Golf Courses in Miami: Where to Play and What It Costs
Tee off at Crandon on a January morning and the first thing you notice is the water: Biscayne Bay on one side, lakes and mangroves threaded through the holes, and pelicans working the shoreline while you look for your ball. Twenty minutes away in Coral Gables, golfers are playing a Donald Ross course laid out in 1925 beneath the tower of the Biltmore Hotel, and out in Doral, visitors are paying resort prices to take on the Blue Monster’s famous finishing hole. The golf courses Miami is known for are not packed together as they are in Naples or Palm Beach, but the best of them are genuinely memorable, and several are open to anyone who books a tee time.
This guide covers the courses a visitor can actually play, what they cost in each season, when to go, how to book, and how to fit a round into a Miami trip. Green fees were checked in September 2026 and change by season and time of day, often sharply between summer and winter; treat every figure as a guide and confirm on the course’s own site before you book. For the rest of Miami’s sporting life, see our Miami sports guide.
Miami Golf at a Glance
| Course | Where | Type | Visitor green fee guide | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne | Key Biscayne | County, public | About $95 in the afternoon to about $179 at peak times, cart included | The best public round in Miami |
| Biltmore Golf Course | Coral Gables | City-owned, public | $227 for visitors on weekday mornings, cart included | History, setting and a Donald Ross layout |
| Miami Beach Golf Club | Miami Beach, 2301 Alton Road | Municipal | $168 summer, $181 early winter, $281 peak season | Convenience if you are staying on the beach |
| Normandy Shores Golf Club | Normandy Isle, North Beach | Municipal | Rates include cart and range balls; check current prices | A quieter Miami Beach round |
| Trump National Doral | Doral | Resort, open to the public | Dynamic pricing by date and time | The Blue Monster and a golf-resort stay |
| Miami Springs, Palmetto, Country Club of Miami | Around the county | Municipal and county | Usually the cheapest 18-hole rounds | Value and local color |
| Granada and Haulover | Coral Gables; Haulover Park | Nine-hole courses | Inexpensive | A quick nine, beginners and families |
Across the region’s public and semi-private courses, 18-hole rounds run from roughly $35 to a little over $100 for most tee times outside the premium venues, and winter rates are typically 20 to 35 percent higher than summer ones.
When to Play
Miami golf runs to two very different seasons, and the price difference between them is large.
- Peak season, roughly mid-December to April, brings the best weather of the year, dry and in the 70s and low 80s°F, along with the highest green fees and the busiest tee sheets. At Miami Beach Golf Club, a visitor’s round rises from $181 in early winter to $281 from 17 December 2026 to 30 April 2027. Book as early as the course allows.
- The shoulder weeks of November and May are often the sweet spot: pleasant weather, easier tee times and prices below the winter peak.
- Summer, from May to October, is the cheapest time to play and the hardest. It is hot and humid from early morning, and thunderstorms build most afternoons. Book the first tee times of the day, drink more water than you think you need, and expect lightning delays after lunch. Hurricane season runs from June to November, and a storm can close courses for days.
Our best time to visit Miami and weather by month guides go into the seasons in more detail.
Month by month
| Month | Typical weather | What it means for golf |
|---|---|---|
| January–February | Highs in the upper 70s°F, lows in the 60s, dry | Ideal conditions, peak prices, book early |
| March–April | Around 80°F, still dry | Peak prices continue; busy with spring visitors |
| May | Warming fast, first storms | Summer rates begin at many courses |
| June–September | Hot and humid, afternoon storms most days | The cheapest rounds of the year; tee off at dawn |
| October | Mid-80s°F, storms easing | Still summer pricing at many courses; a good gamble late in the month |
| November | Around 80°F and drier | Shoulder rates and pleasant golf; a sweet spot |
| December | Upper 70s°F | Peak rates return mid-month |
Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne
If you play one round in Miami, make it this one. Crandon is a Miami-Dade County course on the bay side of Key Biscayne, designed by Robert von Hagge and Bruce Devlin and opened in the early 1970s, and it is regularly ranked among the best public courses in Florida. Holes run along Biscayne Bay and around a chain of lakes and mangrove channels, with the downtown skyline on the horizon, and for years it hosted a senior professional tour event. It is also the rare Miami course that feels like nature rather than a housing development.
