Looking at making another trip to the East coast in Feb and looking at options. I figure that the weather is pretty limiting then so realistically Florida is prime candidate or maybe Carribean / Bahamas. Really apprecite suggestions of somewhere nice to stay for say 4 nights with decent courses on tap. Currently looking at PGA resort but suspect there are better options if you know where to look?

What's your budget look like?

Can't go wrong with Miami (Doral) or Naples.

Thanks for the quick response. Budget is sound, so assume not a key driver - was orignally looking at Kiawah in May but now want to go for Feb which is a bit early for SC. I was meant to play Blue Monster in May this year and got rained off. Know what you mean about Naples, as stayed on Marco many times, just wondered if there were any hidden gems with say a coupe of decent courses attached to accomodation with other good courses local

This topic pops up each year just before it gets cold- my point being a search here on GolfWRX should turn up a bunch of threads with good suggestions for you.

I've been to Florida, even the Keys, several times during February. Maybe I'm bad luck for Florida weather, because every time I go it seems to be cold. The Keys were in the 60's, and Jacksonville was in the 40's and windy. Guys were coming in from Sawgrass with windburn and bright red faces because they were underdressed. Another time West Palm Beach was also in the 40's. Wound up having to go out and buy almost a whole new wardrobe while there- packed only shorts and golf shirts. I was buying long pants and sweaters... all the stuff I left back in New Jersey.

Florida can also be in the 80's in February. We're planning a trip to see the in-laws this coming February, so I'll let you know how it goes this time- if it's cold, I'm never going back in February again.

I've also been to Puerto Rico in February and it is beautiful. Some nice golf there although I've never played on the island. I'm just starting research on it. Seems the golf courses and resorts are kind of "disconnected" down there- stay at a resort and drive to the golf. But I guess it is like that in a lot of places. The Dorado area (west of San Juan) sounds particularly nice, and reasonably priced. East of San Juan are the more expensive resorts. Not sure about the rest of the island, golf-wise, but check out Ponce also (southeast PR).

The nice thing about Puerto Rico is US citizens don't need passports or foreign money. But when they tell you everyone speaks English... well, yeah, maybe kinda. Brush up on your Spanish and you'll be fine (fortunately for me, my wife is from the island, so I married an interpreter!). A few words in Spanish will usually break the ice.

Know what you mean about the weather - have spent time looking through the climate history of various places in Weatherunderground and it really is post luck if you stay on the mainland but am travelling with a buddy who really wants to make it Feb rather than later

I feel your pain. Having said what I said, though... the weather is usually much better just before and after I am there. So feel free to coordinate with me and not go my week... ... you'll be fine then!

+1... Yes on the Weather Underground site- one of the best weather sites.

Skip the east coast and head to bandon. Best time of the year to play.

I tarvel to Puerto Rico for business and have played there a few times.... The Dorado area is a good location as mentioned. The Embassy Suites has an adjoining Chi Chi Rodriguez course, Dorado Del Mar, that is just steps away and the Dorado Beach GC is nearby, 36 holes, ....I beleive they have condo rentals. Very nice, lush and along the ocean!!!

Costa Caribe GC in Ponce is also nice..27 holes if I remember right... Hilton nearby but it is out of the way. About a 1 hr drive from San Juan.

You also have Trump International in Rio Grande.. Never played but they have the PGA stop there........

Have fun!!!

Head west, my friend!!

San Diego is 65-80 degrees basically year-round. Phoenix CAN get some cold weather, but very rarely does. February you can expect temps in the mid-70's. Might even get a sunburn.

The problem is planning. If you can play it by ear the weather on the east coast might be perfect. However most of the time a person can't do that. I say fly further south. Florida OK but hit the islands!

go to Phoenix. Weather is perfect then. Florida is flat and boring.

Some great suggestions guys and keep them coming. Just to add to the background, I live in the Uk and fly over at least once a year to play golf with a buddy of mine who lives in Atlanta and is having a hard time in life at the moment so appreciates the support. He is a bit limited in time off, so was trying to find somewhere within say 2 hours flight from Atlanta, so we can maximise time together, flying out after he finishes work. Would love to do the Phoenix or Ca thing (Pebble Beach is one of my favourites, period) but logistics are tough' hence focus on Florida / islands.

Anyone tried PGA village in Port St Lucie out of interest as courses look pretty good from what I can tell

If you go to Panhandle area there are alot of great courses between Destin and Gulf Shores. Just a few to mention: Emerald Bay, The Peninsula, Kiva Dunes. All extremely nice course with decent greens fees.

What are green fee's like in the Caribbean?
are there mainly Resort Courses ?

We had a great time at PGA Village a few years back. The condo was excellent, the range was world-class, and we had a lot of fun in general. I have to say that the courses were underwhelming, though. I know they have since done a redesign, but despite the fact that we had a great time, I can't see myself ever going back. The signature Dye course was the flattest course I'd ever seen.

I would recomment the panhandle if it's not too cold. (You didn't specify when you'd be going.) If not, Orlando has some great courses.

PR is subject to the same cold, windy weather when a high sets up over the NE US and the wind out of the north are killer. That is especially true of the resorts on the north shore. Coamo Springs is over the mtns on the se side of the island. They have better weather (less rain) and I'm sure the winds would be considerably less than on the coast. There are other golf type resorts on the south side of PR as well.

I'm thinking we are going to have a "cold" winter here in FL. We've had the cycle of El Nino(la nina, whatever it is), where we have no hurricanes, then a cold (for us) winter, then a year of bad hurricanes again.

Late Jan and early Feb are usually the coldest here. I say head west as many others have suggested.

With the financial aspect not being a gating factor, try Palm Springs. You're almost guaranteed to get great weather and temps...you'll have a nice choice of tracks to play...the views are wonderful...lot of post round activities...great dining.

+1 February is great. just don't bring the wife and kiddos and expect them to see it the same way.

What sort of temperature should I expect? I could double up with a new set of Scratch tours

I usually go twice a year. Once in late Feb, and once in the Fall.

This Feb., it was in the low to upper 50s and partly cloudy and sunny. There was a total of 20 mins of rain. If we have El Nino this year, you could catch something even warmer and drier.

Might just do that as have been offered a good deal at the Fairmont in Scottsdale and could get on Stadium TPC, Champions TPC, Grayhawk, We-ko-pa or the Troon courses. Any views on going there in March and the hotel, potential courses really appreciated. Is there also plenty to do there outside of playing golf, such as golf superstores, retail outlets, dining, etc as no idea what to expect and planning on staying on for a few days on my own to catch some rays after my buddy has to go back to work

What he said...

Wekopa Saguaro should be at the top of your list, as should both Troon North courses. Grayhawk is always great. Not as familiar about the TPC courses.

The Fairmont is a great hotel. Scottsdale has a ton of great restaurants, and shopping. Give me an idea of the type of food you like. Steaks, seafood, sushi, etc.