Toto, We Aren't In Florida Anymore

My 2023 quest to play the 100 best public golf courses in the USA brought me to Streamsong Resort, a nontraditional golfing destination in Bowling Green, Florida. This small, out-of-the-way town, once known for phosphate mining and its blue-collar roots, has been transformed into one of the country’s premier golf locations.

Situated about an hour from Tampa and two hours from Orlando, Streamsong's remote location is a key part of its strategy: there are no branded hotels nearby, effectively encouraging visitors to stay at the resort. For my mid-November trip, I chose to save money by staying near Tampa, making the 45-minute commute each morning instead of staying on property.

Upon entering the sprawling Streamsong property, the familiar Florida landscape of flat terrain and swamps greets you. However, as you approach the resort, the land begins to shift. The rolling hills and dramatic elevation changes—remnants of the former phosphate mines—set the stage for a golf experience unlike any other in Florida.

Location, Location, Location

The resort itself offers several restaurants, meeting halls, conference rooms, and basic amenities, but I found it slightly underwhelming. Many golfers I spoke with during my round said the rooms were comfortable but not extravagant. The real value of staying at the resort is the convenience of being minutes away from the courses rather than driving an hour from the nearest hotel.

Streamsong’s practice facilities were a mixed bag. The driving range was average, with mats being used despite plenty of grass in seemingly good condition. Limited target flags and a slightly downhill range made dialing in distances difficult. However, the chipping area was excellent, featuring a green that rolled faster than those on the Blue course itself—a nice touch for short-game practice.

The Blue course, designed by Tom Doak, is known for its wide fairways, strategic bunkering, and second-shot emphasis. The terrain, shaped by decades of phosphate mining, provides a hilly, visually striking backdrop that’s rare for Florida.

Not Your Typical Florida Course

The first hole is a standout—a driveable par four with an elevated tee that offers panoramic views of the entire Streamsong property. From this vantage point, you can see the Blue and Red courses, the resort in the distance, and the vast land available for future development.

The second hole, a par five, continues the theme of wide fairways. This design invites aggressive play, but the green, with its false fronts and dramatic shelves, serves as the hole’s primary defense. Despite the lack of hazards, the contoured green can quickly turn a promising start into a frustrating three-putt.

The third hole begins to showcase the course’s strategic brilliance. This par four subtly curves to the left, requiring precision off the tee. A fairway wood to the right side leaves the best angle to the raised green. This hole exemplifies Streamsong Blue’s reputation as a second-shot golf course.

The fourth hole, a par four, plays straight uphill with a blind approach to the green. It challenges golfers to trust their yardages and stay committed to their shots.

The fifth hole, the shortest par three on the course, features an enormous green stretching at least 60 yards. Missing the green is not an option, as false fronts and bunkers await errant shots.

The sixth hole is a shorter par four that presents a prime birdie opportunity with a well-placed drive.

The seventh hole, a long par three, is both beautiful and terrifying. Playing over 200 yards from an elevated tee into the wind, this hole demands precision and focus. Missing short or left is severely penal, while the right miss is only slightly more forgiving.

The eighth hole is a deceptively challenging par four. Its green, contoured from back to front, requires a well-thought-out approach to avoid tough recovery shots.

The ninth hole, a par five, closes the front nine with a semi-blind tee shot and a green that invites aggressive play. This was where I carded my first birdie of the round, ending the front nine on a high note.

At the turn, the halfway house offers the usual snacks, but the tacos came highly recommended—and for good reason. Whether it was my exhaustion from walking or the quality of the food, the tacos hit the spot.

Battling the half of Avatar: Earth & Wind

The back nine is where Streamsong Blue starts to show its teeth, particularly with its length and the wind’s increasing presence.

The tenth hole, a straightforward par three, eases golfers into the inward nine.
The eleventh hole, a long uphill par four, is a brute, requiring two well-struck shots to reach the green.

The twelfth hole, one of the course’s standout designs, demands strategic decision-making off the tee. Water bisects the fairway, forcing players to either lay up short or take on the challenge with a driver. Two large bunkers guard the right side, while unplayable vegetation lines the left. The green favors a bailout to the left but punishes shots that miss long or right.

After a tough start to the back nine, the thirteenth hole offered redemption. This short par four plays just 312 yards, but its narrow fairway, water on the left, and a penal bunker on the right make it a test of nerves. I opted for driver off the tee, threading the needle perfectly and setting up a long putt for eagle. While I didn’t convert, a tap-in birdie helped me regain momentum.

The fourteenth hole, a par five, features a long carry over water and demands accuracy throughout. It was the last hole with a helping wind before conditions turned tougher.
The fifteenth hole, a 446-yard par four, played into a crosswind, making it one of the most challenging holes on the course.

The sixteenth hole, a 237-yard par three, is both visually stunning and brutally difficult. Significant wind made this hole play like a British Open test, with any miss short or left almost guaranteeing a double bogey.

The seventeenth hole, a monstrous 690-yard par five, was the longest hole I’ve ever played. Even with a well-struck drive and layup, I still faced a 220-yard approach shot into the wind. This hole demands both patience and precision to avoid disaster.

The eighteenth hole, a par four with a fairway and green sloping left to right, provides a fittingly challenging finish. With the sun setting, I managed to close with a solid par, ending my round on a satisfying note.

Streamsong makes other Florida courses sing the Blues

Streamsong Blue is a one-of-a-kind Florida golf course, combining strategic design with a visually stunning landscape. The hilly terrain and endless blue skies are a far cry from the flat, swampy courses typically associated with the state.

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Streamsong Blue is arguably the hardest course to walk at the resort. The hilly terrain and long distances between holes make it physically demanding, but the scenery and variety of challenges make it worthwhile.

Tips for Success

• Take advantage of wide fairways: Be aggressive off the tee to set up better angles for your approaches.
• Pick your spots for flag-hunting: Some greens are forgiving, but others will punish errant shots severely.
• Commit to putts: The greens are slower than you might expect but roll true. Give yourself a chance to sink the putt, and don’t leave it short

Streamsong Blue exceeded my expectations, offering a mix of wide fairways, strategic challenges, and stunning views. While I made some mistakes due to the lack of local course knowledge, I thoroughly enjoyed my round. Tom Doak has created a course that can be both fun and challenging for golfers of all skill levels.

Streamsong Blue set a high bar for my experience at the resort, leaving me eager to see how the Red course would compare. For anyone planning a trip to Streamsong, Blue is an absolute must-play.

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