Golf Course ?

[Tigger7570]

My son is planning on doing some golfing this trip with his wife. He's only been golfing for a couple of years and she's only been golfing a couple of times, so I was wondering which course would be the best for them. Also, what are the fees like? Any suggestions and helpful hints would be great.

 

[Simba's Mom]

The only reason DH goes to WDW with me, I think, is so that he can play golf all the time! I think he said that Eagle Pines and Lake Buena Vista are the two least difficult full courses. Don't discount Oak Trail. DH and DS played on it when DS was 9 yo and just starting out. DH is a little older(LOL) and handicap is less than 5. Both enjoyed it. DS wasn't "over his head", yet DH wasn't bored. In the summer there are specials for teeing off after 10:00am, don't know about Springtime.

 

[drusba]

There are 5 18-hole courses on site; in order of difficulty: Palm, Osprey Ridge, Eagle Pines, Magnolia and Lake Buena Vista. If you are just beginners or want to play only a short 9, there is also a 9-hole executive course, Oak Trail which is walking only (pull carts). It is heavily populated by those who are in the beginning stages of golf and has fairly short holes. If you want 18, then Lake Buena Vista would be a good choice for the not quite ready for prime time players, but so is Eagle Pines because it has very friendly forward tees (meaning way forward from regular men's tees) that those who do not play very well can use. Many balls can be lost at any of the courses and thus take an ample supply. Prices depend on time of year and time of day. Highest cost season is Jan through April; lowest cost is May through Sep. Oak Trail is always the least expensive running from $20 to $45 depending on time of year and day. In the highest cost season, prices for the 18 hole courses run from $135 to $160 a round depending on course (Osprey is the most expensive) with price cut in about half after 3. In that summer season prices are $75 to $110 until 10 a.m. and after 10 they are $45 to $60. If you are a Disney Club member or annual passholder you can get a discount (currently I beleive it is 20%). There is also a DVC discount that is more complicated. You need to buy a DVC golf card at the pro shop when you first arrive at a course; it costs about $91 ($85 plus tax) and is good for a year. That then gets the member and up to three guests a discount per round for after 10 a.m. rounds only (and not applicable to Oak Trail). Price per round in that highest season is $95, in the lowest summer season it is $35. Key to taking that route is that you need to do several rounds to get a true discount because you need to make up for the cost of the DVC golf card. Tee times can be made up to 90 days in advance 1-407-WDW-GOLF (except if you are using the DVC card discount, only up to 14 days in advance for that highest cost season time).

 

[crisi]

drusba, thanks for calling the the "forward tees" not the "ladies tees!"

My husband and I golf a lot - we are both lousy golfers, but that doesn't keep us from playing as often as we can ditch our kids! I'd perfer Oak Trail, just because I get frustrated and tired playing a long challenging 18 - especially if the trip takes place in the warmer months. If I were going to play one of the full courses with hubby at Disney (and that won't be for a while, our kids are too young to ditch at Disney - and will be for another ten years), I'd play "Best Ball" with him.