Golf?

[WiggleWorm]

My DH would like to golf one round while at Disney next month. He's never golfed at Disney before and would need to rent clubs because he doesn't want to bring his for only one round. Any suggestions as to which course he should do? I'm thinking the DVC Golf Membership would not be worth it for just one round....what do you think? Thanks!

 

[Simba's Mom]

Never golfed at Disney? According to DH, he's in for a treat (DH golfs almost every day of every trip). I agree that the DVC golf membership may not be worthwhile. And I'm afraid that since DH always brings his own clubs, I don't know much about that except that Disney has always had good quality rental clubs. Where should your DH play? DH's favorite courses currently are the ones at Shades of Green, Magmolia and Palm. His favorite used to be Lake Buena Vista, and he still likes it a lot, but with the addition of SSR, it's not as peaceful, quiet as it was. When DMIL played Palm, she thought it had lots of water, and DMIL doesn't like lots of water when she golfs. I hear that some of the greens have been worked on lately, so he might want to check on that.

 

[JBx3]

I agree DVC golf membership is not worth it, if you trip is summer for sure. Disney website has summer slice specials, after 10:00 a.m. $59.00 includes cart!
If you can hold out and go to golfnow.com you can probably get one of these courses for about $53.00 with cart! Another great course is Celebrations, will need to get there not far off property but $29.00 plus tax for twilight golf! I looked at golfnow.com and in advacne , it had specials to this course for $49.00 before 10:00 am and $39.00 after 10

 

[rigsby25]

My sister golfs at Disney and boy - you are in for an experience. She says they are really nice. They will move your clubs from one course to another and even pick you up. She got a membership last time because it was cheaper than just paying, but they went several times I think.

 

[skelooch]

Assuming you are staying at a Disney Resort, the best deal for him would be paying the full resort guest rate, which is $89, but resort guests get free club rentals. Usually $55
The free club rentals only applies to resort guests paying the non-discounted rate. And I believe they also give you free range balls Usually $7.

Club rentals are Titleist or Cobras
Shoe rental I think is $10.
Transportation to and from your resort is complimentary, just tell bell services and they will arrange it for you. It does not include tip for the cab driver.

If he plans on playing next month I would suggest getting a tee time ASAP. Tee time start at 7am, but it might be tough to get an early one at this late date. Resort guests can book up to 90 days in advance. The $89 rate will also allow him to play at any time. The earlier you play the less chance of getting caught in a thunderstorm.

The Easiest course IMHO is LBV, and the most scenic is Osprey Ridge, but I don't think it has the best greens. Palm is also nice and Magnolia the most difficult.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Just a note-I'm not sure Osprey Ridge is the most scenic anymore. It used to be, but DH played it a couple months ago and was very sad about the demise of the nice scenery. Since they started building the Four Seasons resort (which is currently on hold), the views aren't nearly so spectacular. But it's still a pretty course, and DH said he saw so many ospreys (hence the name Osprey Ridge). We saw ospreys and alligators at Magnolia. A CM told me they'd killed a big rattlesnake there the day before DH played. So I never left the cart!

 

[skelooch]

Just a note-I'm not sure Osprey Ridge is the most scenic anymore. It used to be, but DH played it a couple months ago and was very sad about the demise of the nice scenery. Since they started building the Four Seasons resort (which is currently on hold), the views aren't nearly so spectacular. But it's still a pretty course, and DH said he saw so many ospreys (hence the name Osprey Ridge). We saw ospreys and alligators at Magnolia. A CM told me they'd killed a big rattlesnake there the day before DH played. So I never left the cart!

I agree it's not as nice as it once was, I was referring to just the course itself, it bothers me also about all the construction going on. Eagle Pines was also a beautiful course.
One of the coolest things I ever saw there was an bald eagle swoop down out of a tree and pick up a fish with his talons from the pond on the 17th hole and return to the tree, it was absolutely amazing to watch.
I too have seen many Osprey, Alligators, deer, turkeys, armadillos, its like a wildlife santuary. Luckily I have not had any run ins with snakes, if my ball goes in the woods (which it does alot ) that's where it stays.

 

[loveswdw]

DH golfed twice this past trip. Once at Magnolia and once at LBV. He preferred LBV. He did take his own clubs since that's what he's used to playing with. He absolutely LOVED golfing at WDW and I think we've created a monster! I definitely believe that the golf clubs will be traveling with us from now on. Luckily, AirTran only charges the clubs as a "regular" bag as long as they are under 50 lbs. Not sure what SW charges, I'll have to check on that.

 

[drusba]

As noted above, the Disney resort guest rate gives you free clubs and range balls right now (that is not something that happens very often). You should be able to easily get a golf tee time a month out this time of year for essentially anything close to time you want. In summer I have found you can even call a week or less in advance and still get good times even in the early morning.

All the courses are fine to play. Osprey is (was) the most scenic but construction now takes somewhat away from that. However, it is still an excellent course to play. None of the courses are overly difficult or overly easy. That said, Osprey and Palm are more difficult than Magnolia and Lake Buena Vista and Lake Buena Vista is the easiest of the four. Don't know what you mean by next month but the Palm will be closed for about four or five days early August for aeriating. Magnolia is the course with the Mickey ear sandtrap on the 6th hole that you will find in many of the ads for Disney golf.

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH golfed twice this past trip. Once at Magnolia and once at LBV. He preferred LBV. He did take his own clubs since that's what he's used to playing with. He absolutely LOVED golfing at WDW and I think we've created a monster! I definitely believe that the golf clubs will be traveling with us from now on. Luckily, AirTran only charges the clubs as a "regular" bag as long as they are under 50 lbs. Not sure what SW charges, I'll have to check on that.

