Southwood Golf Club

Southwood Golf Club in Tallahassee, Florida, opened in 1989 as the centerpiece of a master-planned community in the city's southeastern corridor. The course was designed by Fred Couples in collaboration with Gene Bates, marking one of Couples' early ventures into golf course architecture during his playing prime. The layout occupies rolling terrain somewhat unusual for the Florida Panhandle, with elevation changes that provide natural movement and strategic interest across the property. The design takes advantage of the wooded, hilly landscape characteristic of this part of north Florida, where the topography transitions from the coastal plain toward the red clay hills of southern Georgia. Mature pines and hardwoods frame many holes, and the routing incorporates natural wetlands and lakes that come into play on several holes. The course features a mix of risk-reward opportunities and strategic options that reflect Couples' playing philosophy, with generous landing areas balanced by well-positioned hazards that penalize wayward shots. Southwood serves as a daily-fee facility and has functioned as an accessible championship-length course for Tallahassee's golfing community. The property includes practice facilities and a clubhouse that serves both members and public play. The course has hosted various regional amateur events over the years, providing a tournament-quality test while remaining playable for golfers of different skill levels. Its location within the Southwood residential development makes it a focal point for the surrounding neighborhood.