Golf

[kasowell]

This is probably not the right forum but I couldn't figure out where to put it. My question is which Disney golf course is the best to play? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Hollyster2]

I would like to know this too! My husband has reservations at Palm, but isn't Magnolia the one with the Mickey shaped Sand Trap? I think he should play there too.

 

[bubba73]

I have played Osprey Ridge, Eagle Pines, and the 9 hole walking course Oak Trail. You are correct that Palm is the one with the Mickey shaped sand trap. That and the Magnolia are on the PGA Tour but that also makes those courses a bit more expesive. All of the courses are great. You can't go wrong with any of them. It just depends on how much do you want to pay for green fees and how much time you have. If I remember correctly, the 18 hole courses are cart path only (if you use a cart) and the 9 hole course is walking only. I hope that helps.

 

[Hollyster2]

Thanks!

 

[kasowell]

If you had to choose, which one would you choose

 

[DJR]

My favorites are Eagle Pines and Osprey Ridge. They are very secluded and beautiful. You wouldn't know you were at WDW; very different than what I am used to at home.

 

[DIZNUT57]

You really can not go wrong on any of the courses. A group of us played Osprey Ridge, Eagle Pines, And Palm courses about 2 months ago.All of them are fantastic,some of the best in Orlando. My favorite was Osprey Ridge. I think they are running some kind of discount on all courses check Disney's website.I would be happy playing any of Disney's courses.

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH has played all 6 courses many times (OR, EP, LBV, Palm, Magnolia, & Oak Trail). The "best" course depends on what you like, to some extent. First, find out if any course will be closed while you're there. I think Palm is about to go down for an extensive rehab (not sure, though). Osprey's one of the most challenging, but the views there are awesome. Note that Palm usually has an alligator on it (the 6th hole, I think). LBV is somewhat "tight"(with houses all around) and DMIL thought it had too much water. But DH hasn't met a course there he didn't like!

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH has played all 6 courses many times (OR, EP, LBV, Palm, Magnolia, & Oak Trail). The "best" course depends on what you like, to some extent. First, find out if any course will be closed while you're there. I think Palm is about to go down for an extensive rehab (not sure, though). Osprey's one of the most challenging, but the views there are awesome. Note that Palm usually has an alligator on it (the 6th hole, I think). LBV is somewhat "tight"(with houses all around) and DMIL thought it had too much water. But DH hasn't met a course there he didn't like!
I'd recommend this website for more info on the courses: www.wdwgolf.com

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I just wanted to add that I surprised DH with one of the vidoe taped golf lessons given by the WDW pro and he LOVED it and said it was worth every penny. I am not sure of the cost (it was a year ago, we were in WDW for our 8th anniversary ) but it was like $60 or $75. I am sure the info is on the link Simba's Mom provided. He plans on doing it again on our next trip in Oct.

 

[OrlandoMike]

Osprey Ridge is currently closed for rehab, and will be closed all summer.

 

[Dell]

You are correct in stating the Osprey is closed till the end of Sept. New greens and possibly tee re-construction (laser leveling etc.).
Also the Magnolia (6th hole) has the Mickey Mouse bunker. It is about a 175 yd. par 3 over water with the "mouse-trap" in the front. The Palm is very nice also (bring a camera). LBV course has some construction near a few holes that will distract you (SSR). Pricing after 10am is the most cost effective way to go. Before 10 will really set you back. $$$$. wdwgolf.com has alot of info on the courses. Enjoy

 

[Sarnia]

I played LBV twice and Osprey Ridge once about a month ago.

Osprey Ridge is a beautiful course, but very tough. Being the start of the golf season I was a bit out of practice, and also had a bad golfing day. The course ate me for breakfast, to the point that I felt like giving up after 12 holes, which isn't like me at all.

LBV is quite tight, and less scenic, but still a beautiful course. What I really liked about LBV is that you can see the hazards etc, it doesn't try to deceive you too much, whereas even with the GPS system Osprey Ridge I found very deceiving to the eye. On my first round at LBV I did manage to shank a ball into the window of an Old Key West villa. Good thing they have tough glass. To make matters more embarrasing there were people on the balcony above the window having a drink

My second round at LBV I managed to play to my handicap, whereas at Osprey Ridge I must have doubled it at least, I gave up counting.

Of the two, I'd personally choose to play LBV again, it's much more fun playing a good game of golf rather than being humiliated by a course, although I do plan to get my revenge on Osprey Ridge at some point when my golf's where it should be

 

[Sleeping Becca]

Hubby has played all of the courses. Said The Palm was the toughest for him. He liked Osprey Ridge the best. All courses are good and each is a unique playing experience, and all are beautiful. He plays all four everytime we go. They will move your clubs for you, so you don't have to lug them around.

He has never played Lake Buena Vista, so don't know about that one.

FYI he has a 10-15 handicap. He's no Tiger Woods but he not bad either!

The only way I can get him to Disney is if he can play unlimited golf. He meets us for dinner and spends the evenings with us. But during the day it's golf golf golf!

