Tell me about golf at Disney

[TTFNTigger]

I couldn't find a "golfing" board, so please move this if I overlooked it.

My husband is considering golfing with his brothers during our June trip. They are very casual golfers- only golf a few times a year. Our trip is less than a week long, but we do have a "free" morning halfway through. They're considering only doing 9 holes and I saw there is a sunrise special that allows them to do the 9 hole course or the back 9 at two of the other courses. So here are my specific questions:

Which course would you choose if you were going to do this?
We are staying at OKW, does one of these courses run through this resort?
Is golfing at Disney a popular thing to do? Would it take longer than normal to play 9 holes due to having to wait on the pairing/foursome ahead of you?

Thanks!

 

[buzznina]

I liked the Magnolia course. The course that backs up to OKW is Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
Yes, golfing is popular there.
When we played, we did not have to wait on the group ahead of us, they space them apart very well and the course Ranger keeps everyone moving. But it may take longer for your husbands group if they are hitting it OB or in the sand etc. they are not easy courses.
FYI; WDW has free shuttles to and from their golf courses, you just have to make a reservation.

 

[TTFNTigger]

I liked the Magnolia course. The course that backs up to OKW is Lake Buena Vista Golf Course.
Yes, golfing is popular there.
When we played, we did not have to wait on the group ahead of us, they space them apart very well and the course Ranger keeps everyone moving. But it may take longer for your husbands group if they are hitting it OB or in the sand etc. they are not easy courses.
FYI; WDW has free shuttles to and from their golf courses, you just have to make a reservation.

Thank you very much!

 

[Serenebean]

We golfed at the Palm when we went...we are not morning people, so we had a tee time for 1pm or so. I almost had a melt down when 2 foursomes that had finished playing from the morning decided to go out for another round and they sent them right in front of us! I must have looked horrified, so the ranger told us we could tee off on hole 10. We finished our round in about 3 hours (just me and husband). The course was beautiful. We also took advantage of the free shuttle - which is really just a taxi that they call for you and give you a voucher for! I dont think you'll have much of a problem doing 9 holes first thing in the morning. Morning golfers tend to be quick - that's why they go out so early - to avoid being held up by slow foursomes. I work at a golf course 8o)

 

[HM2012Butler]

Magnolia is the toughest Disney course that I have played but its worth the challenge. That would be my recommendation. The OKW question was accurately answered so there is not need to repeat it. I usually end up playing in the afternoon but the only time I have waited was when I was a pair behind a foursome (which is understandable) we just would play two balls on some holes and it worked out fine. But no, in my opinion you should not have to worry about waiting too much with the sunrise package. They may put groups of 2 together to fill the tee times. I am not positive because I have never done the package

 

[Serenebean]

I agree with HM2012 that they may put you together. I was worried about that with our afternoon tee time, but I monitored the open tee times going in and could see that there wasn't much around us. If you husband isn't comfortable with being paired up, I think Disney recommends Oak Trail which is a walking course if I remember correctly. I'd encourage to use one of the other courses. Another thing to mention is that the club rental was pretty reasonable for staying on site if you dont want to fly your clubs. We flew one set because there wasn't a fee on the airline we flew, and then rented the other set. They also provide shoes (free of charge I believe). Make sure you bring golf balls though...they cost a fortune to buy there!

 

[buzznina]

Magnolia is the toughest Disney course that I have played but its worth the challenge. That would be my recommendation. The OKW question was accurately answered so there is not need to repeat it. I usually end up playing in the afternoon but the only time I have waited was when I was a pair behind a foursome (which is understandable) we just would play two balls on some holes and it worked out fine. But no, in my opinion you should not have to worry about waiting too much with the sunrise package. They may put groups of 2 together to fill the tee times. I am not positive because I have never done the package

Yeah, I was going to mention that they will pair up groups to have 4 players if at all possible, they did this for me and my friend. But I read that it will be the husband and his brothers, so I figured they have more then 2. I second bringing a lot of balls, I think I sank 3 or 4 in the water I need to stop buying balls that are drawn to water and trees

 

[Missymoe4]

My brother and I, novice golfers, reserved a 7 am tee time at Oak Trail. We arrive bright and early to find out that the only course available was an 18 hole course. I guess the resort was having some issues and needed to shut down a few courses. As a newbie, I was not ready for 18 holes. We allowed groups to pass us, and we even skipped some holes. It was an amazing course, incredibly challenging and tiring. We returned to our room around 9 am, wiped out and soaked. The humidity left the grass super wet. We had grass all over us. I don't mind getting dirty, but if you have plans for an early morning tee time in August, be prepared.

 

[TTFNTigger]

Thank you very much for all your information. One more question:

The group would be my husband, his two brothers, and their father. Their father is actually not able to play but would like to ride along. I am guessing he would have to pay the course fee even if he isn't playing, right?

