The Unofficial Golf at Disney FAQ Thread

[emilymad]

I am hoping you experts can help me! My DH's birthday is in December. He always says he wants golf lessons but we live in PA so they wouldn't be used until April at the earliest so I never get them for DH. We will be in Disney in January for a brief pre-cruise stay. I was thinking I could get DH a golf lesson while we are at WDW. Has anyone actually had a lesson and how was it? DH is a long time golfer who plays fairly regularly in the nice weather months. I think he is a decent golfer, or so he tells me.... I think his scores are in the mid to low to 90's if that means anything to anyone. It is greek to me! Does this seem like a crazy idea? I think he just wants someone to help him with his driving. Any insight is much appreciated!

 

[Shih-Tzu]

OK - I just want to confirm that I understand how the MYW with park hopper & water parks and more option works.....(this trip/tickets may be a Christmas gift for my adult sons, so....shhhhhhhhhh)

Am I correct in understanding that if a 6 day ticket is purchased, that during the stay the ticket holder can play up to 6 rounds of golf on Oak Trail (provided they don't do the waterparks, etc).?

If that is the case - is there a limit to one round a day, or could someone book two tee times (i.e. early morning then later in the day) so an entire day is free for the parks later in the week?

Someone suggested somewhere in this thread that if someone with this pass wanted to golf another course, they could pay but it wouldn't cost the full rate - one of their golf rounds would be deducted from the ticket and then the difference paid? (we may be staying at OKW so maybe the guys may want to play one round at LBV). I kept reading the thread, but really didn't find an answer to that question.....

For anyone that flies - do you find it cheaper to rent clubs or pay the excess baggage? (we would also have to purchase the airline approved cases) - and for anyone that has put clubs in baggage, have you ever had damage to the set?

Thanks for any suggestions/confirmation of information. The only thing I understand about golf is the grass always seems nicer and it always gives me an "out" for stocking stuffers (tees and balls) Of course, for 1/2 the year here, we can't see the courses for the snow....

And one more question being from the land of "harmless reptiles" - IF a ball should go out of bounds in higher grass, etc - should they just call the penalty and not go in there to look for the ball? We are not used to snakes, gators, etc so are a little leary on that type of thing....

 

[Brit_Jude]

OK - I just want to confirm that I understand how the MYW with park hopper & water parks and more option works.....(this trip/tickets may be a Christmas gift for my adult sons, so....shhhhhhhhhh)

Am I correct in understanding that if a 6 day ticket is purchased, that during the stay the ticket holder can play up to 6 rounds of golf on Oak Trail (provided they don't do the waterparks, etc).?

If that is the case - is there a limit to one round a day, or could someone book two tee times (i.e. early morning then later in the day) so an entire day is free for the parks later in the week?

Someone suggested somewhere in this thread that if someone with this pass wanted to golf another course, they could pay but it wouldn't cost the full rate - one of their golf rounds would be deducted from the ticket and then the difference paid? (we may be staying at OKW so maybe the guys may want to play one round at LBV). I kept reading the thread, but really didn't find an answer to that question.....

For anyone that flies - do you find it cheaper to rent clubs or pay the excess baggage? (we would also have to purchase the airline approved cases) - and for anyone that has put clubs in baggage, have you ever had damage to the set?

Thanks for any suggestions/confirmation of information. The only thing I understand about golf is the grass always seems nicer and it always gives me an "out" for stocking stuffers (tees and balls) Of course, for 1/2 the year here, we can't see the courses for the snow....

And one more question being from the land of "harmless reptiles" - IF a ball should go out of bounds in higher grass, etc - should they just call the penalty and not go in there to look for the ball? We are not used to snakes, gators, etc so are a little leary on that type of thing....

Shih-Tzu - I am no expert but below is what is says on Disney's site. So from reading this it looks like one game per day in lieu of the other options. It does not say you have to have a 6 day ticket but you do have to add the Water Park Fun & More.

