Not your typical Orlando courses

[donny dogtails]

Hi Folks,

 

Starting to put together our fall 2021 trip to Orlando. Looking at different courses below but don't know much about them. Looking at other courses than the normal vacation courses around Orlando. Appreciate guidance and recommendations on the following.

 

Country Club of Winter Haven, Dubsdread, Red Tail, Deer Island, or your recommendation.

 

Willing to drive 45 minutes from Kissimmee.

 

Thanking you in advance.

 

Donny Dogtail

[MPAndreassi]

Red Tail is a good course, I played there a lot when I lived down there. I haven’t been down there in a few years, but it was always in good shape. 
 

Another good one off the beaten path is Rio Pinar. It used to host the PGA in the late 60s through most of the 70s then held an LPGA event from the late 70s until the early 80s. 

[jjthomp2]

unless something has changed Rio Pinar's conditioning was miserable last time i played (about a year or so ago).

 

Dubsdread has an awesome bar or it used to pre Covid.

 

Winter Park 9 you should check out if you're up that way. 

 

Southern Dunes is a good track

[markheardjr]

Dubsdread is very short and very narrow. Has an old 1950's / 1960's vibe. I played it once, that was enough probably. It is near winter park which has some great eats, high end stuff, but maybe not a pick for a "trip" if you know what I mean.

 

North Shore is a course near the airport, super close if you pay tolls on 417. Interesting course with a tale of two 9s. Front is "australian links" and the back is like parkland florida with super old giant live oak trees. Can hit up some nice places after in Lake Nona, or do 36 and get a round at Eagle Creek.

 

I have not been but maybe check out Providence Golf Club south of Kissimmie. Self-promoted as the having amazing greens. There's lots of reviews and photos on google maps to see for yourself. But hey, another option a bit further out of Orlando.

[MPAndreassi]

46 minutes ago, jjthomp2 said:

unless something has changed Rio Pinar's conditioning was miserable last time i played (about a year or so ago).

That’s a shame to hear. I haven’t played there in a quite a few years. 

[sabram]

Of the courses you listed, Southern Dunes would be my first choice by far. Red Tail would be my second choice, but depending where in Kissimmee you are the drive  could be closer to an hour than 45 minutes.  It would help to know what you like in a golf course. Do you have a budget in mind? Do you like tight tree lined courses vs courses with a lot of width; do you like undulating slick greens? Are you okay with lots of water in play?

 

The general consensus of most popular courses "normal vacation courses" within 45 minutes of Kissimmee,  include Bay Hill, Championsgate CC, OCN, Grand Cypress New, Reunion, Waldorf  and Disney courses. Of those Grand Cypress is the "least normal" for Florida as it is a faux links, wide fairways, pot bunkers and other links features although it doesn't really play like a true links

 

If you are looking for a few bargain courses that are not where the tourists flock to, besides Providence (which someone above suggested and is pretty good)  consider Highlands Reserve (wide fairways, elevation changes, not much water and intersting greens), White Heron (some tight holes,  lots of water, fast greens). If you want to drive a little further consider Eaglebrooke and Sandpiper (walkable, variety of holes, nice elevation changes to make things interesting and a couple good short par 4's.

 

Click on a photo for a full photo tour of each course:

 

Southern Dunes

 

Championsgate CC

 

Eaglebrooke

 

 

Grand Cypress New

 

 

Highlands Reserve

 

Providence

 

Red Tail

 

Sandpiper

 

White Heron

 

 

[donny dogtails]

Dear Sabram,

 

Thank you so much for taking the time to post the above. Have you ever played or have comments on Country Club of Winter Haven? Not finding much info on that course.

 

Right now we have Southern Dunes (our favorite), Deer Island (new for us) Stonegate - Oaks, probably Red Tail and CC of Winter Haven. 

 

We're in our early 70's mid handicappers, not looking for extremely difficult courses but challenging and aesthetically appealing. We use to play 6,000 yard course but now 5,500 to 5,800. slope around 115-118. This gives us a course that's fun. Don't want be using 4 and 5 woods into par 4's.

 

Price $60 to $80 but willing to spend $100 for a very nice course.

 

From your list above we've played Southern Dunes, Grand Cypress New, Providence, Championsgate CC.

 

Thanks again,

donny dogtail

 

 

 

 

[sabram]

 

4 hours ago, donny dogtails said:

Dear Sabram,

Right now we have Southern Dunes (our favorite), Deer Island (new for us) Stonegate - Oaks, probably Red Tail and CC of Winter Haven. 

 

We're in our early 70's mid handicappers, not looking for extremely difficult courses but challenging and aesthetically appealing. We use to play 6,000 yard course but now 5,500 to 5,800. slope around 115-118. This gives us a course that's fun. Don't want be using 4 and 5 woods into par 4's.

 

Price $60 to $80 but willing to spend $100 for a very nice course.

