Visiting parents in Villages in April, looking for course recommendations nearby

[odshot68]

I've played most of the courses in the Villages and will be back in April. Looking for courses within 45 mintues to play. I hate the 5 hour rounds out there and the fact they pair you up with seniors. Any recommendations would be great. Looking for good fast greens in good shape. Thanks!

[RichieHunt]

Ocala is your best bet.

 

Best of the bunch is Juliette Falls in Dunellon. It's about 45 minutes to get there. From there, you have Candler Hills, Stone Creek and Royal Oak. Royal Oak is usually so-so conditioning wise, but I think it's a very good layout.

 

Other than that, you could head a little south and go to Mission Inn. I recommend the El Campeon course. Stay away from the Las Colinas course. Redtail is also a very good one as well. There's also World Woods, but that's closer to 1 hour from The Villages. It's worth the extra travel.

 

 

 

RH

[odshot68]

Tha is Richie. I’ve played both world woods courses which were good. Also played black diamond which was nice. Look forward to playing juliette falls for sure

[cassel191919]

I couldn't recommend Mission Inn El Campeon more, I try to go there every year and it really is one of my favorite courses to play anywhere. If you go, there is a German Bakery down the street that is very good and worth the 3 minute drive.

[mitman25]

I live in Ocala. Ocala National is good for price. My home course is Ocala Golf Club its a fun fair track.

[odshot68]

Thanks for replies and pms. May recheck conditions right before I leave

[Hogan9]

I second the recommendation on Mission Inn. I've been playing El Campeon since the 6os. The other course Los Colinas is good too.

[Noles]

How are things right now at The Villages? I would imaging with that population that a cluster of COVID-19 could be devastating there.

[hagimihale]

I concur with others about World Woods, definitely worth the trip. You also might consider Lake Jovita in Dade City, I think that's about 30 miles from The Villages.

[Bob Cat]

Nole, I couldn't agree more and I can't believe we're even having this discussion.

[Noles]

I topped an old thread. Wasn't sure a new one was appropriate. The discussion about courses is old. I'm just curious because about a week ago I saw a report form there on the news and many of the people seemed to not take it too seriously. Of all places, this is one that I think of that could be really hard hit. Hopefully I am wrong.

[odshot68]

OP here, we cancelled our trip. Maybe next year. Damn Chinese flu.

[RichieHunt]

Sumter County (where The Villages is located) has 8 cases compared to Broward-Dade Counties (Fort Lauderdale to Miami) which has over 500 cases. Orange County and Osceola (Orlando) have about 75 cases and Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco (Tampa) have about 150 cases.

 

The problem with The Villages is not only the age demos, but they can't handle it given the size of the population (120K+) this time of the year and The Villages hospital is too small. They would have to go to either Ocala or Leesburg and even those hospitals would have a difficult time handling an influx of patients.

 

I was told that the golf courses were still busy though. Not sure how much longer that will hold up. The problem in Florida has been the tourists. Spring Breakers who refused to isolate themselves, people coming in and out of cruise ships and lots of people coming in from the NY/NJ/CT area.

 

 

 

RH

[The Milkman]

I'm visiting my in-laws in the Villages this weekend. Have tee times at Belle Glade and Cane Garden. From what I hear most of the courses in the Villages are pretty similar, standard FL neighborhood courses. Any experience with those 2? What should I expect