The Unofficial Golf at Disney FAQ Thread

[tjlamphere]

WDW had two newer courses when I played there in the late 90s...Osprey Ridge and Eagle what.

What did they build on the Eagle course? Houses? WDW rental houses???

 

[DSLRuser]

It was Eagle Pines. very long, lots of water.

 

[deej696]

WDW had two newer courses when I played there in the late 90s...Osprey Ridge and Eagle what.

What did they build on the Eagle course? Houses? WDW rental houses???

They are building a Four Seasons hotel and private residences on the grounds of the old Eagle Pines. The development is called Disney's Golden Oak. The Four Seasons is set to be completed sometime in 2014. Osprey is still in operation, but will serve as the resort course for the Four Seasons once it opens.

 

[seadd67]

They are building a Four Seasons hotel and private residences on the grounds of the old Eagle Pines. The development is called Disney's Golden Oak. The Four Seasons is set to be completed sometime in 2014. Osprey is still in operation, but will serve as the resort course for the Four Seasons once it opens.

Will Osprey still be Disney own and operated In Oct??. I have play all but that one. I play Palms, Magnolia and LBV, and LBV being my favorite by Far. I would like to get a chance to play Osprey so i can say i play all the Disney courses.

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

We were at Disney December 3 -9 and played LBV and Magnolia. Magnolia was cart path only and Palm was closed, both due to reseeding. We will be returning this December 13 - 20 and would like to play both Magnolia and Palm. Does anyone know the "usual" closing schedule of the courses for reseeding/maintenance? Trying to figure out if these dates will work or do we need to consider changing. Thanks.

 

[seadd67]

We were at Disney December 3 -9 and played LBV and Magnolia. Magnolia was cart path only and Palm was closed, both due to reseeding. We will be returning this December 13 - 20 and would like to play both Magnolia and Palm. Does anyone know the "usual" closing schedule of the courses for reseeding/maintenance? Trying to figure out if these dates will work or do we need to consider changing. Thanks.

you might want to call the courses it self, from the courses up here In Washington state they generally have a time period, not exzact date. Not saying that's what they do but something to go on. When you are not allowed to walk, cart path only, that just sucks.

 

[KristiKelly]

We are going to be staying @ SSR in June. DH & DS are wanting to play golf one day while I take our girls to the parks. We are driving and limited on space so we will have no room for clubs. Has anyone rented clubs @ SSR and if so how are they? DH only likes playing with his clubs...Thanks!

 

[Clemson Bama Fan]

We are going to be staying @ SSR in June. DH & DS are wanting to play golf one day while I take our girls to the parks. We are driving and limited on space so we will have no room for clubs. Has anyone rented clubs @ SSR and if so how are they? DH only likes playing with his clubs...Thanks!

We rented clubs this past December at LBV and Magnolia and they were fine. They were Taylormade Rocketballz woods and irons. Not taken care of the way I take care of my clubs, but fine for rentals.

 

[Brave teacher]

Question...

DH will be playing a round of golf with BIL on May 31st (just waiting for rates on Monday to book tee times). They have played together at the Palm on previous trips. DH has always wanted to play the Magnolia, but it has always been closed for aeration when we go.

When I called Disney Golf originally, the reservationist warned the greens might be rough/bumpy due to the aeration process just ending. Would you still book Magnolia?

He is also playing again later in the week. Thoughts on LBV and Osprey Ridge? He read some positive reviews about Osprey and was curious about how nice the course actually is. Problems on 18 with the Four Seasons construction?

Thanks in advance!

 

[MDM]

No Problem with 18 kind of... You actually Tee off one #1 of the old Eagle Pines and then back track and tee of on.. what was Osprey Ridge #1 which is now considered #2 on Osprey Ridge. You finish on what was 17 which is now 18 if that all makes sense. The course is nice, wide open, interesting holes, water (hole 9), Osprey towers/nests all over, great bunker (BIG) on hole 3, really like the course. Didn't play it in December, but will this August.

LBV, our favorite course. holes are in and out of OKW and Saratoga Springs. water, sand, tough holes, fun holes, great par 3, island green on # 7, love 16 and 18. If you are an early riser... Book the 1st tee time and you get to set the pin on #9 green. I have done it and son has done it. You get a scorebook and a sign at the 9th tee with your name and hometown. You are also give a sign as a souvenir.

Magnolia - tough but beautiful. love the signage/info on tee boxes of each hole from the past PGA tournaments. favorite hole #6 mickey head sand trap. Always drop a ball in it just to hit out for the heck of it.

Since Arnold Palmer took over the greens are fast, real fast. They are/have done a great job with the courses. Not that they were bad, still wonderful, beautiful and love all the courses. We plan on playing twice at LBV, once at Palm and Osprey and twice at Magnolia. Anything else, post and I'll see if I have the answers. --- MDM

 

[GGGhosts]

What is the club rental fee for on-site guests? Last time it was free (special offer I think)? Prices seem to have gone up quite a bit too! My dad played four years ago and I want to arrange it for him again. Also, what are your thoughts on last minute tee times? Is this a good option? Thanks!

