Labor Day Golf Getaway Weekend on Florida's First Coast

Plan the perfect escape to Northeast Florida over Labor Day Weekend for a golf getaway with these suggestions on where to stay — and play — what to eat and what to experience.

Early September means “endless summer” in Northeast Florida, with plenty of sunshine and an occasional cooling rainshower. It’s a great time to get outside and play a few more rounds of summer golf before fall kicks off into high gear.

1. Find Your Perfect Hotel or Resort

The main ingredient in your getaway weekend is your home base in Northeast Florida. Would you like to stay near the action of major cities like Jacksonville? Or would you rather be beachside, near one of our famed waterfront courses? Or perhaps just as close as possible to one of our legendary golf courses?

You’ll find some of the state’s top hotels and resorts in this region of Florida, based in one of five distinct destinations: Amelia Island, Jacksonville & the Beaches, Clay County, Palm Coast and Flagler Beaches, and St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra Beaches.

  • Amelia Island has 13 miles of uncrowded white sand beaches, sparklingly clean waters, abundant wildlife, and world-class resorts and spas. It was voted #6 among the “Top 10 North American Islands” by Conde Nast Traveler’s 2008 Reader’s Choice Awards.
  • Jacksonville, a bustling port city and naval base, is Florida’s largest city. In addition to its cultural richness and cosmopolitan nightlife, Jacksonville also has the largest urban park system in the United States and is just a short drive away from popular beaches, including Jacksonville Beach. Check out Hampton Inn Jacksonville Beach Oceanfront for an experience right on the beach.
  • Clay County is home to trendy suburbs and quite a few award-winning golf courses. If you want a quieter setting but one that’s only a short drive from the hustle and bustle of Jacksonville, this area is calling your name.
  • Palm Coast and Flagler Beaches is a serious golfer’s wildest dream come true. This location is for players who want to hone their craft in a breathtakingly beautiful natural setting.
  • Known as Florida’s Historic Coast, St. Augustine and Ponte Vedra blend fascinating historic cities, 42 miles of stunning coastline, more than a dozen championship golf courses — including the iconic PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass — and accommodations ranging from quaint bed and breakfasts to premier golf resort communities such as World Golf Village.

Our convenient booking tool makes choosing your preferred property a breeze, allowing you to search for accommodations based on location, accommodation type, and price. By selecting a specific accommodation, you can learn more about its amenities, such as onsite and nearby golf courses and pool, beach, and spa access. You can also browse available vacation packages, often including lodging, several rounds of golf, and even a rental car.

2. Choose Your Preferred Courses

Now that you’ve identified where you’ll be staying, it’s time to map out where you’ll be playing along Florida’s First Coast. With over 100 miles of coastal golf courses to choose from, golfers of all skill levels are sure to find their perfect course in Northeast Florida.

Play where THE PLAYERS play at the iconic Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass and try to sink your own signature hole-in-one in the famed 17th Island Green. Drive and putt your way through courses designed by golf’s all-time greats, including Arnold Palmer’s Hidden Hills Golf Club or the Clyde Johnston-designed St. Johns Golf & Country Club.

Golfers seeking an ocean view while they’re on the green will find themselves in paradise at Hammock Beach Resort’s Ocean Course, which has holes and greens stationed just feet from the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Novice and experienced golfers can both find a memorable experience at the celebrated The Amelia River Club, or choose-your-own-adventure as you navigate the 27 holes of Fernandina Beach Golf Club on Amelia Island, also home to the Lighthouse Driving Range with Toptracer technology.

Click here to browse all of our area courses, or, if you already know where you’re looking to play, book your tee time today. Extend your play into the evening hours by booking a semi-private bay at TopGolf, a part-driving range, part-sports lounge experience in Jacksonville.

