There’s something that elevates your golf trip beyond an expertly maintained green: a resort that’s nailed the pacing.

The ingredients of the golf trips that get rave reviews from travelers go well past an immaculate course. There is the early-morning coffee before a tee time, the anticipation of a course you have heard about for years, the friendly scorekeeping, the post-round drinks, and the stories that become better every time they are retold in all the years after your visit. Building that kind of trip takes deeper intention than simply booking tee times. And that’s where your SmartFlyer travel advisor comes in.

We turned to Randy Raimondi, PGA National Resort’s head golfing professional, for his perspective…

At the recently transformed PGA National Resort in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, the infrastructure for a memorable golf escape awaits with its five championship courses, 79 holes, a 40,000-square-foot spa, a sixteen-court Sports & Racquet Club, abundant dining options, and a golf operation designed to accommodate everyone from first-time players to seasoned competitors. The question isn’t whether there’s enough to do. It is how to put it all together. So, we turned to Randy Raimondi, PGA National Resort’s head golfing professional, for his perspective on navigating the property, choosing the right golf experiences, making the most of instruction, and approaching your stay with the mindset of a seasoned golf traveler.

Why Golf Vacations Are Having a Moment

The rise of golf travel isn’t just anecdotal. According to the National Golf Foundation, more than twelve million Americans traveled to play golf from 2022 through 2025. That’s forty-nine percent higher than comparable pre-Covid levels and roughly ten percent above the comparable period in the mid-2000s.

Golf travel has become a significant economic force in hospitality. It’s now the second-largest segment of the U.S. golf economy, behind facility operations, generating more than $30 billion annually in tourism-related expenditures away from the course. What’s particularly interesting is how broadly the definition of a golf trip has expanded. Nearly half of golfers say they expect to play golf while traveling in the coming year, even when golf is not the primary reason for the trip. One version could be a dedicated week with friends. Or, a couples’ getaway with a round or two built into the itinerary. Alternatively, it’s a family vacation with one afternoon reserved for golf, or a long weekend built around finally playing a course that’s been on your wish list for years. Fortunately, your SmartFlyer travel advisor can bring any of these trips to life at PGA National.

Opened in 1981, the property has decades of experience and possesses a commitment to continuously evolving its offerings, as shown by its 2022 renovation.

The resort landscape has evolved alongside the golf traveler’s changing needs. Over the past five years, almost one-third of new golf course openings have had a resort tie, compared with just over ten percent of the roughly 16,000 existing golf courses in the United States. The implication is clear: golfers increasingly want a destination to visit around their game, not simply a course. PGA National is well positioned to meet this demand: opened in 1981, the property has decades of experience and possesses a commitment to continuously evolving its offerings, as shown by its 2022 renovation.

PGA National Resort: A Legendary Golf Destination, Reimagined

Some resorts offer golf; others make it part of their identity. PGA National Resort belongs firmly in the latter category. The resort, which has 339 guestrooms and twenty-one cottages, has long been associated with high-level golf, most notably through The Champion course and its role as host of the PGA TOUR’s Cognizant Classic each spring. After a $100 million transformation that was completed in 2022, however, the property has been thoughtfully reimagined around a much broader resort experience.

Across five championship courses, there’s ample variety to fill a multi-day itinerary.

Across five championship courses, there’s ample variety to fill a multi-day itinerary. For the serious golfer, The Champion is the obvious headline. Originally designed by the famed uncle-and-nephew team Tom and George Fazio for major tournament play, legendary golfer and designer Jack Nicklaus redesigned the course in 2014. At 7,045 yards, it’s a demanding South Florida test, where wind and water can require you to alter your strategy from one hole to the next.

Then there’s the Bear Trap. The three-hole stretch on The Champion has become one of the most recognizable sequences in professional golf and is widely considered one of the toughest three-hole stretches in the game. It’s also the kind of experience that makes a golf trip worth traveling for: a course with a story attached, and a stretch of holes everyone in the group will remember, regardless of what ends up on the scorecard.

…designed for more than the golfer who wants to spend every waking hour on the course.

Even with all of these opportunities to add to your scorecard, the putting green is just one of the ways to spend your time at PGA National, which is designed for more than the golfer who wants to spend every waking hour on the course. The 40,000-square-foot spa introduces a substantial wellness component, including the Waters of the World outdoor mineral pools—a selection of pools that recreate the experiences of the Dead Sea, the ancient thermal waters of Salies-de-Béarn, plus a soothing heated pool. The Sports & Racquet Club features sixteen tennis courts and twelve pickleball courts, giving non-golfing travelers in your party—and golfers looking to vary their routine—another reason to get outside and get active. The courts are lit, meaning that you can fit in night play for the ultimate adaptable schedule.

