Streamsong Red: Beauty, BBQ & a Brilliant Biarritz in Bowling Green

When you first arrive at Streamsong Resort – miles from any major road and tucked deep into rural Bowling Green, Florida – you can tell right away you’re somewhere special.

The terrain is unlike anything you’d associate with the state. Towering dunes, native grasses, blowout bunkers and vast ponds stretch out in every direction, creating a wild, unspoiled landscape that feels more like something you’d find in the remote Midwest than in Central Florida. And while that natural beauty defines the entire property, it might be showcased best on the Red Course.

Designed by the legendary duo of Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw – the C&C Golf Design Factory, if you will – Streamsong Red was one of the original two courses to open with the resort (alongside Tom Doak’s Blue Course), and to this day is frequently regarded as the crown jewel of the property. All three of Streamsong’s championship layouts are ranked among the top 30 public courses in the country according to the major publications, but Red leads the pack at No. 21 on Golf Digest’s Top 100 Public list.

Most recent top public courses rankings in the US:

• Golf Digest (2024): Red-21, Blue-24, Black-28
• GOLF.com (2024): Red-18, Blue-24, Black-28
• GolfWeek (2024-2025): Red-17, Blue-19, Black-37

The course begins just steps from the Red/Blue clubhouse, where right away when leaving you’re treated to one of the resort’s most iconic views: a massive, wildlife-rich pond that both the Red 16th and Blue 7th holes play across. Gators, gigantic turtles, schools of prehistoric-looking fish, cranes, herons – it’s a living, breathing nature documentary, and one of the most intoxicating places on property to soak it all in. The clubhouse deck makes for the perfect perch, especially with a cocktail in hand.

But once you step onto the Red Course itself, nature’s serenity gives way to a more rugged and demanding golf experience. Compared to its siblings – the Blue and Black Courses – Red is easily the most challenging off the tee. Narrower landing areas, strategically placed hazards and several forced carries put a premium on driving accuracy. Choosing the right tees for your game is critical to avoid a frustrating day.

While it’s a stern test from the start, Red is also plenty fair: the course rewards thoughtful strategy and precise execution while offering breathtaking scenery at every turn.

The Red Course’s greens, while slightly less extreme than the wildly contoured putting surfaces on the Blue and Black courses, still present a serious test. Generally smaller and subtly sloped, they reward smart approach shots and punish misses, often leaving delicate chips and testy putts. Fast and true, these greens demand respect, and they contribute to Red’s reputation as a shotmaker’s course where precision is every bit as important as power.

Built atop a rugged, former phosphate mining site, Streamsong Red takes full advantage of its dramatic setting. Expansive dunes, craggy bunkers, elevation changes and wide-open skies define the experience, creating a routing that Coore and Crenshaw masterfully allowed to ebb and flow with the land. It’s a walk that feels adventurous yet seamless, natural yet full of strategic nuance.

Among the Red Course’s standout holes, the par threes shine brightest. The 16th, in particular, is one of the most memorable one-shotters you’ll ever play: a long, nerve-testing carry over water to an enormous, biarritz-style green that demands pinpoint accuracy. It’s as intimidating – and exhilarating – of a shot as you’ll find anywhere.

Meanwhile, the finishing hole, Red’s 18th, features one of the resort’s most fascinating greens. The massive false front on the front-right side was, as Bill Coore once described to me, a “happy accident” – an unplanned shaping quirk that they embraced and incorporated into the final design. It’s moments like this that showcase Coore and Crenshaw’s genius in letting the land speak for itself.

Walking Streamsong Red is a journey that heightens the experience even more. While carts are occasionally allowed, the course is designed to be best appreciated on foot, letting players immerse themselves in the subtle details of the land and the course’s natural flow. Wildlife sightings – from deer and exotic birds to bobcats and, yes, gators – add an element of wild unpredictability that few resort golf experiences can match.

Streamsong Red demands your full attention yet offers constant reward – a rugged and beautiful challenge that captivates from the first tee shot on. It’s a course that doesn’t just live up to the hype – it exceeds it, delivering a world-class golf experience that’s equal parts intimidating, exhilarating and unforgettable.

Streamsong Red: Hole-By-Hole

Hole 1: Par 4 (Hcp 4, 447/417/410)

The Red Course opens with one of its more generous fairways, but don’t mistake it for an easy start. With water flanking both sides of the driving area, the elevated tee shot is visually intimidating and demands early focus off its raised tee complex.