Public green fees in 2026 ran from about $179 at peak times down to about $95 in the afternoon, with a cart included for casual play. The wind off the bay is the course’s main defense, and it changes character completely from a still summer morning to a breezy winter afternoon. The drive over the Rickenbacker Causeway is part of the experience, and there is a toll to pay on the way. Afterwards, the beach at Crandon Park and the lighthouse at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park are minutes away; our Key Biscayne guide covers the island.
Biltmore Golf Course, Coral Gables
The Biltmore course was designed by Donald Ross and opened in 1925, a year before the hotel whose tower still looms over it. It belongs to the City of Coral Gables and is open to the public, and it has been restored in recent years in the spirit of Ross’s original design. The appeal is less the difficulty than the setting and the history: this is where the Miami of the 1920s played, and Babe Ruth was among the golfers who teed it up here.
It is not cheap for visitors. On weekday mornings before 2:30 p.m., a round with cart cost $227 for visiting guests in 2026, against $143 for Miami-Dade residents and $112 for Coral Gables residents. Afternoons are cheaper. The hotel’s restaurants and the famous pool make it easy to build a whole day around the round; our Coral Gables guide covers the neighborhood.
Granada Golf Course
A few minutes away, the nine-hole Granada course dates from the early 1920s and is one of the oldest courses in Florida still in play. It is short, inexpensive and charming, a good choice for a quick nine at the end of the day, for beginners, or for a round with children.
Miami Beach Golf Club and Normandy Shores
Miami Beach has two municipal courses, which is two more than most visitors expect.
Miami Beach Golf Club, at 2301 Alton Road in Mid-Beach, is the convenient choice if you are staying on the island: a well-kept course a few minutes from most hotels. Visitor green fees for the 2026–27 season are $168 in summer (to 31 October), $181 from 1 November to 16 December, and $281 in peak season, from 17 December to 30 April. The public can book five days ahead, and South Florida and Miami Beach residents get lower rates with ID. Rental clubs cost $80, and range buckets $18 to $25. The peak-season price is high for a municipal course, and you are paying for the location as much as the golf; in summer and early winter it is much better value.
Normandy Shores Golf Club, on Normandy Isle in North Beach, is the quieter of the two, with rates that include the green fee, the cart and range balls. Check current prices on the club’s site or by phone. Our North Beach and Surfside guide covers the neighborhood, and Miami Beach vs South Beach explains how the island’s neighborhoods differ.
Farther north, Haulover Park has a nine-hole par-3 course a few steps from the beach, a relaxed, inexpensive round that works well for beginners and families.
Trump National Doral and the Blue Monster
Doral, west of the airport, is Miami’s golf resort: 72 holes across four courses, the Blue Monster, the Golden Palm, the Red Tiger and the Silver Fox. The Blue Monster is the famous one. Designed by Dick Wilson in 1962 and rebuilt by Gil Hanse in 2014, it hosted a PGA Tour event for more than half a century, and its 18th hole, a long par 4 with water all the way down the left, is one of the best-known finishing holes in American golf. The resort has hosted LIV Golf events in recent years.
The courses are open to the public, with tee times sold through the resort’s booking system at prices that change with the date, the time and demand; the resort does not publish a fixed rate card. Expect resort pricing for the Blue Monster, especially in winter, and compare the price of a round with a stay-and-play package if you are staying in the area. The Blue Monster is the bucket-list round in Miami, and it is the one golf experience in the city that is famous beyond it.
The Value Courses
Miami-Dade County and the county’s cities run several 18-hole courses that are cheaper, quieter and more local than the headline names.
- Miami Springs Golf & Country Club, beside the airport, is a city course that dates from the 1920s and hosted professional tournaments in golf’s early days. It is a sensible choice if you are staying near the airport or have time to kill before a flight.
