Featured Golf Course
In this section learn more about the history of the course and its hometown, see a selection of historic and current images of the course, learn about what the course is like today, and discover nearby historic sites.
Highland Florida Golf Club
History
The Highland Florida Golf Club is located in the Village of Highland Park, south of Lake Wales in Polk County. A 9-hole golf course existed on the property for several years in the early 1920s. The course was poorly designed and frequently flooded. In 1927, the Boston golf course architectural firm Wayne Stiles & John Van Kleek were hired to design an 18-hole golf course on the site. Named the Highland Park Club, Stiles & Van Kleek rebuilt and incorporated five of the old holes in to the new design. Several of the new holes were laid out in an orange grove on higher ground.
During World War II, a labor shortage resulted in six holes being removed and replaced with orange trees. The Highland Park Club remained a 12-hole layout until 1990s, when the golf course was bought and restored back to its 18-hole configuration.
Original Plan for Highland Park Club by Stiles and van Kleek
Highland Park Golf Course to Open New Years
1933 Highland Park Florida Club Scorecard
Golfers at Highland Park Golf Course
Highland Florida Golf Club's 2nd Hole in 1937 - Looking from Tee Box
Highland Florida Golf Club's 3rd Hole in 1937
Highland Florida Golf Club's 6th Hole in the 1930's - Downhill Dog-leg Right with Grapefruit Trees along Fairway
Vintage colored Postcard of Highland Florida Golf Club's 6th Hole
Highland Florida Golf Club's 7th Hole in 1937
Golfers at Highland Florida Golf Club Eating Oranges on the 10th Tee in 1938
Highland Florida Golf Club's 10th Hole in 1937
Highland Florida Golf Club's 15th Hole in the 1930's
Highland Florida Golf Club's 18th Hole in the 1930's
Golfers and Caddies at Highland Florida Golf Club in 1937
Today
*CURRENTLY CLOSED*
The Highland Florida Golf Club features three sets of tees playing from 5,100 to 6,100 yards. The scenic, rolling hills of the Lake Wales Ridge provide the setting for the beautiful links of the Highland Florida Golf Club. With elevation changes of more than 110 feet from top to bottom, there are interesting features to challenge any golfer’s game.
Highland Florida Golf Club Clubhouse
Covered Bridge to Courtesy of Highland Florida Golf Club's 1st Hole
Highland Florida Golf Club's 3rd Hole
Highland Florida Golf Club's 3rd Hole Green
Highland Florida Golf Club's 8th Hole
Highland Florida Golf Club's 9th Hole From Tee Box
Highland Florida Golf Club's 12th Hole
Highland Florida Golf Club Scorecard
Local Knowledge
One of the most picturesque holes designed by Wayne Stiles and John van Kleek for the Highland Park Golf Course in 1927 was the 11th hole, affectionately called ‘elephant ears.’
Standing on the tee of this 360-yard, par 4 hole, the fairway sloped from right to left. Players would look directly into two intimidating bunkers that constricted the fairway in half. If you were lucky to clear the fairway bunkers, then your approach shot, anything from a mashie to a spoon* would have to be well struck. The front of the green was protected on both sides by two large and deep bunkers, which gave the hole its name, elephant ears! Once on the green, you were challenged with a back to front-sloped green that made for an exciting putt. Today, the 11th hole plays from 368 to 397 yards and follows the same routing.
*See page 7 of our Florida Historic Golf Trail guide at https://bit.ly/2PHqo4v on “Hickory Golf Clubs – What’s in a Name?”
11th Hole from Original Plan by Stiles and van Kleek
Highland Florida Golf Club's 11th Hole 'Elephant Ears' in 1937 - Looking from Tee Box
Highland Florida Golf Club's 11th Hole 'Elephant Ears' in 1937 - Looking from Tee Box to Fairway
Highland Florida Golf Club's 11th Hole 'Elephant Ears' in 1937 - Approach From Fairway
Highland Florida Golf Club's 11th Hole 'Elephant Ears' in 1937 - Massive Bunkers Guarding Green
Inside the Leather
Spook Hill - Located just 10 minutes north of the golf course, Spook Hill has been a unique, and free, tourist attraction for over 50 years. Spook Hill has gained worldwide notoriety as one of the most confounding, potentially haunted, locations in existence. Visitors park their cars at the bottom of Spook Hill and experience the mysterious force that seems to defy gravity as the car is pulled to the top of the hill. Visit Spook Hill, park your car at the white line, put it in neutral, and see the results for yourself! Visit Spook Hill for more details. #ComePlayOnHistory!
1950 Postcard for Spook Hill
1957 Postcard of Spook Hill
Spook Hill in the 1960s
Spook Hill Today
Spook Hill Map and Instructions
Visit - Contact
Highland Florida Golf Club
1503 N. Highland Park Drive
Lake Wales, Florida 33898
1503 N. Highland Park Drive
Lake Wales, Florida 33898
View the Website
Phone:
863.679.9478