Streamsong Red + Blue - Fort Meade, Florida

Official Website: streamsongresort.com

Course Architects

Tom Doak (Blue) | Bill Coore + Ben Crenshaw (Red)

First Teed Off

January 26, 2013

Rating	Slope	Yardage	Par
Blue: 74.1	131	7176 yards	72
Red: 74.2	130	7148 yards	72

Rates of Passage

$85-255, Walking Rate: includes greens fees and use of practice areas.

Caddies available for an additional fee.

Cost dependent on season and whether you stay at the resort.  Stay and play packages typically available.

View from the 19th Hole

Carved by phosphate miners of yesteryear on what was once ocean floor, this sand-laden paradise is unlike anything in Florida or the US.  An intricate mosaic of dunes, plunging waterways, and rolling links fairways, Streamsong blends some of the best aspects of golf courses from around the world into this magical spot in central Florida.  In fact, everything about this course leads you to believe you're somewhere other than Florida.  The Black course, rumored to roll even more so than its predecessors, is set to open in fall 2017.  While Red typically ranks just above Blue, we're hard pressed to award a winner.  Both tout their own personality.  I'd say Blue is a little nicer to look at with more challenging greens, however Red demands precision on your tee shots.  

The course is only played on foot this time of year, so pack your most comfortable golf shoes.  Really craving that golf cart experience?  Carts are allowed during the summer season.  Caddies are available, but be prepared to have cash on hand.  Your caddy fee and gratuities are payable directly to the caddy on the completion of the round.  Caddies run $80-100, plus gratuities.

The intended direction of the courses isn't abundantly clear, as there aren't paths at all points, some holes are spread apart, nor are the hole markers always visible.  For this reason, a first timer will need to keep up with the group ahead or enlist the help of a caddy.

Through Our Lens: click to indulge

Our Round

Adventures in Traveling (idle ranting)

One bolt shy of takeoff

Either we have bad travel mojo, or traveling is just cursed for everyone.  This trip was originally planned for October.  A broken hand for my better half had us scrambling to reschedule less than a week out.  Enter February.  We booked direct flights to Orlando in order to circumvent any unforeseen snow-related travel delays.  It's the perfect plan: 7am flight to Orlando, hour or so drive to Streamsong, and on the tee at 1pm.  Our plans so great, we can probably even grab lunch before we tee off.  I'm thrilled to report our pre-flight inspection was completed satisfactorily, and in doing so they found a bolt missing from a landing gear door.  No big deal, right?  We'll the mechanic called in sick.  There are others, right?  Sure.  Turns out they don't have this magical bolt in stock, so it will be coming on the 10am flight from Chicago.  Our 7am flight is now, at best, an 11am flight.  Scratch that 1pm tee time.  Meanwhile, the snow that has been absent from Columbus all winter has now decided to arrive with some vengeance.  We will sit, wait, and laugh because what else can you do? I'm convinced travel would be a smoother experience for us if we didn't plan with such precision.

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Update: It's 11:30am and now we've done away with time updates.  Our dear gate agents know nothing.  We've cancelled our tee time for today.  However, we did book a reservation for dinner at the resort's Sotto Terra restaurant.  I've read mouthwatering reviews of their meatball appetizer.  (Read: We've been up since 4am, and we're hungry.) 

The only (literal) sign you've made it.
Keep driving another couple miles to reach the lodge. 

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We finally arrived at the remote resort around 6pm.  It's no exaggeration this mecca is in the middle of nowhere.  We check in just in time to watch the sun dip beneath the dunes.  Tomorrow will be a better day!

Know Before You Go

The bye hole.  It's the 19th, 37th, and deal breaker shot of the courses.

The range is located near the front side of the clubhouse, so you'll hitch a ride from the tunnel underneath the clubhouse to get there.  At the range, there is a putting green and chipping area, but there is also another sizable green to access just outside the back of the clubhouse before each of the first tees.

