Golfing for the not so good

[aleishe]

My father and I are going to Disney in August and want to golf, but we are not good...very not good. We are more than happy to let people pass or the like, we are really just out to have a good time. We are flexible as to when we go and the course we play, although we want to do 18 holes. We will be there from the 8th to the 14th, so there are both weekdays and weekends available.

Those of you who regularly golf Disney, is there a course, day and time that is usually less crowded (we are inclined to go late in the day for the price break)?

Thank you for your help.

 

[vernon]

I would suggest you look at Oak Trail, the 9 hole walking course. It is there specifically for people like yourself. If you find you want to play aniother 9 after your first there is a discounted "repeat" fee.
Although it's only 9 holes and designated a "family course" it is a reasonable test, without being ridiculously hard. There is a mix of par 3s,4s and 5s. Most of the holes are fairly straight forward but there are a couple with carries/approach shots over water and I think the greens are as good as any of the "top courses".
Because of the way it is designated I've found the other players to be very courtious and no one gets too bothered if you're slow, let them through, join up. It's a course where you will find a lot of people who aren't "regular" golfers so even those "better" players understand (or should) that they will meet people who aren't as good as they are and are, generally, understanding of that fact.

 

[Laurabearz]

I too suggest the 9 hole course.... My hubby is a good golfer, I am a new golfer (nuf said lol) You will be tolerated there much more at the 9 hole than the 18 hole courses.... Esp the $$ ones. Nothing frustrates a golfer more (other than whiffing a ball) than to be stuck behind (passing is not always an option if the course if full) really not very good golfers ESP at a $$$$ courses! LOL

Here are some other things that bug my husband....

When you have made it on the green.... drop your golf bag on the back side of the green near the next walkway, before you putt.... He hates waiting any longer than he has too(can you tell) but to then have to wait the 30 seconds while the person who is done golfing to walk back around to the front of the green to get their bag. Turns my husbands ears RED! He mumbles something about common curtisy......... lol

Second... remember this is only a game .... if your stuck behind a tree or in the rough and ya cant make a good shot.... toss the ball onto the fairway.... heck even place it on a tee for your second shot (or in my case sometimes 3rd shot lol) At this stage of the game (or lack of ) just being out there hacking away is pure fun.... dont make it hard on yourselves. It really helps to keep the pace up. AND I mihgt add, makes for a fun round of golf! Less frustration more good ball wacks!

ONLY use a mully when there isnt another 4some behind you <grin> If no one is behind you take a couple of shots of the tee and play your best shot..... I live for that one long drive I get every 5 or 6 hits off the tee! ROFLMBO

With all that said have a blast! I cant wait for our first golfing adventure there......

 

[GrammieMame]

You sound like my kind of golfer. I have my own set of rules, including: Balls can always be picked up and thrown on the fairway; balls in a sandtrap don't have to be hit; an alternate (husband) hits my drive off the first tee (to avoid humiliation in front of people lined up to play); and best of all -- only keep score if you're having a good day. Fortunately, my husband (a very good golfer) is willing to humor me.

 

[Geebs]

my fiancee and i both golf.while he is much better then i am, i have played the palm and lbv. some of the holes were really over my head, but I kept on chugging along. On the palm, towards the 13th hole I started playing only the shorter holes. Im not sure if it was the heat, or lack of skill. probably i little of both =)(we played in august) the people on the course were really great...other golfers and rangers as well. they did ask us to move a little quicker, but they asked eveyone to. I liked LBV better because it wrapped through old key west!!! have fun...and don't worry about it!! =)

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by GrammieMame
You sound like my kind of golfer. I have my own set of rules, including: Balls can always be picked up and thrown on the fairway; balls in a sandtrap don't have to be hit; an alternate (husband) hits my drive off the first tee (to avoid humiliation in front of people lined up to play); and best of all -- only keep score if you're having a good day. Fortunately, my husband (a very good golfer) is willing to humor me.

Hee hee sounds like we would make a great foursome! ROFL

 

[aleishe]

yeah, all of us just out for a good time with complete disregard for what the "rules" might be.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by aleishe
yeah, all of us just out for a good time with complete disregard for what the "rules" might be.

Now I wouldnt say a complete disregard for ALL the 'rules' just some of them..... I never shoot more than 10 srokes per hole, it takes too long (although these days I often dont need 10 stokes per hole... but in the olden days! LOL) But I will insure myself 10 makable shots by shifting the ball a bit <grin> we also dont consider that breaking the rules coz no money is wagered. Money = strict rules..... period. LOL No money = fun

We always keep score..... but that is just so I can see improvement over time. For example one par 5, I consistant hit 10 on.... drove me nuts... gave me a mind block... then I tee'd up on my second shot.... and shaved a stroke of the hole... played in in 9..... then as I got better I played it in 8 (with a tee'd 2nd shot) then 7.... when I hit it on 6 I took away my second tee shot...played the hole in 8.... then 7.... etc. Yes.... I guess those are MY rules and not THE rules.... but I am the one paying and playing..... No money is wagered (well maybe for a putt here or there..... lol) ANd According my my hubby and friends.... as long as I dont hold up the game................... I can play however I want coz THAT is the BIGGEST sin of all on the course....

 

[aleishe]

i completely agree, no desire to slow things down, but if the ball catches an odd "bounce" out of the rough and ends up in the fairway it's all good.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

"Speedier Golf" hints . . .

1) Lake Buena Vista might be your best bet.
2) Men, please play from the "gold" tees, not the "monster tees".
3) Don't take a lot of practive swings; one, then hit the ball.
4) Don't line up putts from every angle; one look, then putt.
5) Score the hole on the next tee, not on the current green.
6) Take several clubs to the ball, if you can't drive to the ball.
7) Play "ready golf", and don't wait for the one further away.
8) If in doubt for finding a ball, always hit a provisional.

