Need Quick Help!!! Which Golf Course????

[IluvDonald!]

Help! Which golf course is best for a golfer who has a 20 handicap? My DH is an avid golfer and I'd like to book tee times for him & my brother-in-law.

Is there any course he would get too frustrated on? Both guys have about a 20 handicap!

Please let me know asap!

Thanks!

 

[Quicklabs]

I carry a 19 handicap. I like the Magnolia the best. I've played the Palm, the LBV. I liked LBV the least. Didn't get to Eagle Pines or Osprey. Plus, there's nothing like hearing the train whistle on the Magnolia--just like on TV! Plus, there's the Mickey ears sandtrap on the signature hole. LOL

 

[marciemi]

Quiklabs - do you mind if I ask you some questions? I've been looking for golf information. We're trying to find a course for my DH and two sons (will be 12 and 15 then) next summer. DH & DS15 both usually golf in the low 100's, DS12 usually golfs in the upper 80's to lower 90's. I told them about the Mickey sandtrap and all were like "big deal". So what makes Magnolia (or any of the other courses) "better"? I'm assuming that all will be Disney quality and probably better than any of the courses we play here in Wisconsin. Not trying to harass you, just trying to understand and make a choice.

Also, do you have any experience in summer golfing down there? I see the costs drop considerable after 10am and even more considerably after (I think) 3pm. I really don't see paying well over $100 per person to play golf with an earlier tee time and their ability levels. Would a 10am tee time be horrible weather wise? Would you be likely to get 18 holes in before the thunderstorms hit? Even that was around $60pp which is about 4 times what they pay here!

I'm thinking of setting one day aside for them to get in 18 holes, and would really like to do the 10am time - both to save money and let them sleep in one day (it'll be our "off" day from the parks). But if it will be so miserable that they'll end up giving up half way through either because it's too hot or stormy then it doesn't make sense. Also, we're thinking any other day when it doesn't storm or storm early that maybe they could do the cheap price and just try to get in 9 holes somewhere else just for fun. Does this sound possible? Thanks for any help!

 

[pepe of ohio]

Quiklabs - do you mind if I ask you some questions? I've been looking for golf information. We're trying to find a course for my DH and two sons (will be 12 and 15 then) next summer. DH & DS15 both usually golf in the low 100's, DS12 usually golfs in the upper 80's to lower 90's. I told them about the Mickey sandtrap and all were like "big deal". So what makes Magnolia (or any of the other courses) "better"? I'm assuming that all will be Disney quality and probably better than any of the courses we play here in Wisconsin. Not trying to harass you, just trying to understand and make a choice.

Also, do you have any experience in summer golfing down there? I see the costs drop considerable after 10am and even more considerably after (I think) 3pm. I really don't see paying well over $100 per person to play golf with an earlier tee time and their ability levels. Would a 10am tee time be horrible weather wise? Would you be likely to get 18 holes in before the thunderstorms hit? Even that was around $60pp which is about 4 times what they pay here!

I'm thinking of setting one day aside for them to get in 18 holes, and would really like to do the 10am time - both to save money and let them sleep in one day (it'll be our "off" day from the parks). But if it will be so miserable that they'll end up giving up half way through either because it's too hot or stormy then it doesn't make sense. Also, we're thinking any other day when it doesn't storm or storm early that maybe they could do the cheap price and just try to get in 9 holes somewhere else just for fun. Does this sound possible? Thanks for any help!

My wife and I played golf a few visits back, she has never olayed on a Disney course, and we decided to play Osprey Ridge. We opted for the after 3 pm slot for the price break, we rented clubs from Disney, too much of a hassle to haul ours down to Florida and Disneys are way better than what we own. It came to around 190.00 for the both of us, steep but a one time thing for us. We just barely got 18 holes in before dark, that being said, the last hole was with the sun almost down and tough to see. Osprey Ridge is a nice course, no one in front of us but the roughs are tough for finding balls, we played fairly fast but it still took time to finish. My understanding of greens fees in WDW is for that amount of money its for all day golf, I might be wrong but it would be tough to get in 36 holes in a day.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Quiklabs - do you mind if I ask you some questions? I've been looking for golf information. We're trying to find a course for my DH and two sons (will be 12 and 15 then) next summer. DH & DS15 both usually golf in the low 100's, DS12 usually golfs in the upper 80's to lower 90's. I told them about the Mickey sandtrap and all were like "big deal". So what makes Magnolia (or any of the other courses) "better"? I'm assuming that all will be Disney quality and probably better than any of the courses we play here in Wisconsin. Not trying to harass you, just trying to understand and make a choice.

Also, do you have any experience in summer golfing down there? I see the costs drop considerable after 10am and even more considerably after (I think) 3pm. I really don't see paying well over $100 per person to play golf with an earlier tee time and their ability levels. Would a 10am tee time be horrible weather wise? Would you be likely to get 18 holes in before the thunderstorms hit? Even that was around $60pp which is about 4 times what they pay here!

I'm thinking of setting one day aside for them to get in 18 holes, and would really like to do the 10am time - both to save money and let them sleep in one day (it'll be our "off" day from the parks). But if it will be so miserable that they'll end up giving up half way through either because it's too hot or stormy then it doesn't make sense. Also, we're thinking any other day when it doesn't storm or storm early that maybe they could do the cheap price and just try to get in 9 holes somewhere else just for fun. Does this sound possible? Thanks for any help!

