedigree-rich courses
- Classic parkland and coastal-influenced designs that mirror Midwest values
- Warm-weather access exactly when local courses are closed or unplayable
- Easy-to-build itineraries that combine bucket-list stops with pure “player’s courses”
Simple, tailored package planning through GolfTroop
Instead of waiting for the snow to melt or the frost delays to clear, you can keep your game sharp on courses that feel like a natural extension of what you already love at home. Plan your next North Florida golf trip with GolfTroop and turn winter into your new favorite stretch of the season.
