Top 10 in Florida

[Ted Sturges]

After visiting Streamsong last week, it has me wondering where both of those courses fall in the state of Florida's best courses.  Golf Digest ranks each state's best (but considering their list for my home state of Indiana, I don't put much credence on that esteemed panel's analysis), and has their top 10 in Florida as follows:

1.  Seminole
2.  TPC Sawgrass
3.  Calusa Pines
4.  The Concession
5.  Jupiter Hills
6.  The Bear's Club
7.  McArthur G.C.
8.  Black Diamond Ranch
9.  Pablo Creek Club
10.  Trump International

Of what I have played and would rate as a "Doak 7 or better", I would rank them something like this:

1.  Seminole
2.  Streamsong Blue
3.  TPC Sawgrass
4.  Streamsong Red
5.  Old Memorial 

How do others see the best in Florida? 

TS

[J_ Crisham]

After visiting Streamsong last week, it has me wondering where both of those courses fall in the state of Florida's best courses.  Golf Digest ranks each state's best (but considering their list for my home state of Indiana, I don't put much credence on that esteemed panel's analysis), and has their top 10 in Florida as follows:

1.  Seminole
2.  TPC Sawgrass
3.  Calusa Pines
4.  The Concession
5.  Jupiter Hills
6.  The Bear's Club
7.  McArthur G.C.
8.  Black Diamond Ranch
9.  Pablo Creek Club
10.  Trump International

Of what I have played and would rate as a "Doak 7 or better", I would rank them something like this:

1.  Seminole
2.  Streamsong Blue
3.  TPC Sawgrass
4.  Streamsong Red
5.  Old Memorial 

How do others see the best in Florida? 

TS

Ted , I would have a hard time leaving out Mountain Lake,they are very different  but IMO it's better than McArthur and not sure about the Concession being top 10 in Florida.

[Ted Sturges]

Jack,

That top 10 list was GD's, not mine.  I listed my own top 5 in Florida below that, based only on what I have played.  I have not been to Mountain Lake or World Woods, and I understand both of them would merit consideration among Florida's best. 

TS

[Mike Sweeney]

1 Streamsong - Blue

2. WW - Pine Barrens

3. Mountain Lake - a bargain at $29 

4. Calusa Pines

5. Streamsong - Red

6. Deltona - before the rates dropped and now it has dropped

7. Sugarloaf - now closed

8. Mission Inn - the old course

9. Southern Dunes

10. Bay Hill

Have not played much in the north or south of Florida.

[Dean Stokes]

I was about to say surely Mountain Lake would be in there...Pine Tree should be in there....The Dye Preserve.....Timuquana in Jacksonville......the original Sawgrass?

[Mark Saltzman]

1. Streamsong Blue
2. Johns Island West
3. CC of Florida
4. Streamsong Red
5. Pine Tree
6. TPC Sawgrass
7. Palma Ceia
8. Old Memorial
9. Mountain Lake
10. Trump International

Potential 8-10 replacements played: Concession, McArthur, North Palm Beach, Black Diamond

Not played but potential additions: Seminole, Indian Creek, CalusaPines, Bears Club, Timuquana, Dye Preserve, Jupiter Hills, Old Collier, Hideout, Pablo Creek, Loblolly

[J_ Crisham]

I was about to say surely Mountain Lake would be in there...Pine Tree should be in there....The Dye Preserve.....Timuquana in Jacksonville......the original Sawgrass?

Not sure how I could forget Pine Tree just having played there 2 weeks ago- it is very solid especially given the flattish terrain. WW is definitely top 10 , TPC Sawgrass, Seminole, Calusa, maybe Loblolly, Jupiter Hills, Indian Creek maybe. So many good but not great courses due to the terrain. My rounds at Streamsong put both Red and Blue easily into my top 10 in Florida.

[K. Krahenbuhl]

My top 7...

Seminole
Streamsong Red
Calusa Pines
Streamsong Blue
TPC Sawgrass
Indian Creek
Pine Tree

[Ben Kodadek]

1. Streamsong Blue
2. Johns Island West
3. CC of Florida
4. Streamsong Red
5. Pine Tree
6. TPC Sawgrass
7. Palma Ceia
8. Old Memorial
9. Mountain Lake
10. Trump International

Potential 8-10 replacements played: Concession, McArthur, North Palm Beach, Black Diamond

Not played but potential additions: Seminole, Indian Creek, CalusaPines, Bears Club, Timuquana, Dye Preserve, Jupiter Hills, Old Collier, Hideout, Pablo Creek, Loblolly

Palma Ceia ahead of Mountain Lake? 

[Greg Tallman]

I think Innisbrook Copperhead warrants mention.

Wow, trying to assmeble a Florida Top Ten REALLY highlights the need for a place like Streamsong.  

1. Seminole
2. TPC Sawgrass
3. World Woods Pine Barrnes
4. Calusa Pines
5. Mountain Lake
6. Old Memorial
7. World Woods Rolling Oaks
8. Southern Dunes
9. Innisbrook Copperhead
10. Mission Inn - El Campeon

Florida has a great number of excellent private clubs but is very light in great private courses.  