Water Park Fun & More** Option
Includes one admission per day to your choice of Disney's Blizzard Beach Water Park, Disney's Typhoon Lagoon Water Park, DisneyQuest Indoor Interactive theme park, ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Disney's Oak Trail Golf Course (with reserved tee time) for each day of your ticket.

DH golfs everytime we go but does not recomend Oak Trail. It's only 9 hole walking course. Also it only costs $38 to play there so you can work out if it is worth adding the Water Park Fun & More options to your ticket for all the days you will be there or just book them a round. Especailly if it's cold at Christmas you may not use the Water Parks.

I spoke to DH and he said it might be better to not get the Water Park Fun & More and just book them a tee time at one of the other courses which are much nicer. Only you will know if you will use the other options. If you are staying on-site they store the clubs for free and Disney will get you a free taxi to the course, just have to arrange it with the baggage people when you go to pick up the clubs.

DH always takes his own clubs, though we either travel Southwest and the clubs are one of our free bags or Delta and we have their CC/Skymiles status so we get a free bag. He has a Samsonite travel bag and has never had a problem, no damage. They do come out of a special door at Orlando airport.

DH says just be careful and use comon sense when looking for the ball in long grass, if you can't see it within the first two/three feet take the penalty. Gators shouldn't be a problem, Disney is good at moving any that would cause trouble.

Hope this helps!

 

[Shih-Tzu]

Yes - that is quite a bit of help. The boys are not expert golfers by any means. We have price out the tickets for 6 days, and the add on to enable them to golf is approx $58 for the week - so probably that would be cheapest...(6 rounds for $58??). I guess when we get right down to that point I'll have to ask them if they want "quantity" (i.e. a round a day) or maybe only one round on one of the nicer courses.... The info was great. (BTW we usually travel Delta - we drive down to the US and overnite and fly out the next day - saves us $500/person...)

 

[MAGGIED]

Resort Guests Get Complimentary Golf Club Rental

Guests staying at Walt Disney World Resort hotels can swing into action with a complimentary club rental when they purchase a non-discounted round of golf at Disney's Palm, Magnolia, Lake Buena Vista or Osprey Ridge Golf Courses. Offer includes:

Choice of Titleist® and Cobra® clubs
Range balls
Transportation to and from your Walt Disney World Resort hotel*

To take advantage of this special offer and obtain available tee times please book online or call (407) WDW-GOLF (939-4653)†.

Clubs are subject to availability. Guests must present a valid Resort I.D. at check-in to the Disney Golf course to receive this benefit. Offer not valid with any other discount or offer.

 

[mandi5379]

I apologize in advance if this has already been answered. We will be using the military promotional ticket s and adding the hopper with WPF&M. JHere's the language from the disney sight :

"Walt Disney World Resort is saluting U.S. military personnel by offering 4-Day Military Promotional Tickets for just $138 each, now through September 30, 2012. For just $27 more, both the Park Hopper and Water Parks, Fun & More option may be added."

Does this cover rounds at Oak Trail?

 

[Simba]

I just returned from WDW earlier last week and had a chance to play The Palm as well as Oak Trail. The Palm was in GREAT shape and surprisingly a lot busier than I expected it for late December. I'm sure part of the reason was becasue it was between Christmas and New Years. The pace of play wasn't a problem and it took us about 4.5 hours to complete our round. Can't beat playing golf on December 30th with it being 75 degrees without a cloud in the sky. We played Oak Trail on Jan 1 and since we still have some "Plus" options" on some old tickets we were able to play for free. The course wasn't in too bad of shape although the greens were a tad rough. Overall I would give the course a thumbs up. I'll be going back in April/May to play some more.

 

[Bubba26]

I'll be staying in OKW at the end of July and plan on playing a couple of times. Getting to LBV is obviously no issue, but I also plan on two of the other courses, Magnolia and another (TBD).

