Golf

[Adz1984]

Can anyone recommend any good courses to play whilst in florida?

And what sort of prices are we looking at to hire clubs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Steve and Sarah]

We played the Orange County National last year (10 minutes from the 192). Courses are 'awesome' as the locals say and hosted the PGA qualifying finals in 2005 and loads of other years. We did the deal that they do (Printed in the in the coupon booklets from Edwin Watts Golf Shops over there and some others too) and got a round of Golf on either of their courses, buggy hire, a tube of balls (Titliest), $10 merchandise coupon for anything in their shop and a free lunch all for the absolute bargain price of $65 per head.

We did this in April so offers may differ throughout the year. But I would strongly recommend this course - got sunstroke but that is another story.

Top drawer course for a damned good price.

Club hire wise - we hired to really good one's from them (I can't what sort now but think they were Callaway's) at a cost of about $30-$35. Much better than taking your luggage allowance up by taking your own.

Have a look at the link here http://www.ocngolf.com/layout9.asp?id=322&page=23478

 

[Camac]

I booked DH on a three hour short game coaching session for his 50th birthday surpise at the Nick Faldo Institute. £120 which included a free round of golf with buggy and clubs (brand new Callaways). The course was imaculate and the practice facilites were surperb. Worth a look even if you don't play it.

 

[Boss Hogg]

Never played Orange County National, but know it is well thought of. Also, think Falcons Fire looks nice.

I've played some of the Disney ones and they are nice - Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines are the nicer ones IMHO.

One thing you will not be is short of options! Seem to recall that when I have hired clubs at Disney it has been around $50. Some of the resort courses are not as interesting to look at, but still enjoyable to play, especially when staying at them. I've played both the Ritz Carlton and the Rosen Shingle Creek and these are both prime examples of this.

 

[homerdog]

Agree with OCN, Panther Lake is probably the better of the two courses, but they are both excellent. Osprey Ridge at Disney is great, too.

If you don't mind a bit of a drive, World Woods in Brooksville, about 2 hours north west of Orlando, is fantastic. There are 2 courses, Pine Barrens and Rolling Oaks; if you can only play one try Pine Barrens - it's rated by Golf Digest as one of the top 100 courses in the US.

It is also a favourite of Tiger Woods. Apparently, he used to sneak off there to play for fun and presumably for a bit of anonimity - it's in the middle of nowhere!

 

[jeanwdw]

Hi - I ( Hugh , not Jean!) have played Falcons Fire ( 2001)which was great and Osprey Ridge ( Disney 2005 ) which was also really good- the thing is that there is a benefit in booking a Disney course if you are staying in a Disney hotel in that you get the benefit of transfers to and from and help with everything else - the other aspect is that if you pick up one of the golf guides available from most shops or tourist info points there are discounts available on most courses ( outside Disney property) - I have been told that its also a good idea to look at playing later say tee times after 2.00pm as most USA golfers expect to take up to 5 hours and won't risk not finishing their round due to poor light and as a consequence significant savings are on offer - again a good friend ( a long time devotee of Florida holidays) has played at Kissimee Oaks which apparently offers the best deals ( golf club hire etc) on a good quality course - all the best and happy swinging

Hugh

 

[castanea1985]

Hi Adz

We play regularly in and around Orlando.. and whilst the Disney courses are great to play, there are plenty more 'testing' courses in the area.
Our favourite course is Diamondback.. a very tight course south of Davenport. Ridgewood Lakes is also good on the 27. Errol Country Club is a good course too... it has three sets of 9 holes, so you can play a different game each time you play there! Magnolia is our favourite Disney course.. probably because its on the PGA tour!
We also use a website (below) which gives discount rates for loads of clubs in the area.. including Celebration!

http://www.golfnow.com/orlando/cty.asp?ACT=&IPN=&SD=70530B94-B58D-4E56-B6BC-F6EC0AD1C939

We use it regularly and have played courses for as little as $11 each (inc buggy).
As for hiring clubs.. haven't got a clue.. we always take ours with us.. couldn't imagine not playing with our own clubs!!
Like everyone's said - there are plenty of places to play!

Tracy

 

[Adz1984]

Thanks people you have been a great help, im certianly pointing more towards a disney course. Not sure which one yet, might be best for me to have a little look round whilst im there to see which one i fancy.

Does anybody know if they let you play on your own, or do you have to 4 up?

 

[UKDEB]

Wherever you play it's a possibility that you'll be paired up. At Disney, it's more than likely. You can ask not to be paired up and I think they'll note it, but not guarantee it. If it helps, dh has always been a bit nervous about it, but the people he's played with have always been very friendly and gracious and he's ended up enjoying it. It won't necessarily be a four ball - you could be paired with another solo, couple or three ball. As he says, it's Disney, not St Andrews.

 

[castanea1985]

Hi Adz
As Deb says at all the Disney courses you'll definitely have to make up a 4 ball. Me and DS played with two single players (a guy from Canada and another guy from US), which was very enjoyable. I play off 26 (the runt of the family) and DS (14yr old) plays off 10 - we felt like tour players with our playing partners! So don't worry about it!!!
I'd try and play Magnolia if you can.. and check out the mens locker room.. (not that I went in it... saw pics that DH took!), it has Payne Stewarts locker. It's our number one Disney course.
Tracy

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

There are more than 100 courses within a 20-mile radius of downtown Orlando. So you'all come on down and play some, as we say.

To save money, always check the Orlando Sentinel sports section for coupons and after 2pm specials as well as those tourist coupon brochures you find in restaurants (such as SEE Orlando). Edwin Watts does sometimes have some golf deal coupons on the rack near the front door.

Between the exchange rate and the coupons, they're practically giving away the golf!

BobK/Orlando

 

[castanea1985]

To save money, always check the Orlando Sentinel sports section for coupons and after 2pm specials as well as those tourist coupon brochures you find in restaurants (such as SEE Orlando). Edwin Watts does sometimes have some golf deal coupons on the rack near the front door.

Between the exchange rate and the coupons, they're practically giving away the golf!

BobK/Orlando

Thanks for that Bob! Thats what we like to hear!!
Does the Sentinal have on-line coupons?
Tracy

 

[bobboxer]

i played falcons fire in 2005, very enjoyable golfing experience, think it cost me $110 for round of golf, titleist clubs, and gps cart, i was on my own, but got teamed up with 3 local lads, exellent company, the course was in terrific condition, one of the best things was the drink cart appearing at the 6th hole , bloody marys and a sandwich, very cival !!, looking forward to my return there this year.

 

[KINGBOBOFTHENORTH]

Tracy, I don't think the Orlando Sentinel has the golf coupons on-line. Some of their adverts aren't really coupons but are just small listings of excellent priced specials.

The SEE Orlando Magazine has a few coupons on-line:

www.see-orlandoflorida.com

BobK/Orlando