Everyone knows that Orlando and Tampa offer plenty of excitement and many wonderful golf courses to play. But I bet you didn't know that between these two popular vacation spots lie some of the best golf layouts in Florida. From Scottish links style and sand hills to the natural Florida variety with tree-lined fairways winding through the wetlands – you'll find them all here in Central Florida.

1) Southern Dunes

The best known of this group is Southern Dunes Golf and Country Club in Haines City, just off Highway 27, southwest of Orlando. Opened in 1993, the "Dunes" has become a favorite in the area for top golfers. It has hosted multiple U.S. Open Qualifying rounds as well as Hooters Tour professional golf events.

Designed by noted architect Steve Smyers, this track has been selected as No. 6 in Florida "Best in the State" and awarded a 4½-star ranking, both by Golf Digest. The entire course is sculpted from a sand ridge that runs through the region, producing plenty of natural areas of light tan colored sand in the 183 bunkers (some over 200 yards long) around the course.

It plays a strong 7,227 yards from the black tees with a killer 74.7 rating. The White tees are 6,298 and rated at 70.2, so be sure to select the tees that you can handle. PGA professional Kevin Woodard also has a new Golf Academy there to help you learn to play your best. You may want to check out the large group of vacation homes there for rent. For more details, check out www.SouthernDunes.com.
Everyone knows that Orlando and Tampa offer plenty of excitement and many wonderful golf courses to play. But I bet you didn't know that between these two popular vacation spots lie some of the best golf layouts in Florida.


2) The Club at Eaglebrooke

In the southern part of Lakeland is The Club at Eaglebrooke, which opened in 1996 after some terrific design work by one of my favorite Florida architects, Ron Garl. Ron has done many layouts throughout Florida and this is one of his best. The semi-private club is ranked 4½ stars by Golf Digest and has many of the features that Ron Garl is known for such as multilevel greens and undulating terrain.

With six sets of tees ranging from 7,030 (74.6/140 rating/slope) to 5,009 yards (69/118), you're sure to find a set that fits your skill level. Over the years they have hosted the Futures Tour, Florida State Amateur events and a Champions Tour qualifying event. You may even run into two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen, who plays there from time to time.

The best time to play there is from October to December when the beautiful fall weather is fantastic and the course is not overly crowded. For more details, check out www.eaglebrooke.com.


3) The Golf Club at Bridgewater

Also in Lakeland and just off I-4 is a brand new track, The Golf Club at Bridgewater. This wonderful Scottish links-style layout has only been open since September 2007 and is already getting noticed.

One of Steve Smyers' designs, it has the look and feel of something by the North Sea. No homes or condos on this course. You can play bump and run shots on this 7,193-yard course, but watch out for the many hidden bunkers that can gobble up your ball. Some are deep and may require a sideways shot out (just like on the traditional Scottish courses) as they guard what look like wide fairways and inviting greens. The greens are undulating, and a deft putting touch is a skill you must have to score well here.

The back tees are rated at a tough 75.1 with a 146 slope. You better have your "A" game if you plan to go to the tips. However, if you elect to move up to the men's Gold tees (6,196 yards, 70.9/132), you should really enjoy your day here.

This place is so young that they have not yet built their clubhouse, but a temporary building houses a nice little golf shop and a place to get something to eat and drink. An easy drive from the Tampa Bay area, you should test out your game here. For more details, check out www.golfbridgewater.com.


4) Providence Golf and Country Club

On Highway 17-92 southwest of Orlando, and a little off the beaten path, you'll come upon a new community with a terrific course: Providence Golf & Country Club. Opened in August 2007 in Davenport, Providence has also opened a magnificent new clubhouse.

This wild course meanders through the woods and wetlands, as golf architect Michael Dasher intended in this innovative course design. Here you may see wild turkeys, raccoons, cranes and other Florida wildlife. The layout is 6,929 yards from the back tees (rated/sloped at 73.3/131), but it gets noticeably more friendly from the Blue tees at 6,370 yards (70.1/119).

They have already hosted a Hooters Tour event and the Sunbelt Senior Tour. A favorite is the picturesque 12th hole – a par 3 with a peninsula green that juts out into a lake. You'll remember this one. For more details, check out www.providence-golf.com.

For more information on planning a golf getaway to Central Florida, contact call 800-828-7655 or go to www.visitcentralflorida.org .