Northeast Florida is home to some of the most beautiful and exclusive golf course communities in both the state of Florida and the United States.

These communities offer residents the opportunity to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle while being surrounded by the natural beauty of Florida's landscape.

Here's a closer look at some of the best golf course communities in Northeast Florida, including Sawgrass Players Club, Marsh Landing Country Club, Queens Harbour Country Club, Deerwood Country Club, Deercreek Country Club, Atlantic Beach Country Club, and The Plantation in Ponte Vedra.

I've not only sold homes in all of these communities, but I've played their golf courses too. I hope to give you insight on both.

Sawgrass Players Club

Sawgrass Players Club is one of the most well-known and prestigious golf course communities in Northeast Florida. This community is located in Ponte Vedra Beach and just minutes away from the Atlantic Ocean.

The neighborhood features two 18-hole golf courses, the Tournament Players Club (TPC) Course and the Dye Valley Course.

The TPC Course is the site of the annual Players Championship and is considered one of the most challenging courses in the world. Tee times are obviously available for club members, but the general public can also book play on this iconic course.

The Dye Valley Course winds through the neighborhood and offers an alternative layout and challenge for club members. It is also a less expensive option for outside golfers. Additionally, there is a complex in the neighborhood called The Yards, which includes a 12-hole golf course, pickleball, and tennis.

Residents of Sawgrass Players Club have access to a wide range of other amenities, including tennis courts, swimming pools, and a fitness center inside the community that are separate from TPC. Residents (and outside guests) can also enjoy dining at the famous TPC Clubhouse without being club members.

TPC Sawgrass 17th hole

The famous 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass is one of the most famous holes in golf, and it sits right in the backyard of the 1,900 homeowners who live in this community.

Homes in Sawgrass Players Club range from around $500,000 to over $3 million, depending on the location in the community and the size of the home.

Marsh Landing Country Club

Marsh Landing Country Club is another exclusive golf course community located in Ponte Vedra Beach. This community, which was primarily built in the 1990s and early 2000s, offers residents a private and secluded lifestyle.

The community features an 18-hole golf course, designed by Ed Seay of Arnold Palmer Course Design. The course is known for its challenging layout and beautiful scenery on the marshes of the Intracoastal Waterway. In addition to golf, other amenities include tennis courts, swimming pools, a fitness center, and a clubhouse.

Homes in Marsh Landing Country Club range from around $500,000 to over $6 million, depending on the location and size of the home.

The most exclusive section of this neighborhood is Harbour Island, which is home to some of the most beautiful and most expensive homes in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Harbour Island estate

We sold this 9,250 sq ft estate in Harbour Island in 2020.

Queens Harbour Country Club

Queens Harbour Country Club is a golf course and boating community located in Jacksonville just west of the Intracoastal Waterway.

While the centerpiece of the community is a sprawling freshwater lagoon that includes a lock system and can accommodate yachts and boats up to 100 feet, the community also features an 18-hole golf course, designed by renowned golf course architect Mark McCumber. The course, which is semi-private, is known for its challenging layout with several water hazards.

Homes in Queens Harbour Country Club range from around $700,000 to over $4 million, depending on the location and size of the home.

While golf and the freshwater lagoon are the primary attractions of this neighborhood, the community also features multiple pools, tennis courts, a fitness center, and a clubhouse.

Deercreek Country Club

Located off of Southside Blvd in Jacksonville, Deercreek Country Club is a golf course community built primarily in the 1990s.

The community features an 18-hole golf course, designed by golf course architect Robert Miller. The course is known for its fair layout designed to accommodate both experienced and novice golfers.

Other amenities include 8 Har-Tru tennis courts, an Olympic-size swimming pool, a fully-equipped fitness center, and a clubhouse with both casual and fine dining as well as annual holiday and social events.

Pricing typically starts around $500,000 with larger homes exceeding $1.5 million.

Atlantic Beach Country Club

Atlantic Beach Country Club, located in Atlantic Beach, Florida and just four blocks from the ocean, is a premier destination for those looking to live in a luxurious and exclusive community.

The country club boasts a stunning 18-hole golf course and was re-designed by renowned architect Erik Larsen; the course offers challenging play for golfers of all skill levels.

One of the main draws of Atlantic Beach Country Club is its excellent condition. The course is consistently well-maintained, which adds to the luxury feel of the neighborhood as well.

As a sign of this elite level, this course hosted the Web.com Tour Championship (now the Korn Ferry Tour) in 2016, 2017, and 2018. It's also home to several professional golfers who call Atlantic Beach Country Club their home course.

Atlantic Beach Country Club

Atlantic Beach Country Club is a very popular club due to its newer amenities, recently renovated course, and beautiful homes in the neighborhood.

Homes in Atlantic Beach Country Club range from around $1 million to over $2 million.

The Plantation at Ponte Vedra

The Plantation at Ponte Vedra is a private golf course community located in Ponte Vedra Beach.

Unlike several other country clubs in the area, residents who purchase in The Plantation must be members of the country club as part of their residency. The initiation fee for this community is $120,000.

The community features an 18-hole golf course which was re-designed by PGA Tour Player Billy Horschel and architect Greg Letsche in 2016. The course is known for its range of tee boxes to accommodate golfers of all skill levels and beautiful greens.

Home prices in the community start at approximately $1 million while luxury estates can reach over $4 million.

