Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club, Haines City, Florida - One of the Most Unique Golf Courses in Central Florida

Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club was built on the site of an orange grove killed by frost in the 1980s. As a result, the base soil is pure sand with a distinctive orange color, and features some natural elevation changes. Designed by Steve Smyers, the sand made for an easy material to move, which led to a design featuring numerous mounds, ridges and hollows. In other words, a highly contoured course with a "sculpted'' feel about it, as well as a great deal of movement and swale.

The 18-hole, par-72 Southern Dunes plays to 7,227 yards from the tips, with a USGA rating of 74.7 and a slope rating of 135. From the White tees, the course plays to a much shorter 6,298 yards, so most golfers will consider playing from the Blue tees.

Southern Dunes is a dramatic hillside layout with 100 feet of elevation changes. Sections of the course lie below much of the surrounding lands and features expansive fairways and some 180 bunkers that tend to dominate most holes. The Par-3 11th hole alone features ten bunkers, giving the hole and the course ample challenge and a molten, "bubbling'' look. Golfers must also be beware of the massive, high-lipped bunkers that appear closer to the greens.

The native topography includes high grasses over sand dunes, and ornamentals that border holes that flow with the stunning terrain. Golfing imagination is said to be a highly prized playing trait on this course, as golfers can play bump-and-run shots and make use of the many slopes and contours to maneuver their ball around the course.

The par 3s tend to play downhill, giving golfers great views of the course and some distinctive holes. Once on the green, golfers will encounter the large, fast, undulating greens for which the course is known. In general, the course has been described as a tough and challenging design that's also fair and fun to play again and again.

As testament to its quality, Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club has been ranked by Golf Digest as #6 "Best Courses in the State.'' The course has also been ranked nationally, receiving a place in Golf Week magazines "Top 100 Modern Courses'' from 1997 to 2000, along with a 4 1/2 Star ranking by Golf Digest and a spot in Links Magazine's "Top 100 Courses Built in America 1982-1997.

Located just 15 miles from the Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando, Southern Dunes is one of the most unique courses in Central Florida - an area with an abundance of courses. The course offers practice facilities and a Golf Academy with group and individual teaching available. Traditional golfing wares are also available at the Southern Dunes Golf Shop, as well as some unique specialty items designed to appeal to both visitors and local residents.

For relaxing and dining, the club features a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse and the Southern Dune restaurant for breakfast and lunch. The cuisine tends toward the flavors and flair of the South, and ranges from light snacks, to breakfast and lunch items, and a Sunday breakfast buffet.