I would have to think both SS courses likely crack that Top 5 rather easily.

[JR Potts]

I know one thing for certain, Innisbrook-Copperhead and Old Memorial are not better golf courses than Isleworth.

[Greg Tallman]

I know one thing for certain, Innisbrook-Copperhead and Old Memorial are not better golf courses than Isleworth.

Isleworth?

[JR Potts]

Yes, Isleworth.  It's a more interesting layout than Old Memorial in my opinion.  And it's certainly better than Copperhead.

[John Foley]

Played lots of golf in FL but not While I have not played alot of these top ten - one point and one questions arise:

Any list not including WW Pine Barrens is just plain wrong - fantastic and VERY unique course for FL.

Why do we not here more about Old Collier? I have heard from one person I know (not on here) who claims it fantastic, but don't think I have seen much if any about it here. Any of the treehouse seen it?

[BHoover]

No love for Timuquana up in Jacksonville?  Granted, I haven't played much golf in Florida, but I thought Timuquana was pretty special.

[Joel_Stewart]

Without giving much thought mine would be.

1. Seminole
2. TPC Sawgrass
3. Streamsong Blue
4. Medalist
5. Jupiter Hills
6. Naples National
7. Stremsong Red
8. Old Memorial
9. Pine Tree
10. Boca Rio

[Mike_Young]

Indian Creek belongs in the top two IMHO....

[John_Conley]

Mark, thanks for mentioned J.I.W.  Love that place.

I don't think we'll come close to any unanimity in a consensus list.  So many of these courses are polarizing.  Some swear by them and others think they aren't all that.

Examples:

Naples National
TPC Stadium
Old Memorial
Mountain Lake
World Woods - Rolling Oaks
Trump International
Innisbrook - Copperhead
Bay Hill

I'll say these are safe to make a Top 10.

Seminole
Jupiter Hills
World Woods - Pine Barrens
Calusa Pines
Black Diamond Ranch - Quarry
TPC Stadium (doesn't make my Top 10 though)

I like North Palm Beach Municipal a heck of a lot more than some of the courses I see mentioned!!

Beyond those six I think there is a lot of disagreement.

Have not been to Streamsong yet.

[John Kavanaugh]

John,

Did you move? I have always considered you the leading authority on Orlando golf. Why haven't you been to Streamsong yet?  I hope all is well.

[David Kelly]

One course that hasn't been mentioned is Sara Bay CC in Sarasota.  I'd say it would be a candidate for the bottom half of the top ten.  I think it is better than Bay Hill, Innisbrook, WW Rolling Oaks, Black Diamond Ranch, Mission Inn and Southern Dunes. 

[Greg Tallman]

One course that hasn't been mentioned is Sara Bay CC in Sarasota.  I'd say it would be a candidate for the bottom half of the top ten.  I think it is better than Bay Hill, Innisbrook, WW Rolling Oaks, Black Diamond Ranch, Mission Inn and Southern Dunes. 

David, I considered Sara Bay but in the end left it off my list. Nice place for sure. Pre-housing I would say Southrn Dunes was a much better oevrall course though I have seen it in maybe 15 years.

Black Diamand Ranch never turned me on and actually thought some of the quarry holes were pretty weak.

[Dean Stokes]

No love for Timuquana up in Jacksonville?  Granted, I haven't played much golf in Florida, but I thought Timuquana was pretty special.

Brian, I mentioned Timuquana earlier which would have to be close to the top 10 in Florida. I forgot Loblolly Pines, Johns West n Vero, Long Point in Amelia Island and Innisbrook Copperhead which I have never played but have heard could be one of the best in Florida. I also believe that if the Champ course at PGA National were a private course not surrounded by homes it would get a lot more respect. Hole for hole it is a good golf course.

[Bart Bradley]

I am playing TPC Sawgrass and Streamsong Red and Blue next week,

But of the ones I have already seen:

1.  Seminole
2.  Mountain Lake
3.  WW Pine Barrens
4.  Calusa Pines
5.  Pine Tree
6.  CC of Florida
7.  Isleworth
8.  Indian Creek
9.  Dye Preserve
10. Old Memorial


I fully expect that the 3 from next week will all make the list.  I probably would have included Sugarloaf Mtn as a top 10 design if it were ever "finished" and still open.

Despite everyone's disdain of Florida golf, the Top 10 has some fun courses....now, given the number of courses in the state, the list should be stronger...

Feel free to rip my opinions to pieces, for that is what we do here 

Bart

[Mark Saltzman]

I wonder if there is anyone on this board that has played country club of Florida and does not think it's among the 10 best courses in the state.

Bart, next time you are down be sure to take the time to play Johns Island West I think you're going to really like it.

[Bart Bradley]

Mark:

Yeah, I saw where you put it on your list  .  I will be certain to add it to the pile!  Thank you.

Bart