Quote from: Bill_McBride on February 03, 2007, 10:21:05 AM

Quote from: Ryan Potts on February 03, 2007, 08:52:12 AM

Quote from: Patrick_Mucci on February 02, 2007, 10:54:22 PM

Quote from: Ryan Potts on February 02, 2007, 08:10:19 PM

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.

"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?  

 

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,

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.

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

Gulfstream and Loblolly Pines should make this list.

What about Loxahatchee?

Quote from: Wayne Morrison on February 03, 2007, 03:34:39 PM

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

Quote from: Paul Thomas on February 03, 2007, 11:56:14 AM

Quote from: Ryan Potts on February 03, 2007, 11:16:19 AM

 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,

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.

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.

SPDB,

Timaquana  ..... GREAT ?  ?  ?

Hunt,

What about the courses you mentioned makes them GREAT ?

"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.

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