LPGA International
Designed with women in mind, the LPGA International's Champions Course has three tees rated for women and all are challenging but very playable. The white tees have a slope and rating of 77.3/145 and should be played only by nearly scratch golfers. The gold (74/137) and red (70.2/125) are both under 6,000 yards, have few forced carries and will offer a rewarding experience, even for high-handicappers. This public course is consistently ranked at the top of any "women-friendly" golf list.
LPGA International
300 Champions Drive
Daytona Beach, Florida 32124
(386) 274-5742
lpgainternational.com
The King & The Bear
The World Golf Village's signature course, The King & The Bear is surprisingly fun for women. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus collaborated on this beautiful, parkland course, lined with pine trees and dotted with lakes. Two tees are rated for women, the whites (5,987 yards) and the greens (5,119). The number of forced carries is limited and the ladies' tees were part of the original design rather than an afterthought. The Slammer & The Squire is also quite playable for women. This is a resort/public golf course that runs great specials.
The King & The Bear
1 King & Bear Drive
St. Augustine, Florida 32092
(904) 940-6200
golfwgv.com
Southwood Golf Club
Since it opened in 2002, the Southwood Golf Club has been a star: It has been ranked on Golf Digest's "Best Places To Play" list multiple times as well as making the "Golf For Women" Top 50 list, and in 2007, it was selected the best course in Tallahassee by "Tallahassee" magazine. Designed by Fred Couples, the course is old Florida at its best, with rolling greens and oak trees dripping with Spanish moss. There are six sets of tees, two rated for women -- the Garnet (74.3/130) is just over 6,000 yards and the Green (70.2/117) is more manageable at 5,228. There are two shorter tees for beginners and kids. This is a public golf course.
Southwood Golf Club
3750 Grove Park Drive
Tallahassee, Florida 32311
(850) 942-4653
southwoodgolf.com
Grand Cypress
Choose the North/East combination for the best experience at the Jack Nicklaus-designed course. The North is one of the original courses at the complex and has some steep lies and well-guarded greens. The East is the more manageable of the two, with open fairways, fewer bunkers and the opportunity to roll the ball rather than carry it onto the green. The white (5,878 yards) and red (5,056) are rated for women, but the whites require long fairway play. This is a semi-public course with limited tee times available.
Grand Cypress Golf
1 North Jacaranda
Orlando, Florida 32836
(407) 239-4700
grandcypress.com
About The Author
J.D. Chi is a professional journalist who has covered sports for more than 20 years at newspapers all over the United States. She has covered major golf tournaments and the NFL as well as travel and health topics. Chi received her Bachelor of Arts in professional writing from Carnegie Mellon University and is working toward a master's degree in journalism.