Much of the fairway climbs gently toward a green nestled between rugged dunes, where deep bunkers short, short-left and right guard a modest, subtly sloped putting surface. The elevation change adds complexity to the approach, especially when wind comes into play.

It’s a fair but demanding introduction – a hole that quietly previews the strategic depth and natural beauty Coore and Crenshaw embedded throughout Streamsong Red.

Hole 2: Par 5 (hcp. 2, 555/508/461)

The second hole at Streamsong Red is a classic early risk/reward par five – and one of the most visually dramatic on the course.

From the tee, players fire across a massive pond toward a fairway that doglegs hard from left to right. It’s tempting to take an aggressive line, but that temptation comes with consequences: anything leaking too far right is funneled toward the water, with little to no forgiveness.

The smart play is to favor the left-center of the fairway, which opens up options for a second shot that can either challenge the green or set up a comfortable wedge. The hole is all about that opening tee shot – nail it, and this becomes a legitimate birdie opportunity. Miss your spot, and scrambling becomes your only hope.

This hole is also a showcase for Streamsong’s thriving wildlife. During our round, we spotted a massive blue heron gliding low over the pond, with a hulking alligator resting just off the bank – a vivid reminder that nature is always present and often spectacular here at Streamsong.

Troy also provided one of the most memorable shots of the day on this hole: a beautifully executed 40-yard bunker shot that checked up about five feet from the pin. It’s the kind of creative, feel-driven play that Streamsong’s firm, sandy conditions invite… and reward.

Hole 3: Par 4 (hcp. 14, 404/391/340)

Another visually deceptive hole on the front nine, the third at Streamsong Red tests your confidence from the start. The tee shot appears tighter than it really is, with thick brush lining the right side and a fairway that doglegs gently right, leaving more room out there than it seems. Still, a couple of balls were lost in our group, which shows how punishing a miss in the wrong direction can be.

The smart line is toward the bunker straight ahead, which opens up a slightly uphill approach to a green that falls hard left-to-right just beyond a front-left bunker. It’s a short par four, but one where strategic angles matter.

From the elevated tee box, players are also treated to a fantastic long-range view of the Gil Hanse-designed Black Course across the water – a preview of a wildly different terrain and architectural style that awaits across the resort.

Hole 4: Par 4 (hcp. 16, 330/312/290)

The fourth features one of the most inviting tee shots on the Red Course – a short, straightaway par four that offers ample room to swing freely. At just over 300 yards from the back tees, it’s nearly drivable for longer hitters, but accuracy still matters as a collection of bunkers short of the greens complex can quickly turn opportunity into damage control.

What makes this hole special, though, is the green. Elevated and wildly contoured, it features bold internal movement that demands precision with a wedge or short iron in hand. Anything even slightly misjudged can funnel away from the pin, especially on front or side-hole locations. This green reminded me a bit of the 14th at Erin Hills – dramatic, sloped and really fun.

A tall dune beyond the putting surface creates a helpful backstop for longer approaches, particularly to back pins, making this one of the more forgiving and strategic holes on the course. It’s a short par four done right – tempting, playable and packed with nuance.

Hole 5: Par 4 (hcp. 6, 453/344/328)

The fifth at Streamsong Red is a demanding par four – and depending on the tee box and wind, it can either feel brutal or surprisingly manageable. When we stepped around the dune from the fourth green and saw what looked like our next tee, we were stunned: a 200-plus yard carry just to reach the fairway, with water running all along the right side and a steady headwind barreling into our faces. The looks on everyone’s faces said it all – panic, disbelief and the unspoken understanding that this was going to be a disaster.

Fortunately, we then realized we were standing on the wrong tees. The actual set we were playing from made the hole far more playable, with a reasonable carry and a better chance to navigate the large pond that flanks the entire right side of the fairway.

Tee shots need to favor the left or center to stay safe and set up an approach to a small, slightly elevated greens complex tucked close to the water. With wind in the face, club selection is key, especially into a putting surface that demands accuracy. It’s still a stout hole – particularly from the back – but from the correct tees it offered a fair challenge and even a scoring opportunity.

It was here that our group picked up one of the round’s few birdies as I finallly sank an eight-foot left-to-right sidewinder to close out the hole in style. Our caddie, Wisconsin local legend Charlie Delsman (a fellow Arrowhead graduate), provided great reads the entire trip.

A perfect example of how Streamsong rewards precision and the occasional break in the wind.