I can tell you from experience (DH always brings his own clubs, and we often go SW) that SW doesn't charge as long as your golf clubs are one of the two checked items. Beyond that I don't know, but DH always checks 1 bag and his golf clubs and doesn't pay on SW.

 

[drusba]

Southwest is still an airline that allows you to check two bags per person (up to 50 lbs per bag) (including golf clubs which are generally under that) for no charge. Something you always have to factor in when determining whether its rates are better than another airline which does charge for bags.

 

[JBx3]

As noted above, the Disney resort guest rate gives you free clubs and range balls right now (that is not something that happens very often). You should be able to easily get a golf tee time a month out this time of year for essentially anything close to time you want. In summer I have found you can even call a week or less in advance and still get good times even in the early morning.

All the courses are fine to play. Osprey is (was) the most scenic but construction now takes somewhat away from that. However, it is still an excellent course to play. None of the courses are overly difficult or overly easy. That said, Osprey and Palm are more difficult than Magnolia and Lake Buena Vista and Lake Buena Vista is the easiest of the four. Don't know what you mean by next month but the Palm will be closed for about four or five days early August for aeriating. Magnolia is the course with the Mickey ear sandtrap on the 6th hole that you will find in many of the ads for Disney golf.

Looks like you've got the golf thing down. Question for you?

We are arriving Aug. 15 and looking to play either Magnolia or Palm on Aug. 18, a Wednesday. Even though summer slice has a $59.00 plus tax for after 10:00 am tee times, I have been hitting the golfnow.com website and see if you can hold out unitl 1 or 2 days in advance of your booking, that I see $49.00 and $44.00 with this site being offered and most importantly for early tees, 7:30 etc....

Ok, my question, plat it safe and book summer slive after 10:00 with Disney or hang in for golfnow.com until a day or 2 before the golf date. Reason is we want to play early morning and prefer not to wait until after 10:00.

My back up plan, if not available with golfnow.com for an early tee, then we would run over to Celebrations, I see some $29 and $39 plus tax early tees available.....Thanks

 

[drusba]

Middle of the week, mid-August, you should be able to get a time in the morning at Palm or Magnolia by calling a couple days before but it may not be the precise time you want and could be closer to 8 or 8:30.

As far as after ten times the same applies although the time could be closer to 11. If you actually wanted to go at noon or after you can easily get a time even calling the same morning.


Safest course: make after 10 time now, which you can cancel up to 48 hours in advance without charge and see if you can get new discount morning time before you have to cancel.

 

[JBx3]

Never thought of booking after 10:00 now with summer slice, then cancelling if we can grab an early bird a few days before! Good one.

8:00 or 8:30 is no problem either, just want to be done not much past noon so it doesn't kill the day away!

Thanks

 

[lmshaggard]

My DH and a friend just played last month at Palms or Magnolia - I can't remember which. They played at 830am. My hubby called just a couple of weeks out and the best deal was to not use our DVC discount. They were able to golf, get clubs, cart, and range balls for $89ish. I was shocked at how cheap it was. My DH did say he wouldn't want to play any later due to the heat (this was the first week of June). My DH went online to the golf part of the website and called the contact number. They were very helpful in making sure he got the best deal available. Both guys have played great courses and they were equally impressed with Disney. Good luck! PS - they both decided to play in their own running shoes and were very happy with the rental clubs (and they both are snobs about their drivers )

 

[JBx3]

My DH and a friend just played last month at Palms or Magnolia - I can't remember which. They played at 830am. My hubby called just a couple of weeks out and the best deal was to not use our DVC discount. They were able to golf, get clubs, cart, and range balls for $89ish. I was shocked at how cheap it was. My DH did say he wouldn't want to play any later due to the heat (this was the first week of June). My DH went online to the golf part of the website and called the contact number. They were very helpful in making sure he got the best deal available. Both guys have played great courses and they were equally impressed with Disney. Good luck! PS - they both decided to play in their own running shoes and were very happy with the rental clubs (and they both are snobs about their drivers )

Are we all snobs about our drivers! That was funny!

 

[lmshaggard]

Are we all snobs about our drivers! That was funny!

PS - Don't repeat that I just think it is hilarious when they talk and say I finally figured my driver out - didn't you figure it out before you spent (what!) on it ??? They were even happy with the rental drivers - he he!!

 

[clhcpaca]

DSIL wants to go in December, when the four females in the party are doing a spa/tea day. How does it work if there is just one of you? What are your suggestions for how to approach this? He's played golf before, but not consistently.

Thanks for any assistance, Cindy

 

[Simba's Mom]

DSIL wants to go in December, when the four females in the party are doing a spa/tea day. How does it work if there is just one of you? What are your suggestions for how to approach this? He's played golf before, but not consistently.

Thanks for any assistance, Cindy

DH does this all the time. You just make your reservations, and they pair you up with others. It can be interesting, meeting other people-sometimes they're staying at the World, sometimes not, it may be their first trip or their 71st. And you could get paired with someone who's really good, or someone on their first round. But everyone's out to have fun-you're at WDW!

 

[sadiespicks]

DH does this all the time. You just make your reservations, and they pair you up with others. It can be interesting, meeting other people-sometimes they're staying at the World, sometimes not, it may be their first trip or their 71st. And you could get paired with someone who's really good, or someone on their first round. But everyone's out to have fun-you're at WDW!

I've done it a handful of times and really enjoy meeting people. Once met some sort of Sr. Designer. Designed the SSR. I happen to be from the real Saratoga area. He was retired and was a great guy to play golf with.