How long does it take to get to those courses from OKW? How long does it take the taxi to pick me up?

Ideally I want to play early, 7:00 - 8:00.

Thanks.

 

[becpee]

Just wondering for those that have played at all or most courses onsite, which is the one you would recommend to play at the most?
My DH is a keen golfer (and isn't too bad at it either, although not sure of his golf handicap).
We are staying onsite and he would be hiring clubs, (in September) and at this stage he'd be playing on his own unless he can drum up some company at the course.
What is the course you won't miss?

 

[Brit_Jude]

Becpee - My DH (who is sitting next to me) sounds just like your hubby! Mine has played all the Disney courses several times, in fact if we had won the mega millions he would probably be there now playing golf. My DH is a 9 handicap if that helps.

He say's all the course are nice and great to play. Arnold Palmer Mgt Company, who manage the courses now, do a superb job of taking care of the courses and the customer experience is first class. However, to rank his courses on most favorite to least favorite they are as follows:

1. Magnolia
2. Palm
3. Lake Buena Vista
4. Opsrey

He does not care for Oak Trail - it's a 9 hole, par 3, walking course and the one included on the Magic Your Way ticket. He prefers the longer courses. Oak Trail is not a challenge for him.

We have a trip planned in May and he is playing Magnolia twice!

My DH has never rented clubs, he always takes his own so we can't give any opinion with that part of the experience. We fly with the clubs, usually we fly Southwest and the clubs count as one of the free bags

Don't know if you are aware but your DH will get free transportation to the courses. Bell services gives you a voucher for a taxi, inlcuding tip, and calls the taxi for you.

Teetimes are booked 2 months in advance and you can do it on-line or via the telephone 407-939-4653.

Hope you all have a great time!

 

[Brit_Jude]

I'll be staying in OKW at the end of July and plan on playing a couple of times. Getting to LBV is obviously no issue, but I also plan on two of the other courses, Magnolia and another (TBD).

How long does it take to get to those courses from OKW? How long does it take the taxi to pick me up?

Ideally I want to play early, 7:00 - 8:00.

Thanks.

Bubba26 - In my DH's experience (still sitting next to me) is takes no longer than 10 minutes (max) from Bell Services calling the taxi untill it shows up. There are taxi's on Disney property all the time. You can get to any golf course in no more than 20 minutes, depending on traffic, bus operations and knowledge of the cab driver
So if you have an 8.00am tee time, 7.00 am would be a good time to leave the resort, get to the course and hit a few range balls, then play.

Have fun!

 

[becpee]

Becpee - My DH (who is sitting next to me) sounds just like your hubby! Mine has played all the Disney courses several times, in fact if we had won the mega millions he would probably be there now playing golf. My DH is a 9 handicap if that helps.

He say's all the course are nice and great to play. Arnold Palmer Mgt Company, who manage the courses now, do a superb job of taking care of the courses and the customer experience is first class. However, to rank his courses on most favorite to least favorite they are as follows:

1. Magnolia
2. Palm
3. Lake Buena Vista
4. Opsrey

He does not care for Oak Trail - it's a 9 hole, par 3, walking course and the one included on the Magic Your Way ticket. He prefers the longer courses. Oak Trail is not a challenge for him.

We have a trip planned in May and he is playing Magnolia twice!

My DH has never rented clubs, he always takes his own so we can't give any opinion with that part of the experience. We fly with the clubs, usually we fly Southwest and the clubs count as one of the free bags

Don't know if you are aware but your DH will get free transportation to the courses. Bell services gives you a voucher for a taxi, inlcuding tip, and calls the taxi for you.

Teetimes are booked 2 months in advance and you can do it on-line or via the telephone 407-939-4653.

Hope you all have a great time!

Thanks so much for your info, I will be sure to pass it on

DH will likely play 2 (maybe 3 ) rounds, but pretty sure at least 2.

