Mountain Lake at Mountain Lake Golf Club

Mountain Lake Golf Club sits on the sandy ridges of central Florida's Lake Wales Ridge, a distinctive elevated landscape that rises above the state's typical flatlands. Seth Raynor designed the course in the mid-1920s as part of a planned resort community, bringing his characteristic template approach to a setting quite different from the northeastern courses where he established his reputation. The property's rolling terrain and natural elevation changes provided Raynor with unusual topography for Florida golf.

The routing features Raynor's signature hole concepts adapted to the sandy soil and native vegetation of the region. Players encounter versions of his well-known templates—including a Redan, Biarritz, and Short—executed with the strategic bunkering and geometric green complexes that define his work. The course plays through corridors of live oaks and longleaf pines, with several holes offering views across the surrounding lakes that dot the property.

Mountain Lake operates as a private club within the larger Mountain Lake community, maintaining a relatively low profile compared to Florida's better-known resort courses. The club's membership has historically included seasonal residents drawn to the area's cooler microclimates and the appeal of a classic Golden Age design. The course represents one of the few Raynor layouts in Florida and stands as an example of how his architectural principles translated to the state's distinctive landscape and growing conditions.