The 19th hole.  There's a legitimate 19th hole here.  Or maybe it's a 37th hole.  The 150 yard, par 3's intent is to settle any outstanding bets from the prior round(s). 

Streamsong reminds us of Tobacco Road, sans the tall pines, or Wolf Creek. Goose, our caddy for the Red course, compares it to Whistling Straits or Bandon Dunes.  Keep your eyes peeled for ocean treasures.  While we weren't so fortunate, many find shark teeth scattered in the sand during their round.  

Red

We are the first tee time this morning, but at a balmy 35º F, there is a frost delay.  We end up teeing off just an hour shy our original tee time.  The sun is high in the sky, and our caddies are eager to roll.

No. 1

Tougher than Blue's starting hole, Red jumps out the gate with a bang: a 474 yard, par 4 with a carry over water.  Dunes flank the fairway below, as you'll venture down before climbing back up for the green.  It's a tough par.  The second and third are more reasonable.  Two is a par 5, dogleg right and three, a 404 yard par 4.  You might find, like many holes at Streamsong, three plays a bit longer than it promises.

Water on No. 2 shouldn't come into play.
Development of Streamsong Black Course visible at back left. 

The fourth hole is an exciting, drivable par 4 with an extremely wide and forgiving fairway.  As you consider your attack plan, don't mind the sizable, inverted bunker hanging out directly in front of the green.  Its green is similar to many at Streamsong in that it bears an extreme ridge throughout the back that will shift your approach shot, regardless of which direction you come in.  All the more reason Goose, our caddy, was a key asset at this juncture.

Five is a narrow par 4, where all the risk is on the right–water that hugs the edge all the way to the green. Greenside bunkers hug the back and right sides of the green. Playing your shot along the left side is helpful since this hole slopes left to right. The 203 yard, par 3, sixth hole steps up the challenge and visual interest factor with water features and prominent dunes.   

Overlooking No. 7

Do yourself a favor on seven, and take the steps up to the tips even if you're not playing from them.  It's a pretty spectacular view (see above).  While this hole features a large green, its fair share of expansive bunkers guards it. Seven is a straightforward par 5, leading to the par 3 eighth, riddled with sand bunkers and waste areas. Nine is a short par four with a steady climb to the green.  It's another risk-reward drivable green like four.  Be sure to stop for a barbecue sandwich if your stomach is starting to talk. After all, you're burning it off with all that walking.

Big ol' greens everywhere you turn

Ten through twelve are all lengthy par fours averaging out at nearly 475 yards on each.  Utilize your driver to cut through the wind and help climb the seemingly endless uphill fairways.  Fortunately, all have substantial greens.  Of note, the approach shot on twelve has woods at the front left, water at back right, and sand everywhere in between.  Goose wasn't exaggerating when he mentioned the back nine would be longer and more challenging.

The thirteenth relents a bit, as it's a 526 yard par 5.  Your tee shot requires a carry over water, and a long bunker runs about 200 yards down the right side of the fairway.  At Streamsong, you'll find comfort in landing somewhere in the greenspace, regardless of where that may be.  Otherwise you and your wedges will be getting some quality time from the sand and native grasses you're undoubtedly in.

Aim high on fifteen

The par 3 fourteenth, at a 176 yards, doesn't seem all that miserable, but the green is guarded by four bunkers marking the cardinal directions, with the green at their center. So remember, just land it in that green space...  

Fifteen is a forgiving, 474 yard par 4, with a smaller, kidney-shaped green sloping away as you approach.

Par 3 sixteenth of Red.  Enjoy a peek back at Blue's No. 7 (at right) from the tees. 

Sixteen is a stunner.  This picturesque par three has a 173 yard carry over water and plunging greenside bunkers.  With the center 208 yards from the tee, and the back edge 241 yards away, you'd think you have a fair amount of space to work with.  However, this green waves down from top to the water.  You have a great view to your right of the signature seventh of Blue and the clubhouse from this tee box sharing the same water.

