To get the
DVC discount, the DVC member needs to purchase a DVC golf membership card ($50 plus tax) and you get that when you first show up for a tee time at one of the pro shops. You do not need to have the card when you call in advance to make that tee time; you just need to tell them you will be using DVC discount. The card is good for one year and some days -- end date is always end of month one year after month of purchase, so if, for example, you purchase on January 3, the card is good until Jan 31 of the next year.
The card allows the member and up to 3 guests to play any of the 18 hole courses (Magnolia, Palm, Lake Buena Vista, and Osprey Ridge) for a discounted rate for after 10 a.m. tee times. You mention you will be taking Dad, just be aware that DVC member with the card must be in the group to get the discount. There are three designated seasons. During prime season, mid-Jan to about end of April, the discounted rate is $89. At that time regular rates range from $135 to $165 (with Osprey being the most expensive, Palm and Lake Buena Vista the least expensive) and you can make tee times up to 14 days in advance. From Oct to mid-Jan, the member rate is $50 when regular rates range from $85 to $120; for May through Sep, the member rate is $35 but after 10 regular rates at that time are only $45 to $55 (in the summer regular rates are reduced at 10, pre-10 a.m. rates are about $65 to $95). For both those seasons, you can make tee times up to 90 days in advance. Once you play after 10 in the summer, you will quickly realize why the price is so cheap then, the heat is brutal.
That price gets you a round of golf, cart, free tees and a divot repair tool. You can also rent clubs -- steel-shaft $45 plus tax, graphite shaft $60 plus tax per round; not sure which clubs they have now but in past they have been Callaway and Titlest. You can also rent shoes and I think it is $15. Because of the price for clubs, you may seriously want to consider bringing your own.
You can make tee times on-line at Disney's WDW site using the DVC discount. You can also call 1-407-WDW-Golf. If you are less than a foursome, they automatically hook you up with others to make a foursome. You can usually get times near the time you want by calling 14 days in advance but recommend doing at least 30 when you are allowed up to 90. It is generally easier to get times you want for weekdays rather than weekends or holidays because many local residents play on weekends and holidays.
As noted, they will provide taxi service, with voucher, from hotel to course and back again.
A well-stocked drink and sandwich/hot dog cart shows up about every four to five holes while on the course. Best to bring your own golf balls because price is high at pro shops. Last time I played all courses except Lake Buena Vista had golf carts with computerized distance devices that tell you distance to hole. LBV was supposed to be getting them soon at that time.
As to courses. All the courses are good and well-maintained but Osprey Ridge is by far the best course there, with the most memorable holes including two of the best finishing holes you will ever see. It will be closing soon although possibly not until 2009. It is where they are building the new Four Seasons resort. The course will be redone, taking some of its holes and combining it with some other holes from a previous course that has already closed, but it will still be operated by Disney when it reopens, likely in 2010.
Palm and Magnolia (over at Shades of Green) are used for the annual PGA tournament in fall (Palm is used only on Thurs and Fri; Magnolia is used all four days through Sun of the tournament). Palm (my own second favorite behind Osprey) has the narrowest fairways and most water hazards. Palm and Osprey are the most difficult, LBV the least; however, none is overly difficult or easy. Magnolia is the longest, with the most par 4's that are over 400 yards from regular men's tees, but has the widest fairways. It also has the signature Mickey-ear shaped sand trap on its sixth hole. LBV begins at clubhouse at SSR and meanders through a significant part of OKW.
Note, if you have an Annual Pass, that has a different discount -- you get 30% off of regular price for cardholder and up to 3 guests and you can get the times before 10 a.m. You do not need to buy an extra annual golf member card to use it. (You cannot mix AP with DVC discount.)
There is also a 9-hole executive course (mostly par 3's) called Oak Trail, also at Shades of Green, and there is a DVC discount for that for any time of day; it is not expensive to begin with. It is usually heavily occupied by beginners and juniors and is walking only (with pull cart). Clubhouses are well-stocked with merchandise (at the usual Disney inflated prices).