Do an internet search on Disney Golf, some people have really good sites, with tons of detailed info. Check it out.

 

[lsutigger2]

My DH would probably give the same reviews as the others.

He has taken several lessons from the pros and has always enjoyed them.

Like Becca's DH, as long as there is golf involved, my DH will go anywhere. He usually plays several times when we are at WDW. He has also volunteered at the Funai Disney Classic twice and he loves that experience also.

 

[Sarnia]

One thing I will add, as a bit of an excuse about my poor play as detailed above, is if you plan to play more than once take your own clubs.

I usually play with a 10.5 degree driver with a regular shaft, as it suits my tempo. The WDW hire clubs are either Titleist 10 degree drivers with stiff shafts, or 9 degree Cobras with regular. I tried both, and the extra loft of the Titleist was definately much better.

To make matters worse, my driver at Osprey Ridge was a Cobra 9 degree stiff. I told a course ranger about it half way around, and it turned out that a customer had accidentaly left his new cobra driver and taken one of the old used hire ones.

It's a bit strange that they have 9 degree drivers, when most players have moved to 10 degree plus, even on tour, but it gave me a nice excuse anyway

 

[Simba's Mom]

Most golfers at WDW are average golfers and won't really notice any difference in the degree. Anyone who's a good enough golfer to be influenced by the difference probably should be bringing his own clubs anyways (DH brags-"Yeah, that's one of the reasons I always bring my own clubs")

 

[Sarnia]

Most golfers at WDW are average golfers and won't really notice any difference in the degree. Anyone who's a good enough golfer to be influenced by the difference probably should be bringing his own clubs anyways (DH brags-"Yeah, that's one of the reasons I always bring my own clubs")

The lower the loft on a driver the harder it is to hit, so it's more important for average golfers to have a higher lofted driver, much easier to hit straight.

I'd class myself as above average. Last year I was playing to a 10 handicap, playing to the rules properly. I did practice pretty much every day from March to September last year though, which helped a lot. We had such a cold winter that I only played 3 times from October to April when we visited WDW, so I did lose it big time.

With my 10.5 degree regular shafted driver I usually hit it high and pretty straight, sometimes a slight draw, sometimes a slight fade. With the 10 degree stiff shafted Titleist hire club I was hitting a low push to the right, and the 9 degree regular Cobra I also had a very low ball flight, and a lot more sidespin. I was hitting it very badly that day, i've got to admit. I also lost a lot of distance compared to my own driver.

A low handicap golfer like your DH could probably manage fine with any of the hire clubs without too much problem. I thought I would be ok too, as I figured that I would find some hire clubs that would suit me. The trouble is I usually play Callaway Pro series irons with little offset and regular shafts. The Titleist clubs suited me as they had little offset, but the shafts were too stiff, and the Cobra clubs had way too much offset, so it was hard not to hook them.

I was planning to take my own, but because we were going with DW's family I didn't think I would be able to play as much as I originally planned. Next time I go anywhere that I might play my clubs are coming too!

 

[kjs1976]

My parents are avid golfers...now that they are retired and the weather is good, they play at least 18 each day and only take the weekends off, except for tournaments and special events.

I think we have hooked them into going to play when we go to WDW at the end of the month. Would you recommend playing a course as early in the day as possible...we would like to get them a deal so would going around 10-11 be OK? It was 93 with 90% humidity here last weekend and they went out to play 18 so I think one day in FL heat to say they played at WDW isn't going to bother them.

On average, how long would it take to warm up and play 18 on one of the courses? I'm thinking about time so I can plan out that day on the schedule and know when to guess to meet up with them later...we'll have cell phones, but just in case we want to plan for dinner or something.

Also, I know people ask for recommendations as to which course to play, and I know golf can be pretty personal, but given that they are avid golfers and really like to try out new courses and don't mind a challenge, which course would you suggest?

Thanks! I'm such a non-golfer that I really need help with this aspect of our trip planning!

 

[Simba's Mom]

As far as the "how long to play", the courses all have marshalls that really keep everyone moving along. I don't know the exact time per round Disney tries to maintain )I could ask DH, but he's golfing-big surprise). DH golfed every day we were in WDW, and I could count on seeing him about 5-5 1/2 hours after his tee time. That's with time after his round to poke around the pro shop and usually buy something. He takes more time than he did when he was younger to warm up, so he'd leave our villa about an hour before his tee time. As far as which course is best, that's so individual. I know that DMIL is intimidated by lots of water, and she didn't like LBV or Palm for that reason. DH thinks Osprey is hardest and most impressive. However, DVC recently did a poll of the favorite golf courses, and LBV won by a 2 to 1 margin. DH loves that course best-he finds it most "comfortable". However, right now the SSR construction is rather loud and interferes on a couple of holes. But LBV is also the least expensive of the 5 eighteen hole courses. If they're freaked out by alligators, they might want to avoid Palm. Every time DH has played there, he's seen one.