Margarita Golf Trail

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A golfer tees off at Crandon Golf Key Biscayne.

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Follow A1A for a healthy dose of sun, fun, golf and lobster.

I’ve played at a majority of Florida’s golf courses, and I can tell you there’s nothing like those found along this beautiful, coastal byway. Ablaze with picturesque beaches and scenic courses, there are also plenty of great beach restaurants along the way to wet your whistle and cool your driver. From north to south, spend a day, a weekend or a month (if you’re lucky) discovering them all.

Ponte Vedra Beach & Jacksonville Beach

Golf: If you haven’t teed off at Ponte Vedra Beach’s THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass and experienced the drama of its No. 17 island green, shame on you. It’s one of the most challenging courses in Florida.

Grub: Lynch’s Irish Pub in nearby Jacksonville Beach has great food and a great, Irish-inspired attitude.

Crandon Golf Key Biscayne, in my mind, is the best municipal course in the state.

St. Augustine

Golf: The King & Bear at World Golf Village is a fun Jack Nicklaus/Arnold Palmer design with open fairways and subtly contoured greens. Make sure to check out the memorabilia from golf legends at the World Golf Hall of Fame.

Grub: A1A Ale Works overlooks the downtown plaza and the Bridge of Lions, and has food that keeps us locals coming back again and again – the seared tuna is fabulous.

Palm Coast

Golf: The Ocean Course at the Hammock Beach Resort is one of the most scenic courses in Florida, with six Nicklaus-designed holes overlooking the ocean.

Grub: Finn’s Beachside Pub has spirited karaoke nights and good food at reasonable prices (try the fish sandwich).

Port St. Lucie

Golf: PGA Village is owned and operated by The PGA of America and ranked among the “75 Best Golf Resorts” by Golf Digest. Its PGA Golf Club features 54 holes of championship golf by Tom Fazio and Pete Dye, and there’s a museum and the PGA Center for Golf Learning and Performance, too.

Grub: The Crab House in Jupiter has an unobstructed view of Jupiter Inlet and the historic lighthouse that even we Floridians never tire of. I always get the Snapper Milanese.

Miami

Golf: Crandon Golf Key Biscayne, in my mind, is the best municipal course in the state. It’s located on an island just 10 minutes from downtown Miami and has been known to offer summer specials.

Grub: You’re in Miami, so you want to be as cool as possible, right? See if you can get into Nikki Beach, where you might see South Florida celebrities (and eat excellent seafood). The place also has private, plush raised beds and oversized teepees for lounging.

Key West

Golf: Key West Golf Club is the Southernmost golf course in the U.S. (complete with tarpon in saltwater ponds). I like the “mangrove hole,” a 143-yarder on this short Rees Jones-designed course.

Grub: Head to Conch Republic Seafood Company for fresh favorites like stuffed shrimp, conch fritters and lobster tail served with vanilla bean butter for dipping. Don't forget the Key lime pie for dessert!