Best Golf Course??

[KPtoys]

Im sorry but I dont know where else to post this!

Out of the Disney courses which one is the best? I know they are all $$$ but I want to get it for DH for x-mas

 

[OldSchoolDisney]

I've played all five courses maybe 5 or 6 times each.......In my opinion Osprey Ridge is by far the best......Eagle Pines second best .........Palm and Magnolia are good golf courses but to me just typical boring florida courses.......Osprey and Eagle Pines are Fazio and Dye courses and are awesome completely natural with no buildings and no noise on course, you barely believe you are in Disney......Osprey every hole feels like its a mile from any other hole and at the 10th green you are (and you are not going to believe this) over 2 1/2 miles from the clubhouse...........Osprey by the way is also the most expensive.......I would play Lake Buena Vista before Palm or Magnolia especially if you really enjoy Disney as course winds thru busy downtown Disney Saratoga Springs and vacation Club resorts........again just a typical Florida course with a lot of Disney views.........

 

[Straughn]

So I am on hold with the Master Starter at Disney golf, scrolling thru the posts when I see "Best Golf Course" and I read your question. I was calling to ask about gift certificates as DH has four tee times booked in January. I learned that there is no such thing as a "golf gift certificate", you simply purchase Disney gift certificates which can be used at any of the courses, or just about anywhere else on property. The certificates come in $25 increments. I bought $125 worth which covers one round at Palm or Magnolia courses during our visit. The golf rates change depending on the time of day and time of the year. Call the Master Starter at 407-938-4653 and he/she will be able to give you the rates in effect during your stay; you can also order the certificates from them. As I said, you won't have to pick a specific course as the certificates are good at any of them. For cost purposes, I can recommend Palm or Magnolia as those are the ones my husband prefers. All of the courses are great.

 

[KPtoys]

Is it worth the $125+ per person? My DH is a starter at a golf course in NY. He's a pretty good golfer and I wanted to splurge and get him a nice round of golf. I know he can golf for about $50 (we are staying at Orange Lake). What makes Disney courses that special (besides the fact that it is Disney).

 

[NHDisneyKid]

Hi there
I agree 100% with OldSchoolDisney!
Osprey Ridge is just the most beautiful course, it's more like an experience in nature than a "typical Florida golf course." We played there just last Monday and shared almost every tee box with at least 2-3 deer. Eagle Pines is our second favorite as well...and after playing Palm and Magnolia a few times, I can give or take them. I do have a sentimental liking of Lake Buena Vista, we played our college conference championships there...and I would also play there before Palm or Magnolia.
We always play in the afternoons, I usually make a tee time for the exact time when the rate goes down (For ex: we played Osprey Ridge last week, had a 2:08 tee time and paid $65 instead of $135, we just barely got all 18 in at that hour).
We don't go to Disney at this point (me, my husband and my parents) without bringing our clubs...it's part of the experience for us!

 

[Mister Incredible]

Didn't they just re-do the Magnolia course to make it longer and more challenging? I thought I read that somewhere.

 

[NHDisneyKid]

I do believe they did up the difficulty of the Magnolia...to "Tiger-proof" it. They were discussing that on the tv broadcast of the Funai Classic a few weeks ago. Evidently it worked, since Tiger didn't even make the cut...

Althoughhhhh, a few trusty CMs at the courses we played last week told us that that weekend was a "boys weekend" for Tiger and his pals...his wife was out of town and he evidently closed down quite a few bars in the Orlando area. They weren't surprised he hadn't made the cut!

 

[OldSchoolDisney]

By the way I am not saying Palm and Magnolia are easy......they are difficult to just about any player.......but Osprey and eagle Pines are equally difficult and in my opinion much (and I can't emphasize this enough) much, much more beautiful........as a avid and admittedly somewhat snobby northern golfer I find Florida golf courses to often be too similiar (Water, sand and houses).........while there are no houses on Palm and Magnolia there general feel to me is of a typical Florida course where as to me Osprey and Eagle Pines combine the natural beauty of the region with a more pristine (did I actually just use that word?) and tranquil (oh god) and completely different golf experience..........just my two cents and I believe they are worth about a half penny on the open market........

 

[esulerzy]

I agree with OldSchoolDisney and NHDisneyKid - Osprey Ridge is the best overall experience - I too have played each course 5-6 times (I'm a 16 handicap) and enjoy all of them (even Oak Ridge - the 9-hole walking course). My favorites, for the same reasons already listed, are:

1. Osprey Ridge
2. Eagle Pines
3. Lake Buena Vista
4. Palm
5. Magnolia

 

[lsutiggeratwk]

Hi all! For years the way I got my DH to WDW was to 'allow'
him to golf while there. It is actually the place were he first played golf - before he knew me! I will always support his golf habit as long as it gets me places I want to go - like WDW !!
He enjoys all of the courses, finds them challenging. I have to agree with the other reviews of Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines. It's a real get away feeling.
Enjoy your trip!

