Jacksonville / First Coast

Anyone who's been there will tell you that Jacksonville is one of the best-kept secrets on the eastern seaboard. A vibrant, midsize city with an enviable waterfront setting and an NFL franchise, "J-ville" as locals call it, often plays second fiddle to Atlanta, Charlotte, and even instate rivals Tampa and Miami in the Southern city popularity contest.

For golfers seeking to soak up the seemingly endless array of daily fee golf offerings, this anonymity is part of the allure.

Beginning at State Highway 210 at the north end of St. Johns County (approximately three miles south of Jacksonville and Duval County) and stretching south to State Highway 207, there are seven golf courses within two miles of the interstate, most built within the last four years. Another 20 miles in each direction brings in nearly two dozen more.

As to why the sudden boom here, the simplest of answers might be the best: it's where the people are. Architect Clyde Johnston says "I speculate that the I-95 corridor is desirable since traffic around Jacksonville has become more congested. [It] could be the World Golf Village aspect also."

Jacksonville lays claim to around 70 golf courses, most of which are available to the golfing public. Further cementing the First Coast's reputation as one of the true golf capitals of the south, the PGA Tour and Senior PGA Tour headquarters are in Jacksonville and the World Golf Village is a chip shot away in St. Augustine.

As for the lay of the land, Jacksonville and its environs are ill suited for most types of agriculture. Sandy soil and pine-packed parcels set up much better for (you guessed it), golf. The courses of the First Coast generally require accuracy above all other elements of the game. But there's enough variety in this not so little slice of golf heaven to keep ever make and model of golfer satisfied.

Jacksonville Transportation

Some of Florida's best coastal courses can be found in and around Jacksonville and St. Augustine. If you're flying, Jacksonville International Airport serves most of Florida's Northern Atlantic Coast. JIA has daily departures and arrivals to most major cities on all major US airlines. JIA is part of the Jacksonville Airport Authority, which also contains three other smaller airports. Craig Airport, Herlong Airport and Cecil Field are located through the Jacksonville community and may be able to get you closer to your destination.

If you're driving, you'll probably take either I-95 or I-10. I-95 runs north/south along the East Coast, from Washington D.C. to Miami. It will take you into Jacksonville. If you are driving from the West, you'll likely take I-10, which traverses the entire South, from Los Angeles to Jacksonville.

I-10 which connects Jacksonville with Tallahassee and the rest of Florida's Panhandle coastline. If you want to take a scenic drive along the western seaboard, you can take Highway 41 from Miami, through the Everglades and north to Tampa. Highway 98 runs along the coast of the Panhandle west to Pensacola.