DVC golfers- I need your input

[karebear1]

My DH and I are going to spend a week at BCV's next January with my DS and DBIL. DBIL is a golfer and I know he will want to do some golfing while there, but I have no idea where to reserve for him. Are there some courses that get DVC discounts? What are the perks for golfing if you're a DVC member? Where do you prefer to play? Is one course better or harder then another? Do you have any idea what the cost is? And one last question. We are meeting some other friends down there, but the DH doesn't have clubs.... can you rent clubs at any of the golf courses? I really appreciate any and all of your ideas and thoughts as we have NEVER golfed down there before and are virtually uneducated in this area!

THANK YOU ALL!!!

 

[Simba's Mom]

"Golf"-DH's middle name, his main form of recreation at WDW. There's a DVC golf card that entitles you to discounted rates (exact amount varies with time of year), but you have to play after 10:00 am (during this season anyways, yes, he played in this heat). Hardest and best course is probably Osprey Ridge. Opinions on easiest and "least desirable" vary, but DH really enjoys LBV for "best buy". There's a website with alot of golf info: www.wdwgolf.com
One other thing-I see you're going in January-I think the discounted rates change sometime in January.

 

[pmcpmc]

www.standbygolf.com

 

[vernon]

If he plans to play a fair amount of golf (either this trip or returning within the year) then the DVC golf membership is worth considering. If not then depending if you have transportation (or not) his choices are to play one of the excellent Disney courses (obviously easiest if you have no transportation) or to drive a little way and play off site. Disney are among the most expensive courses in the area, a decent rule of thumb is the further you're prepared to drive from Disney the less you pay for similar quality courses.

1) Disney courses
All Disney courses have good quality hire clubs available. You have the choice of 5 championship courses and a 9 hole "executive"/family walking course.
Of the 18 hole courses my preference is Osprey ridge. Of the others it does depend a little on one's abilities ( or lack of them ). Eagle Pines is forgiving if you're a little wayward at times off the tee, but punishes you if your short off the tee or top the ball occassionally. Palm and Magnolia are pretty "standard" Florida courses if a little long and plenty of water. LBV is not a good choice if you are not straight as much of the course winds through OKW resort and many of the teeshorts require accuracy.
The 9 hole Oak trail is a decent test of golf and is usually in good condition for a course that has quite a few "non golfers" playing it. If you want to play 18 holes on the walking course they offer a "discounted" second 9 holes. If you're short on time it offers a good chance to get some inexpensive practice in. They also will rent a half set of clubs for the 9 hole at a lower price than they will charge for a full set ( obviously ) that is required on the championsghip courses.

2) Off site there are a multitude of great courses in the area. As mentioned standbygolf is a great option to get some fantastic courses at a great price. Courses I like off Disney are Orange County National, Southern Dunes, Highlands reserve and Falcon's Fire.

3) Another option, if you want to give him a very nice suprise, is http://www.progolfguides.com . This is a playing round with a PGA teaching pro. Basically the day is made up of being collected from your hotel, driven to the course ( you get a selection of courses to choose from) , they will (usually) be able to supply clubs if requested, warm up on the driving range, 18 holes of golf with the pro playing alongside of you (he'll usually give the player a few holes to warm up and to gauge strengths/weaknesses of their game) offer suggestions as to how to manage a course and may offer ideas on how to correct any glaring errors in swing. At the end of the round, if time allows, he may take the player to the driving range and run through a few drills etc that will help correct any major faults with the players game/swing.
It's never going to be possible for a lesson in this style to correct a major error in one visit ( a local and regular series of lessons with a pro is the best idea for that) , but where I found this a major help was with the mental aspect of how one approaches the game and where "going for it" is a workable option and when it's suicide. Phil did help some errors in my swing and it's also worth noting that many people play golf on a course quite differently than they swing in the range or practicing. Obviously being "one to one" with a pro ( you can book Phil for groups of up to 3 players, obviously the more players, the less individual attention each gets, but the cost per golfer is reduced) is not going to be a cheap option, but I thought it was great value for the service provided and it helped my game more in one visit than a whole series of lessons at the range did.

 

[higgyCU]

I played the Palms and Magnolia courses. These are the courses that the PGA uses for the Disney tournament at the end of October. Plus the Magnolia has the mickey shaped bunker. You can rent clubs at all the Disney courses. They have a Titleist set (983 driver, dci irons, vokey wedges and a Scotty Cameron putter) its a very nice set and rents for $55. They also have a Cobra set that is similar to the Titleist set and it rents for $45. I don't know where you are staying but the clubhouse for LBV is part of the SSR. Which is now a real nice plus for us golfers staying at SSR. Here's another link:http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/moreMagic/golf/golfHome?id=GolfHomePage
Hope this helps.

 

[drusba]

Adding to above:

1. When you are going in January will make a huge difference in price. Before Janury 15, you are in the Fall price schedule for Disney courses (ranging from about $85 to $120 a round). Beginning January 15, you go to the high season prices (ranging from about $130 to $165) that last through much of April.

2. If you have an Annual Pass, you can get 30% off per round for up to four players for most of the day (after 2 at that time of year 1/2 price twilight rates begin and discounts otherwise do not apply).

3. The DVC discount gives you a set price per round for up to four players (about $50 before January 15, $90 rest of January) but you can play only after 10 and you must buy a DVC golf discount card (with tax it costs about $91). The key there is that your true discount requires you to factor in the price of the discount card (which is good for a year) and thus is usually not worth it if you are only going to play once.

4. For choice of on-site courses, Osprey Ridge is by far the most impressive. It is also more difficult than others (except about equal with the Palm). If you are paying regular prices, it is also the most expensive. All the courses are good and no one will be disappointed choosing any of the others (Eagle Pines, Magnolia, Palm, and Lake Buena Vista). The 9-hole, walking with pull cart only, Oak Trail course is an "Executive" course meaning it has short holes and it is heavily occupied by beginners and kids. It is also usually inexpensive. Nevertheless, I would not choose it for the regular golfer over any of the 18 hole courses.

5. With Annual Pass discount you can make tee times up to 14 days in advance (1-407-WDW-GOLF). With DVC discount up to 90 days except for high season beginning January 15 when it is 14 days.

6. Disney Hotels provide transportation to and from courses if you do not have a car.

 

[goldengirl]

One of the prettiest courses we have played in the Orlando area is called Diamondback. As I recall, it was about a half-hour south and east of WDW (sorry I don't recall where exactly), but was very scenic, and inexpensive ($35 I think) to boot. More jungle-y than the Palm/Magnolia. We thought it a great value (a real rarity in Disney-ville).

 

[caverill]

Just throwing in my .02...

Disney will also often have a deal where you can play two times at a discount.

When I played in Feb, I believe I paid around $210 for two rounds. It was good for any of the courses (I played Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines). This, of course, includes the cart.

The first round you will get range balls included, but not the second round.

Rental clubs are available for the prices mentioned above. You can also rent golf shoes, if needed.

If you are staying at a Disney hotel, you will get free transportation to and from the course. This includes the tip.

If you have your own clubs, Disney will also send them to your next course so you don't have to haul them around yourself.