Finding Florida’s Hidden Golf Gems
Florida has over 1,100 golf courses throughout the state. It seems impossible for one golf course to set itself apart from so many. But the Brooksville Ridge golf courses have managed to do just that.
The Brooksville Ridge golf courses are some of the hidden gems of the Sunshine State. Technically, there are five golf clubs that lie along the Brooksville Ridge: Cabot Citrus Farms, Brooksville Country Club, Silverthorn Country Club, Southern Hills Plantation Club, Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club.
We got to visit each one of these golf courses and discover their distinctive features.
Start at Cabot Citrus Farms
Cabot Citrus Farms brings a new era of golf to Florida’s Adventure Coast. Located in Brooksville on the former World Woods property, this reimagined destination features two 18-hole courses, Karoo and Roost, along with The Squeeze, a 10-hole course, The Wedge, an 11-hole par-3 course, and an expansive practice facility designed for golfers who want to sharpen every part of their game. With sandy soil, dramatic elevation changes, natural waste bunkers, rolling fairways, palmetto trees, sand pines, and moss-draped oaks, Cabot Citrus Farms offers a golf experience unlike anything most visitors expect to find in Florida.
Cabot Citrus Farms certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the most exciting golf destinations in the state. The courses are designed to highlight the land’s natural character, creating bold visual contrasts, strategic playing options, and a sense of discovery from one hole to the next. When we visited, it was easy to see how the property blends world-class golf with the relaxed outdoor beauty of Brooksville, offering a destination that feels elevated, adventurous, and deeply connected to the landscape of Florida’s Adventure Coast.
Enjoy the Unique Landscapes at Brooksville Country Club
While Cabot Citrus Farms is the most prestigious of the Brooksville Ridge Golf Courses, it’s certainly not the only one that’s worth a visit. So after we finished up at Cabot, we decided to spend some time at Brooksville Country Club, another local course that shows off the surprising terrain, elevation, and natural character that make golf in this part of Florida so unique.
Brooksville Country Club is located in an old limestone mining area. This means that the course has some unique, eye-catching obstacles, like the four quarry holes. It’s quite a treat to play on this Florida golf course! Dramatic rock walls and unexpected elevation changes make it feel anything but ordinary. Golf Digest has even recognized the 17th hole, which sits between a pond and an exposed quarry wall, as one of the standout modern golf holes in the country.
Between the live oaks, rolling terrain, limestone walls, and quarry holes, it offers a distinctly Brooksville golf experience and a great course for anyone planning a golf getaway on Florida’s Adventure Coast.
Feel a Little Fancy at Southern Hills Plantation Club
The moment we arrived at the Southern Hills Plantation Club, we could feel the luxury. With the vast Southern-inspired Clubhouse and the immaculately designed Pete Dye course, Southern Hills Plantation Club is picture-perfect.
As we continued to explore, we found out that the clubhouse and the golf course aren’t the only amenities at Southern Hills Plantation Club. They also have a sparkling blue lap pool, a full-service spa, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and even a few tennis courts. What more could you ask for?
Get Off the Beaten Path at Silverthorn Country Club and Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club
The Brooksville Ridge golf courses are what we call hidden gems, which means plenty of opportunities to book a tee time. We felt lie true V.I.Ps because when we visited Silverthorn Country Club and Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club, we had both courses nearly all to ourselves!
Silverthorn Country Club is one of the more challenging courses in the mix. With the strategically placed bunkers, rugged terrain, and erratic Gulf Coast winds, this course deserves its difficult 131 slope rating. And while Silverthorn Country Club certainly put our golfing skills to the test, it was a fun time all around.
Last but certainly not least, we popped by the Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club. This course has a couple of noteworthy features. First, Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club is one of the only golf courses on Brooksville Ridge that exclusively uses native grass. Local wildlife flock to this course. Second, the final four holes at Hernando Oaks Golf & Country Club are quite a fun challenge. Some say these are the best finishing holes in the entire Tampa area!
Are you ready for a tee time?