Streamsong: Florida’s Hidden Gem

Streamsong Golf Resort is one of Florida‘s most beautiful golfing destinations, offering three excellent 18-hole golf courses and first class accommodation. Set in a remote natural landscape of sun-burnt sand dunes, it’s the ultimate retreat for golf and relaxation. Four of the world’s most revered golf course architects have created three A-list layouts which sit alongside a stunning lakeside lodge and spa, making the resort a bucket-list destination for golfers from all over the globe. 

Getting there

Streamsong is located near the city of Bowling Green, about a two hour drive from Orlando and just over an hour from Tampa. Both cities have international airports. 

Location

The 16,000-acre property stretches over the land of a former phosphate mine, which gives the three resident courses a unique setting. With the help of Mother Nature over the years, it became a windswept home to towering sand dunes, with natural bunkers and elevation changes surrounded by abundant native vegetation. It feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, making it a peaceful retreat to get away from it all. The bunkers in some places are as big as beaches, giving the resort a links-like feel, reminiscent of Ireland‘s Ballybunion or Scotland‘s Trump International – but sunnier.

The Golf Courses

Streamsong Red, designed by Bill Coore and former Masters champion Ben Crenshaw, is perhaps the resort’s standout course. With striking landforms, expansive lakes, rolling terrain and stretches of open savannah, this par-72, 7,050-yard layout brings drama and strategy into play on each spectacular hole. To the beginner the sand dunes may be intimidating, but the fairways are actually wider than what they may seem from the tee, and to the better golfer the dunes offer a nice risk-and-reward characteristic. A good ball striker may find themselves with many birdie putts, but the greens are tricky enough to make it a good challenge.

Streamsong Blue was designed by respected architect Tom Doak, known for his philosophy of creating golf experiences with the natural features of the land in focus. This par-72, 7,250-yard course feels like it was found, rather than created. It has a dramatic start, with the back tee of number one on the top of a 75-feet tall sand dune. Once you reach the 7th, you get to the most photographed hole on the property. The par 3, which measures just over 200 yards and is played over water, has already become a postcard classic.

Streamsong Black, designed by Gil Hanse, opened three years after Red and Blue in 2017 to immediate acclaim. This par-73, 7,331-yard course is routed on a different part of the property with its own clubhouse, south of the other two. It’s laid out on much flatter land with bigger greens – in some places as large as football fields. There is almost no rough on the course and all the dangers are bunkers, which are even larger than at the Red course. Since this course opened, The Gauntlet, a two-acre putting course, and The Roundabout, a large practice area, have become excellent additions to the resort.

The Resort

The Lodge: Streamsong offers excellent accommodation at The Lodge. Its modern 216 rooms are decked out with floor-to-ceiling windows with river views, super comfortable beds and huge bathrooms. If you’re lucky, you can spend your weekend in one of the 12 guest rooms that sit on top of the clubhouse looking out over the golf terrain. 

Spa: The uniquely designed grotto-style full-service spa featuring eight treatment rooms, six unique pool experiences, a gym, and an outside infinity pool is the perfect place to wind down and relax after 18 holes.

Dining: SottoTerra is the flagship restaurant at Streamsong. Open for dinner Tuesday-Saturday, the menu meshes Italian offerings with steaks and seafood. There’s also Restaurant Fifty-Nine, located at the clubhouse with a large bar area and outdoor seating. P2O5 is in the lobby of the Lodge and is the best spot to grab a quick breakfast. Fragmentary Blue, a bar that sits on the top floor of the Lodge, is the perfect place for a night-cap.