Best season
Oct – May
Nov · Dec · Jan · Feb
Trip cost · per golfer
$1,910–$5,800
3-night trip
Nearest airport
TPA
75 mi · Tampa
Difficulty
Medium
Handicap 5–25
Overview
When Mike Keiser sets his sights on a piece of land, the golf world pays attention. The visionary behind Bandon Dunes has brought that same philosophy of raw, land-driven design to central Florida with Cabot Citrus Farms, and the result has earned an immediate place on serious golfers' bucket lists.
Top courses
Editor-picked layouts ranked by prestige, conditioning and player experience.
Design by Tom Doak · Par 72 · 7,100 yds
A wide-open, wind-swept layout routed through citrus groves with massive greens and bold contours inspired by South African sandbelt design. Play Karoo in the afternoon when the wind picks up to get the full links-style challenge intended by Doak.
Design by Keith Rhebb & Riley Johns · Par 72 · 6,800 yds
A quirky, imaginative course with playful routing through native scrub, featuring creative bunkering and a fun, risk-reward philosophy. Request a caddie here — the green complexes are deceptively subtle and local knowledge saves multiple strokes per round.
Design by Andrew Whittaker · Par 70 · 6,400 yds
A walking-only, minimalist layout routed tightly through dense pine and citrus vegetation with firm, fast conditions rewarding ground-game creativity. Bring only a carry bag — the intimate routing and close corridors make this course feel entirely different walking versus riding.
Design by Tom Doak & Associates · Par 27 · 1,200 yds
A compact, routing-forward par-3 course through citrus trees offering match-play style fun ideal for evening rounds and friendly competition. Play The Squeeze at dusk on your last evening — the golden light through the citrus groves makes for an unforgettable finish to the trip.
Stay & play
Resort packages bundle lodging, rounds, range access, and on-site dining. Hotel-only options give you flexibility to course-hop.
Golf Resort Cottage
Purpose-built golf cottages steps from the first tees, offering rustic-luxury finishes and wraparound porches with grove views.
Boutique Inn
A centrally located boutique inn with comfortable rooms, communal gathering spaces, and full access to all resort amenities.
Vacation Rental
A variety of privately owned homes and condos in nearby Inverness offering budget-friendly alternatives with local character.
Hotel
A reliable chain hotel 20 minutes from the resort offering clean rooms and a pool at accessible price points.
Off the course
Non-golf experiences worth building into your trip — from local landmarks to nature, food, and culture.
Swim alongside gentle West Indian manatees in the warm, crystal-clear springs of Crystal River, a once-in-a-lifetime Florida wildlife experience.
Paddle through scenic Florida wilderness on the Withlacoochee River, spotting birds, turtles, and native flora along quiet waterways.
Engage one of Cabot's expert caddies for a full loop to learn course strategy, local history, and insider yardage secrets.
Visit one of Florida's oldest state parks featuring stunning first-magnitude springs, nature trails, and swimming in 68-degree natural water.
Explore one of Florida's premier paved rail-trails stretching 46 miles through scenic countryside, ideal for active recovery days between rounds.
Itineraries
Choose your trip length. Each plan is built around the marquee courses, with rest, dining, and travel days dialed in.
Day 1
Land at TPA, transfer to your hotel, hit the range, and grab a casual dinner at The Barn at Cabot.
Day 2
Morning tee time at Karoo. Lunch at the clubhouse, afternoon recovery, dinner at Stumpknockers on the Square.
Day 3
Early tee time at The Squeeze, light lunch, then transfer back to TPA.
Budget
Realistic ranges sourced from current resort rates, public green fees, and group dining averages.
Lodging 3 nights · $273/nt | $819 |
Golf 2 rounds · $159 avg | $318 |
Food & drink ~$110/day | $330 |
Ground transport Rideshare + cart fees | $180 |
Flights Search Skyscanner for live fares | Variable |
| Estimated total · per golfer | $1,647 |
Season
Warm dry winter
When to book: 2-4 months out
Dining
From clubhouse classics to chef-driven dinners worth a reservation.
American / Farm-to-Table
The resort's signature dining venue serving locally sourced Florida cuisine in a converted barn with a warm, communal atmosphere.
Casual American / Pub Fare
A mid-round pit stop between nines with cold craft beers, hearty sandwiches, and a classic golf clubhouse vibe.
Seafood / Southern
A beloved local institution in Inverness serving fresh Florida seafood and Southern comfort food in a lively waterfront setting.
Cafe / Breakfast
A charming local café in Inverness perfect for a pre-round espresso and fresh breakfast pastries sourced from local bakeries.
American / Casual
A dependable casual option for large groups after a long day, offering filling meals and cold drinks without breaking the budget.
Wine Bar / Small Plates
An intimate wine-focused experience near Inverness offering curated small plates and an impressive Florida and international wine list.
After dark
Where the buddy trips end up after the 19th hole.
Resort Bar / Lounge
The resort's own outdoor gathering space where golfers swap stories around a communal firepit under Florida stars with craft cocktails in hand.
Bar / Live Music
The after-hours extension of the beloved Stumpknockers restaurant, drawing locals and resort visitors for cold drinks and live music weekends.
Waterfront Bar
A casual waterfront bar in Crystal River offering fresh oysters, cold beer, and a laid-back Florida coastal atmosphere perfect for unwinding.
Tee times
Live inventory from GolfNow plus flight comparison from Skyscanner. Prices update in real time.
FAQ
Oct – May (Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar). Warm dry winter
Plan on $1,910–$5,800 per golfer for a 3-night trip including lodging, rounds, food and ground transport. Flights are extra.
TPA, about 75 miles from the resort area. Most national hubs offer non-stop service via Tampa.
3 nights is the sweet spot — enough for 2 full rounds plus a rest or sightseeing day.
Yes — popular with Buddies, Architecture nerds, Couples. Quieter evenings, ideal for golf-focused groups.
Ready to book
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Trip snapshot
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