Southern Hills Plantation

The Southern Hills Plantation course might surprise those who are familiar with Pete Dye’s sizable library of courses in Florida. Although there are certainly opportunities for players to send the ball into a swamp, the majority of these holes feature no water features whatsoever, showing Dye’s core comprehension of using the land to create the challenge (and not just the water).

Those familiar with the 36-hole World Woods property nearby, and its Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks courses (both from Tom Fazio), will appreciate the quality of topography in this region north of Tampa Bay, and its rolling features (a rarity in one of the flattest of states).

For the lack of water features that Dye made famous at courses such as TPC Sawgrass, you can expect punishment elsewhere…this is no resort course. Distance is the key differentiator here, as Southern Hills Plantation stretches to just less than 7,600 yards from its back tees. This is Dye’s longest in the Sunshine State, and very near to Florida’s longest course in general. Combine this length with a bevy of centerline bunkers across the wide fairways, and you’ll need to earn your birdies.