Thanks for the info re the taxi, would have had no idea otherwise

Whenever we go somewhere new he always gets in a round of golf
I shop instead

When I first asked him if we could to Disneyworld my biggest selling point was the golf courses Had him wrapped around my finger ever since...

 

[Brit_Jude]

Thanks so much for your info, I will be sure to pass it on

DH will likely play 2 (maybe 3 ) rounds, but pretty sure at least 2.

Thanks for the info re the taxi, would have had no idea otherwise

Whenever we go somewhere new he always gets in a round of golf
I shop instead

When I first asked him if we could to Disneyworld my biggest selling point was the golf courses Had him wrapped around my finger ever since...

You're welcome! Yes mentioning the golf seems to work wonders with me too I'm not much of a shopper though I like to go to the parks by myself, especially AK and wander round at my own pace, just taking it all in, or DHS and ride RnRC using the single rider line.....and a treat from Staring Rolls.

Maybe we need a DIS thread where we can line up golfers together for tee times and spouses for shopping, afternoon tea at the GF, going to the parks etc.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Maybe we need a DIS thread where we can line up golfers together for tee times and spouses for shopping, afternoon tea at the GF, going to the parks etc.

Sounds like a great idea to me! We'll be at WDW this month and DH's golfing 4 of the 5 days we're there. That means lots of solo times at the parks for me. He agrees with Osprey being the 4th choice, especially now with the construction going on. It's no longer the beautiful course it once was, and is probably kind of loud. He's picked playing Palm twice over Osprey.

 

[Bubba26]

The word "golf" goes a long way with men (and some women too).

My wife wanted to return to Disney, this time with me (she went with our son and her sister and kids two years ago).

She also wanted to share a villa with her parents... yeah, the word "golf" went a long way to getting that one by me.

 

[becpee]

The word "golf" goes a long way with men (and some women too).

My wife wanted to return to Disney, this time with me (she went with our son and her sister and kids two years ago).

She also wanted to share a villa with her parents... yeah, the word "golf" went a long way to getting that one by me.

 

[McBane]

Just wondering for those that have played at all or most courses onsite, which is the one you would recommend to play at the most?
My DH is a keen golfer (and isn't too bad at it either, although not sure of his golf handicap).
We are staying onsite and he would be hiring clubs, (in September) and at this stage he'd be playing on his own unless he can drum up some company at the course.
What is the course you won't miss?

I played Magnolia and Lake Buena Vista last week with my dad. We preferred Lake Buena Vista over Magnolia, but part of it was we had a very slow group ahead of us on Magnolia and it was quite a bit longer round. It also seemed like Magnolia has alot more rounds played on it, as it seemed a bit beaten up compared to LBV. As for the clubs, I believe if you are staying on property the rental is free! Ask the pro shop when you call for the tee times.

Big plus for the extras Disney offers for golf....the taxi vouchers were great! They also transported our clubs from Magnolia to LBV. Very convenient.

 

[Day-Day]

I played Magnolia and Lake Buena Vista last week with my dad. We preferred Lake Buena Vista over Magnolia, but part of it was we had a very slow group ahead of us on Magnolia and it was quite a bit longer round. It also seemed like Magnolia has alot more rounds played on it, as it seemed a bit beaten up compared to LBV. As for the clubs, I believe if you are staying on property the rental is free! Ask the pro shop when you call for the tee times.

Big plus for the extras Disney offers for golf....the taxi vouchers were great! They also transported our clubs from Magnolia to LBV. Very convenient.

I haven't checked lately but at one time the WDW guest rental on clubs was free only if not using a discounted golf rate.

 

[Simba]

I recently returned from WDW and was able to play Osprey Ridge Jan 2, 3 and 4th. The golf course was in GREAT shape. I highly suggest playing here before they possibly shut it down or turn it over to the Four Seasons.

 

[DSLRuser]

Still very upset Disney sold Eagle and allowed those homes to be built on it.