I'm not Quiklabs, but DH has golfed after 10:00 in June and late May (he's from Wisconsin, BTW). It is VERY hot. You also might want to look into Oak Trail, the 9 hole walking course. I'm a big fan of that one. When DS was 9 yo, he played his first round ever on that course, along with DH, who's a scratch golfer. They both enjoyed it-not overly challenging for DS, not too easy/boring for DH. Any course that can interest such a variety of skills gets my vote. Here's a website that gives more specific info on the WDW golf courses:
www.wdwgolf.com

 

[marciemi]

Thanks everyone for the help. We were thinking of Oak Trail just because it was so cheap for any evening when it wasn't actually raining and they wanted to go try to do 9 holes. Saw the kids rates were like $5 after 5pm so thought that would be cheap enough even if they only got a few holes in (they're bringing clubs).

We were just trying to do one "real" golf day with 18 holes. I know it will be hot and the kids have played many hot games and never really got upset by it. Although yesterday it was 55 degrees here and I suggest them golfing and DS11 was like "Are you crazy? It's COLD out!" At least the carts were included in the price which I think helps a lot since they usually walk.

I have the WDW golf website, but have no idea (not being a golfer) of how you can tell which course is better other than by price (I'm assuming the more expensive the better!) About the only distinguishing thing I'd found was that Mickey bunker, but as I said, they didn't seem to care about that. I guess if they're all Disney, probably any would be fine.

Thanks for any more advice and or input. Is it hard to get a tee time? We're not staying on site so I know we have to book 60 days out. Do you need tee times for the later times (ie a 5 pm at Oak Trail) or is it mostly walkon by that time?

 

[Got Quattro?]

Call 1-407-wdw-golf

Ask for the specials....they frequently have deal where you get 2 for 1 greens fees at full price. Also, DVC members ger breaks, and you can buy the Golf Pass. For $75 you get reduced greens fees after 10:00am.

Oak trail is a par 3 course, not a true golf course. So an Avid golfer will not be happy.

Eagle and osprey are the newest and toughest courses, palm and magnolia are the oldest ones. Palm and magnolia are the 2 that host the disney PGA event last moth.

eagle and osprey host a senoir PGA even in the summer.

Finally LBV hosts a LPGA event.

I have played all 5 many many times, (15 handicap) and my favorite is LBV. It switches from playing short and tight in between the DVC of OKW then on the bak 9 opens up wide and long. Like 2 courses in 1.

Funny story, on hole #13 a long 575 yard par 5, there is a tombstone on the far right in the rough at the edge of the trees. There is a picture of a mickey golfer, and it says "you are 75 yards from the fairway, lessons are available at the pro shop". Yes, i was right at the base of it.

You should play all 5 at some point. But i would do the m in this order.

LBV
osprey
magnolia
eagle
palm

cheers!

 

[cgainer]

My wife and I spoiled ourselves back in 2000 and did the unlimited golf package. We played all of the courses several times. I am about a 3 handicap so my opinion may not be valid, but I loved Osprey Ridge and Eagle Pines for the scenery. I would give the nod to Osprey Ridge because I liked the layout better. However, I did enjoy trying to jack it over the trees on the dogleg left #17 at Magnolia like Tiger has done during the tourney there. A couple of the holes on Eagle Pines may be quite challenging for 20 handicappers, but I am sure they would enjoy playing it anyway. Let me know if you have any questions.

Chris

 

[IluvDonald!]

Thanks everyone for all the information!!!

 

[Starrin]

I vote for Osprey. Simple suggestion.

 

[Quicklabs]

Honestly, I think it just comes down to a matter of personal taste, golfing strengths and interests. All the courses are very well maintained--DIsney Quality for sure! I guess I just liked the Magnolia because it suited my game the best and I played my best golf on it. Nothing very tricked up with a good balance of risk/reward. (It was my hubby's favorite, too--he is a three handicapper, so there is something for everyone on it). I like old traditional courses, and the Magnolia and the Palm are the oldest. It shows in the course design.

Resort courses are notoriously slow almost everywhere. The rangers don't hassle vacationers like they do at the old home course! LOL For that reason, it is hard to get in two rounds unless you get a very early start.

Oak Trail is just a little 9 hole executive course--not my idea of a round of golf. Good for practicing iron shots, but not much else. I didn't think the greens and fairways were quite as well maintained there, either.

As for summer golf there, we don't go to Disney in the summer. But 3 p.m is the hottest part of the day, which is why the green fee is cheaper. Golfers know that the earlier the tee time, the better. Nice to be back in the clubhouse by 1100. The 1000 time wouldn't be awful if you're looking to save some $$.

Please don't short change those Wisconsin courses. I'd love to get up to play the Kohler courses one day.

Hope everyone has fun (and no, you're definitely not harassing me--I love to talk golf!; just don't get to play as often as I'd like)

 

[marciemi]

Thanks again everyone for more info. Not sure if I phrased something wrong, but we're definitely not trying to get 2 rounds in - just 18 holes one time. Other than that (on a different day during our 2 weeks there) maybe 9 holes in the evening here or there. I'll have DS11 try to make a decision between now and 60 days out since he's the serious golfer.

We've read about the Kohler course - also a REALLY expensive one! We just moved to Wisconsin this summer and youngest DS primarily played our county course (at $7.75 for 9 holes/$12.50 for 18 you couldn't do much better pricewise). However at the end of the summer, he got involved in the Junior PGA tour they do in Wisconsin and got to play several other tournaments and courses. The Kohler tournament was only for 14 and older so he has a few years. Thanks for all the input!