Hole 6: Par 3 (hcp. 18, 185/143/128)

The first par three on Streamsong Red is also one of its most picturesque. Set against a backdrop of rugged dunes and sand blowouts, the sixth plays into a massive greens complex nestled in a natural amphitheater near the clubhouse. It’s a hole that feels both intimate and grand – beautifully framed and deceptively demanding.

The green is wide but heavily sloped, rising hard from front to back and challenging players with long, uphill putts if they land on the wrong tier. It shares a similar feel to the seventh on the Blue Course, where distance control and trajectory are essential to avoid the dreaded three-putt or worse.

With the right pin placement, this can be a great scoring hole. But miss your target or under-club even slightly, and you’re in for a tricky recovery – especially if you’re left navigating the steep false front or long putts over subtle and not-so-subtle contours.

Hole 7: Par 5 (hcp. 12, 527/521/502)

The seventh is a reachable par five that offers a bit of breathing room after the tighter, more demanding stretch that opens Streamsong Red.

Playing gently downhill with a fairway that stretches straight ahead, it presents a tempting scoring opportunity – but the danger is never far away. A large pond borders the entire left side, turning any overly aggressive swing into a potential penalty.

The ideal drive favors the right-center of the fairway, steering well clear of the water and setting up options for the second shot while avoiding the cross-bunkers found there. For longer hitters, going for the green in two is a possibility, but the approach is anything but simple.

The greens complex here is one of the most unique on the course – a kidney-shaped putting surface that bends around a prominent hummock at the front-right, just feet from the pond’s edge. Miss left and you’ll find one of the lowest, nastiest bunkers on the property, especially back-left, where getting out with any loft becomes a serious challenge.

It’s a hole that lures you in with a wide frame and scoring potential, then turns up the pressure around the green – classic Coore & Crenshaw strategy in action!

Hole 8: Par 3 (hcp. 10, 147/119/111)

Don’t let the yardage fool you, this short par three may look like a breather on the scorecard, but it packs plenty of bite. Playing level from tee to green, the eighth on Streamsong Red invites players to feel confident standing over their tee shots. But as with many holes on the Red Course, that confidence can quickly unravel if hit off-target.

The greens complex here is full of movement, with subtle ridges and slopes that make two-putting a real challenge from the wrong section. It’s surrounded by deep, penal bunkering, particularly short and left, where recovery becomes difficult – especially if short-sided.

This is another textbook C&C short par three: deceptively simple on first glance, but loaded with nuance and consequences.

Precision, spin control and smart decision-making are paramount here – and often the difference between a good number and a very bad one.

Hole 9: Par 4 (hcp. 8, 312/271/257)

The ninth on the Red Course at Streamsong is a short, straightaway par four that offers both a legitimate scoring opportunity and one of the most memorable on-course dining experiences anywhere in golf.

Just off the right side of the tee box lies The Shack BBQ – a compact, grab-and-go food stop serving up hand-held barbecue designed to be clean, quick and delicious. The country-style ribs on a stick remain a highlight, and while the food experience at Sand Valley may barely edge it out with their $1.50 tacos, this ranks among the best mid-round stops you’ll find anywhere.

As for the golf, the hole is potentially drivable for longer hitters, but the challenge lies in execution. The fairway is flanked by an ocean of sand on the right, and a raised greens complex sits exposed at the center of a barren, open greens site. Small bunkers and a firm front edge make simply holding the green difficult, especially if attacking from long range.

It’s a straightforward hole on paper, but its elevated green and sharp edges demand finesse. Whether laying up or going for it, the ninth is a satisfying close to the front nine – made even better with a skewer of barbecue in hand.

Hole 10: Par 4 (hcp. 9, 486/431/385)

The tenth is a long, no-frills par four that plays as one of the more demanding holes on Streamsong Red, especially into the wind.

A short carry over sand from the tee leads to a generous fairway that bends subtly left, with more room to the right than appears from the tee boxes.

While the layout is relatively straight, the real challenge comes in its length. Even a solid drive leaves a long approach into an exposed greens complex with no surrounding bunkers and very little margin for error. A broad swale short of the green creates the illusion of reaching the surface – but leaves many players 20 to 30 yards short, forced into a creative punch or bump-and-run to get on.

Hole 11: Par 4 (hcp. 5, 423/408/397)

Hole 11 is a sweeping dogleg left par four that feels wide open off the tee – but deceptively so. A set of central cross-bunkers bisects the fairway and forces a decision: play short for safety and a longer approach, or challenge the line and risk flirting with trouble for a better angle into the green.

