Polk County is located in central Florida, and one its many draws is its golf courses. Dozens of courses, both public and private, are peppered throughout the county. The bulk of the public courses are mainly in Lakeland and Haines City, while a few are in surrounding communities like Winter Haven and Davenport.
Personalized Experience
Visitors to the Cleveland Heights Golf Course, located in Lakeland, will have a personalized golfing experience. The 27-hole course is split up into three nine-hole layouts--the A, B and C courses. Golfers can choose which 18 holes they want to play, for a different experience each time. No two holes are alike, and each presents different challenges and designs.
Features
Driving ranges and putting greens are just two features common at most area courses. The driving range at the Bramble Ridge Golf Course, located in Lakeland, stands out because it has 30 all-grass tee stations and areas to work on all aspects of your game. As of August 2010, the prices were the cheapest in the area--$3 for a small bucket, $5 for a medium and $8 for a large. The 18-hole course also offers a chipping and pitching green, a practice bunker and a putting green.
Awards/Recognition
The Steve Smyers-designed, 18-hole Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club, located in Haines City, has been given numerous awards and accolades. The recognition includes the "Reader's Choice Award" by Golf World as the second-best course in Florida in 2009; a Golf Digest ranking of No. 6 for "Best in State" in 2007 and 2008; and being one of Golfweek's "Top 100 Modern Courses in America" from 1997-2001.
Design
Golf course designer David Wallace gave the Willowbrook Golf Course in Winter Haven a traditional layout in a natural setting with well-manicured trees, plenty of water hazards, bunkers and challenging dog-legs. The natural setting also provides the chance to see the area's wildlife, including alligators, herons, cranes, foxes and ibises.
Challenges
Though there are only a handful of water hazards, the Diamondback Golf Club in Haines City provides plenty of challenges over 18 holes. There are more than 80 bunkers lining the fairways and protecting the greens. Additional difficulty on the first nine holes is in the form of natural vegetation lining both sides of the fairways. The 10th is a dogleg left with a water hazard coming into play on the second and third shots, as well as bunkers protecting the right side of the green.
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