South Course at Big Cypress Golf & Country Club

Fun, challenging and greens were in great shape. Food was good in the restaurant.

Amazing course! The greens were unbelievable.

While driving north through Lakeland to play World Woods I passed a small golf community on my left. There was a big billboard on the road talking about 36 holes. I looked at what I could and noticed a fun tight little golf course and it sparked a great deal of curiousity. So a few days later a friend and I were looking to play. I decided to call Cypress Lakes to inquire. The gentlemen in the Pro Shop told me in a confident tone that they have one of the best golf courses in central Florida. With a slight bit of skepticism I found myself intrigued as well. We decided to give it a shot. Upon arrival you're quickly emmersed into this hilarious yet charming golf community. You go through a gate where you check in and explain you're playing golf. The attendee gives you this huge golf pass that you display in your windshield and then return in the Dropbox after your round. You continue on through the manufactured homes that surround this golf course until you arrive to a giant clubhouse where there were tons of 55+'s. It's a 55+ retirement community that seems to be highly active within its boundaries. There was a packed pool, a packed bar/restaurant, and other facets that all were being taken advantage of. It was a little city alive and thriving. Golf carts were everywhere. Zooming to and fro. I loved it. And then there was the course. It is a perfect Ron Garl design. It's a very short course but a beautiful layout. Great shaping of the holes and shot selection required thought. It wasn't super tight but it isn't wide open either. While being down in central Florida I have discovered this almost mythological designer Ron Garl. It seems everywhere I look he has a course. He's quickly been elevated to legendary status in my mind. This Big Cypress is no doubt one of my favorite Ron Garl's in the area that I have played so far. The Club at Eaglebrooke is another one of his for those who may enjoy that course I would say Big Cypress is just as good and in my opinion even better. I enjoy short courses so it really seemed to fit my game. My friend is a long ball hitter and he enjoyed it as well and it was still challenging to him. The greens wer a tad on the slow side but they were top dressed just a few days prior to us playing. They are Zoysia grass greens which are pretty rare in the area I think. I believe one roll and mow and these greens would have been perfect. If you're on the fence definitely give it a shot. The best part was when we went into the bar at the turn and ordered a beer, some Fritos and a twix bar and the total came to $4.30. I LOOOOVE a place that doesn't gouge you. It seems like Big Cypress is surrounded by a golf community that really loves their golf and takes care of their course. I was very much impressed and will be playing it again for sure.

Course was great. From tee boxes, fairways and onto the greens; very few flaws. Not too many trouble spots if you miss fairways. Layout thru 55+ community homes was scenic. Highly recommended and affordable green fees. Can't wait to return

Peaceful & Relaxing
Good layout and even better greens

The course was in great shape , fast greens . We had to play cart path only because of all the rain a few days before . Good variety of holes .

Play with a couple from North of the border and had a good day. The course is in very good conditions. The greens smooth and moderately fast. I will play here again.

Layout is good, course is in execellant condition and the greens are awesome.

No fault of management or the course, was just VERY BUSY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great course, well maintained, and challenging to play.

Keeping ball in play a must.

There is clearly money well spent on the upkeep and condition of this great course. What a refreshing change from the "other" courses in the area. A great round of golf and very friendly staff. I will be back with friends.

It was cart path only, but the course was damp, with very little standing water. I would certainly play this course again.

The greens were a little slow but very impressive. Fairways plush. Only thing I could ask for would be the outside temperature in the 70's not 98 with a heat index of 115.
Also, my price on Golfnow was $23 plus their fee of $4. At the course the normal fee at this time was $24.
I guess you can save every time.

played from the white tees, 5600 yrds, greens were great,smooth, ball rolled true, fairways in good shape, lots of water but not really in play if you hit good shots. a good test of golf for a mid handicap player. shot 87. would definitley play there again

COURSE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT THE GREENS WERE NOT FAST.

GREENS WERE WELL KEPT AND MAINTAIN, BUT WERE ROLLING TO A SEVEN [7] OR EIGHT [8].

THE COURSE WINDS THROUGH THE TREES, HOMES, AND WATER HAZARDS, IT HAS A NICE FLOW.

WAS A JOY TO PLAY, AND GREAT VALUE. WE PLAN ON RETURNING SOON.

Course very clean and maintained . Very fast greens . I would definitely recommend it.

I absolutely love this course. You would never know the beauty that lies there without playing. Greens are new and are the best I've played in this area.

Arrived at the course to be told that the course was closed for a member's shotgun tournament. I could join the tournament but it was crowded with two groups designated for each par three. Would have taken more than 5 hrs to endure this round. No warning from the course or Golfnow prior to booking the tee time.

played here once before about 2 years ago, though it was a goat track, played here on a chance because their claim of new greens , what a surprise the course was very playable, the new greens made the experience very pleasant would definitely play here again. and this is located in a retirement community,

It's always fun to play new courses and in Florida there is such a great assortment to play and others which have a great pedigree. It's great to try somewhere new and find a place which exceeded your expectations and one which demands you go play it again.

Sometimes because many people live closer to a big city or on the outskirts, that taking a little drive seems to be less important in order to try something new and different.

I will often plan a road trip to play the courses kind of off the beaten path. Most of the times it's worth the trip and once in a while it's not.

Big Cypress was surely worth the trip. It's located about 35 miles west of Orlando, in a very large over 55 community with two 18 hole golf courses. The North Course is a short course and the South Course is a championship track of 6700 yds from the tips which plays much longer than it looks, especially when the wind is up as it was the day I played.

The fairways are lush and the greens were fast with each hole having a character of its own. On the front nine, the 2 par fives are just tough. The first one requires a carry of over 240 yds. just to clear the water! During the winter, the wind blows in your face, so be prepared. The 2nd par 5 requires a totally hidden tee shot over a marsh and to play the hole correctly requires a draw or it will surely play as a 3 shot hole even though the yardage is under 500 yds.

Only 1 par 3 could be considered easy and 2 of them play over 200 yds. The greens have multi-levels and require you to be on the right level to have a shot at birdie.

You will surely feel as if you played an entire round of golf by the time you finish, as it makes you work on pretty much shot.

The clubhouse is nice and food was standard golf course fare, although priced a tad better than most courses.

The Pro Shop is well stocked and all of the people I met were very nice and it's evident they take pride in their course. The starter told me the front nine was a little backed up and let me start on 10 right behind an elderly couple, who played at a great pace and we actually completed those 9 holes in under 2 hrs.

The front was a tad slower, but still right around 2:15 on a Sunday afternoon. The practice area was grassy and a good size bucket of practice balls was only $5, so a good value.

Big Cypress was surely worth the trip and I will go back. The community of higher end manufactured homes was extremely well kept and I was floored by how many people live in this place. Make the trek and I am sure you will be writing a great review of this hidden gem.

Just my thoughts!

It was a surprise for us. Nice layout and excellent condition. A big crowdy but pace of play was o.k. Greens were great.