This is one of the widest fairways you’ll find on Streamsong Red, which is saying something on a Coore & Crenshaw layout. Waste areas line both sides, with a treeline adding definition on the left, but the tee shot is generous if you choose your line well.

The approach plays uphill into a crowned greens complex that’s tightly shaved around the edges and brutally unforgiving to anything less than precise. Shots that come up short, miss left or right or fly long will all funnel away, often leaving awkward chips from collection areas or sandy surrounds. A deep bunker short-left and center guards the front of the green and adds another layer of difficulty to an already exacting second shot.

Visually appealing and strategically sound, the 11th is a mid-length par four that tests your discipline, particularly on the approach.

Hole 12: Par 4 (hcp. 3, 500/472/450)

Hole 12 is a visually stunning, downhill par four that ranks among the toughest two-shotters on the Red Course. Playing 500 yards from the tips, it’s a long, flowing hole where both strategy and shot shape are critical from start to finish.

The fairway undulates like waves, tumbling downhill and bending gently right along a pond that comes into play near the approach zone. While there’s more room to miss on the right side than you might expect, a well-placed bunker on the elbow of the fairway can catch aggressive tee shots and make the long approach even more daunting – especially with the water cutting in close near the green.

The right side bunkering near the green protects more than punishes, keeping slightly errant approaches from kicking straight into the water. But anything that flares out too far or comes in too hot can still find the hazard. The greens complex itself is perched near the water’s edge, adding visual intimidation and putting a premium on both distance control and direction.

12 is a strong par four – long, scenic and loaded with subtle danger – and one of the signature challenges of the Red Course’s back nine.

Hole 13: Par 5 (hcp. 15, 535/508/451)

The 13th at Streamsong Red is a long, uphill par five that plays far tougher than its modest handicap might suggest. The hole opens with a wide, relatively flat fairway that encourages players to swing freely off the tee – but the decisions quickly become more nuanced from there.

As the hole climbs and veers gently right, any attempt to reach the green in two requires navigating a blind second shot over a rise, with no visible target and deep bunkers lurking between the fairway and the greens complex. For most players, this is a true three-shot hole where proper positioning is critical.

The greens complex is perched above a steep slope, with tightly mown runoffs and well-placed bunkers that punish any approach lacking control. But the real reward comes as you crest the hill – a spectacular view unfolds of the pond below, with Streamsong’s resort lodging stretching across the horizon. It’s one of the most scenic moments on the Red Course, offering a dramatic contrast between the rugged terrain and the refined accommodations beyond.

Strategic and scenic, the 13th is a memorable par five that showcases Streamsong Red’s blend of natural drama and architectural finesse.

Hole 14: Par 3 (hcp. 11, 181/166/150)

The 14th is a short- to mid-length par three that’s deceptively difficult and visually understated, until you miss your target. The tee shot plays subtly downhill, but the view is partially obstructed by berms and the teeing complex, concealing sections of the raised green and its surrounding trouble.

The greens complex sits on an elevated pad with a severe false front that rejects anything under-clubbed or spin-heavy. It’s a narrow target that demands both conviction and precision, especially with wind in play or a tucked pin. Miss short and you’ll be pitching back up a steep slope. Miss left and you’ll be facing recovery from deep sand.

For me, the 14th brings back memories of the sixteenth on the Dunes Course at The Prairie Club in Valentine, Nebraska – a Tom Lehman design where simplicity from the tee hides the true complexity around the green. It’s a strong one-shotter that tests your nerve and distance control.

Hole 15: Par 4 (hcp. 1, 474/453/402)

The 15th is a long, uphill par four that winds left through one of the widest fairways on Streamsong Red. While there’s plenty of room to bail out right off the tee, the better line is up the left side which helps cut off distance and sets up a more direct, less obstructed angle into the green.

The fairway climbs steadily and favors a right-to-left ball flight, especially for players looking to shorten the approach into what is often a firm and elevated greens complex. Like many of the longer holes on Red, it’s not about complexity – it’s about execution.

Unfortunately, this was the point in our round where daylight ran out and we had to make the difficult decision to skip ahead. It’s one of the quirks of off-season twilight golf, but also part of the charm – those unplayed holes certainly leave plenty of reason to return.

