Does anyone know anything about WDW golf???

[DisOrBust]

Alright my family member asked me about golfing at WDW and I know NOTHING,LOL! So.. whats the best course, how bad the cost, how much time, is it worth it, are the clubs any good you can rent... This is a first time family and they wanted to surprise the GF...god idea???


THANKS, Sue

 

[kkmauch]

Hi Sue! Well, my brother and friends wanted to go golfing on our trip this time too, so I did a lot of research to come up with the answers to all of their questions. I think that there are two web sites that you will find are particularly good at answering all of your questions and giving you more information than you ever needed to know about WDW golfing!
First, try this for a basic overview:
http://www.adultsatwdw.com/article1036.html
Then, try this for the details that the other leaves out:
http://www.wdwgolf.com/
They are both written by the same man and he is QUITE knowledgeable. We will test out all of his information in just about 20 days!

 

[Gaiusrex]

When I go to Disneyworld, I'm really there for the food, drinks, and especially the GOLF! I've played all the courses except the Oak Trail 9 hole "family" course (the thought makes me shudder).

All the courses are fantastic. The Palm and Magnolia are used for the PGA tournament. The design of both courses is pretty crafty. There are fairly generous fairways, but stray a little bit, and you're in the trees. Palm is shorter but more narrow, while Magnolia is long and hard. To me, Magnolia is the gem of the bunch, but it is a tough course for the average golfer. It's the one with the Mickey Mouse sand trap.

Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines are part of the Bonnet Creek Golf Club. They share a clubhouse and restaurant. These are designed by renown golf architects Tom Fazio (Osprey Ridge) and Pete Dye (Eagle Pines). They are typical of their design philosophy. Fazio like a long test that blends into the surrounding landscape. Broad fairways and long dramatic sand traps. Dye like to move a lot of dirt. His courses are shorter with lots of water. You can think your way around his courses with a lot of risk/reward opportunities.

The last one is the poor, forgotten Lake Buena Vista golf course. It used to be in the rotation of courses that the pros used. Even the women's tour hosed a tourament there. It's relatively easy and short. Lots of water, and lots of distractions. I think the Old Key West resort butts up against some of the holes. It's not the most popular or the most dramatic.

Last I remember, the rental clubs were King Cobras. They're name brand, complete sets (not a bag from lost and found with 3 4-irons).

The cost varies depending on when you go. Peak time is $200 and Off-Peak is $100 for 18 holes, cart included. You can make tee times, and if you stay onsite you get a free cab ride to the course. Personally I like to play early, so usually the round takes around 4 hours. I don't think they get exceptionally busy, but I can imagine getting stuck behind some beginners if you wait untill later in te day.

And look out for gators.

 

[Simba's Mom]

As someone on this board said (was that you, Gaiusrex?), and DH would say "You mean there are theme parks at this golf resort?" We go every May, when golf rates are lowest, and DH golfs virtually every day (he honors me with one day of his time). I can't remember what kind on clubs they're renting now, but he always says that everything at the WDW courses are top-notch, "up to the typical Disney standards." And he golfed Oak Trail once, pretty pleased. He's a scratch golfer, golfed with DS who was golfing for the first time-both extremes of ability had a good time on that course.

 

[kdibattista]

DH golfs every trip. Be sure to ask about any specials when booking the tee times.... they had a special during our last trip for 2 rounds of golf at any 2 courses for $179 total. If they are planning on playing more than once, they may want to consider bringing their own clubs... the rentals can get pricey (I think around $60 each round.... and that was 2 years ago). He has played all courses and his favorites are definitely Palm and Magnolia.

 

[DisOrBust]

Thanks all! So I will tell them Palm or Manolia. A round should take 4 hours and you get a taxi ride from the resort. I will tell them about the clubs.

Thanks Again!
Sue

 

[Naisy68]

How far in advance can you make tee times? What number do I call? My DH and DS want to golf when we go down this summer but I can honestly say that they are NOT advanced golfers. Both started playing a couple years ago. They mostly golf at our nine-hole course. Which of the courses would be an average course, not too easy and not too hard? I think they'd like to stay away from trees if possible. Also, as of right now they are planning to bring their own clubs because we won't have a credit card that we could put the $500(?) deposit on. What are your suggestions?

 

[Naisy68]

Bump!

 

[Simba's Mom]

You can make Tee-times either 60 or 90 days in advance, I don't remember which. This coming summer, the CM I spoke with said that the Palm golf course would be closed all summer. DH goes for Price Slice Special, playing after 10:00 am. Sure, it's hot in the summer, but it's still golf! And there's plenty of water on every course. He thought Lake Buena Vista might be best for the average golfer, one of the less expensive too!

 

[TZMOM]

I'd like to take my Dad to the 9-hole next year. How do you get there? We'll be staying at either POFQ or POR.

Thanks!!

 

[4greatboys]

Originally posted by Gaiusrex
When I go to Disneyworld, I'm really there for the food, drinks, and especially the GOLF! I've played all the courses except the Oak Trail 9 hole "family" course (the thought makes me shudder).

Just wondering what wrong with Oak Trail?? I was thinking of setting up a tee time there for dh and his brother. Dh likes to golf but hasnt in years and I thought that would be a good one for him.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I was kind of wondering too. DH and DS played Oak Trail and both had a good time. DH is a scratch golfer, while for DS, it was his first time ever on a golf course. Any course that can be enjoyable for those two extremes of abilities has got to be OK. However, I admit that whenever DH plays by himself, he doesn't play Oak Trail.

 

[suevee]

Also if anyone in your party is eligable for SoG you can get reduced rates booking through SoG. I am not sure how much you will save though.

 

[Gaiusrex]

Originally posted by 4greatboys
Just wondering what wrong with Oak Trail?? I was thinking of setting up a tee time there for dh and his brother. Dh likes to golf but hasnt in years and I thought that would be a good one for him.

I wouldn't say that there's anything wrong with the course. I like to play early and play quickly. I'd be afraid of getting stuck behind a bunch of inexperienced golfers playing very slowly.