Seventeen is a reasonable par 4 best suited for a smaller wood or hybrid off the tee.  A nice layup will help keep you out of trouble.  Eighteen is a 518 yard, par 5 that's reachable, and seems somewhat easy in comparison to what you've encountered at this point.  You still have a bit of a walk to the clubhouse from this eighteen, as it doesn't play right into the clubhouse like Blue. 

Teeing off at seventeen

Blue

360º views from the first tee

Blue starts short and ends long.  You'll find the first tee perched upon a dune.  Leave your bag at the bottom of the hill because you'll be breathless at it is making it to the top of this sand laden hill.  Our starter, Fred, gave us a lay of the land from this tee box, the highest point on the course.  From here, you can see the lodge, both courses and, in the distance, workers actively carving sand at the future home of the Streamsong Black course set to open in fall 2017.  It's a great way to start your round, with the elevated tee making it easy to see what's ahead.  The green is guarded by aptly placed bunkers, requiring precision in your approach shot.

Tees at three

Two is a long dogleg right par 5, retaining the same strategically placed bunkers alongside the green.  This hole is the first of many that seem to be an expanse of rolling green fairway.  Three is a gem, requiring a tee shot over wetlands, navigation around sizeable bunkers, and a meaningful elevation change up to the green with significant slopes surrounding the hole.  Get used to it– there's fifteen more.  If not for the seventh hole (more to come on that) the fourth might be the most memorable hole.  Just standing on the tee makes you wince at the challenge of your approach shot.  The hole itself is not that long, at 442 yards from the green tees, but your approach shot seems to scale a sand wall whether you're approaching from the left or right.  You really can't tell what lies above either.  You're just hoping for the best, and enjoying the spectacular view.  We both hit long, but the advantage at Streamsong is there's only one cut.  The fairways and greens, while different types of grass, are all the same length.  Therefore, landing outside the green doesn't penalize you as much as one might typically assume.

Grass, sand, hills.  Repeat.

Five is the first par 3, and a welcome respite after the climb of four.  I'm proud to say my shot, not by design, somehow caught the perfect line on the left of the green and rolled all the way to the right-side pin placement, making for an easy putt.  Don't go long on this one, or you'll find your ball over the ridgeline at the back, buried below in the native grasses and plunging bunkers. 

On 6: still longing for
that hole-in-one

Six is a par four dogleg right.  For us, the noteworthy aspect of this hole was the fact Shawn almost eagled his approach shot.  

Up a little hill, and we're staring at the signature seventh.  With the exception of the forward tees, all the tees work from an elevated plane.  The 195 yard reach from the tips gives it a little bite.  The water is easy enough to clear, but a short approach will land you in a deep greenside bunker.  Going long will land you in the tall dune covered in native grasses.  The descent to the bridge on this hole is pretty steep, so you best hope there's plenty of gravel to keep your feet from coming out under you.  Don't forget: you, a caddy, or walking cart, is holding your bag.  Having that weight behind or in front of you can make you feel like you're mid-avalanche.  Be prepared to climb back out of the seventh hole as you ascend to number eight.

Tee shots at No. 7

Eight is a par 4 featuring a wetland patch near the green, where we spied a couple turtles at play.  There's a great deal of wildlife at Streamsong, including gators, bald eagle, and turtles.  We saw a bald eagle and some gator ridges going through the waterways, but the colder weather kept most of those friends in hiding. 

Nine is L-O-N-G.  It would be tough to miss your tee shot on this hole, even though you have no perspective on where you're headed.  The fairway seems to stretch in all directions, and the climb required after your tee shot is another one that just seems to keep reaching.

The start of nine.  Same bunkers at top right of this photo and photo below.
Perspective on how massive everything is at Streamsong.

Like the Energizer bunny, nine just keeps going, and going, and going...

Pit stop: The halfway house on Blue features grouper tacos for those craving a mid-round binge. 