 

[KPtoys]

worth $125+?

 

[OldSchoolDisney]

Again admitting I can be somewhat of a snob when it comes to golf, any course in the Orlando area (for the most part) that is worth playing is going to be in that price range.......that said I've played a lot of them (on and off Disney property) and Osprey and Eagle Pines are definitely worth the higher end price tag especially when you factor in the convenience to Disney if you are staying there.......I would for example take Osprey or Eagle Pines over both Championsgate courses, Orange County National courses, Reunion, Firefox or Celebration courses.......

 

[KPtoys]

We are staying at Orange Lake CC. I know my DH loves nice courses. I hope your right. I will be calling my 60 days in advance to get a tee time at Ospreys!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hi all! For years the way I got my DH to WDW was to 'allow'
him to golf while there. It is actually the place were he first played golf - before he knew me! I will always support his golf habit as long as it gets me places I want to go - like WDW !!
He enjoys all of the courses, finds them challenging. I have to agree with the other reviews of Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines. It's a real get away feeling.
Enjoy your trip!

My DH still calls WDW a golf resort. He doesn't know the parks open before noon, he's out golfing.
Are the Disney courses worth it? Depends. You get to say you played at Disney. Dh recently paid $250 to play at Harbourtown Golf Links-once! However, he also says the Disney courses are always in excellent condition and all the CMs (not surprisingly) are top notch. For example, he went to a course (don't know which one) and while he was playing, the cart lady came by with sandwiches. Well, she was all out of what he wanted, so he said he'd take another kind. But no, she drove all over to another cart to get him what he wanted. He's always been so impressed-and no hands out for tips! You tip because of excellent service, NOT because it's expected (Like some other courses he's been at).
Oh, and depending on the time of year and the time of day you golf, it's not always $125. DH paid only $35 at LBV in May playing at 3:00.

 

[Got Quattro?]

The best for quality of course are by far Osprey and Eagle....however my favorite is Lake Buna Vista.

LBV is not quite as difficult, but because it is shoe horned inbetween the Downtown disney Old Key West, and saratoga springs area, it has a great variety of hole types.

When I go down I always try to get 3 rounds in...1 st at LBV, the either osprey or eagle and either magnolia or palm.

for the most par look at eagle and osprey as 1 big course, and palm and magnolia as 1 big course.

 

[OldSchoolDisney]

slightly off the original but I see Disney has changed policies and now offers replay rounds at "two Disney Courses".......used to be you could come off one course and hope to get on any of the other courses.......anybody know which two courses they are referring to? My guess is Palm and LBV since they are the cheapest.......sorry to add on to original post but you don't see many golfing posts on here......thanks......

 

[golferguy]

Guys or gals, I have played all the courses in the last few years. I do agree that Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines are the most expensive but are well worth the cost. Both are difficult to the normal duffer, considering large amounts of waste or natural areas in front of the tee boxes you have to hit over to get to the short grass fairways. The view from the tee boxes can be intimidating as well as beautiful. The classic LBV course is one of my favorites though. The course winds thru DD and OKW, but it is reasonably quiet. The par 3 island green is my favorite hole.
I was a walking scorer for the Funai classic tournament. The pros had some problems with both courses, but remember these guys are good. You get a different perspective when playing from the very back edge of the tee boxes. Have not played off property, have played at HH. The courses are very nice and reasonably priced. They do have "combo days" for two courses which are fairly priced. May all your putts roll in the hole!!

 

[OregonDisneyFanatic]

Again slightly off subject, My DD loves golf and I have asked him if he wants to play any of the courses while we are at WDW and he says is not sure he wants to play by himself since the rest of us don't play golf. Has anyone gotten tee times for one and then been assigned to another group. If so was it uncomfortable etc? Thanks!

 

[southjerseymom]

My DH has made tee times as a single lots of times. (Anything to play golf!!) He has always been put into a foursome or with 2 other people. Some of them have been players (like the NFL player he said ripped his drives and then fell completely apart on his short game) and others have been hackers. DH is just happy to play. He would give a vote for Osprey Ridge as his favorite also. Make sure you ask whether they are seeding or aerating the course you choose. Usually they let you know - but the last time he played Magnolia they didn't tell him. Disappointing. I made his tee times our last trip and they offered two rounds of golf for $165! At that price I had to sign him up. I don't know why they offered the special - they did mention that he had played before - but the price was right. It's worth a shot to ask if they offer any "twofers" when you are there. Have fun!

 

[OregonDisneyFanatic]

Southjersymom, Thanks for the information. Great recommendation on asking about aerating and seeding and offers I wouldn't have thought of that. I will call the course to see if they are having any specials. Maybe that will help him make up his mind. ( I noticed in my original post that I put DD.....I meant DH...Duh!)