Seeking Greatness in Florida

[Bill_McBride]

Isleworth must be in this list.

WHY ?

Because it is an interesting, challenging, enjoyable golf course that resides in Florida.  In fact, it's the best I've played in Florida and one of the best tests I have ever played.
The greens are outstanding, the forced carries are exciting and it challenges your short game in every way possible.  I love it!

Ryan, when did you play Isleworth, before or after the major renovation?

I played it before and found it, with a couple of exceptions, to be pretty repetitious and kind of boring.  I hear the renovation was very comprehensive, all new greens, bunkers, shaping.  What can you confirm?

The place was pretty cool around the clubhouse - lockers for quite a few big name PGA players, a pool table, double decker locker room.  Arnold Palmer was out playing with a couple of groups, this was right before his tournament at Bay Hill.

I played it once last year and three times last week.  However, I never played it prior to the renovation so I can't compare the two.  I can tell you that it looked like all of the greens and bunkers were redone.  I don't know if the routing was changed or not.  I will say that I'm sure it was changed quite dramatically as the holes I played were anything but repititous and boring.

I'd be interested in hearing from anybody who has played it before and after.  My recollection from several years ago is fuzzy - a long par 3 over water between two large "goal post" trees, maybe #2; a very nice dogleg right uphill par 4; a somewhat disjointed finisher; lots of bunker left and right fairways; fairly soggy grounds.

[PThomas]

 I didn't get one plugged lie and I surely hit enough shots into the bunkers to get a solid sample size.

you lawyers have a great way of saying "My iron game sucked that day!"

thanks for the laugh!

[wsmorrison]

"By the way, Wayne, I'm pretty damn sure I know why Susie hit that one good shot that one time there and never again."

Why would that be, Tom?  

[JR Potts]

 I didn't get one plugged lie and I surely hit enough shots into the bunkers to get a solid sample size.

you lawyers have a great way of saying "My iron game sucked that day!"

thanks for the laugh!

It sure did.  But that course can do it to you.  The green complexes are so imposing that you are never comfortable.  Especially after a 5 month lay-off from the game due to the frigid midwestern winters.

[archie_struthers]

 

Wish I was there!

Indian Creek that is.....

I just love the golf course, it is so enjoyable , flows, has character, isn't too tough, or too easy!  

Lots of great Flynn architecture on display, with some wonderful pin positions that can alter strategy dramatically.

It's got history, one of the the best clubhouses in the States, and  it's warm there today, unlike here !!!!!!!!!

Got to be one of the best in Florida, hands down

[Randy Van Sickle]

I have not played many courses in FL, but I am a big fan of John's Island West.

I'll be down there in mid April and plan to post hole-by-hole photos when I return from my trip.

[wsmorrison]

Archie,

I haven't played much golf in Florida but Indian Creek is an amazing place with a phenomenal golf course.  It also has some of the best deceptions and depth perception miscues of any course I have ever seen.  How about the tee shot on 6?  Brilliant!

Knowing that every contour was by design makes it a unique examination.

[Mike_Sweeney]

Knowing that every contour was by design makes it a unique examination.

Wayne,

Is Indian Creek the most manufactured Flynn course?

[Guy Phelan]

Wish I was there!

Indian Creek that is.....

I just love the golf course, it is so enjoyable , flows, has character, isn't too tough, or too easy!  

Lots of great Flynn architecture on display, with some wonderful pin positions that can alter strategy dramatically.

It's got history, one of the the best clubhouses in the States, and  it's warm there today, unlike here !!!!!!!!!

Got to be one of the best in Florida, hands down

Archie,

Dittos and a little bit more...Example of a wonderful short par 4, the 13th at Indian Creek. Dogleg left, reachable with no wind (almost never) and downwind, BUT where is the ball going to stop? Elevated green, well bunkered and sloping off to the edges. Play the tee shot out to the right and find an awkward half wedge into this green complex, which tests all of your mettle. Once on the surface, there is nothing easy about it. So, a 300 yard par 4, dogleg left around water, doesn't sound hard, but is it?

I look forward to catching up with you!
All the best,
Guy

[SPDB]

Timuquana should be on this list. I can't believe it hasn't been mentioned yet.

[Hunt]

Gulfstream and Loblolly Pines should make this list.

What about Loxahatchee?

[Adam_Messix]

Kyle--

As far as Lekarika vs. Lake Wales CC, I agree with you or if I leaned one way, it would be more toward 8 rounds to 2.  

I've visted Fernandina Beach Muni.  It's nice and definitely a throwback.  It reminds me a bit of Lake Worth Muni and Delray Beach CC, both rustic courses that are kinda thin in the grass department but courses that guys on this site would like.  

I would include Old Marsh and McArthur Club in the list of quality Florida golf courses.  If Normandy Shores (Flynn just south of Indian Creek) is ever returned to action it would have to make it too.  Now that I think about, Shark's Tooth up in Panama City is excellent too.

[Guy Phelan]

Knowing that every contour was by design makes it a unique examination.

Wayne,

Is Indian Creek the most manufactured Flynn course?

Mike,

I am not sure if it is the "most manufactured;" however, it should be noted that the course is sitting on a man-made island.

Guy

[PThomas]

Gulfstream and Loblolly Pines should make this list.

What about Loxahatchee?

didn't Jack redo Loxahatchee?  did he take out any of those mounds?

