|
|
|
Subscribe To Newsletter - Win 1 Week Free Rental!
|
| Florida Condominium Rental |
|
Florida's Dream 18
With more than 1,000 golf courses in the state and counting, picking the best 18 … by hole number … is no
easy task. Playing them might be harder!
In assembling the Dream 18, I've tried to achieve a certain amount of balance. It would be easy to construct
a course with 18 of Florida's longest holes, but a good golf course has a balance of good short and long
holes…those with lots of water and those with tricky doglegs or deep bunkers. I've tried to create a standard
par-72 course, and to select holes from every corner of the state. And it goes without saying that these are
all courses the public can play.
The result? Our imaginary championship course plays to 6,975 yards from the tips. We think shooting even par
would test even Florida's own Tiger Woods.
Florida condominium rental and No. 9. Ocean Hammock Golf Club
(www.oceanhammockresort.com,
386-445-3000)
Palm Coast. Par 4, 468 yards.
This fairly new course is high profile: Jack Nicklaus designed it and the ninth and eighteenth holes both
run parallel to the Atlantic Ocean beach. This extra-tough hole is usually at the mercy of the wind and
requires two hearty blows to get to the sand-protected green.
Florida condominium rental and No. 10. Lagoon Legend at the Bay Pointe Resort
(www.marriottbaypoint.com, 850-236-6000),
Panama City Beach. Par 4, 376 yards.
Lagoon Legend is hyped as one of the toughest courses in Florida, and this hole is indicative. Not
overly long, the tee shot must carry a watery wetlands, avoid both sand and water, leaving a shortish
approach to green tightly guarded by more water. Bring a straight game or stay home!
Florida condominium rental and No. 11. The International course at ChampionsGate
(www.championsgategolf.com, 407-787-4667),
Kissimmee. Par 5, 550 yards.
Australian star Greg Norman laid out this course in open, windswept, treeless terrain, and this long
par-five, with water lurking down the left, and scrubby waste areas just off the fairway, can play into
the teeth of the prevailing wind.
Florida condominium rental and No. 12. King and Bear course, World Golf Hall of Fame
(www.worldgolfhalloffame.org, 904-940-4123),
St. Augustine. Par 4, 412 yards.
This co-design by Nicklaus (Bear) and Arnold Palmer (King) is a most enjoyable ride through the piney
woods and wetlands. On this hole, a good drive over a pond sets up a challenging approach to a small
green bordered by more water.
Florida condominium rental and No. 13. Emerald Dunes
(www.emeralddunes.com, 888-650-4653),
West Palm Beach, Par 4, 395 yards.
One of the state's top daily-fee courses, this Fazio design is well worth playing. The unlucky thirteenth
wraps around a lake on the left tee to green, but it's the approach to a tiny green that looks like its
floating in the lake that can test the nerves of the coolest golfer.
Florida condominium rental and No. 14. Burnt Pines Golf Club, Sandestin Resort
(www.sandestin.com, 850-267-8000),
Destin. Par 3, 212 yards.
Just one of 18 great holes designed by Rees Jones on Chocktawatchee Bay, this is a hit-and-hope shot across
the wetlands marshes with the bay and its breeze in the background. The shot must carry at least 200 yards
to avoid disappearing in the marsh.
Florida condominium rental and No. 15. TPC of Tampa Bay
(www.tpctampabay.com, 813-949-0090),
Lutz. Par 4, 452 yards.
The closing stretch of holes at this Bobby Weed/Chi Chi Rodriquez course is among the toughest in the state
and annually challenges the Champions Tour players. The tee shot must avoid the lagoon and a large bunker
down the left, find a rare flat spot in the rumpled fairway and then the approach is to a narrow green with
that lagoon lurking and a stand of cypress behind. No problem!
Florida condominium rental and No. 16. Copperhead course at the Westin Innisbrook Resort
(www.westin-innisbrook.com, 877-752-1480),
Tarpon Springs. Par 4, 460 yards.
Good finishing holes should have drama and increasing difficulties, and this one has both. From a hilltop
tee, the narrow fairway is protected by water to the right and trees to the left. Finding the ribbon of
fairway is just the first problem: One must then thread a long-iron through a narrow gap in the trees to
find a two-tier green. Par is a great score on this hole.
Florida condominium rental and No. 17. Stadium course, TPC at Sawgrass
(www.sawgrassmarriott.com,
904-285-7777),
Ponte Vedra Beach. Par 3, 132 yards.
Arguably the most famous golf hole in the world, Pete Dye's infamous island green gives even seasoned golf
pros shivering fits at the annual Player's Championship. Check the wind, pick the right club and try to make
a smooth swing.
Florida condominium rental and No. 18. Champions course, PGA National Resort
(www.pgaresorts.com, 561-627-2000),
Palm Beach Gardens. Par 5, 528 yards.
In a state filled with great closing holes, this one reigns supreme. Rather than brute strength, one
must carefully plan the attack. With thirteen bunkers, lake from tee to green, and an S-shaped fairway
- not to mention a usual breeze - it takes three carefully crafted shots to reach the green, which is
tiered and tricky.
|
|
|
|