 

Donny D - I'm almost 70 and also a mid handicapper. I haven't played CC of Winter Haven so can't opine on that one.  I've played Stonegate Oaks. It probably fits your criteria. The negatives are it's a very flat property and there are three or four really long cart rides between holes. You'll find tees for the yardage you want, the fairways are wide and the greens are in good shape. There is water on only a few holes and can be daunting on a couple of the par threes. It's not too expensive.  I think you might prefer Highlands Reserve or Sandpiper though. Eaglebrooke and Redtail are better courses and more scenic, but also more difficult, with Eaglebrooke having a lot of water in play and Red Tail having a few tight holes.

 

Someone else has mentioned the Winter Park 9 holer, which is really good and meets all of your criteria. 

 

Finally, If you are able to drive about an hour, the Deltona Club is really good and inexpensive. If you like Southern Dunes, I think you'd like Deltona. I've played there several times. It is usually in good shape, but not always... but great layout and great bang for the buck.

 

Stonegate Oaks

 

Winter Park 9

 

Deltona

Edited January 26, 2021 by sabram
correct typos

[donny dogtails]

Thanks again, much appreciated!!

[negolfking]

Southern Dunes is typically a must play. Country Club of Winter haven is private I believe, played it once a few years ago,nothing spectacular.Royal Saint Cloud has been getting a lot of high praise lately.Red Tail is a course that's a little tough to play the first time, a few fairways end sooner then they appear to. Champions gate Country Club, not the resort, is well worth looking into.

[donny dogtails]

Looks like we're going with the following:

 

First day - Highlands Reserve then Stonegate - Oaks, Bella Collina, Championsgate CC and last our favorite Southern Dunes. 

 

First two could change but the last three are solid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[donny dogtails]

swapped out Stonegate - Oaks for Deer Island.... looks intriguing 

[RichieHunt]

Deer Island is a good choice, but man is it in the middle of nowhere.  Pack a lunch because if they're not serving food there the nearest place to eat is 20 minutes away.  

Bella Collina is probably something you won't care for the first time you play it.  I liked it after the 2nd time I played it.  It's extremely hilly and the hills are such that if you don't know what you're doing it can turn a good shot into a bad shot, quickly.

 

Rio Pinar hasn't been good in ages.  I was a member there for a little while and the old ownership stopped taking care of the course and then the superintendent lost their greens.  New ownership has never been able to pick up the pieces.  What has hurt the course the most is the neighborhood has taken a turn for the worst and mini-tour, LPGA and Korn Ferry Tour players basically stay in Palm Beach these days instead of Orlando.  

 

Providence Club is a good value course.  Nothing awesome, but generally a solid course for a good price and the pace of play is usually quite good.

 

Eaglebrooke is a favorite of mine.  Great design, particularly on the back nine.  Usually a very good price, decent conditions, a good pace of play.

 

I generally like Eagle Creek, but the pace of play is horrendous this time of year.  Same with North Shore.

 

Personally, I would replace Highlands Reserve.  If Legends at Orange Lake Resort is in good condition I think it's a big upgrade over HR.  Eaglebrooke certainly is, although it's longer than 45 minutes to get to.  Celebration may be your best bet overall.  It's far superior to HR and is nearby.  And it's just a short trip to downtown Celebration for food and drinks.

 

 

 

 

RH

[donny dogtails]

Thanks RH!  great local info and very insightful.

 

Much appreciated!!

 

donny dogtail

[lsh]

 I like Mission Inn. There are two courses But I have only played El Campion and I like it. Good condition and some elevation changes. I stay with family near UCF and it’s a bit of drive.

[Eric49er]

RichHunt said:  "Personally, I would replace Highlands Reserve" - I would agree totally.  Play Disney or one of the Orange County National Courses.  Deer Island is a personal favorite of mine.  And if you need a break from the water holes, you can play Kings Ridge in Clermont

[ryanhockey21]

Deer Island is a nice course but every time I’ve played it the course is really wet, plus I always lose a ton of balls. It has a couple huge gators, but I’ve never seen any deer there. I also like Mission Inn like Ish mentioned, plus they have 36 holes. Black Bear is another one to look at up north of Orlando, its pretty close to Red Tail. 

[donny dogtails]

Thanks guys for the great comments. Greatly appreciated!!

[Eric49er]

I played Red Tail on Monday, and their greens are awful.  I assume they had a pest infestation or just don't care to do maintenance.  I have played some bad courses over the years, but the greens at Red Tail were the WORST I have ever seen.  I would not recommend that course in the near future, and before Monday, I would have said it was one of the best on the outskirts of Orlando

[Jdhbbt]

If you can get on Winter Haven (it’s private) it’s an underrated golf course IMO. 
 

It’s more challenging than the yardage indicates and there are a number of holes right on the lake that are gorgeous.