Orlando is one of the golf capitals of the world no doubt. There are many big named courses in the area like Arnold Palmer's Bay Hill, which get a lot of publicity. One very challenging yet slightly less known course a short drive from Orlando is Mystic Dunes Golf Club.
Design
As the name implies there are dunes, many of them. The course was designed by golf TV analyst Gary Koch. This is the only course I know if which was designed by Koch, but the Dunes makes me want to find out if Gary has done any others.
One of the unique design signatures of this course are the "Pete Dye like" railroad ties in what are called "whiskey barrel bunkers." See the photo below.
Dunes
The topography of the course rolls through the dunes in the area creating very challenging holes with rolling fairways and sloping greens. Very large bunkers are abundant throughout the course as well as a few water hazards. Outside the fairway and rough are large waste areas. Accuracy off the tee is the key to playing this par 71 course.
Though the course is only 7,012 yards, the course rating from the tips is 75.0 with a slope of 145. In other words, this course is an extremely challenging layout for even the best of players. Even the blue tees rate at 73.0 though they're only 6,574 yards.
The nice thing about Mystic Dunes however, is that it can accommodate players of all ability levels since there are five sets of tees:
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RATING/SLOPE
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Tee
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Yardage
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Course Rating
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Slope
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Black
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7,012
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75.0
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145
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Blue
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6,574
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73.0
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136
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White
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5,893
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69.4
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127
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Gold
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5,332
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67.0
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121
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Red
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4,665
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67.3
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118
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TEES: 419 Bermuda, cut 1/2"
FAIRWAYS: 419 Bermuda; cut 1/2"
GREENS: Tifdwarf; 5/32" greens cut/speed
ROUGH: 419 Bermuda and sandy waste areas, cut 1-3/4"
BUNKERS: 36 bunkers (9 signature whiskey barrel bunkers); plus sandy waste areas
WATER HAZARDS: Two lakes
CART PATHS: Full course cart paths; EZ Go golf carts with ParView GPS System
Amenities
Mystic Dunes features a full practice range and short game/putting area, banquet facilities, a restaurant and a full service pro shop.
Contact
7900 Mystic Dunes Lane
Celebration, FL 34747
407-787-5678
http://www.mysticdunesgolf.com