After working up an appetite, the dining options are another arena where PGA National boasts an extensive lineup that ranges from relaxed daytime stops to destination-worthy dinners. At Honeybelle, Top Chef alum Lindsay Autry brings a distinctly South Florida sensibility to seasonal American cooking, with local seafood, wood-fired pizzas, and the restaurant’s signature fried chicken. For an evening worth dressing up for, The Butcher’s Club, from Top Chef winner Jeremy Ford, offers a sophisticated modern steakhouse experience, while Sushi by Boū delivers an intimate, twelve-seat omakase experience in a 1920s-inspired speakeasy setting. For something more casual, Birdie’s Diner overlooks the 10th hole and putting green, making it an ideal spot for breakfast or a post-round bite.

Meet Randy Raimondi: Your Insider’s Guide to PGA National

Every golf destination has signature holes and insider insight that can help you play your best. That is where Randy Raimondi comes in. As PGA National Resort’s head golfing professional, Raimondi sees the property from the perspective of the people who know it best. With more than two decades of golf instruction under his belt, including more than eight years with PGA National, he knows these courses—and the game—better than most. We spoke with Raimondi to learn how to get the most out of your stay at PGA National and improve any future golf-cation. (Because if it’s not already a thing, we’re making “golf-cation” one!) Raimondi’s advice covers which courses you need to make time for and advice on the best way to spend your first day, which, to our great surprise, has nothing to do with golfing.

SmartFlyer (SF): For someone going on their first golf trip, what is your top piece of advice?

Randy Raimondi (RR): You have to play the Champion Course to experience the famed Bear Trap, widely considered one of the toughest three-hole stretches in professional golf and a defining feature of PGA National. If you’re traveling with a group of eight to twelve players, I’d also recommend spending some time on the Wee Bear Course (formally known as the Staple Course). It’s a fun and competitive way to settle any friendly wagers from the rounds you’ve played throughout the trip.

SF: Are there any tips you have for avid golfers who travel frequently?

RR: Some guests can be surprised by the size of the resort and everything it has to offer. I always recommend taking some time to explore the property on your arrival day. Stop by the golf shop, meet the staff, and familiarize yourself with the check-in process, practice facilities, and each course’s location. A little preparation goes a long way toward a smooth, enjoyable experience.

SF: At PGA National Resort, what makes golf instruction special, both for newer golfers and more experienced players?

RR: One of our greatest strengths is the breadth of instruction available to golfers of every skill level. Our team includes PGA Professionals, LPGA Professionals, and Leadbetter Certified Instructors, so we can provide personalized coaching and development programs tailored to each golfer’s goals, whether they’re just starting out or looking to fine-tune an advanced game.

SF: Can you walk us through some of the most popular clinic offerings? What are the skills you find more practiced golfers come seeking to improve?

RR: One of our most popular programs is the “Practice & Play” experience. The day begins with two hours of instruction, including video swing analysis, followed by a lunch break. Guests then return for a two-hour on-course playing lesson on one of our four championship courses. It’s a unique opportunity to immediately apply the skills and concepts learned during the morning session in a real playing environment, helping golfers bridge the gap between practice and performance.

SF: Are there any exceptional moments you’ve witnessed at PGA National Resort where a guest was able to really come into their own or find a meaningful connection while at the resort or through instruction?

RR: A few years ago, I worked with a guest who attended one of our two-day mini schools, which included six hours of instruction. They were incredibly receptive to the swing adjustments we were working on and fully embraced the learning process. On their final day at the resort, they played on the Champion Course and made a hole-in-one! It was such a memorable moment and a wonderful example of what can happen when preparation, confidence, and opportunity come together.

SF: What would a perfect day at PGA National Resort look like for you?

RR: The most rewarding part of my role is helping members and guests enjoy an exceptional experience from start to finish. A perfect day begins with a seamless check-in at the golf shop, followed by a productive warm-up on the practice range, and an enjoyable round of golf played at a comfortable pace. Ultimately, my goal is for every guest to leave with lasting memories and a desire to return. And if someone makes an incredible hole-in-one? That’s even better.

Getting to PGA National Resort

The Donald J. Trump International Airport (DJT), formerly known as the Palm Beach International Airport (PBI), offers the closest and most convenient airport access for most travelers, just over a twenty-minute drive away. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Miami International Airport are also within reach, one hour and two hours away by private driver, respectively, making the resort an easy addition to a broader South Florida itinerary.