It’s a sad time of year for golfers in most of the country: Greens are covered in snowbanks and clubs have been relegated to the hall closet behind the snow shovel. But escaping to Miami can have you swinging on some of the world’s greatest courses year-round.
South Florida’s omnipresent sunshine and generous rainfall mean even Miami’s municipal golf courses and pitch-and-putts are lush and verdant. But Miami golf reaches its pinnacle on some of the world’s most famous courses, where some of history’s greatest have played.
Miami has something for the golf spectator as well, as courses like Turnberry Isle and Doral have hosted numerous PGA and LPGA tournaments and championships.
Miami legend Don Shula made his reputation as head coach of the Miami Dolphins, but these days his name is more associated with golf, specifically Shula’s Hotel & Golf Club in Miami Lakes.
About 40 minutes from One River Point’s luxury tower, The Senator course at Shula’s is classically designed and tropically landscaped. Designed in 1962 by Bill Watts, the course was updated in 1998 by golf architect Kipp Schulties. The par 72 covers 500 shady acres and includes a driving range and practice area.
Shula’s Golf Club can accommodate anything from a twosome to a tournament, and, as the home of the Original Shula’s Steakhouse, can offer an upscale 19th hole experience. The restaurant celebrates Shula and the undefeated 1972 Dolphins, the only team to play a perfect season.
The Senator is also a Florida location for the Bird Golf Academy, which offers three-, four- or five-day instruction with your personal instructor, bringing your game to new heights.
More information is available at www.shulasgolfclub.com.
One of Miami’s oldest landmarks, the Biltmore Hotel has a long and storied history. Conceived of and opened as a luxury resort in the 1920s, the hotel became a military hospital during World War II. It remained a VA hospital until 1968 and was the first site of the University of Miami School of Medicine before being returned to its original use and glory.
But before the hotel came the Biltmore Golf Course: The 6,800-yard, par 71 debuted in January 1925, a year before the hotel and country club. It was designed by Scottish immigrant Donald Ross, the foremost golf architect of the era.
The Biltmore is a simple seven-mile drive from One River Point.
After your round, you can indulge in fine dining or a quick bite in one of several restaurants The Biltmore Hotel has to offer, including Palm d’Or, Fontana and the 19th Hole Bar & Grill.
The Biltmore course is also world headquarters of the Jim McLean Golf Schools, offering one-on-one lessons, group clinics, golf camps and other instruction. Former pro McLean’s tutelage has produced winners at both PGA and LPGA tournaments.
The Biltmore also hosts Planet Golf custom shop, where golfers can have clubs custom fit, repaired or regripped.
Visit www.biltmorehotel.com/golf/ for more information.
Encircling a 100-year-old Banyan tree, the Turnberry Isle resort has been named one of the “World’s Best Resorts” by Travel + Leisure magazine. For golfers, that means 36 holes of Miami golf on two painstakingly manicured courses.
Originally designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Sr., the resort’s two courses have been updated by golf icon Ray Floyd. Try not to be distracted by the ducks, swans and flamingos that make their home in the courses’ large water hazards.
Play is limited to members and resort guests.
The club’s Soffer course is a par 71 at 7,047 yards; the Miller course is par 70 at 6,417 yards.
The signature 18th hole on the Soffer course calls for an approach shot to a small island green next to a 64-foot waterfall.
Turnberry Isle has hosted several PGA and LPGA tournaments, including the U.S. Seniors PGA Championship for three consecutive years. It is not on the current PGA schedule.
Turnberry’s Ray Boone Golf Academy offers both individual instruction and group clinics. Greens fees include a GPS-equipped electric cart and a forecaddie.
Turnberry is a direct 17-mile trip north on Interstate 95 from One River Point.
For more information, visit www.turnberryislemiami.com/golf.
Arguably Miami’s most famous golf resort, the Trump National Doral Golf Club hosts the PGA Tour’s World Golf Championships every March.
When golfers think Doral, they think the Blue Monster. But Doral actually boasts an additional three courses to challenge players at all levels:
Named one of America’s 50 best golf teachers by Golf Digest, Doral’s Rick Smith can help you meet the challenge of the Blue Monster. His Rick Smith Golf Performance Center offers on-course lessons, video analysis and multi-day schools. Smith has coached golf greats, including Jack Nicklaus and Phil Mickelson.
Located in far west Miami-Dade County, Doral is worth the hour-long trip from One River Point. Directions and more information can be found at www.trumpgolfdoral.com/.
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