 

[buzznina]

He will be allowed to ride and he only has to pay a rider fee, I think $15 or $20. Also; WDW is pretty strict on their dress code, shirts with collars, no jeans or denim shorts.

 

[Mom2darlingboys]

$20 rider fee.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

Good Morning:
This is something we LOVE. We are so done with the parks, we golf!!!!
http://golfwdw.com/
This is the website you need to use to book a reservation. The LBV is the most friendly and helpful. We have found Magnolia/Palm to be less friendly, professional and the staff do not help newbies.
The Sunrise Special (front 9 in the morning) is 35 +tax....great bargain...cart, golf, breakfast sandwich/beverage then when you are done....you get a beer/beverage and a nice sit down area to unwind and enjoy. You do not get this over at Magnolia...comes off a truck. Gross. No sit down area...I could go on and on. LBV is soooo much nicer and the guys and gals who work there really make you feel welcome and appreciated. This course winds its way thru SSR and OKW.
My husband is a good golfer, I have been playing for 3 years. We find LBW challenging enough that I can keep up and have a great time. We have played with many new players, they love the experience also. The carts have computers so they will give info to the players if they are falling behind and info about course.
They rent golf clubs/bags for nominal fee if you are DVC. There are AP discounts. Players can wear sneakers. Dress code is adhered to.
Ask away. We just golfed several rounds 4 weeks ago...we are back in 29 days for more fun!

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

As far as your waiting for group ahead....that is a double edge sword. We always keep up, the cart will tell you if you are not. It takes us about 2 hours to play 9 with another pair, 1.5 to 2 hours by ourselves. We have had to wait but who cares, we are on vacation. I expect that if you are that serious, go play 18 at Palm which does not participate in the special. If someone approaches behind, like others state, tell them to go ahead. Disney is a family/resort atmosphere so we have a good time. LBV is much more laid back than Magnolia (they host tournaments and can be very busy).

 

[Kevin355]

Have played every WDW course, even the one's that are now part of the new hotel chain. I usually shoot somewhere between 88-92. Magnolia is probably the most forgiving course as it is more open. LBV is an easier course...shot an 84 there, but you can get penalized for an errant shot. The Palm, sister course to Magnolia, is a fun track as well. My favorite Disney course was Osprey Ridge, but it has since been bought up and is part of a new timeshare going in at WDW.

 

[Kevin355]

He will be allowed to ride and he only has to pay a rider fee, I think $15 or $20. Also; WDW is pretty strict on their dress code, shirts with collars, no jeans or denim shorts.

And no cargo shorts. Made one of our foursome buy some $85 shorts from the pro shop.

 

[BenandMorgsMom]

And no cargo shorts. Made one of our foursome buy some $85 shorts from the pro shop.

OMG That is so out of bounds. We have seen people with Cargo Shorts on. We golf every 6-8 weeks down there. WE have seen it ALL. Was this at Magnolia? There are a few guys (Jeremy---imagine we remember his name based on how he has treated other guests) that work in that clubhouse that should not be working with the public. I could go on and on. There is nothing printed on the website about type of shorts, other than jean.
Men May Wear
Polo-style shirts with collars
Turtlenecks or mock turtleneck shirts
Slacks or Bermuda-length shorts

Women May Wear
Polo-style shirts with collars
Suitable shirts or blouses (with or without collars)
Slacks, skirts or Bermuda-length shorts
To provide the best possible putting surfaces, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is a non-metal spike facility. Golfers may wear shoes with metal spike alternatives, or tennis shoes. Proper golf attire is also required; denim jeans or shorts are not permitted.

I would tell you to contact them and get your money back, but I realize that is useless.
I'm embarrassed for them.

 

[Kevin355]

OMG That is so out of bounds. We have seen people with Cargo Shorts on. We golf every 6-8 weeks down there. WE have seen it ALL. Was this at Magnolia? There are a few guys (Jeremy---imagine we remember his name based on how he has treated other guests) that work in that clubhouse that should not be working with the public. I could go on and on. There is nothing printed on the website about type of shorts, other than jean.
Men May Wear
Polo-style shirts with collars
Turtlenecks or mock turtleneck shirts
Slacks or Bermuda-length shorts

Women May Wear
Polo-style shirts with collars
Suitable shirts or blouses (with or without collars)
Slacks, skirts or Bermuda-length shorts
To provide the best possible putting surfaces, Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course is a non-metal spike facility. Golfers may wear shoes with metal spike alternatives, or tennis shoes. Proper golf attire is also required; denim jeans or shorts are not permitted.

I would tell you to contact them and get your money back, but I realize that is useless.
I'm embarrassed for them.

In all honesty, the cargo shorts that the guy was wearing should have been replaced.

 

[dansdad]

In all honesty, the cargo shorts that the guy was wearing should have been replaced.