Golf Trip Report: StreamSong Resort

There are a ton of great golf resorts in the US but I have a Mount Rushmore list.   Those are Pebble, Pinehurst, Bandon Dunes, and Whistling Straits.   I've been to 2 of 4 on that list and it might be time to let StreamSong into the party.  

Here are the details:

Stream has 3 courses on property Blue, Red, and Black and all 3 rank in the top "courses you can play in the US" by Golf Week and Golf Digest.  

The resort has a new feel as it was built in 2014 and the rooms are modern and big.  It has a SPA and a very nice Infinity pool that overlooks a lake.   While at the pool, you can buy bio-degradable golf balls to try to hit a 75-yard manmade island green in the lake to score a free beer. 

There are other things you can do at the resort, but let's be clear, everyone is here to golf.   The issue is, to say this resort "is in the middle of nowhere" is an understatement.   Bowling Green, FL is in the middle of the state and the resort sits a half an hour away from anything.  There literally isn't a gas station close to this resort.  If you're looking for nightlife outside the resort, you will be disappointed.  

The restaurants are nice but pricey as they got you locked in.   They do have a roof top bar, but this isn't Vegas.   The one thing that is missing is a coffee area, where you could pick up a Starbucks and a bagel before a round.    They want to push you to a restaurant for real breakfast, but if you're like me you want to get something quick and head to the range.  

The shuttle service is very strong and gets you to the courses and restaurants that are not at the main lodge.  None of the courses are at the main lodge/resort area. 

Golf:

All 3 courses are very good and different.  Blue is more of a "players" course, where shot making is key and can be set up difficult.  Red, has more character/views and can be set up to a player's ability on which tees you play.   Black is more of a links course with crazy roller coaster greens, no water, and sand everywhere.  

StreamSong has a strong caddy program and walking is encouraged.  With that said, in Florida's summer heat, I don't recommend it.  We walked Blue the first day in 96-degree heat and got a pull cart.  Huge mistake!!!  StreamSong is built on soft sand and the paths have "beach like sand".   Try pushing or pulling a cart up and down hills in beach sand.  Even the riding carts get stuck!  Blue and Red are in the same area and we didn't see any other walkers during our 2 rounds there.   If you walk either course, (make sure the temperature is reasonable) carry your bag or hire a caddy to do it!!! 

Black is the last course we played and is very walkable.  In fact, the riding cart has to stay on the path for most of the course and walking is preferred.   If we had to do it over again, we would have taken a riding cart for Blue and Red and walked Black.  

The practice area/range is very nice and included in your round.   There are also free unlimited bottle waters on the course in coolers every 3 or 4 holes.  When you walk in the summer heat, you will go through 10-15 of these little waters.  

Caddy Program:

The caddy program is very strong at Stream.   For example, if you take a riding cart, a caddy is mandatory.  The only way to not take a caddy is if you carry your own bag or take a pull cart.  The carts don't have GPS, so the only way you get yardage is from the caddy, from the sprinkler heads, or via your own device.   We didn't hire a caddy the first day but the other folks in our group did and he worked with us as well.   Caddy's come a recommended tip sheet. 

$100 per golfer for double bag walking 

$25 per golfer for riding golf for 4 players

$40 per golfer for riding 2 players 

Depending on how you want to work your caddy schedule, you can really increase the cost of your round.  I really like grabbing a cart and trying to get a round in at 5:00 a night, but you really can't do that here. 

Book in Advance:

There are really good deals for Florida and Georgia residents in the summer but be careful of the schedule.  For example, the resort is closed for three weeks starting today, so they can work on the courses.  The courses might be opened with a limited schedule during the rest of the summer.  

If you come during the winter season, the cost will be much higher.   The resort is building a family course but right now their guests are 95% male.   The Black course also has a family friendly putting course.  

This resort should be on your golf bucket list and I hope the above information is useful to you.