Greenside on eleven

The back nine surprisingly opens with a short par 3.  Have no fear; eleven quickly makes up for the short yardage, as it's the first of many monstrous par fours on the back nine.  I'm not sure if there was a sudden change in weather for us, or if it's just the lay of the land at this point of the course, but there was a noticeable uptick in the wind coming straight at you from this juncture.  Twelve is no exception, as it's a long far four with a headwind–the difference being a required carry over water and bunkers for your approach shot.

Thirteen sends you down before climbing back toward the green.  Don't miss left, as I did, or you'll find yourself at the bottom of a very deep bunker.  Shawn raked me out, as I'm not sure I would be able to get enough loft to save myself otherwise.  On our walk to fourteen, we had our first gator siting.  Shawn spotted his dinosaur-like ridges swimming through the adjacent pond.  

Sand guarding bunkers at 14 and requiring a carry off the tees at 15.

Fourteen is a dogleg right that eventually stretches out and up in front of you with water to the right, and a hill to your left.  It wasn't an excessively long par 5, at 523 yards, however it seemed to play like it was six hundred yards.  Fifteen coiled back, over bunkers that both guarded fourteen's green, and provided a challenge for the tips of fifteen's tees.  It "might" be the only straightforward hole on this eighteen.  

Climb a la number 9 on seventeen.

Surprisingly, sixteen was a long par 3, especially with the wind.  Shawn used his 230 yard club from the black tees, and was pin high just off the side of the green.  If you aren't gassed at this point, the great stretch of seventeen will be your nail in the coffin.  It's marked by two fairway bunkers, each in excess of a 40 yard carry for your second shot.  If you can successfully navigate the sand, the elevation change is about 45º up to the green.

Eighteen rolls you back into the clubhouse, but not before dropping it's famished golfers into another valley flanked with its own share of bunkers.  The walk up the fairway is marked by the clubhouse, thoughtfully framed by two dunes towering along each side.  It's this lasting image that will remain in your memory, and remind you, "Yeah this [tall sand dunes and a minimalist attitude] is exactly what this course is all about."

18 headed into the clubhouse.  Mount at left is climb to first tee on Blue.  Yes, those are tiny people climbing up the hill.

Scoreboard

2015, Top 100 Courses in the US (Red #47, Blue #56),  GOLF Magazine

2015, Best Courses You Can Play | By State (Red #2, Blue #3), Golfweek

2015, America's 100 Greatest Public Courses (Red #18, Blue #24), Golf Digest

2015, Best Public Courses in Florida (Red #1, Blue #3), Golf Digest

2015, America's 100 Greatest Golf Courses (Red #100), Golf Digest

2014, Best Resort Courses for 2015 (Red #12, Blue #14), Golfweek

2014, Top 100 Courses You Can Play in the US (Red #12, Blue #16), GOLF Magazine

Expert Commentary

2015 July 15, From Phosphate Mine to Golf Resort, WUSF News

2015 July 6, Streamsong Red and Blue: You'll Forget You're in Florida, WESH Orlando

2014 December 11, Buddy This!, Golf Digest

Beyond the 19th Hole

Lodging

Clubhouse at Streamsong

You can find many an article regaling the accommodations at Streamsong.  Options include: 12 guest rooms at the clubhouse, or 216 guest rooms at the Lodge.  Our basic rooms was spacious and overly appointed, leaving me to wonder what the suites offer.  The premium to stay at the clubhouse might just be worth it, seeing as though it's pretty intimate over there.  The on-site restaurant, Restaurant Fifty-Nine is open for all three meals, so you'll never have to leave, except to walk out back for your round.  However, complementary shuttles are prevalent around the resort, so getting to and from each location isn't a problem once you're on site. 

Looking toward Red from the clubhouse back porch.

Dining

The bevy of culinary options contrasts those of the typical clubhouse or resort experience.  While we didn't have the time to sample everything, we're confident it's all pretty spectacular from what we did try.  If it gives you any indication, Streamsong is a place where tap water is referred to as "house water" and fries aren't included with your club sandwich.  As someone who ate at Denny's at Streamsong in the same day, I feel it's my civic duty to help others avoid culture shock.

Scorecards