Arriving at The Streamsong property following a long day of travel, the gang from WiscoGolfAddict raced the setting sun to check out the world-famous resort’s newest golf option, The Chain.
With its namesake a nod to the phosphate mine that once occupied the land, The Chain features a dynamic set of 19 holes and a generous putting course, “The Bucket.”
Designed by the team at Coore & Crenshaw, it shares many similarities to their acclaimed Red Course opened over a decade ago.
With short courses being a growing trend in destination golf I had a vision in my head of The Chain being a short track with flat features and simple greens. I was not prepared when I set foot on the first tee of this dynamic course for the actual Chain experience. Although a contiguous 19 holes, there are two distinct loops. The first six play around a grove of oaks with holes that vary in length up to 153 yards. The next 13 wind through sandy waste areas and around a large water feature with the longest possible hole configuration measuring 293 yards.
Endless Possibilities
What makes The Chain unique compared to other short courses I’ve played is that each hole has designated teeing areas (instead of markers).
Large dragline chain links mark the start and end of each of these teeing areas and allow groups to choose their own course makeup with hole lengths across the course varying from 50 to 293 yards.
A match play format is recommended by the starter to allow winners to choose the length of the proceeding hole. With such freedom to drop a ball in the teeing area, the dynamics of each hole can change not only in length but for the hazards and accessibility to the green.
All of this contributes to an unlimited set of hole configurations. We even ended up playing some from two different teeing positions because of the uniqueness each presented.
Favorite Hole
My favorite hole on the course had to be number 11.
The mix of a daunting tee shot over a large retention pond and its obscured punchbowl green made for the perfect recipe of fear and excitement.
We ended up playing the hole from two different hitting locations as we noticed how different the angles at the green became from each. This hole was definitely a hit-and-hope situation as nothing is visible around the green.
After a quick hike over the connecting bridge we found a much wilder green than we could have ever imagined.
A punchbowl with two ridges running through the middle turned this into a test similar to Pirate’s Cove mini golf. We all had long, tricky putts but managed to escape it with some respectable pars and sighs of relief.
Other Holes of Note
Hole 6
Nothing says Florida golf more than a hole flanked by trees covered in Spanish moss. The bunkering and large green on the sixth hole were perfect foreshadows of our upcoming round on Streamsong Red.
Hole 7
Played by our group at 130 yards, the framing of this hole by native grasses and a large waste area on the right is just perfection. It was one of the more visible holes for potential hazards and green tiering, but more importantly it was the site of our first birdie of the trip.
Hole 14
With a general agreement that 150 yards seemed reasonable, the 14th caught us all offguard. A severe front slope that funnels into a deep trap caught several of us on the approach. Waste and water down the right side beckons tee shots and the rest of our group made donations to the golfing gods on this one.
The Bucket
“The Bucket” is a brand new two and a half acre putting course just steps from The Lodge entrance and open for daily play at noon. Whether you are looking to settle some bets or a to find a fun place for a cocktail this massive putting course provides great entertainment!
The putting course wraps around a 22,000 lb dragline bucket, yet another nod to the previous mining operations. Plenty of conturing make this Himalayan-style course both frustrating but exciting.
We hit a few putts on the Bucket but mostly watched others fist pump – or hang their heads in defeat.
Worthy of the Hype
The Chain is by far my favorite short course I have ever played.
Coore & Crenshaw’s hole designs, its flexibility in distance and natural features all make for an incredible golf experience, and with all the potential playing combinations you could get out on this course every day and never see the same shot.
This is such an amazing addition to the world-class portfolio of courses already represented at Streamsong and provides an element of relaxed play that any level of golf enthusiast can enjoy.
The Chain at Streamsong Resort website
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Hey Troy! This was the only course I did not care for… Loved Red, Black and Blue though!