Jacksonville Golf & Country Club

Jacksonville Golf & Country Club is one of the most well-known gated golf course communities in Jacksonville, offering a strong mix of location, lifestyle, and established homes.

Located in the Intracoastal West area, this community is just minutes from the beaches, Mayo Clinic, and the St. Johns Town Center, making it one of the most convenient golf communities in Northeast Florida.

The centerpiece of the neighborhood is an 18-hole golf course designed to challenge experienced players while still being approachable for everyday golfers. The course is complemented by a full-service clubhouse, tennis courts, fitness center, and a resort-style pool, giving residents a well-rounded country club experience.

Homes in Jacksonville Golf & Country Club were primarily built in the 1990s and early 2000s, and you’ll find a wide variety of floor plans, mature landscaping, and larger lot sizes compared to many newer communities. Pricing typically starts in the mid-$600,000s and can exceed $1.5 million depending on size, upgrades, and golf or water views.

This community is a great fit for buyers who want a true country club setting in a central Jacksonville location with easy access to everything.

Deerwood Country Club

Deerwood Country Club is a golf course community that is centrally located in Jacksonville near Southside Blvd and Baymeadows Rd.

The community features an 18-hole golf course, which was the original course site of the Jacksonville Open (now The Players Championship in Sawgrass).

The course is known for its beautiful layout and deceptively challenging holes. Like other clubs in the area, residents/members of Deerwood Country Club have access to a wide range of amenities, including tennis courts, swimming pools, a fitness center, and a clubhouse with dining and member social events.

Deerwood Country Club

The clubhouse at Deerwood overlooks a sprawling lake that surrounds the 10th hole. The clubhouse was also recently renovated, providing a much improved experience for members.

Homes in Deerwood Country Club range from around $500,000 to over $2 million.

Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club

Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club is one of Jacksonville’s premier luxury golf communities, known for its estate-sized homes, private setting, and highly regarded golf course.

Glen Kernan offers a more exclusive and quiet environment while still being just minutes from the beaches, St. Johns Town Center, and downtown Jacksonville.

The recently renovated 18-hole golf course, which was led by PGA Tour pro Jim Furyk and assisted by LIV golfer Cam Smith, is beautifully maintained and designed to blend into the natural landscape, creating a scenic and challenging experience for golfers of all skill levels. The community also features a 22,568 sq ft private clubhouse, tennis courts, fitness facilities, and a resort-style pool, all contributing to its upscale feel.

Homes in Glen Kernan are larger and more custom in nature, with many properties featuring expansive floor plans, high-end finishes, and oversized lots.

Glen Kernan is ideal for buyers looking for a higher-end golf community with a private, tucked-away feel while still being close to several things in the city.

Bottom Line

As you can tell, there are several good options to purchase a home in a golf course community. But these neighborhoods also offer so much more than just great golf.

If you're looking to live in a golf course community in Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, or other areas of Northeast Florida, these golf course communities should definitely be on your list of potential homes.

Are you looking to buy a home in one of these golf neighborhoods? Reach out today for a curated list of available homes in these communities.

FAQs

What are the best golf communities in Jacksonville FL?

Some of the best golf communities in Jacksonville FL and nearby Northeast Florida include Sawgrass Players Club, Marsh Landing Country Club, Queens Harbour Country Club, Deercreek Country Club, Atlantic Beach Country Club, The Plantation at Ponte Vedra, Jacksonville Golf & Country Club, Deerwood Country Club, and Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club. Each community offers a different mix of golf, amenities, location, and home prices.

Are there gated golf course communities in Jacksonville FL?

Yes. Many of the top golf course communities in Jacksonville FL are gated. Communities such as Jacksonville Golf & Country Club, Glen Kernan Golf & Country Club, Deerwood Country Club, Marsh Landing Country Club, and Queens Harbour offer gated entry along with golf, club amenities, and private neighborhood settings.

How much do homes cost in golf communities in Jacksonville FL?

Home prices in golf communities in Jacksonville FL vary widely depending on the neighborhood, lot, size, condition, and view. Some homes may start around the $500,000 range, while luxury homes in premier golf communities can exceed $4 million.

Which Jacksonville golf communities are closest to the beach?

Some of the golf communities closest to the beach include Atlantic Beach Country Club, Sawgrass Players Club, Marsh Landing Country Club, and The Plantation at Ponte Vedra. These neighborhoods combine golf course living with convenient access to the Atlantic Ocean and nearby beach amenities.

Do golf communities in Jacksonville FL require club membership?

It depends on the community. Some golf communities in Jacksonville FL have optional club membership, while others may require membership for certain residents or property owners. Buyers should always verify current membership requirements, initiation fees, dues, and access rules before purchasing a home.

What amenities do Jacksonville golf communities usually offer?

In addition to golf, many Jacksonville golf communities offer amenities such as clubhouses, tennis courts, swimming pools, fitness centers, dining, and social events. The exact amenities vary by neighborhood and club.

Rob Hastings

About the Author

Rob Hastings

Rob Hastings is a top-producing real estate agent in Jacksonville, Florida and helps buyers, sellers, and investors throughout all of Northeast Florida. He works with his wife Nancy as a husband-and-wife team with Keller Williams Realty Atlantic Partners. When not helping clients, Rob enjoys working on old Corvettes and playing music (guitar and piano). A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Officer, he also loves boating and spending time on the water.