The Magnolia really shines in how it balances challenge with playability. It’s built on that naturally flat Florida terrain, but the course is far from boring. The wide fairways are pretty forgiving off the tee, which is a great confidence builder, but your real work begins when you approach the large, often subtly contoured greens. They’re well-guarded by those deep bunkers I mentioned, giving the course a very distinct resort-parkland look. You can tell this design was intended for high-level competition because of its sheer scale and the strategic placement of hazards. The front nine eases you into the round, but the famous back nine is where the course really ramps up.

It’s here, between the 14th and 17th, that the new-look holes come into play, offering a fresh, modern challenge while still sitting comfortably within the traditional layout. That said, the overall feel is clean, well-run, and focused on maintaining slick, true-rolling surfaces. It works beautifully for the confident mid- to low-handicapper looking for a true test from the back tees, but casual players will find the pacing and friendly environment enjoyable, too.