- Palmetto Golf Course, a county course in the south of Miami-Dade, is a solid, inexpensive round with a strong local following.
- Country Club of Miami, in the northwest of the county, is a county-run facility with two courses and a busy local scene.
None of these will appear on a bucket list, and all of them offer a decent round at a fraction of the resort price. Check each course’s site for current rates, which vary by season, residency and time of day.
Resort Courses Beyond the City
- JW Marriott Miami Turnberry Resort & Spa in Aventura has two Raymond Floyd courses, used mainly by resort guests and members. If you are staying there, they are the obvious choice.
- Jacaranda Golf Club, in Plantation in Broward County, has two courses rated four stars by Golf Digest, with preferred tee times for guests of the Seminole Hard Rock hotels. It is a good option if you are based in Fort Lauderdale; see our Fort Lauderdale from Miami guide.
Our luxury resorts guide covers the resort hotels in more detail.
Which Course Suits You?
- A low handicapper who wants a test: the Blue Monster at Doral, or Crandon from the back tees on a windy winter afternoon.
- A golfer who wants the best all-round day out: Crandon, followed by lunch and a swim on Key Biscayne.
- A history lover: the Biltmore, ideally with a drink at the hotel afterwards.
- Someone staying on the beach with one free morning: Miami Beach Golf Club, or Normandy Shores if you are staying farther north.
- A beginner, a family or anyone short of time: the nine holes at Granada or the par-3 course at Haulover.
- A business traveler near the airport: Miami Springs, a few minutes from the terminals.
- A budget golfer: the county and municipal courses in summer, at the earliest tee time available.
The Course That Became a Stadium
For decades, the city-owned Melreese golf course beside Miami International Airport was one of the most accessible places to play in Miami, and home to a youth golf program. In 2018, Miami voters approved a plan to turn the site over to Inter Miami, and the course closed to make way for Miami Freedom Park. Its fairways are now under Nu Stadium, which opened in April 2026; our Nu Stadium guide tells the story. Local golfers still mention it with some regret.
Practical Tips
- Book ahead in winter. Miami Beach Golf Club opens public tee times five days out; other courses have their own windows. Morning tee times in peak season go first.
- Play early or late. Morning rounds beat the heat, and afternoon and twilight rates, such as Crandon’s, are far cheaper than peak-time prices.
- Rent rather than fly with clubs for a single round. Rentals are $80 at Miami Beach Golf Club, less than many airlines charge to fly a golf bag both ways.
- Dress the part. Collared shirts and golf shoes or soft spikes are expected at most courses, even the municipal ones.
- Respect the lightning. Summer storms build quickly, and courses clear the moment lightning is detected nearby. Rain-check policies vary, so ask when you pay.
- Watch the wildlife. Iguanas, herons and ospreys are everywhere, and alligators live in some freshwater lakes. Leave a ball near the water’s edge where it is.
- You will need a car. The courses are spread across the county, from Key Biscayne to Doral and Miami Beach. Our car rental guide covers tolls and insurance.
- Hydrate. Even in winter, the Florida sun is strong. Carry water on the cart and drink it.
Planning a Golf Trip
Miami works well for a golf trip built around three or four rounds with plenty of beach, food and nightlife in between. A good mix is Crandon for the scenery, the Biltmore for the history, Miami Beach Golf Club for convenience and, if the budget allows, the Blue Monster for the story. Stay at the Biltmore or at Doral if golf is the main event, since both put a course at the door; stay on Miami Beach or Key Biscayne if the beach matters as much as the golf. Golfers travelling with non-golfers will find it easy to split the day: the Biltmore’s pool, Crandon’s beach and the shops of Coral Gables are all close to the first tee. Our where to stay in Miami guide compares the neighborhoods.
A three-day golf trip
- Day one: an early round at Crandon, lunch on Key Biscayne and an afternoon on the beach at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.
- Day two: the Biltmore in the morning, lunch in Coral Gables and a swim in the Venetian Pool, the 1920s coral-rock quarry turned public pool a short drive from the course.
