Brooksville, Florida is not the first place you might consider when planning your next golf trip; however, with a great collection of championship golf courses including several that are nationally ranked, Brooksville is the perfect alternative to most Florida golf trips. Without the hustle and bustle of more notable tourist spots, the area is charming and quaint, the terrain is atypical of most of Florida, and the golf is exceptional.

Located 70 miles north of Tampa International Airport and situated along a secluded corner of Florida's Gulf Coast, the Plantation Golf Resort & Spa makes use of every square foot of the 232-acre property for some form of recreational activity. Highlighted by 27 championship-caliber golf holes, the resort also includes two lighted tennis courts, heated outdoor pool, volleyball, shuffleboard, and croquet. The hotel restaurant offers a daily a la carte breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For lighter fare, guests can try the Library Bar, the 19th Hole Grill, or the poolside Bar & Grill. Base your group here and you can play golf right on property or easily get to other area courses such as Southern Hills.

Southern Hills Plantation, the only private Pete Dye course in the Tampa area, opened in 2006 to rave reviews with Golfweek naming Southern Hills "One of the Top 50 New Courses in the United States" and "One of the Top 100 Residential Courses in the United States." Featuring elevation changes of nearly 250 feet, the course has a distinctive Carolina feel, yet with five sets of tees ranging from 5205 to 7557 yards, the course is very playable for golfers of all skill levels. Take advantage of this limited opportunity to play one of Florida's best courses.

Currently ranked #25 on Golfweek's list of "America's Best Modern Courses," Pine Barrens at World Woods is one of Tom Fazio's best designs to date. Since opening in 1991, the course has been collecting awards and accolades. Affectionately known as "Florida's Pine Valley," Pine Barrens is perennially ranked among the nation's top courses by Golf Digest. The course features large fairways framed by expansive waste bunkers and towering pines (hence the comparisons to Pine Valley). If you are staying in Brooksville it is a must play. If you are staying in Ocala, Tampa, or Orlando, it is well worth the scenic drive to play this masterpiece.

Although built right next door, the land occupied by Rolling Oaks at World Woods, another Tom Fazio gem, provides a stark contrast to that at Pine Barrens. Here you'll find huge oak trees draped with Spanish moss within a landscape reminiscent of Augusta National, including the gorgeous Azaleas! The course features beautiful rolling fairways and well-defined bunkers with bright white sand. Fazio's mindset must have been completely different when designing both courses, but the end results are nothing less than spectacular. Particularly enjoyable are the great par-three holes at Rolling Oaks. Play them both for one of golf's most exciting 36-hole days!

For accommodations in Brooksville, Vander Valk USA Vacation Homes, located in the charming town of Inverness, offers three-, four- and five-bedroom homes are just the ticket for groups of golfers looking for one big home to share. All units are individually decorated and offer plenty of room to unwind with large living/dining area, fully equipped kitchen, and screened lanais with private pool. These units are located away from the hustle and bustle of other tourist areas, but close to a variety of great courses. In fact, it's an easy trek to play Lake Jovita, Hernando Oaks, Silverthorn, and World Woods.

Be sure to consult with one of our "Golf Agents" if you have any questions. See you on the first tee!

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