 

[Simba's Mom]

DH just played LBV and agreed it was the easiest of the 3 courses he played (Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines were the other 2). He also was impressed with the condition of LBV-thought it was a beautiful course! And don't worry about holding anyone up. There are Marshalls on the course to encourage faster players to "play through". And yes, DH learned from experience that the starters really discourage players from trying to play from further back tees than their ability allows (Brag, brag-they really tried to discourage him until they saw his first shot. Then they agreed-"You belong back there!" OK I've stopped bragging now)

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by TheRustyScupper
"Speedier Golf" hints . . .


5) Score the hole on the next tee, not on the current green.

.

I love all your tips but esp this one!!!!!!!!!

 

[blizzard]

Don't be afraid to play the 18 hole courses if you want to. If you can play an 18 at home, don't think that the Disney courses are any different.

We went down to WDW in June with 4 of us, to play the golf courses. We were very apprehensive about playing there, but we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We all score in the 100-140 range and we didn't have any problems.

The key is to keep up with the pace of play, as others have mentioned above. Play ready golf and you will not have problems with the pace, even if you "get your money's worth" on the number of strokes.

The golf course employees were exceptional, and never once did they make us feel like we didn't belong there. We played Lake Buena Vista twice, and once each at Eagle Pines and the Palm. I think Eagle Pines was our favorite. We also heard that Osprey Ridge is beautiful, so we plan to play that next time.

For times that are less busy, start between 10 and 3 on weekdays in the off season times (May-September). We often got to start early, with no one ahead of us (although we often caught groups that started 20 mins. or more ahead of us)

In short - don't be intimidated! Just be courtious to the other players on the course and have fun!

 

[crisi]

Does anyone know the "30 second 'rule'" If you can get to your ball in 30 seconds and hit it, the first stroke doesn't count....Can't switch clubs or take any practice swings.

The long Disney courses require a cart and, considering, do tend to play faster than most long public 18ths (where lots of people walk and there are lots of high handicappers). But you will still spend half a day playing golf (or better). So if you don't want to invest the time in golf, Oak Trail can be a good bet for a little golf while still leaving time for lying by the pool or going to the parks.

Since lots of not so good golfers are probably reading this thread - consider playing "best ball" if you are concerned about the challenge and/or the speed of play. Two beginning golfers can generally put an OK game together cooperatively. Best ball is also a great way for a beginning golfer to play with a better golfer - you learn a lot about course management and club selection, and don't feel like you are slowing the good golfer down (plus you get the better golfers scorce, and likely will get to "save" a shot or two where you really did hit the better ball - which always feels good when your handicap in near 40 - or more - and theirs is 10.)

(blizzard - we call that "value golf" more strokes for the money. And Rusty - high handicappers of either sex should consider the red tees - they don't emasculate the men just for playing up there - and more men should be joining us ladies. Its far less embarassing to start from the red tees, than to not even get to the red tees on your drives.)

 

[drusba]

Liked the rules for speed up of play and even those who are just enjoying and therefore follow some of their own rules of golf. Some additionals:

1. You don't need practice swings; they just lead to overconfidence.

2. Play "ready" golf by hitting when you reach your ball--particularly when hitting from the fairway into the slow players in front of you who are still on the green.

3. Don't spend a lot of time lining up your putts; it only leads to disappointment when you invariably miss.

4. The best club you have to get out of severe trouble is your foot.

5. If you hit a horrid shot, take a mulligan; it is the only way to make you appreciate how good that first shot really was.

6. The ball you find in the fairway is never yours.

7. If you and someone else in your playing group are both playing the same type and number of ball, always claim the better lie.

8. To avoid severe injury, never pick up a lost ball while it is still moving.

9. The only time your ball goes straight is when you actually aim towards the trouble.

10. Never gamble with a person who is carrying a 1-iron.

11. And always remember there are four successive stages of golf that repeat themselves throughout a round: constant struggling, slow improvement, shades of brilliance, and total collapse.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by drusba


11. And always remember there are four successive stages of golf that repeat themselves throughout a round: constant struggling, slow improvement, shades of brilliance, and total collapse.

Hee hee this one made me laugh.... I was putting for par on my second hole EVER...... and it has been down hill ever since! ROFL

 

[croach]

Do they allow singles to play?

I will be there Aug 10 -18 and would like to play the 9 nine hole course during an afternoon break. Anyone know how crowded that course is around that time of day?

Also if anyone is looking for a playing partner during that time let me know.

Thanks

Only 22 days left.

 

[Laurabearz]

Originally posted by croach
Do they allow singles to play?

Only 22 days left.

Most course do... they often hook you up with a threesome or twosome...... DH and I love it, most of the time.... We meet the most intersting people that way

Have fun fun fun!!!

 

[OKWKirt]

My son and I played yesterday. I'm just a bogey player, a few pars and an occasional once a year birdie, and he is a beginner. Something he does occasionally, which can be fun while duffing it around at WDW, is play scramble. After he hit a bad drive he picked up and layed down next to my drive. Second shot - the same.

 

[aleishe]

Thank you for all of your help, I knew this was the place to go.

I am going to book us at LBV because we will be staying at OKW and it seems to be a good fit for us (I am already looking to how many balls I can lose on the island green).

We were going to have two ridealongs, but since it only costs 10 more bucks for them to be "players" we are going to add them and round out the foursome so we won't be bothering any potentially too serious playing partners.

Scramble seems like a really good idea, especially as we tire, and our other two can specialize in putting.

I loved the tip about the red tees. I typically hit near the front because it is awful not to make it there...

I am hereby adding the thirty second rule to my rulebook...