Golf is a precision club-and-ball sport, in which competing players, using many types of clubs, attempt to hit balls into each hole on a golf course while employing the fewest number of strokes. Golf is one of the few ball games that does not require a standardized playing area. Instead, the game is played on golf courses where now two are alike. For 12 months of the year, the golfing enthusiast will find the golf courses in South Florida open and challenging.  The modern game originated in Scotland around the 12th century, with shepherds knocking stones into rabbit holes on the current site of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews.

Golfing is not an extreme sport but is a great form of physical exercise that almost anyone can do no matter how old.  Golf requires coordination, concentration, and physical effort, to swing the ball and play well.  In addition playing 36 holes over acres of land can equate to walking up to 2.5 miles and .5 miles if you use a cart. Neil Wolkodoff a scientist, who is the director of the Rose Center for Health and Sports Sciences in Denver, Colorado conducted a study to find out the number of calories burned while playing golf. Walking- 721 calories, riding- 411 calories, using push cart-718 calories, using caddie- 613 calories
The study concludes that golfers who walk 36 holes a week will burn around 2,900 calories per week. The threshold of 2,500 calories burned in a week is an important one. Studies have shown that those who burn 2,500 calories a week improve their overall health by lowering their risk of heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Directory of recommended vendors:

Biltmore Golf Club
305-460-5366
1210 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, FL 33134
18 hole course-Monday-Friday 7 am-7 pm, Saturday-Sunday 6:30 am-7 pm

Briar Bay Golf Course
305-235-6667
9375 SW 134th Street Kendall FL 33157
9-hole course, carts, putting green, pro shop, twilight rate, reservations required. Open daily 7:30 am-8 pm

California Golf Club
305-651-3590
20898 San Simeon Way, North Miami Beach, FL 33179
18 hole course

Country Club of Miami
305-829-8456
6801 Miami Gardens Drive (NW 186th Street), Miami FL 33015
18-hole courses, carts, driving range, putting green, clubhouse, pro shop, twilight rate, reservations required. Open daily 6 am-6 pm

Crandon Golf Course
305-361-9129
6700 Crandon Blvd, Key Biscayne, Miami FL 33149
18-hole course, carts, driving range, putting green, clubhouse, pro shop, twilight rate, reservations required. Open daily 7 am-sunset

Calusa Country Club
305-386-5534
9400 SW 130th Avenue, Miami, FL 33186
18-hole semi-private course; Par 72

Costa Del Sol Golf Course
305-592-9210
100 Costa Del Sol Blvd, Miami, FL 33178
18-hole public course; Par 72

Doral Golf Resort & Spa
305-592-2030
4400 NW 87th Avenue, Miami, FL 33178
90-hole resort courses; Par 70 – 72; Blue Monster Course, Gold Course, Great White Course, Red Course, Silver Course

Doral Silver Course Golf Course
305- 477-1906
5001 NW 104th Avenue, Doral FL 33178
The 18-hole “Doral Silver Course” at the Doral Silver Course facility in Miami, Florida features 6,557 yards of golf.

Fontainebleau Park Golf Course
305-221-5181‎
9603 Fontainebleau Blvd, Miami, FL 33172
36-hole public courses; Par 72; East Course, West Course

International Links Golf Club
305-663-4583
1802 NW 37th Avenue, Miami, FL 33125
18-hole semi-private course; Par 71

Killian Greens Golf Club
305-271-0917
9980 SW 104th Street, Miami, FL 33176
18-hole public course; Par 72

Miami Beach Golf Club
305-532-3350
2301 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL 33139
18-hole public course; Par 72

Miami Country Club
305-829-8449
6801 Miami Gardens Drive, Miami, FL 33015
36-hole public courses; Par 70 – 72; East Course, West Course

Miccosukee Golf & Country Club
305-382-3930
6401 Kendale Lakes Drive, Miami, FL 33183
27-hole public course; Par 70 – 72; Barracuda/Marlin Course, Dolphin Barracuda Course, Marlin Dolphin Course

Palmetto Golf Course
305-238-2922
9300 SW 152nd Street, Miami, FL 33157
18-hole public course; Par 70

Westview Golf Course
305-685-2411
2601 NW 119th Street, Miami, FL 33167
The 18-hole “Westview” course at the Westview Country Club facility in Miami features 6,592 yards of golf.