- Day three: the Blue Monster if the budget allows, or Miami Beach Golf Club if you would rather spend the savings on dinner, then an evening on the beach.
Practice, Lessons and Watching the Pros
Most of the public courses have practice facilities; at Miami Beach Golf Club, a bucket of range balls costs $18 to $25. Doral has its own golf academy for lessons, and most club pros at the municipal courses teach too, so ask the pro shop if you want a session before your round.
If you would rather watch than play, professional golf is thinner on the ground in Miami than it used to be. The PGA Tour event that was played at Doral for more than fifty years left after 2016, although the resort has hosted LIV Golf events since. The nearest PGA Tour stop is the Cognizant Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, about ninety minutes north, usually in late February or early March. Check the tour’s schedule for the dates.
Honest Verdicts
- Crandon is the best public round in Miami, and in the afternoon it is also good value.
- The Biltmore is worth it for the history and the setting, less so if you only care about difficulty or price.
- Miami Beach Golf Club’s peak-season price is steep for a municipal course. Play it in summer or early winter, or pay for the convenience knowingly.
- The Blue Monster is a bucket-list round at bucket-list prices. Play it once if it matters to you.
- Summer golf is cheap because it is hot. Take the first tee time of the day and be finished before the storms.
- Rent clubs for a single round. It is cheaper and easier than flying with your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a round of golf cost in Miami?
At public and semi-private courses, most 18-hole rounds cost roughly $35 to a little over $100, with winter prices 20 to 35 percent higher than summer ones. Premium courses cost more: in the 2026–27 season, Miami Beach Golf Club charges visitors $281 in peak season, the Biltmore $227 on weekday mornings, and Crandon up to about $179 at peak times.
What is the best public golf course in Miami?
Crandon Golf at Key Biscayne, a county course set along Biscayne Bay among lakes and mangroves. The Biltmore in Coral Gables is the best choice for history and setting.
Can the public play the Blue Monster at Doral?
Yes. The courses at Trump National Doral are open to the public, with tee times sold through the resort’s booking system at prices that vary by date and time.
When is the cheapest time to play golf in Miami?
Summer, from May to October, when green fees are at their lowest. It is also hot, humid and stormy, so book the earliest tee times.
Can I rent clubs in Miami?
Yes, at most courses. Miami Beach Golf Club charges $80 for rental clubs, which is usually cheaper than flying a golf bag for a single round.
Do I need a car to play golf in Miami?
Realistically, yes. The courses are spread from Key Biscayne to Doral and Miami Beach, and a rideshare with a golf bag is awkward and expensive. If you are staying on Miami Beach without a car, Miami Beach Golf Club is the one course close enough to reach easily by taxi.
What should I wear to play golf in Miami?
A collared shirt, golf shorts or trousers and golf shoes or soft spikes are expected at most courses, including the municipal ones. Add a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water; even in winter the sun is strong.
Which Miami golf course has the best views?
Crandon, where holes run along Biscayne Bay with the downtown skyline on the horizon. The Biltmore’s tower is the most memorable backdrop in Coral Gables.
Is there golf on Miami Beach?
Yes. Miami Beach Golf Club in Mid-Beach and Normandy Shores Golf Club in North Beach are both municipal courses open to visitors, and Haulover Park, just north, has a nine-hole par-3 course.
Related Miami Guides
- Miami Sports Guide — every team, venue and event in the city.
- Coral Gables — the Biltmore and the neighborhood around it.
- Key Biscayne — Crandon, the beaches and the lighthouse.
- Luxury Resorts in Miami — including the golf resorts.
- Best Time to Visit Miami — seasons, weather and prices.
- Renting a Car in Miami — you will need one for golf.
Photo Credits
Doral golf course: DoralGolfResortNovember2010 by Cfmyers, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Crandon Park from the air: Florida, cayos 5 by LBM1948, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
The Miami Biltmore and golf course postcard: Coral Gables – Miami Biltmore Hotel and Golf Course 01 by Aero-Graphic Corp., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
Remaining photographs from the miamitourism.org library.