3: Refuel and Refresh at the “19th Hole”

After an invigorating day of golf, delight your palate with a meal and quench your thirst at an iconic Northeast Florida eatery, including several golf club dining options. Golf aficionados shouldn’t leave the region without paying homage to the authentic CaddyShack restaurant, owned and operated by the Murray brothers, where you can “Eat, Drink, and be Murray” all night long. At the legendary TPC Sawgrass, relax after your round of golf at the Stadium Course or Dye’s Valley Course at NINETEEN. The club’s on-site restaurant, bar and lounge features sweeping views from its outdoor patio, TOUR-level hospitality and menu items crafted using fresh, seasonal ingredients, such as Florida Grouper Tacos, Calabrian Scallops and a Superfood Bowl that will power the remainder of your golf getaway.

If you’re looking to enjoy more fresh seafood, there’s no better place than at an authentic “fish camp.” These seafood-centric eateries could take the form of a stand at a local farmer’s market, an open air dining deck, or a hip eatery run by culinary school grads — all of which will have no shortage of the freshest fish available. Popular fish camps to try include Palm Valley Fish Camp in Ponte Vedra, Julington Creek Fish Camp in Jacksonville, and Whitey’s Fish Camp in Fleming Island just south of Jacksonville. If seafood is not your thing, consider some of the other dining options available in Clay County, Jacksonville and Palm Coast.

four pints filled with different types of beer

If you are a craft beer lover and can tolerate a golf-free afternoon or early evening during your weekend getaway, sip your way through the Jax Ale Trail with your buddies or significant other. Along the way, sample beers from famous local breweries such as Bold City Brewery and Intuition Ale Works.

Imbibers can also consider visiting Manifest Distilling for a tasting tour of Jacksonville’s only full-scale organic distillery or sip on one of Ice Plant’s signature craft cocktails — such as a Florida Mule — in a historic distillery in downtown St. Augustine. You can also wet your whistle at Florida’s oldest bar, the Palace Saloon, on Amelia Island.

4. Relax on the Beach

No visit to the First Coast is complete without a visit to one of our signature white, sandy beaches. Fortunately, there is a beach for everyone in Northeast Florida, whether you are a nature lover, a water sports enthusiast, or a family with young children. Jacksonville Beach is the place to be for all the action, including a series of summer festivals and concerts, a famous fishing pier, and a plethora of other land and sea activities.

If you are a nature lover or you prefer quieter, less crowded beach scenes, a rustic beach such as Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island may be just the place for you. For a fun, family-friendly waterfront golf outing, head to the Little Sandy Short Course at Omni Amelia Island Resort for 10 lakeside holes in a picturesque setting not far from the island’s unspoiled beaches. Beachgoers looking for relaxation near St. Augustine will find 1,600 acres of spectacular dunes, pristine beaches, and nature trails at Anastasia State Park.

5. Enjoy a Unique First Coast Experience

There are some experiences in Northeast Florida that you just can’t have anywhere else, many of which serve as the perfect cap to a golf- and seafood-filled Labor Day Weekend.

  1. Stock up on clubs, apparel and other golf accessories during a shopping spree at the PGA Superstore in Jacksonville. The 25,000 square foot store is also home to training areas and simulators, allowing golfers of all ages and skill levels multiple opportunities to improve and perfect their game alongside knowledgeable instructors. Take advantage of the on-site repair services if you have current equipment in need of fixing or a tune-up, or choose the perfect club for you with custom club fitting services.
  2. Unmistakable due to its grandeur and distinct, Mediterranean-style architecture, the sprawling, 77,000 square foot Clubhouse at TPC Sawgrass is a beauty to behold inside and out. Home to the club’s NINETEEN restaurant, the Clubhouse blends old world allure and modern amenities, and offers spectacular views of the 18th hole of the Stadium Course. For a closer look at this majestic building and the plethora of PGA memorabilia on display within, join one of the complimentary tours led by expert storytellers, available 7 days a week.

To read about more unique things to do in Northeast Florida, click here.

Start planning your Labor Day Getaway to Florida’s First Coast today, and browse our selection of award-winning golf courses, unique and luxurious accommodations, and versatile vacation packages that deliver the ultimate Northeast Florida golfing experience.

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