Least crowded courses to make a tee time in the Orlando area.

Which courses are usually not too crowded compared to say the ones closer to Disney?

I imagine you probably have to drive atleast 40-50 minutes outside to the city limits to get what I am looking for.

Not crowded usually means bad conditions or high price....and yes, you'll have to drive unless you pay the price.

For instance you can play Bay Hill in around 4 hours or just under on any given day, but itll cost you quite a bit since it's private with a public lodge that gets you access. Same goes with Tranquilo.

On the cheap with no wait, some goat tracks around the East Orlando area like Eastwood or Stoneybrook may be able to be played in 3-4 hours as well.

You can also try going West to Lakeland/Winter Haven area which is less tourists but more retirees. I've never played over there, though.

> @third-times-a-charm said:

> Not crowded usually means bad conditions or high price....and yes, you'll have to drive unless you pay the price.

>

> For instance you can play Bay Hill in around 4 hours or just under on any given day, but itll cost you quite a bit since it's private with a public lodge that gets you access. Same goes with Tranquilo.

>

> On the cheap with no wait, some goat tracks around the East Orlando area like Eastwood or Stoneybrook may be able to be played in 3-4 hours as well.

>

> You can also try going West to Lakeland/Winter Haven area which is less tourists but more retirees. I've never played over there, though.

How is Deer Island in Tavares lately? Is that course still in decent shape?

> @Irishman1979 said:

> > @third-times-a-charm said:

> > Not crowded usually means bad conditions or high price....and yes, you'll have to drive unless you pay the price.

> >

> > For instance you can play Bay Hill in around 4 hours or just under on any given day, but itll cost you quite a bit since it's private with a public lodge that gets you access. Same goes with Tranquilo.

> >

> > On the cheap with no wait, some goat tracks around the East Orlando area like Eastwood or Stoneybrook may be able to be played in 3-4 hours as well.

> >

> > You can also try going West to Lakeland/Winter Haven area which is less tourists but more retirees. I've never played over there, though.

>

> How is Deer Island in Tavares lately? Is that course still in decent shape?

No idea, never played there. Someone else might be able to tell you though.

Deer Island is really good but it's a hike to get there. LIkely nobody out there. You may want to take a gander at Eaglebrooke in Lakeland. Great course and because it's Lakeland it's likely not too busy. My dad and I are going to play there this weekend.

Providence Club is usually not busy. It's a solid course and better than Eastwood and Stoneybrook East (SE isn't bad though).

Bella Collina probably isn't busy. The problem with BC is you need to play it a couple of times to start to enjoy it as it's a bit quirky.

But as mentioned earlier, the rest that aren't busy are either very highly priced (Waldorf, Ritz) or they are goat tracks (Eastwood, Metrowest). And even those are no guarantees to not be busy. I would probably recommend the higher priced courses because not only are they in much better shape, but usually you don't get yahoos who don't know how to play golf.

As far as best value, I would go with either Providence or Eaglebrooke. Eaglebrooke is by far the better of the two.

RH

Eagle Creek, down by the airport. Great condition and usually not that crowded. Another one I used to play when I lived in Orlando is Forest Lake. Both reasonably priced and good layouts.

> @Raz1374 said:

> Eagle Creek, down by the airport. Great condition and usually not that crowded. Another one I used to play when I lived in Orlando is Forest Lake. Both reasonably priced and good layouts.

Thank you. Forest lake is a great track!

> @Raz1374 said:

> Eagle Creek, down by the airport. Great condition and usually not that crowded. Another one I used to play when I lived in Orlando is Forest Lake. Both reasonably priced and good layouts.

I disagree on Eagle Creek from experience.

Usually Eagle Creek has some of the worst pace of play in all of Orlando.

I like the course, but the pace of play is rotten.

RH

I have to agree with Richie on Eagle Creek. Played it late February and never got to finish. It was a 12:30 tee time, 5 hours later I was on 16 and had to leave to meet the family. During that stay I played North Shore, Harmony Preserve, Royal St Cloud, and El Campion at decent prices, $40 -$65, the courses were nice and I had no slow round issues. To be fair they were all morning tee times.

Depending on when you visit and your age El Campion offers senior rates. It was my 3rd visit there over the last 3 years and has always been in good condition. Staying on the east side of Orlando it is a bit of a drive for me but well worth it.

Steve

I played Providence Golf Club with my ole man yesterday. Course was in very good condition. The only hole I dislike on the course is the 14th. But, it's a good value of a golf course and glad I played it...even if the weather sucked.

RH

Harmony is pretty dead unless you go super early in summer, then you get a few groups of locals. Unique Johnny Miller design, long and wide open. Some of the most consistent decent conditions I've played. Always drains well so usually dry. Greens roll smooth/true. Tee boxes can be shaggy though.

I agree on Harmony. It's a good design, usually in decent enough condition and pretty dead out there. It's a little bit of a drive, but for the most part it's an easy drive to get out there.

RH

Is Dubsdread horribly crowded? I've read some good things, but didn't know about pace of play and current conditions.

Its basically Orlando's muni. Always busy.

I havent played there in about a year. I play beer golf with buddies there since they all live downtown. Conditions were usually 6/10 and was always busy. On a Friday I'm sure you can play under 5 hours.

Its a very short course, playing only 6000 from the tips if I remember.

Ok, may try to go somewhere else then. Thanks for the info!

We spent Thanksgiving week up in Orlando and played OCN, Championsgate CC, Waldof Astoria and LBV. Not one round was over 4 hrs. OCN (Crooked Cat) had us done in 3.5 hrs!