Orangebrook Golf & Country Club
954-967-4653
400 Entrada Drive, Hollywood, FL 33021
36 hole, historic, championship golf facility. Located in the heart of Hollywood, our full service lounge, grille and banquet facility can accommodate up to 250 guests.

Hillcrest Golf & Country Club
954-987-5000
4600 Hillcrest Drive, Hollywood, FL 33021
18th hole provides an exciting conclusion to your round of golf with an Island Green surrounded with a bulkhead. This par 72 layout measures 7,076 yards from the Championship tees.
lrissman@hillcrestgcc.com

Bonaventure Country Club
954-389-2100
200 Bonaventure, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33326
36 Holes of extraordinary golf, featuring (2) Championship 18-Hole golf courses unencumbered by residential communities, creating a scenic golf experience.

Coral Ridge Golf Course
954-449-4406
3801 Bayview Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
18 holes over 7,095 yards with a par of 72 (Private Non-Equity)

Grand Oaks Gold Club
954-916-2900
3201 W Rolling Hills Circle, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328
18 holes over 6,905 yards with a par of 72 (Private Non-Equity)

Lauderhill Golf Course
954-730-2990
4141 NW 16th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33313
9 holes over 1,200 yards with a par of 30 (Municipal)

Oak Tree Gold Course
954-733-8616
2400 W Prospect Road, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
18 holes over 6,666 yards with a par of 71 (Public)

Pine Island Ridge Golf Course
954-472-1080
9400 Pine Ridge Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33324
18 holes over 4,886 yards with a par of 64 (Private Non-Equity)

Weston Hills Country Club
2600 Country Club Way Fort Lauderdale, FL 33332
18 Holes over 7,069 yards, Private golf course, Par: 72

Plantation Preserve Golf Course
954-585-5020
7050 W  Broward Blvd, Plantation, FL 33317
Beginning golfers and seasoned pros will be challenged by the 18-hole championship golf course, approximately 7,000 yards in length playing to a par 72.  Every hole has been constructed with 5 sets of tee boxes, allowing players to set their own level of difficulty.

East & West Course at Jacaranda Golf Club
954-472-5836
9200 W Broward Blvd, Plantation, FL 33324
18 Holes over 7,245 yards, Semi-Private golf course,Par: 72.

Lago Mar Country Club
954-472-7044
500 NW 127th Avenue, Plantation, Florida 33325
18 Holes over 6,756 yards, Private golf course, Par: 72.

Deer Creek Golf Club
954-429-0006 or 954-421-5550
2801 Deer Creek Country Club Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-7999
18 Holes over 7,050 yards, Public golf course, Par: 72

North  Course at Fort Lauderdale Country Club
954-587-8040
415 E Country Club Circle, Plantation, FL 33317-4001
18 Holes over 6,915 yards, Private golf course, Par: 72

South Course at Fort Lauderdale Country Club
954-587-8040
415 E Country Club Circle, Plantation, FL 33317-4001
18 Holes over 6,661 yards, Private golf course, Par: 70

Championship at Hollybrook Golf & Tennis Club
954-431-4545 or 954-431-0600
900 S Hollybrook Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025
18 Holes  over 6,460 yards, Private golf course, Par: 72

Flamingo Lakes Country Club
954-435-6110
701 SW Flamingo W Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
18 Holes over 6,100 yards,  Semi-Private golf course, Par: 71

Grand/Royal at Grand Palms
954-437-3334
110 Grand Palms Drive, Pembroke Pines, FL 33027
18 Holes over 6,768 yards,  Resort golf course, Par: 72

Pembroke Lakes Golf & Racquet Club
954-431-4144
10500 Taft Street, Pembroke Pines, FL 33026
18 Holes over 6,555 yards, Public golf course, Par: 72

