Any DVC golfers here?

[TimeforMe]

DH and DS will be playing the Osprey Ridge course next week and are a little intimidated as they are somewhat novices to the game. We tried to get the LBV course since we're staying at OKW, but it was closed because they'll be working on it. Anyone every play this course?

Also, I thought I saw somewhere that there were DVC discounts, but I guess I'm mistaken because I checked the DVC website and there were none. They will be playing after 3 p.m. anyway and even though it'll be the hot midday sun and a chance of rain DH was thrilled with the price differential and wouldn't play it for the $ in the morning. The CM said they also pick you up by taxi and transport you to the course. Anyone have any experience with this?

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

The CM said they also pick you up by taxi and transport you to the course. Anyone have any experience with this?

I have had experience with this and it is a great service. You just call bell service and tell them you are going to a specific goldf course to play. They call you a cab. They provide you with a voucher that you give to the driver. At the course after your round, they will do the same. I can't remember if you get a second voucher or not or just get two when they pick you up. The system works great and is very nice.

HBC

 

[vernon]

With the golf courses I wouldn't say any of them are "easier" than the other, but they do each have their own aspects that depend on the style/ability of the golfer.

LBV is a quite tight course but not overly long and not many carries over water off the tee. It oesn't overly punish a player that is fairly straight, but doesn't always get the ball airbourne off the tee.

Eagle Pines has a lot of "scrub areas" in front of the tees that as best described as very large hard bunkers, covered in the pine needles that give the course it's name. It does give you a bit room room to be a little inaccurrate off the tee. It suits someone that can get the ball away fairly well, but does sometimes get a little wayward.

Osprey Ridge is my favourite course, it has a beautiful setting and some great holes.

Both the Palm and Magnolia courses have a fair amount of water on them but are a fair test of golf, you have some fairly generous fairways, but there are a few hazards to catch the bad shots.

He shouldn't forget that these are resort courses and set up so that the holiday golfers feel they want to come back and play them again. The rough isn't too nasty and the courses give you a chance of a few breaks. The reality is although these are championship courses and good ones at that, when the pros play, they are off the back tees that bring a lot of the hazards into play, if you play from the front tees it's not going to pose you much more in the way of problems than most other 18 hole courses. What you will notice is the fairways and greens are in better condition that you're used to and the whole set up of the facility is absolutely wonderful ( be there early to make sure you have enough time to take advantage of the practice range and putting greens to make sure you're ready for the round). Unless you are REAL beginners (in which case you might prefer the walking 9 hole course Oak Hill Trail, which you can "replay" at a discount if you feel you want to play another 9 after your first 9) you won't feel out of place on the courses.

 

[joepoe]

Yes, you pick up a voucher at the bell stand. They call a cab. Cab takes you to course. (Just give the cabbie a tip, ride is paid for by Disney).
Then, after golf, you can leave your clubs at the course if you are coming back again, or, if you are playing another Disney course, they will transport them for you.
Get a voucher from the pro shop or one of the many employees standing about outside at the bag drop. They will call a cab for you to take you back to the hotel. Very painless. Just don't leave your golf shoes in the cab like my dear FIL did last year!

 

[kathleena]

I thought I saw somewhere that there were DVC discounts, but I guess I'm mistaken because I checked the DVC website and there were none.

Yes there are - at least as of May when my DH and his golf buddy bought one. You buy golf program membership card and then you plus anyone in your party up to four golf for under $40 per round. We travel with this couple frequently and my DH and his buddy swap off buying the pass. They use it twice a year so it makes a big difference.

To find the info on the website, click on Understanding your Membership, Member Benefits and Priveledges and then click on the Golf Program.

Osprey was being worked on in May, so it was closed. They played LBV three times, Magnolia once.

 

[crisi]

If they are novices, they shouldn't feel bad about playing from the forward tees (aka the "Ladies Tees"). As vernon has said, the courses are laid out to appeal to the holiday golfer - as well as the serious golfer who wants challenge. Playing the forward tees will make the course more manageable.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Golf is DH's favorite pastime at WDW-he spends more time at that than the parks. He's played Osprey Ridge and LBV twice each. Osprey Ridge is his absolute favorite, also really enjoyed LBV. I think Magnolia was his least favorite (but he may have gone on a bad day-the Pro did apologize for the poor condition of the course). Just one thing with LBV being unavailable-when we went Memorial Day week, LBV was unavailable when DH wanted to play it. The CMs aren't always told why, and we had her check-turns out it was closed one day a week for a "rest" or something, and the next day was fine. If you're playing after 3:00, the time discount is better than DVC rates with the pass.
If you get an opportunity to play LBV while you're staying at OKW, I encourage it. It's so much fun to sit on your balcony and look at the course you've played on. And last trip, DH and DS brought a camera and got a real neat picture of the villa we were staying in from the golf course.