 

[TheBigE]

Hello All,

Great information on this thread. I am planning a visit in Early May with soon to be DW and DSS. DSS is 9 years old and has showed an interest in golfing yet has not taken any serious lessons. I play golf and have played Oaktrail, Palm and Magnolia in previous visits to WDW I wanted to squeeze in a little golf this trip, and was thinking that DSS would like to start to play as well.

I know that WDW is not the best place to start for a beginner, but my thoughts would be to play 9 Holes at Oak Trail. This way he could play some and also perhaps DW could walk if she desired. As I remember Oak Trail, it is good for families and would allow for a beginner. I do not think it would be wise to play Palm or Magnolia this trip.

I was thinking that some lesson for DSS would be a good thing as well. Of course it would not be all encompassing but at least start with the basics of etiquette, grip, stance....etc. Given our time, maybe a half day.

Has anybody undertaken anything like this at WDW before? We are staying on property and would like to keep it inside WDW, as I know there are some options outside that might work.

Any thoughts or help are appreciated.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Hello All,

Great information on this thread. I am planning a visit in Early May with soon to be DW and DSS. DSS is 9 years old and has showed an interest in golfing yet has not taken any serious lessons. I play golf and have played Oaktrail, Palm and Magnolia in previous visits to WDW I wanted to squeeze in a little golf this trip, and was thinking that DSS would like to start to play as well.

I know that WDW is not the best place to start for a beginner, but my thoughts would be to play 9 Holes at Oak Trail. This way he could play some and also perhaps DW could walk if she desired. As I remember Oak Trail, it is good for families and would allow for a beginner. I do not think it would be wise to play Palm or Magnolia this trip.

I was thinking that some lesson for DSS would be a good thing as well. Of course it would not be all encompassing but at least start with the basics of etiquette, grip, stance....etc. Given our time, maybe a half day.

Has anybody undertaken anything like this at WDW before? We are staying on property and would like to keep it inside WDW, as I know there are some options outside that might work.

Any thoughts or help are appreciated.

Oak Trail's an excellent choice. DS's first ever round of golf was on Oak Trail when he was 9. Fast Forward about 10 years, and he went to college on a partial golf scholarship. When he was playing his first round of golf there, he was playing with DH, whose a single digit handicapper. Both enjoyed themselves-for DS, it was easy enough to be fun, but for DH, he didn't find it too easy. If/when your son's ready for 18 holes, he might enjoy LBV. Some people are put off by the buildings around the course, however.

 

[TheBigE]

So anybody start from scratch, take lesson and then do the first round of golf at WDW?

At this point DSS does not have any lesson in Golf, so this would be his first experience. I think that most people on Oak Trail understand that there are beginners and families. I hope they would be forgiving and allow for a beginner and some possible slower play.

 

[goofy_joe]

Oak Trail would be great for beginner play. It is designed as a "family" course.

An update on Osprey Ridge - I just got back from WDW today, and I played Osprey twice down there. In July or August, Four Seasons is taking over the course and closing it for nine months to renovate. When it reopens, one will need to be staying at the Four Seasons or have a membership to play. It's disappointing, because it's such a fun layout (and my dad had his first hole-in-one on the first par three, which is now #4). It also had the nicest clubhouse of them all. I'm still somewhat bitter over the loss of Eagle Pines, too, since that was a great course.

Of the other courses, I like LBV as a resort-style course where you get to play in and out of the DVC villas at OKW and SSR. I find it to be the most playable of the courses, though the last two holes can be difficult.

Palm is a gorgeous track, with a really beautiful stretch of golf holes on the back nine (13 through 16) and a ridiculous finishing hole. Magnolia is the most "TOUR-style" course Disney has, which is appropriate since it hosts the final rounds of the tournament every year. It's a challenge, and the pace of play can sometimes be very slow since people get star-struck, but it's gotten better over the years.

 

[TheBigE]

Thanks. I think I will try Oak Trail, it sounds like the other course are in good shape as well.

Anyone have any recommendations for instructors at WDW? Again, looking for a couple of hours of just basic instruction for DSS.

Thanks

 

[MDM]

Sad to hear that Osprey Ridge is coming to a close before I get to play it one more time in August. Really liked that course, the long wooden bridge, Osprey nests, awesome water on #9 and #16, #17 which was 18 before hotel construction...Going to miss that course! Too Bad. MDM

 

[seadd67]

Thats what I get for putting off playing Osprey ridge every time!. I seem always to play LBV twice, its my fav course. I like playing through the resorts buildings and shots over the river. So This Oct I am playing Palm,Mag and LBV twice, should I try playing Palm and Mag once more each or try playing any outher courses??. I have never play out side of Disney before??

 

[goofy_joe]

If you're going to substitute another course for LBV, play Palm. Much more enjoyable experience and better pace of play than Magnolia. If you're going near the tournament, be advised that the rough will be BRUTAL. Golf ball sits down in Bermuda rough and can be tough to play as the tournament approaches.

Only "off-property" golf I have ever done was at the Waldorf-Astoria at Bonnet Creek. Great course and superior service, but very pricey.

 

[TheBigE]

Well I called Disney and talked with Mike (Instructor) and he is going to setup a beginner course

2 hours of instruction of course
2 hours of instruction on Oak Trail.

He said he has done this many times, and it is a good introduction to golf. I am going to give it a try for DSS.