Golf

[Ron Burgundy]

Hi all,

Just took up golf and are thinking of heading to Orlando again next May with my mate.

So what that in mind, any advice in playing a few rounds over there.

Flying from Ireland and will either buy new clubs over there or would like to hire clubs.

Can clubs be hired and what should we be paying for a round ???

Oh and any good golf stores ?

 

[tednvon]

Hi Ron, welcome to the crazy world of golfers!

May is a good time to golf in Orlando. Prices are down from the expensive winter months and the weather is still not super hot.

Clubs can be hired at most any of the better courses in the area. And of course, lots of places would love to sell you clubs. If you want to buy new clubs, there are plenty of places. Probably the biggest and most famous is Edwin Watts at the far east end of International Drive.
http://www.edwinwattsgolf.com/RetailView?storeId=10001&catalogId=10001&storeNbr=15
They will have lots of choices. My advice is look at bargain clubs or even good used clubs at a this point. My son is golf professional and he says most people spend way more on clubs than they need to if they are trying to break 100. Look at the clubs in the $200-300 dollar range for a complete set. Also buy name brand but not top of the line balls. Pinnacle, Srixon, Callaway, or Nike all make bargain balls. In fact, I shoot in the 70's and for years have bought "used" balls that you will find in the stores for about $9 a dozen and they are just fine.

As for courses, since you are a just getting started, I assume that your golf budget is not unlimited and that at this point in your golfing life you are not interested in dropping top dollar for fancy and difficult courses that will be frustrating and for you. If you have a car and are staying in the Disney area, I would get an Orlando Sentinal and look for the coupons in the sports section for courses in the area. If you are going to hire clubs be sure to ask when you call how much it is to hire the clubs.
If I am wrong and money is no object and you don't mind paying $70 to $100 a round, post again and I will give you some ideas.
Again welcome to golf. It really is fun, but make sure not to take it too seriously. My favorite saying is:

"Golf is an easy game...it is just hard to play..."

Ted

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Thanks for the great post.

Don't mind paying to play a decent course at least once.

I have a championship course a mile from me designed from Seve so looking at a nice course is normal for me.

He also designed the par 3 course which is amazing

Oh buying clubs, i have a starter set i bought here in Ireland. I'll be looking to upgrade when i'm over there as prices can be crazy here. A set costing $500 could be €1000 here or more.

 

[tednvon]

Where are you staying, Ron? It will help to recommend some courses...Ted

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Don't know yet to be honest. But prob along 192 I'd say. Close to where I4 and 192 meet.

Hope this helps !!

 

[tednvon]

For just plain lush and pretty green can't beat Celebration Golf Club..easy to find, just turn into Celebration off 192 and follow the signs...

For a course with huge greens, and a feeling of being away from it all try Mystic Dunes. It is just south on Old Lake Wilson about 2 miles. It straight south of the Animal Kingdom across 192. Neat Course...just make sure to play the gold tees the first time.

Last choice would be one of the Disney courses...I would do the Palm, again from the short tees...very pretty course in the heart of Disney.

Good Luck and enjoy...Ted

 

[Ron Burgundy]

ohhhhhhhhh the Plams looks amazing

Amazing difference in price between here and America.

Nike driver in Ireland.........700 dollars

Nike driver in USA........299 dollars

 

[deej696]

Ted has made some great suggestions for you. I also like the Champions Gate courses. They are Norman designs and are great as well. As for the Disney courses, Palm is great and plays host to the PGA along with Magnolia every October. Osprey Ridge in my opinion is the most picturesque, but along with that comes more difficulty.

As for golf shops, well there is the Disney World of golf shops called Edwin Watts which is between WDW and Universal. There is another good shop on I-Drive called "Special T Golf Outlet" which is nice as well.

 

[DisneyFed]

Believe it or not, I got my Callaways from Bass Pro Shops in Orlando.....while I was shopping for a Bass Tournament I was in!!!! (my wife was not overly pleased)

I like the Palms, but I usually end up playing Lake Buena Vista and Osprey...simply because of where we stay

 

[DIZNUT57]

I have to second Celebration and Mystic Dunes. I would also throw in Orange County National courses. There are 2, Crooked Cat and Panther Lake. Check out prices most courses have twilight rates which usually give a nice discount. All the Disney courses are nice. I go with a group every March for a week and play about 12 courses. You really can't go wrong with any of them just figure out what you are willing to pay and hit them straight.

 

[deej696]

Ah I forgot about Orange County National, which one would think was hard considering yesterday I wore a shirt with their logo Two awesome golf courses which host PGA tour Q-School the last few years. Of course, that translates to higher difficulty as well

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

ohhhhhhhhh the Plams looks amazing

Amazing difference in price between here and America.

Nike driver in Ireland.........700 dollars

Nike driver in USA........299 dollars

Welcome to the awful world of exchange rates!!

Just a quick add to the conversation, Central Florida is opposite of what most would expect. Golf in the summertime is half price or less comapred to golf in winter. In the wintertime, a round can run between $100 and $200.

 

[MattM]

Agree that Orange County National would be a great course, as well as Celebration and Champion's Gate. The Reunion Resort is nice as well. Most of your resort courses will be nice and lush too.

If you know anyone in Central Florida with access to Isleworth or Lake Nona, then I would put those at the top of my list. Both are great courses and many of the PGA players live in those communities.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Hi all,

thanks for the great info.

Just wondering if i need to have a handicap cert to play on the courses over there. I'll have to join a club here to get that and trying to keep costs at a min at the moment !!!

 

[deej696]

Nope, no handicap cert required for play here.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Nope, no handicap cert required for play here.

On all courses ?????????

 

[tednvon]

Deej has got it...as long as you have the money, you can get on any public course you want...and most of us Americans forgot to add that these are all cart or buggy courses...very few walking courses around...The Disney 9 hole course is nice walking course.

Have fun...Ted

 

[Ron Burgundy]

yeah just go this back from Disney

Handicaps are not required to play Disney’s Magnolia, Palm, Lake Buena Vista, Osprey Ridge and Oak Trail Golf Courses.



Making a tee time in advance is recommended. Disney Golf reservations can be made by calling (407) 939-4653 or online @ www.disneyworldgolf.com.

· Disney Resort guests may make their golf reservation up to ninety (90) days in advance.

· Non-Disney Resort guests may make their golf reservation up to sixty (60) days in advance.



Please let me know if I can provide additional information or be of further assistance.



Thank you for thinking Disney Golf...





Oh and Celebration said the same !!!

 

[Ron Burgundy]

Just wondering why twilight times are so cheap and what time do they normally start. With some courses its up to 50% cheaper to play twilight rounds

Celebration looks like our base, less than a mile from our hotel and looks amazing !!

Oh and played my 1st full 18 Par 3 course.......shot a 93 and no one died

 

[deej696]

Ron, depends on the time of year, but usually they start between 2-4pm. Usually in the summer months its later because of daylight savings time.