By the iRent Car Rental team · Miami car rental since 2015 · Updated September 28, 2026 · ★ Read our Google reviews
Miami is a year-round golf town, and several of its best courses are open to the public — no membership needed. Here are the standouts, what makes each one worth the drive, and a few tips for bringing your clubs along in a rental.
Short answer: Top public options are Trump National Doral (home of the Blue Monster, in Doral), Crandon Golf on Key Biscayne (bayfront holes), Miami Beach Golf Club (near South Beach), the Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables (a Donald Ross design) and Miami Springs Golf & Country Club (South Florida's oldest municipal course, minutes from Miami Airport). Book tee times ahead, especially in winter.
Palm-lined fairways and water hazards are standard on South Florida courses.
The best public courses
Trump National Doral — Doral
The resort's best-known course is the Blue Monster, played over the years in tournaments by names like Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman and Tiger Woods. The resort has four championship 18-hole courses and offers public tee times. Doral is close to Miami International Airport, which makes it an easy first- or last-day round.
Crandon Golf — Key Biscayne
Inside Crandon Park on Key Biscayne, this course regularly appears on national “best public course” lists. Biscayne Bay comes into play on several holes — the tee shot on the 3rd plays over the water. The drive across the Rickenbacker Causeway is part of the experience.
Miami Beach Golf Club — Miami Beach
Open to visitors since 1923, this par-72, 18-hole course has narrow fairways and sits just minutes from the sands of South Beach — a good pick if you're staying on the beach.
Biltmore Golf Course — Coral Gables
At the historic Biltmore Hotel, this par-71 championship course was designed by legendary architect Donald Ross. Pair a round with a look around the Biltmore and Coral Gables' Miracle Mile.
Miami Springs Golf & Country Club — Miami Springs
The oldest municipal course in South Florida, opened in 1923. The par-71 layout hosted the Miami Open from 1925 to 1955, with winners including Gene Sarazen, Sam Snead and Byron Nelson. It's at 650 Curtiss Parkway — a few minutes from iRent's Miami Airport branch — and is known as one of the area's most affordable public rounds.
Other public options include the Country Club of Miami, Palmetto Golf Course and Greynolds Golf Course.
Tips for a golf trip in a rental car
- Pick a car with room for bags. Two full golf bags fit far better in an SUV — see our SUV rentals in Miami.
- Book tee times early in winter and spring, when visitors and snowbirds fill the courses.
- Tee off early in summer. Afternoon heat and thunderstorms are common from June to September.
- Plan for tolls. Several Miami highways are cashless — read how SunPass tolls work in a rental.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best public golf courses in Miami?
Standouts open to the public include Trump National Doral (Blue Monster) in Doral, Crandon Golf on Key Biscayne, Miami Beach Golf Club, the Biltmore Golf Course in Coral Gables and Miami Springs Golf & Country Club.
Can visitors play golf at Doral?
Yes. Trump National Doral offers public tee times on its championship courses, including the Blue Monster. Book in advance, especially in the winter season.
What is the closest golf course to Miami International Airport?
Miami Springs Golf & Country Club, at 650 Curtiss Parkway in Miami Springs, is only a few minutes from the airport area. It is a public, municipal 18-hole course.
Is Miami Springs Golf Course public?
Yes. It is South Florida's oldest municipal golf course, open to the public since 1923, and tee times can be booked through the pro shop or online.
Sources: Miami & the Beaches — best public golf in Miami · City of Miami Springs — golf course · GolfPass — Miami Springs Golf & Country Club. Rates and details checked September 2026 — always confirm the posted rate before you park.