[PThomas]

 I didn't get one plugged lie and I surely hit enough shots into the bunkers to get a solid sample size.

you lawyers have a great way of saying "My iron game sucked that day!"

thanks for the laugh!

It sure did.  But that course can do it to you.  The green complexes are so imposing that you are never comfortable.  Especially after a 5 month lay-off from the game due to the frigid midwestern winters.

I look forward to playing it one day Ryan...and yea, been really frigid   :'(here for about two weeks straight

[Guy Phelan]

Now, we have a list below of Florida golf courses that fall in the category of "Greatness" to some of us for whatever reasons. Take a look at the list and let us know, which ones should definitely be on the list and which ones should not. Keeping in mind "Greatness."

Admirals Cove
Black Diamond
Boca Rio
Calusa Pines
Dye Preserve
Fernandria Beach
Gulf Stream
Hideout
Indian Creek
Innisbrook – Copperhead
Isleworth
Johns Island – West
Jupiter Hills
Lakerita
loblolly Pines
Loxahatchee
McArthur
Mission Inn
Mountain Lake
Old Marsh
Old Memorial
Pennsacola CC
Pine Tree
Seminole
Sharks Tooth
Southern Dunes
The Bear’s Club
The Championship at PGA
The Concession
Timaquaner
TPC – Sawgrass
Victoria Hills
World Woods – Pine Barrons
World Woods - Rolling Oaks

[Kyle Harris]

Guy,

Lekarica definitely falls short of great. It's more notable for the terrain and it's usage. That area of Florida has some great golf courses just waiting to be built.

[Bill_McBride]

Kyle, sorry we didn't have a chance to meet last weekend at Mountain Lake.  That is one cool place and a beautiful golf course in conditions everybody enjoyed if a bit slower because of recent rains.  It is a lot of fun to play.  

[wsmorrison]

Mike Sweeney,

Today, it is up there with Shadow Creek for the most man-made course in America--that probably means the world.  Except that Indian Creek isn't sticking out like a sore thumb.

Indian Creek was built up to 3 feet above sea level using fill from Biscayne Bay when the Army Corps of Engineers was dredging the bay.  Flynn designed every contour as the entire man-made island was raised up an average of 6-8' and as much as 35' at the clubhouse.  If you're down there keeping warm, see if you can get a look at this design that is well worth studying.  The greens are amazing, among Flynn's best.  Wind was a factor in the design and the greens are downright scary with the wind.  It is a classroom for perception miscues and strategic bunkering.

[Patrick_Mucci]

Isleworth must be in this list.

WHY ?

Because it is an interesting, challenging, enjoyable golf course that resides in Florida.  

That wouldn't make it great.

In fact, it's the best I've played in Florida and one of the best tests I have ever played.

What other courses have you played in Florida ?

What other great tests have you played in the U.S. ?

The greens are outstanding, the forced carries are exciting and it challenges your short game in every way possible.  
I love it!

[Patrick_Mucci]

SPDB,

Timaquana  ..... GREAT ?  ?  ?

Hunt,

What about the courses you mentioned makes them GREAT ?

[JR Potts]

Isleworth must be in this list.

WHY ?

Because it is an interesting, challenging, enjoyable golf course that resides in Florida.  

That wouldn't make it great.

In fact, it's the best I've played in Florida and one of the best tests I have ever played.

What other courses have you played in Florida ?

What other great tests have you played in the U.S. ?

The greens are outstanding, the forced carries are exciting and it challenges your short game in every way possible.  
I love it!

Since I've already made it through law school and three years of the socratic method, I'll wait for you to answer your questions before I respond.  But I'll add a couple more, have you played modern Isleworth?  If so, what would make it great Mucci?  If not, just go away.

[Steve_Lovett]

"Great" is a way overused term.  Perhaps all on the list are "Excellent", maybe not, depending on personal preference.  Outside of probably Seminole and TPC Sawgrass- Stadium, I don't know that there will be much consensus on "Greatness" in Florida.

There are many "Excellent" courses, the list of which would include and far exceed the in-progress list so far.

[SPDB]

SPDB,

Timaquana  ..... GREAT ?  ?  ?

Pat - I was merely saying that given the list thus far, Timuquana deserves to be included. Would you say its Top 10 in FL? Top 15?

[Guy Phelan]

Now, we have a list below of Florida golf courses that fall in the category of "Greatness" to some of us for whatever reasons. Take a look at the list and let us know, which ones should definitely be on the list and which ones should not. Keeping in mind "Greatness."

Admirals Cove
Black Diamond
Boca Rio
Calusa Pines
Dye Preserve
Fernandria Beach
Gulf Stream
Hideout
Indian Creek
Innisbrook – Copperhead
Isleworth
Johns Island – West
Jupiter Hills
Lakerita
loblolly Pines
Loxahatchee
McArthur
Mission Inn
Mountain Lake
Old Marsh
Old Memorial
Pennsacola CC
Pine Tree
Seminole
Sharks Tooth
Southern Dunes
The Bear’s Club
The Championship at PGA
The Concession
Timaquaner
TPC – Sawgrass
Victoria Hills
World Woods – Pine Barrons
World Woods - Rolling Oaks

I would really like for someone to tell me what is "Greatness" about any of these golf courses? The idea of the thread is to "Seek Greatness." I am one that finds some "really fun and challenging golf courses in Florida, but by no means, do I find "greatness." Maybe you do...and if so, please explain...

Thanks