Cypresswood Golf and Country Club Review

Cypresswood Golf and Country Club - Great Membership Opportunities for Snowbirds
Located on the outskirts of Winter Haven, FL lies the residential golf community of Cypresswood. It's a 24-hour guarded community with some of the best maintained and lush surroundings in the area. Within the community lies the Cypresswood Golf and Country Club, a full-service club with an 18-hole Ron Garl designed championship golf course complete with driving range and pro shop, a junior Olympic sized swimming pool, six lighted tennis courts, Wellness (fitness) Center, and a clubhouse with a restaurant and lounge. On my visit the tennis courts were bustling with activity and I must say, they played some very good tennis.

Membership - Two Great Options
The Cypresswood Golf & Country Club is a public golf facility with two membership options for golf: Annual or Seasonal. Recreation and wellness memberships are also available. Their rates are some of the best I have seen. An annual family membership runs $225/mo; individuals pay $150/mo. If you choose to pay a trail fee and use your own personal golf vehicle that will run you another $202.50/$135 a month. All told, an annual membership with cart runs $427.50 a month for a family and $285/month for an individual. Plus applicable sales tax, of course. Golf memberships also include full use of the swimming and tennis facilities.

If you're not a full time Florida resident, Cypresswood is one of the few courses that offers a seasonal (Jan. - Apr.) membership. Individuals pay $200/mo., families pay $300 plus $20/round cart fee.

I have heard it said that membership has its privileges and Cypresswood is no exception. In addition to unlimited golf, members have unlimited access to the Men's and Women's Golf Associations and member only groups. They can make tee times 14 days in advance, receive unlimited range balls and their guests are guaranteed the lowest rate around. They have access to special members-only clinics and receive a discount on golf shop merchandise. There is no food and beverage minimum.

Additional amenities include a full length driving range with yardages marked on the many targets; a practice putting green, short game area and pro shop with well-known brands such as Cobra, Titleist and Sport Haley to name a few.

Cypresswood Golf Course
From the back tees, Cypresswood plays 6,912 yards with a par of 72, a course rating of 73.1 and a slope of 126. At 6,440 yards the white tees will give most guys all they can handle. Women can choose from two yardages: 6,012 for the big hitters and 5,553 for mere mortals. There are five sets of tees for golfers of all abilities. The course opened in 1974 so as you can image the trees and vegetation areas are very mature. Unlike newer courses, your ability to hit over the trees is much more limited.

Ron Garl's design at Cypresswood is a player friendly track that can be enjoyed by golfers of all levels of ability. You won't find any adjacent fairways at Cypresswood, so a large group of people seeing you chunk that easy chip shot into the pond is highly unlikely.

Memorable Holes
Number 1: Par 4, 398 yards. The opening hole is a challenging par 4 with large trees bordering both sides of the fairway. Once past the large oak tree on the left which big hitters should be able to carry, the hole opens up to a small green which slopes gently from back left to front right.

Number 3: Par 5, 549 yards. Water fronted by large pine trees frames the right side of the fairway and homes and OB frame the left. If you can play the hole down the left side of the fairway, you'll encounter less obstacles. The green is fairly flat with a false front on the right side and a bunker right as well. There's a good chance for birdie or better if you can hit a solid layup shot.

Number 9: Par 4, 424 yards. The stream down the fairway should not come into play on this challenging dogleg right. The green is slightly elevated with a false front and a fairly deep bunker guarding the right side.

Number 15: Par 5, 510 yards. From the men's tees, there is a decent carry over a lake on this picturesque par 5 hole. Playing down the left side is your best bet going into the green; it takes the large oak trees on the right side out of play. Just beware of the two crepe myrtle trees on the left; they can screw up an otherwise perfect layup.

Number 16: Par 3, 180 yards. The water on the left should not come into play. If it does, call Bob Schade back in the clubhouse; it's time for a lesson! The decent length par 3 plays uphill to a large green well-guarded on either side by bunkers. Par is a good score here.

Last Word
Cypresswood has a full beer and liquor license with all of your favorite libations. Scores at Cypresswood is a great place to unwind with a cold beverage on a hot Florida day or to just show up for a meal. They offer typical snack bar food (burgers, sandwiches, salads and wings) and seem to do a good lunch business from non-golfers. They also offer nightly dinner specials and happy hours as well. The cheeseburger I had was the best I've had in a long time ANYWHERE and the portions are large. You can eat it there or takeout is available. They are also the perfect setting for any type of banquet or party, with seating for up to 175.

For more information, you can visit their website at www.cypresswoodcc.com, email them at cypresswoodcc@gmail.com or contact the owner and head professional, Bob Schade at 863-324-6174.