Gil Hanse’s Black Course at Streamsong, nationally ranked just months after being named Golf Digest’s Best New Public Course of 2018, sits a mile south of the resort’s Red and Blue Courses, with its own clubhouse and its own personality. Reshaped from a decades-old phosphate strip mine that lacking tall spoil mounds, Hanse provided strategic character by building a hidden punchbowl green at nine, dual putting surfaces at 13, incorporating a meandering creek on the par-5 fourth and a lagoon cove to guard the 18th green.

Streamsong Black is a truly great design with exceptional routing and green complexes. The variety through the course is extensive with memorability of each hole very clear as each has its own distinctive features. The green complexes are very challenging with extreme undulation, large size, very fast surfaces, and wonderful use of the terrain. Undulating fairways roll fast in the windswept moonscape here

Both the putting surfaces and the chipping areas surrounding them were grassed in MiniVerde, and today both are mowed at a single height, resulting in the biggest, most complex greens found on national ranking. One Streamsong insider calls the Black greens “polarizing;” we call them tremendous fun.

Coore and Crenshaw’s Red Course is part of a resort triple-header that gives golfers a rare opportunity to compare and contrast the differences in styles and philosophies of three of America’s hottest design firms. (Streamsong (Blue), a Tom Doak design and Streamsong (Black), by Gil Hanse). The Red was built from sand spoils created by a massive phosphate strip mine, with some piles forming dunes reaching 75 feet into the air. The Red has a wonderful mix of bump-and-run links holes and target-like water holes. Some greens are perched like those at Pinehurst, others are massive with multi-levels like those at St. Andrews. The Bermuda turf is firm and bouncy, and while the routing is sprawling, it’s easily walkable. The Red comes out on top in this survey, but the Blue is just half a point behind, the Black another half a point behind that. Things could change in the future. All are exceptionally fun.

Although congenial rivals, Tom Doak and Bill Coore actually collaborated on Streamsong’s original 36-hole routing, walking the site and mentally weaving holes around stunning mounds, lagoons, sand spits, savannahs and swamp, all elements left after a strip-mining operation. Coore then gave Doak first choice on which 18 he wanted to build, so Doak’s Blue Course includes a few holes routed by Coore. (Coore and Crenshaw’s Red, ranked No. 112, contains some holes originally envisioned by Doak.)

The Blue starts a bit more dramatically, with the back tee on hole one atop a 75-foot sand dune. It has more water carries off the tee, and it’s also a bit more compact, since it sits in the center with the Red Course looping around its outside edges. The Blue definitely has the bolder set of greens, some with massive shelves and dips. The new addition of Streamsong (Black) by Gil Hanse only adds to the spirited competition among designers. The theme song at Streamsong seems to be: “Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better.”

18 holes, 72 par, 7045 yards
Originally designed by Tom and George Fazio for major tournament play, The Champion course was redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 2014 and hosts the Honda Classic each spring on the PGA TOUR. Although The Champion has generous landing areas and spacious greens, golfers are presented with course management challenges throughout the round. A must-play on any avid golfer's list.

18 Holes, 72 par, 7079 yards
Named after its designer, Arnold Palmer, this course is one of the more forgiving at PGA National Resort from tee to fairway. The open fairways and large Champion Bermuda greens are quite accommodating and invite players to take a chance if they dare. There is a considerable amount of undulation through the fairway, presenting the opportunity for uneven lies and creative shot-making.

18 holes, 72 par, 6447 yards
Named after the immortal Gene Sarazen, "the thinking man's course" is the ultimate test of accuracy and precision. 18 18 18 holes, 72 par, 6447 yards
Named after the immortal Gene Sarazen, "the thinking man's course" is the ultimate test of accuracy and precision. Designed by Tom and George Fazio, The Squire is the shortest and most exacting of the courses at PGA National.

Accuracy with fairway woods and long irons is tested on many tees, and the new smaller Emerald Bermuda greens demand precise approach shots. The Squire is surrounded by natural areas teeming with vegetation and wildlife, with the 5th hole running along part of a wilderness preserve.

18 holes, 72 par, 7050 yards
The Fazio is a reinvention of The Haig, PGA National’s original 18-hole course that opened in 1980. The Haig was designed by George and Tom Fazio in tribute to five-time PGA champion Walter Hagen, and its renovation is being led by third-generation designer Tom Fazio II, who emphasized modernizing the course layout.

18 holes, 72 par, 6694 yards
Designed by Karl Litten, The Estates course presents an enjoyable mix of challenging and friendly holes. Where golfers are tested is in the formidable placement of fairway bunkers and water hazards. Generous fairways will often make stray tee shots more manageable, and the large, inviting greens help keep the course fun for the high handicapper.

The rooms and suites at PGA National Resort & Spa have been completely updated recently. Aesthetically, every accommodation now has new and stylish bedding, furnishings, wall and floor coverings, – even guest room corridors have been made over with subdued lighting and new carpeting. Technologically-speaking, the resort has recently installed 55-inch flat-screen Samsung smart televisions and iPod docking station, in every room.

Guest rooms feature private terraces overlooking the golf courses, gardens, pool or lake. They also feature one king bed or two full-size beds, a sitting area, executive desk and a granite- and marble-appointed bathroom with separate vanity area. Amenities include an iPod dock/clock radio, bathrobes, hair dryer, laptop safe, coffee maker and mini refrigerator. PGA National Resort is pet friendly, so your four-legged friend is always welcome to join you!

Innisbrook's low-rise lodge buildings take full advantage of their 900 wooded acres and are thoughtfully arranged in small clusters that blend into the natural surroundings.

The resort has completely transformed the interiors of its spacious guest accommodations to feature an appealing and modern look. Each guest room has been completely refreshed and has received all new furniture, flooring, furnishings, lighting, draperies, and other decor.

All Executive Suites feature the following: Over 750 Square feet of space Large living area Kitchenette Private balcony or patio Wifi & High Speed Internet Access Flat Screen TVs Writing Desk Hypo-allergenic bedding available iHome Radio Alarms Laundry and valet same day service Iron/Ironing Board In-room dining Wake-up call service Air conditioning with individual climate controls

Innisbrook's low-rise lodge buildings take full advantage of their 900 wooded acres and are thoughtfully arranged in small clusters that blend into the natural surroundings.

The resort has completely transformed the interiors of its spacious guest accommodations to feature an appealing and modern look. Each guest room has been completely refreshed and has received all new furniture, flooring, furnishings, lighting, draperies, and other decor.

All Deluxe Guest Rooms feature the following: Wifi & High Speed Internet Access Flat Screen TVs Writing Desk Hypo-allergenic bedding available iHome Radio Alarms Laundry and valet same day service Iron/Ironing Board In-room dining Wake-up call service Air conditioning with individual climate controls