DAVENPORT, Florida – Located just west of Disney World and Universal Studios, along Rt. 27 in Davenport, you will find a challenging, off-the-beaten path,18-hole Championship golf course designed by noted golf architect Michael Dasher and opened in 1998.
The Highlands Reserve Golf Course offers a unique layout unlike anything you would expect in central Florida. It sits on the edge of a long sand shelf called the Green Swamp Ridge with elevations spanning 120 feet from top to bottom.
The clubhouse features a well stocked pro shop and snack bar area with sandwiches, snacks, and beverages available. A large grass driving range and practice putting green are directly behind the clubhouse. The affordable green fees are year-round here which is the exception rather than he rule especially in Central Florida.
Having a chance to visit with the General Manager Donnie Shallow, he was quick to tell me about one of the many renovations to the course. “We replaced all our greens two years ago and put in Diamond Zoysia grass, we are one of only four courses located coast to coast in Central Florida that has this particular grass.”
Highlands Reserve has 4 sets of tees. The Black Tees are 6702 yards, the White Tees are 6152 yards, the Gold Tees are 5675 yards, and the Jade Tees are 4532 yards. Today’s round was played from the Gold Tees.
FRONT NINE
Hole No. 1 (par 4) has pine trees lining the right side of the fairway and one large Live Oak tree stands in the landing area on the left side. If you’re lucky (or good) and clear the tree, a waste bunker stretches behind the tree all the way to a severely undulated and lightning fast two-tiered green. The right side of the fairway is your best bet here.
Hole No. 2 (par 4) is a relatively shot hole that has a fairway pitched to the left but is a sure birdie hole with a well played 2nd shot.
Hole No. 3 is 118 yards (par 3) with a doubled tiered green that will severely punish a misplayed tee shot.
Holes 4 (par 5), 5, 6, and 7 (par 4’s) are designed more like a Parkland Coure with wide-open undulating fairways and strategically placed sand traps. Staying in the fairways is paramount to navigating these pesky and game testing holes.
Hole No. 8 114 yards (par 3) is the front nine Signature Hole. It has a sand trap on the right front side of the green that awaits errant tee shots. Seems a little strange that a short par 3 would be a signature hole, but a deceptively fast and undulating green makes this hole one to remember.
Hole No. 9 (par 5) is a dogleg left with trees lining both sides of the fairway and the green sitting at the bottom of a long hill. From most tee boxes, a large oak tree sits directly in front of your tee shot blocking about a third of the fairway. A tough mushroom green with a left side deep sand trap awaits your approach shot.
BACK NINE
Hole No. 10 (par 4) is tree line on both sides of the fairway with houses bordering the right side, this hole forces you to aim to the left side due to trees extending into the fairway along the right side of the tee box. The green features a large swale in the middle that will make your first putt on the back nine noteworthy.
Hole No. 11 (par 4) tee is located at the highest point on the course and offers an endless view overlooking the beauty of Central Florida and the Highlands Reserve Community. A large bunker on the left will scoop up any pulled tee shot. Your 2nd shot will require some strategy as this green is up hill with a false front waiting to send your approach shot back to you. This is the back nine Signature Hole.
Hole No. 12 (par 4) Your tee shot needs to be dead straight because there is trouble on both sides. The green is elevated giving you only a peak at the upper part of the flag. This is a tough green that slants to the back.
Hole No. 13 is a 125-yard (par 3) with a peanut shape green and requires a high trajectory and soft landing to stay on the green. There is a small pothole bunker found in the front of the green.
Hole No. 14 is a short (par 4) down a steep hill that approaches a two-tier green. At first glance, it appears to be an easy hole but holding the green with your second shot is the secret to securing par.
Hole No. 15 (par 3) is146 yds and will quickly grab your attention. The right side of the fairway dips quickly down into a waste area. Stopping a ball on this green requires a well-placed shot.
Hole No. 16 (par 4) has an uphill green with two tiers that are difficult to see from the fairway. This hole requires a 2nd short that needs added trajectory to reach a back placed pin. Don’t be fooled by your rangefinder’s numbers on this one.
Hole No. 17 (par 5) is one of the more forgiving holes on the back nine. A well-placed 2nd shot here will give you a chance for a birdie putt on this one.
Hole No. 18 (par 5) has a crater-sized transition areas running the entire length of the fairway on the right side. A good tee shot demands you stay left and keep away from a treacherous right side. If you have managed to stay left as you negotiate the fairway with your second and third shots, you might just finish with back-to-back birdies.
Highlands Reserve Golf Course is a challenging course that will keep you busy using every club in your bag. Be prepared to experience the “dual personalities” of this course as you transition from the front nine, with open spacious fairways likened to the great Scottish courses, to the back nine with pine tree-lined fairways and changes in elevations reminiscent of the Carolinas.
https://www.highlandsreservegolfclub.com/