Raintree Golf Resort
954-432-1500
1600 S Hiatus Road, Pembroke Pines, FL 33025
18 Holes over 6,461 yards,  Resort golf course, Par: 72

Deerfield Country Club
954-427-4400
50 Fairway Drive, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441-1897
18 Holes over 4,120 yards, Private golf course, Par: 63

Hillsboro Pines Golf Course
954-421-1188
2410 Century Blvd, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442-3378
18 Holes over 3699 yards, Public golf course, Par: 62

Blue/Orange & Orange/Brown at Delaire Country Club
561-499-0770
4646 White Cedar Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33445
18 Holes over 5,920 yards, Private golf course, Par: 72

Boca Delray Golf & Country Club
561-495-1616
5438 Boca Delray Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33484
18 Holes over 3,071 yards, Private golf course, Par: 60

Delray Beach Golf Club
561-243-7380
2200 Highland Avenue, Delray Beach, FL 33445
18 Holes over 6,907 yards, Public golf course, Par: 72

Delray Country Club
561-499-2424
14800 Cumberland Drive, Delray Beach, FL 33446
18 Holes, Semi-Private golf course

Hamlet Country Club
561-498-8298
3600 Hamlet Drive, Delray Beach, FL 33445
18 Holes over 6,552 yards,  Private golf course, Par: 72

Intrepidation, Salvation And Redemption Golf Course at Addison Reserve
561-637-9555
7201 Addison Reserve Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33446
18 Holes, Public golf course

Kings Point Executive Course
561-499-7840
6561 Flanders Way, Delray Beach, FL 33484
18 Holes over 3,756 yards, Semi-Private golf course, Par: 60

Kings Point Par-3 Course
561-499-0140
6900A Tuscany Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33446
18 Holes over 2,149 yards, Public golf course, Par: 54

Lakeview Golf Club
561-498-3229
1200 Dover Road, Delray Beach, FL 33445    18 Holes over 3,001 yards, Public golf course, Par: 60

Legends East & West at Gleneagles Country Club
561-496-1333
7667 Victory Lane, Delray Beach, FL 33446
18 Holes over 5,932 yards, Private golf course, Par: 71

Little Club
561-278-5830
100 Little Club Road, Delray Beach, FL, 33483
18 Holes over 2,089 yards, Private golf course, Par: 54

Mizner Country Club
561-638-5600
16104 Mizner Club Drive, Delray Beach, FL 33446
18 Holes over 6,734 yards, Public golf course, Par: 72

Polo Trace Golf Club
561-495-5300
13397 Hagen Ranch Road, Delray Beach, FL 33446
18 Holes over 7,182 yards, Public golf course, Par: 72

Sherwood Park Golf Course
561-499-3559
170 Sherwood Forest Drive, Delray Beach, FL 33445
18 Holes over 3,733 yards,  Semi-Private golf course, Par: 62

St. Andrews Club
561-272-5050
4475 N Ocean Blvd, Delray Beach, FL 33483
18 Holes over 1,974 yards,  Private golf course, Par: 54

Villa del Ray Golf Course
561-498-1444
6200 Via Del Ray, Delray Beach, FL  33484
18 Holes over 6,241 yards, Semi-Private golf course, Par: 71

Southwinds Golf Course
561-482-3354
19557 Lyons Road Boca Raton, FL 33434
18 hole over 6,018 yards,Public Course, Par 70,

West Palm Beach Golf Course
561-582-2019
7001 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33405
18 hole over 6,800 yards, Par 72

Emerald Dunes Golf Course
561-687-1700
2100 Emerald Dunes Drive, West Palm Beach, FL 33411
Private, 18 hole over 7,006 yards, Par 72
info@edgclub.com

Cypress Creek  Country Club
561-732-4202
9400 S Military Trail, Boynton Beach, FL 33436
Semi-Private, 18 holes over 6,531 yards, Par 72
info@cypresscreekcountryclub.com