Hole 16: Par 3 (hcp. 7, 208/184/160)

The sixteenth on Streamsong Red is one of the most spectacular and intimidating par threes in Florida – and quite possibly the most unforgettable hole on the property.

Played over the same inland pond as the iconic seventh on the Blue Course, this shot demands full commitment! Gators sun themselves on the banks, the wind swirls unpredictably through the open expanse, birds of all kinds swirl about through the air… and the biarritz-style greens complex lies perched atop a tall hillside and stretches nearly 60 yards from front to back.

This putting surface is as dramatic as they come: the front section is guarded by water and bunkers, and a deep swale runs through the middle, dividing the green into two distinct plateaus. A front pin brings the water and bunkers into play, while a back one demands navigating the valley and landing it soft on the upper shelf or running it hard through. The left side falls away into a tightly mown collection area, while anything short is doomed.

Visually and strategically, this hole is an absolute masterpiece – one of those rare holes that sticks with you long after the round.

Finally getting to photograph it from above was a thrill, even if the lighting wasn’t ideal. No matter the conditions, 16 is a stunner!

Hole 17: Par 4 (hcp. 13, 403/384/343)

While shorter than most par fours on Streamsong Red’s back nine, the seventeenth is no breather. A mass of sand dominates the right side of the driving zone, while a massive blowout bunker looms left. The landing area between is narrow and hard to hit, making this one of the way in’s toughest tee shots.

Find the fairway and the work is far from over. The approach plays mostly blind over mounding to a compact greens complex protected by a deep bunker left and another short-right. There’s little room to miss, and with firm conditions, holding the green can be a real challenge – especially from less-than-ideal angles.

Between the sixteenth and seventeenth, the late section of the Red Course certainly tightens the screws and demands your full attention from tee to green.

Hole 18: Par 5 (hcp. 17, 540/505/443)

Streamsong Red closes with a par five that blends strategy, natural beauty and one of the course’s most interesting greens complexes. Just over 500 yards from the first tees in, it’s reachable for longer hitters but requires a great approach to hold the green.

A fairway bunker on the left guards the ideal landing zone, while dunes, waste areas and native vegetation define the right side. The hole gently turns left and rises toward a dramatic green framed by large dunes and rugged terrain.

The greens complex here is a standout – both visually and architecturally as what began as an unplanned shaping feature (a “happy accident” as Bill Coore called it to me during a 2015 media event at Sand Valley) became a defining design element when Coore saw potential in a bold false front created by the crew. After confirming with the superintendent that it could be mown tightly, Coore and Crenshaw embraced it fully. The result is a green that repels anything short and demands an accurate, well-judged approach.

With its natural amphitheater, deep sand blowouts and firm, contoured surface, the 18th is a spectacular finish – a hole that captures everything that makes Streamsong Red one of the premier golf experiences in the country.

Streamsong Red is one of those rare golf courses that sticks with you long after the round ends. From the opening tee shot over water to its world-class closing stretch, it’s a pure and rugged walk that showcases some of the best public golf architecture anywhere in the country – and certainly in Florida.

Set over the site of a former phosphate mine, the terrain at Streamsong is unlike anything else in the region. It’s wild, natural and filled with character – dunes, blowouts, native grasses and firm, sandy fairways that play fast and true. The Red Course takes full advantage of it all, weaving a routing that’s both beautiful and strategic, challenging but fair.

I think Coore & Crenshaw nailed this design. There’s a rhythm to the layout that keeps you engaged from start to finish. The par threes are outstanding, the short par fours are a blast to figure out, and the longer holes – especially 5, 12 and 13 – make you earn the numbers you enscribe on your scorecard. You’ll be rewarded on this course handsomely for thoughtful play and punished brutally when sloppy… But you’ll love every minute of it.

There’s also something about this place that just feels right – whether it’s spotting massive gators off the 2nd fairway, finally pulling off a clean long-iron on 16, sniping a wedge in on five or grabbing BBQ on a stick at The Shack between holes. Streamsong Red delivers an experience that’s immersive and unforgettable.

With three incredible courses (and a fourth, designed by David McLay Kidd, in development) and now The Chain adding even more depth to the lineup, Streamsong has become a must-visit golf destination. But for me, the Red Course is up there as maybe the best. It’s a complete golf course – visually stunning, loaded with nuance and one I already can’t wait to get back to.

For more on the Red Course at Streamsong Resort, check out their website

For more on Streamsong’s portfolio of golf courses, check out our other WiscoGolfAddict.com reviews, linked below: