Among the best courses open to the public in central Florida, White Heron Golf Club is a superb test of golf that's enjoyable for all levels of players. Originally Ridgewook Lake Golf Club when it opened in 1994, it was designed by Ted McAnlis, a former NASA engineer who learned his craft working for George and Tom Fazio. The course plays well over 7,400 yards from the tips, and features elevation changes, and more than 100 natural sand bunkers. Water and wetlands come into play on 16 holes, and the course is routed through rolling topography and native pines. The course underwent a full renovation in 2020 and has been named by GolfPass as one of the country's most improved. The work included the leveling of tee boxes, new bunkers and beautiful, undulating Champion Bermuda greens. There are five sets of tees at White Heron, starting at 5,294 yards. From the back tees, the course will test the very best players. Two of the par 5s are more than 600 yards, including the second hole, which is 645 yards long and still 599 yards, two tees up. That's not the no. 1 handicap hole, however. That honor belongs to the? fourth, a par-4 that plays 536 yards from the tips. Not only is it long, but water comes into play left and right, both off the tee and on the approach. Besides the course, White Heron Golf Club also has excellent practice facilities, which includes a driving range, short-game area and practice putting greens. There's a well-stocked golf shop in the clubhouse as well as a restaurant that serves burgers, sandwiches, and beverages.