Mountain Lake Country Club
Lake Wales, FL • Private
Jon Cavalier
Jon Cavalier
Jon Cavalier
Jon Cavalier
Jon Cavalier
Jon Cavalier
Overview
Seth Raynor built Mountain Lake, a millionaires’ winter retreat, in two stages, completing one nine in 1917 and the other four years later. As he did on all his projects, Raynor produced some “template holes” and some originals. At Mountain Lake, his par-3 fifth sports a very authentic Biarritz green and the seventh is recognizable as a Road Hole. But the par-3 11th, designed with a canted, slanted Redan green, has been reworked in recent years, with the front half of the putting surface flattened to create pin positions just above a 10-foot-deep frontal bunker. Restoration expert Ron Prichard and his associate Tyler Rae have been reclaiming Raynor features for over seven years, working most recently on perfecting the unique “circus ring” contour in the middle of the ninth green.
About
Awards
Ranking history:
Second 100 Greatest: Ranked 174th, 2019-'22.
2023-'24 ranking: 193rd.
Previous ranking: 174th.
Highest ranking: No. 174, 2019-'22.
Best in State: Ranked 10th, 2015-'16, 2019-'22. Ranked 12th, 2017-'18.
Current ranking: 13th.
Panelists
Ratings from our panel of 1,900 course-ranking panelists
100 GREATEST/BEST IN STATE SCORES
Shot Options
Character
Challenge
Layout Variety
Fun
Aesthetics
Conditioning
Reviews
Review
“When you are on the golf course, you are aware at all times that you are playing an original Raynor much the way it was played 100 years prior. The mental challenge and visual stimulation provided over 6400ish land-locked, flat-ish yards is incredible."
Read More2025
Review
“This Raynor design uses firm putting surfaces, brilliant approach angles, bunkering, mounding and greens with numerous pin positions and contours (e.g. double plateau 1st, Biarritz 5th, and maiden 18th ) and wind to provide a great mental test that requires creativity and precision on approach shots. The par 3s are especially strong as they include the Redan, which can vary numerous clubs in and of itself based on wind. The Biarritz 5th can stretch to 225, while the 9th hole is rarely more than a wedge. The holes are quite distinctive with each of the 18 holes having a different feature or challenge ranging from the “road hole” templated 7th, to the putting challenges presented by the size, shape and contours of greens 1, 3, and 18 for example. The green shapes, and angles and use of the natural waste areas and water follow the contours of the property very naturally and provide great variety in visuals and shot requirements (mentioned in shot options). . The aesthetic value of the course comes from the natural look of the waste areas and native trees, distinct Raynor bunker faces, green angles, water and Bok Tower as a sight line. There are a few houses not on the course but visible from the course. The houses and the Colony House hotel backing the 18th green look as though they have been there since 1916. It is like stepping into a picture of a different era in time. When you are on the golf course, you are aware at all times that you are playing an original Raynor much the way it was played 100 years prior. The mental challenge and visual stimulation provided over 6400ish land-locked, flat-ish yards is incredible."
Read More2025
Review
“From the moment the golfer drives in the gates of Mountain Lake it feels like you have stepped back 100 years. It’s the Great Gatsby, art Decco era. Tee to green the course plays straight forward with wide open landing areas. Strategically challenge the cross bunkers when you like to do so. Otherwise play away from them. Each hole tells the golfer how to play a shot but the golfer has options to take on the shot or take a more conservative approach. Some of the most creative green complexes you will find anywhere. The string of holes beginning with 8-13 and 15,,16, 18 are fun strong golf holes with a lot of character."
Read More2024
Review
“In many respects Mountain Lakes is a charming throwback to a century ago. The Seth Raynor design has many of his characteristic template holes, and they are well done. The course played firm and fast. The greens rolled true. The Conditioning score was held back by the boundaries not being very well maintained. This course is challenging, yet would be great fun to play every day."
Read More2024
Review
“A very fun and unique track in central Florida. Very unlike any other Florida course you'll play with extremely undulated greens and well placed bunkers/hazards."
Read More2023
Review
“A fun old school track, if you're lucky enough to get on play it you will not be disappointed!"
Read More2023
Review
“Wonderful Seth Raynor design in a private enclave in Central Florida. Really interesting downhill Redan that is not very common with Raynor. Course has more roll to it than one would expect with Central Florida. Jump at the opportunity if ever presented the invitation to play Mountain Lake."
Read More2022
Review
“To play Mountain Lake is to take a step back in time. The course and the ‘colony’ are hidden away in Central Florida, found only by those who are supposed to be there. The ambience is very ‘old school’, including both the anonymity of the club and its snow-bird membership, as well as the relatively undisturbed Seth Raynor layout."
Read More2022
Review
“Impeccable conditioning, with well-kept edges, especially around the greenside bunkers. Some of the best greens I’ve ever played."
Read More2022
Review
“The unmistakable Raynor geometry is omnipresent, with clean lines and simple shapes, plus steep grass faces of the bunkers throughout the golf course. Most of the usual template holes are easily identifiable, and the green complexes are classic, with great examples of the double plateau, biarritz, short, redan and punchbowl in particular."
Read More2022
